With the White Sox trading away five pitchers over the past few days, it’s time to get creative.
The team announced that prior to Friday night’s game vs. Cleveland, they have selected the contract of right-handed reliever Declan Cronin from Triple-A Charlotte. He will likely get his fair shot now that both Joe Kelly and Kendall Graveman are on the move.
Cronin, 25, was originally selected by the club in the 36th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Aside from a one-inning stint as an opener, the right-hander has worked exclusively out of the bullpen. Cronin owns a career 10-6 record with a 3.86 ERA (76 ER/177.1 IP), four saves, just one start, and 144 strikeouts in 145 career games over four seasons (2019, ’21-23) in the White Sox system.
In 2023, Cronin is 1-0 with a 4.03 ERA (20 ER/44.2 IP), two saves, 36 strikeouts, and just three home runs allowed over 41 relief appearances with Charlotte. He has a 2.61 ERA (3 ER/10.1 IP) with eight strikeouts over 10 July games, including even scoreless appearances. His 18.6% strikeout rate is a little below typical major league averages, while his 9.9% walk rate is slightly on the higher end. That being said, he’s posted a ground ball rate of 53.7% or higher at each level in which he’s appeared, sitting well above the major league average of 42.5% this season.
With no experience at the highest level, Cronin will be making his MLB debut whenever he sees his first action. ESPN’s Jeff Passan shared an amusing story on Twitter regarding Cronin’s promotion.
Love a great call-up story, and the White Sox’s newest reliever, Declan Cronin, certainly has one.
Cronin was a 36th-round pick. Signed for $2,500 out of Holy Cross. He had 4 minutes remaining in a 15/10 online chess game against his brother when he heard a knock at his door.
It was Justin Jirschele, his AAA manager. He wanted to congratulate Cronin. He was headed to the big leagues. It was a moment of incredible joy. Except for one thing.
“You can’t exactly tell your manager, ‘Hey, that’s great and all about going to the show, but I need to wrap up this king-side attack,’ ” Cronin said.
He ran out of time in the chess game. It was the best loss of his life.
via Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan)/Twitter
Following the move, the White Sox active roster increases to 26 and the 40-man roster to 38.
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