Aug 6th, 2009
Hudson to be Knighted
By Dan Santaromita
Our very own John Norris heard at Regions Park tonight that Dan Hudson has been promoted to AAA Charlotte. The Knights will be the fourth level of the minors Hudson has played in this season since starting with Low-A Kannapolis in April.
In 9 starts with the Barons, Hudson was 7-0 with a 1.60 ERA. He struck out 63 and walked just 10 in 56.1 innings. He currently has a 28 inning scoreless streak. It’s astonishing what he has done this season. Between Kannapolis (who he only made 4 starts for), Winston-Salem (only 8 starts there) and Birmingham he has a 12-5 record with a 2.19 ERA with 142 strikeouts and 25 walks in 123.1 innings. It’s hard not to love a strikeout to walk ratio of almost 6:1.
This promotion might be a sign that Hudson is getting strong consideration for spot starts with the White Sox until Jake Peavy gets healthy. With Bartolo Colon on the disabled list, it seems Carlos Torres and Hudson are the favorites to start for the Sox when a 5th starter is needed.
In other news, outfielder Stefan Gartrell was promoted to Charlotte as well. Gartrell had 19 HR and 70 RBI for the Barons. He is a big power bat that likely has a future as a Major League bench player. He is 25 and repeated Birmingham this season, but has impressed with the bat this year, especially at spacious Regions Park.
I have been extremely impressed with Daniel Hudson’s numbers in the minor leagues. The way he is progressing it wouldn’t be surprising to see him in the White Sox starting rotation to start the season next year. (Assuming Hudson pitches well at Charlotte this final month) However, I can definitely see him starting the season next year in Triple A because of arbitration or the Sox wanting to control his innings the first month or two. Do you guys think the Sox will keep him in the minors to start 2010? There would seem to be no rush with Buehrle, Peavy, Danks, and Floyd already starting, yet again, the White sox aren’t ones to hold back their future stars.