Lillian

This notion of taking the "best player available" requires some caveats. "Best player" simply refers to the ratings for the various baseball skills. It does not take into consideration such things as the value of the position he plays, from which side of the plate he hits, how easily he could be replaced by another player, or what his trade value might be, once he has become a pro. Those are all important considerations, irrespective of what the rest of an organization may look like. Therefore, there are other things, besides "best player available," or drafting for need, which should enter the equation.

Vaughn does not appear to have a body type, which will result in his having a weight problem. He just has very thick legs. It's easy to see how that exaggerated leg kick helps him generate power, given the size of his lower body.

I think that all players need to be mindful of the way opposing staffs are likely to pitch them, which varies depending upon how they have been hitting. Until a player proves that he can hit various offerings in the strike zone, pitchers should and will pound the zone. However, once a hitter proves himself and gets "hot," pitchers will tend to stay away from the strike zone, as much as possible. Of course, they will also pitch to a hitters weakness. However, I'm referring here to the difference between pitching around, versus getting right after a hitter. Depending on who else is in the lineup and where, in that lineup, a batter is hitting, pitchers will be more, or less, aggressive. For example, I would imagine that, as hot as Yelich and Bellinger have been, that pitchers have recently not been as aggressive. When that happens, the batter needs to become less aggressive and take a few more walks. Last year, Moncada was being much too passive, which we all recognized. This season, he started out being more aggressive and hitting pitches that were not necessarily center cut. I suspect that pitchers have now adjusted to his adjustment. Perhaps it's time for him to be a little more patient, at least until pitchers throw him more pitches in the zone. The same is true for Anderson. As hot as he was, the first month, opposing pitchers have recently thrown him a lot of sliders, out of the zone. He too must not chase those pitches. Once he learns to take walks, he will be a consistently potent offensive weapon. I have always thought that this constantly changing approach of pitchers, is probably the biggest reason that guys have hot and cold streaks. The hotter a hitter is, the harder it is to maintain his hot streak, because pitchers are naturally going to start to stay away from the zone, when pitching to a guy, who is really "on fire". You can't blame pitchers. To do otherwise would be foolish.

It isn't just the Birmingham pitchers, who have regressed. The hitters look awful. What the heck has happened to Gonzalez, Rutherford, Adolfo and Sheets? It makes no sense that both the pitching and the hitting have been so bad. I thought it was a pitcher's park. Ok, so that could, in part, explain the bad hitting, but how does that compute with the bad pitching?

In the AL, he could always DH on the days he doesn't catch. And if he did indeed hit 20 HR's, in just 120 at bats, that would be closer to Vaughn's power production.

If your assessment is reasonably accurate, I would favor Rutschman because, while the WAR for the two players is similar, the value that Rutschman brings to the table, with his ability to bat left handed and play a premium position is significant. It may be hard to quantify, but it is valuable, nevertheless. Value is also a function of supply and demand. A switch hitting, good offensive and defensive catcher is rare, and therefore always in short supply. The demand is almost a constant. What team couldn't use such a player? Therefore, it's not simply that Adley plays a premium position, it's also that such players are very rare.

What would the WAR difference between Rutschman and Vaughn look like, if they ended up being the kind of players, you project? Let's say that the switch hitting Rutschman hit .285 with an OBP of .360, with 20 homers, as a plus defensive catcher and Vaughn hit like Donaldson, which would be something like a .285 AVG, with a .375 OBP and 30 homers, as a plus defensive first baseman.

This is the Law comment, upon which we should be focusing; "plenty of scouts who agree with me that his (Rutschman's) hit tool isn't anywhere near what Vaughn's is". If it's true that either Rutschman is not that good of a hitter, or Vaughn really is that special of a hitter, that could have a huge impact on the top of the Draft. It may mean that Adley doesn't go #1, which has pretty much been a foregone conclusion. It also may mean that the Sox could have a very interesting choice to make. At this point, I have no idea. However, I will say this; Even if Rutschman isn't as good of a hitter as Vaughn, I would still rate him higher, based upon the fact that he is a switch hitter and is a very good defensive catcher. That has to represent more value than a slow, right handed hitting, first baseman. What Rutschman represents is a lot more useful and a lot harder to find.

Jose is tied for the League lead in RBI's and should have one more RBI and Home run, if he hadn't passed T. A., trotting around first base. Oh, and he's played 2 fewer games and 12 fewer at bats, than the guy, with whom he's tied for that League lead. His 10 doubles and what should be 10 homers are also near the best in the League. He is in better shape than he has been, at any time in his White Sox career. At this point, he is the best hitter on this team and should be able to swing a productive bat, for a least 2 or 3 more years. I would be happy to see the Sox try to extend him to age 35, with a 3 year extension. If he really wants to stay with the Sox, and is willing to take a 3 year deal, the front office should award him that opportunity. He has earned it. He has been a consistent player, a club house leader, a solid citizen and a loyal "employee". Of course, the question is; how much should they offer. I don't know the answer, but if includes a little more than the on the field production value, which they expect to receive, so be it. Again, he has earned it. And finally, let's not forget that two of the young future stars, who could well be part of the core of the contending team, starting as early as next year, are fellow Cubans. Having Jose there to mentor Moncada and Robert should add value to his contract. It's not just about his fellow country men. The Sox have one of the most Latino dominated rosters, in the Majors. I'd like to see the Sox DH Jose next year, and let either Jimenez or Palka play first. Alonso needs to be gone. Of course, that entire scenario would be complicated by the Sox selecting Vaughn, but that's another subject, which I hope the front office will consider, when the June Draft rolls around.

