Minoso-Pierce-Allen-HOF

I doubt Reed is part of any contention outside of being a left handed hitting option in the event the team wants a LH bat on the bench. Hence why Delmonico, Collins and Palka are mentioned. Collins will likely be catching at AAA-Charlotte. This does not mean this is the direction the team will go but it even if remotely is under consideration even if that is a remote one. It may be more likely the team will consider moving him into a pitching role in the minors as he was the top starter at UK when Reed was player of the year in the nation as a two-way player. Bottom line is that he is one of a number of LH options if the team chooses to go that way for 26. One can analyze different players even if that choice is a reach. As of today it would look as though Delmonico, Palka and Mercedes are in contention.That said it is early. This last spot likely would go to someone who can hit coming off the bench when a pinch hitter comes up in a crucial situation. If Reed had some sort of an injury based upon the body of work and his prior status as a top prospect one might look at Luis Robert post thumb injury and though the team overpaid for his services. It is possible Reed had an injury last season as at no time in his MILB career did he have such a slump. At this time is does not look likely beyond a certain set of circumstances that Reed is in the hunt. I hope you can distinguish between possibility versus say a lock and this clears up the distinction.

Thank you PoppySox. You comments are appreciated.

If you prefer call him a poor man's Manny Ramirez. Mercedes like Ramirez is on the short side with short arms. Like Ramirez Mercedes has good bat control and hits the ball with consistency on the barrel. Like Ramirez, and the sample is primarily via MILB and now a preview in ST, Mercedes likes to hit in pressure situations something he has flourished in his entire career outside of MLB. Actually Mercedes is larger in body size and height than Manny. The comps are an opinion but warranted not necessarily the results at the major league level. Merecedes has played at a variety of positions but with the current White Sox club he would likely be delegated to being primarily a pinch hitter. One aspect about Yermin Mercedes is that he is a very confident player particularly with his bat in clutch situations and his arm behind the plate and has a high degree of confidence in his ability to play. For any player and in particular one who has never played at the ML level stating he believes he will be the 26 is unusual. So far he has hit two monster home runs including a Grand Slam today. The guy is very strong and built like a truck. A nice problem to have as to whether team carries another LH bat (Delmonico, Palka, Reed or the mostly unlikely which is Collins) or go with Mercedes. More AB's like today and the recent Dodger game and Yermin Mercedes is going to put himself into the mix. His numbers at Charlotte were actually slightly better than Luis Robert who in my view in the most talented player I have seen in the White Sox organization. The shot Mercedes hit against the Dodgers was one for the ST ages albeit against not the best. Yet still he hit one to clear the bases today and one wonders if he has the Right Stuff to be a nice hitter off the bench and a good third string catcher and 1B off the bench while providing a catcher in the pen. He is 27 and possesses a swagger rare for someone who has yet to play in the bigs. What Ramirez was so good at was in the clutch he would hit the ball solid to all fields with pop and like Manny Mercedes has an excellent eye and in particular in crucial situations. That said he is a rookie never playing at the big league level but still there is a lot to like. Have a good weekend.

