NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Sep 3, 2015 -> 02:22 PM) He wasn't good last year either. Yeah but to repeat rookie ball, third trip really, and do this poorly... not a good sign.

Matt Ball really fell apart this year.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Sep 3, 2015 -> 09:03 AM) That's a decent point, but she's been ordered by a Fed court to issue those licenses. Unless that order is appealed, she's still in contempt of court. QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Sep 3, 2015 -> 09:16 AM) I mean it's not a strong point, mind you, i'm just saying it's a very, very technical argument that is at least interesting. Technically there is no law mandating that she has to issue marriage licenses to homosexuals. The SC said states can't pass laws that deny homosexuals marriage. Not doing so infringes on homosexuals' rights, and provides them with an opportunity for redress in a court, but she's technically not in violation of any law regarding her duties. Probably a distinction without a difference, but there's a distinction there. I think the bolded covers it, and it isn't a distinction that would fly in any legal sense. This is just Huckabee twisting and contorting his own mindset to find some way, any way, to ignore what is legally crystal clear.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Sep 3, 2015 -> 08:33 AM) Saladino has out-homered Sanchez 15-13 in the minors since the start of the 2012 season. I didn't know that was such a huge difference. That being said, I know Saladino had a good 2014, and his 2015 minor league stats are a little worse than they should be due to the TJ surgery. But he still didn't do very well in the minors hitting-wise before that, with the exception of one season at Kannapolis. I do love his approach at the plate, but I don't think he'll hit over .250 in a Major League season. Saladino HR since 2012 (so 2013-2015) in the minors: 18 in 1049 PA (for a 550 PA full MiLB season that is about 9.5 per season) Sanchez HR since 2012 (so 2013-2015) in the minors: 9 HR in 1110 PA (4.4 per season) No idea where you got your 15-13 numbers. Check Baseball Reference. Maybe you included some winter league numbers or something? That's also ignoring that Saladino hit 16 HR in one year in 2011 and another 4 in 2012, during which time Sanchez hit 2 total. Saladino isn't a power hitter either, but he has substantially more than Sanchez. I'd say Sanchez has a 20 or maybe 30 grade power tool in-game, with Saladino more around 40. QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Sep 3, 2015 -> 08:34 AM) And like I've said, second base isn't a power hitting position. The only power-hitting second baseman is Dozier. First, we were discussing shortstop, not second base. Second, whether a position is typically for power hitters or not isn't relevant. More power is more value for a hitter.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Sep 3, 2015 -> 07:23 AM) A 2nd round pick drafted out of high school, a 7th round pick and a 17 year old Venezuelan kid signed for minimal money turned into 3 major league players. That's a win. QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Sep 3, 2015 -> 07:26 AM) Saladino is a rookie with one month of major league experience. He has had success in his career in the minors. Why are people writing him off as if he'll never improve? Whenever young players are on other teams and struggle people are more than willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. But when it comes to here, what players do in their first month equates to their career ceilings? Saladino has had his moments, both good and bad, and maybe utility player is his ceiling (which is fine), but I think it's a bit early to declare that his definitive future. Love the above two posts. Saladino is probably a utility infielder - and I'm willing to be he'd be a better than average one - but the guy has been around for very little time. To say things like "his bat sucks" is just premature. QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Sep 3, 2015 -> 08:01 AM) The difference is Saladino has never been a very good hitter at any level, while Sanchez has hit for high averages in the minors. I do think Saladino will improve slightly with the bat, but not as much as you all seem to expect. That is patently false. First, both players had very good and pretty bad years. Saladino was putting up very nice numbers his first two years in the minors while playing a premium position. He regressed hard in 2012 and 2013. Then in 2014 the guy big numbers in his first trip to AAA at a fairly age-appropriate level, before he had TJ surgery. In 2015 he was still recovering from it, but once he got going in Charlotte, he was putting up those very good numbers again (look at the last month before he was called up). Basically, leaving out injury recovery, he had two (strange) bad years in AA mid-minors-career, sandwiched by very good numbers his first two seasons and his last semi-full season in the minors. Sanchez was younger at each level (by a year or two), but also spent a lot more years in the minors. His first trip to AAA was awful on the offensive end, but he was very young. Rebounded in 2014 to be pretty good on that side. Then this year he mastered that level. This isn't even mentioning that while Sanchez has at times hit for high averages in the minors (though not every year either), he's never hit for any power, where Saladino has. I don't think Saladino is an average major league starting shortstop in the overall value sense - I think he'd be lower tier but playable maybe. Sanchez is similar, with better hands and feet but a weaker arm on D, maybe a higher average* but far less power on offense. Both have decent but not spectacular speed. * = I have serious concerns about his bat speed, and I think they will soon start pounding him with fastballs he can't catch up to. QUOTE (3GamesToLove @ Sep 3, 2015 -> 08:10 AM) This is dumb. And are they really not going to pick up Alexei's option? I think they probably will - this is leverage, plus the idea of a backup plan which is always good to have.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 3, 2015 -> 01:50 AM) How come Ben Carson can't garner more support? He'd be our second African American president and he's not a politico like Obama. Why do we HAVE to have a woman? Why can't we go with Ben?? Hillary gives me great concern; Ben seems like an upstanding man with a clue. He's very smart, and pretty charismatic. He's got a great hand at bringing a crowd on board. Also, his policy views are possibly the most extreme-right of the entire field, and when he's been asked relatively basic geography, political and governance questions, it has been clear he just knows very little about those worlds.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 2, 2015 -> 03:14 PM) Top 10 but not top 5. I'd agree with that, though around 5 is possible.

