Chisoxfn

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 5, 2008 -> 03:41 PM) I've watched the same games you've probably watched on Fox sports, and I've never thought he was anything special. If it wasn't for his name, I doubt anyone on here would want a guy with the numbers he's put up. He was also terrible when playing for Team USA. I've seen him in person as well and his swing is fluid and he makes everything look easy. His defense is a major plus (and the arm a freaking "cannon").

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jun 5, 2008 -> 03:38 PM) Assuming it was the Mustangs he played on, the competition he played against will be top notch. They play in the Big West Conference (Fullerton, Long Beach State, UCI), which is one of the best baseball conferences in the country (not as deep as some of the protypical power conferences, but there is talent there). This is also typical, I always recall the Sox drafting heavily from the West Coast. Part of that is because more talent is there (West Coast/Texas/Florida) but the Sox tend to draft a lot from some smaller schools. Sorry Kal, I didn't see the other people respond to those posts.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 5, 2008 -> 03:08 PM) I'm not too upset they didn't. He's fallen this far, and there's a reason for that: he's nothing special. The Morel pick doesn't do much for me, but I'd rather they take a potential offensive player than pitcher at this stage. Thats bulls***. Watch him play and tell me he's nothing special. People don't love him cause he doesn't excel at any one thing, but he's good at EVERYTHING. The guy is a tremendous value at this point in time (I've probably seen at least 10 Texas games solely to watch him). His counterpart, Kyle Gibson, a lot more power, a lot more overhyped, and a very long/ugly swing.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Jun 5, 2008 -> 03:07 PM) I'm thinking there might be concerns over the strength of competition with a guy who played at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Just a hunch. Assuming it was the Mustangs he played on, the competition he played against will be top notch. They play in the Big West Conference (Fullerton, Long Beach State, UCI), which is one of the best baseball conferences in the country (not as deep as some of the protypical power conferences, but there is talent there). This is also typical, I always recall the Sox drafting heavily from the West Coast. Part of that is because more talent is there (West Coast/Texas/Florida) but the Sox tend to draft a lot from some smaller schools.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jun 5, 2008 -> 03:05 PM) Some guy named Kirk Neiuwenhuis from Asuza Pacific University was just drafted. Has anyone else ever even heard of Asuza Pacific University? Ya, its out my way.

QUOTE (29andPoplar @ Jun 5, 2008 -> 03:05 PM) A curious pick to be sure. Drafting a 3B high in the draft ... hmmmm. Good news is, he didn't strike out a bunch either, only 25 times. Still, it's a seemingly odd pick, we'll have to hear their rationale. Any chance Jordan Danks will be there next round? They didn't overdraft him that's for sure, despite how many times I read on this site they would. I don't get this pick. I've seen the Mustangs play a few times and they didn't have anyone that stood out when I watched them. That said they are an improving program as a hole. This pick just puzzles me though, considering some of the toolsy guys that were on the board. Again, its hard for me to comment because I wasn't specifically watching this guy when I saw Cal Poly, but I remember going, god, Cal Poly blows.

QUOTE (danman31 @ Jun 5, 2008 -> 02:33 PM) Hey finally a couple guys I've heard of (Raben and Satterwhite). I love Raben.

What the heck is going on with Mellville. At this point I wonder if he doesn't slide a few more rounds (as teams will likely have to go well over slot to ink him (since I'm sure he'll still be asking for 1st round money). Bottom line, if he doesn't go early in the 2nd, you may see him free fall. I wonder if there was a late rumor that he was going to go the college route (or if he had ridiculous demands).

QUOTE (EvilJester99 @ Jun 5, 2008 -> 02:53 PM) I would guess since we have Danks older bro it would make it a little easier to get him to come to the Sox this time. Another guy I love is the OF out of Miami (no idea if he's been picked yet). Danks is a very good all around athlete whose stock has slipped a bit and I don't completely understand why. The Sox are on very good terms with the Danks family and If he's on the board I would be stunned if we picked anyone else.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Jun 5, 2008 -> 02:46 PM) He led his team in most categories both seasons and has been hitting 3rd for UGa since the 2nd half of his Freshman season. He's shown steady improvement year by year. He was also an all American as a freshman. Take a quick back track, this guy has been a stud throughout college and has just kept getting better and better.

QUOTE (EvilJester99 @ Jun 5, 2008 -> 02:51 PM) Who are we hoping for in RD 3? I want another SS in Crawford (the guy has all the tools you can ask for). Jordan Danks is another guy that would be a great fit, but I have no idea who the hell is left on the board now.

Not saying BA is the gospel, but this is based on there discussions with some scouts (who regardless of what any of us think of a pick, know a thing or two more than any of us). It sounds as if no one is questioning whether Beckham is good enough of an athlete to stick at short, its just a matter of his hands (not range, not arm). Hope this shuts some of you up that don't even think he can play 2B, cause thats just blasphemy. This guy has above average bat speed and generates power to all fields. Smoak is a better pure hitter, but that doesn't necessarily indicate he's the better prospect. If both reach there upside, I'll take Beckham (cause that means your getting a SS who hits for average, power, and plays solid defense (not gold glove defense). To me that is more important than a first baseman who mashes (look around the majors and you'll see a lot more first baseman that mash than shortstops that put up those type of numbers). I would have had no problem with Beckham or Crow for that matter but the only guy I'd truly have had a hissy fit with is if we passed on Posey (and to a lesser extent Skipworth).

