Rex Hudler

Well after about an hour of thought/research here is my Southern League Top 20: 1. Miguel Cabrera, 3B Carolina Mudcats (Marlins) 2. Jeremy Reed, OF Birmingham Barons (White Sox) 3. JJ Hardy, SS Huntsville Stars (Brewers) 4. Edwin Jackson, RHP Jacksonville Suns (Dodgers) 5. Neal Cotts, LHP Birmingham Barons (White Sox) 6. Adam Wainwright, RHP Greenville Braves (Braves) 7. Mike Jones, RHP Huntsville Stars (Brewers) 8. Adam LaRoche, 1B Greenville Braves (Braves) 9. Corey Hart, 3B Huntsville Stars (Brewers) 10. Enemencio Pacheco, RHP Birmingham Barons (White Sox) 11. Angel Guzman, RHP West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Cubs) 12. Joel Hanrahan, RHP Jacksonville Suns (Dodgers) 13. Steven Smitherman, OF Chattanooga Lookouts (Reds) 14. Dave Krynzel, OF Huntsville Stars (Brewers) 15. Donnie Bridges, RHP Carolina Mudcats (Marlins) 16. Luis Martinez, LHP Huntsville Stars (Brewers) 17. Matt Diaz, OF Orlando Rays (Devil Rays) 18. Caonabo Cosme, 2B Tennessee Smokies (Cardinals) 19. Bubba Nelson, RHP Greenville Braves (Braves) 20. Humberto Quintero, C Mobile BayBears (Padres) I did not know the parameters BA uses (games, at bats, IP, etc.) so the players below were not chosen. Some would have easily made the list, others would have been considered. All had less than half the season in the league and/or were traded to another league. Some may make it onto BA's list depending on their guidelines. In no particular order: Royce Ring, LHP Birmingham Barons (White Sox traded to Mets) Dan Haren, RHP Tennessee Smokies (Cardinals) Chris Narveson, LHP Tennessee Smokies (Cardinals) Dontrelle Willis, LHP Carolina Mudcats (Marlins) Khalil Greene, SS Mobile BayBears (Padres) BJ Upton, SS Orlando Rays (Devil Rays) Victor Diaz, 2B Jacksonville Suns (Dodgers, traded to Mets) Greg Miller, LHP Jacksonville Suns (Dodgers) Denny Bautista, RHP Carolina Mudcats (Marlins traded to Orioles) Other players considered for Top 20: Brendan Harris, 2B West Tenn Diamond Jaxx (Cubs) Jeff Bajenaru, RHP Birmingham Barons (White Sox) Mike Flannery, RHP Carolina Mudcats (Marlins) Rusty Tucker, LHP Mobile BayBears (Padres) Cory Stewart, LHP Mobile BayBears (Padres) Jon Switzer, LHP Orlando Rays (Devil Rays) Ben Hendrickson, RHP Huntsville Stars (Brewers) Two other players worth mentioning were Mobile 2B Jake Gautreau and Huntsville 1B Brad Nelson. Both are highly regarded prospects. Gautreau hit only .242 and struggled somewhat in his first year in AA. Nelson is battling a wrist injury which zapped all power.

Who are you kidding? HSC stands in line for no one! "Right up to the front here Michelle, we've been expecting you........." ;-)

Looks like a thread about a whole lot of nothing......... LOL Except the girls stripping in front of Michelle. C'mon, Michelle, we know you peeked. ;-)

The summary referred to the depth of the leauge, but seeing both McCarthy and Nanita that far down did surprise me. Much of that may have to do with Nanita being a 14th round pick and this being McCarthy's 2nd year in rookie ball (Bristol last year). The league managers respond to BA's survey, then that info is taken and combined with scouting reports and draft position and theya re ranked by BA. I don't really think there is much of a difference between being 16th or 8th on the list. It is nice that our guys got recognized. Now we will see what they do next year in full season ball. 140 games is much, much different than 75.

Where do you live.................. Chicago? LOL

Well they did once......... Twins have won like 22 out of their last 23 against the Tigers.

The point of getting rid of Maggs would be because of $$$. It wouldn't make any sense then to go right back and sign Guerrero who would cost as much or possibly more.

Valentin is not 92 AB's away from the clause in his contract exercising the option.... The option was based on plate appearances, not at bats and he is much closer than 92. Somewhere around 25 or so.

well out of the options that were proposed he would be best fit.. you know jr aint gonna cough any money up for next year to sign a tejada.......... Michelle, I know you like him, but Aaron at SS is not an option at all. His range is only decent at 2B. There are always options, many of which we can't even see as possible at this point. No need to sweat it at this point.... esp. considering it looks as if Jose may end up back here anyway.

Problem is if they re-sign Jose and Robbie, then the Sox have basically two automatic outs against lefties. Neither should be in the lineup often, if at all, against a LH pitcher. Catch is, and I know the number varies year-to-year and even within a season, but at the beginning of the year this year, about 33% of AL starters were LH. A much higher % that I would have thought.

Aaron Miles is not a SS. Not enough range or arm to play it. Could he fill in at 3B? Sure SS? No way.

Are you talking about the possibility of Darryl Boston managing the Sox??

Barons Autographs and Memorabilia Available

No need to apologize.

I thought I had given you plenty to go on earlier, before WWIII broke out... Read my earlier posts in this topic and see if that is enough for you. If not, ask me specifically what you want to know and I will be happy to share.

Hey, how about Wally as the next manager of the Sox?? Anyone have any thoughts? LOL

Giants fan shoots Dodgers fan after game..... Fan Killed in Altercation

Looks like we got a good old fashioned catfight going on here. LOL

Very interesting.... Three questions come to mind.... 1. Why? You seemed to adapt to the bullpen quite nicely this year so the timing seems odd to me. 2. Whose idea was the change? 3. You seem to have accepted and perhaps even embraced the change, but what was your initial thoughts/reaction?

im on .......and yea sucks to be you at work huh.. i have computer access... how do ya think i spend half my days....... Goofing off on your computer, of course!

It's easy....... he is unknown to them and at the Major League level.... If a guy isn't a "name" then he can't be good! You should know that Michelle. The last thing I will say about Wally is that he got more wins out the Barons the last two years than I ever would have imagined. The talent level just wasn't that good, but he gets his teams to play as just that, a TEAM. The fact that the Barons made the playoffs this year still boggles my mind. The sad thing is, that by end of the season, I thought they would win it all. They went from being very average to being very good. Unfortuantely, they tightened up at the plate in the playoffs against a good team.

So noted.....

Michelle, I am a bit confused as to who on the Sox has played for Wally... Olivo and Miles are the only ones I can see that did for sure. Josh Stewart and Dave Sanders, but he is not with the big club now.

I can attest to the fact that what you read is indeed the exact opposite of what Wally Backman is like. Don't believe everything you read.....

God forbid we consider that a young pitcher could mature and end up successful despite early struggles. Hell, this board would have chewed up and spit out Sandy Koufax and demanded he be traded in his early years. Sometimes, whether you like it or not, it takes patience with young guys.