I know the plan was to make him a starter to have him work on his secondary pitches in order to make him a better reliever. But the guy is just owning people as a starter. Is there starting to be any talk of leaving him as a starting pitcher?

I'm not sure. But Munoz could also eventually be used like Cotts is now, in multiple bullpen roles. Personally, I'd try him in the vacant 5th starters spot. With Kelly Wunsch sitting in AAA, knowing if Munoz can help this year or not would clear up the Kelly situation. As Ozzie likes Cotts in the 'pen [knowing cotts could be a SP], Munoz could have a shot on the next 5th starters spot. Then the Sox could see if he can throw strikes and get people out.

 

Though Felix Diaz looks like the best bet to try as the 5th starter, the Sox have to make a decision on Kelly. Better to know now if Munoz has a future and present on the Sox.

Arnie very definitely has a bright future with the White Sox, he's just turned 22 and he's getting a great opportunity to show his stuff. They are working on stretching him out, getting him some experience, and using his secondary pitches at Birmingham.

 

He's rather small, 5'9 170 lbs. or so, and endurance has been an issue. What they're doing with him is a good way to see what kind of a ceiling Munoz has got.

I think either way he's got a very bright future. I could see him eventually moving to the rotation, but I do believe the Sox have some concerns on how he will old up.

 

It will be interesting to see how he responds later in the season after all the wear and tear from being a starter.

 

Either way this has to be good cause its getting him to rely less on his curveball and better hone his secondary pitches which will make him that much better in the future.

I think either way he's got a very bright future.  I could see him eventually moving to the rotation, but I do believe the Sox have some concerns on how he will old up.

 

It will be interesting to see how he responds later in the season after all the wear and tear from being a starter. 

 

Either way this has to be good cause its getting him to rely less on his curveball and better hone his secondary pitches which will make him that much better in the future.

Hey jas, what's his 3rd pitch right now? I know he's supposed to have a nasty curve and a low 90's fastball.

To be honest, I couldn't tell you for sure. I thought he also throws a cutter and changeup on ocassion, but thats going off the top of my head.

In Spring training they said he needed to refine the changeup, command the fastball better, and the cutter is the last pitch.

 

I'm not so sure about low 90's on the fastball, the guy with the gun in Tucson told me it was 88 tops.

 

He could've added velocity though ... just going on what I saw at TEP.

In Spring training they said he needed to refine the changeup, command the fastball better, and the cutter is the last pitch.

 

I'm not so sure about low 90's on the fastball, the guy with the gun in Tucson told me it was 88 tops.

 

He could've added velocity though ... just going on what I saw at TEP.

Thanks a lot. I think your right about his fastball too, I think I heard along the lines of he can reach low 90's.

I've only seen Arnie pitch in spring training, but I think he tops out at 90, but is more in the 88-89 range, although he could very well throw 91 or so.

I've only seen Arnie pitch in spring training, but I think he tops out at 90, but is more in the 88-89 range, although he could very well throw 91 or so.

He's more 85-86 on a consistent basis, but can run it up to 90 on occasion. The changeup is his 3rd pitch and it has been very good for him so far. He was spotting it well the other day, despite being off on his command with his fastball and curve.

He's more 85-86 on a consistent basis, but can run it up to 90 on occasion.  The changeup is his 3rd pitch and it has been very good for him so far.  He was spotting it well the other day, despite being off on his command with his fastball and curve.

Thanks Rex, what do you think of Arnie, do you think he has a chance to be a descent starter some day in the future or do you think his future in the majors is still in the pen?