Just call me a trendsetter. After I hit minor-league games during the first weekend of the season, James Fegan went on the minor-league tour for The Athletic, and now Dan Hayes is doing the same for CSN Chicago. I’m flattered.

But for serious, here’s Hayes on Michael Kopech, and the process that led the White Sox to decide to start him in Birmingham.

“We always sort of had our options open,” assistant general manager Buddy Bell said. “We recognized he pitched well in the Fall League and very well the last few times in spring training and we recognized his maturity and the way he works. His aspirations are off the chart and we felt like a challenge would be in order with him. We see this as a guy who can handle challenges. But I think his maturity more than anything else sold us.”

Top prospects at a glance

Yoan Moncada: 0-for-5, 2 K

Luis Alexander Basabe: 2-for-5, HR, K

Zack Collins: 0-for-3, BB, K

Yoan Moncada went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts.

Willy Garcia played center again, going 2-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.

Nicky Delmonico went 2-for-3 with a walk.

Danny Hayes went 0-for-4 with a K.

Rymer Liriano homered, singled and struck out twice.

Adam Engel went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a sac bunt.

More:

Kevan Smith was optioned to Charlotte, with a corresponding move coming today.

Eddy Alvarez went 0-for4- with a walk and a strikeout.

Jake Peter, 1-for-4 with two strikeouts and a stolen base.

Courtney Hawkins went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Nick Basto walked once and struck out thrice.

Trey Michalczewski went 1-for-4 with a strikeout.

Thad Lowry: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

Luis Alexander Basabe went 2-for-5 with his first homer and a strikeout.

Zack Collins was 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.

Johan Cruz went 2-for-4 with a strikeout.

Aaron Schnurbusch, 2-for-4 with a double and a strikeout.

More:

Alex Call is on the disabled list with a strained chest muscle that confuses him.