Jennifer Hilderbrand – USA TODAY SPORTS
Timing is everything in MLB and the time has finally come for Andre Rienzo to make his long-awaited professional debut. However, it appears that the Chicago White Sox are putting Rienzo on the hill simply because Jake Peavy has been pulled from his start due to on-going trade talks. A possible Peavy trade has been the talk of the town for weeks in the Windy City, but Rienzo hopes to steal some of that spotlight by throwing a gem against the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday.
As fate would have it: this is going to be Rienzo’s first start at any level since throwing a no-hitter for the White Sox’ triple-A affiliate on Thursday. Oddly enough, Rienzo’s clutch outing came against the Pittsburgh Pirates triple-A affiliate…the Indianapolis Indians.
Chicago’s lack of talent in the minor leagues is well documented, yet the White Sox are unique in the fact that most of their top-notch prospects get the call to the majors rather early — Rienzo is the White Sox’ No. 10 prospect and is no exception to the rule.
Hopefully, the 25-year-old can provide a spark to a bottom-dwelling team that hasn’t done anything right thus far in 2013. Depite a few estranged trade rumors, Chris Sale appears to be cemented on the South Side of Chicago and maybe a few nice outings from Rienzo can give Sox general manger Mark Hahn something to be excited about heading into the offseason.
Devin O’Barr is the Content Commentator for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DevinOBarrRS, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
