Pure Genius

The genius of White Sox general manager Rick Hahn was on full display in last night’s 6-3 loss to the Rangers. Oh, the fruits of Hahn’s rebuild. One of them, Yoan Moncada, is out with back issues and won’t come back until…right now, it’s up in the air in the same way Moncada’s productivity is lost somewhere in the basement. Another, Michael Kopech, started and lasted all of four innings. After the game, Kopech told reporters, “I know what this team needs and I know I’ve been not giving that. To not be getting more than five innings per start, especially in my last few, it’s embarrassing to say the least.” [story on team website today] Yeah, for me, too. Let’s not forget Hahn’s manager while we’re at it. Pedro Grifol was in full gibber mode, saying he didn’t want to push Kopech on account of all the innings he’s pitched, which happen to be fewer than fellow starters Lucas Giolito, Dylan Cease and Lance Lynn. Couple that with Grifol’s mantra about learning through losses, and you’re left with the full genius of Rick Hahn, that’s what. I mean, who else would’ve made first-round draft picks out of the likes of Zack Burdi; Zack Collins; Carson Fulmer; and Nick Madrigal? Oh, and let’s not forget Garrett Crochet, who’s gone from having Tommy John surgery last year to getting a cortisone shot in his sore left shoulder this week. Yup, Hahn can really pick ’em. Why, look at all his draft picks and acquisitions at Double-A Birmingham. One dares to ask if the Barons’ 22-43 record doesn’t indicate more than a bit of overachieving. And all that Four-A talent at Triple-A Charlotte has managed to go 33-37. If that doesn’t get Hahn GM of the Year, I don’t know what will.