NorthSideSox72

Just got back from the Winston-Salem game. I'll be writing a new post tonight, to go up tomorrow, with more video. But his fastball ran 98-101, mostly on the higher end... and hit 102 once. Confirmed on 2 radar guns. Ridiculous. QUOTE (ptatc @ Jun 24, 2016 -> 09:55 AM) The only health issues would be the hip or back may be the shoulder if he drags the arm too far behind with fatigue depending on how consistent he is with it. There is only a couple of pitches on the video. It's more a command issue with all of the extra twisting. that's a great deal of extra motion to control, of course it could also be the extra force he generates to throw that hard. The low arm slot is always a debate. Mechanically it does but more stress on the elbow which he does not dissipate with the lack of follow through. With the odd beginning of the motion it may change this. i have no idea as I've never seen anyone start like that and haven't studied anything like it. Theoretically if he keeps his torso closer to his arm, it would decrease some of the forces in his arm. I'll be interested to see more video. I can see why there was a reluctance to start him in the past. I bet when he fatigues his command goes quickly. More video coming very soon.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jun 24, 2016 -> 10:04 AM) Where's the outrage of the Sox drafting a kid of a staff member? Or does that only apply when it's KW or Ozzie's kids? Oh I don't like them doing it at all. They also sort of did it with Jaxon Shirley in this draft, son of a Sox scout. But here's the thing - Bossard and Shirley are legit prospects, and these were late round picks, so it's not AS bad as it could be (though I think they are still wasted picks because they aren't signing). My outrage level though, was only reserved for KW Jr, who was drafted in the 6th round, when other teams didn't even scout him as a prospect. That was insulting and absurd.

The FS Draft Tracker is up to date. Stats: 28 signed 2 still playing 7 won't sign 4 open questions: Madden (25th - no idea on him), Bossard (31st, but I'm guessing he isn't signing or would have by now), Cooley (36th, told me directly that he and his family are discussing it), and Puglielli (who emailed Future Sox to say he has a commit to Barry University, but didn't say if that meant he was sticking with it) So really, Madden and Cooley are the ones I am trying to get info on.

QUOTE (oldsox @ Jun 22, 2016 -> 07:35 AM) Okay, so tell me. I think he's alluding to the fact that Alvarez was in AA despite just 1.5 years of pro ball, only a half season in A+, after not playing baseball for 3+ years. He's moved up very fast, and the jump to AA is usually considered the biggest in the minors. So some struggles should have been expected, although I personally didn't think he'd struggle THAT badly.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Jun 24, 2016 -> 08:49 AM) what is it with the sox and drafting pitchers with really odd mechanics. This guy starts with both feet on the rubber and his a$$ facing the hitter. Also another guy with no follow through and a low arm slot. Not a big fan of that. I noticed that closed-off start too, like Robbie Gould on the mound. But I am not sure that's a real health issue, is it? Just getting that trunk rotation earlier. The low slot is more my concern, but you tell me.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 23, 2016 -> 11:10 PM) Is there any talk of pushing him up to Chicago THIS season to fill the donut-sized hole where Albers/Petricka used to be? Did Burdi discuss that with Hostetler/Bell/Hahn was one of the conditions about being drafted by the Sox and his timetable? What about the rumors (his college coach at LOU was a proponent) of him getting stretched out potentially as a starter in the minors next year? If I get to talk with Burdi, I'll ask about any talk of MLB this year, and certainly about any possibility of him starting now or later.

The 26th overall pick, flame-throwing Zack Burdi, made his one-and-out pro debut in AZL yesterday. Our writer, Kim Contreras, was there, and got video and took some notes. This is FS-exclusive stuff. Here is the article with video embedded. He throws hard. Also FYI he's already on his way to full season ball, should be in Kanny or W-S tomorrow-ish. I'll try to chat with him if he arrives while I'm still down here.

Game was suspending in the 4th due to rain. I did get some video and notes though, and interviewed 8 players and their manager. So there will be plenty of content 'a comin'. I tweeted out a couple little notes via the FS Twitter for now. I'm in Winston-Salem tomorrow for Spencer Adams' start.

