Michael Kopech Killed It Last Night…for 2 Innings

Mother Nature was a real bitch for showing up as rain after 1 1/2 innings at Guaranteed Rate Field last night, but Michael Kopech was still a savage, even in a very short 2 innings of work.

Kopech made his major league debut last night for the Sox against the Minnesota Twins after being called up from AAA Charlotte last Sunday. #KopechDay was an all-day celebration leading up to the first pitch and 23,133 fans greeted Hercules with a standing O.

#KopechDay is here! 🔥 https://t.co/sdVTllBJIA

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 22, 2018

In his rain delay-shortened debut, Kopech pitched 2 innings, surrendered 0 runs, gave up 3 hits and struck out 4 batters (YES) with some straight up heat. You could tell Kopech was fired up for his debut quite literally – the dude was sweating profusely on a 74 degree night and visibly had a ton of adrenaline going. But who wouldn’t in their MLB debut? I definitely would have shat my pants – no shame.

My favorite K of the night? When he struck out notorious Sox-killer Joe Mauer with a high 98-mph fastball right down the middle in the 2nd. What’s even better about that is he struck out the side to end the inning, right before Mother Nature ruined the Kopech party.

Thanks to the White Sox, you can check out all four of Kopech’s punchouts below:

A sign of what's to come. #KopechDay https://t.co/f6oxAVRFU0

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 22, 2018

Although Kopech’s debut was short, it sure was pretty damn sweet. One piece of the future is finally on the South Side and I cannot wait for more (Eloy, Eloy, Eloy…).

And another good sign of the night? Fellow up and comer Yoan Moncada, who also came over with Kopech in the Chris Sale trade, felt the #KopechDay energy and hit a solo shot in the 7th. The Sox ended up losing 5-2, but we don’t really give a shit – we’re here to check out the future and prep for 2020 (maybe even 2019, but I can’t get too confident just yet).

I see you, Rick Hahn. This is why you’ve been telling us to wait…