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Brian Anderson Catching His Stride By Jason Gage May 8, 2004 FutureSox.com On May 1st, Brian Anderson was in the midst of a season long slump batting .235 for the disappointing Winston Salem Warthogs. Now, roughly a week later, Anderson is hitting .338 with 2 HR, 14 RBI, and a .414 OBP and he is now looking like a player that could be promoted to Birmingham shortly. The hot streak started on May 3rd when Anderson went 4 for 5 with 2 HR and 5 RBI. They were Anderson’s first two home runs on the season. After going 0-3 on the 4th, Anderson heated back up going 4-6 with 2 doubles, 2 RBI, and a run scored on May 5th. Then on May 6th, Anderson had another 4 hit night, this time going 4-5 with a double, an RBI, and two runs scored. On May 7th, the streak continued, this time Anderson went a pedestrian (note the sarcasm) 2-3 with a double, RBI, and two runs scored. It was Anderson’s team leading 11th double. So to recap, over the past three games Anderson is 14 for 22 with 2 HR, 4 doubles, 9 RBI, and 7 runs scored. While this is not only good news for Anderson and the Warthogs, who coincidentally won all of the games during his tear and are in the midst of a five game winning streak, but it is also good news for Ryan Sweeney. This hot streak should also rub off on Sweeney who hits ahead of Anderson in the batting order. With Anderson hot, Sweeney should see some more fastballs which will hopefully allow Sweeney to get into a groove which will continue to help the Warthogs. The Warthogs have improved to 12-15, but still find themselves in last place, 8/1/2 games behind the Kingston Indians (20-6) in the Carolina Southern Division. My Take: While Anderson has heated up, he still needs to prove this is more then a hot streak. Anderson is more then capable of putting up these type of numbers over a full season, but before he gets promoted to Birmingham, he has to show the Sox that he has gotten things figured out and will consistently produce. Once promoted, the Warthogs should get outfielder Thomas Brice from Kannapolis. Brice is hitting .337 with 4 HR and 18 RBI for the Intimidators.

Ya, hopefully it isn't serious. I guess we'll know more rather shortly.

May 8 2004: The Hot List By Mike Doyle May 8, 2004 FutureSox.com The Hot List is a bi-weekly report on the hottest players throughout the White Sox organization. Unlike the Top 50 list, the Hot List is based solely on stats and does not incorporate age or prospect status in any of the rankings. Because the Hot List will appear every two weeks, rankings are very volatile and will change often. 1) Brian Anderson – OF – Winston-Salem Warthogs 20-50 .400 BA 8 2B 1 3B 2 HR 12 RBI 7 BB .720 SLG% The first player at Winston-Salem to break out, Brian Anderson did it in a huge way. Highlight of the past two weeks was a game in which Anderson went 4-5 with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs. Average now stands above .300. 2) Arnie Munoz – LHP – Birmingham Barons 12.1 IP 5 H 2 ER 4 BB 15 SO ERA 1.46 Munoz came within several outs of a no-hitter, but settled on a one-hitter through 8 innings. Followed up his spectacular performance with a solid outing, only giving up 1 ER in 5+ IP. 3) Felix Diaz – RHP – Charlotte Knights 20.2 IP 19 H 3 ER 2 BB 16 SO ERA 1.30 Assuming Diaz has one more good start this week for Charlotte, the 5th starter’s spot on the South Side is all his. 4) Michael Spidale – OF – Birmingham Barons 17-44 .386 BA 8 2B 10 BB 5 RBI Once in danger of being released, Spidale has been a huge offensive lift for the Barons. 5) Daniel Haigwood – LHP—Kannapolis Intimidators 18.2 IP 9 H 4 ER 7 BB 17 SO .86 WHIP 1.93 ERA Two words: look out. Haigwood is now healthy and ready to ascend up the organizational ladder. 6) Brandon McCarthy – RHP – Kannapolis Intimidators 12 IP 6 H 2 ER 6 BB 10 SO 1.00 WHIP 1.50 ERA Control became somewhat erratic for Brandon, but he has continued his solid start to the year. 7) Jeff Bajenaru – RHP – Birmingham Barons 5 IP 1 H 0 ER 0 BB 6 SO 0.20 WHIP Not even fair. “Man Hands” is completely destroying opposing batters right now and has some of the best relief numbers throughout the minors. 8) David Cook – OF – Kannapolis Intimidators 7-18 .389 BA 3 HR 8 RBI .889 SLG% A trip to extended spring training has seemed to set Cook on the right track. The above numbers are only reflective of 6 games. 9) Brad Murray – RHP – Winston-Salem Warthogs 9 IP 3 H 0 ER 2 BB 6 SO Murray has teamed up with fellow righty Dwayne Pollok to become a force at the end of games for the Warthogs. 10) Brian Becker – DH – Winston-Salem Warthogs 15-50 .300 BA 5 HR 3 2B 8 BB 11 RBI .660 SLG% Nothing-new here for Mr. Becker. Have rake, will use it. 11) Brian Miller – RHP – Kannapolis Intimidators 18 IP 19 H 4 ER 6 BB 15 SO 2.00 ERA Miller has finally put together three very strong outings and is starting to show the stuff that made him one of the organization’s top pitching prospects. 12) Michael Morse – SS – Birmingham Barons 14-50 .280 BA 2 2B 2 3B 3 HR 11 RBI .580 SLG% Morse continues to be a huge surprise at AA Birmingham, as he has slugged 7 homers already this year. 13) Thomas Brice – OF – Kannapolis Intimidators 12-42 .286 BA 3 2B 2 HR 7 RBI 4 BB .500 SLG% Thomas Brice must have done something in the off-season because his power numbers compared to his career stats are mind-boggling. Mind sharing the secret with the rest of your team, Thomas? 14) Andy Gonzalez – IF – Winston-Salem Warthogs 13-46 .283 BA 11 BB 2 2B 4 HR 11 RBI A very, very good sign for Gonzalez. I think I heard the Sox’ scouting director breathe a huge sigh of relief. Excellent plate discipline. 15) Casey Rogowski – 1B – Winston-Salem Warthogs 14-53 .264 BA 4 HR 5 2B 15 RBI 7 BB .585 SLG% Joined in the Warthogs resurgence at the plate along with Brian Anderson. Surprising power numbers for Casey. Brian McNichol watch!!! Brian McNichol – LHP – Birmingham Barons 4 IP 5 BB 2 SO – Scoreless inning streak at 15 IP. Brian is apparently pulling his best Ryan Meaux impersonation by not allowing an earned run through 15 innings. I say he reaches 18.2 IP. Questions? Comments? Mistakes? See a player that I missed? If so, please e-mail me at [email protected] and title your e-mail “Hot List”. I’d be more than happy to answer your questions.

