maggsmaggs

I like the movement on Hudson's pitches, seems like a poor-man's version of stuff wise MacDougal, but clearly with much better control.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jun 5, 2008 -> 05:51 PM) Now I dont watch or follow a ton of College baseball, what is the significance of being a "friday night" pitcher vs a saturday night pitcher Friday night pitchers are aces of the staffs.

Darn, Hudson went. I would really have liked to have him.

Andrew O'Neil. "Penn State closer Drew O'Neil was one of the most dominating pitchers in the Big 10 Conference this spring, going 0-2, 1.88 with 11 saves in 26 appearances. O'Neil threw from an over-the-top arm slot when he arrived at Penn State, but he messed around with a sidearm delivery in a bullpen session early last spring, and the Nittany Lions decided to keep him there. O'Neil's fastball velocity is unusual for a sidearmer: he sits at 89-92 with boring, sinking action and touches 93-94. His slider can be effective against righthanded hitters when he stays behind it, which he has done more consistently as a junior. Sometimes he gets underneath it, causing it to flatten out and spin harmlessly across the zone. He has a changeup that he seldom throws, but he figures to rely on his fastball and slider in pro ball. O'Neil draws comparisons to Mets reliever Joe Smith, who was drafted in the third round out of Wright State in 2006, and O'Neil could be drafted as high as the third himself, but his upside is limited. He could move quickly in pro ball and reach the majors as a reliever."

Yeah, wow. That was a head shrugger especially with a guy we have liked in Danks. With all the stuff about the West Coast guys being in trouble and all the rumors about wrongdoings there, this makes you wonder more.

QUOTE (danman31 @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 11:33 PM) Is this his surprisingly (and disappointingly) unattractive girlfriend? BTW, my friends went to Truman's to watch the Saturday regional game. She was their waitress, someone said something about how Crow should have been saved for that game and she agreed. I thought that was funny. I shouldn't say bad things about her, I went to Truman's for the Sunday game and she was working and then she recognized me downtown Monday. It's a good thing I'm back home and 7 hours away lol. As for draft discussion...if the Sox pass on Crow I'll be upset, but I'm not completely sold on Crow being automatic like I was a month ago. I guess that's always a risk with draftees, but I would have laughed if he didn't go #1 a couple months ago. I still think he should go in the top 5 though. I'd be happy with any of the college guys floating around the 8 range other than Castro. I don't see a huge difference between most of the guys anyway. Haha maybe.

To me it comes down to four guys that I think the Sox will seriously look at: Alonso, Smoak, Wallace and G. Beckham. 3/4 will possibly be available, but most likely 2/4 and those are Alonso and Wallace. If this happens though, it is likely a Crow or Matsusz has dropped, but I just don't see the Sox going college pitcher, which is stupid IMO if both are available. In the end I think the Sox take Brett Wallace.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 11:50 PM) Posey could be the best catcher in baseball. I'd say his potential is pudge. He has all the physical tools to be a premiere defensive catcher all while hitting .300 with 20 HR power and good speed (for the first 10 or so years of his catching career). As far as I'm concerned, that is star potential. I'm not saying he turns into Pudge, but do you remember the impact Pudge had on games during his hay-day. He not only was a star on O, but he shut down the opponent's running game, which is huge to his pitchers. That is a big advantage.

Figure I would post this here as well, dont get your hopes up about Crow even if he's there. The teams on him the hardest are Baltimore, Washington, Houston and the Royals still. So could get interesting...

Update about Crow: from my source (i love saying this sorry I feel so journalistical but I actually do have one with Crow). the teams on him the hardest are Baltimore, Washington, Houston and the Royals still. So could get interesting...

Come on John, one more out.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 08:27 PM) As someone who has only been able to see a little of Crow, what can you tell me about him? I know he has a live mid 90's fastball and a nasty slider, but does he have anything else? Any other info about his strengths/weaknesses? Relaxed guy, not too uptight. Throws hard like you said with the fastball, got some wicked movement at times, mostly sinking. Also, commands his fastball very well. Slider is wicked, developing changeup that is average now, that can get to solid. He is a gamer who works hard no matter the stuff he has. No real mental or outside problems, but delivery is little flawed according to scouts, but some says he will be fine. Small in stature for a big-time pitcher. Listed at 6-3 ish and 195 on MU's website. Prolly closer to 6-1 and 180. Has all the makings on an ace, but at worst could be a game-changing reliever is all else fails.

If that comes back to bite us, I will be uber pissed.

Wow. that was a good call.

Is that gonna be a basehit just like Alexei's yesterday?

Q time!!! Come on Q, give us some insurance. Third time vs. Hochevar is Q's time to own him.

Send the missile. I don't care if Olivo is behind the plate. Hochevar isn't exactly fast to the plate. Push the envelope Oz.

Olivo was a great backup catcher, but he does not hit well enough to start. His numbers this year are out of the ordinary, the guy never walks and has 0 plate discpline. Backup catchers have value, but Garcia won us world series and gave us Gavin Floyd. If you don't care about the WS, which still is a valid thing to point out in the deal, then think of it this way. Olivo > Floyd? Hell no. Floyd >>> Olivo.

QUOTE (TheBlackSox8 @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 08:21 PM) 518 looks about right Is that your guess or from the broadcast? Either way, that ball was the hardest ball I have ever seen hit.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 07:11 PM) probably, but I still have hope. Rumors are however that Crow wants a big time contract now... I do have some inside on Crow. He wants money, but nothing outrageous and won't be signing likely till August 15 (the deadline). His top two teams to be drafted by are the Rays and Royals, but that ain't happening. All I know is that he wants fair money, nothing outrageous and there is a 1% chance at best he heads bacl to school or does a Scherzer route.

Crow

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 08:33 AM) Take Crow if he's there! Contreras will be a free agent after next season, and it's not like we have any possible options coming along in the minors (Poreda will be a set-up man, in my opinion). I can't imagine the outrage on here tomorrow if we take Castro. I would love Crow and hope he drops to the Sox. Like you said, we don't have many options in the minors and like Hawk said yesterday, elite starting pitching prospects can net you any position prospect. Plus, it would be cool to have a Mizzou guy that I have seen pitch in college with the Sox. I have also heard that Crow is a pretty relaxed guy and not a wild child like many college ball players are.

QUOTE (JuiceCruz16 @ Jun 2, 2008 -> 12:15 PM) Some big name guys are struggling with making the grade to pass the NCAA clearinghouse. Deandre Liggins has a learning disability so he can continue to take the ACT/SAT as many times as he needs, but word is he does not look good to qualify. DeRozen and Jennings have yet to qualify as well, and time is running short for them. I hope Liggins actually has a learning disability and he's not just using it to get more attempts at the ACT. I have heard that it's not that hard to get an exemption for extra time or multiple attempts on the ACT if one actually wants it. I wouldn't be surprised if people used the system that way to acheive in athletics. But hopefully that is not the case.

MORE O. Home cooking. And like Fathom said, this isn't no slouch pitcher. Greinke has pitched at an all-star level this year.

offense. wow. Please let us have a non-stressful game. Let's just blow these [bleepers] out.