Chisoxfn

You'll see a flurry of guys get signed shortly and than as guys get signed there names will be added to the rosters. Per FutureSox Twitter, Chris Cron has indicated that Josh Phelgey, Brian Morgado, and Kyle Bellamy will be on the Great Falls roster when they sign. I would expect Phelgey to potentially make it to Kanny by the time the season is done (if he signs quickly). Bellamy also has the potential to jump up quickly to the next level. Morgado is more of a project so I figure he'll stay in Great Falls.

Plaxico doesn't cost us draft picks and has never thrown his QB's under the bus. (Marshall hasn't). He also isn't near the thug that Marshall is. We can't afford to give up more high draft picks, therefor, just go out and spend the cheese on Plax.

The Sox could take the money saved and sign the Cuban lefty Arguelles. As long as they have a plan on what to do with the money and can get someone to take Contreras contract and give us a decent piece, than I'm on board. But I've written this team as it currently stands off anyway. If it turns things around it will be because young players have really stepped up, imo.

QUOTE (danman31 @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 01:23 AM) I'm surprised we have Hudson promotion talk so soon. Sure he's strung 3 very good starts together, but I don't see the need to rush him. If he makes the streak 9 maybe, but there isn't much point otherwise. I say it because I don't think there is a major difference between High A and Low A so I believe that you usually see a guy that is pitching above the level move up very quickly when your talking about a guy that has now a good number of very good starts combined between Low and High A. It would be different if it was between A and AA.

Excellent news. Thanks for the info. Excited to get a young arm in our system.

QUOTE (chisoxfan09 @ Jun 16, 2009 -> 03:14 AM) Hi all, first time poster. I just started a similar thread on another board but a couple of things jump out at me. Is Birmingham´s park known for being home run friendly (I thought Charlotte´s ballpark is where baseballs fly out much like the Cell)? Also as noted his OBP is now slightly above .300 which is good steady and quiet progress. I know the prototype is to jack balls out of the park but with Dayan still trying to develop plate discipline after being brought up in the Cuban system it may take a bit more time as they are taught baseball fundamentals differently (Maybe CUbano can comment on this). But a step in the right direction is the the 2 part formula (Plate discipline/pitch recognition) of which he seems to be progressing as far K´s is concerned and also not swinging at pitches down and away. Taking pitches and pitch recognition should come along. What I asked in the other forum if he does very well from now until the end of July and gets his OBP up to say .340-.350 is that worthy of a promo to AAA? I also think the home runs will come but I personally do not forsee 35-40 per year but more like 15-20 with very good RBI potential. That seems to be his pattern right now at AA (Low HR but decent RBI). Not sure if that also equates into him improving with the RISP statistic. Thoughts? First off, I want to say welcome aboard. Secondly, when talking about Viciedo we all need to remember that he is still one of the youngest players in AA currently (the Giants have a couple guys that are a bit younger but right after them its pretty much Viciedo in terms of age). Not only was he young but he's coming from a different country and had a definate growing period where he had to not only get used to the American culture but the way the game is played in America. Pitchers pitch different here than they do in Cuba just like they pitch different here than they do in Japan (ie, tendencies, for example, in the Asian leagues pitchers are much more willing to put a guy on base than in the states). Viciedo has gotten much better every month he's been here and is hitting for more power than a lot of the big ML HR hitters today did when they were 20 and in the minors. So while the stats may not show him crushing the ball, we must remember the tools he has and he has tremendous bat speed and more importantly massive power to all fields. The ball jumps off his bat and the reports we've gotten from JPN (who is our resident Barons expert and season ticket holder) is that he has power to all fields but also is concerned with the average and is working on going opposite field. I think we can expect to see Viciedo's power continue to increase throughout the season just like we've seen his average and walk rate increase. I also expect the Sox to promote him to AAA if they believe Viciedo has trouble hitting breaking pitches as you tend to see guys with much more command of the breaking ball in AAA than you do in AA. Talent wise AA is elite, but pitchability is much better in AAA. However, I also believe the Sox will be careful and make sure Viciedo doesn't try to rework his swing to try and just kill the ball in the homer happy Charlotte stadium. Oh and you are correct, Birmingham is one of the biggest pitchers parks in the minor leagues, whereas Charlotte is one of the biggest bandboxes in the minors.

