harfman77

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Mar 11, 2014 -> 10:09 AM) See, here's the thing though - Adam Dunn is not useless. Say you're a firefighter and you go into a commercial kitchen and see a stockpot and you say "Why do you need a pot that big, that's silly, IT'S USELESS" because you don't see that it actually has a use. This is how you are treating the Dunn situation. Dunn's use is very limited and there are certain things he should absolutely not do. These include: play first base, play left field, play right field, hit against lefties, sacrifice bunt, steal bases, cook meth, write songs, sing songs, dance in the rain, tackle trains, and perform surgery. However, he is still a talented individual, and there are somethings he should do. These include: DH, hit against right handed pitching, swing hard, invest in movies, grow beards, eat grilled cheese sandwiches. There are also things he's going to do no matter what you tell him: hit homers, strike out, and draw walks. So long as Dunn gets 80%+ of his ABs against righties, he'll be utilized properly and there is a good chance the Sox will be able to deal him at the deadline. Also, the Sox do not have to deal either Viciedo or De Aza. They could just as easily trade or DFA Jordan Danks. Agree on most of these, though I think he could be a very effective sac bunter against the shift. Everytime I see the shift I want the guy at bat to drop a bunt down the 3B line. Granted they are all usually so big and slow that they will still get out, but at least it gives the defense something to think about so they have to play a little closer to straight up. I know bad strategy to make your bopper bunt, but I hate seeing almost a third of the IF vacant.

QUOTE (Jose Abreu @ Mar 10, 2014 -> 11:02 PM) OT: Am I the only one who still wants us to do whatever it takes outside of Sale/Abreu/Garcia to land Giancarlo Stanton? Yes, I do not want someone who cannot figure out his own first name.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Mar 10, 2014 -> 09:05 PM) That's the second paragraph in what you just quoted, where I said he has talent and it isn't impossible for him to improve. But IF HE DOES it will be a complete reversal of everything we know about him. All things are possible, complete HALLELUJAH epiphanies of Zen clarity are uncommon. It's just how it is. It isn't a good bet that a dude with 1200 PAs of ML hackitude just "gets it," because the coaches have been trying to tell him that for years. You can find a few guys, sure, and that's why it is possible. But for every success there are 500 failures. You can beat a straight flush, for example, but the odds aren't on your side, and so it behooves you to cut your losses. That's all I'm saying. If Seattle is going to give us something of value to take our risk off our hands, we should do it, IMO. Not for Michael Saunders though. Thats a little overly dramatic, he was tremendous vs LHP and had a lot of issues with RHP in his first full season. Last season he was greatly improved against RHP. The pieces are all there to show that he can be successful, he showed power two years ago, showed the ability to adapt his approach last season, now hopefully he can put it altogether. He is still fairly young and the indicators are that he is learning to play baseball at this level, and with that there will be growing pains. He is never gonna be a guy that has a good K/BB rate and he never has been. But as a rebuilding team, he is the type of player you need to keep until he completely flames out in case he is able to figure it out.

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Mar 11, 2014 -> 06:22 AM) I am not worried about Kolek's frame, his body is just more mature. He has a similar build to Noah Syndergaard who is listed at 6'6 240, and if you're worried about his athleticism remember that he is being recruited by SEC teams to play DE. Once he starts training with ML physical trainers his body will be in better shape. I think that guys like Hoffman and Beede have reached their ceilings and are who they are going to be, I don't find their numbers to be too spectacular or worth of being a top 5 pick in the draft. Tyler Kolek on the other hand is a 18 year old power-pitcher, who has a fastball that can hit 100mph and hits the high 90s with regularity. He also has a developing slider and curveball that scream plus, along with a change up that sits in the low 80s. He is compared to guys like Syndergaard, Strausburg and Jonathan Gray. The sky is truly the limit for Kolek and his potential. He has to be the pick. Kolek also has a lot lower floor than Beede or Hoffman. The floor for them is probably mid to low rotation starters. Kolek may turn out to be a one pitch reliever. His frame is a cause for worry because it is not a far leap to get to a Felipe Paulino or Bobby Jenks type of body. You have to be really sure about his makeup, cause a small town kid, the first time living away from home, can have some issues with staying on the path. I dont know his makeup, so I won't speculate, but it is something that the Sox have to be sure of before thinking about rolling the dice on him in the draft. The closer we get, the more I think it will be Beede or Newcomb but conference play has barely started and we still have a lot to learn about these guys.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Mar 7, 2014 -> 12:25 PM) Todays games of interest: Carlos Rodon vs Notre Dame 2 pm CT Jeff Hoffman vs Marshall (PPD) tomorrow at 11 am CT Tyler Beede vs Winthrop 6:30 pm CT Newcomb looks like he is not picthing this weekend in a three game series with East Tenn State, so maybe a red flag there. This weekends starts and up to date season stats: Rodon - 9 IP 10 H 3 R 3 ER 1 BB 7 K Hoffman - 3.1 IP 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 7 BB, 6 K Newcomb - 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 8 K Beede - 7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K Season Rodon - 2.40 ERA 30 IP, 22 H, 13 R, 8 ER, 7 BB, 30 K - 4 starts Hoffman - 3.28 ERA, 24.2 IP, 16 H, 11 R, 9 ER, 13 BB, 32 K - 4 starts Newcomb - 0.00 ERA, 17.2 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 9 BB, 23 K - 3 starts Beede - 1.08 ERA, 25 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 33 K - 4 starts Looks like Hoffman was having some control problems, but overall his numbers are still pretty good.