ROSTER and Players up for Consideration for White Sox MLB 2020 Roster out of Spring Training Total Non-Pitchers 14 1B Jose Abreu 2B Nick Madrigal either out of ST or very soon SS Tim Anderson 3B Yoan Moncada (S) LF Eloy Jimenez CF Luis Robert RF Nomar Mazara (L) 'NEW' C Yasmani Grandal (S) 'NEW' DH Edwin Encarnacion 1B 'NEW' BENCH Leury Garcia (S) Utility IF-OF Super Sub Adam Engel OF James McCann C Danny Mendick Utility SS-2B-OF Yermin Mercedes C-1B-3B-DH-PH or Nicky Delmonico (L) Total Pitchers 12 SP-5 Lucas Giolito Dallas Keuchel (L) 'NEW' Reynaldo Lopez Gio Gonzalez (L) 'NEW' Dylan Cease RP-7 Alex Colome Steve Cishek 'NEW" Evan Marshall Kelvin Hererra (i) damaged goods for 2019 Jimmy Cordero Aaron Bummer (L) Jace Fry (L) AAA Michael Kopech TJ recovery ready by June Carlos Rodon (L) Surgery recovery ready post All-Star break Dane Dunning Surgery recovery Jonathan Stiever Carson Fulmer 86'd the glasses - looks like last chance Ian Hamilton (i) recovery from car accident / shoulder and broken jaw Ryan Burr TJ recovery Matt Foster Zack Burdi Still not fully back from TJ AA Tyler Johnson Codi Heuer Detailed analysis below 1B Jose Abreu Team leader. Loves being with White Sox. Dick Allen. Frank Thomas. Paul Konerko. Jose Abreu. Top White Sox first basemen in the past half century. With a more balanced lineup with a few lefties should make Abreu that much more valuable at the plate. Underrated fielder. Class act who wants to only play for one MLB team in his career. Seems so much more content and confident since his son is in America. Uncle Jerry signing him was a sign of respect for all Jose has meant to White Sox. Rarely do you see any athlete basically say I would sign myself to be here and play for free if I have to. Will be in the White Sox Hall of Fame. Very good ball player. Really good guy and team captain. Zack Collins DH-C (L) Drafted as catcher and if he makes it there has a long ways to go. Bat first player with very good batting eye resulting in walks. Collins has a hitch in his swing. One major thing I noticed when he went down to Charlotte was when he started hitting he kept his left top hand over the top through the follow through. Sadly too many players today are under the influence of taking the top hand off the bat as well as this adjustment called launch angle a major reason why there are so many strikeouts. If he makes the team is a backup 1B, DH and third catcher. (Is he a trade candidate?) Still LH bat on bench to backup at First (Abreu) and DH (Encarnacion). Likely projection opens back at AAA-Charlotte. A.J. Reed (L) May become pitcher. Former College Player of the Year at Kentucky where he played first base and was the number one starting pitcher for the Wildcats. Former top power hitting prospect 1B drafted in Second Round by Astros. One Yordan Alvarez (Rookie of the Year) with Astros came up they had no spot for Reed. Had an atrocious 2019. With Encarnacion signing if Collins goes to AAA Reed is an unlikely long-shot to make club but team may seek a LH bat out of spring training. Nicky Delmonico could also have a shot for that extra LH bat if Collins is sent back to AAA as can Daniel Palka all presuming the team wants another LH bat. 2B Nick Madrigal Rookie Small spark plug who has excellent bat control and rarely strikes out ala Nellie Fox. Very smart ballplayer. High IQ. Leader by example. Might best be suited to batting one or two in lineup. Potential Gold Glover. Will be fan favorite. Does he break camp with club or does he come up in a month. Is a long term contract coming soon? Leury Garcia SS-OF (S) Good all-around switch hitter who has played all outfield positions including CF and has the skills to play SS, 2B and perhaps 3B in a pinch if needed. Good personality and a value player that is a jack of many trades and has good speed and has improved his game. Strikes out too much. Wish he and others would learn to hit with two strikes by choking up, shortening the swing with the goal of making contact. See Juan Soto and perhaps even Hunter Pence. Whenever someone has two strikes it becomes necessary to alter how one approaches the count. If Madrigal goes back to AAA-Charlotte Garcia opens at 2B. SS Tim Anderson Much improved player and the guy on the club with swagger. This one time starting guard on his Alabama High School basketball championship team has really improved his game particularly at bat including much better pitch selection as well as improvement in the field but this latter aspect of his game is still a work in progress. Has excellent speed and quick hands at bat. Has become pretty efficient hitting the other way.Tim exudes great confidence and he and his wife love the Chicago area where they do much outside of baseball off the field. Tim has shown a deep respect for Jackie Robinson and the fact he is the team's lone black American on the club and is keenly aware of what responsibility goes with that. Mention to Tim losing out on Manny Machado or trading Marcus Semien and Fernando Tatis and he is the guy who seems to like being challenged and proving doubters in error. Might be big things in his future. Is signed long term and really blossomed after the death of his best lifelong friend. Father of two young children also seems to have aided in his maturity. He is truly interested in and encouraging of young kids particularly in the inner city. (Something that needs pointing out is that the White Sox outreach to those in need is as good as it gets and Jerry Reinsdorf and the entire organization should feel proud of all the players and coaches do off the field for the good of the community and children including those in need). Danny Mendick 2B-OF Former 22nd Round Draft choice out of Lowell, MA. Danny is a tweener/gamer who has made himself relevant to a potential spot on the 2020 White Sox. Not a great glove but his bat and hustle could get him to the show. He consistently swings down on the ball using his top on over top on his swings. He offers depth and a spark plug presence. Very enthusiastic. 3B Yoan Moncada (S) Highly improved. Big time talent. Superior speed. Could likely play anywhere on field. Nice guy. If he could swing more down on ball could cut way down on strikeouts and be a doubles and triples machine. Due to being a switch hitter might be best suited to hitting third in lineup though likes hitting second. Is very close to Jose Abreu and with Luis Robert and perhaps others this team has a noticeably Cuban flare. Needs to improve two strike hitting. All current players need to review Juan Soto's changes with positioning of hands and feet with different counts. Moncada was a pleasant surprise at his natural position of third base. Great athlete. Cutest son in Robinson. LF Eloy Jimenez Big league power with 40 plus every year. Great persona to go with a young player that goes to all fields. Fielding lacks top flight performance but will be a fan favorite with personality off the charts. Tremendous dedication to be the best he can be. CF Luis Robert Rookie Superstud potential. Best WS prospect since Frank Thomas. Saw as a 17 year old amateur and saw the wow of a premium talent with a high baseball IQ. The most talented all-around six tool player I have yet seen in the organization. Major talent and a CF who has chops in the field. Can run, hit, hit with power, field, throw and has the special mind / High baseball IQ / understanding of the game. Once he learns the language and due to his demeanor is going to be truly taken in by the fans in Chicago and across the nation. Pippin/Jordan/Rodman type talent in a different sport. May not be Mike Trout but like Trout at a young age this is what dreams are made of. Was tremendous leading off last year. A natural even if his name isn't Roy Hobbs. Most gifted athlete to lace up a pair of spikes since Dick Allen on the Southside. RF 'NEW' Nomar Mazara (L) trade Still only 24 this is one of the most powerful young hitters in the game. Sox need a LH hitter and Mazara plays RF so he fills two needs. Thing is he has not much improved since coming up but Sox fans and team officials remember all too well the 500 foot HR he hit last year against Reynaldo Lopez that if not for the upper deck might still be going. He is a fine young man out of the Dominican and he speaks fluent English. He has two years left of control. This is the kind of guy KW likes. Will make like $6.5 for 2020. Has a nice throwing arm. Platoon situation for RF. Believe agent is Boras. Very nice soft spoken guy with a good sense of humor. Light tower power ala Jimenez and Robert. May have had a bad thumb last season something that Luis Robert had to deal with. Good OPS of better than .850 of second half of 2019. Has yet to show he can hit lefties. The second #2 acquisition in trade from Rangers for Steele Walker and needed LH bat. Adam Engel Very good outfielder with excellent instincts. Bat is well below average. That said he works very hard and was reasonably competent after going to minors working with Menchinno at Charlotte and did well particularly versus left handers. Possesses good speed and is very athletic. Was a top Ohio HS QB who could have played major college football but opted to Louisville to play baseball. Is he a candidate with Mazara as a platoon player? Engel does not quit. Could be 25th man as backup OF. Possible RF platoon with Mazara but this is poor offensive production player option. Did hit better against LHP last season. Believe a RH RF for platoon is needed. Can play all OF positions. Has once again changed his batting stance, angle of bat and hands in batters box. Plays very hard. Works to improve his game. Good upstanding guy.  C 'NEW' Yasmani Grandal FA (S) ($73M Major FA signing with White Sox). Another Cuban who happens to have a deep friendship and connection to Zack Collins. Was surprised with the signing but Sox now have top catching duo in the game with McCann. Very committed player who has a reputation for being a top pitch framer. This switch hitting catcher was someone on my personal radar going back to his early days. Bold move signing him. Has good power and has caught some of the game's top pitchers for contending teams. The first signing. #1. James McCann In my view the team MVP in 2019. Superior knowledge of the game. Prepare like few others. Solid bat last year. Like how he chokes up on the bat and is willing to go with pitches. Very solid player. Team leader. Lucas Giolito credits McCann so much for his improvement. Will one day manage in the big leagues if he wants to. Super smart player who is as good a defensive catcher the Sox have had in years. Under no circumstances should he be traded. One of the best catchers in the game who knows how to use his footwork to block the plate and is excellent blocking pitches. Was catcher to Verlander and I believe Scherzer for a brief time in 2014 while catching for the Tigers. A good leader who has good skills behind the plate is tough to find. Molina, Posey, Perez, Contreras and few others. Speaks with a southern accent despite being from Santa Barbara, CA and while at Arkansas caught Dallas Keuchel for one season. Yermin Mercedes DH-3B-1B Watch this guy as he can flat out hit and with power and has a high degree of confidence and swagger. A stocky version ala Manny Ramirez. This guy really can hit. Strong throwing arm but has difficulty blocking pitches. Maybe Grandal and McCann can teach him. Keep an eye on this guy in the box. Had 23 HR's last season and 80 RBI's in just 95 games with a .647 SLG and OPS of 1.033 at Charlotte. Go ask Robert and Madrigal their opinions of Mercedes. Ask the team's current and new hitting coach. Had even higher numbers with the Knights than did 2020 ROY candidate Robert. He hits to all fields. One to watch. Highly confident with swagger. DH 'NEW' Edwin Encarncion FA 1B Sox want a value and experienced DH this might be the guy. With more than 400 HR's and more than 1200 RBI's EE has the experience and with some good ball clubs to really add a nice veteran presence and bat in the lineup. Hit some 34 HR's last season in just over 400 AB's. Probably in the $8-12M range. Encarnicion is an experienced asset to a playoff potential team. Some lineup they would have. EE is an established big time power numbers guy who has hit more than 32 HR's for eight consecutive seasons. The fifth. #5 (signed with White Sox $12M with second year club option) Daniel Palka Two seasons ago Palka looked like a coming LH power hitter where the ball just jumped off his bat. Then hit a massive slump last season at the MLB level. Really has no position on the field and might be a long shot option as a LH bat off the bench as a pinch hitter which would be his primary role if he makes the club. Hit 27 HR's at Charlotte last season in 106 games and an .900 OPS. Hit best option is he hits left handed. Is he a 26th man option? Proven pinch hitter from 2018. Not likely. Likely projection opens back at AAA-Charlotte. SP Lucas Giolito SP Went from outhouse to the big house in one year. Turned to his HS pitching coach from Harvard Westlake in Sherman Oaks (same team with Max Fried and Jack Flaherty) Ethan Katz (now with SF Giants) who caught flaws in Giolito's delivery. Dramatic change in where he keeps his throwing arm and release point. It really showed as he made his first all-star appearance. Hid the ball making harder for hitters to pick up pitches. Great confidence and a very nice guy. Wife is studying to be animal doctor at UCDavis. Family were/are in entertainment business. Credits also James McCann behind the plate. Looks the part of being a top flight starter. Really into the mental preparation aspect of the game. Really dedicated himself to be a better player and seeks being excellent. Good student of pitching. Like him also as a person. Nice guy who has class and a good sense of humor. Good teammate. May soon be known as 'The Mentor' as he has helped other pitchers including Lopez and Cease with their motions and preparation. 