LDF

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Aug 29, 2014 -> 05:25 PM) 1) Mike Trout 2) Jose Abreu pretty much this is the winner Trout.

I like your draft. I see a battle for #1 with Matuella and Aiken, them you have an influx of decent amount of players including HS'ers. when the sox pick either in 6-10 picks, i am all for 1 of these players. - Josh Sborz, RHP, Virginia, i personally think he is the better pitcher coming out of Virginia. - D.J. Stewart, OF, Florida State. i sure like him, hit an above avg amount of doubles. some of those will eventually be hrs and we need of'ers - Ian Happ, 2B, Cincinnati, maybe the sox new cf and leadoff hitter - Jake Lemoine, RHP, Houston, i like him. i would like to see how this yr goes. - Joe McCarthy, OF, Virginia, pretty much like dj stewart. I like vand system and Virginia. they really got a great collections of players. don't forget about the hs'ers. Cameron is very enticing.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Aug 28, 2014 -> 01:41 PM) Disagree. I think Rick Hahn and his staff will identify the best player and take that player regardless of how long it may take to get to the majors. They took Courtney Hawkins and Keon Barnum with back to back picks 3 years ago. 2 years ago they took Tim Anderson out of JuCo and their 2nd rder was HS RHP Tyler Danish. This year they took a HS RHP with their 2nd pick in Spencer Adams. If a HS player is the highest rated player on the board in round 1, I think they will take the high schooler. and who was the GM at the time of the draft, KW or Hahn?

If today what draft day and all being equal, who would be the first player taken, Matuella or Aiken?

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Aug 27, 2014 -> 06:32 PM) Way too early Top 15 Mock. 1. Texas: Michael Matuella RHP Duke 2. Houston: Phil Bickford RHP Cal State Fullerton 3. Colorado: Daz Cameron CF HS (Georgia) 4. Arizona: Brady Aiken LHP JUCO 5. Houston: Brendan Rodgers SS HS (Florida) 6. Minnesota: Nathan Kirby LHP Virginia 7. White Sox: Carson Fulmer RHP Vanderbilt 8. Boston: Riley Farrell RHP TCU 9. Cubs: Justin Hooper LHP HS (California) 10. Philadelphia: Kyle Funkhouser RHP Louisville 11. San Diego: Kyle Tucker OF HS (Florida) 12. Mets: Alex Bregman INF LSU 13. Cincinnati: Ryan Johnson OF HS (Texas) 14. Tampa Bay: Walker Buehler RHP Vanderbilt 15. Miami: Kyle Molnar RHP HS (California) The White Sox could nab a real stud if they could get into the Top 5. Probably won't happen though. you really did a good job with a lot of hard work. I like this.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Aug 29, 2014 -> 06:57 PM) People might have argued Nola going in, which gets us right back to the polished vs. Low ceiling discussion. you got a point. I always thought it was Jeff Hoffman,

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 29, 2014 -> 02:03 PM) There's a legitimate "opportunity/cost" issue though. The White Sox went "all in" as a bet, in the truest sense of the phrase, in 2011. Rios was abjectly awful that season. The White Sox's failure that season continues to impact this team to this day. We had to cut payroll after that, shed veterans, and eventually start a true rebuilding process. We also sacrificed a year of Sale's eligibility working him out of the bullpen to try to win every game possible. Alex Rios's debacle of a season fed the 2011 White Sox debacle of a season, and even though he helped the next 1.5 years, his terrible play that year contributed to long-term damage to the franchise. excellent post.

QUOTE (oldsox @ Aug 29, 2014 -> 12:18 PM) Dunn's final acts of futility just add to the legacy of KW. Rios and Dunn. Terrible signings. I wouldn't so far as to say that they were terrible signings, I would say that other factors happen. what, I wouldn't be able to put my finger on it. but for any who remembers me knows I was never a backer of KW. re: Rios, he had game a nice avg with K's at about 1/2 of his hits. but the problem stems again from direction from the top.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 29, 2014 -> 01:48 PM) Conor could well profile as a quality #2 hitter but only if we have a right handed leadoff hitter. And before you tell me that it's ok to have 2 lefties hitting together, whether or not that's the case our manager does not believe it and will move Gillaspie out of that spot to avoid it. a very good point !!!

