Despite there being no minor league season in 2020, there were a significant number of White Sox prospects who made big strides. The White Sox had 12 players make their MLB debuts.
We are taking a look back at how they fared and what it means for their future. A number of pitchers debuted in the bullpen that we already covered (Codi Heuer, Matt Foster, Garrett Crochet). Bernardo Flores was a late addition to that group, but showed a glimpse of what he can do as a lefty.
Relevant stats
Regular season: 2 IP, 9.00 ERA, 2 K, 0 BB, 4 H (2 appearances)
Flores entered the year as a 24-year-old with a combined 156.1 innings in Double-A the previous two years. He was in position to make his MLB debut in 2020, but that was dependent on how he performed in Triple-A and if there were openings/needs on the big league team.
The pandemic pushed back his chance to pitch for Triple-A Charlotte, but he was sent to the White Sox’ alternate site in Schaumburg. As a lefty, Flores always had a shot to be brought up as a reliever and that’s what happened. He wasn’t a high-profile addition to the White Sox when he was called up for his MLB debut in early September, but he added to the extensive list of MLB debuts for the Sox this year.
In his debut, Sept. 3 at the Kansas City Royals, he was put in a low-pressure situation with the White Sox up 11-4. Flores gave up a single and a double to start things off. He settled down with two groundouts and a strikeout to end the inning after both runners scored.
Nine days later Flores pitched in a blowout win against the Detroit Tigers and again gave up two hits. This time got out of it unscathed.
The thing Flores showed in both outings was the ability to throw strikes. He threw 21 of his 27 pitches in the majors this year for strikes. That’s his MO. His BB/9 is below 2.0 in his minor league career, including in both stints in Double-A. Flores doesn’t rack up a lot of strikeouts, but he did get one in each of his big league innings.
Stuff-wise, Flores’ fastball came in at 91.6 mph. He threw it just over half the time. He also threw his curveball, changeup and slider. That mix is what has kept him as a starting pitcher, but he may shift to the bullpen in the majors.
Flores got both lefties he faced out while righties were 4-for-8 against him. The sample size is way too small, but if he is going to be far more effective against lefties, his only future will be as a reliever.
Heading into 2021, Flores will likely get another shot at starting in Triple-A in 2021. In the bullpen, the White Sox have Aaron Bummer and Jace Fry and lefties ahead of him. If one gets injured, as Bummer did late this year, Flores could fill in. Lefties who can throw strikes consistently don’t struggle to find work, but what kind of work that will be remains unclear for Flores.
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