Lillian

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Aug 11, 2014 -> 10:42 AM) Wilkins being a lefty power bat has made him Lillian's top prospect He may not be the "top prospect", but he could well be the most important position player prospect, precisely because of the need, which he could potentially fill.

The argument that the Knight's new ball park plays like a bandbox, isn't valid, when applied to Wilkins. He is not hitting cheap homers. He is strong enough to hit the ball out of any park. It is also encouraging that he doesn't strike out too much, for a guy putting up big power numbers.

Another point, which I made in a previous post, is that a left handed power hitter, to protect Abreu, is a top priority of the organization. There are very few candidates to fill that role, whom they could acquire in free agency, even if they were that eager to spend big money. Wilkins is the only player in the organization who could potentially fill that need. Why not do everything possible to try to get a better "read" on his chances? What is the point of leaving him in AAA?

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Aug 11, 2014 -> 09:10 AM) You're comparing MLB numbers to AAA numbers. That kills the validity of any argument you make immediately. You're comparing Jose Abreu to Andy Wilkins. That kills the validity of your argument. Also, Adam Dunn is one of the best DHs in the league against RHP, so I have no idea why you would say he's one of the worst and just assume it to be correct. I hate to be so absolutely blunt here, but this is one of the worst arguments for Andy Wilkins I have seen on this website. I have no problem with him getting a chance at some point, but simply saying "his AAA numbers are kinda close to Jose Abreu's MLB numbers but they're still worse!" and "Adam Dunn sucks" are not good arguments. You completely misinterpreted my point. First of all, Andy's numbers are not "kinda close", they're very close. But who is arguing that he would put up the same numbers in the Big Leagues? I certainly am not. The point I was making is that his numbers are impressive enough to consider him a top 20 prospect. Moreover, Adam Dunn is not good enough to be blocking his potential development, especially since he won't be back next year, and the trade deadline has passed. The larger point, which I didn't make, is that we will never know if Wilkin's is going to be able to hit Big League pitching, unless he gets enought at bats in the League. As some have pointed out, a September call up is always subject to criticism, owing to the reduced level of competition on opposing rosters, which also contain many Minor League call ups.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Aug 11, 2014 -> 09:11 AM) Yes, you are setting a triple A players numbers against a major league players numbers and saying it is the same No, I'm not. That is precisely why I qualified the comparison.

I didn't say anything about his being able to perform at the same level, in the Big Leagues. All I am saying is that Wilkin's performance is impressive enough to merit some time with the parent club, and certainly enough to rank him ahead of a lot of guys in the organization who are not putting up numbers even close to being comparable.

The following set of stats by two players are strikingly similar: PA Hits 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG 444 122 29 1 31 86 31 98 .304 .363 .613 452 124 30 1 28 76 28 82 .295 .338 .570 The first line belongs to MLB’s leader in HR’s and RBI’s The other set belongs to the AAA International League’s 25 year old leader in the same two categories. One is considered an amazing hitter and new super star. The other isn’t even ranked in the top 20 prospects, of the White Sox, a team whose farm system is very poorly regarded. He also doesn’t appear to be worthy of replacing Adam Dunn, one of the worst DH’s in the League, in the parent club’s line up. Something is very wrong here.

In addition to the very impressive numbers that Wilkins is putting up, there is an intangible factor here. To not give him a chance, sends the wrong message to our Minor League players. He could justifiably ask; "What do I have to do to earn a shot?" After all, he's being blocked by Adam "freaking" Dunn. The organization has previously stated that any young player who could prove himself, would be given a chance. What better time to demonstrate that they're sincere, than now?

I agree that the Sox should make every effort to dump Beckham, and give as many at bats as possible to one of their promising, middle infield prospects. However, Carlos Sanchez is my personal preference. He seems to have made the necessary adjustments, at each successively higher level of play, and at the young age of 22, is having a very productive season repeating AAA. His splits are especially intriguing: IN 263 AB as a left handed hitter he has been terrific: AVG. .338 OBP .392 SLG .468 His numbers from the right side are not nearly as good, which leads one to wonder if he might be better served by abandoning his switch hitting, and just bat exclusively left handed. Hitting from the left side would also maximize his ability to successfully bunt for hits, thus employing his plus speed. Sanchez is regarded as the best defensive middle infielder of the bunch, currently being considered, which includes Micah Johnson, Marcus Semien, and T. Saladino (TJ Surgery). Moreover, he profiles better at 2B than SS. Sanchez would seem to be the best candidate to replace Beckham. I see Semien as a possible platoon with Gillaspie, unless, or until Davidson figures it out on both offense and defense. That is, of course, if he can at least demonstrate the ability to hit respectably at Charlotte. That team has put up some very impressive offensive numbers, in games in which Semien hasn't really done much.

