NorthSideSox72

Ravelo's last 10 games, he has 8 hits... all singles. He also has 5 walks, vs 2 K's. Lots of contact, good plate discipline, but little power.

QUOTE (Iwritecode @ May 25, 2012 -> 04:16 PM) Actually I think a worse business decision was moving the Sox to pay TV (Sportsvision) in the 80's while the Cubs stayed with WGN. Bingo. Up until that point, the Sox had spent decades outdrawing the Cubs regularly. Then two things happened. One of them was the business-stupid decision you mention here, and that is on Reinsdorf et al. They gave away local fans and regional fans. The other was the transformation of the neighborhoods - Wrigleyville ascending to be a hot spot, and the areas around Comiskey going further downhill.

Mark William Haddow, OF Born 12/02/1987 in San Diego, CA 6’2", 215 Throws: R Bats: R OVERVIEW/SCOUTING INFO Mark Haddow is a toolsy, athletic outfielder who was relatively old (23) on draft day from UCSB. In addition to being a plus athlete, scouts have said he solid-average speed, an average to plus arm, plus power potential and overall average to above average defensive skills at corner OF. He showed off the power potential in his rookie season at Great Falls, hitting more than twice as many HR's as anyone else on the squad. He's also been hitting a lot of doubles in 2012 in Kanny. The two marks against him in scouts' eyes are his advanced age, and questions about making consistent contact. At age 24 now in A-, the bar is set quite high for him performance-wise to get any attention. As for his contact rate, his 24% K rate in 2011 was not particularly encouraging (though not problematic either), but that K/PA rate has dropped to 19% in 2012. Since this is the main knock on his game, this is an encouraging sign. Minorleagueball.com mentioned Mark in the "next 10" of their Top 20 prospects list for the Sox in January of 2012. Here is a video of Mark hitting a walk-off HR for GF in 2011. A guy like Haddow, drafted in the 24th round and a year or two older most true prospects in Low A, will need to put up pretty big numbers with the bat to get any attention as a potential big leaguer in the future. So far he's done pretty well in that regard. At this point (May of 2012), you'll know the organization sees something based on promotions, if they happen. And he'll need to continue putting up big numbers, while keeping his strike outs down, all the way up to AA, if he's going to be taken seriously. PRE-COLLEGE NOTES Played at Scripps Ranch HS, San Diego, CA, as an outfielder. As a senior he batted .430 and was an all-League and all-Sectional team selection. Played in the Hawaii College Baseball League before entering UCSB, hitting .300. COLLEGE Haddow played 4 years at UC Santa Barbara, not starting his playing career there until age 20, and not playing as a starter until age 21 in his sophmore season. His soph and junior seasons, he put up decent but not spectacular hitting numbers, posting OPS' of .896 and .793, dropping off somewhat in that junior season. But he then broke out in his senior year, posting a .356/.437/.545/.982 line and leading the conference in batting average, getting the attention of scouts. SIGN/DRAFT Mark was drafted by the White Sox in the 24th round in 2011 as a 23 year old senior, signed 6/14/2011 for a $1,000 bonus. MINORS Haddow's professional career started at Great Falls (Rk) in 2011 after a quick signing, and he played 70 games between RF and LF (mostly RF). He led the team in home runs with 12 (next highest on the team was 5), SLG (.528), hits (84) and RBI (51), and finished with a .312/.375/.528/.903 line. He also walked 27 times (Iso OBP of .063), struck out 70 times (~25% K/PA), and stole 4 bases. And he picked up a Pioneer League POW honor in September. In 2012, he started the season in Low A Kannapolis as their right fielder, and as of 5/25/12 has a .309/.387/.485/.872 batting line. More importantly, his walk rate has increased (.078 Iso OBP), and his K rate has decreased (~19% K/PA). In his last 10 games (again, as of 5/25) he's got a .333/.405/.545/.951 line. PERSONAL/OTHER Big San Diego sports fan. STATS/REFERENCE MILB page Baseball Cube page Bronze Titan article, includes BA and Baseball Draft Report scouting snippets College Profile Video Interview with Mark on a blog

