NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (danman31 @ May 12, 2014 -> 11:52 PM) It's official. Tyler Danish is by far the most overrated prospect in the system. Geez. Dan and I actually agree here. That's kinda rare.

QUOTE (CWSpalehoseCWS @ May 12, 2014 -> 05:06 PM) Seems like another move on the way too. Maybe Johnson is getting promoted to Charlotte? I'll predict Nelvin Fuentes to AAA. Not sure about the Liddi spot, but I doubt it is Micah, hard to get him playing time that way. Maybe Ravelo.

QUOTE (Stan Bahnsen @ May 12, 2014 -> 12:48 PM) Sanchez up to .718 OPS and rising. A HR away from the cycle - that one will be difficult. Davidson with 2 hits and a double now - nice reverse-jinx fathom. Where you getting the EJohnson velo from, caulfield? Not sure where caufield got his, but Seth Lasko (Charlotte Observer beat reporter) had him usually 88-90 with the FB, but also said he got stronger as the game went on.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ May 12, 2014 -> 12:17 PM) Danks must just feel a lot more comfortable in Charlotte.. Can't take the pressure of the big leagues Or he's got a big, slow, loopy swing that he can use to capitalize against inferior pitching that is sometimes on the mound in AAA, whereas that opportunity rarely shows itself in the majors.

Brian Balta (balta1701) was live at a couple Birmingham Barons games last week, took a ton of video, and wrote up two excellent analysis pieces. This one covers the hitters, including Micah Johnson, Rangel (ron-HELL) Ravelo, Trayce Thompson and others. Check out the piece, with video and analysis.

Brian Balta (balta1701) was live at a couple Birmingham Barons games last week, took a ton of video, and wrote up two excellent analysis pieces. This one is about the pitchers, mostly Chris Beck and Myles Jaye (but also some others). Paritcularly with Chris Beck, this is why in-person views of things are key - Beck is clearly working on something. Read the article here, with videos, to see what. Not 100% sure what it means to Beck's prospect stock, but it does clear up some things.

Thanks Jon, always good to get the in-person reports!

Brian Balta (Balta1701) was live at a couple Barons games recently, and took a whole bunch of new prospect videos from various angles. Lots of significant prospect names in there. Go to the channel and check out the new videos. We now have over 100 exclusive videos of Sox prospects that we have taken ourselves on that channel. You can subscribe to it, and be emailed when new media goes up. Brian will be writing some analysis of what he saw for the blog. But for now, you can look at the raw footage. Enjoy.

QUOTE (Ozzie Ball @ May 9, 2014 -> 12:21 PM) Just noticed that Mitchell came out of the pen yesterday. He was originally scheduled to start. 3 BB/3 K in 2 IP. I wonder if that's a permanent thing. His control has been awful. Same thing happened with Goldberg a week or two ago, moved him back to the pen as well.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 9, 2014 -> 08:57 AM) And they thought this would happen how? Rick has started buying PCP for other GM's? I'm sure he meant that was the view prior to the season, hoping Kepp would play well for a couple months and at least be able to be salary-dumped.

Fun fact: James Dysktra has a GO/AO of 5.09, through 6 starts. I've never seen a rate that high (other than like a 1 to 2 game fluke) from anyone. The next highest number in his league is around 3. That is one heavy fastball.

QUOTE (Jose Paniagua @ May 8, 2014 -> 02:25 PM) Doubtful to me that the Sox are considering Semien or Sanchez to be building blocks. Semien is looking at utility role unless pro-career-long K problems get snipped. QUOTE (beautox @ May 8, 2014 -> 03:06 PM) I disagree, Semien's K problem is about as good of a K problem as you can have; Its systemic from the fact that he doesn't swing enough, which to me is a hell of a lot easier to correct than someone who consistently expands their zone. Semien's swinging strike % is 9.5 and his zone contact % is 82.9 lastly his zone swing percentage 59.4%. TL:DR Marcus swings at strikes in the zone 60% while making contact on said strikes nearly 83%, Simply put he has a very good eye and needs to become more aggressive on strikes in the zone while maintaing his discipline at balls out of the zone to correct his problem. The good news is Semien is getting deep into counts the bad news (see: inexperienced) he is making the wrong decision late in counts that are leading to his prolific K rate. The Sox have the potential for a very good cheap infield and its possible if Davidson gets back on track at the minor league level they move him and leave Semien at 3B he has 20/25-20/25 (across three levels last year he hit 21HR and stole 26 bases) potential which would be well above average for that position. In Carlos Sanchez is see Everth Cabrera as a realistic comp or Erik Aybar if his power continues to develop, his glove has always been highly regarded at 2B and I think he could be average to slightly above at SS where his bat would play even better considering his low .ISO. Lastly Micah Johnson still has a bit of work to do against left handed pitching in terms of driving the ball, but its nice to dream on the idea that maybe he can develop into a Kenny Lofton type of player at the keystone. beautox pretty much covered it. And that doesn't even get into the fact that "pro-career-long" is patently false, as his K numbers in his minor league career were mostly very good. In fact his K:BB ration last year was the best in the Sox system.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 8, 2014 -> 01:20 PM) If you could move to Haiti for a year and have decent odds at winning a powerball jackpot when you got back, would that change your mind? That is the kid of money that could be talked about if a potential #1 draft pick were a free agent. The math isn't that simple. It is more like... take $2M now (low 1st round pick), or live in Haiti for a year (with little chance to keep up your competitive chops) to perhaps get $5M, but also possibly get the same or less, while having to do your rehab in a country that lacks the type of facilites you'd have here. And in both cases, to have basically the same shot at more money later as a major leaguer. I'm not sure I'd take that chance going to ANY country, but sure as heck not Haiti. To wit... QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ May 8, 2014 -> 01:26 PM) Haiti is an option, but so is the DR, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, or Curacao. He may have mentioned Haiti as it would likely be an easier process to gain citizenship there than most other countries as many Cuban players have done so in a relatively short amount of time without actually having to live there over any extended period of time. Never gonna happen, but it is an interesting proposal, unless MLB institutes an international draft, in which case you don't get the bidding war. Yeah, if he can do it in the Bahamas, he could get better care, and be less at risk to his person. That's different calculus.

