Lillian

I'm warming up to the idea of taking Bleday. One of the reasons that I have been partial to Bishop is that he hits left handed. You know me. I'm always mindful of the need for balance and too many of our anticipated best hitters are right handed. Bleday would provide that balance. If the Sox take a college bat, I would prefer that it be a left handed bat. Bishop and Bleday both qualify, in that regard. I also like that he has the arm to play RF. Give me a middle of the order, left handed bat, and I'll be happy. Yes, I know "best player available" is still the rule.

If Graeme Stinson ends up needing TJ surgery, could he be in the mix for our second round pick? I haven't seen any suggestion that he will need it, but as common as that has become, and given his otherwise inexplicable loss of velocity, I'm suspicious: https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2019/04/still-no-timeline-for-duke-baseball-ace-graeme-stinson-injury-mlb-draft

Cease did not have his good command. He fell behind and lot of hitters and walked too many.

Never mind, there is no Gameday for the Dash game.

I'm watching the Knights' game and Cease seems to have lost his command, in the last couple of innings.

Does someone have the link to the "Gameday" for the Winston Salem game? I have MILB.TV but the game isn't being televised and the Dash's website doesn't have the Gameday.

I thought that it has already been agreed upon here that people in the Black culture use that term, in a slight variation, with an entirely different connotation. Therefore, what is the objection that people, outside of that culture, have to them using it? Moreover, who appointed them the "political correctness" police, for that issue? Again, Black people have earned the right to use the word, if they choose.

White people trying to dictate to African Americans, or Blacks, or however they genuflect to refer to them, in order to not offend, is just too rich. If the Black culture has adopted a variation of the "N word" and wishes to use it, what gives non Blacks the right to attempt to prohibit them from doing so? First, White people oppressed Blacks, and used the word in the worst pejorative sense. Then, they decide that those same people are "prohibited" from using the word, or some variation of it. Apparently, non Blacks still think that they can dictate Black behavior and speech, which is none of their business. It's not a crime to use a word. It's called Free Speech. Oh the irony. Blacks should be able to use the word, anyway they choose. They earned that right. They didn't create the word, or the horrendous persecution, which it characterized. Whether, or not, that term, or any variation of it, should be considered acceptable, should be the prerogative of the Black culture. MLB is just reflecting the stupidity of the entire absurd notion.

Would some of you please tweet a bunch of the terrific comments, I've read here, on one of the Twitter feeds, which is getting so much attention. That could help support Tim and point out the idiocy of this whole fiasco.

What is the best Twitter feed to read, on this issue? I could use some "cheap entertainment".

I can understand the resistance to selecting an outfielder, with the #3 pick, in the Draft. However, that log jam of organizational outfielders is looking a little thinner, with the slow starts of Adolfo and Rutherford, at Birmingham. Given the realization that the Sox will likely not select a high schooler, you know that I'm intrigued with Bishops's LH bat. He has good speed and could be a key piece of the rebuild, in a couple of years. I still think that Eloy will end up at first base. The 2021 outfield could look like Bishop in LF, Robert in CF and Adolfo/Basabe/Rutherford/Gonzalez or Walker in RF. That would be a great defensive outfield, with big offensive potential. The only one, out of that list of RF candidates, who hasn't played CF is Adolfo, but he has the best RF arm, of the bunch. One of them is bound to develop into a useful piece, or we have really done a lousy job of scouting.

Kody Hoese is having a terrific season. One caveat, in comparing his performance to the other collegiate stars, is that he is playing in the AAC. I don't know how much that matters, but it is certainly a consideration. It would be more assuring if he were putting up those numbers in the SEC, or the PAC 12.

Thanks for the information. The larger dimensions should actually help batting averages. Could it be that the lighting is not very good? Our "stellar" outfield prospects are doing absolutely nothing, at the plate. It's hard to imagine that the jump from Advanced A to AA could be that difficult. Rutherford was pretty much a .300 hitter all last year and he can't seem to buy a hit. If AA is really that big of a jump, then we're all very premature in our excitement over Robert.

What exactly is it, about the Birmingham ball park that makes it so difficult to hit there?

For the benefit of "Turnin' two," or anyone else who might have misunderstood my post, regarding Bishop's yet untapped potential, allow me to clarify. The point is simply that, while he is the nation's leading collegiate hitter, in most offensive categories, there may still be tremendous upside, owing to the fact that he has only recently focused on the sport of baseball. There is a difference between drafting a great athlete, in hopes of turning him into a baseball player, and drafting a proven baseball player, who still has untapped raw potential. The logic is compelling and shouldn't need to be corroborated by a great number of examples. For every Joe Borchard, and Jared Mitchell, there are plenty of Tim Andersons, Joe Mauers, Kirk Gibsons, Todd Heltons and other 2, or 3 sport athletes, who regarded baseball as their "second sport". Who would question whether, or not, Bo Jackson could have become one of the best all time baseball players, if he had stayed healthy? Hunter Bishop has already done enough to establish himself as a baseball player, but it is reasonable to assume that he still has more room for growth, because he hasn't played the game as long as most baseball players, his age. Adam Engel had a similar background to Bishop's. He was also a star high school football player, with aspirations of playing in the NFL. Instead, like Bishop, he decided to play college baseball, also as a center fielder. Comparing the college careers of the two, should underscore what Bishop has achieved. A quick glance at Engel's junior year stats will illustrate my point. In 256 at bats, he hit 1 home run and batted .236. His OPS was .668. Although Engel is a far below average MLB hitter, he is probably a better hitter now, than he was, as a college player, which suggests that he was very raw, when drafted. Compare that to Bishop's remarkable performance, in his junior year. It is the combination of the raw athletic ability and the already accomplished production, that I find so intriguing about Bishop.

