GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Michael Kopech is going to walk people.

He issued 91 free passes compared to 134 strikeouts over 129 1/3 innings in the 2023 season, with just seven of his 27 starts featuring less than two walks. But issuing a walk or three shouldn’t take the talented right-hander away from mound aggressiveness.

“If I kind of step away from attacking and put more emphasis on strike throwing, it becomes a little bit more of a passive game for me and doesn’t work out well,” said Kopech after allowing four runs in 2 1/3 innings during a 7-2 loss to the Rockies on Monday at Camelback Ranch.

“It’s just knowing yourself. It’s something that’s been a conversation this camp. Having a walk shouldn't be the end of the world or I shouldn’t be focused on not walking guys as much as attacking.”

Kopech walked two and struck out two against the Rockies, but gave up first-inning home runs to Michael Toglia and Sean Bouchard. He feels good physically, and feels good about being able to get his velocity back up when he needs it.

But he’s still looking for consistency with his offspeed pitches and consistency within the zone to get back to who he wants to be as a pitcher.

“Being able to finish guys is huge,” Kopech said. “That comes down to trusting [that] my stuff is going to do what it needs to do instead of just trying to land something for a strike.

“From outing to outing right now, I’ve kind of carried with me and I said to you guys, I need to throw more strikes. When the emphasis becomes throw strikes rather than pitch, you can put yourself in a tough situation and I think I did that [Monday].”

Moncada's expert bat handling
Call Yoán Moncada’s ability to bunt, shown off on Saturday against the Padres, a trick he has under his sleeve. At least, that’s the way Moncada referred to it Monday.

“I know I haven’t shown that much, but I think now is the time to start showing that,” said Moncada through interpreter Billy Russo. “That’s something I’m comfortable doing.”

When asked why now is the time for Moncada to start bunting, he smiled and added through Russo, “Different reasons.”

One of those reasons centers upon manager Pedro Grifol’s expectations from the two-hitter in his lineup, a spot Moncada will hold. He’ll be expected to bunt, potentially take a few pitches or execute a hit and run.

Maybe the bunt talk is being overstated, which could be a function of the Spring Training news cycle. After all, Moncada’s main way to contribute is through his Gold Glove-caliber defense at third base and his 25-home run, 30-double power at the plate.

But the switch-hitter wants to help the team win more than anything else. So, that winning formula might call for a bunt from time to time.

“Just be on time and you need to know the situation of the game for you to execute a good bunt,” Moncada said. “It’s there and it’s a weapon that I have, a weapon I can use and display.

“Part of my game. Of course, I can do more than that. But I think it’s fair.”

Montgomery getting close
Colson Montgomery, the White Sox No. 1 prospect and No. 9 overall per MLB Pipeline, was reassigned to Minor League camp as one of seven roster moves made prior to Monday’s loss.

But the shortstop is getting “really close” to the Majors, according to Grifol.

“It was a good conversation with him today,” said Grifol of Montgomery. “He’s obviously ultra talented. He does a lot of things right on the field. But one of the things I told him was that he’s always on the clock. What I mean by that is people always are looking at him.

“You can’t take any plays off. You raise the bar or lower it whether you want it or not. He’s got to be cognizant of that. He’s got to go out and execute but play the game the right way. Run balls out, play to win, because that bar is raised by players like him or lowered by players like him.”

Montgomery will take part in Friday’s Spring Breakout game against the Cubs with a first pitch of 4:05 p.m. CT.