The White Sox 2022 season will be remembered as one of the most disappointing seasons in recent years, coming off of the excitement seen in 2021. Between the injury bug and a lack of motivation in the locker room, one thing was consistent: Liam Hendriks dominating batters. With Liam presumed to miss significant time this season, it begs the question of who should be the White Sox opening day closer?
The opening day relief pitching staff is expected to be a combination of Reynaldo Lopez, Kendall Graveman, Joe Kelly, Aaron Bummer, Jake Diekman, Jose Ruiz, and Jimmy Lambert.
Jimmy Lambert is a converted starter to relief pitcher and can be safely eliminated from this race. Aaron Bummer and Jake Diekman both are career set up guys that I don’t see being elevated into the closer role.
This leaves us Reylo, Graveman, Kelly, and Ruiz. Considering 2022 ERA alone, each pitchers checks in at 2.76, 3.18, 6.08, and 4.60, respectively. Beyond ERA, the closing pitcher is expected to come into the game under the most stressful conditions and seal the deal. Who has been there in a pinch the last two years to do ANYTHING asked of him? Reynaldo Lopez. Reylo has the ability to juice up the fastball and go off speed with ease. We have seen him work as our fifth starter when needed but he primarily worked the bullpen in 2022, getting out of some serious jams he inherited from other underperforming pitchers. I just cannot see the same elevation of performance in the clutch from the other three pitchers. With that said, I am looking forward to an improve Jose Ruiz this season based on his performance in the WBC.
Upon the return of Liam, Reylo can slide right back in to being an innings eater for us in the bullpen, and potentially starting a few reliever days (hey, we haven’t seen what Pedro is going to do yet).