Lillian

Actually, it's not a piece, which is exclusive for subscribers, I don't think, because I'm not. If you want to read their mock draft, you have to subscribe, but the article was available. In any case, here is what it said: “There’s one player that will be first on all 30 draft boards,” said one scouting director. “And the second player will be totally different on all 30 boards.” There is no clear No. 2 player in this class right now, and the second player on one preference list may be 10th on someone else’s board. That kind of uncertainty will likely lead to plenty of deal-making. As one agent put it, the top 10 will be filled with players making below-slot deals, finding the best landing spot they can in a draft where teams may not be completely sold on anyone. As we get closer and closer to the draft, the college bats are rising to the top. Players like Jonathan India, Joey Bart and Alec Bohm have the kind of production against top-level competition that can make analytics departments happy, with the tools to appeal to scouts as well."

I just received this relevant article, in my email: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2018-mlb-mock-draft-picks-1-35/?utm_source=180511_newsletter&utm_medium=email

Ok, I understand. He is your favorite. That's fine. We all have our own opinion, and I respect that. I like the player too. I just would prefer someone else, with our #4 pick.

If they think that there is clearly a better player than India available, at #4, I'd prefer that they take that player. I'm just not sold on Madrigal, for the Sox. Perhaps they will go with a college arm. This entire concept of "best player available" is valid. The problem is that, in this year's draft, there doesn't seem to be a clear consensus about who is the best player, not even at #1 or 2. It all becomes very subjective, when there is no clear consensus. Can one really argue that Madrigal is "clearly" a better player than India? Then too, there is the possibility of exploiting the rankings, by selecting an under slot player, and thus having more money to spend, in a later pick. But then, I'm sure that you know that.

I haven't read any specific assertion that Madrigal can't play third, but it is pretty unanimous that he profiles best at second. If you find a scouting report that suggest he could play third, that would be interesting to know.

Thank you for the clarification. I don't subscribe to Baseball America and therefore didn't know anything more than the reference to their quote, in this Future Sox article. In any case, I'm glad to hear that the Sox may prefer India.

I'm with Baseball America and prefer India, to Madrigal. He provides more flexibility, with the ability to play third, short or second. India is putting up an even better OBP, in a tougher conference and, of course, he provides power potential, which Madrigal does not. Moreover, although I understand that, at #4, you pick the best player available, Madrigal is not clearly the best player. Therefore, it makes sense to think about how he would fit into the rebuild. If there is one player on this young team, who is a lock to be there, when the contending window opens, it's Moncada, and he is not going to move off second base, which happens to be just about the only place Madrigal profiles. He is just 2 years younger than Moncada. That pretty much negates the advantage of Madrigal being capable of being fast tracked to the Majors. He could indeed be ready for the "Big Show," in 2020, but would not have a place to play. It just doesn't make sense for the Sox to pick him. Oh sure, they could take him and then trade him, but that only makes sense if he is clearly the best player available, and that is not the case.

I quoted MLB Pipeline, in a previous post. on page 5 of this thread, or you can simply go to his page, where he is listed as the Sox' #1 prospect, on the "Top 30" list.

Based upon that fact that he does not possess much speed, or a strong, accurate arm. I think that he can be adequate, but not a plus defender, in the outfield. Many here complain about Avi's defense. At least he can run and throw.

If the Sox end up being short an outfielder, or two, which I doubt, they can acquire one. Making room for the other top prospects is only part of the thought process here. Eloy just does not appear to possess the tools to ever be a plus defensive outfielder. I'd like to see good defense in all 3 outfield spots.

My urgency is motivated by the need to give him time to learn the position. He is going to be hard to keep in the Minors and learning how to play first, at the MLB level, wouldn't be ideal.

What is it that you find dubious about the assertion that he profiles better as a first baseman? He is big, tall, slow, with a below average arm. The only thing that would make him any better suited to play first, would be if he were left handed. However, that doesn't seem too important anymore, as there are many right handed first basemen. He certainly doesn't profile as a very good outfielder.

Now you're talkin', "Baker". Finally, someone who agrees with me. From yet another perspective, think of it this way. If Eloy were at first and 3 of the other 4 comprised the outfield, and a good defensive one indeed, there really wouldn't be any holes to fill on that future roster. With Anderson and Moncada, as the keystone combo, Collins and Zavala behind the plate and my projected 4TH pick, India at 3RD ?, this roster would look pretty good. It would even satisfy my "obsession" for some left handed thunder: Moncada, Collins, Basabe/Rutherford. That leaves DH for Abreu, if he is resigned, or whomever. Eloy profiles much better as a first baseman than an outfielder, and the injury risk is less there, as you point out. It will be interesting to see if this idea gets consideration, by the front office. Of course, it would likely be 2020, at the earliest.

Well, you're easy to please. I certainly will not consider it a win, if only two of those 5 become Major League regulars. I assume that you think Eloy and Robert are the most likely to succeed. If that were the case, wouldn't you be a little surprised and disappointed if Adolfo, Rutherford and Basabe all turned out to be busts?

