Randar68

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Mar 9, 2005 -> 09:56 PM) (And before I do -- I want to apologize to Randar, because, though I haven't seen you post a lot, you've hinted that this kid might do some damage -- i.e. good eye, but still raw...) LOL! Thanks. What's with people picking Ryan Sweeney, or Gio? I thought sleeper picks would be guys who were under the radar, not top 10 prospects or top 1-2 round draft picks... Allen is still a year away from breakout, IMO, pretty raw at this point yet. Nobody has mentioned Lucas Harrell or Adam Russell? Where have ye gone, Ricardo Nanita? LOL! Is this the year Thomas Brice displays some of that power? Owens is a pretty good prospect that I like, but he'll never will hit for power, meaning he's going to have to hit .300+ and steal a ton of bases and take a bunch of walks for the publications to really take notice of him... Rodriguez and Haigwood are solid picks if they can both stay away from injury. Chris Young has already arrived as a top prospect, and is a good season from becomming an elite prospect if he can up that average 20 points in W-S. Phil Rogers ruined my fun by putting Francisco Hernandez on his top 10 list. That guy is a stud. With all that said, I figure I've got to take guys outside of the top 10 who have the best chances to vault into top 10 prospects this year... so... I'm going to take Wes Whisler at pitcher and Robert Valido as a position player as my emerging top prospects (sleeper picks). Whisler's stuff is as good as anyone in the entire organization. Throws 4 above average pitches... consistency and confidence are the only things standing between him and stardom. Since he was drafted, I've been steadfast that Robert Valido is the top SS prospect in the system... He's AT LEAST on par defensively at SS with Pedro Lopez, and IMO, he has more potential at the plate than Lopez, who is neither all that patient or anything more than a singles hitter. Valido faded in the second half last year after a very solid first-half that landed him on the SAL All-Star team in his first year in a full-season league. He will be at Winston-Salem, so keep an eye on him.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Mar 10, 2005 -> 12:22 AM) Ya, those posters at WSI are mistaken. No player knows where they will be at this point. They may have a feeling or have been given indications but in a lot of guys, how they do in big league camp or elsewhere will have a great effect on where they start. How is said WSI poster mistaken if he got it directly from Brian's mouth? Brian could be mistaken, sure. However, being borderline ready for MLB now, I doubt he is wrong.

QUOTE(GSBF @ Mar 10, 2005 -> 02:24 PM) Any idea of what it will look like during the spring training games ? Brice and Sweeney in the OF. Possibly Owens in CF. Fields at 3B, Lopez at SS/2B, Gonzalez at SS/2B/3B, Rogowski at 1B/LF, Chris Stewart at C... Those are the main guys, IMO. Some combination of Honel, Tracey, Whisler, Reynoso, Miller, Meaux, LaMura, Villacis, Pacheco, and Malone?

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Mar 10, 2005 -> 12:31 AM) I'd guess Honel would start the year at WS, call it a hunch, but no reason to rush him. He pitched well in instructional league and has been "back to normal" all spring thus far. I don't see them sending him back to W-S unless they don't have room in the BHam rotation (not likely)...

According to an article on the Official Site, Lumsden had bone chips removed from his elbow and will be eased back into action slowly before mid-season (might explain some of the dead-arm period he had last year) Official Site Organizational Report

QUOTE(danman31 @ Mar 8, 2005 -> 06:41 PM) This seemed pretty obvious. While it may or may not be true, it's no surprise. Dealing Escobar made it all too clear. Speaking of: Owens has been impressive thus far, IMO. Still pretty raw, but will he open in CF at AA with Chris Young in W-S?

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Mar 7, 2005 -> 01:22 PM) Simplification maybe, but the wispers started last year about Crede not learning from his mistakes, and being stubborn to change. Honestly I was surprised he was back here this year. That's true, but from about mid-august last year he's given himself unto Walker. We'll see if that translates to results, but having seen his "refined" swing mechanics, it's definitely improved. Hopefully it works. Agree 100% with Jason on this one.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Mar 7, 2005 -> 11:15 AM) Crede will not block Fields from Chicago. As soon as Fields is ready, Crede will be out the door. The Sox know with Crede being a Borass client, they aren't going to be able to resign him if he ever realizes his potential. And if Crede doesn't realize his potential, the Sox won't want him anyway. I think that's a gross oversimplification. Uribe is a Boras client, so what? If Crede falls flat on his face, Fields will be the opening day 2006 starter if he does well this year. If Crede has a good or better year, they will probably start Fields in AAA and may move him to first.

