Lillian

As I posted in the pre-game thread; Quintana's velocity has been down 4 - 5 mph, on his fastball, at least the last couple of starts. Perhaps that accounts for his "nibbling". He's probably trying to get guys to swing at bad pitches, because any fast ball in the zone is likely to get hit hard. I missed the first 40+ pitches today. Was he still around 88 - 90? We may say Rodon sooner than we thought. They might as well bring Johnson with him.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Apr 19, 2015 -> 09:13 AM) I was seeing 91-93 I was watching the posted velocity, and I never saw a single fastball over 90, from around the 3RD inning, on. As I said, he was consistently 88 - 89. That is Johnny Danks speed, and down from Jose's normal 93 - 94. Maybe that's why he was working so slowly. He and the catcher were trying to figure out what to do, given the lack of velocity.

If Quintana's velocity isn't better than it was in his last start, we may have to start worrying about his health. His fastball was consistently 88 to 89, for most of the game, after the 2ND inning. I didn't see the beginning, so I don't know how hard he was throwing early.

Another 3 hit game for Sanchez. He's on fire!!! Hitting around .500 vs both RH and LH pitching. Small sample size, just 7 games, but impressive, nevertheless.

It just might turn out to be a blessing. If this team really has the talent we think it has, this will be a chance for it to show its true mettle. It's going to be a real test of their character. If the roster is lacking, particularly in the bullpen, there is plenty of time to fix it. In either case, they can't be as bad a they look so far.

CF Eaton LF M. Cabrera 1B Abreu RF Garcia SS Ramirez C Soto 3B Bonifacio/Beckham DH Shuck 2B Johnson

Shuck with 2 more hits today. Now batting almost .400, with 4 for 4 in stolen bases, and solidifying his place on the roster, as the 4TH outfielder.

Another 3 at bats for Avi, with no strike outs. That's 1 SO in 35 at bat, on the Spring. I'm focusing on that stat, as I regard Garcia as a key player for our offense. If he hits, the Sox could score a lot of runs. I love the .400 average, but the contact rate is even more impressive.

Micah just stole second. What amazing acceleration. Just Wow!!!!

One of the things that I find most notable is that Avisail Garcia has just 1 strike out this Spring, in 28 at bats. If he can continue to put the bat on the ball, look for big things from him!!!!

I'd love to see some video of his 3 hits in yesterday's game. I'm curious to see if his swing was really any different. As long as he has been struggling, in his career, wouldn't you think that he would have changed his swing, a long time ago?

After yesterday's performance, I was looking for the inevitable piece on "Beckham Makes Adjustments", and saw this: http://m.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article/113...wing-adjustment So, does anyone have an idea what the mysterious "swing adjustment" might be?

Wouldn't you know it? All of this "ragging" on Beckham, and then he has a day like today.

Thank you, "Stan Bahnsen". Well put.

QUOTE (GREEDY @ Mar 17, 2015 -> 08:11 AM) Really could use a right handed outfield bat to spell Laroche at DH vs LHP. Adam would still be very valuable in a pinch hit role where you can force an opposing manager to burn two relievers, or let Laroche hit in a plus matchup vs a righty out of the pen. Thank you. That was precisely what I said, and that was the point of starting the thread. I really like having a good left handed bat, or two, on the bench, when there is a lefty starting for the opposition. Having those bats available to face tough RH relievers is a point, which you and I are making, but few here seem to want to comment on. Until your post, that point was almost entirely ignored. Again, thanks for bringing the discussion back to the central point.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Mar 16, 2015 -> 12:10 PM) So let me get this straight, we need a good RH bench hitter, but JB Shuck should be that good RH bench hitter even though he is a lefty, because of his 628 Major league at bats over 4 seasons? I understand that it might seem confusing, so let me clarify what I said: I suggested that, ideally, the bench would include a good hitter vs LH pitchers, because both Gillaspie and LaRoche do not hit them very well. Many suggested that the Sox would not be willing, or able to make any further additions, and that bench would likely have to consist of guys already on the roster. I responded by noting that Shuck, although left handed, does hit LH pitching very well, in fact better than RH pitching. Therefore, if they are not going to add anyone, he may be the best candidate to spell LaRoche at DH vs. LH pitching. If you don't like that plan, please suggest a better one. Moreover, maybe at 35, it wouldn't be a bad idea to give LaRoche some time off. He really has struggled versus lefties, particularly in recent years.

