Chisoxfn

Please let it be Smoral. I know we don't usually go the prep route and he'll cost money, but come on.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 07:53 PM) If Smoral throws in the upper 90s, that changes everything. Pitching in the low to mid 90's in high school as a lefty is huge. I'm not saying Smoral is a guarantee can't miss talent, but he's a legit talent and would be one hell of a pick for the Sox at 48 (if somehow he was around) and if he is, I'd be stunned if the Sox passed up on him.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 07:49 PM) There aren't? I'm happy to be the guy's biggest fan if he becomes a White Sox, but at this point he seems to have nothing on Aaron Poreda other than age. I just want someone to tell me the part I'm missing, my research on the kid consists of about 45 minutes of reading/watching Aaron Poreda was a college lefty with a big sinking fastball. He threw in the upper 90's too and as a result was picked early in the draft. No comparison between Poreda and Smoral though. A lot of comps out there on CC or Johnson but that is more because of his size at this point. And you are greatly mistaken. There aren't many prep lefties that have this kids arm and potential (hence why he's a top 50 pick).

QUOTE (Jake @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 07:46 PM) There are a lot of lefties that throw 90-94 with one offspeed pitch that are going to go in the later rounds. Not really. There are not a ton of prep lefties with 90-94 stuff and a good off speed pitch. Had he not missed the majority of the high school season with a foot injury, he probably wouldn't be on the board now.

QUOTE (OilCan @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 07:45 PM) HELLUVA PICK by the Rangers. Joey Gallo. Agreed. Tons of power, great upside there at 3B.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 07:43 PM) Does Smoral throw harder than the 90-94 reports I've heard? With his body, doesn't project to throw any harder unless there's a mechanical issue. What is wrong with a lefty who throws 90-94?

If you can't sign a comp pick, you lose it, correct?

QUOTE (bucket-of-suck @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 07:40 PM) That's what they may be hoping... Big, strong lefty. I'd love it.

QUOTE (flavum @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 07:39 PM) Wonder if they would go with Piscotty? Stanford angle. Piscotty is a solid pick, however, don't think the Sox would take him or some better pitching prospects (which right now, it looks like such will be on the board).

I don't think McCullers gets past St. Louis (or Boston or Texas). One of those teams will draft him.

I'd be all for Smoral but no way does he fall to the Sox. This is going to go quick (which I like).

Would Lance McCullers fall? Given we went upside, I wouldn't be opposed to taking him now. Some questions of whether he can start but he has legit stuff and at worse projects as an above average closer. I assume he'll be long gone though. Someone with multiple picks will take a chance on him.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 07:14 PM) Also good choices (year by year) with Joe Crede and Bobby Jenks. They've always been astute in their judgements with players on their own roster...except for how to handle Swisher, perhaps. And we really don't know how much of that was Ozzie and how much of it was "self-induced" to use a Hawkism. A lot had to do with Ozzie I think. There have been a few guys that have excelled everywhere else from a clubhouse perspective that were just awful with Ozzie and its no surprise that those guys happened to like attention and be a little louder (and Ozzie couldn't handle that). Ozzie really was a horrendous horrendous person to have lead a franchise. Giant egos do not make good managers.

QUOTE (thxfrthmmrs @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 07:12 PM) Supposedly Buxton did Ya. Supposedly he can throw 98-99. He's a legit talent.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 07:11 PM) Update: Jared Mitchell is NOT being converted to a relief pitcher for the White Sox stretch drive. Now back to previously scheduled programming, folks. Mitchell has made some serious strides this year. In my opinion, the #1 prospect in the White Sox system and a potential all star (yes I said it). He's doing some great things this year and has made some major strides (and by all accounts, including out of the horses mouth on a call I was on with him this past Friday, he's physically 100% and doing what he could do pre-injury). Last year he wasn't there. Still, Mitchell has flaws but he's made some major strides this year and from an age perspective, he's older, but from a baseball age perspective (e.g, from a development perspective) he's pretty young and to be doing what he's done, its incredible. Plus, if he pans out then when he's a FA he'll be 31 or 32 and headed elsewhere (so we wouldn't really get all that much advantage from his young age anyway). The important part is the tools and talent is there and the stats are starting to match the tools/potential.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 07:09 PM) There's your first post that brought Mitchell up, did you type Mitchell by accident? I didn't remember him being talked about as a pitcher but If igured you knew something I didn't. My fault. whoops. Was talking about Hawkins (and his 90 MPH FB & good slider). Note: In no way am I saying the Sox should even entertain having him pitch.They should have him focus on purely working on his offensive game for his 1st time in his career (since he currently works on both). I love the fact that Hawkins is a high character guy (supposedly) as well too. I think it puts him in a better position to put in the work necessary to make the needed improvements to his game.

My bad, I caused the confusion. Mitchell in my sentence should have said Hawkins.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 07:05 PM) Your post brought it up? You asked me how hard Mitchell threw. I was talking about Hawkins (unless I accidentally typed Mitchell)?

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 06:58 PM) Don't forget Nathan Jones. He might end up being the best of all those relievers when all is said and done. How can I forget him. I think I discovered him on Soxtalk. Was watching him on the backfields 3 or 4 years ago and was blown away. Talked to a scout and they said when he's on, he has the better stuff then any closer in baseball. The problem was, he couldn't repeat his deliver, and had huge fluctuations in stuff (98 one day with a sharp hook; 89 another day with a hanger). He still has had a lot of problems with his command so I'm curious to see how he holds up long term, but the dude has an arm.

I'm not talking about him having serious pitching potential. He is a legitimate pitching prospect though and saying otherwise is ignorant. That said, no one is looking at him pitching. The dude will be hitting. The Sox aren't going to have another Wes Whisler situation (who was a terrible pick irregardless). Hawkins has a bat that projects with a plus arm. THe fact that he would have been drafted as a pitcher is meaningless. Mark Trumbo could pitch too, Angels are pretty happy they used his bat though. Trumbo was projected by a lot of teams as being a better pitcher. Don't let the fact the was an 18th round pick fool you, he got 1st round money and dropped because everyone thought he was headed to USC.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 07:01 PM) Never even knew Mitchell had anything resembling a "plus" arm. Always considered that one of his biggest weaknesses, particularly in CF. It is. Thats why I have no idea why Balta is taiking about Mitchell's arm.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 06:56 PM) If Hawkins can go from touching 90 to touching 95+, then we can talk about him having serious pitching potential. What did Mitchell throw? Jared? Not 90. Not many prep pitchers throw 95+ regularly and if they do, they are getting drafted in the top 20.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 06:55 PM) I'd still like BPA at 48. We will see. Agree.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 06:53 PM) Too bad sox aren't expanding their options. Would love to see throw a curveball and take Roache, but pitching is a dire need in our system. I'll make one thing for clear, everything is in dire need in the system. However, with Beckham maybe figuring it out and Viciedo, Sale and Reed developing (along with De Aza looking good), all of a sudden things don't look near as barren (as the system has developed 4 of those guys; won't count De Aza).

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 4, 2012 -> 06:51 PM) Sergio Santos "Touches" 98. Technically he didn't in high school. Hawkins projected to be a pretty good pitcher but his bat is very strong. Thats the only reason you don't hear people talking about him as a pitcher. He would have went top 5 rounds though (which is pretty good in and of itself). Nice slide piece.