Chicago White Sox: Is Chris Sale's Goal of 200 Innings Realistic?

The Chicago White Sox look to employ a similar cast of starting pitchers than the group that comprised the rotation in 2011. Chris Sale is the new addition to that group. His adjustment, back to being a starter, will be something to be closely monitored this season.

Sale, Chicago's first selection in the 2010 draft, has a season and a third of big league experience. However, all of his success has come from the bullpen since joining the White Sox in August of the 2010 season.

Less than two months after signing a contract and with just ten innings of work in the minors, Sale made his major league debut August 6th, 2010 in Baltimore. He gave up a hit and a walk to the only two batters he faced.

From that auspicious beginning, Sale has put up impressive numbers.

Sale posted a 1.93 ERA in 21 relief appearances over the remainder of 2010, then followed it up with a 2.79 ERA in 58 appearances last season. Only fellow reliever Jesse Crain had a lower earned run average on the White Sox's pitching staff.

The rail-thin southpaw (Sale is 6'6" and weighs 180 pounds) was a starter at Florida Gulf Coast University. Now it appears that the White Sox are ready to give Sale the opportunity to take the ball every fifth day.

For how many innings, nobody knows.

Sale came out this spring after a offseason of trying to add a bit more weight—but with no noticeable change. He did concentrate on strengthening his legs along with his left shoulder to better handle the rigors of what should be a big increase of innings.

In an interview with CSN's Chuck Garfein, Sale seemed excited about the chance to start and is going in with an attitude reminiscent of departed starter Mark Buehrle. In short, he wants to pitch 200 innings in 2012.

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“It’s not a matter of whether I think I can. I want to,” said Sale. “That’s something that I want to push for because that’s what this team needs. I don’t really like to set goals or live up to expectations and stuff because I tried doing that last year and I failed miserably.”

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Credit Sale for talking the talk, however, it will be the White Sox who allow him to cash that check.

Sale is 23 and has a whip-like pitching motion that would seem to put a lot of stress on his left arm. Nearly tripling his innings pitched at this stage of his career could be ill-advised, to say the least.

Don Cooper is insisting that the team won't put a limit on the number of innings Sale throws this season. However, Cooper hasn't been the White Sox's pitching coach for as long as he has by blowing out the club's best arms. The team is going to evaluate him early and often in order to maintain Sale's health.

It will be interesting to see how the back end of the bullpen develops as Sale settles into his new role. A lot of fans wouldn't mind seeing Sale as the team's new closer. If Chicago struggles in the ninth inning, could Sale be moved back to the bullpen?

I think Sale and the White Sox are fully committed to his spot in the rotation. At the same time, Sale has a lot of questions to answer as he makes the transition.