QUOTE (Stan Bahnsen @ Mar 10, 2014 -> 02:12 PM) I wonder how different he is from a guy like, say, Michael Wacha. I'd take that. Here is Wacha's draft report from mlb.com: "Wacha jumped on the prospect map very early into his Aggies career and while he's still the top college arm in Texas, he's not quite as high profile now as people thought he might be after the start of his college career.Wacha reminds some of Jon Garland because of his size. He has a live, quick arm that can produce a fastball up to 94 mph, sitting comfortably in the 92-93 mph range. There might be more there, pointing to a future plus fastball. He can spin a curve, though some think he'd be better off throwing a slider at the next level. He doesn't throw a changeup much, but it could be an average offering. He can throw his pitches for strikes and goes right after hitters.Even if he's not the elite college arm some thought he would be, he still has the chance to be a big, durable big league starter. And those don't grow on trees."

QUOTE (raBBit @ Mar 10, 2014 -> 10:48 AM) Stoltz absolutely loves Ravelo and he claims he can stick at 3B because of his athleticism. Other scouts have said the contrary. Stoltz only follows the prospects that are in his proximity and he falls in love with a few of them and Ravelo is one of those. Either way, his stats don't lie and he was fun to follow last year. I just hate the fact that he plays 1B. It only matters though if Buddy and co will move him back across the diamond. Perhaps Barnum will come up and push him over as that would be a best case scenario. Maybe they moved him over after missing time so that he would get at bats while his defense may have fallen behind in his time off. Are there any indications where he is playing in ST?

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Mar 10, 2014 -> 10:12 AM) Ravelo is a player very much on my radar. While Barnum has the highest ceiling of all 1B prospects, I honestly think Ravelo is the most likely to be a regular. Its too bad he could not hang at 3B, where he would be a top 10 prospect at that position, his lack of power will hold him back at 1B. He has the makings of a great hitter, but without a true defensive position he may never get a shot.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 10, 2014 -> 09:14 AM) I could see him + Saunders becoming a more reasonable return but there's a huge problem - we have literally no where to play him right now. The IF at AAA has 4 guys (counting Davidson) for 3 spots, the IF in the big leagues has Beckham at 2b with basically the same issue - needing playing time to see if he can live up to being anything useful. Ackley has been playing OF since last season, that said we definitely do not have spots for two OF's. Would rather have Ackley as he has more upside and a legit chance to put things together than Saunders. Would rather have Marlette and Morban though. Morban can step into LF next season and Marlette gives the system a legit C prospect.

QUOTE (Jake @ Mar 9, 2014 -> 11:58 PM) Hoffman still awaiting his first good statistical season Stats aren't everything though, if the Sox see he has the stuff and makeup, they may also see something in his delivery that they can correct. Even college players are not plug and play, there is still some development that needs to happen. QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Mar 10, 2014 -> 02:02 AM) After thinking long and hard about the draft, Tyler Kolek has to be the pick at #3. The Sox really need to pair Sale with another legit stud in the rotation. (If Kolek is not there, I would take Alex Jackson) Kolek's frame is kind of scary though, at 250 lbs already you can imagine he will pack on some more once he leaves home. There is definitely high upside in the fastball, but he seems to have a closer profile until he can further develop his secondary stuff. You have to be very sure of his makeup and ability to develop before using that pick on him. QUOTE (staxx @ Mar 10, 2014 -> 08:38 AM) If you're picking Kolek or Jackson at #3 you make sure that you sign them. It would be a huge blow to this organization if they failed to do so. Not really, it would just mean that the Sox get the #4 pick next season if they cannot come to terms, and who knows, perhaps there will be something they like more there next year.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Mar 10, 2014 -> 08:32 AM) We are still talking about Dayan Viciedo right now, right? I understand the guy has a high ceiling, but he's no where close to reaching it, and Saunders' ceiling is just as high or higher. There is some severe overvaluation going on here. There's a large difference though, at 27 Saunders has less time to figure it out than Viciedo, and Saunders does not improve the roster at all, it is basically giving up Viciedo for a 4th OF to play behind Eaton, De Aza, and Garcia. Giving up Viciedo at the point where he is poised to enter his prime would act counter to the direction of the the franchise. It makes no sense to trade younger better players for older worse players. Take defense out of the equation, as one of these guys will be at the DH spot next season, and its a huge downgrade.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Mar 7, 2014 -> 03:31 PM) I say this backwards I think Pujols is healthy for the first time in two years and Braun may have stopped juicing, it has been said that his power is down. Can't remember which baseball guy tweeted it out, but said Braun is nowhere near where he was power wise.

