Chisoxfn

He looked brutal in bp as well. He pulls almost everything and when your fast, you'd like for him to be hitting the ball into the hole between short and 2nd or opposite field more. Plus if he's alwasy pulling the ball, it makes it a lot easier for the 3rd baseman to play in to prevent bunts. At least he had a hit. I'll give Harris time though, he still only has like 15 at bats, but Uribe impressed me. His stature is very similar to Jimenez and he wears the same number. Of course to most people thats a horrible thing, but we all know my feelings on DJ. AFter reading this, I fully agree with Critic's post on Willie.

Yep, Weaver is nasty and has been pitching absolutely amazing thing year. If he keeps it up, I have no doubt he will be the 1st overall pick in the draft. And your right, he's Weaver's brother.

This could make some sense. How old is Galloway? The guy has a ton of speed and if the pick is high enough (say a 2nd rounder) then the Bears save a little dough and will obviously be adding a receiver to replace DT. This will add a lot more speed (i'm assuming they will draft a speed guy as well) which is what fits the offense better. Depending on the round pick, I wouldn't necessarily be against this.

I'm usually someone that doesn't take note to one game, but he was pitiful. Every ball was absolutely crushed and everything he threw was absolutely straight. No Velocity, no stuff. It was brutal. He was lucky, he had a couple of shots that were snared by the Sox.

Rivera made a good throw on the first stolen base. He threw it from his knees and the base was stolen off of Wright. Then Cotts had a real close eye on Jackson and Jackson broke back to 1st (cause Cotts delivery is that deceptive) and then took off for 2nd. Rivera's throw was absolutely awful. I should also check msyelf, Cotts only gave up one hit..I forgot he drilled Jackson. I saw in the trib they thought he may of been going at him for his slide on Harris. Oh ya, I don't know who watched the game, but if you did you may of saw that jackass wearing the ivy costume covering his shirt. Oh my god, now I know why people call Cub fans stupid. How the hell could you look any dumber. This dummy walks up to the Sox dugout about an hour and 45 before the start of the game, when the Sox players are doing the stretches and starts yelling at Sox players that they can't do anything about the ivy. The White Sox players all bust out laughing. This guy was a complete goober. I'm laughing my ass off too, cause he looks so damn stupid. He made Ronnie Woo Woo look like the coolest person to ever live. Also, Sweeney and Anderson seem to be really good buds. They were joking around a ton. Early in the game when Sweeney lined a shot right over teh Sox dugout...Anderson stood up and was yelling at Sweeney and pointing in the direction of the field. I'm thinking those two have awesome futures. Both showed themselves well in the two games I saw.

Usually I wouldn't know something like this, but the whole foul ball was weird. It went well behind her, bounced back and up into the canope and then shot down on her babies head. You wouldn't at all expect something like that to happen. From what I saw, she was watching the game at the time. I had no idea it was Crede's wife, but like I said, I was a section over and right in the same row.

Both were very impressive. Darrensbourg ticketed himself to Charlotte with his lousy outing today. Cotts was throwing a ton of strikes and no one was hitting him hard. He gave up just two hits in that inning and I noticed one thing about Cotts, he has an incredibly deceptive delievery. Not many guys will steal off him because his motion is a lot like Pettites in the sense that you have no idea if he is going over or pitching. Wright looked good as well. His delivery looked a lot more consistent and he got himself into a few jams, but he wasn't hit hard. Sweeney was pretty impressive during BP. The guy swings so easy and you don't even think he's hitting it far and then you look and the ball is going over the fence. Also flashed a very nice arm.

Yep, he's on the Cubs.

I was sitting basically a section away from the incident. Crede's wife was sitting with either her mom or Crede's mom and holding the baby. Their seats were the 2nd to last row (It may of been the last) and they were under a canopy. The ball went behind them and hit the canopy and bounced back. It clipped the baby on the head on the bounce and Crede's wife immediately jumped up and took her out of there. You could see the baby was crying, but from my view I thought the baby was more scared then anything. I think the baby will be fine, but they were in a spot where you don't have to worry too much usually. And to add, she was behind home plate, so she wasn't on the 1st base or 3rd base line. It wasn't directly behind home plate, but one section closer to the Sox 1st base dugout...still safely behind the net.

