Lillian

From MLB.com: "The 21-year-old is now hitting .364/.407/.620 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs in 48 games at the Triple-A level." Just let that sink in, for a moment. After the "Big Hurt," he could end up being the best hitter, in White Sox history.

Yes, that is a far more rational approach. And, for those who want to do more than simply observe, constructive suggestions are interesting. Unfortunately, they have little chance of being heard, by those who matter.

Well, finally. Yoan didn't need to try to figure out what to do with 2 strikes, that time.

Moncada should take lessons from Omar.

Absolutely!! That was a pitch that he could have taken to left field, for a hit. Striking out two times in a row, against Zimmerman is just pathetic.

I'd like to clarify how I erroneously came up with a 39% strike out rate. I used "at bats" rather than plate appearances. Since I was relating it to batting average, I thought that made sense. If I were relating it to on base %, I would have used plate appearances. At the time of my calculation, he had struck out 179 times in 459 at bats, which is 39%. If a hitter strikes out 4 times in every 10 at bats, that leaves 6 at bats, for him to accumulate hits, applied to his average. If he has a BABIP of .400, on those 6 at bats, he would get 2.4 hits. That would produce a batting average of .240 for the total 10 at bats (2.4 hits, in 10 at bats). It's not plausible to expect him to have a .400 BABIP, and even then. it would only produce a .240 Average. That was my point. I understand that the game has changed and that these very high strike out rates are becoming much more common, and for some, acceptable. It just seems to me that a hitter is going to have to hit a lot of home runs, to justify that kind of strike out rate. That said, I am hopeful that he will get that strike out issue under control. The encouraging thing is that he has taken an awful lot of called 3RD strikes, many on bad umpire calls. Once he learns to swing at those close pitches, when he is in a 2 strike count, that should reduce the strike outs.

Strike outs matter, simply because it means an automatic out. If a batter makes contact, there are many possible outcomes and a lot of them result in something positive. With his speed, there are so many chances to get on base, if he can improve his contact rate. What BABIP does a hitter need, in order to have a respectable batting average, if he strikes out 39% of the time?

Why would they waste the service time, and opportunities for him to get the experience? I don't understand that idea. What am I missing?

I understand your skepticism. However, on the other hand, these adjustments may simply be part of the learning process. He does seem to be more comfortable, at the plate, doesn't he? His approach appears to be pretty sound now, and he is getting good results. I think, if he can get to the point where he can hit .250 and draw a few walks, he would be a useful piece, until Robert is ready.

Another good day at the plate for Engel. That last at bat would have been out of most parks. 2 for 4, with a pair of doubles, will do just fine. Ever since he moved closer to the plate, he has been having good at bats. I'm still hoping for him to become an acceptable hitter. He's inching his way toward that point.

Maybe they've been worried about Eloy thwarting their plan to tank, for the Draft. Now that Abreu is out, perhaps they can let Eloy play, and still have hopes of losing. MLB really needs to fix this dilemma. Maybe they should add an age requirement, for free agency.

Engel's homer is one that he wouldn't have hit, before he started standing closer to the plate. It seems to be making a big difference

Thank you Flavum. That was nice to be able to see that CSN broadcast.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=moncayo01&year=2018&t=b

In one of the recent game broadcasts, it was stated that he recently decided to go back to an approach, which he had followed earlier in his young career. He began to focus upon watching the pitcher's hand, with the ball and watch it leave his hand. That approach has corresponded with the point in the season, when he began to hit consistently. Pretty basic approach, but I guess sometimes a player can loose that focus.

I'd like to see the Sox trade Castillo, over the winter.Even if it represents not much more than a salary dump. I'm satisfied with the current catching tandem of Narvaez and Smith, until Collins is ready, or whomever they draft, next year. Who knows, the long term answer may be Rutschman or Langeliers.

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.