QUOTE (danman31 @ May 25, 2012 -> 02:16 PM) You sure like latching onto guys with no chance. Guilty. I like some of the low-round picks and NDFA's that perform better than anyone expects, even if they are long shots. Although Lucy and Dubler were actually supposed to be good and sucked. My track record with AAP's hasn't yielded a lot of success, lol. But I wouldn't go as far as to say Haddow has no chance either. Wassermann and Lucy are my only guys who made the majors, and neither made a terribly lasting impact. Remenowsky and Linza are still in the system, and are both serious long shots. Dubler is done but still around, Sergio Miranda was traded and is bouncing around the minors still. Garrett Johnson is gone.

QUOTE (danman31 @ May 25, 2012 -> 02:10 PM) I didn't forget about him, but he's not quite producing at his pre-injury levels yet. He was K'ing more batters then. We'll see, but the odds go down when you have a significant injury like he did. I don't disagree at all. Just pointing out that, hey, this guy is talented, still in the system, and would seem to be healthy, so let's not forget him. I wonder how his velocity is, now vs then.

Rangel Ravelo was pulled for a pinch runner after 1 AB. Maybe that is where they game was continued from? With him on base? If not, maybe an injury. Mark Haddow is 24 in A-, but he was 23 when he started at Great Falls last year (and when he was drafted), and he's been a consistently solid hitter these two years so far. 24th rounder from 2011. Played LF and RF last year, seems to be in RF this year in the boxes I've seen (Walker is the CF in Kanny). Draws walks (Iso OBP is .063 last year, .078 this year), doesn't strike out a ton and improving (23% K/PA last year, down to 19% this year). Hit 12 HR last year for GF, which was more than twice what any other hitter on the team did. So far this year he has 14 doubles in 165 AB, plus 3 trips and 3 HR. Scouting info I found... athletic, toolsy guy, solid-average runner and solid-average arm and defense at corner OF, plus power potential. His downfall in scouts' eyes was making consistent contact - if he can keep his K rate below 20% like he has been, that is a good sign, with the tools he has. Might be a guy to watch. I may have found a new AAP, to replace some guys I've lost recently (Lucy, Johnson, Dubler).

QUOTE (thxfrthmmrs @ May 25, 2012 -> 10:14 AM) I am bursting your bubbles but that was a continuation game from May 4th How is that bursting any bubbles? We all knew that, it was posted here, and in yesterday's thread.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ May 25, 2012 -> 08:42 AM) My nephew is 10 and he loves to sit back, relax and strap it down. I think Hawk appeals to a lot more people than a lot of this board realizes. It is definitely true that this board is not always a good reflection of the general fan base. While Hawk may only be liked by 25% here, I'd be he's over 50% among the fan base, based on how people talk about it.

QUOTE (Bridgeport Sox @ May 25, 2012 -> 12:53 AM) We have no where near 15,000 LOL we wish we had that kind of help LOL I was pulling a number out of the air. Probably should have looked it up. Looked it up. Hard to find a solid number published, but looks like 12-13k.

JorDanks drawing a lot of walks, putting up decent overall hitting results. Still Has a K/PA around 25% though. Kuhn continues to turn it around, and they are batting him leadoff in some games now. Kyle Bellamy looks ready for AA. People have forgotten him, but, he may have something to offer now that he's back and healthy. Leighton Pangilinan somehow managed to make 3 errors playing 1B, has 7 on the season already.

QUOTE (Tex @ May 24, 2012 -> 12:52 PM) Thank you. We will be basecamping most of the trip and day hiking with one or two overnighters with BPing gear. I am also interesting in driving some unimproved roads. I have a new to me 4x4 F-150 that needs some work. We are also dropping down through New Mexico on the way home, where is your property? Send me an email, so as not to thread-jack. You are welcome to use the property if you want to, I'll give you the location offline.