QUOTE (flavum @ Mar 16, 2015 -> 10:56 AM) He threw one into CF yesterday. You know Shuck is a lefty? Yes, I know that he is left handed, which I stated. However, in his brief career, he has actually hit lefties very well. Last year, at AAA, he hit .355 vs. lefties. His career stats in the Major Leagues are: .293 .333 .353 vs. LHP, which is better than his numbers vs. RHP. He has been a better hitter vs. lefties, which although is unusual for a left handed hitter, seems to be a consistent trait of his.

Regarding Soto: Can he still throw? Isn't there an issue with his arm? He used to have a good arm.

Do you guys think that Shuck is good enough to replace LaRoche as DH, on days when a tough lefty is starting for the opposition? La Roche has really been pretty bad vs. LHP, in the last few years. Moreover, I really like the idea of having Adam available as a late inning pinch hitter, on those rare days, when he isn't starting. If Shuck took La Roche's spot at DH, would the lineup vs lefties be as follows?: CF Eaton LF M. Cabrera 1B Abreu RF Garcia SS Ramirez DH Shuck C Soto 3B Beckham 2B Johnson

Now that it appears more and more likely that Micah Johnson has reinforced the front office’s sentiments, that he is indeed the guy who should get the starting job at second, the regular positions are probably all decided. Sanchez will be headed back to Charlotte, where he should get regular playing time, as the starting second baseman. So, who will comprise the 4 position bench players? Beckham will likely be the platoon partner for Gillaspie at third and, or the defensive replacement for Johnson at second. Bonifacio will be a reserve outfielder, and the one who is most capable of playing CF, if Eaton has to miss any time, due to injury. Of course, he can also play second. Although it isn’t yet decided, one of Brantly, Soto or Kottaras will be the back up catcher. That leaves one spot open on the bench. The most likely candidates are J. B. Shuck and Tyler Saladino. That isn’t a bad bench, but lacks one solid right handed bat. Would you really ever want to use any of those guys as a pinch hitter versus a tough left hander, much less bench LaRoche as the DH against a lefty? Shuck actually has hit LHP better, even though he bats left handed. However, he doesn’t have any power. It’s too early to have much of an opinion on Saladino. I’d like to see the Sox acquire a solid RH hitter vs LH pitching, who could take LaRoche’s spot in the line up, vs. tough lefties. That would leave both Gillaspie and LaRoche available as late inning pinch hitters, against tough RH relievers. He wouldn't have to have a lot of power, but at least provide a respectable OBP, perhaps with some speed. Is there any player out there, whom the Sox could acquire, who might fill that role of a RH hitting bench player?

Thought many of you would want to see this: "30 Clubs in 30 Days" on MLB.COM Tonight it's the Sox, with Dan Plesac, at 7 P.M. EDT

Apparently, we are seeing why he is ranked as the 2ND best prospect in Baseball, at his position, .

If Johnson is the starting second baseman, Sanchez has to be in AAA, getting playing time. He is still very young. Beckham could also be used as a late inning defensive replacement at second. That might be his best fit on this squad, as he really doesn't offer better offense than Gillaspie vs. LHP, bad as Connor has been against southpaws.

If this is representative of how Micah turns double plays, I don't want to see him at second: http://m.mlb.com/video/v43049883/cwsoak-sa...-vs-as/?cid=cws He makes several plays on this clip, but the one that caught my attention was the double play. The play starts at :25, and demonstrates his foot work at the bag, and a not very pretty throwing motion. He'll have to do better than that

Starting the season at Charlotte, ostensibly to work on his change up, makes the most sense. That provides "cover" for his not being on the parent club, right out of the gate, for those who might question the organization's motive. Actually, it also wouldn't hurt for him to be able to rely on that pitch, as it would put much less stress on his arm, than throwing all of those sliders. If he used the change enough, he might be able to throw more innings, than he is accustomed to, with the collegiate schedule. If he can add that pitch to his fast ball and that devastating slider, he could become something really special.