July 30—The Chicago Cubs trade veteran right-handed closer and 8x All-Star Craig Kimbrel to the White Sox for injured second baseman Nick Madrigal (sad face) and RHP Codi Heuer. Kimbrel has the most career saves (368) of any active pitcher, and is 9th on the all-time saves list. He was drafted by Atlanta in the third round of the 2008 draft, and debuted with the Braves in 2010. He was subsequently traded to the Padres, Red Sox, and Cubs. Kimbral joins the Sox with a season-to-date ERA of 0.49 and 64 SO on 36 ⅔ IP. Publicly at least, Liam Hendriks is handling the trade like a champ.
July 29—The Chicago Cubs trade right-handed reliever Ryan Tepera to the White Sox for A+ LHP Bailey Horn, who came to the Sox from Auburn University in the fifth round of the 2020 draft. Tepera received a three-game suspension early this season for intentionally hitting Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff. He was one of four Cubs pitchers to throw a combined no-hitter against the Dodgers on 06/24/2021. His season-to-date ERA is 2.91 with 50 SO on 43 ⅓ IP.
July 29—The Cleveland Indians trade 9-year veteran second baseman César Hernández to the White Sox for AA RHP Konnor Pilkington, who came to the Sox from Mississippi State in the third round of the 2018 draft. Hernandez won the AL Golden Glove at 2B in 2020. His season-to-date batting average of .231 is down from his career average of .272.
For the first time, the 2021 MLB Draft is part of All-Star Week, at Bellco Theatre in Denver.
Schedule
• Round 1 – Sunday, July 11 at 6:00 pm CDT on ESPN • Rounds 2-10 – Monday, July 12 at 12:00 pm CDT on MLB.com • Rounds 11-20 – Tuesday, July 13 at 11:00 am CDT on MLB.com
Analysis
For an in-depth look at every White Sox draft pick, monitor the coverage by Sox on 35th.
➤ Injury—Yasmani Grandal leaves game in the 6th following an injury to the left leg on a checked swing.
Rodón
Berríos
6-3, 2.37, 122 | 7-2, 3.52, 96
Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at 7:10 pm CDT Target Field Carlos Rodón, LHP vs. Twins / José Berríos, RHP
W, 4-1, 50-35 (.588), W1 | WP: Carlos Rodón (7-3, 2.31) | S: Liam Hendriks (22) | Game 85
In the pouring rain, Billy Hamilton leaps from the edge of the warning track to grab Max Kepler’s line drive to left-center, landing in the mud and sliding to the wall with the ball firmly in his glove, as Liam Hendriks looks on in disbelief. Spectacular! Game highlights from mlb.com:
Yasmani Grandal to Injured List
MLB Advanced Media, LP
July 6—Catcher Yasmani Grandal was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a torn tendon in the left knee, sustained during yesterday’s loss to the Twins. Grandal is expected to be out for 4-6 weeks.
July 7—Adam Engel activated from IL
Lynn
Pineda
8-3, 2.02, 99 | 3-4, 3.70, 51
Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 12:10 pm CDT Target Field Lance Lynn, RHP vs. Twins / Michael Pineda, RHP
Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 3:05 pm CDT Oriole Park at Camden Yards Lucas Giolito, RHP vs. Orioles / Thomas Eshelman, RHP
W, 8-3, 53-35 (.602), W4 | WP: Lucas Giolito (7-6, 4.15) | S: Liam Hendriks (23) | Game 88
Today’s 2-inning start notwithstanding, in the course of three seasons (2013-2015) pitching for Cal State–Fullerton (NCAA Division 1, Big West Conference), Thomas Eshelman issued just 18 walks on 376 ⅓ innings pitched. That’s 0.43 walks per nine innings—likely an all-time record in college baseball. By way of reference, the major league record is held by right-handed-Hall-of-Famer-and-curve-ball-inventor, William Arthur “Candy” Cummings who allowed 0.47 walks per nine innings across six seasons (1872-1877) as a pro. Cummings was also the first major leaguer to start, complete, and win both games of a doubleheader (Sep 9, 1876). See, Control Freak: The college pitcher who walks alone in baseball history. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:
Cease
Watkins
7-4, 4.14, 111 | 1-0, 1.50, 2
Sunday, July 11, 2021 at 12:05 pm CDT Oriole Park at Camden Yards Dylan Cease, RHP vs. Orioles / Spenser Watkins, RHP
W, 7-5, 54-35 (.607), W5 | WP: Liam Hendriks (4-2, 2.75) | S: Matt Foster (1) | Game 89
Starter Dylan Cease allows 2 ER on 5.0 IP (2 H, 2 BB, 6 SO). Michael Kopech (3 SO, 3 batters), Codi Heuer (1 BB, 4 batters), and Garrett Crochet (2 SO, 3 batters) pitch a scoreless inning each. Liam Hendriks gives up a 2-run HR to Trey Mancini (16) in the 9th to tie the game and blow the save (3 SO, 5 batters). Backed up by José Ruiz (1 H, allowing the free runner to score, 1 BB, 3 batters) and Matt Foster (2 hard-hit lineouts, 2 batters) in the 10th, Hendriks is credited with the win anyway. Andrew Vaughn solo HR (9) in the 4th, 3-run HR (10) in the 6th. Adam Engel 3-run HR (4) in the 10th. Watch game highlights from mlb.com:
All-Star Sunday
MLB Advanced Media, LP
All-Star Week 2021 festivities begin on Sunday in Denver. The day’s events include the All-Star Futures Game and Round One of the 2021 MLB Draft.
MLB Advanced Media, LP
LaTroy Hawkins (AL) and Vinny Castilla (NL) will serve as managers for the 7-inning contest featuring top minor league prospects. Coors Field – 2:00 pm CDT
Representing the Chicago White Sox farm system will be Yoelqui Cespedes—yet another Cuban/Dominican “Y” name—outfielder with the Winston-Salem Dash (A+), where slugger Eloy Jiménez is currently rehabbing.
MLB Advanced Media, LP
For the first time, the 2021 MLB Draft will be part of All-Star Week, beginning with Round One on Sunday.
Bellco Theatre at the Colorado Convention Center – 6:00 pm CDT
