NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 26, 2016 -> 07:32 AM) Very happy to see this. So am I. The college experience isn't just going to classes, it's supposed to be students' first time "on their own", learning to deal with life. The whole trend towards safe spaces and assorted other sterilizing B.S. is stupid and at odds with the greater purpose of education. When some ignorant Trump supporter talks about liking him because "he's not P.C.", I cringe, because what they really means is "he's an asshole that makes me feel OK with treating others like garbage". But where I DO agree with the people who decry the "P.C. Police" is if the people listening to Trump or the like expect to get some sort of special protection from them. No, these are people you share your campus/city/country with, and as long as they aren't assaulting you, you'd better learn how to handle disagreements like an adult. Argue back, walk away, whatever, but in the real world you won't get some protective bubble in which to live in blissful ignorance of any reality outside the one you accept.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Aug 25, 2016 -> 10:59 PM) Thanks. Just going by his numbers I'd say he's got good command of his pitches while not having great stuff. Probably lives on the corners and knows what he's doing on the mound. That will play in lower levels . Hope one of his pitches is a change up. Just guessing if he doesn't have the stuff lack of speed differences on pitches will eventually catch up to him. Again that's total speculation on my part. The low walk total indicates control (ability to throw strikes), but not necessarily command (ability to get consistent desired location and character of a given pitch). He's also got a 61% GB rate, which indicates "heavy" stuff with some sink. Beyond that, I wouldn't read much into his numbers, other than an overall "could be something there, wait and see" approach.

He wasn't drafted at all, UDFA signing. I agree his numbers are quite good especially for that league, even for a 22-year old. But I honestly know nothing about his stuff, and have never even see video of him pitching. His numbers at Montevallo (D-III school) weren't anything special, FWIW. Can't find a single bit of scouting info on him via Google. Next time I'm talking with my local contact in Great Falls I'll ask.

QUOTE (Donaldo @ Aug 24, 2016 -> 08:07 PM) Is Adam Engel eligible, or is there some rule preventing a player from going two years in a row? No rule against it, but it is rarely done. QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 25, 2016 -> 09:39 AM) If they don't give Fulmer a number of big league starts in September I could see them sending him to get his innings up. Good call, that might be a good idea.

QUOTE (2005thxfrthmmrs @ Aug 25, 2016 -> 08:09 AM) What happened to Eddy Alvarez's speed? Dude went from 53 SB last year to only 10 this year. Perhaps an injury or something? His speed is fine from what I've seen, so I'm like 95% sure they just told him to not do that as much until he gets his hitting in a good place. One less thing to worry about.

Rob got an interview with Jameson Fisher, the White Sox 4th round pick in 2016. He turned it into a piece looking at his history and shifting path, including the effects of an injury and surgery, and switching positions. There's some really great stuff in here.

Sox Park it is. QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 24, 2016 -> 04:16 PM) One random thought. It doesn't seem to me that a guy looking to sell the team would be working on a naming rights deal. Sure they would - they want to sell it eventually, and the revenue stream adds value to the franchise.

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Aug 24, 2016 -> 11:51 AM) was not referring to Great Falls. OK, but his hot start there wasn't sustainable either. Point remains.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Aug 24, 2016 -> 11:32 AM) It's baseball also his numbers from Great Falls were A) not sustainable and B) were in rookie ball for a college player with a refined approach.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 24, 2016 -> 10:02 AM) Charlotte is officially in first place. As is Great Falls.

Saw Kubo and the Two Strings, with my 7 year old daughter. For kids that age or older, I highly recommend it. I enjoyed it too. But it was a little scary in some places for even the 7-year old, so I don't recommend going younger than that. Depends on the kid of course.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 24, 2016 -> 09:10 AM) I don't recall the Sox sending a draft pick to AFL immediately before. Has it happened before? Do other teams do it? It is very unusual. AFL is supposed to be mostly AA and above guys, with teams allowed one or two guys below that (sometimes they get an exception for one more). And draft picks in their draft year is certainly not typical.

QUOTE (bmags @ Aug 24, 2016 -> 08:17 AM) Do we think Blake Hickman will try out Winter ball or the sox will just start him up next year? Well he's doing sim games right now. I'd guess he throws in Fall Instructs. Winter ball I'm not sure, but we can ask him.

One of our newer writers, Owen, interviewed 3rd round pick (and very popular around here) OF Alex Call. He's on quite a tear, and here you get to hear him tell you why. We are interviewing a few high round picks right now. Coming soon: Jameson Fisher and Alec Hansen.

Collins is in for the AFL. I could swear there was a thread for this already, but now I can't find it. Oh well. My guess is the other 6 or 7 guys will come from this list (remember that it's mostly AA and AAA guys by the rules, though the rules are flexible)... Brad Goldberg (want to know what they have here, if anything) Blake Smith (same as Goldberg) Eddy Alvarez (needs to keep adding work to catch up) Danny Hayes (if he's healthy, to catch up on lost time) Jacob May (same as Hayes) Matt Cooper (same as Goldberg) Brian Clark (Actually went down in innings this year, could be MLB in 2017) Nolan Sanburn (missed time, just now getting a groove) Connor Walsh (was promoted to AA just in time to be AA for it - not a coincidence IMO, and needs refinement around a big fastball) Hunter Jones (Same as Walsh, and I've gotten a report from some scouts that maybe he's actually a prospect) ***Small chance that Tanner Banks or Mason Robbins could go from High A Instructs is a different beast. That will mostly be rookie ball guys, a few from A-ball levels. Just the youngsters.

