bmags

He strikes guys out. He is a criminal justice major so that may come in handy. He would like to play professional baseball after college, so that was a dream come true.

So...tough sledding for scouting reports on these guys (or google existence) Pretty sure Misael Acosta is fake name.

Dan Hammer gone

Man I missed the first two picks. Anything on our 12th rounder? Also really glad we are talking about summer catch. I love movies where they need to show you how funny they are by constantly having the characters laughing at each others jokes a lot.

When I hear interviews with Madrigal I honestly think he was trying too hard to get W-S to win and at Birmingham they need him to be one of the best players offensively, so maybe he will double down on that.

I think we have been underaggressive with promotions but this has been one where I don't necessarily agree with it, unless they want to show to him he needs to rework his swing and think birmingham will convince him.

Reminder that getting drafted players to the big leagues is a huge success in itself, and with that, day 3 has been pretty productive. Seby Zevala and Danny Mendick were both day 3 picks that are either up or look to be up (uh, maybe new september rules doesn't bring up danny). Aaron Bummer was day 3 as well.

Flashback to last year when soxtalk correctly called rounds 11-15.

It’s weird but after laws chat yesterday praising Sox for essentially turning Adolfo into more of a hitter it made me wonder about your second to last paragraph. Maybe Sox player dev is actually it’s best refining top tools and stuff versus maxing out polish guys. Looking at rebuild, people may not want to give so much credit around but the org has seen best results with pitchers like Kopech and Cease, and hitters like Anderson, Robert, Moncada, Adolfo, and Jimenez. Meanwhile polish guys, only Dunning has really excelled. Even with Luis Gonzalez, while the book isn’t close to finished, seems to hit this wall where when they aren’t older and more experienced they don’t have the next gear. Certainly sheets and that group of Call, Fisher, while unlikely as 3rd/4th round picks to be productive , still cannot really be anything beyond A+. But even with tools you can get on these runs like we see with the Rangers where none of them are clicking and it’s the same disaster. Edit: I really don’t know how to classify Gio.

For the record I was really pleased with the 2017 draft (emphasis on college hitters with good k:bb while flashing power) after round 10, so I don’t totally trust myself here.

I don't hate it but bookending Jimenez defense with Ozuna seems like a problem.

The worst parts about previous draft strategy in my opinion were the: - Use of 2nd rounders on college hitters they kept saying were "tremendous value" (sheets, walker) and for some reason needing to pay them overslot (will never get that) - So much draft capital on college relievers. The result was, one, missing out on a lot of prep talent with the 2nd round picks, especially missing out on a very deep high school pitching crop last year. This year featured some relievers 4-10, but they were to save money. The pitching beyond Cease lacks stuff. We have a lot of recent picks on college pitchers with "starter traits" that throw 88-91 (mcclure, henzman, pilkington) Getting prep arms that throw easy mid 90s but need development is incredibly important for system (see Hahns original "waves of talent", ours has a huge cliff) When they had gone high school, they went so late, with so much money committed, they were getting complete projects. Beard offers the chance at a player with elite tool along with some hitting ability, albeit with major risk on competition. The perfect 4th round pick, a guy who flashed, but didn't have the perfect opportunities due to geography or other circumstances. The process is right, though, we'll see if it pans out. Baseball gonna baseball. Had we done this similarly since 2016 I think we'd have a few more top prospects, however.

draft promotions will be coming soon.

I don't really know the way out for lopez. Every pitch is just a little worse than last year. Its hard to say throw the slider more when it's getting crushed as much as the fastball.

Send him to Giolitos pitching coach.

Love twitter.

Mendick does this. He’s pretty streaky.

Ah game threads.

He just needs to find his slider again. The Sox have leaned way too hard in his fastball, whole league has gone away from that.

Wish that didn’t happen

The Kanny kids have been so resilient.

Great post

Birmingham in a 0-0 game with 3 hits guess Robert didn’t do anything... opens box score Robert has 2 of the hits and a stolen base...

Man DJ sounds great not to be paired with Ed Farmer

I am so excited for James Beard still