CHICAGO -- Another Michael Kopech start for Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday morning in Louisville meant another dominant performance by the No. 2 White Sox prospect per MLB Pipeline.
Kopech, who will turn 22 on Monday, struck out eight, walked two and yielded one hit over six innings and 98 pitches. That lone hit was D.J. Peterson's RBI double with two outs in the fourth. Kopech, the No. 10 prospect in all of baseball per MLB Pipeline, retired Louisville's Nick Senzel -- the No. 7 prospect overall and No. 1 in the Cincinnati organization -- in all three head-to-head at-bats. Kopech struck out Senzel twice.
If the Knights stay on schedule, Kopech would next pitch on May 1 at home against Gwinnett. In four starts overall for the Knights, Kopech has fanned 29 in 21 innings and has posted a 2.14 ERA.
Confidence is key for Giolito
Confidence becomes the key factor for Lucas Giolito, who opens a fvie-game set over four days in Kansas City Thursday night against the Royals. Despite being tied for the Major League lead with 19 walks in 20 innings and having a 9.00 ERA through four starts, the right-hander is confident he will turn matters around.
"I've been able to maintain my confidence through this whole process a lot because of what I did last year," Giolito said. "I feel like there might be a few other factors in play, but the main thing is just continue to work on what I have to work on every single day, and go out there and pitch and compete to the best of my ability.
"It's awesome that I have the support of my teammates. I also have the support of management and coaches. It makes me feel good about what I need to do, the adjustments I need to make. I'm just looking forward to my next start."