'NEW' Dallas Keuchel FA-SP (L) Soft throwing control lefty. Former Cy Young but that was some time ago. Would be nice second and likely looking for a minimum of three years. Was with Astros when they won World Series. Uses a classic over the head windup unlike most pitchers today. This lack of stretch of the arm may be a major factor in so many TJ surgeries. Former Cy Young Award Winner. Had the opportunity to discuss my observation/hypothesis with Bob Feller. Agent is Boras. The fourth. #4 (signs with White Sox 3 years for $55M with a vesting option for year four and a total of $74M) Reynaldo Lopez SP A quandary of a pitcher who at times looks like a world beater ace and other times appears to lose concentration and focus and just loses it. Kid seems to want to be good and if the Sox sign FA starters it will be time to shit or get off the pot and move to the pen or be sent in a trade something I do not believe the White Sox want to do. The talent is there plus he has stamina. Maturity is a key and he has deep family roots with his grandparents. Late in the season Ricky Renteria really gave him a talking too and Lopez just looked into his manager's eyes and listened. Seems to be a good young man and has all the talent in the world. Perhaps like Giolito he will breakthrough this season. We shall see. The kid has the talent. 'NEW' Gio Gonzalez FA-SP (L) Former White Sox number one draft choice traded twice in Nick Swisher deal and Jim Thome deal. Has won 130 games in career. Excellent curve ball. Had dead arm last season so we shall see if anything is left in the tank. Spot kept warm until Kopech returns. Good veteran presence presuming his arm is OK. Balances starting staff with a second southpaw. The third. #3 (signs with White Sox one year for $5M) Dylan Cease SP The second piece with Eloy Jimenez in the Jose Quintana deal with the Cubs. At times exhibits ace ability but the consistency with control has not yet been there. Then again Cease was a rookie last year. He possesses one of the best wipe out curves in the game. Has a slow deliberate motion. But key to him is control. Was hit pretty good when he came up but the last part of the season he started getting his act together. Would have been a first round draft choice but had TJ surgery in HS and fell to Cubs in Round 6. With time, patience and experience Cease has the chance to become a top three in the rotation. *Michael Kopech SP (TJ) June. Big time power pitcher. Came in the Chris Sale deal along with Yoan Moncada and Luis Basabe. Very hard worker. Training warrior. One of the hardest throwers in all of baseball. Had TJ surgery last year and is throwing again and is not missing a beat. Thing is when will Kopech be ready to join the MLB club. Spring training may be pushing it to come up with the big league team. I expect we are looking at around June for a call up. Will he be in rotation or pen when he does arrive. If he masters control he has chance to be potential ace. Has an aura who wants to be great. Reminds me of a Turk I grew up with with an independent flare knowing he is good. Likely projection opens at AAA-Charlotte for now. *Carlos Rodon SP (L) (i) I expect to see Rodon as a member of the bullpen when he returns by midseason. Sox will have numerous starters but will not risk injuries. Rodon has a wipe-out slider but has been hurt multiple times. Another factor with injuries to pitchers is that very few wind up any more leading to flexibility issues that lead to DL and multiple surgery stints. Plus Rodon is not built really like a pitcher. Likely projection when ready opens at AAA-Charlotte for now. *Dane Dunning SP (TJ) Sort of a RH Mark Buerlhe type pitcher. Throws strikes. Another TJ surgery. Was the third cog in the Adam Eaton deal with the Nationals along with Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez. Won't pitch until mid to late season or so it appears. Team has patience to not rush pitchers back from injuries. When healthy likely opens at lower level to get ready and will move to AAA-Charlotte. Jonathan Stiever SP Top pitching prospect originally from Wisconsin where he was a top football prospect who played defensive back. He pitched at Indiana University and was a fifth round draft choice. Has really progressed through the system and ranks so much so that many teammates called him Verlander because his style was so similar to the former Cy Young winner. Stiever is a very good athlete who has developed consistency in repeating his motion. Some believe he may have the highest upside of any starting pitcher outside of the name of Michael Kopech. Watch him as he starts at AA-Birmingham and can he jump up to AAA-Charlotte by mid season? Likely projection opens at AA-Birmingham. Bernardo Flores SP (L) Good command of the strike zone. Nice easy and smooth delivery. Student of the game. Control is key to his game. Since team is so thin on lefties keep an eye on this former Southern California pitcher. Personally like him much more than Konnor Pilkington who does not close his hips or hide the ball well. Since Flores is not a power pitcher he uses his entire body and it is more challenging to pick up the ball. If he stays healthy might make it to the bigs sometime later in the season. If Gonzalez falters due to injury or lack of gas in the tank Flores would be likely call up with Rodon out. Likely projection opens at AAA-Charlotte. Kyle Kubat SP (L) Jamie Moyer type control pitcher who went undrafted out of Nebraska signed by the Royals and acquired by the White Sox. Has been a sleeper throughout the minors up until call up to AAA Charlotte last season where he struggled. Then again with the juiced ball who did not get challenged. Still he has shown some strong signs and could compete for a long relief spot start role. Is a character. Could he be a sleeper? Unlikely but one never knows with his rise through the system. Likely projection opens at AAA-Charlotte. RP Alex Colome RP Lights out closer with fabulous cutter. He was dominant in the first half of the season. Second half he came back down to Earth. Still Colome is the White Sox best closer since Bobby Jenks. Has ice in his veins and loves pressure closing situations. Got a salary bump up to $10M. Nickname is The Horse and any game that Colome comes in he has a shot to put the game away. If Sox are going to contend for a playoff spot Colome is going to be a key to teams potential success. Aaron Bummer RP (L) Lights out eighth inning reliever who once he found his control became a real pitcher. Bummer was a 19th round draft pick originally out of the University of Nebraska. When Bummer is in the zone which now has become commonplace he is a very good set up man to get to the ninth. Last year in discussions for Pederson his name came up. Amazing when getting the ball in the strike zone can do. (Just signed $16M five-year contract) 'NEW' Steve Cishek FA-RP Submarine pitcher who is a competitive set up man. Last with the Cubs where Joe Maddon relied on Cishek heavily. Solid guy in 7th or 8th inning. The sixth. #6 (signs with White Sox one year for $5M) Jace Fry RP (L) Looked every bit the part of a poor man's Andrew Miller when he came up in 2018. However, Fry regressed in 2019 not hitting his spots plus the opposition started making adjustments. That said this former third-round draft choice out of Oregon still has the upside of a quality reliever. Evan Marshall RP Good pick up going into 2019. Marshall turned in good performance as a seventh inning set up man. Seems to have a rubber arm. Another of the many who seem to have benefited from Don Cooper. Value pitcher. Jimmy Cordero RP Surprise pickup who pitched well as the RH used prior to Marshall and Colome. Kelvin Herrera RP Top bullpen signing last season. Was dinged up virtually all season and was highly disappointing. Was dominant as member of Royals against White Sox. If he can come back to his old self he could be a welcome addition. So far he looks like a bust signing owed more than $8M for 2020. Can he return to his former glory? Would be a welcome bonus. Carson Fulmer RP Last chance ? Trade candidate as throw in at this point. Has been a bust so far. Very small guy. Does not move ball around. Far too easy for a hitter to pick up. Throws a straight fastball that does not move. Questionable control. Seemed like a bulldog but has more tendencies to throw more like a batting practice pitcher. At this point he looks like a bust. Seems very competitive and confident but the results are just to date not there. Has had numerous opportunities and if he is going to make it the clock is ticking with the White Sox and soon their may be no longer a barn for this horse to go back to. No longer is wearing glasses. (If anyone wants the former first round draft choice (#8-) out of Vanderbilt he is available unless he proves himself worthy of one more chance). MLB or claimed as I do not believe he has any more options left. Ian Hamilton RP (i) Top bullpen arm who had a freakish 2019 from side effects of auto accident that affected his shoulder and then was hit in the face by line drive in dugout. If he can come back could be a valuable asset in pen. Hamilton was an 11th round draft choice out of Washington State despite being listed at six feet is a shorter pitcher and not up to the listing in real height in the guide. He has a very good wipeout slider. Bulldog mentality. Likely projection opens at AAA-Charlotte. Ryan Burr RP (TJ) Good bullpen piece. Former Arizona State closer and fifth round draft choice. Sox acquired from the Diamondbacks. Throws straight over the top. Had TJ surgery last season. The second half of Hamilton and Burr. Likely projection opens at AAA-Charlotte. Matt Foster RP Former 20th round choice out of Alabama Foster is a bulldog who throws strikes. Has a shot at making club at some point next season and maybe out of spring training. Good numbers since entering the organization with reasonable consistency. Likely projection opens at AAA-Charlotte. Zack Burdi RP (TJ) Former first round choice out of Louisville and Chicago, Illinois. Had TJ surgery and has not hit his numbers since. I do not like the fact that he does not hide the ball and rotate his hips well but he once threw near 100 mph. Wait and see here. Too many pitchers today do not know how to hide/protect the ball including not having a leg kick making it more challenging to pick up the pitch. Likely projection opens at AAA-Charlotte. Tyler Johnson RP Interesting former fifth round pick out of South Carolina. Unusual delivery release point that can be challenging to pick up for hitters. Missed much of last season. Appears to be top RP in organization. Likely projection opens at either AA-Birmingham or AAA-Charlotte. Codi Heuer RP Former Wichita State starting pitcher who has thrived in relief role. Did not give up HR. Likely projection opens at AA-Birmingham.

