Left-handed pitcher Bernardo Flores got the call on Thursday afternoon. Hours later, the seventh round draft pick out of USC went on to make his MLB debut in Kansas City.
Flores made stops at each U.S. based White Sox affiliate, aside from Triple-A Charlotte, across his four year MiLB career. In total, the starter posted a 3.18 ERA with 342 strikeouts and 92 walks in 432.2 minor league innings. He’s scouted primarily as a ground ball pitcher who fills up the strike zone, which makes up for the lack of overpowering velocity.
Welcome to the Show, Bernardo! pic.twitter.com/1i0vXT2ZOx
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) September 4, 2020
In the eighth inning on Thursday, Flores debuted in a low pressure situation. With the Sox leading 11-4, the left-hander allowed back-to-back hits to start the frame on a single and a double. Flores then made good on his scouting report by retiring Nicky Lopez and Adalberto Mondesi on RBI ground outs.
The 25-year-old did well to settle in after getting ambushed by the first two hitters he faced. Flores filled up the strike zone during his one inning of work, throwing 10 of his 13 pitches for strikes. His night ended on a positive note thanks to a frozen Meibrys Viloria resulting from a curveball.
Flores showed his fastball, curveball, and slider during the outing with his fastball working in the 91-93 mph range. His curveball looked good and clocked in around 74-76 mph, giving him good separation from his fastball.
The one swing and miss he generated came on his curveball. Despite the curve looking like his best pitch on the evening, he resorted to well placed, inside fastballs to get two ground ball outs.
Final line: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, K.
Flores has always had a lot of pride in being with the White Sox. He has a good understanding of the organization’s history, and he appreciates the players who have come before him.
Much respect for White Sox prospect @flo_rider95 who respects White Sox history every day he walks into the bullpen. pic.twitter.com/sUqc9r6KFE
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) February 27, 2020
Flores now joins Zack Collins, Zack Burdi, Jimmy Lambert, Ian Hamilton and Matt Foster as the six members of the White Sox 2016 draft class to reach the majors in 2020. That’s a pretty good haul for former scouting director Nick Hostetler and his staff.
Photo credit: Clinton Cole/FutureSox
Want to know right away when we publish a new article? Type your email address in the box on the right-side bar (or at the bottom on a mobile device) and click “create subscription.” Our list is completely spam free, and you can opt out at any time. Also, consider supporting FutureSox on Patreon! You can get early access to special articles and Patreon-only posts, in addition to more benefits.
Shop our exclusive merchandise! Show your support with FutureSox apparel.