CINCINNATI — Less than two months ago, relief pitcher Mike Vasil wasn’t even expecting to be on a big league roster.
On Wednesday, he notched his first big-league save in the White Sox’ 4-2 win over the Reds — the first time Vasil had been called on to close a game since his senior year at Boston College High School.
“I now know why those guys get paid a lot, because my heart was beating probably a thousand beats per minute,” Vasil said of hearing his name called to go out for the bottom of the ninth inning. “You play it as cool as you can. … You lock in, get loose and get ready.”
Manager Will Venable has looked to the 25-year-old rookie at a steady clip since the Sox plucked Vasil from Tampa Bay as a Rule 5 Draft pick a few days before Opening Day.
While a rough first quarter of the season hasn’t produced many high-leverage situations for the Sox, Venable said his confidence has grown in the 6-foot-5 right hander late in games.
“We trust him back there,” Venable said. “If something gets away from him a little bit, he gets right back on track and is able to limit damage.”
In 25 innings over 13 appearances this year, Vasil has posted a 1.80 earned run average with 15 strikeouts, holding opponents to a .182 average. He’s mostly relied on a mid-90s fastball and sinker.
But he’s also walked 14 batters. Vasil worked around a free pass in his closing debut Tuesday night, inducing a flyout and two groundouts with a nice pick and throw from third baseman Miguel Vargas to end the game.
“He did a great job getting back into his groove and getting outs,” Venable said.
Vasil’s Rule 5 pick status means he’d end up back in Tampa if the Sox remove him from the active roster. The Sox have also seen huge dividends from another Rule 5 flier this season in starter Shane Smith, another Boston-area high school product.
“Those guys have been two of our most consistent contributors,” assistant GM Josh Barfield said.
For now, Vasil is just looking forward to save opportunity No. 2.
“It’s a lot of fun. Whatever they ask me to do, I’ll do regardless. But the ninth inning is definitely a roller coaster of emotions.”
Blessed run?
The Sox were playing some of their best baseball of the season before they were forsaken by Reds starter Nick Martinez in a 7-1 drubbing Thursday that saw Chicago go hitless until the fifth inning.
But the South Siders still have gone 4-2 since Dolton native and Sox fan Robert Prevost was elected as Pope Leo XIV last week.
Cincinnati ended a three-game win streak for the Sox, who notched a second straight series win, their first on the road this season.
“Overall, a great series, and we’ll turn the page on today and go and fight the Cubs tomorrow,” Venable said.
Small blessings aside, the Sox have the same record (14-30) as their historically awful 2024 squad did in mid-May.
Newest face
The Sox claimed infielder Vinny Capra off waivers from Milwaukee. The 28-year-old has hit .074 with a homer and four RBI in 24 games with the Brewers, mostly at third base, with other appearances at shortstop and second.
“We really like him defensively, gives us an opportunity to move [shortstop Chase Meidroth] around, to give Chase days off,” Venable said.