QUOTE (BamaDoc @ Aug 23, 2016 -> 09:01 AM) An overlooked fact on organizational depth is the 40 man roster and transactions impact. If Burdi is added to the major league roster he has to be added to the 25 and therefore 40 man roster. He doesn't currently have to be there because he is a new draftee. If he is added, that means one less spot for another prospect so someone who is exposed to the rule 5 draft this winter. I see no reason to rush him, use up an option year and start his service time clock. He has performed well enough that if you "go for it " next year he will likely be in the bullpen mix but if you go for a rebuild looking at him as a starter is probably worthwhile. He, Hanson and Adams could be seen as future mid or higher rotation options. So with that said, I started to look at guys on the bubble and was hoping someone may be able to give some info on three players David Holmberg LHP. 25 yo and quietly having his best season in the minors. He failed previously with Cincy in some auditions but has something clicked? A WHIP about 1.0 at AAA and averaging over 6 innings a start. Nolan Sanburn RHP 25 at AA. Looks like he is getting a look late this year as a starter. ERA in twos and WHIP around 1 for the last 4 months. Any hope? Peter Tago RHP 24yo at AA. Former first rounder came to sox in 2015 and looked liked they helped him. Was maintaining improvement this year. Lights out in June and July then couple rough outings in Aug and on DL. These look like players that could help a team and might end up exposed/selected in a rule 5 situation. Any info on Tago's injury or the players as prospects is appreciated. Tago was already getting serious consideration for a September call-up, but then he fell apart in a couple outings and went to the DL. I'm told its a soreness issue, he's worn down so they shut him down. So he won't come to Chicago this year. He's a consideration for 4-man protection, but as a still-inconsistent AA arm, he may not be a high risk for being picked. Sanburn has been all over the map in his 2 years in the system. He's just now finally, maybe, getting settled in at AA. I highly doubt he's a September call-up candidate. No one is using a Rule V MLB pick on him. Holmberg is interesting. Starters are rarely picked in the Rule V. He also doesn't have particularly wide splits. I don't see him as a pick risk, so I don't think he gets protected. Also worth noting, he has some MLB service time, so I am not sure he's even eligible, and might be a minor league FA anyway. There are a bunch of guys who likely will be dropped from the 40 this offseason - Albers (probable release), Brennan (zero pick risk), Purke (no one much cares if he goes), Alfredo Gonzalez (who was an insurance pickup only), Morneau (FA), and I'd be shocked if Avi was still around in 2017. Plus Tilson to the 60 is in play, as noted by others.

QUOTE (bmags @ Aug 23, 2016 -> 08:29 AM) And Charlottes in first now right? Yup. 14 games UNDER .500, but a half game into first in their division. Good times. Great Falls is also in 1st place, 2nd half in the PIO North. 1 game lead. Kanny is sort of in their race too, at 30-27 in the 2nd half and currently 4 games back in their division. So there are three affiliates nominally in the chase for a playoff spot.

Here's the recap Lots of good starts. Hickman has had an odd season, hitting .270 with zero extra base hits.

QUOTE (Pods70Rowand33 @ Aug 21, 2016 -> 06:42 PM) Does anyone know why his SB's are down this season? When he started off in AA struggling with the bat, they had him shut down the steals so he could focus on the hitting. So I'm told anyway.

Nick Hostetler and his crowd took a different approach to drafting hitters in June. Are we seeing any statistical expression of those priorities? Brian Bilek takes a look here.

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Aug 19, 2016 -> 09:08 AM) Good stuff. Reminds me of a guy I followed back in the day, Derek Lee. http://www.baseball-reference.com/register...id=lee---002der 42nd rounder, eventually did get a cup of coffee with Twins. Wow. Dude was drafted in the 9th, 5th and 1st rounds, and didn't sign any of those times. Signed in the 42nd round as a senior.

Every year, FutureSox gets asked about a few hitters that are tearing up rookie league pitching. Doubly true if it's an obscure recent draft pick. This year, we've been bombarded with questions about Aaron Schnurbusch. So, is a big statistical season in the Pioneer League meaningful? I explored some history to put it into context, then used the context to evaluate Schnurbusch.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Aug 18, 2016 -> 09:58 PM) Callis. Maybe it's his French cousin.

Oops, forgot to post the recap link. Here it is.

QUOTE (ChiliIrishHammock24 @ Aug 16, 2016 -> 10:54 PM) Brandon Quintero having a nice game for AZL Sox. 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K. 13 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 11 K so far. He is 22 though. Quintero looked like maybe a sleeper last year, but he got hurt and didn't start his 2016 until the last few weeks. QUOTE (JLarucci23 @ Aug 17, 2016 -> 10:46 AM) Any reason why Jameson promoted yet? The reason Fisher, and even Schnurbusch, aren't going up yet is there's nowhere to play them. The Kanny outfield already has Call, Adolfo and Rodriguez (all legit prospects), plus Tyler Sullivan (who is fringy but worth playing). Too much of a crowd. One of them needs to move up to make room. Sullivan won't get in a prospect's way, but those other three aren't going to get benched for another prospect.