They had choices. Could have considered going with Puig in RF and Tsutsugo as LHDH who signed with Tampa. Teams decided on Mazara LHRF and Encarnacion as RHDH. Major improvement in DH with potential upside in RF but neither position could have more potential to grow on club from 2019. Of course upgrades at C with Grandal, CF with Robert and eventually 2B with Madrigal. Excluding pitching that is a five player upgrade with consideration maybe for one more position player to consider for platooning with Mazara in RF. Actually Ben Zobrist is a player worthy of consideration as he can play any OF position including CF and is a good fielding 2B. Plus Zobrist is a winner. Big favorite of Hawk Harrelson. Plus a switch hitter. And another takeaway from the Cubs. With the Cubs TV deal creating issues of who can actually get the games much like with the Dodgers in LA this could be an opportunity to really go for a major boost to viewership. At Uncle Jerry's age I believe he would like to make a major splash after years of playing second fiddle in town. Do not kid yourself as that could shift in frequency particularly with the Cubs broadcasting move and the Sox preparation towards potential success as a up and coming team filled with talent and possibility. The White Sox once long ago left WGN for what they believed were the greener pastures of UHF television and Channel 32. They made a terrible tactical error and paid for it for years. Too few people back then could get a clean signal on the old rabbit ears while the Cubs basked on WGN and had all those kids after school and the White Sox would move to Channel 44 and the Cubs became one of America's teams along with the Braves on cable. This move the Cubs have made may make money but like in LA where it is hard to catch a Dodger game which cannot be seen except on Time-Warner now Spectrum whereas more people chose the NFL package with satellite. No time that the present to discover how to increase the fan base including kids. Strange but if you get the MLB package to watch on your computer or mobile phone the customer cannot watch in the home city which frankly is crazy. We shall see.