Yep and he's absolutely filthy. Watching him pitch twice now I'm still amazed at all he has to offer. Although he has had a few not as good starts lately, well until this one.

I did like how right after the homer Cotts came in and struck out the next batter. That shows some fortitude and I liked it.

I think its only a matter of time that Anderson moves up. First off, you have Thomas Brice in Kanny absolutely creaming the ball and deserving the callup. Secondly you have the Barons offense, especially outfield lacking some bats, and the Intimidators have been a fine offensive club all season so the loss of Brice, while it will hurt, should be something they can handle.

Minor League Help Anyone By Scott Becker May 8, 2004 FutureSox.com - Courtesy of WhiteSoxCentral Baseball teams make the playoffs for multiple reasons. Some make it because they have long-time stars have continued success; others make it because they have "fringe" starters whom have career years. Or maybe because young players turn "potential" into reality, or just simply the rookies step right in and make valuable contributions. The White Sox have had some success in recent years in all categories except that rookies simply don't contribute out of the gates. Joe Crede had the most success as an "old" rookie in 2003, with a .261 avg., 19 HR's, and 75 RBI's. Mark Buehrle also pitched well as a SP in 2001 going 16-8 with a 3.29 ERA, after throwing 51 1/3 innings the year before. Yet, the Sox have had few rookie call-ups come in mid-season and immediately fill needed holes. Many of last year's playoff teams had minor leaguers come up mid-year and contribute right away to their success. Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis of the Marlins, Rich Harden of the A's, and Jerome Williams of the Giants in particular impacted their teams right away. So that brings me to my point; which current White Sox minor leaguers could step up this year to surprise? Here are a few possible impact rookie call-ups to watch: RHP Felix Diaz: Since Danny Wright is in AAA trying to get the "mojo" back he showed in spring training, Diaz becomes the frontrunner for the 5th starter's spot. He currently has a 5-0 record, 1.86 ERA, with 31 SO, and 4 BB in 38 2/3 IP. With those impressive numbers, we can't help but to think that Diaz could give the Sox some quality starts. He hasn't been called up, but if he does, as long as he can throw strikes and keep the Sox in games, he'll stick for a while. However, Diaz might not be ready for the playoff rotation if the Sox do in fact make the post-season. On the other hand, he doesn't need to be ready, or even that good. He just has to give the Sox 6 innings per start, and keep the game close. …Easier said than done. OF Jeremy Reed: Reed could provide the Sox with a solid LH bat that could provide a .300 average, a walk threat another guy that steal some bases for Guillen's small ball. However, Reed might not hit .300, and since his deadly showing at the plate in spring, the word on Reed has cooled off a bit. Yet anything close to .300 alongside his speed and ability to get on base would compliment the Sox' right-handed heavy power hitting crew nicely. While bench guys like Timo Perez and Ross Gload might be decent [hit .250, chip in a few RBI's, OK defense] a guy like Reed could bat .280, get on base, and provide speed and above average defense. Reed seems perfectly suited for the #2 spot…eventually. While it's far-fetched Reed could take over the #2 spot right away, stranger things have happened in baseball. If Reed continues to hit .320 + in June, the Sox should and will find a way to get him playing time whether it be in the OF, at 1B, or DH even. LHP Arnaldo Munoz: Munoz has been lights out as a SP in AA. After coming through the Sox system as a reliever, the White Sox have been converting him to a starter, starting him five games in the thus far in the minors. Any LHP who can go 4-0 in five starts, with a 1.50 ERA, and only give up 15 hits, 4 BB, and 31 SO in 29 2/3 IP looks ready to help the Sox in some capacity. If Munoz isn't called up as a starter (it's not likely), he certainly can be used as a reliever in the versatile Neal Cotts mold going 1, 2, or 3 innings, or just facing one batter. Soon Sox fans may be saying, Kelly Wunsch who? Most winning teams have veterans who perform well year-round, and carry the main hitting and pitching loads. Yet the special teams, those who get an unexpected boost from unproven rookies, distinguish themselves from mediocre teams in an important way, that is, they often make the playoffs instead of just watching what could have been on TV.

