Michael Kopech becoming an absolute monster with the Los Angeles Dodgers was a scenario many White Sox fans envisioned as soon as the trade happened. And sure enough, it has played out exactly like that. Kopech has elevated his game to new heights since putting on a Dodgers uniform. Conversely, Miguel Vargas has struggled mightily since joining the White Sox. The trade happened less than a month ago, but it already looks bad from the White Sox side.
It is worth acknowledging that Kopech was trending in the right direction even before the trade. His final five appearances with the White Sox were scoreless, with just one walk and eight strikeouts in 5.2 innings. He also threw an immaculate inning in that timeframe. Kopech reportedly was not listening to the game plan the White Sox coaching staff gave him until this point, which is a problem in itself. Given the success at the end of his time in Chicago, it is unfair to say that the White Sox did not impact his current success.
However, Kopech has elevated his game to a new level with the Dodgers. There could be multiple reasons for this. He may trust their pitching coaches and game plan more than he did in Chicago. The change of scenery could also be a factor. He went from the worst team in baseball to a World Series contender. That is enough to motivate anyone. In any case, he has been dominant in Los Angeles. In 11 appearances with the Dodgers, Kopech has a 0.79 ERA, 1.05 FIP, 0.44 WHIP, and 11.9 K/9. He has also issued just two walks in 11.1 innings. His stuff is as electric as ever, and his command is also better.
There are very obvious differences when comparing Kopech’s 2023 season with the White Sox when he was an unsuccessful starting pitcher to right now when he is one of the best relievers in all of baseball. He uses his four-seam fastball way more now than last year. It has become a better pitch and the stats prove it. Hitters are batting just .190 against his four-seamer in 2024 with a 34.0 whiff% and 36.3 K% compared to last year when hitters hit .244 against that pitch with a 26.4 whiff% and 21.1 K%.
Kopech has always had elite spin rates on his four-seamer, but the added velocity of moving back to the bullpen seems to have made all the difference for him. His 2024 average fastball velocity is 98.7 MPH compared to 95.2 MPH last year. His four-seam fastball had a -4 run value in 2023 compared to a 3 run value now, meaning it has become a much more effective pitch.
Despite using it less, his slider has also become more effective, going from a -7 run value in 2023 to a -1 run value in 2024. Kopech threw that 27.2% of the time last year compared to just 10.1% now. He has also changed other aspects of his arsenal. In 2023, he featured a curveball and changeup as part of his repertoire. He has scrapped those two pitches entirely in favor of a newly added cutter. These days, he is a three-pitch pitcher consisting of a four-seam fastball, cutter, and slider. That trio of pitches has worked wonders for him. He is generating more whiffs than ever and is experiencing more success than he has at any time in his MLB career.
Michael Kopech has always had a million-dollar arm and enormous potential. White Sox fans saw that at times. There were periods when he was dominant in Chicago; he just could not sustain that dominance over the long term. We will have to wait and see if he can do this in Los Angeles over an extended period. Chris Getz has to hope Kopech returns to Earth soon, or else including him as a throw-in will look even worse than it already does.
