White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said earlier this month that Kopech will compete for a spot in the rotation in spring training, Vinnie Duber of NBC Sports Chicago reports. "Obviously, we had Kopech probably deeper into his professional development entering the '21 season than [Garrett] Crochet was, but we were able to find a way to use him in the bullpen but still get him the occasional start, get him stretched out some and put him in a decent position entering this season to be in the rotation," Hahn said.

EDGE Analysis

Like Kopech, Crochet is another prospect who came through the farm system as a starter, but he worked out of the bullpen in 2021 as the organization aimed to manage his innings. While the White Sox have yet to decide whether Crochet will audition for a starting role in 2022 or continue to work in a high-leverage role out of the bullpen, Kopech will at least get the chance to stake his claim to a starting role. Given that Kopech in three years older than Crochet and had an encouraging 2021 campaign as a multi-inning reliever after having not pitched in either of the previous two seasons, the White Sox likely won't be as restrictive with the 25-year-old righty's development moving forward. Kopech built up to 69.1 innings across 44 appearances -- including four spot starts -- last season, finishing with a 3.50 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and a 103:24 K:BB. Reynaldo Lopez looks like Kopech's top challenger for a back-end rotation spot, though it's possible Crochet or an offseason pickup could also make a claim for a starting role.

Kopech could be moved into the starting rotation next season, Vinnie Duber of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duber adds that Craig Kimbrel might not return in 2022, so Kopech could also serve as the team's top setup option in front of closer Liam Hendriks. However, it appears that the organization wants to see Kopech in the rotation, which would seemingly increase his fantasy value if he finds success as a starter. The 25-year-old would likely have a capped workload, though, after tossing just 69.1 innings as a reliever this season.

Kopech was credited with the win in Sunday's 12-6 victory over the Astros in Game 3 of the ALDS after he tossed 2.1 innings out of the bullpen and gave up three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five.

EDGE Analysis

Summoned from the bullpen midway through the second inning after starter Dylan Cease allowed five of the 10 batters he faced to reach base, Kopech recorded the final out of the frame to keep the White Sox's deficit at two runs. Kopech then served up a two-run home run an inning later to give Houston a four-run lead, but the White Sox rallied with five runs in the bottom of the third to put the right-hander in line for the win. The rest of the Chicago bullpen kept the Houston bats quiet for the rest of the night to help the White Sox avoid falling into a 3-0 series hole.

Kopech pitched two perfect innings while striking out four in the loss to Cleveland in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader. He did not factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Kopech struck out the side in the first inning, and followed it with another three-up three-down second inning. He's allowed just one run with 17 strikeouts over nine innings in his last six appearances. The 25-year-old has a 3.57 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with a 13.4 K/9 in 63 innings this season.

Kopech is starting the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against Cleveland, Scot Gregor of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kopech has had several multi-inning appearances recently, and he'll make his fourth start of the year in Thursday's nightcap. The right-hander has recorded a 1.29 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in seven innings across his last five appearances.

Kopech walked one and struck out five over 2.1 scoreless relief innings in Saturday's 9-8 extra-inning loss to Boston.

EDGE Analysis

The White Sox dug into the bullpen early because starter Dylan Cease was tagged for seven runs in the third inning and had shaky command throughout. Kopech has been hammered recently, watching his ERA jump to 4.00 following a stretch in which he allowed 17 runs in 12.2 innings, but showed no such struggles this weekend against Boston. Kopech fanned seven over a combined three scoreless innings Friday and Saturday. With some cracks showing in the rotation, Kopech could be a big multi-inning piece during the postseason.

Kopech (4-2) struck out two over a scoreless and hitless sixth inning to earn the win over Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

White Sox starter Lucas Giolito left a tie game after 4.1 innings with a hamstring injury, opening the door for a potential relief win. Kopech, whose ERA took a beating recently after giving seven runs in 2.1 innings, appears to have regained form. He's executed two consecutive scoreless outings, striking out four over two innings.

Kopech (3-2) allowed two runs on two hits while striking out one to pick up the loss Thursday to Oakland.

EDGE Analysis

Kopech entered a tie game to begin the seventh inning and nearly got out of with a perfect inning, but a shaky decision by first baseman Andrew Vaughn contributed to a two-out, two-run home run by Matt Olson. The first batter Kopech faced hit a grounder toward second base, but Vaughn ranged far to his right for it, then threw wildly from his knees to Kopech covering first on a play that was ruled a hit. The right-hander got the next two batters out before Olson's dinger. Kopech remains a trusted bullpen arm that's posted a 2.74 ERA with 68 strikeouts over 49.1 innings.

Kopech (3-1) allowed five runs on five hits and one walk while striking out one over one inning to take the loss against Cleveland on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

This outing came out of the blue for Kopech, who had not allowed more than one run in any of his previous appearances this season and had surrendered just two earned runs over 15 innings entering Saturday's contest. As such, the White Sox will be reviewing tape to ensure the right-hander was not tipping pitches, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Kopech retired the side in order during the eighth inning of Wednesday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Kopech picked up his eighth hold of the season Wednesday before closer Liam Hendriks surrendered the lead in the ninth. The day prior, Kopech slammed the door on the Royals in the eighth, fanning Whit Merrifield, Carlos Santana and Salvador Perez. Since coming off the injured list in early July, Kopech has a 0.90 ERA, six holds and 14 strikeouts over 10 innings. The White Sox still view the right-hander as a starter long-term but will continue to deploy Kopech as a bullpen piece late in games. Given that eight of Kopech's nine outings since returning have lasted just three outs, it's unlikely he'll be used as a fill-in starter.