Watch: White Sox Prospect Michael Kopech Hits 110 MPH On Max Velocity Throw
(CBS) In trading Chris Sale, the White Sox got a major return from the Red Sox, one they they hope can set themselves for the future.
Flame-throwing pitcher Michael Kopech was one of the key prospects, a 20-year-old who can hit triple digits from the mound. But Kopech can throw much faster in a max velocity crow-hopped throw.
How fast, exactly? Kopech hit 110 miles per hour in a throw clocked on Twitter.
Check this out, via @teamAPEC.
Kopech is expected to start the season at high Class-A or Double-A, general manager Rick Hahn has said previously. Along with infielder Yoan Moncada, Kopech was a headlining prospect in the deal with Boston. The White Sox also acquired outfielder Luis Alexander Basabe and pitcher Victor Diaz in the deal.
Kopech dominated the minors in 2016, recording a 2.08 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 13.7 K/9 rate in 52 innings in two levels. He was a first-round pick of the Red Sox in 2014.
"We project Kopech to be a front-end starter," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn recently told 670 The Score. "He's certainly given the plus-plus fastball and the nasty slider. He's the type of guy you could see dominating out of the closer role or a multi-inning leverage role out of the bullpen down the road, but right now, we're projecting him as a front-end starter, especially based upon his performance in the Fall League this year."