Report: Ethan Katz to return as White Sox pitching coach

Editor’s Update: According to Bruce Levine, bullpen coach Curt Hasler, along with Katz, is also expected to be retained in his role. There have still been no further mentions of any other coaches remaining in their position.

Already this morning, reports have come out that:

• Pedro Grifol will be the next White Sox manager
• Charlie Montoyo will be the next bench coach for the White Sox

Additionally, we now have a little bit more information on the rest of the White Sox coaching staff:

• Ethan Katz will reportedly remain the pitching coach
• Much of the White Sox’ staff has not been asked to return, though no specific names are known

The staff turnover is not much of a surprise, as usually, a new manager will like to bring in his own coaching staff. It is unclear who exactly may be slated not to return, but Frank Menechino, Shelley Duncan, Joe McEwing, and Daryl Boston are among those who may not be asked to return following underwhelming tenures and ties to previous management.

Under two years of Ethan Katz’s leadership, the White Sox have seen the rise of two Cy Young candidates (Carlos Rodon and Dylan Cease) and a reformation of their pitching analytics department. In the past two season, here is where the White Sox’ pitching staff has ranked in various categories:

• fWAR: 2nd (44.9)
• K/9: 3rd (9.59)
• ERA: 9th (3.83)
• FIP: 8th (3.78)
• Batting Average Against: 9th (.233)

Considering that, by all objective measures, this team has been basically a top-10 staff over the past two seasons, it appears Katz has done a solid job getting the most out of his staff – all the way from the top with guys like Lance Lynn, Dylan Cease, and Carlos Rodon to those like Davis Martin, Reynaldo Lopez, and Johny Cueto. His immediate project, however, will be to help Lucas Giolito regain his 2019-2021 ways that Katz himself partially helped him discover in the first place.

Katz had previously served in the Giants organization and has been highly regarded within the White Sox organization. It appears there was never much doubt that Katz would remain a member of the coaching staff. Based on the reports regarding Tony La Russa’s autonomy in the dugout, perhaps we will see Katz begin to spread his wings a bit as a coach as well.

As more information becomes available about the White Sox staff, we will continue to provide updates.

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Featured Image: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports