Lillian

A few things, which you may not know, that are worthwhile to note: 1) He was a pretty good pitcher and he does have a decent arm 2) He is not as slow, as some of us are suggesting and he is a good base runner 3) He hits lefties, almost as well as RHP. He should not be platooned 4) He mashed in the Minors and his hit tool has never been in question 5) His work ethic is exemplary and he is a good athlete. I hope that the hard work, which he has been applying toward learning to play the outfield, will earn him more playing time. You all know that a dangerous left handed, middle of the order bat, has been my perennial quest. Maybe he can be that guy. He is a more likely candidate than Delmonico, whom I love, but who does not possess any where near Palka's power. The exit velocities, which we have been seeing, are no fluke. He absolutely "mashes" and has terrific opposite field power. The other day, I suggested that he work with Thome, to exploit the shift. There are a lot of hits, through the left side of the infield, and he can easily hit the ball over the left field fence.

Stone just made the same observation, which I suggested, the other day. Soria seems to have adopted Shields' lower arm slot, for that breaking pitch and it is working. Here was my post, about which I feel even more confident, now: "I wish more pitchers pitched with his kind of finesse and cunning. Did you notice that Soria was throwing a few similar pitches, in his Friday night's relief appearance? He would do well to try to emulate Shields' approach, as he too has lost his heater, at this stage in his career. Again, even guys can throw a legitimate fastball, could benefit from such innovations. Trying to simply blow everyone away with 95 + mph fastballs, doesn't seem to work as well as it used to. There are too many guys throwing that hard and hitters appear to have adjusted to those speeds."

There seems to be some debate about how tall Nick is. His dad says 5' 7". I wouldn't be surprised if he is even shorter. However, I don't view it as a negative. Remember, smaller strike zone, and shorter path for the bat to the hitting zone.

Well, the fact that so many teams have passed on Singer, should shut KW up. He can't complain that his staff picked Madrigal, and passed on Singer. The rest of us, who also opposed Singer as our first selection, should feel vindicated, as well.

How do you reconcile that assessment with the fact that most scouts seem to say that Singer is a #2, or 3 starter? Mize is considered a potential Ace.

Relevant to my question, regarding where Singer would rank, on our list of prospect pitchers, since most of you agree that he would be behind all of our top guys, except perhaps Dunning, that would suggest that Brady wouldn't be fast tracked. He could conceivably be stuck in the farm system, for quite a while. There are too many good prospects in front of him. Seems a shame to draft a guy that high, only to have him stuck at AAA. Oh yes, I know, they can trade one, or more of their pitchers. Bottom line, for me, is to take a pitcher at #4, he should have Ace potential. Otherwise, I'd rather pick a position player.

Do you really believe that Madrigal could play anything but middle infield, and be a plus defender? I personally see him as an elite defender, at 2ND and an average defender at SS. I just don't think he profiles as a third baseman. Of course, I haven't seen enough of him to have much confidence in that assessment. It's just my impression. Hosteler's insistence aside, regarding "not even considering the MLB roster," if they draft Madrigal, it would be pretty foolish to put him at third, while leaving Moncada at second. It makes so much more sense to have them switch positions. Of course, that is assuming that he is able to be fast tracked to the Big Leagues. That could become an elite defensive infield, by around 2020.

If they select India, where would you guess that he would be ranked, in the Sox Farm system?

If that is true, why not pick India? Would you prefer him, to Singer?

If the Sox were to pick Singer, where would you guess that he would be ranked, relative to the rest of the young arms, in our system? Would he be ahead of any of our top 4 pitching prospects (Kopech, Hansen, Cease or Dunning)? My guess would be that he might be ranked ahead of Dunning, but none of the others.

Sounds alright to me. Maybe they'll consider Rodon the veteran presence. Teams rarely go with 5 very inexperienced starters. Where we disagree is in your assumption that they won't be "going for it next year". It will be the last year of Abreu and Avi's contracts, and with the addition of Eloy, they have enough pieces, providing that they get good enough pitching.

What kind of contract do you expect it will take to sign someone like Santana, for example?

If the Sox intend to sign one veteran, to be in next year's rotation, it will likely require a multi year contract, for anyone decent. By picking up Shields' option, they limit the commitment to one year, which should be ideal to bridge the gap to 2020, when Cease, Hansen, Dunning and Stevens should be ready to join Kopech, Lopez and Giolito.

