NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 29, 2013 -> 01:17 PM) Beck's best pitch is a sinker? If Shirek was throwing THAT well, up to mid 90's, why didn't he come close to making it? Sinking fastball. It's an FB, but has a bit of downward movement on it. Shirek touched 95, was more often 92-93. His other stuff was mediocre, and at least until his last MiLB season, tended to wear down as the season went on. He wasn't a big guy, and had a high effort delivery. He pitched to contact a lot, got a lot of ground balls, but didn't miss a lot of bats. He didn't really get good enough with his arsenal to maybe make it until he was old for level, and stuck behind better pitchers, so he went to Korea. Supposedly he's been doing well over there.

QUOTE (bbilek1 @ May 29, 2013 -> 10:57 AM) Very true. I remember DeMichele not exactly being set at 2B when he was drafted. Anyone know if he can play another position? We asked him that, sort of, in our interview with him here. Basically, he played some SS in high school, but in both HS and college there were strong true SS's on his team so he didn't get much play there. At the very least, it would be a significant learning curve for him.

QUOTE (bbilek1 @ May 29, 2013 -> 10:56 AM) Shirek would be a good basement for Beck with maybe Jon Garland being a ceiling? Not sure Garland is a good match in terms of pitches for a comp, but I don't know of a good one off hand either. I'd agree Shirek is a basement for him, and given Beck's better strength and frame, I'd say there is a better than even chance he beats that if he stays healthy. Where from there though, I'm not sure.

I'm a buyer on Phegley, I've considered him more highly than others the past couple years. And his biggest known weakness, abilities as a receiver, are in line with something Flowers isn't doing well anyway. That said... just be prepared for the fact that Phegley will likely have an adjustment period in the majors too. If he comes up in June or July, I wouldn't expect him to produce a ton this year. More next year. There is also the wildcard of handling the pitchers. This is something that Flowers has been noted to be good at, and I honestly haven't heard much one way or the other on Phegley. So really... no reason to rush him up, and I agree with giving Flowers as much of a chance as possible. Once we get through June though, depending on how the team is doing, it might be time.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ May 4, 2013 -> 04:26 PM) I'm optimistic on Beck, but I'd still like to see more strikeouts. He's not missing a whole lot of bats just yet. He's currently profiling a bit like Shirek - hitting mid-90's with a sinking fastball, getting lots of GB's but not striking out a ton. Beck has better potential than Shirek did, and physically they have very different builds, but their primary pitch is almost identical.

QUOTE (The Ginger Kid @ May 24, 2013 -> 12:56 PM) I see Mitchell is back off the DL. Anyone know what's the health status with Hawkins? Hawkins now resuming baseball activities, not sure of return date. BHam now has an OF of Walker, Mitchell, Thompson and Earley. Someone is going to Charlotte soon I'd bet, and my guess is its Thompson.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 26, 2013 -> 04:02 AM) No, I wasn't referring to you...well, it doesn't matter, it's the nature of scouting to make comparisons. As for Daniel Webb, it would be interesting if we could get some confirmation from other sources (for example, radar readings outside of BIRM)...I have a hard time believing he's hitting 100 MPH, but we'll see. You hear that high 90's heat mentioned so much today, you take it almost with a grain of salt...like a sub 4.40 forty time. I know of at least two people who have seen it in person, and I've seen people from the org say it. He's solidly high 90's and hits 100 on occasion.

QUOTE (beautox @ May 25, 2013 -> 09:05 PM) a couple of things, is Webb on the fast track? I see he pitched 2 innings down at AA if our pen continues to struggle whats a realistic ETA? Everything I've seen and read with regards to E. Johnson says he will be a #3 with a solid 4 pitch mix and mid 90s fastball, does anyone see more than that from him? what would be some real comps for him? for May Trayce Thompson .296/.436/.423 - .859 OPS in 19 games with 16BB/19SO, is he finally turning those tools into skills and if continues to improve at this pace does he finish out the year at AAA with a cup of coffee in Chicago? What are some player ceiling comps for Sieman and Micah Johnson? Lowrie and Eric Young Jr.? QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 25, 2013 -> 09:11 PM) I don't think anyone in baseball is projecting Semien as a starter at this point, let alone utility guy in the bigs. As far as Thompson, it would be great if he could take over CF...but imagine the worst of Brian Anderson offensively (with the pressure already on the O) and you'll get an idea of what would likely happen were he to be the starter in 2014. Defensively, he would be a big upgrade on DeAza, who would either be traded or moved to LF with Viciedo at 1B/DH. Webb probably won't be an option until rosters expand...unless they trade Crain/Lindstrom/Jones (or send down Jones). As for Johnson, Harrelson compared him with Koehler, the guy on the mound for the Marlins last night. Said Koehler's fastball is just a notch higher, so that means 92-93-94 out of Johnson, touching 95. Definitely has a good shot at becoming a 3 if he can perfect that change-up he's working on. I really don't know where you get some of this stuff, caufield. Semien has been mentioned in national pubs as being just outside the top 100 or 150 prospects. He may or may not be a starter, that is still very debatable, but ..."let alone I utility guy in the bigs"? He may never make it, but I don't get your idea that he's not even a likely utility guy. Again with Thompson... Are you just trying to look cool by talking guys down? Worst of BA offensively? Again, possible, but come on now, there is a ton of time between now and 2014. Webb hasn't pitched more than a few games above A+, that's why he's not likely to be in Chicago this year, not roster space. If they think he's ready, which he's probably not, he will be up when they need him. EJ's change has become his best pitch. I think his ceiling is a #2 at this point, but #3 is more likely. His FB is 92-93 ish, scrapes higher. Has the SL and CB as well, and has 2 fastballs. Hard to give a comp, better to say he's got good fastballs with control, strong CH, two other pitches and very good mound presence. Micah is fast, but more importantly, is a smart base runner. But his key is all about OBP. This is a guy who could have been a top 5 rounds kick before an injury at IU. His defense needs work, but flashes brilliance. As long as he can keep up the OBP, and to lesser extents steals and AVG, he will get moved up and challenged.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 24, 2013 -> 08:13 PM) Please give me a reason to follow W-S besides games when Beck is pitching. Bassitt

