A Foot Away From Perfect

So close! An almost perfect night for former number three overall pick of the 2014 draft out of North Carolina State University. Carlos Rodón ended the night with a 114 pitch no-hitter, the first of his career, as the Chicago White Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 8-0.

Rodón was just two outs shy of a perfect game when a slider got away and hit Roberto Perez in the foot. After putting Perez on first, Rodón went on to collect the final two outs completing his no hit bid, the second on season in MLB coming five days after Joe Musgrove completed another almost perfect no-hitter against the San Diego Padres, and 20th overall for the White Sox organization.

Battery mate Zach Collins, Miami native who played against Rodón in high school in South Florida, joined the team in celebration on the mound after the final out was recorded on a ground out to third.

This season was no guarantee for Rodón to be playing for the White Sox, let alone in the MLB at all. After multiple years of shoulder and arm injuries, including Tommy John surgery in 2019, the White Sox non tendered him in December of 2020 later to sign in on a one year deal in January of 2021.

Rodón is now 2-0 on the season with 16 strikeouts, looking to continue his hot start of the 2021 campaign. The White Sox are back to .500 in a tight AL Central Division only 12 games into the season, one game back of the Kansas City Royals.