NorthSideSox72

Rondon has a 9-game hitting streak, has raised his average 50+ points in that time.

Dash scored 9 runs in the 7th inning of game two. Don't see that very often.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ May 7, 2015 -> 01:00 PM) I don't think he is behind any curve especially if he gets to AA by mid year. I was curious what you thought the organization would do with him, thanks! No worries. I'd be legitimately surprised if he isn't in AA by July. And probably sooner.

QUOTE (flavum @ May 7, 2015 -> 01:08 PM) Sanchez a couple 0-4's after 6 straight multi-hit games (17-27, .630). Had to happen I suppose. Wasn't going to hit .400 all year. Or will he...

QUOTE (flavum @ May 7, 2015 -> 12:58 PM) Hawkins 3-4. That's not something you see too often. I... don't know what to do with him. I'm hoping to find someone who has tape of him this year in AA. I want to see his hitting and see where he's at.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ May 7, 2015 -> 12:50 PM) At want point is he brought up to AA at least. He is 23 already People keep saying this. Look at the average ages, and the typical development curves. He was in A+ at 22 last year, and he's likely to be in AA this year at 23. That is decidedly not old for level, even for a real prospect. This isn't a high school draftee with 4-5 years in either. He's fine age-wise and developmental curve-wise. If you are comparing him to phenoms, then sure, he's behind their curve age-wise. But they also were mostly high school types or LatAm types that were in the system in their teens. Engel isn't going to be a phenom. Compare his progress to regular starters in the majors that were college draftees. He's where he should be. If he is in AA this year at 23 as I think he will be (and likely pretty soon, as other than May and Hawkins there are no other real outfield prospects in BHAM, then on that track he'd likely be in AAA at 24.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 7, 2015 -> 12:43 PM) Anderson's average and OPS in free fall mode. He needs to do something more at the plate than just a single a game. I'm not as concerned about the lack of power - he's got raw power to spare. I'm more concerned about the K's and complete lack of walks. He'll need to get more selective if he wants to succeed at higher levels. I'm guessing this year in AA he's going to learn that lesson - his natural hit tool (which is big time) won't carry him by itself.

Naturally Michalczewski strikes out a couple times late in that game after my complements, haha.

QUOTE (raBBit @ May 7, 2015 -> 11:39 AM) Thompson seems like a really sharp guy. Can't take too much from a handful of questions but very aware and objective when looking at himself. Refreshing. I am disappointed you didn't let Jason Coats know you're his number one fan haha. Good stuff as always Matt. lol, funny story that one... I wasn't going to interview Coats because we'd interviewed him before (danman31 a couple years ago, he is also a fan). I was standing there in the clubhouse after the game, had just gotten there as Seth Lakso was finishing his interview with Carlos Sanchez. The two of us were going to talk with Chris Beck next - but he took off quick after the game and refused press. So I'm standing there, and Coats literally almost walks into me, so I just said hey, mind if I ask a few questions? And he was happy to. QUOTE (MurcieOne @ May 7, 2015 -> 12:12 PM) Great stuff, as always. It seemed like Erik was reading more into that question than you intended (hitting? what have you heard? am I being traded? are they moving me to catcher?) I was looking for a question to Trayce about Klay Thompson. I'm sure he gets asked about him a lot, but it's cool that Klay is dominating this year and the Warriors are poised for a deep run in the NBA playoffs. Again, he probably appreciated the focus remaining on him. Great stuff. lol, EJ the catcher. I very intentionally did not ask him about his brother. Everyone asks him that - everyone. I wanted to focus on him, and I prefer to ask questions that are either more prospect-focused (skills, goals, etc.) or are unique and don't get asked by the mainstream press (like, how a pitcher hits, lol). Similarly, as you'll see tomorrow, I did not ask Brett Austin about Carlos Rodon. Same reason.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ May 7, 2015 -> 12:16 PM) There's our Trout level athlete. It's actually not a bad comp physically. Clearly he won't be Trout, but they are built very similarly, have similar speed and athleticism despite the muscle mass, and that is an unusual combo. Engel's power ceiling and hit tool aren't nearly Trout-level of course. And I love that Engel is keeping the K's at bay, unlike the rest of the toolsy outfield crowd in the system. I'm guessing Engel will move up the charts quite a bit this year.

You may notice an odd exchange with Erik Johnson in there. The description doesn't do it justice. The takeaway is this - Erik is a very intense and serious guy. That isn't a good or bad thing - just very different than the laid back Davidson, or talkative Thompson. Fascinating to see the personalities on all these guys.

