scenario

Too early to know who all the players will be yet, but... Looks like Birmingham could have an outstanding team the first half of 2009. Beckham at SS Brandon Allen at 1B John Shelby in LF Stefan Gartrell in RF Tyler Flowers at C CJ Retherford at 3B And a good group of pitchers including... John Ely Lucas Harrell Clevelan Santeliz Jhonny Nunez It's going to be a very interesting team to watch.

Here's another version of the article from Winston's blog, 'Got MiLB?' BEYOND THE BOXSCORE ... GETTING TO KNOW WHITE SOX OF JOHN "TREYBONE" SHELBY III The difference between the two articles is the intro below and a different picture of Shelby. I know there are a lot of people who envy me my job because I "get to meet a lot of baseball players." And, of course, that's true, I do. But the really best thing about my job? Getting to meet some amazing, awesome and, most important, incredibly nice people who also happen to be baseball players. And Chicago White Sox outfield prospect John Shelby III, aka "Treybone," unquestionably ranks among the top guys on that list. Admittedly, it's taken "Trey" a little time to get used to that "outfielder" moniker. Since being drafted out of Kentucky in the fifth round of 2006 he's gone from second base to outfield to second base back to outfield again, where he's been learning the ropes full-time since the 2008 season at Winston-Salem. But as long as he keeps hitting the way he has the last two seasons, there is little doubt that his travel itinerary will see him keep moving up.

QUOTE (DBAHO @ Mar 21, 2009 -> 08:16 PM) Now where does he hit in the lineup if he's indeed starting now? I'd put money on him leading off by opening day.

Batting around with John Shelby III. By Lisa Winston / MLB.com It's taken a little time, but Chicago White Sox prospect John Shelby III is finally getting used to being referred to as "outfielder John Shelby III." The White Sox's fifth-round pick in 2006 out of the University of Kentucky, Shelby was a standout middle infielder who has moved from second base to the outfield, back to second base and back to the outfield again -- where he's been full time since last season. But as long as he keeps hitting the way he has the last two seasons, there is little doubt that his travel itinerary will keep moving him up. Named MLB.com's White Sox Minor League Player of the Year after he hit .295 with 15 homers, 80 RBIs and a system-high 33 steals at Advanced A Winston-Salem last summer, Shelby finished second in the organization in RBIs, fifth in homers and eighth in batting. He also tied a Carolina League record with a three-homer game. That hot summer was not far removed from the numbers he put up in his first full season (2007). With the Class A Kannapolis Intimidators, Shelby hit .301 with 16 homers, 79 RBIs and 19 steals, while posting a 22-game hitting streak midseason. Likely bound for Double-A Birmingham when camp breaks next month, it might not appear at first glance like he has that much to work on offensively, but the 23-year-old has very definite goals to improve his game even more. "Right now, I'm working on trying to hit the ball the other way," said Shelby. "Pulling the ball is how I end up striking out a lot, I get beat on a lot of sliders I try to pull." And, of course, he's hoping to further improve his play in the outfield. "Just looking ahead of me in the organization, there are a lot of good infielders in front of me," he said. "The outfield picture isn't wide open but I think there is a clearer shot to make it there, especially a guy like me. I think I bring something different to the table, a little power, I can steal some bags, whatever they want me to do." If it sounds like he has a good grasp on the game and what it takes to get to the next level. That shouldn't be surprising, seeing as how his dad, John "T-Bone" Shelby Jr., was a big leaguer who currently is a coach with the Baltimore Orioles. The running joke in the family has long been that John III was following in his dad's "cleatsteps" even before he could walk, turning whatever he held in his little hand into a ball. "Ever since I was born I always had a glove or bat in my hand," he said. "I hated toys. I just liked to throw things." The oldest of six children (five boys and a girl), he talks to his dad pretty much every day, but there are actually more members of the immediate Shelby family that serve as inspiration to John III, who is nicknamed "Treybone." But ask him who he would trade places with for one day and he doesn't hesitate -- his 21-year-old brother, Jeremy. Jeremy, two years younger than John, is a red-shirt senior on the baseball team at Grambling State, but he's overcome more than just a few position shifts. "He's my 'little big' brother, and he overcame Hodgkins Disease in high school and it never fazed him," Shelby said. "He got through it like it was nothing, and he really inspired me to be stronger as the oldest brother." Jeremy is healthy and happy and continuing to be an inspiration to friends and family, dabbling on the side in singing Christian rap, among other things. "He's doing fine now, totally clean, nothing bothering him," said Shelby. "He walks the walk and he talks the talk." MLB: Of what accomplishment, on or off the field, in your life are you the proudest? John Shelby: A few things. Definitely getting engaged last year. Also, I love how my brothers look up to me. Having their respect so I know it's not about me, it's about my paving the way for them. And as far as baseball, in college I only hit .291 as a junior so being able to bat over .300 in pro ball is a nice accomplishment. MLB: What do you think you'd be doing now if you weren't playing baseball? JS: I don't even want to think about it (laughs). But I'm very involved in our church. I think I would finish up school and get married. What else can I do but play baseball? MLB: Everyone has a "hidden talent." What's yours? JS: Everyone else in my family has a hidden talent, they can draw or sing, but I don't have one. My hidden talent, I guess, is making people laugh. I have a dry sense of humor. MLB: What is the worst job you've ever had? JS: I haven't had a lot of jobs, but this offseason I got a job as a security guard for Kentucky basketball games. I thought I'd get to see the games, to peek in and watch them, but I couldn't. MLB: What is your guiltiest TV pleasure? JS: The only thing I watch is "King of Queens." I love that show. It always seems to relate to me. Other than that, I always have ESPN on but I'm not a big TV guy. MLB: Which aspect of life in the Minors do you find to be the biggest challenge and why? JS: Being away from family is the toughest thing. The baseball part isn't tough, it's what we love to do. But if you're in a slump, you want someone to be there and give you a hug and you only have the phone. MLB: If you were commissioner for a day, which one rule would you change? JS: They should have blood tests for steroids. You can't fake blood. And there should be more off days.

Guys scheduled to pitch today. (Unlikely all of them get in... but these are the guys on the schedule.) Danks Egbert Poreda Russell Wasserman Williams

QUOTE (Palehosefan @ Mar 18, 2009 -> 01:01 PM) Brandon Allen going to AA instead of AAA actually surprised me the most. Surprised me a little based on how he was doing offensively in camp. But I think sending him to AA makes sense. He's shown he can hit. In Birmingham, he can get full-time playing opportunity at 1B to work on his defense. And this allows more playing time in AAA then for both Broussard and possibly Kroeger who are more likely call-ups (in 2009) in case of injuries.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Mar 18, 2009 -> 12:50 PM) It seems ever since Viciedo missed that training session, his name has been kept out of the newspapers and for the most part, line-ups. Geezus... this is exactly how ridiculous rumors get started. As of today, he has the same number of at-bats as Fields and has played in the same number of games as Alexei. The reason he hasn't been playing lately is because he developed shin splints, not because of a double-secret probation rules violation.

When you think about it... Viciedo going to Charlotte shows alot of confidence in his ability. How often does a just-turned-20-year-old ballplayer get assigned to AAA? No shame in that. In fact, that's very impressive. (I bet he will be THE youngest player in the International League.) Let him get some experience hitting off-speed pitches without major league pressure. I think it will turn out to be the best thing for him... and the ballclub.

QUOTE (Jenks Heat @ Mar 18, 2009 -> 09:02 AM) But Williams is left handed which the Sox only have one of for sure. I think they take a flyer on him and hope for a career year type of thing. Richard and Poreda can be sent down to start. I think it's unlikely that Williams comes north with the Sox because of the 40-man roster issues involved. We don't have alot of room for movement unless someone on the current 40-man is dealt. QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 18, 2009 -> 10:22 AM) So we are saying Jenks Thornton Dotel Linebrink are 100% in With Clayton Richard in as long as he isn't a starter. For my money, I want to see both Marquez and Poreda in Charlotte starting if Richard is in the pen. After that I would go with DJ Carrasco and Lance Broadway as the garbage man. If the Sox think Poreda's future is in the pen, then go ahead and bring him north. If not, send him to Charlotte and let him work on his third pitch. I think Egbert has as good of a chance as either Carrasco or Broadway because of his hard-sinker/changeup combo. His changeup is very good... a plus pitch that could get major league hitters out right now. And pitchers with good changeups and control are pretty valuable assets in a bullpen. That plus he does not give up many homeruns.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX - ALL TIME HOME GROWN TEAM vs. ALL TIME ACQUIRED TEAM Interesting piece by a Red Sox blogger who is writing similar articles about other MLB teams.

QUOTE (SoxFan562004 @ Mar 17, 2009 -> 04:31 PM) it will probably depend on how their early season schedule breaks out regarding needing a 5th starter. If they need a 5th starter early on I can see both making it since The Count might need an extra few weeks to stretch out I'm guessing that both Richard and Marquez come north with the team... and that both get a couple of starts in April. I think they'll leave Colon in extended spring training until the weather in Chicago warms up a little.

Another note from Gonzalez... TUCSON, Ariz. - Manager Ozzie Guillen revealed that 19-year-old Cuban infielder Dayan Viciedo has shin splints that has affected his running. Viciedo, however, is in the White Sox's lineup Tuesday against Arizona. Viciedo showed his bat is fine by ripping a double three-fourths of the way off the 30-foot wall in center field off All-Star pitcher Dan Haren in the second inning. Viciedo, however, was easily thrown out trying to run to third after Chad Tracy threw to first to retire Brian Anderson.

For those that are interested... here is a little background on the church's rules regarding excommunication.

The reason I like the idea of picking up Edmonds... quality depth. I just have a feeling that someone is going to get hurt this year. And if it's one of our middle of the lineup guys, our lineup could start looking pretty thin pretty fast. Plus, I like the idea of having a lefty power bat who could play any outfield position or could fill in as DH if needed.

QUOTE (Whitewashed in '05 @ Mar 12, 2009 -> 08:53 PM) Jerry Owens was a wide receiver... Good thing. It'll give him career options after the Sox cut him at the end of spring training.

