Former Tennessee baseball pitcher having MVP season as first-year starter

Former Tennessee baseball pitcher Garrett Crochet is having a breakout season in his first year as a starter in the MLB. Not only did he earn a spot in the starting rotation, but he was the Chicago White Sox's opening day starter this year. 

He's only started 18 career games, which would lead you to believe he might not be ready for the bright lights and expectations as a team's ace, but his performance throughout this season would prove you wrong.

Crochet has been one of the best pitchers in the American League this year and has recorded six wins in 18 starts with a 3.02 ERA and 141 strikeouts. He leads the MLB in strikeouts and has the fourth fewest walks allowed while having the ninth-best ERA. 

If that's not impressive for a first-year starter, Crochet has made some history through his first 18 starts. According to the White Sox on Twitter/X, Crochet is the only pitcher since 1901 to record more than 140 strikeouts while allowing 20 walks or less over his first 18 career starts.

The Ocean Springs, Mississippi native has risen through the White Sox minor league system since being a first-round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. He worked out of the bullpen for Chicago from 2020 to 2023, but he has cemented himself as a full-time starter in the MLB through only 18 career starts. 

Crochet will likely make his first MLB All-Star Game this year after his stellar start with the White Sox. It could also land him with a contender by the trade deadline, with rumors swirling about Chicago possibly trading away Crochet before the July 30 deadline. 

He might not be at the top of the list in ERA, which is what most people first look at when evaluating pitchers, but he has undoubtedly shown that his future is bright in the league, whether he stays in Chicago or has a new home by August.