Lillian

Omar has now been in 162 games, over the last 2 years. Seems like a fair sized sample, from which to form some reasonable opinions. Over that stretch, he has hit .279, with a team leading .377 OBP. He may not provide much power, but he consistently has good at bats. He also does not seem to be overwhelmed, in clutch situations. He passes the eye test, for me. I've always had the impression that he had a good knowledge of the strike zone and knew how to have a good at bat. As far as his defense is concerned; is there anything about his skill set, as a catcher, that cannot be improved, with a little hard work and experience? I'm looking forward to seeing how he finishes the season. The next question is; what should the Sox do with Castillo? I can't see giving him more playing time than Narvaez, given that Omar hits left handed.

I'm looking for a center fielder. Eloy will obviously be the first outfield prospect, but he is a corner outfielder.

What are the chances that he could be promoted to Birmingham? I'd rather see him there, than Call. How soon could he be in Chicago, if he succeeds at AA? Is the end of next year, feasible? He'll be 23 next month. I think that there is a good chance that he gets there before Robert, Basabe or Rutherford, because those guys are all a little younger, than he is. He seems to be the most polished hitter, who can play CF, out to the entire group of prospects. I was hopeful that Booker might stay on track, but he has not done that well, since being promoted to AA.

It seems a little unfair to criticize Benetti, in this context. He is not an ex player. He has has his own strengths, as well. He has a good voice, is a pretty well rounded and intelligent young man. It's the difference between being a "play by play" announcer, versus a "color" broadcaster.

Are you guys enjoying this broadcast, as much as I am?

The encouraging thing is that he has a great arm and is young enough. He can certainly add to his repertoire. He should develop into a very good starter.

I think Lopez needs another pitch. His stuff is very good, but he could use an out pitch.

I'm loving Konerko, in the booth. He's very interesting.

Konerko just offered some very astute and wise observations about Moncada. I hope most of you heard him. His assertion is that it's very hard to come into the League, as a young hitter, and expect to walk 100 times, and to get the close calls. He advocates a little more aggressiveness, in order to establish that you can be dangerous. The walks will come, with that respect.

Moncada is wearing glasses. I don't think that they're sun glasses.

Do you think that he is a significantly better defensive catcher, than Omar, especially handling pitchers? If not, I agree that the at bats should go to Narvaez. He's earned it.

Why isn't Rondon getting any recognition? He has it 18 homers, at AAA in just 77 games. He also hit 3 with the Sox, giving him 21 for the season. He needs to get his OBP up another .020 or more, but he has had a good offense year, for a SS.

If the Sox picked 5TH, do you think that they would still have a shot at one of the two, most highly ranked collegiate catchers?

Short of replacing Stevenson, whom could the Sox assign to work with Moncada, to try to fix whatever is "broken"? His approach is not working, and he is going to need to make some adjustments. The most discouraging thing to me, is that I don't see him making any changes. He continues to do the same thing and with the same results. There are many things, which he could try; including choking up more, especially with 2 strikes, move around in the batter's box, start being more aggressive, especially with 2 strikes, try hitting to the opposite field, etc. It is just insane to continue to do what he is doing. This has to be shattering his confidence. The Sox better do something, before they ruin this young man. So far, all I've seen is that he has been moved down to #8 in the order. That is not going to be enough of a change.

Engel has power. His problem is his inability to make solid contact. I'm not lobbying for him to get more playing time. He had plenty of opportunities to prove that he can hit. My on!y point was that one can readily see the potential.

Engel never seemed to be able to solve the challenge of hitting, as I hoped. However, you can see why some of us were rooting so hard, for him to do so. If he could just hit for a respectable average, he could be a good player, given that glove. He has speed and power, as well. It's too bad that he just can't make enough contact.

Jose Rondon hit his 20TH homer of the season. if you count the 3 he hit for the Sox.

You have to wonder if the coaches are beginning to lose their patience with Moncada's refusal to swing at close pitches, when he has 2 strikes.

I think this team will be ready to compete, as soon as they establish the starting rotation. My guess is; Rodon, Kopech, Cease, Lopez, followed by one of Giolito, Covey, Dunning, or Hansen. Whether, or not that can happen, by the 2ND half of next year, I have no idea. The lineup could be good enough next year, if they don't trade Avi and Abreu. Maybe one free agent acquisition, and Eloy could make this offence competitive. There could be enough internal options for the bullpen. It may not be necessary to wait until 2021 to compete. That is likely the time when the next wave of prospects arrive, including whom ever they might select in net year's draft.

There appear to be at least two college catchers, ranked in the top 10 of next year's Draft. Shea Langeliers, C, Baylor If Rutschman is the top catcher in the class, Langeliers might not be far behind. He has excellent catch-and-throw skills with outstanding pop times to second. At the plate, Langeliers is quick to the ball and can drive it to all fields, with double-digit home runs in each of his first two seasons.

Last night's walk off homer was another "vote" for Palka. He does seem to have a flare for the dramatic. But even more significant than when he hit it, is where he hit it. He took an outside pitch, way over the left field wall. He possesses that kind of power and should be taking more advantage of it. The shift employed against him leaves the left side wide open. It's an invitation for him to hit the ball to that side. He might be well served to take a step back, off the plate, which would afford him more pitches, which he could hit, in that direction. He would still be able to reach the stands and that open left side would afford him more hits. Moreover, pitches on the inside corner would then be right in his wheel house. Any pitch, which crowds him, inside should be readily recognized as a ball, given his position, in the batter's box. It is inexplicable to me, how our hitters fail to make any adjustments, regarding where they stand in the box, especially in this era of extreme defensive shifts. I wonder if other teams are equally inept, in that regard.

And Steele Walker

While I have been one of the most vocal critics of his habit of taking close pitches, with 2 strikes, I actually feel pretty optimistic that he will develop into a productive player. Given his ability to take pitches and his speed, he might ultimately become a good leadoff hitter. Perhaps he won't be the big power hitter, whom we expected, but a high OBP guy, with speed would be OK. He may have to stop swinging for the fences, and learn to hit pitches to all fields. When teams employ the shift and he gets a a pitch, just barely outside, take the ball to the left side, for a hit With his speed, most of those would be doubles. If he could get his OBP to .350+ and steal bases, I'd be satisfied with 20+ homers. For now, I think we need to see him have better at bats. Not necessarily the results, but the approach. It would be encouraging to see him foul off a bunch of pitches and take a few to the opposite field, maybe move around in the batter's box. Anything but standing there and taking strike 3.

I think that this discussion is more appropriate, in the new thread; "Delmonico or Palka""

I wouldn't be surprised to see Eloy next season. However, I'm not expecting a big free agent signing, this winter. Whom would you like them to sign, to fill the LH bat void?