Pujols - Abreu - Braun

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Mar 7, 2014 -> 11:47 AM) Rodon can be watched on ESPN3 today. It will be archived. Rodon and NC State now also PPD until 1 PM tomorrow.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 7, 2014 -> 12:42 PM) Serious Q in reply...why should we expect the defense and baserunning to be "cleaned up"? In many cases we have either the same guys in those positions who were bad last year, or potential downgrades (Rios down to Garcia, Davidson supposed to be pretty rough at 3b, Eaton was below average in CF last year although maybe injury and short time to blame). They're younger and that could very well raise the risk of silly mistakes even higher. Because the same guys were here the year before and we didn't have those mistakes. There were a lot of uncharacteristic things that happened last year and if the Sox can regress to their norms, that will get cleaned up. Its likely Davidson is butchering the ball in Charlotte to start the season given the roster crunch.

Todays games of interest: Carlos Rodon vs Notre Dame 2 pm CT Jeff Hoffman vs Marshall (PPD) tomorrow at 11 am CT Tyler Beede vs Winthrop 6:30 pm CT Newcomb looks like he is not picthing this weekend in a three game series with East Tenn State, so maybe a red flag there.

Given the injuries at ST and his workout program, its doubtful that he is very far behind the curve.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Mar 7, 2014 -> 06:58 AM) No, we will like exactly two guys-the guys who go first and second, and then we will all complain about not pitching Axelrod more and Sale less in August and September so the Sox could get the 2nd pick instead of the 3rd. Ha!

I dont think we will like anyone by the time June gets here.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Mar 1, 2014 -> 09:41 AM) Hoffman's stat line so far this season: 0-1, 21.1 IP, 14 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 6 BBs, 26 Ks, 2.53 ERA, .182 BAA Beede's stat line so far this season 3-0, 18 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 BBs, 24 Ks, 1.00 ERA, .085 BAA Newcomb is a guy that could sneak up there 0-1 10.2 IP 6 H, 1 R, 0ER, 6 BBs, 15Ks, 0 ERA, .167 BAA A fastball that will touch 97 mph along with a plus slider and average change could see Newcomb shoot up draft boards, though he will face inferior competition all spring, which will make it hard for scouts to get a great read on him. Kind of a Chris Sale profile, though a lite version. Last season 5-4 72 IP, 53 H, 39 R, 30 ER, 37 BB, 92 K, 3.75 ERA 11.5 K/9 1.25 WHIP

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Mar 6, 2014 -> 01:05 PM) That release point is scary due to potential platoon issues. How is his stuff? Sales and Mastersons are rare. ESPN tidbits on Kolek: "It's a deep group," an NL East scout said. "You've got guys like Tyler Kolek, who have the imposing size and fastball, but you wonder about the projection and if the secondary offerings are good enough to make him a legit ace. Kolek was 92-98 in his outing against Lumberton HS, striking out 11 in six no-hit innings. His off-speed pitches were just average, but the impressive arm-strength that was on display at several events in August was clearly still there on Monday. Kolek doesn’t offer much in terms of projection and some scouts worry about his already massive 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame, but a fastball that will touch triple-digits and a curve that will flash plus also has some scouts salivating. Kolek is already massive at 6-foot-5 and roughly 250 pounds, but hit 100 mph last week with a better slider and curveball than he'd shown last summer.

QUOTE (southside hitman @ Feb 24, 2014 -> 09:31 AM) That body type scares me. 6'5'', 250 at 18 years old? I suppose it's the same concerns for a Chris Sale type of build, but at least he was a proven college pitcher. Watching this video - His frame reminds me of a young version of former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 5, 2014 -> 03:46 PM) Daryl Van Schouwen ‏@CST_soxvan 27m Dylan Axelrod to pitch after Molina retired all four batters he faced (one K). Backwards Day!

QUOTE (flavum @ Mar 5, 2014 -> 12:59 PM) https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/status/441285743592239104 I believe the Mariners would be interested in Viciedo. He's had some good games out there. It really is just a matter of time before one of them is moved. Hopefully De Aza as I think he has reached his ceiling and is probably as close to max value as possible. I think if the Sox move Viciedo they will regret it for the next decade unless the return is something spectacular.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Mar 4, 2014 -> 03:11 PM) Gordon Beckham sucks, and even though Pederson is better than Semien, we actually need Semien more. Unless you're ready to give up on Viciedo, which... No, but I think Viciedo will be the DH and we need another OF for 2015. Gordan Beckham does not suck. Maybe compared to what was expected of him, but he is at least a big league average player. With Sanchez, Johnson, and Anderson in the wings and no OF prospects that can hit, I am not sure we need Semien more. But, yes there is probably no way that deal gets made, more wishful thinking on my part.