Lillian

"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.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ May 31, 2014 -> 06:06 AM) Chances are the teams picking ahead make the decision for you. Personally, Rodon would be my top choice, and if the White Sox ever passed on a pitcher because he was too similar to Chris Sale, the person who made that decision, really shouldn't be allowed to make decisions ever again. Yes, I agree. If that guy were "like" Chris Sale, and as good at being Chris Sale as Chris Sale is himself, then yeah, take him. Question is: Is Rodon really going to be anywhere as good as Sale? I don't know. That's the gamble with the Draft, isn't it.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ May 30, 2014 -> 08:00 PM) <!--quoteo(post=2988034:date=May 30, 2014 -> 05:42 PM:name=Lillian)-->QUOTE (Lillian @ May 30, 2014 -> 05:42 PM) <!--quotec-->It would really be nice to have a hard throwing rhp in the rotation to compliment Sale's lefty slider. Rodon is too similar. So, how soon could an 18 year old Kolek be expected to make it to the Majors? Is it completely unrealistic to think 2016, at 20? Dude, I'd love to have a nice right-handed starter to compliment Sale & Quintana, but you are being ridiculous by suggesting passing on Rodon because he's too similar to Sale. Chris could get injured at any point and then this "they're too similar" doesn't even matter. You never pass on the best player available in the MLB draft, especially when you're picking 1-3. If he were clearly the best player in the draft, I would agree. However, that does not appear to be the case, by all of the various mock draft projections. If only it were that simple. I just happen to prefer Kolek, and a little better balance, in respect to "handedness", is something about which I have often expressed my wishes. The only major draw back is that he is just 18, and therefore so far away from being able to contribute. And please, it's not "Dude". it's Lillian, or Ma'am. Thank you.

QUOTE (Ozzie Ball @ May 30, 2014 -> 04:58 PM) Aiken is the one who could possibly move through the system that quickly due to how polished his arsenal/command is. But even for him it's probably very unlikely. Kolek needs a lot more work on his change/command, even the breaking ball(s), so he would ceratinly need more time than that. Also I'd be thrilled to have 2 Chris Sale's atop the Sox rotation. Handedness be damned. Do you think that Rodon could really be as good as Sale? If so, I agree with you. I'll take two.

It would really be nice to have a hard throwing rhp in the rotation to compliment Sale's lefty slider. Rodon is too similar. So, how soon could an 18 year old Kolek be expected to make it to the Majors? Is it completely unrealistic to think 2016, at 20?

QUOTE (oneofthemikes @ May 30, 2014 -> 07:23 AM) He allegedly already has a decent slider that could end up being a plus pitch and a curve that isn't far behind. That's great, but I hope that he doesn't throw too many of those breaking balls. Those are the pitches that lead to elbow problems. The change up is a better off speed pitch than the curve ball, anyway and it doesn't stress the arm.

If they select Kolek, I hope that they just concentrate on helping him develop a great change up. He could probably be successful, and stay healthy, just throwing the heater and a change.

I'm a little confused. Please clarify this concern for young pitchers' injury risk. I always thought that there was a difference between throwing "hard" and having good velocity. It seems as though Kolek doesn't throw as "hard" as some of the other candidates in this upcoming Draft. He simply is able to generate more velocity, primarily due to his natural size and strength, not because he is throwing "harder". I've read that he is able to maintain the speed on his fastball with relative ease. Moreover, don't the breaking balls put more stress on the arm than a properly thrown fastball? Many argue that throwing fastballs and change ups puts less stress on young arms, than trying to get the extra rotation on curves and sliders. He has not had to rely upon breaking pitches, because of his extraordinary ability to throw high velocity fast balls. That all sounds very positive to me. Hawk has always said that "the best pitch is a well located fastball, and the second best pitch is a good change up". You can add that the better the fast ball, the more effective the change up can be. A hitter anticipating a 100 mph. fastball will be starting his swing early. A good deceptive motion is then almost all that is needed to make him commit to a swing. Maybe Kolek's best approach would be to just develop a decent change, and not worry about throwing too many breaking balls. That could greatly reduce his risk of injury.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ May 11, 2014 -> 08:46 AM) You asking about right handed players is odd. Nola and Beede would likely having the ceiling of a #2. The three possible aces are Aiken, Kolek, and Rodon. You know me. I'm always hoping to establish a little better balance from that perspective. I'm all for taking the best player available, but I just wondered if any of the college right handers were good enough to justify a #3 pick, now that Hoffman and Fedde are going to both have TJ surgery. The Sox apparently were hoping for Hoffman, and I've read several references to the Sox not wanting to draft a high school pitcher, so it seems logical to ask who could provide a similar profile.

Now that Hoffman and Feede are probably out of the question, who among the top collegiate RHP would you rate as having the highest ceiling and highest floor? I assume that your list would include Nola and Beede. If chosen, wouldn't they both be "under slot" for the Sox? Athough not Aces, are either of them potential top of the rotation guys?

