CHICAGO -- Karan Patel has made two trips to Chicago during his life.
The 22-year-old visited once to take part in a pre-Draft workout at Guaranteed Rate Field when he was a high school senior, and he came to the city a second time for a cricket tournament. That’s right, the seventh round selection by the White Sox in the 2019 MLB Draft is not only a standout pitcher from the University of Texas-San Antonio, but also a successful cricket player.
“It comes from my dad [Kuldeep],” said Patel, shortly after being selected by the White Sox. “He grew up playing. He made the national team for the USA and just growing up, he always had me around.
“Slowly I got into it, and then as high school came around, I took it more seriously and got my first opportunity in 2012 to represent the Under-19 USA team. Got another chance in '15 and a third chance in '16.”
Patel started off in cricket as a bowler, which is the pitcher. He became more of a batsman as time went on, and worked his way into being a two-way player.
Pitching will be the only focus on Patel’s agenda once he joins the White Sox.
“He’s got a good arm,” said White Sox director of amateur scouting Nick Hostetler of Patel. “He’s 90-94 [mph]. It’s loose. It’s easy.”
“When I was in high school, I went out to the workout out there at U.S. Cellular Field,” Patel said. “I saw the field and thought, ‘Wow this could be home.’ Four years later, I’m finally getting the chance.”
White Sox area scout Chris Walker kept in touch with Patel over his collegiate years and actually told Patel halfway through his senior season the White Sox were interested in drafting him. He earned 2019 first-team all-conference recognition in Conference USA, posting a 2.84 ERA and striking out 104 batters in 92 innings.
According to the UTSA website, Patel became the first pitcher in the 28-year history of the program to record 100 strikeouts in a season. And playing cricket has actually assisted Patel’s baseball development, despite the fact that when throwing the ball in cricket, you have to keep a round arm and can’t bend your elbow.
“It helps my arm slot and my ability to spin the ball,” Patel said. “And I mean, I got into better shape over the last two years. I just slowly figured out who I am and what kind of pitcher I was. Not doing stuff outside of what I can do.”