NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (raBBit @ Apr 16, 2014 -> 11:09 AM) I'd like to know Engel's thought process after getting drafted in the 18th. He could have gone back for his senior year and got drafted higher but he didn't. Basically my question is why didn't he? That's a good question, though I'd imagine there were about 100,000 reasons why.

QUOTE (Ozzie Ball @ Apr 16, 2014 -> 11:01 AM) Basto with his 2nd error today and 8th on the season. Really amazing is, he was drafted as a shortstop. They moved him off to 3B, which should be somewhat easier overall, and he's still struggling this badly.

QUOTE (ChiSoxJon @ Apr 16, 2014 -> 10:45 AM) Basto should be in Kanny IMO He's in W-S because there is basically zero prospect depth at 3B between Davidson in AAA, and Michalczewski who isn't ready for that jump. Basto and Curley are just filling spaces right now. Also keep in mind, while Basto may hit better in Kanny, defense-wise there won't be any significant difference between those two levels. He'd be just as bad with the glove in Kannapolis.

Hasn't been assigned, so he is probably rehabbing in AZ.

Final Recap of the series with a nice overall look at system depth from Jeff. Includes links to each area's article at the bottom, but the recap article itself has some really great stuff in it.

Would not have thought we'd see a thread like this anytime this season after maybe the opening series, so... nice.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 16, 2014 -> 09:30 AM) I hope you don't actually believe that. I'd say it was both.

FS getting our first interview up this week, probably another next week. Tomorrow I'm likely going to talk with James Dykstra, but if I can't get him, it would be Adam Engel. So... what questions would you ask of either or both? Let 'em rip, I'll try to use as many as I can.

QUOTE (onedog#1 @ Apr 15, 2014 -> 02:56 PM) I also feel like fans should be able to use their redemption code for this series if they want too, if they are really closing the uppder deck for tonight or even the whole series, it is silly to not let fans use their redemption code for this game. I know they are trying to run a business and profit and don't want discounted tickets for this series, but better to get a little more fans into the game who might spend a little money while there. From what I saw, the Thursday game was selling quite well. So I'd bet it's open for at least that game.

QUOTE (Jerksticks @ Apr 15, 2014 -> 02:35 PM) How likely is it that Kepp is on a fake DL? How prevalent is that in MLB Dude couldn't throw he was in so much pain. Seems highly unlikely he'd make that up, but I guess crazier things have happened. I think he's got a more serious issue going on there that hasn't been diagnosed.

QUOTE (thxfrthmmrs @ Apr 15, 2014 -> 02:42 PM) It's definitely good news for those with UD tickets, but kind of unfair for those who paid LD prices? eh, it happens a couple-few times a season, I don't see how it is a huge problem. And they wouldn't do this unless the crowds in the UD were going to be pretty tiny, so it won't add much pressure to lines.

QUOTE (Stan Bahnsen @ Apr 15, 2014 -> 02:21 PM) Now listing Cales instead of Jaye starting the 2nd B'Ham game. Had a feeling they may do that, push everyone back a day and put a reliever in there.

QUOTE (MurcieOne @ Apr 15, 2014 -> 02:24 PM) Agree on all counts. We're seemingly stocked with talent in the middle infield. Saladino doesn't appear to be a great defensive option at SS either. Not sure where/how he fits, but it's nice to see him rebound with the bat. Victim of timing. 2 years ago the system was seemingly bereft of MI talent. Now, when Saladino may be ready or close to it, he's got to fight through a crowd. Can he play catcher?

My rep said two things. One, the UD will be closed - that tells me any UD holders of any kind will be in the LD now. Seperately, ST holders are given specific seats in the Gold Boxes. So if you aren't on ST tickets, at the very least, you are now LD.

Just got a call from my rep. If you have season tickets, either directly or you bought them off Stub Hub or something for tonight's game... all those ST tickets are being upgraded to gold boxes for tonight's game and they are closing the UD. You can do the upgrade at the XFinity Zone, or via your rep online.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Apr 15, 2014 -> 02:26 PM) While we're on the subject, Keppinger is a much bigger problem. They can't carry him and Konerko. Well no one disagrees with you there. But Keppinger is on the DL, probably for quite a while, so there isn't much to be done right now.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Apr 15, 2014 -> 02:20 PM) Giving up on him "too early" was a direct quote from one of your posts on this very page. Oh come on, read the post. That wasn't about development, that was about THIS YEAR and giving up VALUE he represents, that is quite clear in what I said. I"m not saying he's still going to develop into a star player, in fact that is highly unlikely. He may have some development left in there, but not much, and not likely. That isn't what this is about.

