NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Aug 16, 2016 -> 02:52 PM) It's a result of better training and nutrition that has evolved with sports science. And an addiction to the radar gun from an early age - I think that's a factor too.

QUOTE (Hatchetman @ Aug 16, 2016 -> 01:51 PM) you asked for thoughts, so my thought is how does every pitcher nowadays throw 95mph? back in the stone ages that area was reserved for a couple of guys in the entire major leagues. now fringy guys who may never even sniff the majors throw 95mph That's been the trend for a number of years now, at least 15. Each year the average FB velo creeps up. There have been articles and even books written on the subject.

Here's the pitching version of the Next Wave series. A handful of interesting arms here, some of which could be in Chicago this year. Any thoughts on these guys?

Talked with Tyler again yesterday right after that tweet. Knee scope is the verdict. Out for the year but back well ahead of ST 2017.

QUOTE (winninguglyin83 @ Aug 16, 2016 -> 09:48 AM) Is Alvarez actually a legit prospect as anything more than a utility player? And what about Robbins? That guy gets 2 or more hits about three or four days a week. No power and he doesn't walk. But he's got 11 more hits than anybody in the CArolina league and leads the batting race (over Basto) 326 to .312. Alvarez probably has a utility role in his future, but a starting 2B isn't yet totally out of the question. On Robbins, read this.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 15, 2016 -> 04:44 PM) Tyler Danish ‏@danish_Tyler7 10m10 minutes ago Surgery Thursday the process starts now to get back stronger then ever! Heh. He told me it was precautionary. Apparently they found something else, or he didn't want me to know (which is fine, it's a personal thing for him).

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 15, 2016 -> 10:49 AM) Carlos Perez is another name that could have been featured there. He was on the Top 30 (at #30).

As we do after each T30, we're publishing lists of players who just missed the list. We call them Next Wave. Here is the position player version, looking at a dozen players that didn't make the list, but are worth keeping an eye on. The pitching version will be out in a day or two.

I'm actually good with seeing Narvaez play a fair amount the rest of the way. Avila and Navarro are gone after this year anyway. Narvaez isn't going to be a starter (barring injuries), but I think he might be a legit MLB backup. Might as well give him some more time on the field, and maybe that's a job you don't have to worry about spending money on next year. Worst case, he sucks, and you are where you were to begin with.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Aug 12, 2016 -> 12:38 PM) I shouldn't have been so outright dismissive but I really don't think anything will come of him. He has a 24% K% and a .524 BABIP. I wouldn't know how to go about looking up the highest BABIPs in minor league history, but assuredly so, he would still be at very top if not the highest BABIP in MiLB history. What I will give him credit for his ability to get XBH and ISO power so far. That's very impressive especially for a relative unknown even in the Pioneer League. Oh his .500+ BABIP and nearly .400 average are not sustainable. He'll come back down at some point (though there's less than a month left in their season). But its impressive enough that at the very least he's caught my eye. And hearing (mostly) good things about his defense, combined that's enough that he's one of those just-off-the-radar guys I like to keep track of and try to get more info on.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 12, 2016 -> 12:16 PM) Who is that in the picture? Felix Mercedes. Looks like the caption got shorted off.

Talked with Tyler. It's nothing serious, it's not arm-related, and it's precautionary. More details to come later from the team, but it sounds like not a big deal.

Oddly, he deleted the tweet. Trying to confirm what the story is. He'd actually just started to get good at AAA before this happened.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Aug 12, 2016 -> 03:18 AM) Schnurbusch is nothing to get excited about. Bank on that. Probably true, but wondering what makes you say that. I've been digging and getting the impression there might be something there, though I wouldn't confidently say he's a significant prospect yet.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Aug 10, 2016 -> 08:53 PM) Aaron Schnurbusch is giving him a run for his money. He's been fantastic for a 16th rounder. 2 for 3 so far with a homer. OBP over .500 after 40 games. 28th round pick. It's pretty absurd. I've been trying to dig up some better info. I'm told he gets to everything in the outfield, so apparently he has good range there and a good glove. He's also got a strong arm (not a surprise as he pitched in his 1st 2 years in college), but get's a little too cute at times and tries to throw guys out he has no chance to. In terms of his hitting and that BABIP, yeah he's got some hits falling, but he's also hitting the ball hard with regularity. Shows excellent speed. The Great Falls paper put out an article about him recently, and his mental and approach changes that he credits for making a big leap. Also quotes his manager saying he can't believe he was taken that late in the draft, FWIW.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 10, 2016 -> 12:13 PM) If he's throwing around 100 with command, and has at least another mediocre pitch, he can be a lockdown reliever for a long time and will be a steal at 26. He's got improving but still not great command of his fastball. He can throw strikes consistently, but not necessarily locate or paint. The slider, when it works, is a true wipe-out pitch that is downright nasty. But his command of it is far looser than his fastball command, and honestly with that much movement in velo, he may never be able to locate it with any precision. The change is around the fastball in terms of command.

Talked to someone who's been watching him pitch in person in Birmingham. His command has improved noticeably. So that's good. I'd still prefer he spent the remainder of the season in AAA, but it appears that's not the plan. By the way, here's the prospect profile with links to videos, an interview, and in-person scouting report, etc.

Reports that Burdi is headed to AAA. Also hearing he's likely only there very briefly before heading to Chicago. I see others reporting that too, perhaps from same sources, can't tell for sure. Here's his prospect profile.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 9, 2016 -> 03:10 PM) I want to say it is like 43 days? lol, that means he was 1 day short when they sent him down. He'll get it now.

QUOTE (bmags @ Aug 9, 2016 -> 02:42 PM) Oh dang Jason Coats is gonna get that MLB pension isn't he Well he already gets health care for life. Not sure at what point he earns a pension.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Aug 9, 2016 -> 02:33 PM) Still might go with Shuck in center lol Ugh, he's strictly an emergency backup there, or should be. Eaton can play CF. Shuck and Coats can platoon in RF, Coats also in at DH here and there. Even give Melky an occasional day off in LF.

I'd sure like to see the club actually give Coats a real look this time. Had just 29 plate appearances in over 40 roster days last time. Can't really expect a rookie to succeed like that. He should get some time vs LHP at DH, and some corner OF time when days open up. Can also be a D replacement late in games, PR and PH. Just to know if there's anything there. He doesn't have anything left to prove in AAA.

Owen (The_XSport on SoxTalk) interviewed Zack Collins late last week. He got in quite a few questions about the draft, his hitting approach, missing time to a concussion and a bunch of other topics. Here is the exclusive interview. He's doing quite well so far this season, by the way.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Aug 7, 2016 -> 07:56 PM) Never said he could be a starter, just thought he has been surprisingly good in his short stint He has, and I do think there's a chance he's a decent major league backup C. Though as others have said, it's a very small MLB sample so far. And he's not necessarily out of nowhere. The club likes him, but figured he'd get another year to develop first. With the injuries to Avila, then Smith, and losing guys on the wire, the stack just kind of came together this way. For a guy who had like 3 months above A-ball, he's doing pretty well.

QUOTE (Username @ Aug 7, 2016 -> 11:51 AM) Any chance Call gets called up to WS this year, or is that too aggressive? Stephens looking in like for a promotions soon as well. It's possible. There are guys like Fisher and Schnurbusch behind him who probably should move up too. The outfield in Winston-Salem has a couple guys I'd call actual prospects, though fringe ones (Landon Lassiter, Mason Robbins), but Suiter and Thomas aren't really prospects and shouldn't be blocking anyone. Robbins should probably get a look in AA anyway, and that roster has some filler that can be moved out of the way.