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Apr 23, 2014 -> 05:38 AM) I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that most non-Hispanic hitting coaches still find a way to work with their Hispinic players. And a quick google search confirms that Steverson can converse in Spanish. And again, my beef is with the idea that guys like Abreu & Konerko are working on the technical aspects of batting with other players. Is it possible? I guess so, but it seems incredibly unlikely IMO, and quite frankly that's the hitting coach's job. I'm not going to argue that Abreu may serve as a mentor to a guy like Viciedo, but that comes down more to preparation side of things. Viciedo becoming more patient is something Steverson has been pushing and credit should go to them not Abreu. Did you hear Hawk talking about the mentoring going on with Abreu and Viciedo? It was either last night or Friday night. We are probably both right. It appears that Steverson has really gotten through to Viciedo, and Abreu is not only reinforcing the concept of exercising more plate discipline, but he is also providing additional mentoring. Whatever it is, it seems to be working, and is very encouraging.

QUOTE (mmmmmbeeer @ Apr 26, 2014 -> 05:00 PM) Dunn and Alexei should net us something decent but there are serious drawbacks to dealing both. With Dunn, you now have no one to protect Abreu in the order unless Dayan keeps hitting. If teams see Abreu as the only threat in the order, they won't pitch to him....while his obp will increase, I just worry that this could stunt his development. With Alexei, I really sense that the whole Cuban pride deal is pretty strong on this squad and don't think it's any coincidence that 3 of the 4 Cubans are playing head and shoulders above expectations. Do we want to mess with that chemistry this soon? If this is the new Alexei, do we really have anyone that can step in and provide what he does? Semien can't. Of course, I agree with you. As you may know, I take a lot of heat around here, for being so concerned about the "handedness" balance of the roster. However there may be another option. Why not move Dunn, and then sign Kendrys Morales, after the June Draft, when he wouldn't cost a draft pick? Given the need for a LH middle of the order hitter, and the complete absence of anyone in the organization who could be expected to fill that role, it makes sense. If the Sox keep Viciedo in the outfield next year, they could field Viciedo in Left, Eaton in Center and Garcia in Right. Abreu and Morales could alternate between First and DH. Wouldn't you think that Morales would be thrilled to join his fellow Cubans, on a 3 to 5 year deal, even if Scott Boras tried to talk him out of it? That could be fun to watch; the "Chicago/Cuban Connection". I like it.

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Apr 25, 2014 -> 03:22 PM) If Rodon hits his ceiling you have two aces. Would you rather have Sale and David Price or Sale and Edwin Jackson (which is what I think Hoffman could be. Great stuff, inconsistent results), just for the sake of handedness? I think that if you read my post again, you will discover that that is not my argument.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Apr 25, 2014 -> 07:04 AM) Danks is signed through 2016 and can only block trades to a few teams annually. His contract status with the club will have no bearing on whether or not we draft a LHP, nor should it. I'd hate to think we'd have passed on Sale at the time if we'd had four LH starting pitchers - and we wouldn't have - because to do so would have been asinine. Yes, of course it makes sense to take the best player available. However, is the choice really so clear, in this case? Moreover, there are other circumstances, such as Rodon having another year of college eligibility, having Boros for an agent, and wanting first pick bonus money, even if he is picked lower in the draft. If he were clearly the "best player available", I would agree that the Sox should take him, providing he would sign. But it's not that simple and not that clear, in this case. While the philosophy of picking the best player is a sound one, doesn't it also make sense to consider the needs of the organization, when there is no clear consensus regarding who is the "best player". Regarding my seeming "obsession" with "handedness"; I've never really been completely convinced of the whole notion of advantages and disadvantages of from which side of the plate, or the mound, a player plays. However, isn't it pretty much conventional wisdom that it does matter?

I agree entirely with Caulfield regarding the issue of another LH Starter. Sale, Quintana and Danks are now all locked up, and young enough to be around for the next Sox Post Season run. Moreover, the roster is not likely to produce a RH top of the rotation guy. The last thing this team needs is another LH Starter. This team is being built "backwards"; too many RH hitters and too many LH Starters. How the front office ever got to this point of not having a single impact left handed hitter, and the top 3 starters all being southpaws, is simply baffling.

You're right. I just read this: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...ws&c_id=cws

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Apr 23, 2014 -> 04:58 AM) Perhaps our new hitting coach has been coaching them? I seriously doubt Abreu has offered much technical advice to either player. Yes, but isn't interesting that the two players with the most impressive start are Abreu's fellow Cubans? Alexei hitting for average and power in APRIL!! Viciedo hitting for average, and drawing walks. Are these the same two guys? If Steverson were the difference, interesting that he should be getting through to the two guys who barely speak English.