After last year, I was really hopeful that he would take another step toward becoming a decent offensive second baseman, but so far, not happening

Not likely against Hand.

That shift is killing Alonso. He better make an adjustment and start trying to go to the opposite field, or he is going to have a terrible season.

How about half his salary? Please!! Don't misunderstand me, I don't hate Alonso. It's just that he has no future with this team, which already has too many candidates for first and DH., and seems to be a lock to take Vaughn, in the Draft.

As a matter of fact, Palka seems to have rediscovered his groove. He hit his 4TH homer, in the last 5 games and his OBP is .400, in 56 at bats, with the Knights. I think he may be brought back up, soon. I'd rather see him get the at bats, than Alonso, who is not part of this team's future. I don't think that the Sox have given up on him, but rather sent him to Charlotte, just to get back on track. It would be nice if someone would take Yonder's salary off the Sox' hands.

I have felt, from the start of the season, that what guys like Nova and Santana do this season, is of little significance to this team, unless the Sox actually end up competing for a playoff berth. It's the starts by our young pitchers that matter and this was one of those. If both Giolito and Lopez develop into solid, consistent starters, this team could be in very good shape. Few teams can boast a young inexpensive starting staff, and that could become a reality, if Kopech and Cease also succeed. Therefore, good outings, like Giolito had last night, are huge. Let's hope Lopez can have another one tonight.

I love his two strike approach, at the plate. You all know what an advocate I am of "choking up" on the bat. He has been a tremendous two strike hitter, so far this season, which has been attributed to his choking up, with 2 strikes. Having a solid defensive catcher is always important, but with so many young pitchers, it's essential. Next season, the entire staff is likely to be young, with little Major League experience. Kopech and Cease could be at the top of the rotation, with Lopez and Giolito considered the "veterans" of the staff. At this point, Rodon doesn't even enter the conversation. The 5TH starter could end up being another one of their prospects. Even if Collins makes it, as a catcher, the Sox are still going to need another backstop. A right handed hitting McCann and a left handed hitting Collins, could work. Depending upon two inexperienced receivers like Collins and Zevala, would not be a wise decision. I will be surprised if they trade McCann, although I don't expect him to continue to have this kind of offensive production. I would be thrilled if he ultimately hits close to .300 with an OBP near .350. He has been a pretty decent career hitter, versus LHP. This year, he is hitting RHP, as well. Let's hope that continues, although it would be less important next year, if Collins takes most of the at bats, versus RHP.

Have any of you ever noticed how Rodon's motion has no follow through? He has always appeared to me to be throwing entirely with his arm. The finish to his delivery has never looked right. Maybe that is part of his problem.

If Vaughn turns out to be any where near either Donaldson, or Goldschmidt, he will be the most successful pick the Sox have had, since the Big Hurt.

Law has Vaughn 3RD and Bleday 4TH, so my question is still; "how much difference is there between the two?". Vaughn only makes sense if he is in a tier above the guys below him. If it's merely a matter of 3RD vs. 4TH, within the same tier, I'd rather have a left handed hitter, who can play a position other than first base.

Could Jay be ready to be activated? Not that I want him, but just wondered.

If the Sox decide to move on from Abreu, good luck finding a bat, which can compare. His long term track record and current performance is going to be very difficult to replace. Yes, Eloy, Burger, Alonso and probably our first selection in this year's Draft may all end up being 1ST basemen, DH types, but it's not likely that any of them will produce like Pito, with the exception of Eloy and it's way too early to make that assumption. Unless the Sox intend to sign another free agent hitter, I'd rather see them try to sign him to an extension, for another 2 or 3 years. He seems to taking good care of his body and is in better shape now, than he was when he signed with the Sox. The issue of whether, or not he is actually his reported age, is one about which I couldn't begin to opine. I think that we have to assume that he is the age he claims to be, unless it is proven otherwise. It shouldn't be that hard to verify his birth date.

And if they had signed both of them, we would all be fretting and b****ing about how neither of them were living up to their contracts. They are both hitting .235. Not the kind of production that comes close to justifying the money, they're getting paid. I'm sure that they'll end up with good numbers, by the end of the season and seasons to follow. However, they're going to have a tough time reaching their respective teams expectations, this year, with such poor starts to the season.

The mere ranking of #3 vs. Bleday and Bishop, at #5 and #8, respectively doesn't convince me that Vaughn is an automatic choice. However, If scouts really feel that Vaughn is in a tier above the rest of the college bats, I'm onboard. It does indeed appear that they feel Vaughn is in a tier above the others.

And maybe more importantly, he is a significant defensive upgrade. A good defensive catcher is critical for our young pitching staff. How good do you guys think he is, defensively? He looks very solid, to me.

What is most odd to me is that Renteria recently put McGann in the clean up spot, and suddenly he's hitting like a clean up hitter. What did our much maligned manager know and when did he know it? It's as if James said; "OK, I'm a clean up hitter, so now I'm going to mash". Just another reason that I've always loved this game. Who would have ever guessed? I know that it won't last, but it is fun, while it does.