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Aug 29, 2014 -> 01:42 PM) On the latter, it's a nice side bonus, nothing more. On the former, as I noted, if you are pumping the right talent into the organization, you will have plenty of talent in the minors for that purpose. But this still goes back to the same things I said earlier. Having high ceiling talent in A ball is one thing... have close to MLB-ready talent is another, both in value to your team AND in trade. That should be the goal - to create a line of talent knocking at the MLB club's door. If they can get there faster, all the better. And you can still trade them even in the majors, so again, having the talent in the minors for trade chips really isn't helpful in and of itself. Now of course, if the high school player available has a higher ceiling and more likely value later, then you take that player. But saying that, all things equal, high school talent is better, just doesn't make sense to me. for the most part I totally agree and you said it perfect. the example I wrote some months back is the chi black hawk system, they have talent pounding on the door and they are staggered. now if this was by design or sheer luck, who knows. that is what I would like to see, sox prospect pounding on the major league door.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Aug 29, 2014 -> 12:30 AM) Stone and Harrelson talk about "run producers" in the middle of the line-up all the time. I was listening to Stone on Hit & Run show a couple of weeks ago saying over and over again Conor isn't a run producer. If Conor's outproducing Adam, has a better OPS and yet isn't a run producer, that doesn't say much for Dunn's season. Or you can use another statistic like Runs Created or Runs Created/27. Who would rank 2nd and 3rd after Abreu in that category? I'm going to guess Gillaspie again, maybe Alexei....Dunn could be 3rd. I would argue Alexei's been better at producing runs this year for the White Sox than Adam. And Dunn can't run once he gets on base, so he has to drive them in or be driven in. Part of that's obviously a function of having good hitters behind you, and Viciedo and Flowers and Beckham all had long stretches where they struggled this year. If you're being paid $15 or 16 million and your ONLY job is to hit, and we're arguing whether a SS or Conor Gillaspie is outproducing you offensively (and that's not even taking into consideration WAR or Alexei's defensive contributions), that's not a good argument that will go in your favor. I still say that Conor can be your #2 hitter. Move Alexei down in the lineup but in front of Avi.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Aug 29, 2014 -> 01:33 PM) I've been arguing this whole time and I still don't understand what exactly a "run producer" is. I mean, in 2004, Barry Bonds hit .362/.609/.812/1.422 with 45 homers but he only drove in 101 runs. He also scored 84 runs when he wasn't trotting slowly around the bases. But did he produce those runs or did someone else? So what is a run producer? I hate using the phrase because it can mean anything. I like using "good hitter" much more. I too have always had a problem with that term. good example of Bonds.

QUOTE (knightni @ Aug 29, 2014 -> 11:48 AM) He's 30 hits behind from last year. He has 20 HRs and is still producing despite his BA drop. could he be the next power bat, with low avg that plays the DH?

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Aug 28, 2014 -> 03:28 PM) The farm system is still a work in progress and while there has been massive improvements, since they lack a lot of high end prospecs (With the exception of Rodon, amd maybe Anderson) and quality depth in the system. I dont think or believe that DJ Stewart sloves that problem, because he is more of a finished product and lacks that high ceiling that the Sox desperately need in their system. how bout if the projected 1 rounder prospect who is a hs'er stalls out? this is very much of the cliché chicken or the egg. don't get me wrong, I truly enjoy all the writing that you do and look forward to them.

QUOTE (oldsox @ Aug 29, 2014 -> 01:17 PM) Farm system depth is very important if your team is a perennial playoff team, just from the standpoint of trading chips. Plus, it's nice to see the minor league teams be successful. I respect what you are saying, however pls don't take this the wrong way. the minor league team are not meant to be successful, but to provide talent to the major league parent team. to receive players that are train, and ready to go to the next step in their development.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Aug 28, 2014 -> 04:44 PM) I'm not saying Dunn is valuable. He isn't terribly valuable. Sandoval, however, would be less valuable. I'd rather give Andy Wilkins a chance than sign a guy with a .755 OPS. I agree here, I have this gnawing opinion and thought that if it wasn't for his contract yr, I can imagine him ballooning to the size of Prince Fielder.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Aug 28, 2014 -> 06:05 PM) Yesterday's win cost us a spot in the draft. We have now slid down to 9th. 8 GB of the #1 pick, and 5 GB of the #5 pick. oh man, I agree with the way it is confusing feelings. part of me say yeah the sox won but the other part is crying b/c we lost ground for a higher draft pick.

QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Aug 28, 2014 -> 06:20 PM) I must admit, you guys make a lot of sense and I can appreciate the insightful discussion. This discussion has raised a few questions I'm really unsure about and I think you guys and others can help. 1- let's say Micah plays 2B and Semien plays LF in 2015. Where do they hit in the batting order? 2- where does Anderson play when he's ready? when the system this bare, the team needs prospects, any and all players are counted on. with that there will be a time when we may have an excess of prospect in 1 area and not enuf in another. so as hard as it is, but trading those access for other prospects the sox need.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Aug 28, 2014 -> 01:41 PM) Disagree. I think Rick Hahn and his staff will identify the best player and take that player regardless of how long it may take to get to the majors. They took Courtney Hawkins and Keon Barnum with back to back picks 3 years ago. 2 years ago they took Tim Anderson out of JuCo and their 2nd rder was HS RHP Tyler Danish. This year they took a HS RHP with their 2nd pick in Spencer Adams. If a HS player is the highest rated player on the board in round 1, I think they will take the high schooler. and I will accept what you are saying. I think that for all other rounds, the sox will pick for position and talent, regardless of age of the prospect. re 1 rounders, esp high ones, the sox will take fastest to the majors, esp now with the sox being close.

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Aug 27, 2014 -> 06:38 PM) Yes, these guys should available in the top ten. And I prefer HS talent to college players any day of the week, especially when it comes to position players. I so however feel comfortable drafting college pitching however. for the sox, hs prospects I believe would not be of interest. the reason being is fastest way to the majors. that is the only reason, I see some really talent in this yr hs'er but with the state of the system at this point, I just don't see it.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Aug 27, 2014 -> 04:55 AM) I blamed Hahn for the bullpen debacle. It ruined any chance of the team hitting .500. He brought in Abreu and Eaton, which is great, but the defense remains horrible and the pitching is quite sub par. Frankly, he has a lot of work to do to avoid the cellar again next year. Season ticket sales should be lowest in the modern era. All they have to sell, really, is Abreu, Sale and perhaps Eaton right now, barring an overhaul. Avi Garcia is close to being a major plus as well. I agree to a certain extend. Hahn should have never have all his egg in 1 basket to start the season. esp with Paulino and Veal. while other teams pick serviceable pitchers in the offseason. however with his shortsightedness, he did turn this team farm systems around and has made many good deals. I am for a nice turn around and predict playoff next yr.

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Aug 27, 2014 -> 12:08 AM) I would rather have Bickford than Aiken, call me crazy but I really do like him a lot. My Top Targets For The Sox (Assuming They Get A Top 10 Pick) Daz Cameron Kyle Tucker Ryan Mountcastle Justin Hooper Phil Bickford Brady Aiken if you are saying that these prospects will be available for the sox to pick, est at their time. I will say forget any hs'er, I still like the 2 of'er I mention the other day, and several other pitchers. I am a little confuse on Alken and Bickford. again, many thanks for you hard work/

does anyone know if Brady Aiken is eligible for 2015 draft? I think if he goes some other rt, or something like that. am I wrong?

QUOTE (Dunt @ Aug 26, 2014 -> 08:22 PM) Apparently the Braves are mulling over moving him in the offseason with Bethancourt on the way. I think this is something Hahn should really explore. Have him split time between catcher and DH, then get Andy Wilkins to DH when he catches. Helps bring some pop to the lineup if they decide to put Semien in LF. yeah I saw that as well. I was thinking, maybe somebody can help. a while ago, several yrs, some one mention that when trying to figure the stats in the minors compared to majors, you should subtract several point from the batting avg.

QUOTE (glangon @ Aug 26, 2014 -> 11:07 AM) If you are talking hindsight, then lets look at the number 10 pick - Jason Castro, our catching issues would be resolved if we drafted him. Or how about the number 19 pick Andrew Cashner who has pitched really well recently with the Padres. The supplemental picks that year included Lance Lynn who is pitching really well for the Cardinals and a certain left handed third baseman called Conor Gillaspie. If you could predict these crap shoots then you'd be in a job for years to come. For reference Craig Kimbrel went in the 3rd Round, Dee Gordon in the 4th Round Anthony Rendon went in the 27th Round and Yan Gomes went in the 39th Round all of them did better than Kyle Skipworth who was drafted 6th by the Marlins. yeah you are right, I should have clarify, I was meaning 1 rounders. now with Cashner, I was debating about him. picking Beckman was the higher rated. re: Costro I totally forgot about him. you are right there.