Most of you don’t seem to share my enthusiasm for Sierra, and that’s quite understandable. After all, he has never really been able to establish himself as a regular, despite his many tools. He is appealing to me, because he can also provide plus defense in the outfield. Eaton and Garcia will almost certainly comprise 2/3 of the outfield, and I don’t think that the Sox should sacrifice defense to fill the final spot. So, with that in mind, if the Sox acquire an outfielder via free agency, it should ideally be someone who could be that left handed, middle of the order hitter to protect Abreu, and a player who can provide plus defense in the outfield. Melky Cabrera seems like the best candidate to fill that role. He is having a pretty good year, especially vs RHP. I’m still hopeful that Wilkins is going to continue to progress, and keeping the DH spot open for him is also a positive. If the Sox signed a pure DH, that would preclude any chance of Andy making his way into the line up. Here is a potential line up vs. rhp: CF Eaton SS Ramirez 1B Abreu LF M. Cabrera RF A.Garcia DH Wilkins 3B Gillaspie vs RHP / Semien vs. LHP C Flowers 2B C. Sanchez That team has a nice balance of hitting, from both sides of the plate, including two switch hitters. It sports a good OBP, and adds one veteran to a generally young group. It would provide solid defense, especially up the middle, and features pretty decent speed. The best part is that it would only require one free agent acquisition, for which there should be plenty of money. Just add that one rh starter, and fix the bullpen, and they should be able to compete. I'm rooting for Viciedo to finish strongly enough to net them some pitching help.

Apparently, I need to revise my list of the "biggest needs" for the 2015 Sox. 1) Bullpen, 2) bullpen and 3) more bullpen. I was thinking that with Putnam and Lindstrom back, and maybe one more piece, that they might be OK next season. After the last few games, it appears they may need more than one more piece. They need two lefties; a LOOGY and a solid LH set up man. They also need a closer.

QUOTE (flavum @ Aug 3, 2014 -> 05:38 PM) Cleto's last 5 appearances: 7.2 innings 2 hits 1 bb 13 k I heard the other night, that he was throwing 99-100.

Today at 1:31 PM The two biggest needs for the Sox next year are: 1) A middle of the order, left handed power bat, to protect Abreu. Without that protection, opposing teams would simply neutralize Jose's bat, by going around him. 2) A right handed starting pitcher, to balance the rotation, which is dominated by southpaws. It still seems unlikely that the Sox would keep a rotation consisting of the top 4 starters all being left handed. They will need at least a #2, or #3 to balance Sale, Quintana and Rodon. Even if Danks is not gone, a RHP has to be in front of his spot in the rotation. Unless trading Alexei fills one of those two needs, I don’t see the point. There is no elite defensive replacement SS in the organization, who is ready to take his place, and of the best candidates, none are likely to be as good offensively. The $10 million that he is owed is not going to represent an obstacle to the front office spending elsewhere, and is not out of line with his value. Perhaps, by the end of next season Tim Anderson, or Rondon will be ready to inherit the SS position, but until then, I don’t see Semien as being a replacement, whom we could expect to provide Alexei’s elite defense, much less his offensive production. Additionally, since I favor trading Viciedo, Alexei being a fellow Cuban teammate for Abreu, might be an important intangible to consider. Sanchez is the best defensive second baseman in the organization, and his ability to hit from both sides of the plate make him my candidate to succeed Beckham, who most of us seem confident will be gone. I love Micah Johnson’s offensive game, but unless he can improve his defense, I’m not sure that it makes sense to sacrifice defense, up the middle, for a guy who is probably best suited to bat lead off, where the Sox already have Eaton. Even if Johnson could play LF, the Sox may need to use the opening there to make room for a LH power bat. De Aza has to be the most dispensable outfielder, and Sierra has much better tools to take his place. He’s also much younger, and would have no impact on the payroll. If you read some of the scouting reports on him, from the last 2 or 3 years, he is purported to have significant power potential. I had the impression that he was more of a defense and speed guy, but the reason that he has been considered so intriguing is, in large part, due to his power potential. Given that power potential, he provides a more attractive option than Viciedo, as well. He’s only 6 months older than Dayan, and is a very good defensive player, with speed and a great arm. Moreover, Sierra’s power is not derived from the kind of violent, big swing that Viciedo employs. That is likely to result in more contact and a better average than Dayan will be able to achieve. Neither Viciedo nor Sierra have realized their potential, and given the vastly better tools, I’d opt for giving Sierra the playing time. Viciedo does also possess a terrifc arm, but that’s the only other tool he has, aside from the ability to hit for power. As long as Sierra’s projected power potential is legitimate, why not let the player who can contribute in so many other ways, get the chance to develop it? And, of course, Sierra would not negatively impact the payroll. Although I was on board with the practically unanimous view that the Sox needed to upgrade the catching position, I’m very encouraged by Flowers’ recent ability to “square up” pitches. Ever since he donned the specs, in favor of contacts, he has really looked dangerous. This is the first time, all season, that he seems to have an idea of what he’s doing with the bat in his hands. Earlier in the year, even when he was hitting for average, he almost never barreled the ball up. We all remember that crazy streak, during which he got so many “duck snorts” and other lucky hits. I love his hitting to right field, and if this new approach allows him to have decent at bats, his power will ultimately become a factor, Tyler is extremely strong. Defensively, I don’t know how he is rated, but he passes the “eye test” for me. I like his pitch calling, and pitch blocking, and he has a strong and accurate arm. My 2015 lineup: CF Eaton SS Ramirez 1B Abreu DH The LH Power Bat? (I’m hoping that Wilkins is for real. He may be a long shot, but at least he has a better chance than a certain former star, for whom I was hoping last year) LF A.Garcia 3B Gillaspie vs RHP / Semien vs. LHP RF Sierra C Flowers 2B Sanchez I have trouble imagining that Davidson could be ready to contribute, any earlier than late next season.