AZL in their championship. W-S has clinched a spot. GTF is in the wild card lead, though only by a half game. Birmingham is in it but a long shot. Been many years since the Sox had this many competitive teams in the minors. I particularly love that the two rookie affiliates are getting it done.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Sep 2, 2015 -> 11:02 AM) I'm looking for Brantly and Leury to wear butt-shaped patterns into the bench. Agree on Leury, who I personally don't think is anything. But I do want Brantly to get some good playing time.

Our own Brian Bilek took a deep dive, looking at what we can expect from the four players added to the White Sox with expanded rosters - Erik Johnson, Rob Brantly, Frankie Montas and Leury Garcia. Give it a read! What are you looking for from these four guys?

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Sep 2, 2015 -> 08:52 AM) Hahn basically said nothing at all. Thank you. This whole thread is reading waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy too much into a couple blurbs.

I realize this is really petty on my part to even bring it up, but... apparently this clerk has been married four times. LOL

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 1, 2015 -> 07:21 PM) No anderson either They have been taking it easy with him, giving him days off and DH'ing him.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Sep 1, 2015 -> 04:03 PM) I understand that, but has he had a season where he has been fully healthy? Just by looking at his numbers, he doesn't do anything special, a lot of walks, not many strikeouts, big whip. At least Wheeler strikes guys out. I don't know, I know it's just one guy but, in my mind, he's taking a spot that is someone else is more deserving and more valuable to the organization. Its not about numbers with Brennan, he hasn't had a shot to make it work for long enough yet. Its a sinking mid-90s fastball and slider that had glowing reports out college that make him stand out, and he needs the reps to make it work for him. He only had a year of college ball, and he's still age-appropriate for his level despite the lost time.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Sep 1, 2015 -> 03:56 PM) So Johnson and Montas will work out of the bullpen, right? Montas likely yes, but Johnson likely gets some starts.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Sep 1, 2015 -> 03:41 PM) Pretty happy with this entire list besides Brennan. The kid is 24, always hurt, and doesn't exactly tear it up in low or high A. Would of much rather have Almonte, Hayes, Wheeler, or Alvarez go there. Almonte is in his first year of full-season ball, and he's been starting - no value in stretching him out further. Wheeler and Alvarez are below AA, and they already seem to be pushing that boundary (though I agree that both could be good there). Hayes I totally agree, would be better there than Barnum. But I like Brennan there. His missed time is exavtly why you want him there, and people forget but this is a high talent but raw guy - perfect AFL candidate in many ways. Need him to get more innings so he can be geared up for a full season next year.

QUOTE (flavum @ Sep 1, 2015 -> 02:19 PM) Robinson Leyer, Brandon Brennan, Peter Tago, J.B. Wendelken, Keon Barnum, Nick Delmonico, Jake Peter,Courtney Hawkins https://twitter.com/SouthSidelarry All guys with some intrigue - none of them are what I'd consider filler. That's nice to see. Also interesting - they clearly broke the one-player-below-AA rule, as there are three of them in there. Kinda thought Danny Hayes would go. I don't know that Barnum is ready, I think he'll get destroyed in that league. The rest should hold their own.

Busy day for Sox minor leaguers, as the AFL rosters are also being announced today. Plus AZL is in a playoff game this evening, Winston-Salem has clinched a playoff spot, Birmingham and Great Falls are in their races (though barely).

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 1, 2015 -> 12:34 PM) I'd add Webb and Montas, and drop Carroll, for my prediction. Webb already up, but you're right on Montas, I should have added him. Though with BHAM in the playoff race, maybe he doesn't come up quite right away.

My guesses: Carroll, EJ, Micah, Brantly, Leury, JGuerra. Outside shots: Marin or Coats. Brantly, by the way, is 100% coming up - per a minor league source. It's not Smith. Also FYI, Chris Beck is injured and hasn't pitched since June, so he isn't coming up.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Aug 31, 2015 -> 09:01 AM) Carroll, both Johnsons, Brantly and Leury. Probably Beck if Putnam isn't going to come off the DL as soon as he's eligible. Beck is on the DL and hasn't pitched since June. My guesses: Carroll, EJ, Micah, Brantly, Leury, JGuerra. Outside shots: Marin or Coats.

I'm surprised I haven't seen more talk about Trump threatening a 3rd party run. For the Republicans, that is a death sentence for their Presidential aspirations.

Prospect heads - we've got a writer going out to Great Falls this weekend, to get some video and interview some prospects. So... Who would you like to see interviewed? And what questions would you like to see asked of them? This is your chance to be part of the process!

Our own Rob Young was in Charlotte recently to see some prospects live. While there, he was able to interview a couple likely September call-ups (Erik Johnson, Rob Brantly), as well as pitching coach Rich Dotson and hitting coach Andy Tomberlin. Give it a read and get to know some people who may be key to the White Sox' future.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Sep 1, 2015 -> 07:20 AM) Anyone know what time the AZL Sox game resumes? I looked around but did not find anything but its pretty early in the morning yet. 5pm (PT), so 7pm Chicago. And they moved the game to Surprise Stadium because the field at Papago is messed up.