Nick Basto has been terrible this year. He was terrible up through 2013 too. Seemed to jump all of a sudden in 2014, but now back at the same level he's hitting .112 and striking out about 40% of the time. Dan Black meanwhile now at 25 games straight reaching base. OPS still north of 1.000. Michalczewski has been slowly improving. 9 games straight on base, .776 OPS in that time, K rate down to 21.6%. Small moves, but there it is.

While I was in Charlotte, I got to interview four prospects with the Knights (Trayce Thompson, Erik Johnson, Matt Davidson, Jason Coats) and their manager (Joel Skinner). Read the highlights here - really interesting to get THEIR views on some things, especially as three of them are having comebacks of different sorts. Some answers were canned, but others were revealing.

3.5 day games, nice. Morning games even.

QUOTE (LDF @ May 7, 2015 -> 08:55 AM) after the season, good question, i can see the sox not picking up EB extension, esp if he doesn't improve as the season gets older. maybe do a package with him and someone else for a prospect / player. What is an EB extension?

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ May 7, 2015 -> 08:28 AM) Honestly, what would the Sox do with Trayce? I think he'd be a better bench option than Shuck because he's a better CF defender but do the Sox want to relegate Trayce to 4th OF status? If he finally puts it all together, would they rather keep him in Charlotte instead of putting him on the big league bench? Looking at the way the team does things, I definitely see them bringing him up at some point this year as a 4th OF. Probably not yet - likely after the trade deadline and once he's (hopefully) shown his improvement is a lasting thing in AAA. But once he's not been traded, and if he's still looking good, I'd bet he'll see Chicago for at least a September callup and probably more than that. Even if he's only a bench guy from August on (for example), he doesn't lose a lot of development. The question is what to do with him after the season. Assuming the existing starting OFs are healthy, do you want him as a 4th OF long term? Probably not, so he's likely going to be traded to someone who will give him a shot. If an injury occurs, he's the call-up almost assuredly.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 6, 2015 -> 04:28 PM) Or Saladino, depending on health and recent performance level. Saladino is still on the DL, and when I was down there wasn't even working out with the club. can't throw much right now, tendonitis. Probably related to TJ recovery. He's not coming up any time soon.

In order of priority for a mid-season pickup (I did move one a bit from what I got at earlier)... C SP 3B RP OF SS/2B 1B/DH

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 6, 2015 -> 02:30 PM) Think of it this way. If an OF goes down to injury, who is the next call up? That is why the Sox would be watching for OF depth. SP? No. They are looking to make room for Rodon as it is. That will push someone else into relief, and they just cleared a mediocre reliever off of the roster. Next SP up would be Scott Carroll. Odds are you won't find a better reliever on waivers then what Guerra gave you, and they would add him back if needed (assuming he isn't claimed). Skill IF? No. The next guy up is Sanchez, and it isn't even close. Catching? Sure. The odds of finding one are really, really low, especially when the Marlins couldn't get anything at all for Salty, even when being willing to eat his entire contract. OF is at the top of their depth list FOR SURE. Now the trade market would be a different thing. There I am sure they would love a 3B and C. I completely disagree. They already have a 4th OF who is about on par with other 4th OFs, and they have a guy they see as a key prospect raking in AAA in Trayce Thompson. They also have a guy with a major league track record there, Matt Tuiasosopo, who would likely be better than anything on the waiver wire. I can't see this area being a priority at all. SP "depth" is a major problem because Noesi and Danks are terrible, Rodon is a rookie and can only take one slot anyway, and neither Beck nor Johnson look ready just yet. Skill infielder meaning 3B primarly, which Sanchez has only played sparingly, though I'd say that one is almost as low as OF. Catching is an easy #1. Relief arms are also higher. I'll stick to my guns on this. The only thing lower is 1B.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 6, 2015 -> 02:20 PM) I am sure they are watching the waiver wire closely for outfield depth. Outfield depth? I'd guess that is near last on their list of priorities. Catching, starting pitching, skill infield are all higher right now. Maybe even relief pitching depending on who is out there. The only thing lower than outfield right now would be 1B.

Rob (southside hitman) interviews pitcher Nolan Sanburn, who was the return for Adam Dunn back in August of last year. Rob and Nolan discuss his Kokomo roots, his pitching strengths and where he sees his future. Great stuff!

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ May 6, 2015 -> 08:26 AM) Yes, that.

The latest 3-minute episode of FutureSox TV (starring Quinarvy) looks at some hitters in AAA who are doing well and could be in Chicago in the not-too-distant future. Background photos are Daniel's own photog work, the videos are from my recent visit to Charlotte. And this episode has a little easter egg. Here it is, enjoy!

Recap posted.

QUOTE (GreenSox @ May 5, 2015 -> 03:54 PM) Anyone know the whereabouts of Robinson Leyer? Well he's listed to start today, so I'd imagine he's with the Dash.