Didn't see Willie yet and I'm a Willie fan, but Uribe made a nice defensive play and looked very solid at the plate. Uribe has a little more pop and the stronger arm, while Harris is a little quicker. I think both have a good chance, but neither have too many at bats yet, so its hard to say. I'm assuming I'll see Willie today.

2004 Spring Training Analysis: Position Players By Andrew Dunn March 12, 2004 FutureSox.com The Chicago White Sox have been preparing themselves for the regular season ahead at Spring Training down in Arizona. In the final of our roster previews, we take a look at the minor league position prospects that have a chance at making the 25-man roster in Chicago. Jeremy Reed Jeremy Reed joined the White Sox as a second-round pick in 2002 (59th overall) out of the famed Long Beach State University. Reed burst onto the scene last year as the White Sox’ best minor-league prospect, hitting .333 in Winston-Salem with an excellent 41/17 BB/K ratio and he also hit .409 for the Birmingham Barons in double-A with a 1.065 OPS. After the season, Reed was selected to play outfield for Team USA who were upset by Mexico in the Olympic qualifying tournament. Reed is considered to be more of a line-drive hitter with a smooth stroke from the left side of the plate. He does not project to hit many home runs in the majors due to his small stature, but he has the ability to get on base, and steal on occasion. Reed has an average but accurate arm and he may have just enough range to play center field in the majors, although he may be better suited for the corners. Reed’s main weakness is his offensive-struggles against left-handed pitching. With Winston-Salem he hit just .256 against them in, compared to his .352 average against right-handers. Reed will start 2004 off in Charlotte unless he really turns some heads in spring training, which has so far gone fairly well despite spraining his right wrist while playing with Team USA beforehand. Final Stance: Aaron Rowand projects to be the starting centerfielder for Chicago, although if he struggles, Reed will likely be the first in line as his replacement. At the latest, he should be in the majors by August/September. Barring a trade, he will start the season in Charlotte. Joe Borchard Joe Borchard was the 12th selection in the first-round of the 2000 draft out of Stanford University, where he was a former quarterback. Borchard signed a contract that included a $5.3 million bonus, making him the most expensive minor-leaguer in White Sox’ history. Borchard moved quickly through the White Sox’ system with good years in 2001 at Birmingham (.295 BA, 27 HR) and 2002 at Charlotte (.272 BA, 20 HR). Borchard earned a call-up to Chicago in late 2002 when the rosters were expanded, although his numbers weren’t too impressive. Borchard struggled again in 2003, hitting .253 with a weak .307 OBP and poor K/BB ratio of 103/27, which continues to be Borchard’s main weakness; little plate discipline and the inability to walk. His swing needs to be shortened to help fix this problem. At age 24, Borchard needs a good year at Charlotte or he will risk losing his status as a top prospect for the White Sox. In the eyes of many, Borchard, who was once considered to be the centerfielder of the future, is now second to Reed, although he still has time to make it for the White Sox. Final Stance: Guillen has said good things about Borchard and appears to be interested in using Borchard as a 4th outfielder. Borchard can play all three outfield positions and the time in the majors could help him prepare for a starting role. Ross Gload Ross Gload was selected in the 13th round of the 1997 amateur draft by the Florida Marlins. After being involved in the Rondell White-for-Henry Rodriguez trade with the Chicago Cubs, Gload worked his way up to the Cubs in 2000 after some great numbers for triple-A Iowa, hitting .404 with 14 homers in only 28 games. Ross couldn’t stay up with Cubs though and eventually moved onto the Colorado Rockies organization, where he continued to hit the ball well for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. However, his overall value was quite low in Colorado because he was stuck behind the likes of Todd Helton, which eventually got him traded to the White Sox in 2003 for left-hander Wade Parrish. Gload had another fine season, this time for Charlotte, in 2003, hitting .315 with 18 homers. Final Stance: With Brian Daubach returning to Boston for the 2004 season, Ross Gload is considered to be the favorite to take over the role as backup first baseman and designated hitter for Paul Konerko and Frank Thomas. At age 28, Gload, who can also play the corner-outfield positions, needs to make the most of his opportunities if he wants to stay in the majors. Jamie Burke Jamie Burke was chosen by the Angels in the ninth round of the 1993 amateur draft out of Roseburg (Oregon). Burke was a minor-league prospect in the Angels system for eight years until he made his debut for Anaheim in 2001, playing nine games and hitting .200. Previously, Burke had great years in 1997 for Midland, hitting .329 with 72 RBIs, and in 1999 for Edmonton, where he batted .336. Burke did not play for a major league organization during the 2002 season, and was signed to a minor-league contract the following year by the White Sox. In 2003, Burke had another good year, this time for the Charlotte Knights, hitting .322 with 50 RBIs in 94 games. These good performances earned Burke a call-up to the White Sox late in the year, where he batted .375 in six games. Burke comes into spring training as the third catcher in the organization behind Miguel Olivo and Sandy Alomar Jr., but he will also see some time at third, first and left field. Final Stance: Burke will probably start out the season once again in Charlotte, but, he is the likely call up if anything happens to Olivo or Alomar. At age 32, he needs to perform now. Ryan Hankins Ryan Hankins was selected in the 13th round in the 1997 Draft out of UNLV. Hankins has moved steadily up the minor-league chart in his time with the White Sox. Hankins had good years in 2002 for the Birmingham Barons, hitting .280 with 72 RBIs, and last season at Charlotte, batting .276 with a good 38/16 BB/K ratio in 68 games. Originally a corner infielder, Hankins experimented at catcher in the Arizona Fall League with moderate success. Final Stance: Hankins only chance to make it to the White Sox may be as a catcher since he probably does not hit well enough to warrant a call up as a corner infielder; although his new versatility will certainly come in handy for him. He will most likely start the year at Charlotte while rotating the catching duties with Jamie Burke and Mike Rivera. He’ll also play 1st, 3rd and probably both corner outfield slots. Mario Valenzuela Mario Valenzuela was signed as an undrafted free agent. In Spring Training 2002, Valenzuela burst onto the scene as a legitimate contender for an outfield spot with the White Sox; hitting a team high .478 with 1 HR and 7 RBI’s. At the time, Jerry Manuel said he was an “impressive hitter”. At the end of the pre – season however, Valenzuela hurt his elbow, causing him to miss the entire 2002 season. In 2003, Valenzuela started off the year at Great Falls hitting .355 in only 17 games. This prompted a quick call-up to the Charlotte, but he didn’t produce the same kind of numbers with a .254 AVG and an atrocious 25/3 K/BB ratio. Final Stance: Valenzuela is considered a long shot to make the Sox out of spring training, but could be one of their only options if they decide more at bats in Charlotte are what is best for Borchard. Odds are he will start the season in Charlotte, in what looks to be a crowded outfield.