Umm, have I missed Politte's struggles? So what he gave up a run yesterday, he's pitched pretty good in some clutch situations if you ask me.

Welcome aboard.

Miller has looked better lately. It appears his mechanics are getting straightened out.

For prior stats, I always go to www.sports-wired.com and for in season stats I usually look at the teams website.

I'm there

Bah Humbag...WCIU :fyou

Congrats to Dennis. Good stuff Dan; Also, I just put up a pic of Ulacia in the article

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Harris is starting in cf today.

Ya, I don't think he was ever too hurt, but I figured out all the roster moves that went down for ya.

Intimidators Roster Shakedown By Jason Gage May 6, 2004 FutureSox.com The Intimidators made a few roster moves this week. Earlier in the week they placed Brandon Bounds and Cesar Castillo on the disabled list. Bounds, who plays first base, has played in 14 games for the Intimidators, but has struggled at the plate hitting .192 with 0 HR and 4 RBI. Catcher Cesar Castillo was hitless in two games for the Intimidators. David Cook and Rafael Flores were promoted to replace Bounds and Castillo. Since the promotion, Cook is hitting .357 with a .527 OBP, 2 HR, and 5 RBI. Rafael Flores started in the second game of a doubleheader and is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA. The Intimidators also had an open roster spot remaining from Jeremy Hudson was promoted to the Winston Salem Warthogs. Todd Deininger was taken off the disabled list to fill that slot. Deininger has pitched out of the pen recently and isn’t showing any signs of rust. He is 0-0 with a 1.13 ERA in 8 innings of work on the season. He has given up six hits to go along with six strikeouts and six walks.

Callamari is some good s***. Except I can never eat the really weird looking pieces for whatever reason. Everyone always says thats the best stuff, but it just seems like your eating tentacles or something.

But factor that Martz is the head coach most likely to kill your quarterback. He doesn't even utilize Marshall Faulk, especially this past year.

Guys, who cares whether the guy was a Cub fan or a Sox fan. When someone goes to jail do they go into prison wearing the hat of their favorite team or something. This was a tragedy and it sucks that stuff like this happened. I really don't see the point of why the media had to point out who he was a fan of. I realize that story that happened after the Sox game may of got more play or what not, but in these type of matters crap like that is useless. I'm not going to classify all Cub fans as murderes now, even if some Cub fans classify Sox fans as trash for whatever reason. Doesn't mean I got to lower myself to their level.

Jeremy Reed or Willie Harris. Those are the alternatives, imo. The Sox have other, bigger concerns, when compared with CF and have perfectly good in house solutions.

Welcome aboard

I thought it tasted pretty good the few times I've had it. Ostrich is good too.

I'd have no problem with that, although I'm guessing at least one contract would be involved. Hmm, could Jose be part of the deal? Or would it be Carlos or Konerko.