https://www.mlb.com/news/yasiel-puig-visits-children-on-indians-off-day

And he was there for hours with those kids.

One last point is that Yasiel Puig actually rented a helicopter on his off day in New York and flew up to Camp Simcha which was well outside of the city. It was a class thing to do and frankly one of the most unusual and kind things that anyone would ever do including reading and playing with those boys.

Do not believe for a variety of reasons including wanting more LH hitting in the lineup (Mazara) that team will sign Puig yet this is a nice story of someone who is perceived one way of being very compassionate and kind to children. I suspect he will sign with another club but the Cuban connection is in clear view for all to see. Had the team signed a LHDH which was not in thee cards then maybe Puig who has superior defensive skills and a rocket arm may have been an option. There would have been one factor of note though in a town where the White Sox are competing with the Cubs for viewership including the Cubs issues with cable that Puig has been a fan attraction. When he left the Dodgers he was as popular as any player on the club. Remember Uncle Jerry has played second fiddle for years in Chicago and now finally there may be an opening to take a much larger bite out of the market. All said it is not likely for the team to sign Puig, however, I put up the story to recognize that people are far more complex than a highlight of a skirmish on ESPN or MLB Network highlights. Dennis Rodman had a reputation too and was one of the top athletes supporting kids that few know anything about. Still Sox need realistically a platoon RHRF to go along with Nomar Mazara who has yet to show he can hit lefties. With Hunter Pence and Kevin Pillar off the board the thoroughbred in the barn is Puig and a veteran option that could play anywhere is Ben Zobrist who may live local. The story here was to show an athlete's compassion and care for sick children and the impact he had on their lives.

