Giolito said his mechanics got out of sync during the 2016 season, a development that contributed to his 6.75 ERA over 21.1 innings for the Nationals, Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune reports. "I did a lot of dry work in the offseason, a lot of things where I could just feel my mechanics off the mound," Giolito said. "For me it's about being able to repeat and stay in line."

EDGE Analysis

Whatever mechanical issues Giolito had in Washington weren't evident in his work at the minor-league level, so perhaps his initial stint in the majors was an aberration. The White Sox certainly hope so. The 6-foot-6 right-hander remains one of the top pitching prospects in the minors and is likely to land in the starting rotation at Triple-A Charlotte before seeing his way to Chicago.

Giolito's fastball was the primary reason for his poor debut in the majors last season with Washington.

EDGE Analysis

Opposing big-league batters hit .355 and slugged .742 off Giolito's fastball (per BrooksBaseball.net) while he struck out just 11 batters in 21.1 innings. Those strikeout numbers pop out for the right-hander, who had 397 punchouts in 369 minor-league innings. MLB's Statcast indicates Giolito's spin rate was below league average. Higher spin rates correlates to swinging strikes. "I'd say the lower spin rate was probably because I wasn't extending as much. I was really flying open a lot last year. I've been working super hard to get back to basics with my mechanics this offseason and put it all together. I feel like the ball is coming out of my hands much better right now," said the 6-foot-6 Giolito. He still has the luster of a prospect despite a rude introduction to the majors in 2016. He's expected to open the 2017 at Triple-A Charlotte, with a promotion to the Windy City anticipated at some point.

Giolito was traded to the White Sox on Wednesday as the headliner in a package that sent Adam Eaton to the Nationals, FanRag Sports' Jon Heyman reports.

EDGE Analysis

Giolito's prospect star has faded slightly, as he entered 2016 as the top pitching prospect in the game, and is no longer a top-10 prospect for fantasy purposes. His fastball velocity and command both took a step back last season, as he averaged just 93.3 mph on his heater and posted an 11:12 K:BB in 21.1 innings in the majors. If his fastball velocity can rebound, which is possible, he still has the other ingredients to make it as a frontline starter, with a curveball that flashes plus-plus and a changeup that flashes above average. While he has Tommy John surgery on his resume, he also has the size (6-foot-6, 255 pounds) to eventually log 200-plus innings annually. For immediate fantasy purposes, this is a boon for Giolito's owners, as he did not have an obvious path into the Nationals' rotation, and should be a part of the White Sox's rotation in short order, possibly at the start of this season. He will also get to work with respected pitching coach Don Cooper. Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning were also part of the return package for Chicago.

The Nationals recalled Giolito from Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Giolito will be called up for a third big-league stint this year with the minor-league season coming to a close. His results -- a 5.63 ERA, 1.81 WHIP, and 7:11 K:BB ratio -- in the four games he started for the Nationals this season have not been not favorable, but he remains one of the top starting pitching prospects in the game and could still start for the big club at some point in the next few days. If he does not, he will be available out of the bullpen instead.

Giolito was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Giolito was called up to start Sunday's tilt, and though it was the longest he made it in his four major league starts (five innings), he surrendered four runs on six hits and two homers in a losing effort. The highly touted prospect hasn't found much success yet in his brief major league career, but the 22-year-old has been much better at Triple-A and will look to get straightened out there before potentially rejoining the big league club prior to the end of the season.

Giolito (0-1) allowed four runs on six hits, including two home runs, and two walks while striking out two over five innings Sunday in a loss to the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Nolan Arenado and David Dahl both took Giolito deep as the 22-year-old continues to find the leap up to the big leagues a difficult one. He threw just 10 first-pitch strikes out of 23 batters faced and managed only eight swinging strikes on 100 pitches despite his mouth-watering raw stuff. Giolito still has as much upside as any young pitcher in baseball, but he doesn't seem quite ready to make an impact.

Giolito was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Giolito will return to the big club and start Sunday's series finale against the Rockies. Giolito has pitched just 11 innings over three games with the Nationals this season, giving up six runs and posting a poor 5:9 K:BB in that time. In a corresponding move, Wilmer Difo was optioned to Double-A Harrisburg.

Giolito will be recalled to start Sunday against the Rockies, Chase Hughes of CSN Mid-Atlantic reports.

EDGE Analysis

He seemed the most likely candidate for the start after Reynaldo Lopez was sent down earlier in the week, and the team has confirmed that Giolito will come up to start the series finale against Colorado. Giolito hasn't gone more than four innings in any of his three major league starts to this point as walks have been a major problem (nine in 11 innings). The 22-year-old will likely have a short leash again Sunday.

Giolito is the likely candidate to pitch Sunday against Colorado after Reynaldo Lopez was optioned back to Triple-A , Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lopez's demotion opens a spot in the rotation for the Nationals, and given that Giolito only tossed one inning in his recent minor league start, he'll presumably be fresh and ready to start if called upon Sunday. While the Nationals have yet to make a formal announcement or a roster move regarding Giolito, he'll be a name to monitor throughout the weekend. Giolito notched a 4.91 ERA with a 1.91 WHIP across three starts (11.0 innings) with the big league club earlier this season.

Giolito left his start for Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday after one inning, Chase Hughes of CSN Mid-Atlantic reports.

EDGE Analysis

There was no immediate word of an injury, so it seems the Nats decided to pull Giolito in order to keep him available as an option to start Saturday in place of Stephen Strasburg (elbow). When discussing possible replacements for Saturday, manager Dusty Baker named Giolito and A.J. Cole as the top candidates. An official announcement may not come until later in the week.