I agree that, except for Eloy, they are a ways away from being Major Leaguers, however Eloy would need time to learn a new position. Why not start the process now, while he is still in the Minors? No one is blocking him at first base. Gillaspie has been awful at Charlotte, which is where Jimenez is likely headed and soon. This quote from MLB Pipeline, on Jimenez strengthens the argument: "Though Jimenez may not offer much beyond his bat, he still can become a superstar. As he has gotten bigger and stronger, he has slowed and now has below-average speed. His arm strength also has regressed and he recorded just six assists in his first four pro seasons, so he now projects as a fringy left fielder."

Looking at these birth dates, of our top 5 outfield prospects, should reinforce the notion of Eloy moving to 1ST Base: Basabe 8/96 Adolfo 9/96 Jimenez 11/96 Rutherford 5/97 Robert 8/97 The likelihood is very high that all 5 of these kids are going to be Major League regulars, if not stars. It would really help if one of them could play another position. Eloy does not possess good tools to play anywhere in the outfield. 3 of those guys are potential centerfielders, the best defensively being Robert and Basabe. Adolfo's average speed, and elite arm, play perfectly in RF. I don't know where they are going to find a spot for Rutherford, but he appears to be justifying the original hype. It's a shame that one of them couldn't play 3RD. In any case, let's hope that they all continue to blossom and that there will be room for all of them, on that championship team, in the next decade.

Well Caulfield, between Kopech, Cease, Lopez, Giolito, Hansen, Dunning, Fulmer and whomever they draft, or acquire in a trade, I hope that they'll have their top 3 or 4 starters. Filling in the bottom of the rotation is not going to be that hard to do. If at least 3 of those guys don't develop into top of the rotation guys, I'll be pretty disappointed. it's the injuries that worry me the most.

I'm beginning to think that both Adolfo and Jimenez, along with Moncada, will comprise the heart of the order, on that contending team, around 2021. If that happens, I'm even more convinced that Eloy will move to first. We will likely have a very crowded outfield and having both of those big guys in the same outfield would present a defensive liability. I've been saying that it seems to make more sense to think of Adolfo in RF, with his elite arm (once he recovers), Robert in CF with his elite speed and either Rutherford or Basabe in LF. That would give us two very capable defensive players in LF and CF and a strong arm in RF. Depending upon whom they draft, the Sox may not have to sign any free agent position players. This team could be loaded, with just the home grown players. It also looks like the rotation might not need a free agent, either. That would be great, because we may need to spend big on a couple of elite arms for the bullpen!!!

The maple bats and the juiced ball should minimize the effects of not using metal bats. The only place it might still be significant is near the handle. I do note that India has been hit by a pitch 10 times. That suggests that he likes to set up over the plate. If so, he might get sawed off, with inside pitches, which would make the wood bat more of a negative factor.

Of course, you're absolutely right. However, I can't imagine that his power won't come, if he continues to hit and get on base. He is a very big and strong youngster. I'd worry more about his not being able to continue to make contact.

Even if the Sox don't resign Abreu, or Avi and don't sign a free agent, it's conceivable that their lineup could still be very impressive and look something like this in 2021: 2B Moncada CF Robert DH Jimenez C Collins RF Adolfo 1B Sheets SS Anderson 3B Burger LF Basabe Add to that list, any trade acquisitions and free agents, plus potential regulars, Rutherford, Zevala and our #4 pick (India), and you have to be excited. I do hope that they take India and he replaces Anderson in 2021, if he is better than Tim, or Burger, if he turns out to be a bust. That lineup has speed, high OBP, power and nice balance on both sides of the plate. If Sheets doesn't make it, Jimenez might end up at first base. In any case, with the crowded outfield of prospects, it seems doubtful that Jimenez will be in the outfield. He is probably better suited for first base, especially with Adolfo's arm in RF, Robert and Basabe patrolling CF & LF. The point is; how these top prospects develop, coupled with the upcoming draft, is not only very intriguing, but extremely important for the future window of contention, which may not have much of our current roster. It all makes it seem much easier to watch this losing season, doesn't it?

Yes, and with the two switch hitters, we'd have 4 LH bats in the top half of the lineup, versus RHP. That works for me!!!

After last night, Collins OBP is .459. Maybe the Sox have finally found that middle of the order, LH bat!!!!!

Another good day for India, 3 for 5 with his 15TH HR. How much of a factor is his playing in the SEC, the number one NCAA conference? It will be interesting to see how he finishes the season.

For the skeptics and cynics, maybe it would be helpful to watch the run differential, more than the won/loss record. When the Sox are able to be in most games, the hope that a few of the young prospects and a free agent signing, or two, will make this team competitive. There shouldn't be a lot of holes to fill, once we get the likes of Jimenez, Robert, Kopech, Cease, Dunning, Hansen and more.