Yep, I usually use conditioner. I have the kirkland gigantic bottles of each. Works good. And I can tell the difference when I use it and don't, although some mornings I'm lazy and won't use it.

QUOTE (SoxFan101 @ Jun 15, 2009 -> 06:05 PM) I wonder if there is any chance we see Hudson in Birmingham this year. Im expecting/hoping that Carter gets the callup once some of the draft picks are signed and whatnot. If Hudson puts together another 4-6 good starts, we'll definately see him in Bham. In fact, I wouldn't be shocked if it is closer to 3-4 more starts.

QUOTE (Dam8610 @ Jun 15, 2009 -> 06:26 PM) Opposite field hit! It's a single, an RBI, and a 2 base error, as Mitchell goes all the way from first to third on a throwing error. 3-4 2 2B, RBI on the night. That opposite field single was a beautiful at bat and wow could he run. He ended up on 3rd base on a single due to an over throw by the outfielder.

Would have been nice...at least they put up a fight. Still, really thought we had the squad to win it all so I'm dissapointed.

QUOTE (chunk23 @ Jun 15, 2009 -> 01:47 PM) The signability is questionable simply because IIRC he was a senior, and therefore had little leverage. He was a junior and signability was a big part of it but it was true that scouts also questioned his power as he didn't hit for near as much power as people had expected when UT).

Ouch...my boys look done. Picthing collapsed in Omaha.

The main reason you are pushed to go to college, etc, is so you can make money. By getting a GED, he might be missing out on some of his younger years, I completely agree with that. However, at the same time, he might really love baseball and have a dream of playing in the bigs as soon as possible and he can do that and make lots and lots of money so if he's mature for his age it wouldn't shock me. He wouldn't be the first kid to graduate a year early from highschool and go another route. And he's still going to get a college like experience down in the lower level of the minors as he'll probably spend 2-3 years in the minors. I don't care how good he is, he's not going to be called up for at least 2 seasons and even that would be pretty incredible.

QUOTE (JPN366 @ Jun 15, 2009 -> 12:14 PM) Norris. Fixed.

If Contreras puts up two more real good starts and we are still 5-7 games back, it is the time to trade him. You might actually be able to get something good for him to if he is dominant.

I have a lot of friends just entering and from what I hear it is horrible to find a job. Literally you can't find anything. But thats in California.

Brian, finally saw the episode last night. Great finale. And that last duel was phenomenal.

I wasn't a fan of this pick initially but if he has good movement and a deceptive delivery he might be a guy that can move up and make a big impact out of our pen early on. I prefer the high upside arms but this might turn into a nice move. We'll see though cause you could make a case that he's quite similar to a one of the Sox top picks of a year ago, Drew O'Neil, who has struggled a bit.

FS Draft Profile: Kyle Bellamy, RHP, University of Miami By Danny Santaromita Click the link for the full article, with a lot more information on Bellamy.

I'm interested to see if he produces at all when he gets back off the DL. His stuff was very meh all of spring and the big Sox homer in me hopes that Kenny wasn't just shooting us a bunch of malarky when he touted this kids arm and that we see him make some big strides now that he's healthy (if he was in fact hurt).

Marquez Activated from DL BY John Norris (aka JPN)

Ya, we saved our ace, but our rotation is young, a true sophmore and two freshman. They are all freaking good, but still, its the college world series. You guys are in great shape heading into game 2.

The best thing for Flowers development is to have him in the big leagues working with a very good defensive catcher, one known to handle pitchers well. Whether thats AJ or someone we've yet to bring in. That is how they should do it.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Jun 14, 2009 -> 10:51 AM) If the kid goes to a div 1 school he can't enter the draft until after his sophomore year. At his age it would be Junior year. Only certain non-juco players are sophmore eligibles and it has to do with when there birthdate is. He wouldn't fall in that category.

I sure hope my Titans find a way to beat the Cavaliers. Lets go FullertoN!!!!