MLB Trade Deadline: The Case For and Against Pursuing Ace Garrett Crochet

As the 2024 Major League Baseball season ramps up, some teams are on the lookout for patching together their starting rotations with the trade deadline looming large (July 30). Pitching depth is key for any team eyeing a deep postseason run and several clubs are currently grappling with a shortage of starting pitchers.

According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, the teams facing a pressing need for starting pitchers are the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Guardians, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Considering these challenges, Garrett Crochet emerges as a good solution who is currently playing as a starting pitcher for the Chicago White Sox.

“Crochet is really interesting because he probably is the best starter available right now.”

Recognizing his talent, the team drafted Crochet 11th overall in 2020. Impressively, he swiftly ascended to the majors that year, right after being selected.

Which teams are most desperate for starting pitching at the trade deadline?@Ken_Rosenthal has more on this ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/sQmDQFBX77

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 15, 2024

Crochet faced setbacks in 2022 and 2023 due to Tommy John surgery and shoulder problems that restricted his game time. However, his performance in the 2024 MLB season has been promising, as evidenced by his statistical achievements.

Crochet’s youth is an attractive asset for potential contenders’ pitching rotations. On the flip side, it is expected that the White Sox will demand compensation for Crochet, including multiple top prospects. This could impact the farm system of the acquiring team. Additionally, concerns about Crochet’s durability persist due to his Tommy John surgery history.

Despite his skill, Crochet has already surpassed his career innings count, including his college days. This workload issue may lead some teams to view him more as a playoff reliever than a starting pitcher.

Crochet has been generating quite a buzz lately. Even NL All-Star starter Paul Skenes, and a fellow young pitcher himself, couldn’t resist praising Crochet’s talent.

Paul Skenes Lauds Garrett Crochet Ahead of NL All-Star Game Start

Ahead of the National Leagues Star Game, rookie starting pitcher Paul Skenes shared his admiration for Garrett Crochet. He praised Crochet’s pitching style and his stellar performance in the ongoing season. Skenes pointed out that Crochet’s pitching mechanics are unlike anything he has seen before- indicating that his delivery is distinct and may contribute to his effectiveness.

Although he admitted not having in-depth knowledge of Crochet’s pitch selection or techniques, Skenes was fascinated by his physical movements. He found interest in the way Crochet’s body moves as he pitches- suggesting that his biomechanics could play a role in his success.

Additionally, Skenes commended Crochet for delivering top-notch performances and despite limited exposure to watching Crochet play, Paul Skenes finds his pitching style visually appealing.

“It’s really fun to watch him do it every outing for six or seven innings and punch out the guys he’s doing with the ERA and all that. The stats speak for themselves.”