TCSN: White Sox Draft Beckham By Alex E. Chisport.com With the 8th pick in the 2008 MLB Draft, the Chicago White Sox have selected Gordon Beckham, shortstop out of Georgia. Beckham had been projected by many experts to go to Cincinnati with the seventh pick, but, with the selection of Yonder Alonso, Beckham fell to the White Sox. Other possible targets for the White Sox could have included Justin Smoak, Brett Wallace and Aaron Crow...Read More

QUOTE (EvilJester99 @ Jun 5, 2008 -> 02:07 PM) Sox don't have aother pick until round 3 right? Correct. I don't even know if the 3rd round will be done today. If it isn't, I'll be writing something up indicating some of the guys who slid in the draft that the Sox should be looking at.

I wish this thing moved quick, like the old conference call. That was a little too quick, but this isn't much better. It sounds like I'm lucky I'm at work as opposed to watching ESPN. If they were smart, they'd have all of the BA guys, plus Kyle Peterson and others who follow the college ranks. Singleton/Phillips aren't going to know much. Gammons adds value because he has his sources and can probably dig out some good dirt.

I'd like to point out that if Babe Ruth were trying to break into the majors today, he'd probably have a hell of a time making it. Scouts would have questioned his physical stature and he'd have never gotten drafted. In fact, you could probably say that about a good number of very very good pitchers from prior generations (pre gun days).

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Jun 5, 2008 -> 11:46 AM) From what I have read, he is a serviceable SS, but nothing special. He has the arm and I think he has the ability to stick at SS.

I like Beckham so I have no issues. Would have loved Posey though. Either way, excited to have a guy like Beckham in the Sox system. Even after drafting Beckham, I still want Crawford (SS) from UCLA. I have a strategy of drafting boatloads of SS's because they are the best athletes out there and can always be converted to other positions. I'd also be thrilled if Danks fell, THRILLED.

In fact, I guarantee it will be the best coverage on the net. The only place you may get better coverage is right here on Soxtalk (as you'll be able to get the TCSN coverage, plus all the great discussion of the knowledgable Soxtalk community). I'm really excited for the draft and I'm hoping we can do an outstanding job covering things (I know I'm going to be in a conference part of the day, but I plan on putting up some analysis later on (and we have a few people who will be providing live analysis as the draft goes on).

QUOTE (Gregory Pratt @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 09:55 PM) Mantle never hit one 600 feet, and there's no story out there that he did. He is alleged to have hit one 564, but that is not true. Bill Jenkinson spoke to the person who found the ball, and he says that he found the ball, and walked away with it, but not all that far. When someone came to look for it, they assumed that where they found him was where the ball landed. Mantle's was over 500, but closer to 530 than 564. Nowhere near 600, and no one has ever hit it, although there is some speculation -- notably by Bill Jenkinson, who is the only authority on Distance Homeruns -- that Ruth hit one. So, Mantle was amazing, and so's Ruth and so's Thome. Interestingly, guys like Bonds and Sosa are not genuine tape-measure homerun hitter (Bonds has never hit one 500 feet, and Sosa's only 500 foot homeruns were with the wind blowing way out at Wrigley). I mean, they're both good homerun hitters enhanced by steroids, but they don't belong in the same class as these guys for distance: Ruth Williams Mantle Foxx Dick Allen Reggie Jackson Adam Dunn Kingman Thome Stargell Those are just guys off the top of my head who are very, very powerful hitters in terms of sheer distance, according to Jenkinson who has logged all homeruns and ranked power hitters by pure power. Interestingly, according to him, only Dick Allen has had comparable oppo-power to Ruth. You left off the most powerful HR hitter I've ever seen, Mark McGwire. That guy hit tape measure home run after tape measure home run. He was absolutely ridiculous.

Dan, thats exactly why I love Gibson. He has a tremendous arm, a plus secondary pitch and with a proper pitching coach I think you can turn him into a pretty good pro. He also has a great build. Plus, I don't think he'll end up going in the first round or two, which means there is a chance that he turns into a very good value pick (since guys with his arm/build don't usually grow on trees).

IF Posey is asking for 12 mill than this whole draft is f'd. That is a lot of guys asking for ridiculous bonuses.

QUOTE (Ozzie Ball @ Jun 4, 2008 -> 08:48 PM) Posey... eh, what's his potential, .285, 15-20 homers, good to great defense and he should walk a bit so a decent OBP. With the no. 8 pick I want someone with star potential and I don't think that guy is Posey. Give me Smoak. 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.

Harold is at a childs graduation.

Rex, just want to say thats an impressive accomplishment you've made and your definately headed in the right direction for your next goal. Keep up the amazing work!!!