LMAO Mark, LFMAO.

Hey Andrew...I just realized, I forgot to email myself your update on Valenzuela. Its on my other computer, not the laptop. Can ya send it my way and then I'll get it right up

Saw McCarthy at minor league camp, but they were pretty busy at camp and I had to head back to the major league camp to catch the game. At minor league camp the pitchers were working on the pickoff moves and such. Looked for Bull and Baj, but couldn't find them anywhere.

I'm hoping to see Cotts pitch tomorrow, but I have no idea if he actually will. Mike Jackson pitched today as well and looked eh. He still had a decent slider, but a lot of nobodies hit him hard. Ginter looked lousy, everything he threw was up in the zone, although no one really hit him hard.

Just keep calling him William.

And Uribe looked solid. He turned on a fastball and bam it was way out of here.

The guy looked fantastic. Had a little control problems, but his changeup was what really impressed me. He was throwing it both inside and out and on lefties and righties and was getting him a lot of k's. I think he finished with 7 k's in his stint giving up 4 hits. Fastball was working good as well and he was really establishing the inside. He also had some nice sliders. Now Brian Anderson, wow is all I have to say. The guy is very fluid in centerfield. He gunned a guy down at the plate from mid center on the fly. The throw was absolutely perfect. Anderson hit the cutoff men perfectly all game. On the one play towards Nanita (Who was a defensive replacement and then got pinch hit for) Nanita overthrough the cutoff man, leading to a run. Gload was slick with the glove. Hurt was creaming the ball today and Konerko had one shot that went just foul, otherwise he didn't hit it hard at all. Wright pitches tomorrow, so hopefully he does good. But folks, Anderson is good and at the plate he roped the ball. 1st at bat went with a pitch nicely and the 2nd at bat he ripped a double and showed great speed getting thrown out at 3rd. Lopez looked nice on his one at bat, roped a single into right. Spidale was pretty solid as well and showed great speed. He was safe on both steals, but they called him out on the 2nd one.

