Top Sox pick Rodon debuts in Rookie League

CHICAGO -- Carlos Rodon's professional debut Tuesday night for the Arizona Rookie League White Sox featured one run allowed on two hits over one inning, and Chicago's top pick in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft struck out one.

It was the first time the left-hander and third selection overall in the Draft had pitched in a game since May 16 during his last start for North Carolina State University.

White Sox director of player development Nick Capra wrote via e-mail that Rodon had good fastball command, hitting 96 mph, and that the report was "encouraging."

"Just getting the rust off after a six-week break," Capra wrote.

"It's a good thing just to get started and get your feet wet," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura of Rodon. "It's a pretty exciting time for him. We're just happy to get him going and get him in the fold."

Rodon is expected to make another appearance in Arizona and then get promoted to Class A Winston-Salem of the Carolina League. His chances to reach the Majors out of the bullpen with the White Sox this season remain a question.

"They haven't said anything. This is his first taste of being in professional baseball," said Ventura of expectations for Rodon. "We'll have talks as he goes along, but for right now, the focus is just on what we've got here and continuing to try to win games with these guys.

"If he does something that makes them push him up here, then that will happen. We haven't talked about it."