NorthSideSox72

W-S today. As a preview, here is my "target list" of players I will TRY to speak with and ask some questions of. I cannot guarantee I will actually get to talk with all of them (in fact I most likely won't), but, here it is... Courtney Hawkins Jake Cose Micah Johnson Myles Jaye Kevan Smith Chris Curley Joey DeMichele Mike Recchia Mark Haddow Ravelo and Ortiz would be on the list, but as I understand, their English isn't great, and I don't want to have to ask for an interpreter.

I should note, I'm going to be in the W-S clubhouse later today, and Hawkins is among the guys I am going to try to speak with. So we'll see how that goes. I'm trying to find a way to ask the right questions, to get good answers, but not say something that might make him clam up or get offended.

QUOTE (danman31 @ Aug 24, 2013 -> 04:05 AM) Sorry Matt, but I agree with this. Hawkins is so bad that the words I really want to use to describe his performance would probably piss people off. I'm most concerned about the fact that his numbers have seriously regressed in August. His worst batting average and with much less power. I'm not giving up hope, but after watching video of him it's clear he has no f***ing clue what he's doing up there. Hopefully he reads s*** like this (since he's getting bashed everywhere) and dedicates himself. He's clearly young enough to turn it around, but he has so far to go it's just not likely. You can agree with it, I don't. As I said it is all subjective. The only part of the post that really bothered me was the phrase "bust till he's not", which is just nonsensical IMO. He's been a disappointment for sure, age/level or not. And he's surely not the top prospect in the org anymore. QUOTE (oldsox @ Aug 24, 2013 -> 08:13 AM) Same question for Thompson and Walker, North Sider. How long? Much more development under their belts, so a different situation, IMO. Last year I really thought Trayce was putting it together, but he's really struggled this year for the most part (haven't checked lately, but up until a few weeks ago, his K rate was noticeably down, which is good). Walker already was missing the power tool, so he's really sliding now, from my view. I won't call either busts quite yet (but Mitchell I'll call that). But both are sliding. I think Thompson and Walker both get a chance to show something next year before, for me, they become non-prospects.

QUOTE (bbilek1 @ Aug 23, 2013 -> 11:00 PM) Can someone comment on the ballpark at Great Falls? Hitters park I assume? Not sure about the park itself, but you can look up MiLB park factors online. But the Pioneer League generally is pretty hitter-friendly.

QUOTE (oldsox @ Aug 23, 2013 -> 10:19 PM) When, then? Mid season next year? I think next year is obviously huge for him. He doesn't need to crush everything next year, but if he can substantially improve the contact rate (which he has for a few multi-week periods this year) over the long haul, I think he's still a very intriguing prospect. If next year he is basically the same as this year, he starts sliding down the scale. If after a full next year he still isn't improving noticeably, then it is time to start saying he's gone to fringe status. That's my view, this is all very subjective of course. Just bear in mind we are talking about a guy who is still very young for his level, in fact was one of the youngest in his league and was rushed up to that point. Whether or not you agree with that decision, the reality is that he was in a very challenging spot. Let's see if he can adjust, he does still have plenty of time.

QUOTE (fathom @ Aug 23, 2013 -> 09:50 PM) Sickels had a recap of the first round picks of 2012 and Hawkins at this point might be the worst pick of the draft. Sure looks that way right now. That is not the same as saying he's a bust, or that he is a bust first and maybe a prospect later. That's just silly. He may be a bust - lots of draft picks are, even 1st rounders. Still way, way early to say that on Hawkins though.

Anyone happen to listen to the Kanny broadcast and catch me blabbering with their radio guy in the 3rd inning?

QUOTE (flavum @ Aug 23, 2013 -> 07:03 PM) Hawkins is batting .184. Bust until he's not. That's like saying guilty until proven innocent. It is ass-backwards as a way to look at a high draft pick prospect.

Back from the Kanny game. Got 8 player interviews in, plus manager Tommy Thompson. Did the radio visit in the 3rd inning. Sat next to a Sox scout, and also next to Tony Bucciferro (was on clipboard duty tonight). Got some good info there too. Got video of all three pitchers (Hansen, Throne, Bollinger), and some of the position players (May, Anderson, Barnum, others I can't remember right now). Also, I helped pull the tarp. Barefoot. Articles will go up in coming days. Need to transcribe a bunch of stuff, edit some videos. Takes time. Tomorrow night at Winston-Salem, same routine.

