kwolf68

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Aug 23, 2006 -> 04:08 PM) Im not sure if your going by the Brian Anderson of April, but if your looking at the Anderson over the last three months, Im not sure where you would draw your assessment of Anderson striking out TOO much for the two hole. Iguchi is on pace for 117 K's this season. Yet you claim he is a good 2 hole hitter. So how many K's are you really expecting Anderson to have? I draw my assessment based on his entire career and the way he bats. This is not to say I don't think Brian is great and I firmly believe he to be a cornerstone to this franchise for the next decade. He brings a lot to the table, but I just happen to believe he is a terrible choice as a 2-hitter. Iguchi is good because he is the only player on this entire team that grades out as a 2-hitter and compared to the rest of the team he is all we have there. Overall, he is a very good hitter...good enough to hit in the 2-hole, but as I said would probably do well in a power spot. That was why there was some rumblings about trying Uribe in the 2-hole before the season, which we all knew would never come to fruition. You want to see the perfect, the prototypical 2-hole hitter, I submit Chris Getz at Birmingham. He still needs to grow, but he has all the ingredients to be perfect in this spot...amazing eye, rarely strikes out, good bat handler, great plate discipline, and good speed. Getz is one of my favorite minor league players and while he is probably 2 years away, he is the type of player you look for in the 2-hole (unless you can get Derek Jeter) . QUOTE(Felix @ Aug 23, 2006 -> 04:12 PM) You completely missed my point. You think that Anderson won't be a good 2 hitter because he strikes out too much, yet as you say, Iguchi is a good 2 hitter. Fact is, Iguchi strikes out a lot too. I don't see how you are seeing a difference between the two. (Tony basically covered all of this in his posts too though ) Some mis-understanding issues. For this day and time right now...Iguchi is a good 2-hole hitter. For 2, 3 years down the road? I hope we don't have him there. I would rather Gooch be moved down the order. So right now...Iguchi is still the better 2-hole hitter than Anderson. In two years, who knows? The trouble with Anderson in the 2-hole is I believe he will develop into a solid power hitter and may follow Crede's path. Crede also had a longer swing like Anderson and it took him some time. Crede has become a prime talent. I typically don't like guys in the 2-hole that are looking at anything >15 homers. I believe Anderson will hit 20+ consistently one day. Id rather have that stick down the order instead of pushing guys over a base, etc. Plus, as I said he will strike out his fair share. That has been a fact throughout his entire career. I see another 2-hole hitter...I LOVE Chris Getz, but that is a year or two away.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Aug 23, 2006 -> 03:56 PM) Ok, well then the question is, do you think Gooch is a good #2 hole hitter? Indeed he is. He could also be a terrific hitter in some of the power positions. Iguchi probably could hit about anywhere.

The Sox are not a shoe-in for anything based on our starting pitching.

QUOTE(Felix @ Aug 23, 2006 -> 03:44 PM) Gooch never strikes out. Duh...Read my post. I was referring to Anderson.

QUOTE(Felix @ Aug 23, 2006 -> 03:41 PM) He has 3 triples this year, 3 triples last year, and 3 triples in 2004. Explain? I'd also like to say that you are insane if you think that he'll compete for the league lead in OPS when he's yet to show power (although yes it will likely come) and has never posted a OBP high enough to offset the lack of slugging percentage. The triples was a mis-print. I doubt he'll ever lead the league in triples, but he certainly can compete for league leads in OPS if he keeps heading in the right direction. It's called prognostication. I don't just look at the stat sheet and make my determination. Sweeney simply doesn't have the look or feel of a kid that will only hit 8 homers a year. While he won't be a 30+ homer guy, being consistently in the 20s is not out of the question. But I guess I am insane, because he has never hit 30+ in the minors and the statsheet says "punch and judy". For all the harping on Sweeney's lack of power, he is only 5 homers behind power hitting stud Josh Fields. If one suggests Sweeney only has 13 because of where he plays then why doesn't Fields have more? Sweeney is becomming a more powerful hitter and strikes out half amount of the time Fields does. I am a bit perplexed why Sweeney hasn't walked much this year, but I expect as he becomes more patient (with experience) you will see his average and other composite numbers climb. Punch the player up on video and show me any weakness he has in his game. I am not a major league scout, but at such a young age Ryan Sweeney is very developed and is loaded with potential.

I've seen Sweeney and I doubt he will ever sniff 30 homers in a year, however, he has the makeup to be a terrific, terrific major league talent. He has a great GREAT arm, clearly good enough to play RF or CF...having him in LF would make him even more dangerous. His defense is about major league ready now. He isn't as smooth as a defensive OF as Brian, but he's next in line. I see Sweeney as a hitter who will NEVER be below .270, .280...He has .300+ written all over him. He has one of the smoothest easiest swings I've seen. His technique, his balance, and his movement (not wasted) are almost computerized they are so good. Let me tell you, this kid IS THE GOODS. I tried hard to watch him in games I've seen to figure out why he isn't hitting homers. The kid is a big kid and has good bat speed, but the balls just don't leave the yard for him, but he does pepper the alleys and lines. Maybe the top hand on his bat is too dominant on the swing and he is creating too much top spin and not getting enough lift, I don't know...but THIS KID CAN HIT A BASEBALL... He will hit .300> for 10 years in the majors, compete for the league lead in doubles, triples, TBs, OPS, and will likely develop into a 15-25 homer guy. He looks like the future #3 hitter for the Sox.