Have you all seen these videos?:

If you want to have some fun, compare this year's stats for Wilkins and Abreu. Before someone points out the obvious fact that we're comparing AAA with MLB performance, I'm not suggesting that Wilkins is a left handed version of our Cuban Phenom. Nevertheless, it is interesting to get some perspective of the numbers that Andy is compiling. In virtually the same number of plate appearances, they have some quite similar numbers. Rather than sight specific stats, I'd simply suggest that you take a look, including the splits. Wilkins' power is not a function of the Knights' new ball park. He has put up very similar numbers on the road. Moreover, his home runs are more often of the tape measure variety, rather than the cheap kind. This is just his first full season at AAA, and he is continuing his career pattern of making the adjustments at each successively higher level. The fact that he is the only left handed power bat, in the entire organization that offers any hope for filling that void, validates the argument that he should be brought up, and given an opportunity to try to make the adjustment to Major League pitching. The last two months of the season could provide some better insight into whether or not the Sox need to look for a middle of the order, left handed power bat, via trade, or free agency. As several here have suggested, there is nothing to be gained by giving those at bats to a, soon to be departed, Adam Dunn.

These old scouting reports are interesting: http://www.chicagonow.com/future-sox/2010/...andrew-wilkins/ http://www.chicagonow.com/future-sox/andy-wilkins/ I wonder at what point he will be considered a "prospect" again.

"Band Box", AAA, and every other attempt to minimize Wilkin's amazing streak aside, this is unbelievable. I don't ever remember hearing about any hitter in professional baseball, hitting 10 homers in 11 consecutive games, and hitting for the kind of average he is, as well. Actually, I just looked it up and the major-league record of 10 home runs over seven days set by Frank Howard of the Washington Senators in 1968, would top this streak. However, it's still quite remarkable. Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2012/05/13/2333144_a...l#storylink=cpy This is very intriguing; A left handed power bat to hit behind Abreu. I hope that they find a way to get him in the line up, and see how he adjusts to MLB pitching. I'd really love to know what has caused his sudden emergence as a really serious hitter. He was highly regarded out of college, and did well the first 3 minor league seasons, but did "hit a wall" last year at AAA. There have been comparisons to Jim Thome, as far back as 3 or 4 years ago. He has always been very strong, but has apparently figured a few things out, recently. Does anyone have any insight into what is happening with him?

In the two clips respectively. where Viciedo and then Abreu walk in a comical manner, my guess is that they are imitating Sierra. I've noticed how funny his gate is. My interpretation of the whole "schtick" is that the players either know, think, or suspect that Sierra is gay, or at least like to tease him about acting as though he is. Moises is so over the top about being openly affectionate toward the other players, and they appear to be giving him a little "taste of his own medicine". In any case, I don't think that they are dancing. They are mocking his manner of walking. I have no idea how much of the whole thing is just "tongue and cheek", or based upon something real, but it appears to be particularly prevalent with the Latin players on the team. I think it's hilarious, and they seem to be having a lot of fun with it. I have been living in Costa Rica for the last 25 years, and the culture there is much less "politically correct". "Ticos" openly tease one another about such things. I know that such behavior would be frowned upon in the U. S., but not in Latin America.