Leaving personalities and names aside, because it is way too early to see who will run and how they will do in the primaries... here are some interesting mechanical dynamics that will be a big part of things in 2016 that we CAN look at now... 1. The SCOTUS decision on the Voting Rights Act, and its effect on voter ID laws... depending on how much suppression the GOP in certain states gets away with, that could take a very real chunk out of the Democrat's chances. In their corner is the fact that most of the places this is going on are not going to go for a Dem Prez candidate anyway, most likely. But it WILL have an effect on House and Senate races, and people keep forgetting that whatever you think of Obama's Presidency, it is clearly Congress (both parties) that has more thoroughly f***ed us over than the President has. So how the following investigations and court cases on voter ID laws go will have some importance. 2. Part of the reason Obama won more thoroughly than many projected in 2013 is their very, very solid and even innovative technology usage was in their ground game strategy. Those tools were huge. Now, any Dem candidate will probably have similar resources at their disposal, which favors them. But, you can bet your ass the GOP will be looking to do something similar, and the gap will close to some extent. So keep an eye on GOP efforts in this arena (statistical analysis, etc.) to see how they may fare. 3. Where will the economy stand in 2016? No other issue will matter more. Ironically, if the economy is going well, it will matter a little less, but will still be key. So watch the UE numbers, markets, housing market, etc. 4. Obamacare will finally be in full, deep effect by that time - and like it or not, the Dems need to live with that mixed (at best) bag around their necks. So it will be key to see how the health care world for the average Joe/Mary looks at that time. 5. The Republicans continue to wrestle with an internal schism - the establishment GOP is being pulled apart from not just one, but two directions: The Tea Partiers (aka "I'm more conservative! No, I'm more conservative!" which is what it has become), and then the Libertarian types. Both groups have only been getting frothier as time goes on, which will make it very difficult for the party to come up with any sort of cohesive set of policy thoughts. This could make things very messy for them going into 2016. 6. Finally, the 2014 midterms - cannot ignore this, it is a referendum on not only ObamaCo, but the current and historically useless Congress. This will set a tone. So, lots to discuss... the individual people running isn't even among my top 6 things worth watching right now.

QUOTE (thxfrthmmrs @ Aug 23, 2013 -> 12:25 PM) I think one publication had Chris Bassitt as a preseason Top 10 in the org earlier this year, and I think he has to be sniffing Top 10 again, even though our system is much improved. At 6'5", he has the ideal frame for a major league pitcher, and he supposedly threw around mid 90's as a closer in college. He also just shut down a pretty impressive Tennessee offense. I think he has potential to be the next Andre Rienzo. You may be thinking of Myles Jaye, who was at #9 on BPN when no one else had him T20. I did see one guy, can't remember who, who mentioned Bassitt as a darkhorse to watch this year.

QUOTE (BigEdWalsh @ Aug 23, 2013 -> 10:22 AM) Maybe someone should tell Tyler that. I'm sorry but that's a real stupid way of thinking. I know that you're alluding to the fact that it's not just about the stats but about development, but you can't just throw the stats out the window either. Tyler Danish's stats say a lot. Just as do Nick Parent's. How much stats say about a minor leaguer isn't a solid thing. First of all, they mean more as you move up levels - what a guy does in AA and AAA can tell you a lot. What a guy does in Rookie ball tells you very little. It also depends a lot on age - both actual age and development age (which are not always the same). And one final piece, which is very difficult to know, is that the numbers can often be skewed (especially in the lower levels) by developmental efforts being made specific to the player. A pitcher may be focusing on a certain pitch or two, a hitter may be trying to hit a certain way. Add all that up - Tyler being in Rookie ball (until now), being a high schooler, having played in a less advanced high school league, and being a pitcher on limited innings... should all tell you that his numbers mean very little. Not NOTHING mind you, but, not a lot either.

QUOTE (bbilek1 @ Aug 22, 2013 -> 08:43 PM) Tony Bucciferro was a 14th rounder out of MSU last year. Rechhia was a Windy City Thunderbolt stand out and a NDFA as you said. Correct on Bucciferro, not sure why I put him in with Recchia and Sanchez there. Sometimes these things cross over in my head.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Aug 23, 2013 -> 12:11 AM) Jake Cose has had a phenomenal August thus far at W-S .I'd like to know his FB speed , what off speed pitches he throws, and what pitches does he consider a work in progress or pitches he'd like to work on developing. He is among my top targets for the W-S game. Meantime... his fastball is still rangy in terms of velocity, runs 88 to 93, usually 90-91... but he has an array of breaking stuff, and has a low 3/4 slot he usually uses that gives him some serious movement on those pitches. He also sometimes drops down to full sidearm. He's primarily a deception guy, but when he's hitting his spots, he can be very tough to hit. Remember too, this is a converted position player who is still developing as a pitcher. So there is more ceiling room there for him.

QUOTE (QuickJones81 @ Aug 22, 2013 -> 08:25 PM) I think he's still only 23. I have been keeping an eye on him too. Bucciferro, Lopez, and Cose are very interesting pitchers that don't get much talk. If one of them hits and becomes a real impact prospect that would be huge. His fastball only touches 90, but he's got superb control over an array of pitches and a sinking fastball. We'll see if that plays at higher levels, but he's definitely a guy to keep an eye on. Him and Recchia were both NDFA pickups this year I believe, so that is some nice scouting. If one of them turns into something, great. Jacob Sanchez in the same mold.