The rookie-level AZL White Sox started play a couple days ago. There are probably more interesting prospects on this club than any other affiliate, including a bunch of key recent LatAm signings (Adolfo, Reyes, Nunez, etc.), and some of the best younger-side talent from the 2016 draft (Hansen, Burdi, etc.). Here is a look at some of the key names on that team.

QUOTE (kingranch @ Jun 17, 2016 -> 06:56 AM) Jordan Stephens added a new pitch http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=2...lb&sid=milb Good catch, and welcome to SoxTalk!

Great Falls, the more advanced of the rookie ball affiliates, opens play tonight. We previewed the team here, including 13 of the players just drafted last week. The other rookie team, the AZL White Sox, open Monday (and we'll preview them on Monday as well). By the way, Great Falls is a team where it's been nearly impossible for us to get any in-person reports on prospects during their seasons. It's a pain to travel to so we've only had a writer actually go there once, and none of the friends of the blog seem to go either. So if anyone on here is from Montana or knows someone who goes to their games regularly and is interested in contributing to Future Sox any reports they have, let us know.

Hickman says he has signed - told me directly. No bonus info yet though. By my count, as of now, 20 picks have signed, including 7 of top 11 (10 rounds). They are currently, differentially, $253,200 BELOW slot (so that is savings), with picks 1, 1-S, 6 and 10 left unsigned (and 2 of those are still playing, with a third saying he's signing today). FS Draft Tracker updated to reflect all of that.

QUOTE (oldsox @ Jun 16, 2016 -> 06:51 PM) No more scorecards? Scorecards?

The DSL club started play recently. The LatAm pipeline has come alive the last few years for the Sox, and this is a key stop for some of those prospects. We take a look at a handful of players you should be aware of on that squad. Here's the link.

Recap posted Eddy Alvarez is starting to come around a bit. Hitting well over .300 in June.

Draft update post on Future Sox, including a bunch of reports we got ourselves (in addition to those being reported elsewhere). We've got about a dozen signees and another 6 or so that are on the verge, confirmed. Talked with some of the players. By the way, SoxPride18, I noted a "second hand report" about Cashman, and it's really you. Just wasn't sure how to credit you, haha.

Wow, thanks you two! We really appreciate that. Draft week is our biggest week of the year, and a bunch of the guys (not so much me) do a ton of work on the draft. Hopefully they see this.

Recap posted Zavala has been throwing out runners effectively this year. And Eddy Alvarez may finally be showing hints of life.

FYI, we've updated the Tracker with the first wave of signing-related updates. It's too early for many actual signings, but plenty of general indicators on players now.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Jun 10, 2016 -> 01:10 PM) You do realize those sites function in conjunction WITH Soxtalk, right? Not to mention that the poster specifically asked for a regularly updated list of White Sox draft picks. Which is not only exactly what the FS Draft Tracker is, I believe it's the only one of that kind that exists.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Jun 10, 2016 -> 12:58 PM) Usually it is in the first post of the pinned thread. I am guessing since most of the admins now are continuously trying to pimp out their blog site that practice has been discontinued. It's in the OP.

Some learning pieces on Tim Anderson... A current look at Anderson's development as a hitter, from this past May Detailed scouting report with links to videos, interviews, and his guest post he wrote for FS

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Jun 9, 2016 -> 10:56 PM) Why in the world is Ryan Leonards in AAA? He had 250ish A ball at bats in 2015 Was basically on the bench in A (47 AB) and AA(6AB) in 2016 and hasn't done much. And now he's in AAA? They do this with players occasionally, just for short looks, when they are minor league bench guys (which Leonards is). It's in part because Charlotte is right there near the A-ball clubs, sometimes. But I really wouldn't read a lot into it, unless he stays there AND starts for a while.

QUOTE (SouthSideSale @ Jun 9, 2016 -> 03:42 PM) Amazing that sending him down a level for a short bit then bringing him back up could turn him around so soon. What ya attribute that to? Look at his trends, I posted in one of the other threads recently. His first AA stint, his walks were way up but wasn't hitting. Now he's striking out about the same, but walks way down, and hitting better. That tells me he was going Jared Mitchell - hesitant, instead of selective. In other words, mental. Needed a kick in the pants, got it.

Prospect Profile on Tyler Danish, in case you don't know much about him.