Lillian

Could you please elaborate on this scenario? Taking Bishop, if he is slotted at #8, for example, would save them how much? Then, how exactly would they be able to use the savings to acquire Priester, and why would that be desirable? I'm asking because I'm not familiar with Priester.

After his first 100 at bats, his numbers are very pedestrian. He is barely a replacement level player, so far. Why does that make me smile? I'm sure that he will put up some decent numbers, before long, but in the meantime, I do so enjoy watching him waste lots of the Padres' money.

Unfortunately, first base is already crowded and if the Sox select Vaughn, it won't get any less crowded.

I know. He makes Palka look like a ballet dancer. LOL It's one thing not to have great reads, or take good routes, but he just looks clumsy. He's just not very athletic. Maybe, we're just spoiled, watching guys like Moncada and Anderson, but Eloy just screams "first baseman"

I'm watching the Knights game. Cease had 11 K's in 6 innings. He was still throwing 97 - 98 in the last inning, if that radar gun is accurate.

Yes, I saw that, but he has pretty much been totally lost at the plate, until those last few games. I had hoped that some of that work he did in the off season, with his buddy Yelich, would have helped him, but he has really taken a step backwards.

I forgot about Basabe. Yes, they do indeed have too many outfielders at Birmingham, even with Adolfo on the DL. Maybe they need to demote Rutherford, and let him get back on track, at Advanced A ball.

I hope they promote Booker to Charlotte, so that Rutherford and Gonzalez can both continue to get playing time. Booker should stay in the lead off spot, which is where they are probably planning to bat Robert.

I remember that discussion, we had here, and the article that was cited. However, it is pretty hard to deny, when a team deliberately goes around a player, who is clearly so much better than the rest of the lineup. If teams refuse to pitch to him, I don't see how anyone can realistically expect him to be able to put up big offensive numbers. That Baron's lineup is full of guys hitting around .200, or lower. Why would an opposing team pitch to a guy, who represented a real threat, when they can simply walk him and take their chances with one of those guys, hitting below the "Mendoza line"?

Who is going to provide him with some "protection" in that horrible excuse for an offense, that the Barons have been trotting out? I hope that he's prepared to take some walks, because if he establishes himself as a bonafide offensive threat, on that team, opposing pitchers are likely to just go around him.

Anderson will be a free agent in 2025, at age 32. Maybe they would trade him, in the final year of his current deal, after exercising the option, for $15 million. Witt would be 24, at that point, and if he had demonstrated that he was ready, he could succeed Tim. At any rate, if Witt is really that good, the Sox could worry about what to do with both T. A. and Witt, when the time came.

Wow, so Law thinks Vaughn is a #1 pick, even over Rutschman. Ok, who am I to question these professional evaluators, who have an opportunity to actually watch the players live? I sure hope that they're right. Never mind, I see that Law's list was incorrectly stated.

Yes, if he could hit like Dick Allen, I'd take him 3RD, or even 1ST. The point is that such a comp is just not realistic. What is the basis for comparing him to players like Dick Allen, beyond their size?

Actually, most rate Vaughn as a good defensive first baseman, but that still isn't enough to sell me on his being picked 3RD. He better be a tremendous hitter, to justify taking him that high.

I have been wondering the same thing, having often read here on this forum that a right handed, 5' 11" first baseman does not represent enough value to be picked 3RD. I remember someone pointing out that Frank Thomas was a right handed first baseman, but thought at the time, that wasn't a very good "comp". If Vaughn had been following up his sophomore "Golden Spikes" year with another remarkable season, I would be all in favor of taking him, even with his value limiting profile. However, there are a few other collegiate position players, who are having better years. They also have better profiles. Nevertheless, apparently the scouts still think that Vaughn's bat is that exceptional. I certainly hope they're right because it appears the Sox will select him. I know all about the "best player available" but I am expecting Eloy to end up at first base. He seems best suited for that position. He's a big man and not the most graceful athlete, and certainly doesn't look like an outfielder. I would still favor Bishop or Bleday, both being Left handed bats and able to play a respectable corner outfield. I'm not advocating the left handed bat, simply out of "need". A left handed bat is conventionally considered more desirable, than a right handed bat. Not only are they more in short supply, but it is, after all, a left handed game, as the old saw goes. If the Sox take Witt, then that's fine, but if they insist on a college position player, and Rutschman is off the board, I'm hoping they take Bleday or Bishop.

I think that Covey gets another shot as the long man, and Fulmer works in shorter relief. Just my guess. Although, they could bring back Bummer, instead of Covey. What are the chances that Evan Marshall gets a shot , in the Pen?

The only reason to let veterans like Nova and Santana pitch, is that they might be able to net someone, in a trade. However, at the rate they're going, that isn't likely. I agree with those who would rather see guys who could be part of the future.

Vaughn has had a good year, but not quite as good as last year. Moreover, there are other college hitters, having better years. Apparently, that hasn't deterred the scouts, who are still considering Vaughn to be one of the two, top collegiate Juniors. I don't really understand it, but I'm not a scout, and haven't seen any of the top college players, in person and very little video.

Hitting is a skill, which has very little to do with athleticism. Some of the greatest hitters have been guys who didn't have much natural athleticism, and many great athletes have failed and developing the skill. Good eye sight and strong hands are probably a lot more important than foot speed and strength. In any case, it can take a long time to learn to hit Major League pitching and few players are given that opportunity, if they don't quickly succeed. The Sox do not appear to have great coaching, to help hitters to develop the skill, which is very unfortunate, for a young team. Engel has actually had some very good at bats, lately and has hit some balls very hard.

Fulmer looked very impressive. That stuff was electric.

If Vaughn is truly the best player available, I agree that the Sox should take him. We'll see if he is indeed the consensus best player available, at #3, in June.

I agree, however doesn't a left handed hitting, middle of the order bat, who is not going to be relegated exclusively to first base, have more value than a player with Vaughn's profile? I thought that is was the consensus here that a right handed hitting first baseman is one of the least valuable profiles, for a prospect. A good offensive and defensive catcher, and a SS, who can hit are obviously some of the most valued, but Rutschman probably will not be there at #3 and the Sox aren't normally willing to take a high schooler. Therefore, if it is going to come down to a college bat, who has the most valuable profile?

I was as high on Vaughn, as anyone, after his Golden Spikes, Sophomore year. However, with other viable college bat options, a right handed hitting, first baseman just doesn't seem like the best selection, at #3. Bleday and Bishop are both more intriguing to me.

4 homers, in this weekends 3 games, versus Alabama. Bleday now has 20 homers, in 40 games. Sign me up!!!!!! Oh, and did I mention that he hits left handed. LOL. Someone tell me why he shouldn't be whom the Sox select, if Rutschman is off the board, before the Sox #3 pick. At least, at this point, anyway. And last year, we all thought that Seth Beer was intriguing. This guy is even more intriguing. My only question is; where was his power, prior to this year? What has he discovered?

At this early stage of his career, Eloy is not a Major League outfielder. I'm not saying that he won't become one, but he looks destined for first base, or DH.