GLENDALE, Ariz. — Michael Kopech threw his first bullpen session of spring training Wednesday with pitching coach Don Cooper standing nearby, chirping comments and instructions.
White Sox executives and coaches also were scattered around to watch the line of pitchers throw, though undoubtedly many eyes were on the right-hander MLB.com ranked the No. 16 prospect in baseball.
Kopech, 20, joined the Sox in December via the Chris Sale trade with the Red Sox, and his triple-digit fastball already has fans buzzing. But as he tries to prove himself to his new team, he has to remember to pace himself.
"(Cooper) basically had to tell me, ‘Don’t do everything 100 percent right away. It’s going to be a long spring,’" Kopech said. "That’s something I have trouble grasping. I’m a guy who likes to do everything 100 percent.
"Part of it too is I’m here trying to impress people on a new club. He was basically putting my mind at ease saying, ‘Hey, you’re not going to win anything right away. Just get settled in, get comfortable.’"
Cooper put it another way Thursday morning.
"Every single pitch, he’s trying to throw the (expletive) out of it," Cooper said.
Of course, the Sox appreciate the enthusiasm, but Cooper said he doesn’t need "game stuff on practice days." He needs to see Kopech exhibit some control over his location.
"The roadsides in the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the United States are strewn with dead bodies of guys who, man, they had a really good arm," Cooper said. "But nobody ever told him, ‘Oh, it’s about throwing it to the glove, and it’s about throwing strikes.’"
Caption Tour of White Sox’s spring training facility at Camelback Ranch
Tribune reporter Colleen Kane tours the White Sox’s spring training facility at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.
Tribune reporter Colleen Kane tours the White Sox’s spring training facility at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.
Caption Tour of White Sox’s spring training facility at Camelback Ranch
Tribune reporter Colleen Kane tours the White Sox’s spring training facility at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.
Tribune reporter Colleen Kane tours the White Sox’s spring training facility at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.
Caption James Shields: ‘I know how to come back’ from a rough season
White Sox starting pitcher James Shields discusses his horrific 2016 season and what he’ll do to improve in 2017 at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 16, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox starting pitcher James Shields discusses his horrific 2016 season and what he’ll do to improve in 2017 at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 16, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Sox shortstop Tim Anderson on improving and Todd Frazier’s honesty
Shortstop Tim Anderson discusses his intentions to improve in his second year with the White Sox, as well as teammate Todd Frazier’s honesty at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 16, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Shortstop Tim Anderson discusses his intentions to improve in his second year with the White Sox, as well as teammate Todd Frazier’s honesty at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 16, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Michael Kopech on getting comfortable at Sox spring training
White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech discusses how he’s settling in at spring training and his desire to help the team win as soon as possible at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 16, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech discusses how he’s settling in at spring training and his desire to help the team win as soon as possible at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 16, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption White Sox players work out at Camelback Ranch
White Sox pitchers and catchers work out at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 15, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox pitchers and catchers work out at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 15, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Cooper already has laid out some early focuses for Kopech, including locating fastballs away and being more consistent with his changeup.
"(Locating fastballs away) is something I’m hit or miss on," Kopech said. "I can go inside to a right-handed batter all I want, but going away, really hitting that location is big for me."
Kopech has paired with another hard-throwing prospect, Zack Burdi, to warm up this week. Sox manager Rick Renteria called the duo "impressive" on their first day.
"For the first day, guys who throw with that type of velocity, obviously it’s nice to see them hitting the mitt," Renteria said. "As we move forward, it’s going to be incumbent on us as an organization not to get too excited and move the process along quicker than it should be."
Kopech, who was drafted out of his Texas high school in 2014, reached high Class A in his third season in the minors, and so the Sox have been quick to caution that he may need more development than some of the other highly rated pitching prospects now in the organization.
The Sox also will monitor his innings load after he threw 561/3 innings in the minors in 2016 and another 221/3 in the Arizona Fall League.
"For Michael in particular, you’re not expecting to see him jump from 90 to 180 (innings)," Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "That’s just not going to be part of the development plan. But we have a target in mind, not only for this season but for next season and then where we want him in ’19."
Kopech understands that his development path is up to the Sox, but he also isn’t going to shy away from his desire to reach the majors this year.
"It’s their decision, but I think I could be ready," Kopech said. "It’s my goal to help the team win as soon as I can."
ckane@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @ChiTribKane
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