Thanks Judy...good to see ya around. I saw Milkman tonight for the Rangers. He started at 1st against Zito and the A's. As far as the person who asked about Campos...my few words to say about him is that he's horrible. He has absolutely no stuff. Of course it didn't help that I saw him pitch today when he was absolutely shelled.

Thanks guys. Tonight I'm going to get up DBAHO's latest piece on the Outfield Now I'm heading off to get to Tuscon to catch the Sox and then tonight A's-Rangers.

2004 Spring Training Analysis: The Bullpen By Jason Gage March 11, 2004 FutureSox.com The White Sox bullpen has the potential to be the one of the best bullpens in the majors. It also has the potential to be a big dud. In FutureSox.com’s second spring training spotlight article, we will take a look at some of the minor-leaguers fighting for what appears to be two available slots. Assuming the White Sox carry seven relievers, they will have two openings. Billy Koch is slated as the closer with Damaso Marte and Shingo Takatsu as the set up men. Kelly Wunsch and Cliff Politte round out the guys pretty much assured a roster spot. Dan Wright Wright, who is competing for the fifth starter’s spot, is the front-runner to grab one of the final spots in the bullpen. Wright started off last spring by getting plastered on the mound and finished the spring injured. That injury kept him out for part of the first half of the season and led him to being one of the major disappointments on the 2003 Sox. Despite Wright’s struggles in the rotation, he excelled out of the pen last season, going 1-0 with a save and a 3.24 ERA in 16.2 innings. Final Stance: If healthy, Wright should be one of the front-runners for the rotation, but also has a bright future in the pen. Jason Grilli Grilli, who was selected by the White Sox in the Rule V Draft, is a front-runner for both the bullpen as well as a candidate for the fifth spot in the rotation. If the Sox like what they see in Grilli, they will have to find a way to carry him or try to acquire him from the Marlins. As a Rule V pick, the Sox don’t have the ability to send him to the minors, their only other option is to send him back to the Marlins (The Sox are given $25,000). Final Stance: Grilli has good stuff and has been considered a top prospect in the past, but injuries got in his way. If healthy, Grilli could be a major sleeper. Matt Ginter Ginter has found himself going between Charlotte and Chicago for the past few seasons, but has yet to stick with the Sox. His experience should give him the nod if he puts up good numbers. This will likely be Ginter’s final shot with the Sox out of spring training. Final Stance: Ginter has yet to give the Sox reasons to keep him on the major league roster, but he has flashed plenty of potential in Charlotte. Arnaldo Munoz If the Sox want a lefty for one of the remaining slots, they will look no further then Munoz. He is the Sox top relief prospect and features a knee buckling curve-ball and a sneaky fastball. Munoz has put up great numbers the past two years, and at 21, his best years are still ahead of him. Final Stance: Munoz probably has the best potential out of the group. While young, he has experience at higher levels and a good arm. If he puts up good numbers, he could propel ahead all the other candidates. Sleepers Gary Majewski Majewski has quietly been one of the Sox better relievers the past few seasons. In 2003 he went 6-4 with a 3.96 in the bandbox known as Charlotte. He gave up 62 hits in 72.2 innings while striking out 72. Majewski has one of the best fastballs in the system, as well as a good slider. Final Stance: The Sox may give him another year in the minors, but Majewski has a major-league fastball and a closer’s mentality, which could make him a sleeper for the pen this spring. Francisco Campos Campos, a Rule V draft pick, wasn’t considered a contender for the bullpen, but that changed after his first outing. Campos went three innings, striking out seven, and has emerged as a potential fifth starter candidate as well. Final Stance: Campos is a poised veteran who has experience pitching. Stuff wise, he isn’t as good as some of the others, but he has solid control, and if he continues to mix his pitches well, he could be successful. Other Candidates: Felix Diaz and Jon Rauch (See Starters Column)

Just got into the hotel tonight in Arizona and am curious to know who I get to see tomorrow against the Angels. If anyone else happens to be out here right now, I'll probably be wearing a Barons hat at the game tomorrow

Welcome aboard Munkey

I've heard Sweeney has absolutely clobbered the ball.

Well, Fullerton lost. But the plus side is, when your team sucks...you gotta focus on the trash talk. I love college basketball.