Spotlight on Neal Cotts

As the all-star break comes to a close, I think it's appropriate to talk about another unsung hero of the White Hot Sox. Neal Cotts, a Belleville, IL native, is halfway through his breakout season with the Sox. After struggling as a starter at the major league level in each of the past two season, Cotts has really shined with his move to the bullpen this year. While last year he was known as another young, unimpressive spot starter used in the dreaded number five spot of the pitching rotation, as a reliever he has helped the team to solidify their amazing lead over all of major league baseball. His ERA sits at 2.86, after staying closer to 2.00 during much of the first half this season. He is listed as a long reliever, but due to the outstanding performance by the starters this season, he has been relegated to primarily mid-relief and set-up roles, where he has shined brilliantly. While Damaso Marte had health problems, Cotts remained the only dependable lefty in the bullpen. While this probably scared most fans at first, he came through beautifully letting up only 22 H, 17 BB, 11 ER, and 1 HR so far this year in 34.2 IP. Cotts has been asked to do everything from be a left-handed specialist and get just one guy out, to going 3+ innings, and he has come through at every calling. While Cotts is establishing himself as one of the better southpaw relievers in the game, I wonder if Ozzie will give him any spot starts this season. If "El Duque" doesn't come back healthy, I'd rather see a former starter converted to reliever join the rotation, like Cotts or Hermanson, than a AAA prospect like McCarthy who's still learning. Either way, Neal Cotts should be a crucial piece to the puzzle in the amazing 2005 White Sox campaign.