Chicago White Sox, Charlotte Knights fans await the next big thing

Like any other sports fans, baseball followers are always awaiting the next big thing.

In Chicago, White Sox fans continue to wonder when pitcher Michael Kopech and outfielder Eloy Jimenez, currently on the Class AAA Charlotte Knights’ roster, will get the call to the big leagues.

In Charlotte, where Kopech and Jimenez are the current big thing, the next attractions are playing at the AA level, in Birmingham.

Right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease and outfielder Luis Alexander Basabe were in the spotlight Sunday night, playing in the MLB Futures All-Star Game, a prelude event to Tuesday night’s MLB All-Star Game in Washington.

Both Cease and Basabe, who have made quick ascents up the minor-league ladder, could be in Charlotte before the season ends.

Cease, 22, ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the White Sox organization, started the season with Class A Winston-Salem, going 9-2 with a 2.89 ERA. He is 1-0 at Birmingham and pitching well, according to the White Sox organization.

Basabe, 21, is batting .251 with nine homers and 34 RBI at Winston-Salem and then Birmingham this season.

Meanwhile, White Sox fans are continuing the Kopech-Jimenez Watch.

General manager Rick Hahn told the Chicago Tribune this week that the White Sox are still in wait-and-see mode. Kopech has pitched well but also has had a few rough outings. Jimenez, who like Cease came to the White Sox organization last July from the Chicago Cubs in the Jose Quintana trade, missed the last week with a thigh injury.

The Knights reactivated Jimenez on Sunday and he played Sunday evening at Durham.

“We don’t have to make that decision until we get to the last month of baseball,” Hahn told the Tribune. “Given the progress he (Jimenez) has made when he has been active, that issue could be back on the table at some point in the not-too-distant future. But for now, it’s a moot point.”

Here’s how the Knights fared during the past week:

Monday-Wednesday: Charlotte was on the All-Star break. Reliever Thyago Vieira, the Knights’ sole All-Star game representative, pitched a scoreless inning in the International League’s 12-7 loss to the Pacific Coast League.

Thursday: Outfielder Jacob May slammed four hits and starter Jordan Guerrero pitched 6.2 scoreless innings as the Knights downed host Durham 4-2.

Friday: White Sox outfielder Nicky Delmonico, making an injury rehab appearance with Charlotte, went 3-for-3 but the Knights dropped a 5-2 decision to Durham.

Saturday: Jacob May (single) and Jose Rondon (triple) had RBI hits in the top of the 10^th as the Knights downed Durham 3-1. Kopech had a superb outing, allowing only four hits and striking out 11 in six innings.

Sunday: Jeremy Hunt Hazelbaker’s two-run double capped a three-run rally in the bottom of the ninth, lifting the Durham Bulls past Charlotte 7-6. Eddy Alvarez hit a two-run homer for the Knights.

Week ahead: The Knights are home all week, facing Pawtucket at 7:04 p.m. Monday through Thursday, then Indianapolis at 7:04 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 12:05 p.m. Sunday.

This story was originally published July 15, 2018 at 7:53 PM.