GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Chicago White Sox have stressed “win the first three” on the mound, aiming for two strikes in the first three pitches of an at-bat.
“It’s been the heart and soul of the pitching mentality,” pitcher Erick Fedde said on Friday at Camelback Ranch. “They share our numbers, like, ‘Look what you do when you win two out of three (strikes) and what you do when you don’t win it,’ so it’s been a mindset of mine.
“(Friday) was, let’s attack these guys. And the numbers say it’s better, so let’s do it and trust it.”
Fedde displayed strong command in his first outing of the spring on Friday during a split-squad game against the Texas Rangers. He struck out two and walked one in two hitless innings.
“I had some nerves, a little excitement just to compete again,” Fedde said. “The feeling we chase. And it’s fun to get out on the mound again.
“I was happy with (my stuff) — a little aggressive with my front side, trying to do a little much first time out there. But that’s good. For the most part, happy with the results.”
Chicago White Sox pitcher Erick Fedde finishes warming up with other pitchers during spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Fedde threw 29 pitches, 19 of which were strikes. He wrapped up the appearance by striking out Cameron Cauley and José Herrera in the second inning.
“My few goals for going into the offseason were getting my changeup in zone,” he said. “Being a little more effective at the top of the zone, implementing them into real-life situations.
“Felt like I didn’t throw a ton of changeups (on Friday), I was one out of two. I pitched up in the zone great. Those were kind of the goals.”
The impressive outing came as Fedde continues to compete for a spot in the rotation. Shane Smith, Anthony Kay and Davis Martin likely occupy three slots. Fedde is being stretched out this spring, similar to Sean Burke, Jonathan Cannon, Sean Newcomb, Chris Murphy and Mike Vasil, in an attempt to join the rotation.
“My mentality this whole time is that spot’s not mine,” he said. “I have to earn it. Until I step foot in that clubhouse as a starter, that’s when I’ll be ready for that. I know what kind of year I had last year (5.49 ERA in 32 appearances — 24 starts — between St. Louis, Atlanta and Milwaukee) and things I have to earn. My mentality is to go out there every chance I can and give them no option but to give me that spot.”
The competition has been beneficial to everyone involved.
“Baseball in spring training gives you that weird concept of competing against your friends,” Fedde said. “It’s strange. The guys have looked great. There’s a chance to be a very sneaky rotation with a lot of skill.
“We’re going to feed off each other. That’s something I try to bring, too, a competitive nature. The best rotations I’ve been on is when guys are competing for good outings against each other, in a good way. I see that nature in a lot of these guys and I’m excited to compete with them.”
Sox manager Will Venable has noticed Fedde’s impact already, saying the right-hander brings “stability.”
“(He) attack(s) the zone,” Venable said Saturday afternoon. “Just looked like a guy (on Friday) who has been doing it a long time. Obviously, he has (with eight seasons of big-league experience). It’s a guy that attacked the zone with confidence and on the back fields, (he is) listening and talking to guys. He’s one of those veteran presences that’s helping everyone out.
“We need that. We had Martín (Pérez) last year as a guy that was able to be a model of how to go about your business for these young guys. To have Erick Fedde has been huge for everybody.”
Fedde, 33, signed a one-year deal with the Sox on Feb. 10. He pitched for the club for a portion of the 2024 season before being traded to the Cardinals as part of a three-team deal that also included the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“Good memories here for sure,” Fedde said. “When you are coming into a new clubhouse and you know most of the staff and everybody, it makes it a lot easier. My time with Chicago is nothing but good memories.
“So, it’s definitely a place I feel comfortable.”
That comfort has continued since returning.
“I thought I put in a lot of good work in the offseason,” Fedde said. “The Sox have been great not rushing me. I was kind of one of the last guys to debut (this spring), but just getting a few reps on the mound with (pitching coach Zach) Bove and (senior adviser to pitching Brian Bannister) and (assistant pitching coach) Bobby (Hearn) behind me (during workouts), and just kind of feeling things out and yeah, I feel good.”