chitownsportsfan

you got a swing like that kid might not be the worst idea in the world.

I'm fine with it, I'm just not in agreement about the "reasons", real or imagined, he's down there.

do the games count less in April?

Bingo.

He needs to work on his control and ZIPS pegs him as their 4th best starter. Both those things are true. Maybe lack of SP makes this "not a contention year" in reality, but on paper they very much are intending to compete and that means Kopech will be working on his stuff at the MLB level as soon as April passes. On a side note I'm not really thinking he needs to "knock a bunch of rust" off. He has been throwing off a mound for months now. He's getting a shitload of work in down in Arizona and reported to camp in great shape and 100% healthy full systems go. He'll "knock off the rust" in AAA because well, if he doesn't they lose a year. But it's not because it's more effective in his development necessarily.

It's a contention year. For better or for worse the time to "work things out" at the MiLB level for guys like Kopech and Madrigal (to an extent) is over. They obviously are planning Kopech playing a big role. Ditto Madrigal. If those guys don't set the league on fire in AAA they will be up regardless as soon as their respective service time deadlines pass. As for Kopech, his FIP and shit is all out of whack from his 20% HR rate in the small MLB sample but his SIERRA (which most smart people like more than FIP or xFIP now) was 3.88 which suggests the underlying stuff was there. And oh yea he probably made a couple starts with a frayed UCL. There's nothing he can really gain other than some confidence in AAA. That said, that isn't a bad thing. But IMO there's no doubt that he's ready to continue his process at the MLB level right now, service time aside.

Yea he was on the verge of breaking through to MLB right? Oh well, shit happens. Excited to see these guys perform this year.

Feels like the "reset" that happened with all the pitching injuries is finally coming to a close. Let's hope for a little better health going forward. All pitchers are an injury risk FFS having three of your best 5 guys org wise go down with TJ in the span of a year is pretty unlucky.

He's no doubt one of their 5 best SP. If there wasn't a service time concern he'd break camp as the 4th starter maybe even 3rd. IMO of course.

only shame is they can't hit a baseball better. Both guys got an opportunity they otherwise wouldn't, got a few months of Big League Pussy and a lifetime pension from MLB and stories for their kids and grandkids. Not bad. Hell, hopefully it doesn't happen but I'd imagine Nicky might be the 5th OF and only an Eloy stumble in left away from the 25 man.

Yep. The days of being a AAAA guy shuttled between Chicago and Charlotte are pretty much over. Some of these guys will leave for greener pastures (rebuilding teams) I'd imagine once they realize Chicago doesn't have time for them anymore. Someone like Palka will never get another shot in Chicago but perhaps could spend a few months on some bottom feeder. Ditto with Delmonico.

until he's proven he can handle AA I don't see the need. it's a make or break year for both rutherford and basabe. no reason to rush either guy up to charlotte. let them sustain some success in AA (if they even can) before pushing them up the ladder. if basabe can't hit in AA I'd assume he's trade bait at the deadline (if anybody even has any interest) or hell maybe even just waived. Same with Rutherford. not ideal but their performance up to this point hasn't earned them a guaranteed 40 man spot.

I'd like to see him come out and command a fastball at 93-95mph for 6 innings.

Fulmer "not focused, thinking about that girl at the bar" Rodon feeling depressed and missing his Arkansas February wild boar hunt. Jake Burger in the "best COD shape of his life" looking to add a burrito microwaving game to his NEET repertoire after earlier mastering pissing in a Dew bottle.

Thanks that last restaurant rec was a bit of a humblebrag. Not that I'd ever be able to drop $200 there on a casual Scottsdale business lunch. Rare treat for us middle class folks. The crowds can be a bit much, especially later in spring. That said, they do a pretty great job with the crowds at most of the facilities. Talking Stick in particular had one of the most organized parking areas (in what is essentially empty desert) I've ever encountered. Good to see the guys back in action and laughing it up. You guys that are going have a blast down there and post plenty of pics.

All the xBABIP calculators that the fantasy wonks use incorporate some form of "hard hit %" and usually "pull %" and a speed score as well. If you hit the ball hard, pull it, and can run, you're going to have a high xBABIP and most likely a high BABIP. For example, iirc when I did Moncada's xBABIP using the free calculator on FanGraphs it was something like .335. So yea, he will regress, but it will still be high.

One more tip, last one I promise: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g31350-d6772824-r367031706-Sumo_Maya_Mexican_Asian_Cuisine-Scottsdale_Arizona.html Never had a bad meal there, and the scenery is top notch. Will set ya back about $100 a head tho.

Seems like there are some concerns in scouting land about his secondary stuff ever developing. I dunno. He seems like a guy that can pitch off the velocity and spin rate on his fastball well enough.

This is the best thing to happen to baseball perhaps in my lifetime. Baseball is lead news on every sports talk program in the country right now instead of the NBA or NFL.

Ya'll slacking.

thanks for posting a story over a year old that def needed its own thread.

The year is 2026, Carlos Rodon is coming off capsule surgery and his 2nd TJ: pitches inning 151. I'll buy you a beer!

Thanks. I'm officially hyped for this guy: http://www.chicagonow.com/future-sox/2020/01/jose-rodriguez-is-worth-monitoring-in-white-sox-farm-system/

150 overall. I think he's toast.

I'll take that bet.