QUOTE (Jake @ May 24, 2012 -> 10:51 AM) A real question is....how did he only finish 22nd in MVP voting in 2006? .313 BA, 35 HR, 113 RBI EDIT: Clearly didn't help that Dye had .315/44/120 and Thome had .288/42/109 How did THAT team not win? lol They did, 90 times, and they were in a very tough division that year. Then in the 2nd half the pitching fell apart.

QUOTE (Tex @ May 24, 2012 -> 10:00 AM) BTW this summer the missus and I will be spending 5 weeks "camping" on South Padre Island inside a house with catered meals at a Boy Scout Sea Base. Then, three weeks following the Continental Divide into Yellowstone. Finally 4 days abourd a sailboat leaving port in Kemah, Texas and cruising the bay and out into the Gulf de Mexico. Email me about the CDT, I did a lot of research on the whole route when MOS was section-hiking it. Also, depending on which way you are coming from to go "into" Yellowstone, I may have done some sections myself. There was a not-for-profit called the Continental Divide Trail Association that was coordinating the efforts to finish the trail, but they went under a few months ago. I can get you maps and all sorts of other stuff.

Anyone here every play in a rec-level, or at least not super-competitive level softball league, and run into "that guy" who takes everything so seriously that he's a cartoon? My knee has been hurting so I was catching last night. This guy comes up, puts his hand to the ump for time, while he digs around in the box for about 20 minutes. Then he finally puts his hand down, and starts swinging the bat back and forth. So the ump says its on, the pitcher delivers a pitch, and just as the pitch is being delivered, he backs out of the box. Pitch is good, ump calls a strike. This dude looks at the umpire and says "come on man, I can't have a chance to get ready here? Do I need to f***ing say 'time out" or something?" And he's completely serious, looking all offended. The ump and I look at him, the ump says, "maybe you should. Will you get back in there now please?" Dude gets back in the box, all pissy, and proceeds to ground out to short, cussing all the way to first.

Every year, I think Paulie is finally going to start falling off. Every year, I'm wrong, and love it.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ May 23, 2012 -> 07:06 PM) You do know it's STARVED Rock, right? I do but I don't. I hear people say it both ways, then forget which one is correct. I didn't bother to look it up, I guess I should have.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 23, 2012 -> 08:47 PM) Usually there is a preregistration fee paid somewhere, an occasionally (like holiday weekends) things may even fill up. Try to find a state parks website for the one you're looking for and there's likely am online booking optionz Yes, check the websites from the links I posted. Different states, different parks, different rules. Usually some small fees involved, but often if you camp away from the parking areas (backcountry), it becomes free. QUOTE (farmteam @ May 23, 2012 -> 09:22 PM) Wow, you make this place sound awesome. Only 3.5 hours from Minneapolis. Researching it, I also found a place in southeastern Minnesota called Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park along the Root River that looks pretty neat. I should take some trips down there. Anywhere in the driftless area is great. Mississippi Palisades is like that too. Basically, the NE corner of IA, NW corner of IL, SE corner of MN and SW corner of WI. It looks entirely different than the rest of the upper midwest. The last glaciation left a sort of gap that it never hit, that is the driftless area. Lots of bluffs and cliffs, waterfalls, and different cover types.

Rooney and Farmer was a good team. Current Farmer/DJ radio booth isn't great, isn't terrible, but is waaaaay better than the current TV booth.