Wise starting the year in CF and leading off does not mean he will stay in the lineup if he plays poorly. It only means that the Sox would bring Wise north with the team and cut Owens loose. And then if Wise doesn't do the job early in the year, the Sox will elevate someone else to leadoff.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Mar 11, 2009 -> 12:05 AM) Trust your eyeballs. They'll tell you that Ramirez has a 70+ arm on the rating scale (behind only Furcal, Dunston, Uribe, Valentin in his prime) and that his arm will make up for any number of mistakes out there...is he going to be great? I don't know yet. But I think he'll be very good, just as he was a very good (but not great) 2B, playing a new position in a new country for the very first time in the heat of a pennant race, when he wasn't used to such a long season. But I guess we expect perfection. I just saw a statistical analysis from the other day that "proved" Alfonso Soriano is the best left-fielder in MLB... defensively. As the saying goes... "Statistics don't lie... but statisticians do." Because numbers can be found to support almost any argument.

Living proof that you don't need to know what you're talking about to be a sportswriter.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Mar 11, 2009 -> 07:30 AM) I was talking mostly about middle infielders so I'll forget the 3B. There was a grand total of something like 2 INN played at 2B and SS by Mattingly, Marquez, McDowell, Crowe and Gehrig and not a one of them recorded an assist. So never in the history of the game has a left handed thrower recorded an assist from a middle infield position? That's awesome. Discrimination. That's OK. Left-handed people grow up to be presidents.

QUOTE (CryptviLL @ Mar 10, 2009 -> 10:39 PM) How well does a Field maintenance worker on a baseball stadium get paid? I have no clue... But if you're serious about getting a job in baseball, here's a couple of other links you should look at. PBEO.com MLB.com

Some links I put together a while back.

Link Here's an excerpt... "The wrist is made up of eight irregularly shaped carpal bones that fit loosely together in two rows like a jigsaw puzzle, held in place by a series of interconnected ligaments. The lunate bone is located in the center of the bottom row of bones, so its location makes it crucial in stabilizing the entire wrist. When Hudson's glove collided with Atlanta baserunner Brian McCann as he reached for an errant throw from pitcher Juan Cruz, Hudson's hand apparently was jammed back with such violent force that the lunate bone did a 180-degree flip down and a 180-degree twist to the left, blowing out the ligaments that hold the wrist together. Additionally, the bone came to rest against the median nerve in what amounted to an excruciatingly painful carpal tunnel catastrophe. If you know nothing else about a perilunate dislocation, just know that you don't want one. Hudson was asked, on a scale of one to 10, his degree of pain. "A hundred," he said. "Maybe more." Enough pain, said Hudson, that by the time he was taken into the Arizona Diamondbacks clubhouse, he was done. Not just for that game. Not just for that season. "I retired," he said. "I didn't want to play again, that's how bad it was."

QUOTE (BearSox @ Mar 10, 2009 -> 07:59 PM) Owens is by far one of the worst defensive outfielders I have seen. He's got an arm worse than both Pierre and Damon, he gets worse reads than both Soriano and Ramirez... No... just no. I'm not an Owens fan, but let's not get carried away to try and make a point. NOBODY in the known universe has a worse throwing arm than Pierre.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Mar 10, 2009 -> 06:06 PM) Could be, as a righty I can't say for sure. I know in theory it should be a problem for a lefty and that's always been principle but I have no first hand experience to back it up. No lefties I've ever known even bothered with middle infield positions, they assumed they couldn't handle it and stuck to the outfield. If I were playing shortstop, I would just shade toward the hole and handle balls hit up the middle backhand. IMO, on balls hit up the middle a lefty has an advantage at SS, because you don't have to throw across your body like a righty does. So there would be fewer steps and a more natural quicker throw. Again, harder I'm sure for a righty to picture, because it's the opposite of what they would do. But no reason a good athlete who positioned himself properly should be at a disadvantage because of angles. They would just be different.

QUOTE (Kalapse @ Mar 10, 2009 -> 05:43 PM) There are no left handed middle infielders anymore (not a single regular at either position last season). It's nearly impossible for a lefty to play 2B so only righties play second. It's incredibly difficult for a left handed fielder to play middle infield, the angles are all wrong so most get moved to the outfield or 1B (with the LARGE majority becoming pitchers). SS is still a more difficult position for a righty, the long throw to first and amount of balls hit in the hole make it much more demanding. Imagine being a lefty and fielding a ball hit in the hole at short, that throw to first in insanely awkward you either have to turn your whole body back to the left or spin around to your right. It's very inefficient. Funny thing is... I think it's more of a perception than it is a real problem. I'm left-handed and played alot of baseball growing up, including 3B. The positioning is different than it is for a right-hander, but I don't think it's more difficult. Seems like, IMO, all the people who think being lefty is more difficult... are right-handed. I wouldn't be surprised at all if that perception causes many young players to get moved into 'lefty positions' at a young age and that the lack of lefties in infield positions is more of a self-fulfilling prophecy than it is a real problem. (BTW - the Sox have a left-handed fielding 2B prospect who played for Great Falls this year.)