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ May 23, 2013 -> 09:16 PM) We still have that righty, forget his name. We had Drew O'Neill as I believe a 2nd rounder from a low 3/4 who was compared to Linebrink stuff-wise, but his arm burst into flames (I think he's retired now) and then the following year we drafted another one who was supposed to be better, and who was supposed to move quickly. That guy got hurt but I think he's back in the system again. I think it was NSS who was all about that guy. Maybe we'll go to that one. I still can't remember his name, but he's a righty specialist prospect. QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 24, 2013 -> 12:18 AM) http://forums.prospero.com/n/pfx/forum.asp...&tid=113032 90% sure it's Dan Remenowsky you're referring to. QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ May 24, 2013 -> 07:40 AM) Kyle Bellamy, I remember now. What's he been up to? Wassermann was an AAP for me. Remenowsky is not a righty specialist at all. And Bellamy has been "up to" his second arm-related surgery in his minor league career, he's out all this season. Troncoso is about the only guy in AAA right now, as a reliever, who looks like he could potentially help. But he's probably no better than Omo or Heath right now. Marinez was supposed to be ready and good, but he's been pretty disappointing this year so far in Charlotte. Remenowsky may have been ready, but he had a knee injury and only just got back pitching like a week ago. Heath is what he is. That's pretty much it for bullpen arms in Charlotte worth even mentioning. The system has a few more interesting relief prospects in the low minors, but none to speak of at AAA right now.

Pretty sure he's not actually gone yet - but he is on waivers. If he's not claimed, he can be offered back to LAA for some cash. If they say no, the Sox can release him, or they can send him to AAA.

Nice outing for Hansen, he's a guy I was keying on to potentially jump onto the radar this season. QUOTE (witesoxfan @ May 24, 2013 -> 08:34 AM) Don Cooper is not going to have to work with Olacio at the MLB level until 2016 at the very earliest, and it's more likely he'll never work with him. Yeah, Olacio is at least a couple years away from even being in Major League Camp in ST, let along spending much time working with Coop. Also, there is no indication at all he's a reliever yet, and certainly not a LOOGY type. Santos Rodriguez wasn't even looked at as a LOOGY type guy, more of an overall late innings reliever - but we'll see how he continues to develop, if he does at all.

QUOTE (Jake @ May 23, 2013 -> 01:49 PM) I'm not saying that he should have had better numbers or hasn't improved, but a guy with a career .718 minor league OPS has a lot to prove. This year is encouraging, but in no way guarantees MLB production. There is a pretty good chance that he, too, would "struggle, predictably" if we push him up another level right just as he begins to figure out AAA pitching. I wouldn't say he guarantees MLB production either - very few guys coming out of AAA do. I'm saying that career minor league OPS number has very little meaning by itself.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 23, 2013 -> 01:45 PM) Of course, if a guy is going to "Get cold" while in Charlotte, that also probably means they have more to learn. I don't fully agree with that. All hitters have streaks, good and bad. And Phegley will not likely keep up numbers THIS strong all season. He'll come down from there almost certainly, but that doesn't mean the first 2 months were dumb luck, nor does it necessarily mean he's got some major flaw. It could be a real shortcoming, or it could be luck catching up with him, or both.