Also worth noting, to boost your case... Saladino was fighting through a couple nagging injuries in B-Ham last year that may have effected his play. And the fact that a couple years ago, the org was real hot on him, and Ventura liked him as well. The problem he faces is simple numbers. In addition to everyone in Chicago, plus Beckham and Keppinger on the DL, plus Sanchez in AAA, he's got a lot of guys to fight past to get a look. I think we'll know a lot more in a few months, when sample sizes are more meaningful and we know more about how the infielders will fall out above him. Rememer too that Micah Johnson is knocking on the door behind him.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Apr 15, 2014 -> 01:50 PM) I just can't believe that rational fans are even suggesting that it's giving up on Beckham "too early." The book has been written. He's a bust. 27 year olds with 2500 MLB AB's don't just suddenly figure it out. Trade him for some A level pitcher that throws 95 and can't hit the broadside of a barn. Play Semien everyday and let's move on with the rebuild. This isn't a reactionary move. It is a reactionary move. Also, who said anything about giving up on him too early? That has nothing to do with the discussion. It isn't a development thing with Beckham, or very little of that. QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Apr 15, 2014 -> 01:52 PM) Absolutely. I'm actually on the fence with what I want to happen. I do think there is potential danger in sending a guy with advanced plate discipline to the minors, however, especially if coaching is in fact trying to get him to expand his zone (no idea if they are, just that it could be justifiable giving that he takes so many strikes.), simply because he could develop bad habits in being able to succeed hitting crappier stuff. No idea if it would hurt him or not, but I think it's plausible that it could. I don't think we, as fans, can have enough information to know what's best. It'll come down to how clearly the coaching staff thinks they can communicate with him. Maybe it's as simple as "do nothing different, just rake and wait for your shot." Anything is possible, but I find it hard to believe a guy with only 71 MLB PA's coming into this year, just 32 games at AAA and less than a season at AA is going to be hurt by a couple months of AAA time. This is a development year for him either way, and he's going to spend some MLB time either way.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ Apr 15, 2014 -> 01:19 PM) Keppinger was coming off a season where he hit .325 with a 126 OPS+ and got a marginal deal that the Sox surely regret. What can Beckham do in 2 months to have any trade value whatsoever? Seriously. GM's aren't that dumb. Don't mess with Semien. Give him the job and play him everyday. He's ready. You can cherry pick if you want, but career-wise, Keppinger has been only slightly better hitter than Beckham, hasn't usually been a full time player and in fact was given beneficial platoon assignments, is a worse defender, and is SIX years older. Beckham also has a year of Arb left and has no cost obligations past this year, by the way. Fortunately, the Sox GM has a long term view on things and isn't going to overreact to 2 weeks of play. He's got a plan and he's sticking to it, which is great. Semien is ready - no argument there. That isn't what this is about, since everyone is agreeing either he's ready, or certainly at least very close. The question is about what is best for the long term plan for this club. Whether Semien spends a couple months in AAA in the early going or not, is not going to do anything negative for him, or the club. Giving up on Beckham too early and losing the chance for potential value, could. The choice is clear, unless you A) think this is a likely playoff-bound club as constructed today or B) you simply are reacting emotionally because you (like everyone else) have been frustrated that Beckham never turned into the above average player we all wanted him to be.

So he had a fracture too... interesting. Hopefully that doesn't change the long-term prognosis.

I get the doubts about how much trade value Beckham would have, and one could debate that. But the idea that a healthy Beckham with a good (or even just decent) May and June doesn't have value is nothing more than people's emotions getting the better of them. If Jeff Keppinger, who is a marginally better hitter but worse fielder at 2B (and likely at 3B, though Gordon hasn't played there in a while), can get the contract he did, then Beckham clearly has some trade value. And a couple so-so prospects is better than nothing.

Just to be clear, one can think Semien is major league-ready (which I do), and think his few issues can be corrected at the MLB level (which I also do)... but ALSO think the overall best path for the team is for him to be in AAA for a couple months while Beckham ups his trade value. Being in AAA a couple months, especially since he's spent very little time there anyway, does not hurt his development, and may in fact help it.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 10:29 PM) Tim Anderson has been worse. Still think he should of repeated Kanny. I think you have it backwards - Barnum has been much worse than Anderson. I thought the W-S assignment for Barnum was a stretch, Anderson I was sort of on the fence but didn't think it was a big deal. Barnum's line so far: .103/.167/.103, 47.6% K/PA, 7.1% BB/PA in 42 PA. It's still very early, but if he's anywhere near this bad in May or June (depending on how bad for how long), he should go back down to Kanny IMO. But last year at Kanny he did eventually get better, continuously during his time. As long as he starts improving, keep him there. Anderson's line for comparison: .244/.255/.467, 40.4% K/PA, 0 BB in 27 PA. The lack of walks is a potential issue (though we're talking 0 vs 3 here), but he's doing much better than Barnum at this point at the plate. Defensively, Anderson seems to be all over the place good and bad, but that aspect won't really be different between A and A+ in any significant way. I don't see cause to talk about moving Anderson down at this point.

QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 03:42 PM) I can see how one can get useful info but the social media thing just isn't me. I made an account last year that lasted about 30 minutes and deleted it. Started getting tweet updates from people I didnt follow and it instantly annoyed me right away. How were you getting tweet from people you don't follow? Me thinks you must have had something odd with your settings.