QUOTE (Ozzie Ball @ May 7, 2014 -> 03:24 PM) Quick take from Ben Badler: http://www.baseballamerica.com/chat/?1399426035 I just want to point out the insanity here, even though I like Badler. Move to Haiti for a year? Has be BEEN to Haiti? Because I have. That's a ridiculous idea.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ May 8, 2014 -> 09:29 AM) They can say 'tickets start at $7' all they want, but if I am going to the game, I want to SEE and enjoy the game, not get nosebleeds and a workout hiking up to my seat. I haven't had to buy tickets for a few years, so imagine my shock when we went to buy tickets for this Saturday against the Diamondbacks. They want $72 for lower bowl between 3rd and outfield wall. Go a little closer to the wall and it drops to $52. Bleachers $35. Still going, but to my cheap-ass it is pretty steep. Saturday interleague game, will be pricier than others. Our seats for that game (front row upper deck right above home plate, 3B side) are $24 face on the White Sox site (or face is $21). And you get an actual seat, not a bleacher bench.

QUOTE (Ozzie Ball @ May 7, 2014 -> 09:36 PM) I like Engel as much as any, but he did not have a strong April. .243/.310/.388 with 8 BB/31 SO. He's been hot recently though, so hopefully he can keep that up and make the May list. Anderson not much better at .250/.278/.435 2 BB/27 SO. Exactly. Dykstra was almost in there. He's doing well, but not spectacularly so, and he's a little on the wrong side of the age curve. I like what he's doing, just couldn't justify him above the others listed.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ May 7, 2014 -> 11:42 PM) Buddy Bell said today that Micah Johnson is likely to be promoted soon, to AAA. They just have to find him a spot to play. To be clear, what he said was "could be pretty soon". I wouldn't go thinking that means it is likely in a matter of days. After Keppinger returns and Semien or Garcia go down, you now have Semien/Garcia and Sanchez to play SS and 2B, so finding playing time is a tough nut to crack. You also have two 3B's on the AAA roster. I don't think Johnson sees AAA until something else gives, in terms of a trade, injury or release.

CJ Wittman's tweets about Hawkins earlier this season were laughable. It is hard to take him seriously, when he's so obviously just trying to sound cool instead of reporting what he sees. That said, Hawkins of course had made lots of changes and was looking quite good - until just a few days ago. Now he's in his first slump of the year. It wasn't a question of IF that would happen, it was WHEN. And now the key is, how does he respond and adjust. If he bounces back in a few days or a few weeks, that's a very good sign.

QUOTE (greg775 @ May 7, 2014 -> 04:12 PM) I don't know what's so absurd about saying it would be one of my saddest days as a White Sox fan if he is sent down after bashing four game-winning hits in a month and a week. It's how I feel. Sending a guy down whose hitting has been meh overall at best, and who is still young and can use the development, and who will be back soon anyway... is among your worst days every as a Sox fan? Come on, you cannot possibly be serious. If you had said you'd rather they kept Semien, you can make a good argument for that. It is your hyperbole that gets laughed at.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ May 7, 2014 -> 03:10 PM) That is perfect.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ May 7, 2014 -> 02:56 PM) LGarcia is now the 4th OF. Fair enough. I know he's played out there before, but I've never seen it, and I think it has been pretty rare. Hard to imagine he'd be very good at it. So now, Eaton comes back up, and either Garcia or Semien go down. OK.

So... am I missing something, or do the Sox only have 3 healthy OF's? I'm not counting Dunn here.

I'lll be there.

Lakso was reporting Johnson hit 92 in the first, never topped 90 after, worked mostly 87-89.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ May 7, 2014 -> 10:55 AM) Who will play 3B vs LHP for the time being? Gillaspie is the starter, he'll play against almost everyone. Garcia is the UTIL IF, and then Keppinger will be back soon too. Who will play 3B against lefties really isn't a concern to speak of right now.