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Sabermetrics can serve some purpose but to let it take over the game the way it has and every player golf swinging at pitches can be embarrassing. I emphasize to examine Juan Soto who may be one of the best things that has come along in some time. If clubs do not use the minor leagues to teach how to hit with two strikes it has to make one wonder what re they doling down there. Just passing time. Soto. Study him and learn. The obsession over the data is a red blot as is the mental balancing act of this magic number of 100 pitches. But what does it matter? Everybody is making money, right? Just saw an interview with Frank Thomas and Mo Vaughn and the discussion came up on the lack of black ball players coming up. Vaughn said and I concur that the head injuries from football will push more players into the diamond and off the gridiron. Tim Anderson is the only one player of color and an American who is on the club. Noteworthy is Tim relishes the responsibility and is great with kids in the community. What Tim and his wife are doing is exceptional. Very happy Tim has a deep connection with Jackie Robinson and his contribution to the game. The very good thing about the international flare for baseball is the number of really good players is really increasing the quality of the game.

Very good point about the high fastball. Thing is until very recently this pitch which was part of the strikezone was essentially eliminated. Jim Palmer made his career throwing a rising fastball. I am glad that pitch is back in the game. We also live in an era where pitchers are 'encouraged' up and in to protect the plate and hitters more than ever can just stand on the plate and take their swings. It will be interesting to watch Keuchel who is a soft throwing good fielding pitcher how he fares. He is not Jon Lester but he may be a welcome addition to the club. Mr. Cole of the Yankees who may be as premier as it get going up, down, away and up as we have in the game and it is a thing of beauty when he is on. But in order to compensate the launch angle issue is moot particularly with two-strikes. James McCann decided last season to choke up and focus on going with the pitch as a hitter and he was vastly improved. I emphasize if Yolmer did the same beyond the GG he would be a better ball player.

Numbers in baseball used to have meaning. Ask most people around the nation who won the AL Batting Title and few would know it was Tim Anderson. If Jose did not lead the league in RBI's who would know. Yet one of the ultimate hyped elements in the game is Sabermetrics. As such most mean nothing anymore. I am not suggesting that statistics mean so little but it is turning the game into one where much of the mental gymnastics going on is actually distorting the game. But what does it matter as I am sure there are a lot out there making $10-20M per year. Baseball is a simple yet in it's own way complex game and now we have Ivy League graduates who use a computer to analyze which then why are people so upset with the Astros using technology to their advantage to steal signs. There needs to be a balance and like everything in sports cycles do exist and the pendulum moves. How many people reading this site watch entire baseball games anymore and if anyone ha kids if a game goes late how many are going to get home past midnight with school for kids the following day. Yet most who watch say an NFL game many if not most watch the entirety of the game. How can the game attract a consistent fan base and maintain interest? Question(s) worth consideration.

Baseball needs both short and long term relevance. For the amount of money being paid today and it is amazing people speak of saving money when a relief pitcher comes in at $6M per year if a bubble blows in the economy a man, woman or family barely making $60K are not going to be singing praises of pitchers or anybody making $20M per year. Really need a dose of reality for everyone. Remember there is no pension for Negro League Players, minor league players and how about those that work say in concessions at the ballpark when their career ends. And yes Marvin Miller had a huge impact on the sport of baseball and by extension all sports. MLB does not even allow their audience access to their personal team's home games from their computer feed because of some archaic decision despite paing for the games not being able to watch what the customer pays for. As to the comment on Koufax he pitched in an era dominated by pitchers including a higher mound. Koufax had a high leg kick which is rarely taught anymore and an over the top fastball and curve that was near impossible to pick up making him along with Pedro and Marichal the most dominating of the past more than half century. We here all this mental chatter about wasted motion...well...there are more TJ's than any time in forever and not winding up is a key factor in this new phenomenon with injuries. Had the good fortune to meet Bob Feller on two occasions and we discussed in some detail of the foolheartedness of not winding up, stretching the body out and throwing frequently and often which today is the new norm. I have asked and it repeats repeating and that is ask Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees or Russell Wilson if after throwing say 40 passes in a game should they bring in a backup quarterback to finish the game for concern of injury. Once again another in a far too long list of somebody just making up a concept and others following it because people theorize it and it becomes like a religious construct. With training techniques and advancements in exercise physiology gaining in power, strength and endurance including recovery after games should be much better at avoiding injuries and if there are some bouncing back with the PT people and trainers should be better than ever and yet there are more injuries than one can imagine. I emphasize that belief systems are getting in the way of talented players being able to once they start not merely going five or six innings in a ballgame. I fully concur that players are much better conditioned with one possible exception and that is endurance. Minus in recent years the classic 160 pounds Ichiro Suzuki who if you jut think about it he is 80 pounds less than Mike Trout and he was the epitome of the example for preparation for any and all baseball players and athletes taking examples and considering them for modeling is worth consideration. That is what so many players tried to do but where lacking in the dedication to their craft and whose name were not Ted Williams. Aluminum bats have been detrimental to the college, high school, Little League and Senior League circuits. Now lets talk about some of the most notable advancements in the art of pitching today and primary in this category is how pitchers grip the ball and use pressure all around the ball to make the ball move and/or spin. Today there are pitchers who just cannot throw a curve ball but can throw the split finger and it has made the game more interesting. As for hook slides all it takes it to watch a game where due to the technique you literally using your legs and mind win a big ballgame that puts your club over the top for in baseball much like basketball find me a club that can hit their free throws with consistency and achieving a greater chance at success goes up. Like having a player who knows how to squeeze in a crucial situation with a good bunt. Seeking knowledge and application to put one into a position to win more games doing some of the small things is always relevant.