QUOTE(Tony82087 @ Aug 22, 2006 -> 05:22 PM) When everyone was talking about Iguchi going down to the 6 hole this season, I thought Anderson could work. Obviously that wasn't the case this season, but I think Anderson can/will turn into a solid 2 hole hitter. Anderson will never EVER be a 2-hole hitter. He has always struck out too much and his swing is just too long to ever consistently change that. Anderson, at best, is a #6 hitter and that is in a perfect world. More likely he'll spend most of his career around 7 or 8... That being said, with his energy and his defensive talents playing one of the middle field positions, that would be A-OK with me. A great defensive CF who can hit .250-.260, with 15+ homers, and 15+ steals is something few teams have. In fact, I think Anderson could become a 20/20 guy, but with an inconsistent average and far too many strike outs to be higher in the order. I love the kid, but he does have limitations...limitations that mean nothing unless one over-projects him.

Dewon Day is in high A ball, but is 25 years old. The Sox acquired him in the Rule 5 AA draft last year from the Blue Jays organization. His component numbers to innings pitched are not bad, but he obviously hasn't done enough to get the next call up to Birmingham. Day was drafted by the Jays in the 26th round in 2002. He seemed to level off as the Jays moved him from A- to A ball and Day entered Dunedin not even among that teams top 10 pitchers. However, in A+ ball with the Sox his stats are better than at any point in the past and Day was actually named best reliever by Southern League managers in a survey conducted by BA. He is an older A ball player so I am not sure what the Sox are seeing. The justification for basically giving away BJ LaMura for nothing was that he was older, yet he is a far better prospect than Day. Now we see the Sox sending Day to AFL. Not sure if this kid is a legit late bloomer or not, but if we as an organization were going to invest in older minor leaguers then BJ LaMura (a guy who had sick AA numbers for us and has great AA numbers for the Dodgers) should have never been dealt for a guy on Social Security who is 3-22 since coming over here.

Early returns from Birmingham are positive on Wes...Definately a prospect to keep our eyes on...will probably be a couple years, but I think he has the potential to really become a keeper.

One of my favorite prospects in the Sox system. He has #2 hitter written all over him, tremendous plate discipline, has ability to steal some bases, and well above average defense. His average is a bit off right now, but I expect he will get it going and improve, plus B-Ham isn't very kind to hitters. Would be shocked if he had to go back to AA next year, but with Angel Gonzalez at 2nd for Charlotte hard to say what will happen. Getz is by far the better prospect, but Gonzalez is still fairly young. Either way, I would like to see Getz in AAA next year.

No need to get mad...just got beat by a better and hungrier team tonight. The ship is taking on water, but it can be salvaged...plenty of hope left as long as you don't think about our starting pitching.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Aug 21, 2006 -> 09:34 PM) So was Runnynose Hernandez and Boof Bonser. Dont forget Luke Hudson of KC....we've made a lot of scrubs look good this year. still, i wont bash our Offense, because without it we'd be talking about the Bears right now.

Anyone know why Leyland is starting Perez over Intante'? I thought Infante' had a pretty good stick...why would he rely on this punch-n-judy hitter?

OK neal...can you get out Neifi?

Cotts is out with his mop and bucket. At least I have the World Series tapes to fall back on...

Put a fork in this division...it's Detroits. Now all Sox starters have eras > 4 ... I think we'll need a major house cleaning in our starting rotation next year.

I wouldn't take Javy over a box of rocks. while Duque' isn't what he once was, would anyone be willing to bet ANYTHING that Vazquez could pull off what Hernandez did last year in Boston during the ALDS? I'd have loved to have had Duque' for bullpen work, but since he wanted to start he had to go. Javier Vazquez will NEVER BE anything other than a mediocre pitcher. Chris Young will be a lot like Mike Cameron...terrific fielder, lots of speed, good power and will strike out a lot. We basically gave this guy away for nothing more than an impedement to getting McCarthy into the rotation sooner.

Maybe Neal Cotts needs to have some shoulder surgery, even if he's not injured.

This loss was pre-ordained. -Garland masterful day before -Momentum captured -Chance to pickup game on Detroit -Versus brilliant Santana And we asked Javy Vazquez to go out against all those odds and win us a ball game? Hell, I'm not even upset with the loss...just upset we keep this clod in the rotation. Shoot, bring up Haeger, Redding, Phillips, or even Broadway for all I care if McCarthy isn't stretched out. Just put this chump into the bullpen .

Ozzie's racial comments were absurd. They can't stand the fact a Latino kicked their tail? Are you kidding me? I've often wondered if Ozzie isn't playing too close to the vest the minority card and now Ozzies calling out Mark Buehrle, while seemingly always coddling Vazquez in the press may be starting to make sense. Ozzie got a job even though he lacked a lot of experience. Had Ozzie been a bench coach for 10 years or had management experience or had won a world series and was passed over for our job two years ago for a white guy with the limited experience Ozzie had I wonder if Ozzie would have thought it racism? The guy is a loose canon and must not be very bright either. That all being said, I am with Kenny Williams on Ozzie...the game needs people like Ozzie and I AM GLAD he is our manager.

I think any game that features Javy Vazquez and Neal Cotts is a 100% guranteed loss.

Cotts is unbelievably horrible.

Yippeee...Cotts is in...After a main course meal of Javy...its time for the Cotts desert.

Shoot...I'd have just let uribe hit....Rincon was off today and they probably let him pitch to Uribe...I doubt they'd bring in this guy (lefty). Had they brought in Nathan, then we could have pinched for Uribe.

Interesting....Im still worried about Nathan....he totally destroys.