Breaking down the Chicago White Sox prospect haul

4. Michael Kopech, RHP

The tall right-hander out of Texas draws easy comparisons to Noah Syndergaard, and not just because they share a home state and long, flowing blonde locks. Kopech has an impressive fastball that has been clocked as fast as 105 mph depending on how willing you are to trust minor-league radar guns. Consistently, Kopech throws his fastball at 98. He also throws a power slider at 87 and a changeup at 91, pitches that also compare to Syndergaard’s.

Kopech is already an impressive presence on the mound, and has a fluid delivery for such a hard thrower. In his first three professional seasons, Kopech has encountered little resistance from hitters. He has appeared in 36 games, logging 134.2 innings with a 2.61 ERA and 11.5 K/9. Where he has run into some trouble is with the free pass. Kopech walked 5.0 per nine last season at High-A.

Unfortunately, Kopech has run into some off the field issues since being drafted. He was suspended 50 games in 2015 for testing positive for a stimulant. During spring training last year, Kopech broke his hand while fighting with a teammate. Obviously, the young right-hander is oozing talent, but he has some growing up to do if he is to reach his full potential. The 2017 season will be his first extended season.

For now, Kopech projects as a true number-one starter, but he must iron out his command issues. If control problems linger, it would not be a total shock to see him converted to a reliever, especially considering all of the pitching prospect depth the White Sox have accumulated. His ETA in the big leagues is 2019 at the earliest.