Pitcher handling isn't dumb, it is a real concern... but the key is, no one here knows how well Phegley does that. Defensively, Phegley is probably a below average receiver. But right now at least, Flowers is already that. Phegley has a plus arm though, and Flowers' isn't bad but isn't that good either. So you might actually gain a bit there with Phegley. But I don't blame Hahn et al for giving Flowers a solid half-season chance at least, before giving up on the guy. Another month or so is what I'd say he has, leash-wise, if he doesn't start hitting. QUOTE (Jake @ May 23, 2013 -> 01:20 PM) The guy has never posted good numbers at any level. You might want to give him a chance to solve AAA pitching decisively, not just over 34 games. This is not really true, and also misses the point. --In his draft year, Phegley skipped rookie ball to play at Kanny, and struggled with AVG, but did hit for some power, made decent contact, and he was heavily challenged skipping rookie ball like that. --In 2010 (his first star towards a full year) he went two levels (A+, AA) and posted 290's AVG numbers, but then his health issues hit. --2011 was his first almost-full year in the minors, and played AA and AAA - how many minor leaguers complete their first nearly full season at that high a level? Meanwhile he hit for a little power, and kep the contact rate solid. Despite a hand injury he was recovering from. --2012 was his first true full season, healthy, in his minor league career. And he was at AAA doing it, less than 3 years from being drafted, and having just 800 career AB's (equivalent to about 1.5 minor league seasons). He struggled, predictably. But his contact rate was actually improving. --Now in 2013, finally with a full healthy season under his belt and having AB's that are a little closer to normal for someone going to AAA... and he's finally living up to the bat potential (and then some) that made him a high pick. You have to look at the whole story.

RV has few tools to use there, I don't see criticizing him in that scenario. I have no problem with his decisions there. Bringing up Webb is crazy talk, he's pitched all of a handful of games above A ball. But you will get your wish soon. If Omo and/or Jones continue to struggle, they'll call up Troncoso or Heath. But I'm not sure either will be better than Omo at this point.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ May 23, 2013 -> 09:52 AM) I imagine the same people that are questioning the social media habits of a 19 year old also think that Jay Cutler's body language means that he doesn't care about winning. I think people should take it for what it is. It is data. It isn't meaningless, but is sure as heck isn't a complete picture of the person either. He comes off in interviews, and yes on Twitter, as a kid who has a lot of growing up to do. Which isn't surprising, and isn't a huge problem, but it is something to keep in mind when evaluating him.

QUOTE (thxfrthmmrs @ May 22, 2013 -> 04:02 PM) Is there a link to the video? Nathaniel Stoltz from Beyond the Box Score posted it on YouTube, he has a whole channel on there with literally dozens if not hundreds of videos, many of them from Kanny or W-S games. Take a look there, or on Stoltz's twitter feed.

QUOTE (BaseballNick @ May 22, 2013 -> 03:51 PM) How would you use a walking lead from 2nd? The only time I've ever seen anyone use a walking lead is when the pitcher is in the wind-up... I've seen video. At 2nd, he starts a walking lead, then reaches a point and sort of walks paces in place, facing the pitcher. From 1st it is a similar thing, but he is facing 2nd base instead of the pitcher.

QUOTE (bbilek1 @ May 22, 2013 -> 03:51 PM) Could you elaborate? Seems he is saying we may be overanalyzing if we are trying to get a read on Hawkins' make-up based on his Twitter feed. And that is at least partly true, I think.

What ever happened to Kyle McMillen? 2011 4th round pick, pitched briefly in 2011, disappeared. I must have missed something.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 22, 2013 -> 10:05 AM) Let's not forget another elephant in the room. John Danks, other than 2008, has never been known for being particularly efficient or having low pitch counts. Take away his good stuff, he doesn't have many "swing and miss" pitches. It's like the rap last year from scouts against Quintana...where they felt he would struggle the most, not having a dominating strikeout pitch. So you have an ouchy Sale again, Peavy, who you wonder how long he can continue to be the workhorse after fading down the stretch in 2012, Quintana/Danks/Santiago/Danks all with major question marks about how often they can give you much more than 5+ innings. I'd be pretty surprised if they didn't experiment with the six man rotation again...before they send Santiago down to start in AAA and leave Axelrod up. The bolded... what does that even mean? How many pitchers have MANY swing and miss pitches, taking away their "good stuff"?

Micah 42. Then CS trying to take 3rd. 42 for 51 so far this year, good for 82.3%.

Barn burner in Kanny, already 4-4 mid-2nd. Micah with SB #41.

QUOTE (MnSoxFan @ May 22, 2013 -> 09:45 AM) I have Kanny with 27 active players. Late last week, they recieved Tanner from W-S, Grabe and Ramirez from Ext ST, and activated Marjama. They sent 2 catchers to Ext ST, those two were Fisher and Rosario. That indicates they went from 25 to 27. I was hoping they finally released Tyler Williams and Palmiero's kid. Have not seen anyone put on DL or anything, anyone know what went on there? They released a couple guys, Kyle Robinson and Ruben Sierra Jr.