"You wouldn't want to run into Garrett Crochet in a dark alley" - White Sox exec claims Boston 'got somebody special' with ace pitcher from Chicago

Although the Chicago White Sox had a historically poor campaign, Garrett Crochet delivered an excellent season for the team before he was traded to the Boston Red Sox last week.

White Sox Director of Pitching Brian Bannister feels the left-hander has an imposing presence due to his massive physique, and the Red Sox have got their hands on one of the most talented pitchers in the game.

Brian Bannister said on the 'Baseball Isn't Boring' podcast about Garrett Crochet (24:13 - 28:48):

"Garrett is tremendous, and the first thing that stands out is his physicality," he said.

"He's great. He's friendly, but you wouldn't want to run into him in a dark alley, because he's so much more physically massive than me, and I'm not small. I'm 6'1", 225 [pounds], but he just towers over me.

Bannister also discussed the abilities of Crochet on the mound.

"When you pair 100 mph on his riding cut-fastball with that of his down-and-in cutter to the righties, he just took off," Bannister added.

"You're basically getting an elite closer, almost like an Aroldis Chapman type, but a buy that's capable of going six innings and maintaining that level of performance. I really think the Red Sox got somebody special."

The Red Sox dished out four prospects, Kyle Teel and Braden Montgomery, Chase Meidroth and Wikelman Gonzalez, in exchange for the left-handed pitcher.

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"Garrett Crochet is in the inner circle of the five best pitchers in baseball next year": Brian Bannister

Garrett Crochet was an All-Star in his first season as a starting pitcher in the MLB (Image Cource: Imagn)

The Chicago White Sox selected Garrett Crochet as their first-round pick of the 2020 MLB Draft. Crochet made his major league debut the following year as a reliever and had an impressive rookie campaign. He was sidelined due to elbow surgery in 2022 before rejoining the team the next year.

Brian Bannister shared his perspective on the southpaw producing the best season of his career after being promoted to a starting role in 2024.

"I think Garrett would've won the Cy Young if he had just been allowed to be himself," he said.

"I don't think it was in his best interest long-term. But if you look at his rate stats, his ability to strike people out, his ability to get swings and misses in the zone, his ability to limit his walks, he'll give up a homer every now and then, but I think he's in the inner circle of the five best pitchers in baseball next year."

The White Sox lost 141 games this year, so Garrett Crochet could only a post a 6-12 record with a 3.85 ERA. He made 32 starts in total after making his first All-Star team and posted 209 strikeouts from just 146 innings.