caulfield12

Far from the craziest highlight of that one…instant classic.

Best prospects/best raw stuff. But not the precise command/control you see in the big leagues. And not the control of more than just one or two basic pitches more typical at lower levels where pure stuff just dominates. The refinement almost always happens between AA and the majors, with multiple trips up and down. All that said, the missing development time in 2020-21 has been tough for a lot of players to work through…look at Andrew Vaughn, possessing perhaps the best prospect pedigree of any Sox hitter since Thomas and Ventura. Kelenic, Torkelson, Rutschman, Abrams, etc. It has been 2-3 years since rookies just came up and dominated from Day 1. Not to mention how much tougher bullpens have gotten, especially over the last 3-5 years.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tonyblengino/2019/04/29/jose-ramirez-and-the-slump-that-wouldnt-end/?sh=2b4c14e64770 And his 2019 slump even made it into Forbes, lol. That guy is just so physically tough, he was born to play baseball even though he certainly doesn’t look like it physically.

What is your prediction on Sosa? It’s certainly a higher upside play than Yolbert Sanchez…but players numerous have had issues the last two seasons going from AAA to the bigs, let alone Birmingham to Chicago. That injury in theory doesn’t happen with the veteran Pollock more likely to take charge of the situation…versus someone new to the team and just trying to do whatever they possibly can to stick around and make an impression. …

The Guardians are in the process of poking a massive hole in the Twins’ bubble if this second miracle Naylor-esque comeback tonight holds up. Seems pretty likely Pagan will collapse as he has with the Rays and Padres. Twins had been 34-1 when leading after 8, Guardians just 2-25 when trailing after 8.

But 2-3 months of minor league play doesn’t change a player’s basic profile, either. Obviously, scouts cast Alexei Ramirez as a utility player and they were completely wrong. Sosa is not a left-handed hitter to balance out the lineup and he’s not a speed-based, dynamic game changing presence. Sometimes we do players a disservice when we expect too much…simply for NOT being Harrison or Leury or Mendick. It’s the classic back-up QB syndrome. I do hope he goes on an absolute tear offensively, but forty years watching the White Sox tells me the odds of this happening are not exactly the highest, either. Anything over a 675-700 ops would be a pleasant surprise.

He should be back tomorrow. The biggest issues are Engel and Giolito’s collapse at the moment.

“A right-handed hitter, Sosa owns some of the best hand-eye coordination and bat-to-ball skills in the system but needs to make better swing decisions to reach his offensive potential. He rarely walks and gets himself out too often by making weak contact. He has enough bat speed and projectable strength to deliver 15 or more homers per season if he can adopt a more selective approach. Sosa has good actions, reliable hands and solid arm strength at shortstop, but his below-average speed leads to subpar range. He fits better at second or third base, though those positions will demand more offense. He may be more of a bat-first utilityman than a true everyday player.” https://www.mlb.com/prospects/whitesox/lenyn-sosa-672820 Need to tap the brakes a bit…it’s exciting to see change, but a Top 10-15 MiLB guy like Andrew Vaughn didn’t even get everyday playing time.

That's the main positive. Easily fits the roster for Sheets' spot without costing a bundle in prospects.

Let's hope this Sosa has a better Sox career than the first...

That wasn't so abundantly clear at the beginning of the season. The Top Ten players on each team at max potential are more than comparable. It's the other 15 that are the problem.

One of the most intelligent, introspective players in recent memory.

He hit a robust .290 while replacing Anderson. Unexpected.

They should have just traded for cheaper and gotten the "lite" version of Taylor in their comfortable price range, Adam Frazier.

Are they really ready to DFA Harrison? Don't think so. I think they just want to see if he catches fire and can ride a hot streak...otherwise he goes back down and plays everyday at Charlotte or Birmingham. But they probably also believe he has more positional versatility than Sanchez...which might prove to be helpful as that was Mendick's main calling card.

Alvarez already at the 20 homer mark and climbing...

There aren't a lot of great pitchers that could be FA's. Musgrove is #1 currently, but I think Rodon is the one that would be the better bet for one of those Top 6-8 payroll teams that can take on significant contractual risk.

Good thing we already made it past the plantation analogy somehow... But definitely beating up Lucas, Abreu and the bullpen. Granted, not many decent options remaining.

Alex Rios was in attendance? I'd rather ask TLR why he's willing to PH Anderson in the 9th but not for Leury with the bases loaded and two outs in the 8th?

Rodon starting off 3 0 0 1 5 against the Braves in ATL. Just 38 pitches so far. 2.72 ERA

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/former-colts-ravens-de-tony-siragusa-dies-at-55-200140045.html

Schwarber Although you make me hungry for the shawarma in the Philippines.

Tiger Woods' right leg is "ouchies." Sam Sneed after a car wreck. Robert is perfectly fine.

https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/34131368/pga-tour-commissioner-jay-monahan-says-liv-golf-invitational-series-irrational-threat-game

Better fundamentals. We might actually need a Korean or Japanese player to teach them. No more Boston and McEwing. Dare not hope to launch Cairo and Narron, too. A left-handed outfielder not Sheets nor a DH/1B masquerading as an outfielder. Fix the health of Grandal…Moncada…Jimenez, or move on. More walks again and higher OBP are desperately needed. New hitting coach. Coaches specifically to work on infield defense, holding runners, catching and outfield defense. At least two new coaches also desperately needed. Conforto. Vaughn to 1B. Abreu to DH, new org or retirement. His bat is becoming too important to risk another outfield collision or diving attempts to cover lack of foot speed.