Rutherford is really struggling, in his first AA season. Even today, with the Barons finally mounting a decent offense, he is hitless, with a couple strike outs. Very discouraging.

That's obviously not the same as being removed from the game, but I'm sure that you knew that. I just wanted to clarify it for the person, from the U. K., who asked. Baseball is complicated enough, we don't want to confuse him.

Most of us are ready to "move on," from Yolmer, at least as anything more than a bench player. The question is; "who should take his place, until Madrigal arrives?"

I concur, last year's version of Yolmer, at what has always been his best position, second base, would have provided a serviceable piece, for this non contending team. However, there does appear to be something wrong with him. I noticed that he hasn't been using his glasses, in several games. Perhaps that has something to do with it. In any case, he should not be getting much playing time, unless and until someone discovers what is wrong with him. In the meantime, who is the best guy to assume the role of place holder, until Madrigal arrives, likely next year? Is Rondon good enough defensively, at a position that he has not played very much? He has pretty much always been a SS. Would Leury be better suited , at that spot, than playing the outfield? Escobar is hitting a little at Charlotte, but his offense has been so bad, for the last several years that it's hard to imagine that he would be worth calling up. Danny Mendick had a great Spring, but hasn't shown much so far this season. Ryan Goins is a terrible hitter. Laz Rivera is actually better suited for 2ND, than SS, but he has suddenly stopped hitting and he has only recently been promoted to AA. The organization has little middle infield depth, at the higher levels. There aren't any unsigned free agents, who might fill that hole and a trade seems unlikely, with Madrigal expected to take that spot, next year. So, between Rondon and Leury, who is best suited for the keystone sack, at least for this year?

Vaughn was 3 for 4, with a double. Seems to be back on track. Bishop was 1 for 4 with his 17TH homer, (in just 32 games). I still prefer him, over Vaughn. Left handed hitter, with good speed, over a right handed, first baseman, with average speed. Vaughn has been a "baseball rat," his whole life. Imagine what Bishop would be doing, if he had always dedicated himself to baseball. I'm not generally in favor of the idea of going after great athletes, with the hope that they can be turned into baseball players. However, what intrigues me about Bishop is that he has now established himself as a legitimate baseball player, even though he has come to the sport late in his athletic career. That suggests that he still has a lot of room for growth. It's scary to think about how good he might be, if he continues to develop. In the meantime, what he has already accomplished this year is quite remarkable. For me, it isn't even close. I'd take him over any other college player, with the possible exception of Rutschman, because Adley is a switch hitting catcher.

I agree and you raise another potential consideration. Does management have any concern for the "watchability" aspect of this team?

I agree that the young guys, including Cease, Robert and Collins, in the Minors, are generally very encouraging. There is one more guy, who might be a candidate to provide some depth to their beleaguered rotation. Lots of people in the organization are very impressed with Jimmy Lambert and he did have a very good start, last night, for the Barons. Perhaps they should consider giving him a chance. I just wanted to clarify the objective, regarding wins and losses, for this year. If it doesn't matter, and in fact, tanking for another high draft pick is the objective, then fine. Just take the losses. But, those who advocate that approach, shouldn't complain, right?

Just to clarify, what exactly is the objective, for this season? I understand that the Sox want to see progress from their young core. However, do they actually want to win games, or would they prefer to compile another 100 loss season, with the intent of acquiring another top draft pick? If they intend to actually try to win games, I believe that they are going to have to address the starting rotation. Not only does it appear that it lacks quality and depth, but it is potentially going to exhaust the bullpen. The starters must be capable of going at least 6 innings, on a consistent basis. These early blow outs are not only going to tax the pen, but they are going to demoralize the rest of the team. Next year, with the additions of Cease and Kopech, they should be fine. However, this season could be very difficult. At this point, maybe they need to give Covey and Fulmer another look. I'm most worried about Santana and wonder if he really still has anything left, in that veteran arm of his. Nova looks like his usual self and can probably eat innings, and get ground ball outs. Rodon, Giolito and Lopez need to pitch and should improve, as the season progresses. And then, there is always the chance that Banuelos could take the 5TH spot. What can they do with Santana? Could they have him work as the long man, until he can demonstrate that he can throw something better than 90 mph, straight fast balls? His first outing of the year looked like he was throwing batting practice. He's the perfect guy, if the objective is to tank, again.

So, you are in favor of tanking again, right?

The Sox have scored the following number of runs, in each of their games, so far: 3, 6, 6, 3, 8, 8, 2, 5, 1, 5, 1 That's 6 of 11 games in which they have scored 5 runs, or more. They could at least be around .500, with decent pitching. From that perspective, it doesn't look quite so bad. However, they need to address the pitching, or this season could be another "tank". With both Dunning and Kopech out for the year, and Cease not likely to be called up, until late in the season, if at all, I really think that they need to add another veteran, on a one year deal. Their plan was to have a couple of veterans, in the starting rotation, and that makes sense. However, do we really have any confidence that Santana, or maybe even Nova are going to be serviceable? Santana had nothing in his first start, no velocity and no movement. It was like he was throwing batting practice. The more that I think about it, the more that I like the idea of signing Keuchel. Again, let both Santana and Nova battle for one spot, with the loser becoming the long man, out of the pen. Banuelos becomes a LOOGY and potentially someone who could pitch to both RH and LH hitters, in relief. Insert Keuchel into the rotation, take the pressure off of Giolito and Lopez, and things just might stabilize. Management has plenty of payroll flexibility and Keuchel has already expressed a willingness to take a one year deal. There is no one on the farm, who is ready to assume a spot in the rotation. Sign him, and trade him to a contender, at the deadline. That timing might coincide with Cease's call up. Why not? .