The White Sox Podcast w/ Chuck Garfien

Ep. 260: Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg praise Lucas Giolito for his breakout season

With the Washington Nationals in town, Chuck Garfien speaks with Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg about the amazing turnaround for Lucas Giolito. Strasburg talks about Giolito's improvement, what it's like trying to meet expectations as a highly touted prospect and why he thinks Giolito can dominate for 10-15 years (3:15). Scherzer explains what he's noticed is different about Giolito this year, why it was tough for Giolito to come up as a 21-year-old and why he can relate to what Giolito went through last season (8:25).

Ep. 259: Evan Marshall’s incredible comeback story

White Sox reliever Evan Marshall tells Chuck Garfien about getting hit in the head by a line drive while pitching for Triple-A Reno in 2015 and the following few days during which his life hung in the balance.Marshall recounts his MLB debut with the Diamondbacks and early career struggles (1:11), the day he got hit in the head (5:23), the aftermath and the role his family, and particularly his dog Butters, played while he fought for his life (9:09), how he’s dealt with surviving a near-death experience both psychologically and on the mound (15:58). Marshall also talks his recent success with the White Sox (22:10) and being part of the first pitch fiasco that quickly went viral (23:00).

Ep. 258: The inside scoop on the White Sox draft with Nick Hostetler

Soon after the MLB draft was completed, Chuck Garfien dialed up Amateur Scouting Director Nick Hostetler in his car while he was driving home to Kentucky to talk about the White Sox draft. Hostetler explains why this was a very different draft for the White Sox compared to past years (2:30), the meeting they had with Andrew Vaughn last month that left a big impression (5:40), stories about how far Vaughn hit the baseball at Cal (9:20), and he can pick up a seam on a baseball as it comes out of the pitcher's hand (13:45). Hostetler talks about Nick Madrigal being promoted to Double-A (19:10), why they're so high on 2nd round pick Matt Thompson (23:00), the exceptional speed of 4th round pick James Beard (25:30) and more.

Ep. 257: Everything you want to know about first round pick Andrew Vaughn

Who is White Sox first round pick Andrew Vaughn? Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey speak with Mike Neu, Vaughn's head coach at Cal. Neu explains why he's the best college hitter he's ever coached (01:30), the feat of winning the Golden Spikes Award as a sophomore (5:00), why he was given the nickname "Old School" (7:00), how Vaughn fits with the White Sox (10:05), stories of how far Vaughn hit baseballs at Cal (18:30) and more. Then, Chuck and Ryan are joined by Chris Kamka and Vinnie Duber to break down the selection of Vaughn. What can he do for the offense in the future? When might he reach the majors? Are there too many first basemen types in the organization and more (20:00).

Ep. 256: How ’bout THESE White Sox?

After the White Sox completed a 6-1 homestand against the Royals and Indians, Chuck Garfien and Vinnie Duber break it all down. The sensation that is Lucas Giolito, who is pitching like an ace (3:30) Chuck speaks with Giolito on the field after the game (5:30) Why Giolito should win the A-L Pitcher of the Month in May (7:40) What James McCann has meant to the team (10:05),McCann talks about Giolito and the pregame dance he did in the dugout (12:55), how conflicting it was for Zach Plesac to pitch against the White Sox, his favorite team growing up (18:00) and more.

Ep. 255: MLB.com’s Jim Callis talks White Sox draft--who will they pick at #3?

With the MLB draft starting on June 3rd, who will the White Sox take with the third overall pick? Chuck Garfien speaks with draft guru Jim Callis of MLB.com. Will it come down to 1B Andrew Vaughn and SS C.J. Abrams? (3:00) Is there a chance that the Orioles don't take Adley Rutschman first and he slides to the White Sox? (6:10) Who would Callis take if he was in the White Sox draft room? (9:00) Don't compare Vaughn to Seth Beer (10:00). Plus, how good is Luis Robert and will he reach the majors this season? (15:10) What kind of player will Nick Madrigal become? (17:30) and more.

Ep. 254: Carlos Rodon opens up about his injuries and fan criticism

Carlos Rodon speaks with Chuck Garfien in a raw and candid interview about his injury struggles, how he pitched through pain in 2019, being on the receiving end of fan criticism and more. Rodon talks about what it's like facing scrutiny from fans when they don't know the whole story (4:00), how and why he pitched through pain starting in spring training (9:00), what happened in his last game that led to him needing Tommy John surgery (11:39), how fan criticism affects him and other players (16:16), why he's out to prove doubters wrong (17:47) and more.

Ep. 253: Something special is happening with Lucas Giolito

After Lucas Giolito's latest gem, this time against the Kansas City Royals, Chuck Garfien and Vinnie Duber speak about how Giolito keeps raising the bar and how he is a completely different pitcher in 2019 (1:10). Chuck speaks with Giolito on the field after his 8-inning, 10 strikeout victory (8:30). Will Giolito win the American League Pitcher of the Month for May? (10:15) What does the emergence of Giolito mean for the rebuild? (11:30) and more.

Ep. 252: Inside the White Sox draft room with Nick Hostetler

Chuck Garfien and Ryan McGuffey speak with White Sox scouting director Nick Hosteler inside the team's draft room at Guaranteed Rate Field. How accurate are the mock drafts? (2:45) Can Andrew Vaughn meeting the lofty expectations? (6:40) Bobby Witt Jr's unique background (8:30), why this draft could bring a face of the franchise type player the top (11:15), and what it's like in the war room on draft day (12:30). Do they have a consensus pick yet? (13:45) Do they need to stock up on pitching? (17:35) Is Nick Madrigal meeting expectations in Class-A? (26:40) Hostetler's sleeper pick from last season that White Sox fans should watch (30:00) and more.

Ep. 251: How the Adam Eaton/Todd Frazier fight helped start the White Sox rebuild

Adam Eaton and Todd Frazier might not be with the White Sox anymore, but their feud in 2016 helped pave the way for the White Sox rebuild and why the franchise is where it is today. Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey and Chris Kamka go over the events of that crazy, fateful 2016 season that caused the White Sox to eventually trade Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Eaton, Frazier and many others (1:10). It started with the Adam and Drake LaRoche saga during spring training (2:40) and the dysfunction that occurred after that (07:00). How and why things unraveled after their 23-10 start and the fight in the clubhouse between Eaton and Frazier (13:00). The problems continued with Chris Sale cutting up the throwback jerseys and remains alive today with the latest fighting words on the field and in the press between Eaton and Frazier (17:20). Buckle up for this one.