Lillian

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.

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"?