Update: The White Sox officially announced that Thorpe will make his MLB debut via Pedro Grifol’s media availability.
The White Sox haven’t been shy this year about promoting some of their top prospects to the major leagues at times this season: Nick Nastrini, Bryan Ramos, and Jonathan Cannon, to name a few. Another one could be on the way.
According to James Fox of FutureSox, the White Sox are expected to promote RHP Drew Thorpe before their game against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night. The White Sox currently have an open rotation spot for that Tuesday game,
Thorpe, 23, is our #3 White Sox prospect, and according to Baseball America, is the #41 overall prospect in the majors. He was acquired from the San Diego Padres in the Dylan Cease trade and has dominated Double-A this season. In 60 innings pitched across 11 starts, Thorpe in 7-1 with a minuscule 1.35 ERA, striking out 25% of hitters while walking just 7.6%. He dominated Double-A last season too with the Yankees in 30.1 innings, posting a 1.48 ERA in that span as well.
Thorpe is a 6’4″ right-handed pitcher that the Yankees originally drafted in the second round of the 2022 MLB First-Year Player Draft. A consensus All-American, he was rated by MLB Pipeline as the 61st overall prospect in that draft class and received some comps to Kyle Hendricks. Scouts lauded Thorpe for having arguably the best changeup in his draft class, a projection that has held true as that pitch has led his arsenal throughout his minor league career.
The White Sox have not confirmed these reports, however, Tuesday would align perfectly with Thorpe’s schedule. The Barons do not play on Monday, so Thorpe’s next start is scheduled for Tuesday. In his last outing, he gave up one run in six innings, striking out seven and walking just one.
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