Charlotte was off, they re-start a suspended game today (5/24) B-Ham lost to Hunstville, 4-2 Mitchell 3-3, after going hitless in 4 games Loman, Smith and Espino 2 hits each Bayne 7.1 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 2 K W-S lost to S, 7-5 Thompson 2-4, 2B, BB Silverio 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI - since being added in early May, his line is .333/.333/.513/.846 Buch got hit around, 5 ER in 3 IP Marin 2 IP, 1 UE run, keeps his ERA at zero Kanny was off

Oh, another idea is Black River Falls State Forest, in Wisconsin. Its further away, more like a 4 hour drive. But its bigger, far more wilderness-like, and has gorgeous scenery. Also a couple active wolf packs in the area.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ May 23, 2012 -> 03:22 PM) Any particular spots or sites in Kettle Moraine you'd recommend? Butler Lake TH, there is water there, and you can hike in 3 or 4 directions from the area. There are shelters in certain places, other places you can tent camp, but you should check with the State Park about where you can and cannot, and if you need reserve permits or anything. I haven't been there in a while. QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ May 23, 2012 -> 04:02 PM) Planned on just driving up and parking, then walking a ways and plopping down a tent. I've fished at Starved Rock a lot in the past, that doesn't intrigue me much. Then I'd go Kettle Moraine - North, or Yellow River. Both have fishing opportunities as well (lakes in Kettle Moraine, creeks and the river in Yellow River), if you get the chance. Both will be quiet, lots of hiking opportunities, campsites, water availability, and not a ton of people. Also should mention, Kettle-South is a lot bigger (though more spread out and discontinuous), so the crowds get spread out and its not terribly crowded when I've been there. More crowded than North, but less so than, say, Starve Rock. Website for Kettle-North Website for Kettle-South Website for Yellow River

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ May 23, 2012 -> 01:39 PM) Any suggestions on some nice camping spots within 4-5 hours of Chicago? I've done a lot of camping in the past, but it's always been overnight fishing and hunting type stuff. I've never actually gone out camping without the intention of fishing/hunting, so I've been looking around for some nice campgrounds and such (West Michigan has a ton of nice ones) that I can take a couple friends out with for a night or two. Depends partially on what sort of "camping" you plan to do. Camper? From a car? Hike in? Canoe or kayak in? A few places I'd recommend... --Kettle Moraine State Parks, in Wisconsin. The south unit is only a couple hours from Chicago, the north unit is another hour or two north. North unit is quieter and less used, but a longer drive. Nice hiking trails, lakes to fish on, campgrounds around, towns with restaurants and what not nearby, nice scenery. --Yellow River State Forest in... Iowa. Yes, Iowa. NE corner of the state, a little NW of Galena, IL. It is in the "driftless area", much like Mississippi Palisades State Park (also recommended), has amazingly good scenery, creeks with trout in them, virtually unused hiking trails. My favorite hidden gem in the Midwest. About 3 hours' drive from the Chicago area. --If you don't mind the crowds, Turkey Run in Indiana and Starve Rock in Illinois are both scenic choices with plenty of nice camping areas. But they are heavily used.

QUOTE (greg775 @ May 22, 2012 -> 10:15 PM) The Cubs have a really really bad baseball team. I just can't imagine how they will fill that ballpark all summer. I know people go to Cubs games for reasons other than baseball, but still. It's a pathetic team. They aren't filling it consistently now. They sold out only 1 of 3 against the Sox.

Name to discuss: Jon Bachanov Picked out of high school in the comp round in 2007 by LAA... didn't pitch in 2008, out with Tommy John... 2009 but up some absurd numbers in the AZL (47 K vs 4 BB in 28.2 IP), that's AFTER the surgery... scouting reports incidated he has a plus fastball from low to mid 90's post-surgery, a plus slider as well, and a change-up... but then in 2010 in A ball he fell apart, can't determine why, but he did spend time on the DL that year. 2011 he joined the Sox system, showed well in Rk and A-, now he's in W-S High A. Currently 23 years old, striking out about a guy an inning, AvgA is encouraging. Was in the bullpen, but is now starting. So far as a starter in 3 games: 14.1 IP, 11 H, 5 ER, 6 BB, 14 K. He'll be an interesting guy to watch as a starter. This is a guy who had serious raw talent, so if his arm can hold up, he could be interesting.

QUOTE (chw42 @ May 22, 2012 -> 04:36 PM) I wonder how PK's eye looks. The color of the ink on that lineup card.