I will be on the radio with Josh Feldman during the Kanny game Friday night, and the same with Brian Boesch for the Dash game Saturday night. Below are the links to the broadcast feeds, which I recommend listening to anyway (if you don't already), but in particular if you want to hear me drone on about prospects... Kanny (go to page, click link for your device to start feed): Link W-S: Link The @FutureSox Twitter account will be updated with the specific inning we'll be on, when we know that.

QUOTE (bbilek1 @ Aug 22, 2013 -> 03:40 PM) I would like some information on Trey Michalczewski. He seems to have great discipline at the plate but little results in terms of average to this point. Also interested on how his power and speed measure. Balta is the guy for that one, but I do want to throw out there... he is very young and raw. I wouldn't expect a lot in terms of results from him yet. He's got a big adjustment to make. He'll probably spend some time in fall instructs in AZ, and then next season we'll get a better idea of what he can do results-wise. Right now, scouting a guy like that is looking at softer stuff like pitch recognition, bat plane and speed, athleticism, in-at-bat adjustments, defensive tools (arm, glove, lateral movement), etc. Not so much the hard and fast results.

FutureSox will be in-person at three minor league affiliates within the next week. I will be at Kanny Friday, and W-S Saturday. Balta will be at Bristol on Monday. For the Kanny and W-S games, I'll be on the field during BP and warm-ups, doing interviews, etc. During the games I'll be in the scout seats taking pics and videos, and copious notes. Articles on FS will follow. Also, for the W-S game, I'll be a guest in the radio booth (for those who occasionally go to wsdash.com/broadcast to listen in), and possibly with the TV crew as well. If anyone has specific requests for information or targeting specific prospects, post them here. We will also be tweeting live @FutureSox, if you are on Twitter.

So, we know he's just an org guy and all, but... I am truly surprised Chris Curley isn't in B-Ham right now. They are playing filler at multiple infield positions now that Semien is gone, they are headed for the playoffs, and Curley leads the Carolina League in a whole host of offensive categories.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Aug 20, 2013 -> 10:35 AM) Who is the odd man out in the rotation next year? Seems to me Erik Johnson needs to be up here and there are too many pitchers doing solid work at the major league level for the Sox. God I would love to get rid of Danks and that contract. Not sure, but it is a nice problem to have, yeah? Sale, Danks, Quintana, Santiago, Rienzo, Johnson... pick your 5. As for Danks, he's in his first season back from surgery. No one should expect him to be back to form - he is getting innings, much as Peavy did his first season back. Next year is the real test.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Aug 18, 2013 -> 01:34 PM) Miguel Gonzalez with an RBI double cutting the lead to 3-2. What's the word with this kid? Only 23 years old and already in AAA. Is he much of a prospect? Was at one time ranked as high as #8 in the Sox system. BA has him as best defensive catcher in the entire org the past 4 years straight. Just hasn't really hit for anything since rookie league in 2009. Last year he wasn't even starting. Seems like they may be giving him a second look now though.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Aug 16, 2013 -> 12:10 PM) Speaking of, he's actually having a really good season in the California League this year. Still only 22. Are we thinking that is his real age?

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 16, 2013 -> 05:48 AM) What I find puzzling is why whatever issue this is would bother him in the field but not on the bases or at the plate. Not at the plate? Alexei has had a very different year than usual. He hasn't been as awful as some suggest, but he's lost a lot of power numbers. He does seem different at the plate to me.

QUOTE (danman31 @ Aug 15, 2013 -> 10:26 PM) 5 of the 9 organizations with affiliates in the Appy League have short season affiliates in the New York Penn League or Northwest League (clearly a higher level). 4 of those 5 have 3 short season affiliates. KC has 3 teams in rookie leagues (Appy, Pioneer, Arizona). The Sox treating the Voyagers as a higher level means at least 6 of the 9 teams in the Appy League (without knowing how KC uses their 3) treat it as the second highest short season team in the org. Minnesota and Atlanta put their top rookie teams in the Appy. 4 of the 8 organizations with affiliates in the Pioneer League have teams in the Arizona League (the complex leagues, Arizona and Gulf Coast, are the lowest leagues). Throwing in the Sox that's 5 of 8 that put their top rookie team in the Pioneer League. KC again has a team in the Pioneer League so they are on the bubble so it could be 6. Colorado and Arizona have affiliates in the NYPL and the NWL so they put their second best rookie team in the Pioneer. So no, the Appy is not higher. The difference may not be that large, but the Pioneer is used as a higher league by more teams. Wow, nice research. Interesting. So... seems like the Sox players on each team should perform a little more similarly, relative to their leagues. Yet GF is usually a powerhouse, and Bristol is.... not.

QUOTE (bbilek1 @ Aug 15, 2013 -> 05:53 PM) He probably saw that Marjama has been playing 1B in Barnum's absence. I'm assuming that is just temporary, so that they can cover the position and get Marjama more at-bats.