Kopech was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday for Double-A Birmingham with a sprained ankle, Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The White Sox don't seem to be especially concerned about the injury and anticipate that Kopech will be able to make his next scheduled turn. The 21-year-old right-hander has whiffed 28 batters and is holding hitters to a .145 average over 18 innings this season, but has struggled with control, issuing 14 walks.

Kopech, who has walked 10 batters over his first 12 innings, needs to improve his fastball command, according to White Sox minor league pitching coordinator Richard Dotson, Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago reports. "It needs to get better," Dotson said. "It's as simple as that. He's not too far off. I think it's about how much he applies himself. There is a process to it. It just doesn't happen overnight."

EDGE Analysis

Kopech showed some promise during spring training when he struck out 11 and walked just two in six big-league innings, but he's had command issues since the curtain raised on the regular season. He's thrown strikes on just 57.1 percent of his 231 pitches which has resulted in him not pitching more than 4.1 innings. Dotson's comments about how much Kopech "applies himself" is somewhat telling, suggesting that Kopech needs to put in more work to fix his command.

Kopech allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out 10 over 4.1 innings in his organizational debut at Double-A Birmingham, Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

The White Sox added several exciting prospects during the offseason, and perhaps no player's debut was more anticipated than Kopech with his 100-mph fastball. He ran the heater up to 102 and struck out the side in second, third and fourth innings. The corollary to all those strikeouts is an elevated pitch count which got him out of the game before he could qualify for the win. Part of his developmental objectives this year is to work on secondary pitches, like his changeup, and not necessarily have to lean on his hard stuff. To that end, Kopech was not happy about losing a feel for his changeup and becoming a fastball/slider pitcher.

Kopech will open the 2017 season with Double-A Birmingham, Chuck Garfien of CSN Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kopech will be introduced to the Double-A level after just 52 innings in High-A. The organization will be looking for him to better command his high-90s fastball and develop his secondary offerings while with the Barons.

Kopech was reassigned to minor league camp on Tuesday, CSN Chicago's Dan Hayes reports.

EDGE Analysis

The young fireballer posted a 7.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 11 strikeouts in six innings this spring while with the big leaguers. His dynasty league stock is at an all-time high, but he still needs to improve his command and refine his changeup in order to safely project as a starter long term. However, even if he ends up in the bullpen, he has the stuff to be one of the game's most dominant relievers. If the White Sox were contending, Kopech could reach the majors in 2017 as a reliever, but considering they are rebuilding, it seems more likely that he will continue to develop as a starter in the upper levels of the minors this season.

Kopech could make an impact in the major leagues sooner as a reliever than a starter, according to one National League scout, Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

The White Sox will continue to prepare Kopech as a starter, but the subject of using him as a reliever was raised after the young right-hander struck out five in two relief innings Friday. Aside from any young pitcher's goal of improving fastball command, Kopech also needs to develop his changeup. Developing the changeup and building the arm strength to throw 200 innings in a season will take time. At present, his elite fastball (rated 80 on the 20-80 scale) and slider (60) suggest he could pitch as a late-inning reliever immediately. Given that the White Sox aren't in a position to contend immediately, we expect Kopech to remain on track to be a starter.

Kopech allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out four in Sunday's game against the Rangers, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kopech did what coaches wanted of him -- command his fastball and secondary offerings and incorporate his changeup. He didn't throw many changeups, but the ones he did were located where he wanted them. It's unknown if he'll get another start in major league camp, but the young right-hander has something to build upon as he prepares for what likely will be a placement at Double-A Birmingham this season.

Kopech will toe the rubber for the White Sox in Sunday's spring training game against the Rangers, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kopech was taken off schedule in order that pitching coach Don Cooper and bullpen coach Curt Hasler could give the electric right-hander some personal tutelage in the more controlled environments of simulated games and live batting practice. The plan is to introduce something other than the 100-mph fastball that's made a legend of Kopech. Specifically, Cooper wants him to throw more changeups, work on commanding the heater, and establishing a plan of attack.

Kopech threw 45 pitches during a simulated game Tuesday, working on fastball command and changeups, Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kopech's new to big-league camp this year and facing major-league hitters for the first time has its challenges. The 20-year-old right-hander was targeted by pitching coach Don Cooper for some personal instruction after he gave up four runs over one inning in his only spring appearance.

Kopech will work with White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper during the team's off day Tuesday, Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kopech had been scheduled to start Sunday, but was bumped to Tuesday so that he could get some instant feedback and instruction from Cooper, Chicago's pitcher whisperer. The right-hander allowed four runs over one inning in his first spring start, and while the coaches felt he looked much better when reviewing the film, they thought it best to put him in a controlled environment.