Chisoxfn

I can't see Long signing for anything but first round money and there is no way the Sox are going to offer him up 1.5 to 2 mill (hell, Beckham may not get much more than 2-3 mill (in fact I would be surprsied if he got much more, if any more than that).

Buehrle was drafted after Carrie Schueler. OR at least I believe he was.

Holy s***, thats awesome. Get er done Kenny, ger er done. I freaking love Danks. His bat gets ripped by scouts more than it should. He has a very fluid swing and defensviely he's stellar (not to mention he's great on the paths and fundementally sound). The guy has the ability to be a .280-.320 hitter with 15-25 hr's, 20-30 steals, all while playing above average defense (he has a gun in the outfield). Thats what I'd call his upside. Obviously that isn't hall of fame numbers and I'm not guaranteeing thats what he does, but thats the type of potential I think he possesses.

Crede absolutely skullf***ed that and OC is just playing. You can see he's a lot more lose out on the field too (joking much more with his mates and everything). I still think the Sox resign him. He's a very good SS and there aren't many like him (or at least not many that are available and since he's on your current roster it means you have a nice season to exclusively negotiate with him).

Gonna go to tomorrow's Titans game. Hopefully I'll be seeing them go for a super regional win. Come on Titans, lets snap the funk we've had against those pesky Trees and kick some super regional ass!!! Christian Colon and Brown are what I call super freshman too!!!

This is gonna be a big series.

QUOTE (DBAH0 @ Jun 6, 2008 -> 12:18 PM) Saw this about Morel; Are we? I guess if Crede leaves, we'll need a backup for Fields, but I wouldn't say we're really "in need" of a 3rd baseman. I still dont' think the Sox are as high on Fields as a lot of people on here. I'm a big believer of dealing Fields for another prospect or two once he gets going in AAA (or if he gets going). He has too many holes in his game to be a truly great player (yet I think his value is pretty darn high on the trade market).

QUOTE (BFirebird @ Jun 6, 2008 -> 11:29 AM) So for those in the know of some of these guys, does it seem the Sox are having a decent draft outside of the KW Jr. pick? I know it is really early to tell at this point, but as far as prospecting goes it seems like they seem to be drafting some good players. (Based on what I have read) It'll come down to who gets signed. If they signed Danks/Long/Uproch (or however its spelled) you are talking about a very good draft, imo, because along with those guys you have quite a few projectable arms coming in and a good looking shortstop. I'd be thrilled, but again, its a crapshoot, so who knows if the Sox will be able to sign any of those three tough picks (and if they don't sign them, the class obviously looks a bit weaker). Long is probably the biggest longshot since its not as if he needs money so throwing 3rd round money his way may not entice him. I'm hoping the Sox throw 2nd round money to Danks and go top 4 round money with Uproch. I see no reason why they shouldn't because they clearly won't be breaking the bank on the early picks (or at least I doubt they will, nor have they done so in any recent drafts). Heck, I'd trade Juan Uribe and let someone eat his contract if it meant the Sox took all that savings and poored it straight into the signing bonuses of those three guys.

I will be much much happier if the Sox offer Danks a significant contract and he accepts it.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Jun 5, 2008 -> 06:05 PM) From what I have seen, his arm isn't all that great. I think he is a lock to be moved to 2B. The only way I see him sticking at SS is if we need a SS really really badly. Go back and watch some tape. He's got a good arm. There is zero reason to be concerned with his arm. He's got a SS arm. Its not Juan Uribe's arm, but grades out adequately. Its also why a lot of scouts project him to move to 3B if he won't stay at SS (not 2B, because his arm is strong).

O'Neil seems solid, I shy away from relievers though as I typically believe you can find a lot of raw arms elsewhere and turn them into relievers at one point or another. Its why I like starters more than anything in terms of drafting pitchers and SS more than anything when drafting bats (as both have the ability to fill other needs; starters can also turn into relievers; SS's can play practically anywhere on the field). I was thinking Kyle Williams, who I know is a tremendous athlete, but this selection is TERRIBLE. Williams was ridiculously over-drafted. He is a very very good athlete (which is a plus) but his baseball abilities aren't at the level that warrant him going in the first 10 rounds. The Sox have done nothing but take easy signs when other superior talents were on the board. I'm obviously not in the war room and I haven't seen a ton of guys so I base a lot on other publications (which may not be right) but my god I just hate the philosphy/direction the organization seems to have. Again, this is very early and with the MLB draft more than any other draft, you dont' know who 90% of the guys are so its hard to necessarily hammer a pick. But when a consensus tells me a guy won't go for another 10 rounds and its only the 5th or 6th round I wonder why. Later on, I could give two craps because the deeper into the draft the far different each teams draft board is going to look.

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.