QUOTE(danman31 @ Mar 3, 2005 -> 09:38 PM) The Top 25: 25-21 FutureSox.com's Top 25 Countdown Begins By FutureSox Staff Well, Jason and I finally got the top 25 going. I hope you all enjoy it, we both put a lot of work into it along with some help from others. I'm hoping to get numbers 20-16 out sometime on Saturday. Can't wait to see the rest. Hope you have Ryan Rodriguez in the next set, otherwise you'll unleash my WRATH! LOL! BTW, anyone see Paulino Reynoso in the game yesterday? The human rain delay had a pretty quick inning.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Mar 6, 2005 -> 12:41 AM) Of course the cynic in me tells me Josh Fields is on the Carlos Lee track to the Majors... He may be at 3B all the way to the bigs, but from what I've heard about his defense, he may have to find another position. He'll be at 3B unless Crede forces a move to 1B. He won't play LF, IMO, he's an infielder.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Mar 6, 2005 -> 02:11 AM) Actually I thought he was a semi solid defensive 3rd baseman from the little I saw of him and I think he has the ability to turn into a little above average defensive 3rd baseman. He has a very strong arm and decent range for a 3rd baseman. It just comes to him improving footwork and just consistently playing 3rd base. No way do I see Fields playing anywhere else, unless of course Crede lives up to his potential (which I think will happen) in which case Fields will get moved to either left or 1st base. Thats just cause Crede is one of the better defensive 3rd baseman in baseball, imo. If Fields moves, it'll be first base, IMO. He has very quick reaction skills, and consistency is his biggest problem. I don't think he's the rangiest 3B around, but he has much more defensive potential than say, Eric Hinske, who's a borderline 3B defensively in the majors, IMO. Strong and accurate arm. You also have to realize, the infields at the high-A level, while better than the rookie leagues (played on better infields in HS and little-league than some of those fields) is far from what you see in the majors. In one game I saw him in, he made a diving catch on a bullet to his left and later on a wet infield, charged a dribbler, bare-handed it, and threw a strike on the move. On a wet infield that's an extremely difficult play. When set, I still think he throws a bit too much like a QB, ball coming past his ear, don't know if he's worked on that or not. One of the biggest positives I see with Fields is his attitude/mentality. Laid back, self-aware, knows his weaknesses, has a baseball-mentality, not the football mentaility some others have that really holds them back.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jan 19, 2005 -> 10:08 PM) Hey Bham. Just want to say welcome aboard, good having ya here As far as I'm concerned at this stage of the game Pedro Lopez is the better prospect. We (FutureSox) are about to release our top 25 and Lopez rates quite a bit higher then Gonzalez. There are some things I like more about Gonzalez and I think total raw potential Andy may have more, but total potential is something that is looked at way too much, imo, and thats not to say that Lopez doesn't have any. Defensively I think both are very good. Gonzalez has a little stronger arm and Lopez is a little more new to the shortstop position, but I've seen both of them play and wow can they pick it. One of my favorite things to watch was when they were in WS as well as Kanny as a tandem at SS and 2nd, they would really make some great plays. Offensively Lopez is far more advanced and it is the big reason he was sent to the AFL instead of Gonzalez (who was originally selected, but then the Sox went with Lopez). However, Andy has a very developed eye and if he can improve his swing, which I must add, looked a lot better this past year then it did the previous year, then he could turn into the better offensive player. Lopez definately needs to work on drawing his walks, but he can hit for a good average. I'd say both are still two years away at best, even if they both are in Bham, which would be my guess (that will be the starting middle infield) and both do have the talent to be major league starters. My guess is both get a shot somewhere, don't know if they stick. Gonzalez definately has more power potential, especially because I think his body will still fill out a bit. IMO, the best SS in the organization is Robert Valido. Pedro is a close second. I think Andy Gonzalez is the weakest fielder of the 3, but this year will be critical for him at the plate. Lopez is more of a single/doubles hitter and doesn't drive the ball or make authoritative contact frequently. Both Lopez and Valido are wizzards with the glove. Lopez has such a quick release and is so smooth. Valido throws a bit from the side, but he's very polished for such a young SS. Valido started quickly and made the All-Star team in the SAL before hitting a wall. Very intelligent kid who just has a lot of fun playing the game. Both Lopez and Valido have MLB-type skills defensively at SS. Gonzalez has the best arm and isn't as rangy as Valido or Lopez, but I don't know that he'll hit enough to become a 3rd baseman and while he could play 2B, I think his ability defensively is better suited for the left side of the IF. Gonzalez went from showing little patience early in his career to being extremely selective at the plate. Unfortunately, he also lost his aggressiveness while doing so. In short, I think Gonzlez is the 3rd best SS prospect out of the 3 and if he breaks out this year, IMO, he'll be prime trade material.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 11:48 AM) Its too soon to predict soemthing along those lines. However, if I were to guess Rogo is most likely going to become trade fodder, especially once Konerko signs an extension to stay with the Sox the next few years. I'd also like to say Rogo's likely going to project as a LF/1st baseman which will give him a little more flexibility. I am a Rogo fan so I think he has a nice swing, good speed (for a big man) and is a great defensive 1st baseman. I've seen him play too little outfield to make a judgement on his defense, especially since the only time I saw him play outfield was right when he started to this past season. If he does continue to show more power development though, it could force the issue. First you got to see what he does in Bham though. Thats going to be the true test. Rogo is a pretty good LF'er. Much better than I expected. He has a strong arm, but he's going to have to re-learn how to throw if he's going to spend much time there in the future. He throws across his body and it produces a lot of tail-action, something that's pretty undesireable. I'm also a big Rogo fan. This was his first fully healthy season in 2 years. I think he can repeat it at AA, and if he does, I don't know what you do with him then? Do you play him in AAA the following year and hope in 2007 he can be a utility OF/1B in the Ross Gload mode? I know he's old for his league, but it really was under extenuating circumstances.