It is easy to understand the "Shields hate". He was absolutely terrible, trying to pitch the way he had always pitched, during his successful years, when he had a legitimate fastball. However, watching him pitch this season, he is not the same guy. He and Lopez have been our most consistent starters, and it is not by luck. His new approach is effective at getting Big League hitters out. How much he would be worth, is a question that can be argued. However, to say that he is worthless, and to be so convinced that he should be jettisoned, as a mere salary dump, is not a very thoughtful conclusion. I wish more pitchers pitched with his kind of finesse and cunning. Did you notice that Soria was throwing a few similar pitches, in his Friday night's relief appearance? He would do well to try to emulate Shields' approach, as he too has lost his heater, at this stage in his career. Again, even guys can throw a legitimate fastball, could benefit from such innovations. Trying to simply blow everyone away with 95 + mph fastballs, doesn't seem to work as well as it used to. There are too many guys throwing that hard and hitters appear to have adjusted to those speeds.

Shields has been very impressive. He is a real "pitcher," relying on command, movement and changing speeds. That new arm slot was a huge discovery for him. As disgusted and disappointed, as I was with the trade that brought him to the Sox, I have come to appreciate what he has achieved. I wish more guys would try to experiment with such innovative approaches. Imagine how well a guy, with a 95 mph fastball, could pitch, if he had the rest of Shields' current arsenal. Maybe Giolito should adopt something similar, as his heater has become very pedestrian. If James can impart some of his knowledge and skill, to his young team mates, he will have earned his salary. As for his future with the Sox, I wouldn't be upset if they can get someone worthwhile, for him. Otherwise, he may have value, both as a mentor, as well as an innings eater. In any case, I would consider resigning him, for another year. If he is not traded, I'd like to see the Sox pick up that $16 million option. It would really only be $14 Million, as the buy out is $2 Million, which is a sunk cost, if they elect not to pick up the option. If next year, they could feature Rodon, Kopech, Lopez, Giolito and Shields, they could be competitive, while affording the rest of the young arms time to develop in the Minors.

The notion that Madrigal could be another Altuve is not likely to transpire. Jose is a rare talent and the odds of there being another one like him are not the kind of odds, that I would bet on. If Madrigal can be a good Major League second baseman, that would make him a worthy pick. However, if you are hoping that he is going to be like Altuve, you are setting yourself up for a big disappointment.

While I agree with the general principle of taking the "best player available," there is a perspective which would lead one to seek the "best pitcher" available. I have asserted elsewhere that this team's window of opportunity will likely come when they have their pitching staff assembled. With solid pitching they could be ready next year. Avi and Abreu, in their free agent pending contract years, together with Anderson, Moncada, Jimenez, Castillo, Sanchez and Davidson, and you have enough run production to be competitive. It is waiting for Kopech, Cease, Hansen and Dunning that would keep the Sox from being serious contenders, as early as next year. Therefore, maybe the organization thinks that adding another, high floor, near ready starter would accelerate the time table. For me personally, I'd rather be patient, and think more in terms of 2020, when Robert might join the team and Jimenez could be more slowly developed, in order to delay his service time. I want him in a Sox uniform, at least until his early 30's. Moreover, rushing a guy like Singer is probably not a good idea. He will likely need to develop that third plus pitch, before he can get Major League hitters out, for 6 plus innings. He does not possess Chris Sale type stuff. I'd rather that they take the best position player and wait on the deep crop of pitching prospects, already in the organization.

Another walk for India. On base 4 times, in 5 plate appearances, with two RBI's.

India has a single, double, walk and a stolen base, in 4 plate appearances, in their first game vs. Columbia. He should get at least one more at bat today.

If you believe that Hostetler is usually coy about whom they are targeting, you might suspect that India is on that list their top 7 guys, to which he alluded. It's curious that he didn't mention India, in view of the fact that they have obviously seen quite a bit of him, even if only incidentally, while scouting his teammate, Singer. India is ranked between #5 and #9 on several mock draft lists. Yet, no mention of him, at all, in the interview. You all know that the Gator third baseman is my pick, over Madrigal, so I hope that this oversight was an intentional misdirection.

Next year, I would expect the team will feature the following: Anderson, Moncada, Avi (or whomever he is traded for) Abreu, Jimenez (after May), Castillo, Davidson, Sanchez and whoever wins the CF spot. 4 of those guys are not currently playing. The starting rotation should include, Rodon, Lopez, Kopech, Giolito and ? Two of those guys are also not on this team. Moreover, all of the young players should be better, with the experienced gained this season. And then, there are all of the other promising young prospects, whose arrival will be on the not too distant horizon. Cheer up. It will get better.

After last night, he is now up to the following, versus RHP: .303 .473 .569 1.042

It would be a real shock, if the Sox took a high school outfielder, for their first pick. Very odd that Mayo suggested the Sox could take Schnell, "as another option" for their first pick. I'm curious, between the two Gator candidates, whom would you select, Singer or India?

Greg, you don't really think that the real Indians resemble the poor start they have had, more than the way they played in this series, do you? That is a very good team. They have had problems with the bullpen and some injuries, but they are probably going to run away with the Central, before the season is over.

They faced one of baseball's best pitchers today and that Cleveland lineup is very impressive. Why is anyone shocked at the results?