My alphabetical review — @SoxNerd style — of the 2021 White Sox forges on with a look at pitcher GARRETT CROCHET:
*Only six other Sox rookies — Reb Russell (1.90 in 1913), Terry Forster (2.25 in 1972), Shingo Takatsu (2.31 in 2004), Nate Jones (2.39 in 2012), Bobby Thigpen (2.73 in 1987) and Chris Sale (2.79 in 2011) — had a lower ERA than Crochet’s 2.82 in 2021 (minimum 50 appearances).
*Crochet’s average of 10.77 strikeouts per nine innings in 2021 was the fourth-highest output by a Sox rookie (minimum 30 outings) … The only pitcher with a higher K/9IP average and more appearances was Jace Fry in 2018 (12.27 in 59 games).
*His average of 0.33 homers allowed per nine innings in 2021 was the seventh-lowest in Sox history by a rookie (minimum 30 games) behind Vic Frasier (0.38 in 1931), Jake Petricka (0.37 in 2014), Chico Escarrega (0.37 in 1982), Roy Wilkinson (0.37 in 1920), Jack Harshman (0.36 in 1954) and Sergio Santos (0.35 in 2010).
*Crochet limited opposing cleanup hitters to a .095 average in 2021. That is the 10th-lowest output in Sox history (at least 20 at bats). The record holder? Dallas Keuchel who limited fourth-place hitters to a .036 average in 2020.
*In my last entry, I highlighted how well MIchael Kopech pitched when Zack Collins was behind the plate.
Today it’s Crochet and Seby Zavala.
Crochet was unscored upon in 11 games covering 11.1 innings while throwing to Zavala in 2021. Hitters slashed just .111/.200/.111 against the Crochet-Zavala combo with no extra-base hits and 13 strikeouts.
Next: Adam Eaton