Here is my guess as to BA's list. BA has been big fans of Sweeney and a few others and to someone above who listed Ryan Wing... HE GONE. Note: This is not "My" list, rather my prediction of BA's list... 1) BMac 2) Sweeney 3) Anderson 4) Fields 5) Gonzalez 6) Young 7) Lumsden 8) Honel 9) Whisler 10) Tracey or Munoz or Rogowski BA rarely ranks guys in the rookie short-season levels in their top ten unless they are obvious guys like HS 1st rounders and such. I would guess they'd probably rate Hernandez somewhere in the 11-15 due to that. Rogowski was old for his league and that usually is a big strike in the BA rankings, even though he basically missed 2 years to injury. About 8-15 this year are all going to be about equivalent for the Sox. When looking at some of these other teams' lists so far, the Sox are going to be middle-of-the pack in organizational rankings, IMO, somewhere in the 12-17 range, IMO. Not many teams have talent like Gonzalez/Young/Lumsden at 5-7...

If taught properly, a curve isn't half as bad as even the best-taught slider. Whoever taught that kid a slider should be shot. Fastballs and change-ups are all I'd allow anyone to throw until they are 16 or physically and mentally mature enough to handle it. Curve or a knuckle curve... Slider should not be taught until you're earning a paycheck, IMO.

"I still had the football throw in me," Fields said. "But toward the end of the instructional League, I saw the accuracy and velocity improve." That was something I had been saying since July. (pats self on back, LOL!) Hope to see a major improvement next year, it will just speed him up (release time, velocity, accuracy)... He's a really great guy, funny, doesn't take himself too seriously... Hope nothing but good things for him in the future...

The second. He wasn't as completely dominating at Kanny and IIRC they poll managers, and I don't think McCarthy faced more than 1/3 or maybe half of the teams...

The other "change" here is Pedro Lopez instead of Andy Gonzalez, as was initially listed by BA. Probably a wise move. IMO, Pedro is a bit more advanced than Andy.

understatement of the week.

Well, that was probably the least interesting of the 4 questions I asked. Frankly, I've had a hell of a time getting good questions answered. They always seem to pick my worst question for some dumb reason. Don't have to be a subscriber and you can see the list of top prospects for each league without a subscription, but you can't see the prospect capsules.

15th in the 2005 entry draft. Starting in 2005, teams will no longer alternate picking Nl/AL/NL/AL/NL/etc. Instead, they will select in reverse order of winning percentage. As of right now, the Sox would pick #15. Why does #15 make any difference as opposed to say, 16th? Well, if the Sox sign any Class A FA's in the offseason, they will not have to give up their first round draft pick if they are in the top 15 picks of the draft! Just something to keep an eye on.

Hernandez is a very good defensive catcher, and is a switch hitter with a live bat. He's just 5'9" but he has a very good arm and uses his body exceptionally well to block pitches... quick feet, live arm... Calls a good game, too, according to Will Kimney at BA... Must be thought of pretty highly by league managers to be rated #2 ahead of Gio. Teams stopped even trying to steal on him the second half, he was a base-runner eraser. Castillo is a slick fielder with a lot of size for the SS position, but he's 21 in Rookie ball and has a hard time with breaking balls and the inner half of the plate. Pure potential, IMO, Brandon Allen is a much better prospect, 18 years old right out of HS, but he had a pretty poor go of it in Bristol this year...

Hernandez rated higher than Gio!?!? WOW! Francisco, YOU'RE MY BOY, BLUE!

Close. Both Fields and Lumsden were sold on possible time in Birmingham in 2004 if they signed early and impressed at W-S... You heard that right, both were told if they came in and performed very well and signed early, they'd both have shots at Birmingham by season's end... Turns out neither dominated early and W-S was in a playoff race, but still... Fields will do well. With his first ever offseason devoted solely to baseball and extended Spring Training, I have no doubt he'll do very well in BHam.

You guys who think W-S are either crazy or haven't been paying attention. Is this "IYO, where should he go?" or "Where will he go?" 2 very different questions. I'm predicting a HUGE year out of Fields next year at Birmingham. He just has a perfect attitude for baseball and getting used to the wood bats and the quality of the pitching at the same time was the primary reason he struggled early... He was on a tear the last 1-2 months...