David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Heading into Tuesday night’s game, the focus wasn’t on who was starting for the Chicago White Sox, it was on who wasn’t starting.
Jake Peavy was scratched early Tuesday afternoon for trade value purposes as rumors involving the White Sox dealing the veteran hurler heated up once again. However, it was another intense right-hander who quickly stole the show.
Making his major league debut, Andre Rienzo was brilliant in place of Peavy. Although he was left with a no-decision after the Cleveland Indians rallied late to defeat the White Sox 7-4, Rienzo’s outing was still encouraging for the sinking Sox.
Throwing seven innings, allowing zero earned runs on five hits and striking out six, Rienzo proved why he’s been regarded as one of Chicago’s top pitching prospects. Just 25-years-old, the right-hander used his low 90s fastball and sharp breaking curveball to keep the Indians off-balance the entire night.
With the Pale Hose deciding to move Peavy in a three-way deal late Tuesday night, Rienzo now seems like the leading candidate to replace him in Sox rotation.
His first turn in the bigs was of glimmer of what could be a very bright future for the White Sox. Joined by other young arms like Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and Hector Santiago, Rienzo’s addition to the Chicago starting staff sets up the possibility for one of baseball’s top rotations for years to come.
Matt Malecha is a Chicago White Sox writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattMalecha and add him to your network on Google.