Where would he play? The future outfield for the Sox is already pretty crowded. Even after moving de Aza, they will have Eaton and Garcia occupying two positions. There are several candidates for the third spot, including Micah Johnson, who is likely not going to be good enough defensively to play 2ND. Davidson will probably have to be considered for LF, as third base should belong to Gillaspie. He is much too important to the offense to think of not keeping him at third. Then they still need to find a left handed, middle of the order bat to replace Dunn. Viciedo could be traded, or moved to DH, but that would mean that whomever they find to fill Dunn's spot, will likely have to be in the outfield. It seems to me like they need to keep a corner outfield spot, or DH for whomever the eventually find to bat behind Abreu. It certainly is not Jose Tabata.

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Jun 22, 2014 -> 06:57 PM) Okay so who does Toronto have that is a big RHSP arm but needs work, either A+ or below and/or reclamation project? And who do they have as far as LHRP spects? We need that. We get an electric A ball arm and a serviceable LHRP & Rick Hahn can dress up the old lady & they can dance the night away. I don't have a clue whom the Sox could pry loose from Toronto, but 4 of their top 7 prospects, and 9 of their top 20, are RH pitchers. God knows, this organization could certainly use a right handed starter.

At least he demonstrated that he could stay healthy. He was bound to be "rusty", and it would likely take more than 150 at bats for him to get his timing back. I know that most of you thought that I was crazy, but I still think that he's not too old to make a comeback. I hope that he gets a chance with another club, as he really busted his tail to get back. He was a genuine five tool talent, before he lost all that time to injuries.

QUOTE (Feeky Magee @ Jun 16, 2014 -> 07:57 PM) In fairness to him, he's allowing an unsustainable BABIP and home run rate, so bad luck would probably explain some of that. If he keeps up this form I wouldn't mind seeing him up for a start or two. Wouldn't it make more sense to use him in the bullpen, where the Sox really need another lefty?

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jun 12, 2014 -> 09:28 AM) I've not seen anyone at this point who should displace him because they offer similar or equal production. I fully understand the concept of cost savings, but you don't dump a player for $6 million if he's finally fulfilling some of his untapped potential because you are going to be stubborn about it. We've resisted the temptation to sell low on him for this long, so now he finally starts looking like the hitter you thought he would be, at the age of 27 no less, and you dump him for nothing because of $6 million? That is the epitome of being short-sighted. Again, obviously it depends on the return. If someone offers a legitimate piece for the future, a piece of need, then sure, go ahead and put your faith in Semien or whomever. But barring that, and I really do doubt you get that kind of offer, what is the risk in holding him? If he flames out again, you non-tender him next year and escape the $6 million price tag and let one of the kids take over. But if this is for real, and you trade him for some marginal prospect or reliever so you can make a futile run at a one-game playoff, and then he continues to hit like this for another team after you've endured all the growing pains of his development, well then you've really made a stupid move. My sentiments, exactly.

QUOTE (Marty34 @ May 31, 2014 -> 06:29 PM) I haven't been to the park this year as often as I have been in the past due to a respiratory issue I'm trying to beat back, but apparently Sanchez has a number of backers in the F.O. And why shouldn't he have backers in the F.O.? He's made the adjustment, after being fast tracked to AAA last year, when he struggled. He's the leading average hitter on the Knights, is a very good defensive second baseman, and is younger than league average. I think they consider him the future at 2nd. It wouldn't surprise me if M. Johnson is given a look in the outfield, when he returns from the D.L.

QUOTE (Bigsoxhurt35 @ May 31, 2014 -> 07:18 PM) Davidson is having an awful year wow. The "silver lining" is that it has allowed Gillaspie an opportunity to demonstrate that he needs to stay on the roster and play every game vs. right handed pitching. And speaking of "lining", that's what he's doing to the ball, virtually every at bat vs RHP, with a .373 .426 .500 .926 line, in 102 at bats. Moreover it's a "hard" .373, with very few cheap hits. He may not be elevating balls, for homers, but he has made a believer out of me. If Davidson had started hitting early, Gillaspie may never have had a chance to prove himself.