General manager Chris Getz admired the conviction Garrett Crochet displayed in his attempt to join the Chicago White Sox starting rotation.
“It’s a testament to his work ethic, and then you fast forward to spring training and every outing has been very encouraging,” Getz said Sunday in Scottdale, Ariz.
That work ethic led to Crochet earning the starting nod for opening day when the Sox play the Detroit Tigers Thursday at Guaranteed Rate Field.
“He’ll get tested even more here during the season, but for him to get the opening-day nod, I think it’s once again just speaks to the athlete and pitcher that he is and wants to be in this game,” Getz said.
The opening-day assignment became available after the Sox traded ace Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres.
Crochet, 24, has made 72 appearances in big-league games, each as a reliever. After missing 2022 while recovering from Tommy John surgery and being limited to 13 outings last season, he eagerly awaits this opportunity.
“I’m super happy for him,” said Michael Soroka, Saturday’s starter for the Sox. “He has been through a rough couple years coming back. The most impressive thing was people worried about his command, he told me where it was last year and how it’s been this spring is a huge step forward for him.
“That’s a large part of starting, being able to command the baseball on a daily basis. It’s how you stay out of trouble and minimize damage. With his stuff, his ceiling is huge. A lot of people outside looking in might think it’s a strange move given he’s been a reliever his whole career but for us watching inside, it’s very earned. He’s going to set the tone.”
And Crochet is joining rare company.
The team’s first-round pick in 2020, he will become just the ninth pitcher in the last 110 years to make his first career start on opening day, according to MLB’s Sarah Langs. And he’s just the third since 1981 to fit that scenario.
Here’s a look at how the previous two pitchers fared.
Fernando Valenzuela
Fernando Valenzuela during a press conference on May 18, 1981.
April 9, 1981: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Houston Astros
Jerry Reuss was scheduled to start opening day for the Dodgers, but he strained a muscle in his left calf the night before. Valenzuela got the ball, becoming — as a Los Angeles Times story from 1981 pointed out — the first rookie to start an opener for the Dodgers since they had moved to Los Angeles.
The left-hander had 10 relief outings in 1980. That day in April was just the start of what turned out to be “Fernandomania.”
He tossed a gem, allowing five hits while going the distance in a 2-0 victory at Dodger Stadium.
“As the game progressed he got stronger,” catcher Mike Scioscia said in 1981. “From the seventh through the ninth, he had awesome command of everything.
“He wasn’t one bit nervous. He’s so cool out there. I don’t think he even broke a sweat.”
Astros manager Bill Virdon said in the same: “He may be 20 (years old), but he pitches 30.”
Valenzuela won his first eight starts that season on the way to earning National League Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award honors.
Tanner Scheppers
The Rangers’ Tanner Scheppers delivers to the Angels in the eighth inning of a game on April 5, 2013. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
March 31, 2014: Texas Rangers vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Scheppers came into camp for the Rangers in 2014 looking to earn a spot in the rotation. He accomplished that goal, along with being named the opening-day starter as the Rangers began that season without Yu Darvish, who was on the injured list.
“I’m just extremely excited for the opportunity,” Scheppers said at the time. “Let’s get this season started and get things rolling in the right direction.”
Scheppers entered 2014 with 115 career major-league appearances, each in relief — including 76 in 2013.
Opening day 2014 began on a good note, a 1-2-3 first inning against the Phillies in Arlington, Tex. But the Phillies got to him in the second, scoring six runs. Jimmy Rollins capped the inning with a grand slam.
Scheppers lasted four innings, allowing seven runs on eight hits. He did not factor in the decision in the 14-10 loss.
“It was a dream come true, something I’ll never forget, and something I’d like to forget,” Scheppers said after the game with a chuckle.
Crochet and the Sox will aim for a different outcome Thursday.
