‘Something special’: Prospect Schultz turning heads

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The first 2023 Spring Training criticism White Sox common supervisor Rick Hahn obtained got here from a involved Joe Kelly.

“He asked me why Noah Schultz wasn’t in big league camp because he has better stuff than Joe — which made me worry about Joe a little bit,” Hahn stated with fun.

Schultz, 19, is in Arizona participating in Minor League Spring Training. He’s been on the town since mid-January when arriving for prospect minicamp. The 6-foot-9, 220-pounder, who has already drawn thrilling comparisons starting from Chris Sale to Randy Johnson with out throwing in a Minor League recreation, has been halted this previous week as a consequence of soreness attributable to a left flexor pressure.

This situation is “nothing crazy,” per Schultz, who expects to begin throwing once more quickly.

“It’s working in a good direction,” Schultz advised MLB.com throughout a latest interview. “Been working within the coaching room, getting assist from the trainers.

“They have been amazing. The weight room, the trainers there, they have been helping with everything, modifying workouts and such. Everybody has just been great and I’ll be back out soon.”

During this transient hiatus, Schultz has watched reside batting apply periods and stayed as linked as doable to his work and his teammates. The harm slowdown is just not actually a foul factor within the massive image, because it’s minor and Schultz’s innings had been already going to be monitored throughout this primary skilled season.

After going via instructs, the place Schultz made a significant impression throughout a dominant two-inning stint in opposition to the Dodgers, nothing has actually been surprising for him throughout Spring Training.

“I’d say there are more people, but I would say it’s the same structure somewhat,” Schultz stated. “Our schedule we have is really nice and thought through well. Everything we do is trainers and people helping — they do a great job of making sure everything is OK. Asking how we feel every day, which is great to be around these people, especially before a season.”

Fans have already got taken to Schultz and the promise of his huge potential. He sees them day by day as he’s strolling to the again fields at Camelback Ranch, viewing their help as a cool factor to indicate how onerous work has paid off to this point and “just to show putting in hard work every day … the sky is the limit.”

A household who watched Schultz when he pitched for the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp in the summertime Prospect League made the journey to Arizona and stopped to speak with the southpaw.

“Just to meet up and catch up with the guys,” Schultz stated. “I didn’t personally know them, but they said they were at some of my games this summer.”

Those followers loved Schultz’s work, however most likely don’t have the identical appreciation for his expertise as Kelly. The veteran right-handed reliever labored 4 or 5 days per week at Camelback Ranch in the course of the offseason and watched Schultz throw a number of instances.

“I knew it was good,” Kelly stated. “Then I watched him throw when we both got in the lab and the numbers he puts up would be the best on our team. When you take into consideration movement, when you take into consideration spin, when you take into consideration velocity, approach angle, length — literally, he’s better than me already. There’s nobody who can repeat 6-foot-9 and 22 inches on fastball, 22 inches on slider, 22 inches on three elite, elite, elite pitches.”

“It’s always cool to get praise from guys, and he’s a cool guy, a good person to look up to,” Schultz stated. “Still lots of work to do, lots of ways to get better every day.”

Kelly wished Schultz in massive league camp for the dear studying expertise. Even if he didn’t pitch, Schultz would speak with guys who knew what it takes to be on the massive league stage and watch different starters’ exercises as somebody comparatively new to the craft.

“When I was young, when I went to big league camp, every first-rounder was in big league camp even if they were in high school,” Kelly stated. “Shelby Miller was 18 years outdated and went to massive league camp straight away when he was with the Cardinals and I used to be there.

“He’ll get his chance probably next year. But yeah, he’s going to be something special. It’s pretty cool to see.”