TEMPE, Ariz. — Chicago White Sox starter Erick Fedde felt excited ahead of his first Cactus League appearance Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels.
“Felt like, finally back,” Fedde said. “I was ready to go. Wanted to get that first one out of the way.”
After six seasons with the Washington Nationals, the right-hander spent 2023 with the NC Dinos of the Korea Baseball Organization.
He had an amazing season, earning MVP honors after going 20-6 with a 2.00 ERA in 30 starts.
That got the attention of MLB teams, and he signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Sox in December.
Fedde made his spring debut Sunday at Tempe Diablo Stadium, allowing one run on four hits with three strikeouts and one walk in two innings during the 3-1 loss.
He described the 44-pitch outing as “fairly good.”
“It’s funny, I’ve been struggling with my sweeper all spring and I felt like today it was good, but my cutter wasn’t great, led to the lefties having a lot of success,” Fedde said. “Getting that one out of the way and now I have some real stuff to work on after seeing some real hitters.”
Fedde surrendered a double to switch-hitter Aaron Hicks and an RBI single to lefty Nolan Schanuel in the first inning. He struck out Mike Trout and Taylor Ward swinging and Brandon Drury looking to limit the damage.
The Angels had runners on second and third with two outs in the second when Fedde got Zach Neto to ground into a fielder’s choice for the final out of the inning and his performance.
Fedde said he’s felt better as the spring has progressed.
“I’m feeling like I’m really getting my feet under me,” he said. “My pitches are starting to feel sharper and now it’s like really fine-tuning everything, getting ready for the season.”
Before the game, manager Pedro Grifol said he liked the movement on Fedde’s pitches.
“I’m just pleased with the composure, the strike-throwing, the ability to command both sides of the plate,” Grifol said. “Multiple weapons that he’s got to be able to navigate through a lineup three times, four times, maybe.”
Fedde is looking forward to that possibility.
“Best case scenario, we hand it off to the back three to shut it down,” Fedde said. “That’s always the goal, but I hope I look back at the end of the season, and good or bad, I threw a ton of innings and was useful for the team.”
Sunday, Fedde wanted to “focus on things I’m good at, my mixes and then building off of it.”
“I can tell right away, today I needed to find my starting spot for my lefty sweeper,” Fedde said. “Digging my cutter in a little more to the lefties. Now it’s fun to go to the bullpen and really work on those things and sharpen up.”
Fedde spent a portion of the offseason working with Sox teammate Garrett Crochet. The left-hander pitched two scoreless innings Sunday, striking out three in his second appearance this spring.
Crochet started Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch, striking out two in 1 2/3 scoreless innings. He worked the third and fourth innings Sunday as he continues to build up while attempting to go from the bullpen to the rotation.
Crochet struck out Trout, Anthony Rendon and Ward looking in the third inning. He threw 29 pitches, 18 strikes, while facing seven batters.
“There’s always stuff to work on,” Crochet said. “Today, I think I threw two first-pitch strikes, maybe one. That’s tough, something I want to improve on for sure. With a chance to start, that’s the difference between five innings and seven innings. Two of three (strikes) wasn’t good, either. I don’t think I landed an offspeed. But on days like today, sometimes you don’t really need it. If I would have gone three (innings), I probably would have needed to call on it there. It’s definitely some room for improvement.”
Count Fedde among those impressed.
“I think if anybody watches him throw, you know his stuff is just elite,” Fedde said of Crochet. “A one-of-a-kind player. We’re in locker rooms filled with professional athletes and he sticks out. It’s pretty evident.
“He’s growing, he’s eager to learn. Of course, if he wants to be a starter, I hope he is. He’s been great so far this spring. I’m happy for him.”