At one time some long time ago the three most relevant sports in America were baseball, boxing and horse racing with the latter two in real trouble. Thankfully due the foreign players baseball is in a renaissance. If we can unload aluminum bats at a minimum the game will improve for American kids. At it's current curve we are looking at a third of all players being foreign born and likely eventually possibly more than 40%. Now these players are top notch and I encourage a merit based system where talent wins the day. Like to see more teaching how to run the bases and correctly slide and avoiding this crazy with some exceptions of these head first slides. Hook sliding is a lost art and can attribute to factors in a successful season.

And wonderful and valid points for recovery with the amazing advancements in Sports Medicine that for everyone out there this is the number one aspect of American medicine and perhaps the greatest advancement compared to issues of things like Sepsis and Pneumonia. Did not mean to drift. As I have said I am very under the weather. As an aerospace friend recently said to me there are going to be side effects from aerosol spraying under the guise of geoengineering with no environmental impact studies Not really appropriate for a baseball site. Remember Christ Mathewson and numerous other ball players during World War I were poisoned by chemical weapons. Maybe one day we can let the leaders in politics and banking fight it out in the ring in the Ultimate Battle Royal all on Pay Per View. Can't you just see it Dick Cheney and George Soros verus The Rock and AJ Pierzinski? Where is Bob Luce when we need him most? Like I said I am really not feeling well. Until next time.

BTW you can model but cannot copy Michael Jordan. That said if anyone out there can model Warren Spahn who barely could break a pane of glass throwing today he would still dominate the game based upon his understanding of how to pitch. The so called Tommy John's of baseball or Jim Kaat's were not fire baller's and neither was Frank Tanana when he eventually revamped himself. Speed is great but minus Roger Clemons and Nolan Ryan and one was enhanced most don't always maintain their fastball. Sandy Koufax had great stuff but he knew how to pitch. 100 pitches. Don't get me started.

Some noteworthy transciptions. Would have gotten back earlier but an seriously under the weather. Issues abound and I concur today's athletes due to numerous factors and access to some of the very best in training techniques can never be overlooked or neglected. That said ignoring some of the basics in the game is problematic as is the concept of one side fits all. Dennis Rodman won five titles and is in the Hall of Fame not because of his great shooting range from 25 feet but despite of it as the man's defense, play off the ball and supreme rebounding were so good he left his lack of a good jump shot and need to score where it did not hurt the team nor himself. A great player knows his strengths and weaknesses and Rodman is one of the rare breed who truly took it to the next level. This is true of all sports with baseball being no less of a reminder. Certain issues in today's game have been ignored and one of the basics deal with the wrists and hand as to how to effectively make contact with the baseball. In times where trends are commonplace and themes are openly copied which never made sense to me certain observations are meant to be studies to improve the quality of the game. Hence the name Juan Soto who is most definitely a throw back from another era as if he walked through a time machine. How often does a player these days change his feet, and adjust his hands and fingers on the bat and heaven forbid when was the last time we saw someone actually in situational and two-out hitting choke up to make contact to make sure the ball is in play adjusting his swing to fit the timing and situation. Did you hear that Yolmer? You are a great defender but someone missed the boat not a player whose name is not Mike Trout or Barry Bonds you how to choke up and just make consistent contact. And Yolmer here this good you are not a power hitter so avoid the launch angle cult and get back to focusing on contact which means swinging down on the ball. Many of you might not reminder this since your days in Little League but it is fundamental if you plan on taking your game to the next level. White Sox have a youngster who is most definitely a throw back in Nick Madrigal whose strikeout ratio brings back memories of HOF second baseman Nellie Fox and having the acumen again to know one's limitation and in Nick's case really know how to barrel the ball in many ways is exquisite. Modeling which was done during the Charlie Lau or any era is commonplace and for some it may have worked and done so well but falling in love with a new approach sometimes can have side effects on the game but one thing has never changed and neither Charlie Lau or Walt Hriniak would concur that you have to make contact and put the ball in play. Watching someone like Adam Dunn or Yolmer strikeout with regularity does no one any good and has taken the game down. Not expecting Dunn to have been much more than he was but Yolmer has a solid baseball IQ and with adequate coaching much of his stroke could be cleaned up for the better of him as a potential utility ball player and a winning teammate. Out for now.

It is the latest cult in modern sports going. Amazing that people are angry at the Astros when likely many teams are doing it. One simple solution that during the games only the managers and his coaches should have access to data and none of the Charlie Finley calls from the press box. So much data today such as pitch framing is so exaggerated it is laughable. I fully understand being a pioneer in what was created in the early 80's called point differential in basketball done first at Summer League games at Loyola-Marymount in the Playa Del Ray area of Los Angeles. In basketball this can clearly be ween in terms of say a Bill Walton or a Michael Jordan there is a definitive analysis of what point differential is. As for baseball minus say a pitcher, catcher or star player how is that equitable. Consider Adam Eaton when he was with the White Sox had a good WAR. Now does anyone truly believe Eaton is a premier play. Some of the data beyond certain things can be quite misleading in baseball. What is even more amazing is good catchers do not get financially what they deserve based upon their contributions in the game. See Buster Posey, Yadier Molina and Salvador Perez. Under the terms and conditions of what a catcher means to a team they seem underpaid despite the unbelievalbe amounts guys are paid today. Want to improve the quality of the game one way is to slow the use of computers from upstairs during the game. One wonders how Earl Weaver, Billy Martin, Sparky Anderson, Casey Stengel, Al Lopez et al.

I do not. However I did coach baseball and growing up had excellent teachers of the game. One other factor rarely mentioned is that American ballplayers have to misgivings of growing up swinging an aluminum bat something that if MLB was smart they would provide financing to maintain wood bats in the game. One of the very worst things that has happened to the game. The great talent in Central and South America as well as the Islands these players have the distinct advantage of playing from a yound age with wooden bats where so many of those with so called launch angles perfected their craft. Take the time and look at the swings of great players of the past. Also note that with two strikes players adapted to the situation (see Juan Soto) or in the case of Barry Bonds he always choked up. Wish it were not the case but much of the coaching today is theory when in fact keeping the ball in play versus striking out is essential to the game. Taught players I had how to control the strike zone by believe it or not swinging down on the ball to increase one's power and always using the hands and wrists throughout the full swing. Once players saw the increase in so called velocity and distance they were not going back. Wanna talk about hustle and con in the game consider the bats and juiced balls that were on full display last season. For all those that objected to growth hormone and steroid compounds which were never negotiated on eventually agreed upon for any owner to play games with the baseball is ultimate hypocrisy.

The concept of launch angle is a primary reason for so many strike outs in the game. Yes, the observation of Ted Williams swing is accurate accept one major factor. Ted Williams always had his top hand over the top not the theories of Charlie Lau. Williams had a move level swing. Most of histories best hitters would never not have their top hand on the bat. Bad philosophy. Poor coaching based on theory that was created when there was Astroturf. Also please examine the list enclosed as none were not taking their top hand off the bat and most swung down hitting on the fat part of the bat and with follow through. Consider that Henry Aaron who is one of the best right handed hitters of all-time never once struck out 100 times a season. And he played in an era where top pitchers would flatten a player on his backside for standing too close to the plate as well as being an era of the pitcher. The computer has helped to some degree but has harmed the game in other ways. Sure that Casey Stengel could not even manage today. When we play in a game where the maple wood bad, juiced ball and strikeouts off the scale and fans preferring a pitcher going the distance who invented the theory of only being able to throw 100 pitches? And people wonder why ratings are dropping. Can anyone imagine Michael Jordan or Tom Brady just to name two being on a clock? Makes no sense particularly with the training tools available today.

Sorry to be the guy to cry on the hit parade of Sabermetrics but if there is one aspect that has badly hurt the game it is this. The Dodgers essentially play the game based upon what a computer says. If anyone wants to improve the game let managers manage the game. And for some reason pitchers no longer wind up and there is a huge increase in TJ's. For those upset with the Astros using electronic surveillance to steal signs please get over it as technology has taken over the game. Is it me or does anyone else find offensive that Alex Rodriguez is broadcasting on television despite being caught how many times after a contract was signed? Remember when it happened with McGuire, Sosa, Palmeiro and Bonds there had yet to be a negotiated agreement with the Player's Association and MLB. Or for that matter how about the overuse of theories expounded by Charlie Lau including the idea of taking the top hand off the bad upon swinging. Look at most of the greatest hitters of all time from Joe Jackson to Ty Cobb to Babe Ruth to Lou Gehrig to Ted Williams to Wilie Mays to Henry Aaron to Frank Robinson to Dick Allen all did not have so called launch angles. Many of today's scouts could never work back in the day. Why is it the pitchers have such a challenging time hiding the baseball or maintaining a high leg kick like most pitchers of yesteryear. Johnson. Mathewson. Grove. Feller. Spahn. Koufax. Marichal. Gibson. Perry. Palmer. McClain. And that is just for openers. Over analysis has tainted the game as much as anything. There needs to be a rule that there is no communication between upstairs and the dugout during the game. And why are today's ballplayers so deficient in being able to hit with two strikes. Minus Juan Soto who is a throwback this skill is terrible today. Anyone watch Barry Bonds hit? Always chokes up. Contact is everything and despite choking up he is one of the greatest hitters of all-time. Sorry to suggest it but Sabremetrics though viable to some degree is the greatest example of mental masturbation in all of the game and has taken the human element out of the game. Is it me or does something not fit with so called scouts today who have sacrificed their gifts for real examples of technological malfeasance? And one other issue that needs to be discussed is the shift from pine to maple wood bats and a much tighter wound ball. Long overdue to stop calls from upstairs to the manager. And what qualifies so many of today's Yale educated GM's because they are stats guys?

Mazara at this point of his career has yet to show he can hit lefties. Pence compliments the right side of the plate and would bring a solid veteran presence on a team looking to win in 2020. Also a fan favorite, winner and leader. Rick Hahn is fully aware of the shortcomings of Mazara and much like what the old Orioles used to do platooning is a smart idea particularly with a 26th man.

Note is that Hunter Pence was out for a total of 67 days with two stint from injuries. Should this be a factor? If not Pence they may go with Leury Garcia. Pence is intriguing. Solid veteran who has won and come up big in big games.

Hunter Pence is the most suitable RF platoon option with Mazara. He had an OPS last season against lefties of more than 1.000. Winning ball player who could be a fan favorite. Excellent teammate. I concur that Yasiel Puig hits RHP better and is not the best suited of free agents to platoon in RF. He is but one option. Pence is the best suited player. Ironically he played with Mazara in Texas last season.