caulfield12

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 17, 2013 -> 07:28 AM) Look at David Price this year. It isn't even just the draft. Maybe golf is the only other sport where someone can just "lose" it like that. Rick Ankiel, would be one example. Dontrelle Willis, etc. Ricky Romero. Chuck Knoblauch, or Mackey Sasser....just making routine throws as part of their position. Adam Dunn, etc.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ May 17, 2013 -> 07:14 AM) You're right, I just get upset when people talk about the offense as a reason that team won. It was pitching, defense, and timely hitting. They couldn't lose a close game that year. Oh, and that 52-22 record against the Central helped too...maybe they should try that again sometime soon. It was the one year where every time you got to the 7th with a lead, you felt it was going to be automatically locked down. Not sure that everything will come together again like that in my lifetime, with the weirdest part of all being three closers in the span of an entire season. The only time it was close to that (the bullpen as a whole) was when Linebrink was pitching so well in the first half of 2008.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ May 17, 2013 -> 07:01 AM) They got off to a great start and won the division because of pitching. They were great with RISP and getting clutch hits, but that offense was absolutely terrible. Not terrible, just below average...terrible would be this year's offense the first 6 weeks of the season. Missing Thomas for most of the year made a huge difference.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ May 17, 2013 -> 06:51 AM) It does? Really? Because a pitcher had a bad inning? He has a 2.80 ERA on the year... I doubt it. He's hot right now. His bat was never in question. He's finally healthy and has been for a significant amount of time now. He's probably not as good as he's been lately but there's no reason to not believe in his bat. His bat was his strength when we drafted him and he's always had projectable power Not really that....just the fact a guy predicted to be a sure-fire top 10-15 draft pick and top of the rotation major leaguer one year can quite easily go to questionable the next. There's no sport like that, not the NFL, not the NBA...the line between success and failure is so delicate. Baseball, unlike the other two sports, it still take 2-3 years for most collegiate pitchers to make it to the big leagues.

Are we sure the White Sox would trade Dunn for Upton now...? Things don't seem as easily optimistic for B.J., however. He's hitting .151/.250/.254 while little brother drives in all the runs, and in the same way the shift of parks was supposed to hurt Justin but hasn't, B.J.'s move to a relatively easier environment has had the opposite effect to this point. Of course, he's not hitting on the road, either, so looking at those kinds of splits aren't going to tell you much now besides the fact that 2013 is not going well for this Upton. The thing is, we are talking about 35 games and 145 plate appearances for a hitter who has been in a cold streak or two in his day. He's also been in more than a few hot streaks, and it tends to even things out for him. The latest came last season, when he entered August sporting a .244/.305/.372 line. When the season finished, Upton was up to .246/.298/.454 -- don't let the on-base percentage fool you, as Tropicana is not an easy place to hit. Despite the OBP, this was an above-average offensive campaign. We can't just wish him into a good run at the plate, though, and assume things will be fine. Someday what we think is just a cold run at the plate could just be his skills failing him, but it's too early to say that now about the 28-year-old. There are reasons to be concerned over the way he's approaching things now, but that's only going to be problematic if he doesn't adjust, as his younger brother already has. Back to the above 2012 splits. Entering August 1, B.J. Upton had struck out out 101 times in 386 plate appearances, or 26 percent of the time. That's not great, but it's not terrible, not even particularly notable given his career punch out rate of 25 percent. In the season's last two months, though, that jumped to 28 percent, with 68 in his last 247, and while it was hard to argue with the 19 homers he hit in that two-month stretch, the fact he struck out more than five times as often as he walked seemed a bit concerning. Now, in 2013, Upton's strikeout rates have jumped to over 32 percent, and while he's managed to bring his walks back to a respectable level, there's something amiss here. He's swinging less often in the zone and outside the zone according to PITCHf/x, and he's seeing a higher percentage of first-pitch strikes. He's seeing more pitches overall as well, but unlike Justin, he isn't achieving much more because of it. An extra walk here and there is being squeezed out, but he's been an absolute mess whenever the pitcher is in control. With two strikes, he's about 60 percent worse than the league -- down nearly 25 percentage points from last year's already poor performance -- and he's about 70 percent worse than average in general when the pitcher is ahead in the count. The difference between this year and last year, besides the extremeness of his shortcomings in those situations, is that he can't seem to make up for it when ahead in the count this time around, exactly when a batter is supposed to. The ability is there. We've seen it before, even if he's never quite blossomed into the player many thought he was going to be when he finally broke out back in 2007. He was an athletic, above-average hitter with high-quality defensive skills during his peak, and as he's all of 28, he should still be, at the least, in the tail-end years of that stretch now. Instead, we're left wondering if he's ever going to be useful again. The reality of the situation is that this is 145 poor plate appearances, so it's too early for those kinds of doomsday questions. Yes, he's striking out too much, he's potentially more passive than he is patient, and his batting average on balls in play is so low it has assured him of a poor line regardless of whether he walks or hits for any power. Those are all problems, but they are correctable ones, much like Justin's own issues from 2012. It might turn out that the extra pitches he's seeing are a bad thing, and that unlike little brother, he needs to be a tad more aggressive at the plate in order to produce the best line possible with his skills. A touch of aggressiveness at the plate certainly couldn't hurt at this point, and with pitchers ramming first-pitch strikes down his throat, there will be plenty for him to get his bat on until they realize they need to respect him at the plate once more. Both of these hitters will likely finish the year in a different place statistically than where they are now. Justin seems to be on the upswing, finally realizing the potential we've been waiting for him to, but as his recent homer drought reminded us, expecting him to slug well over .600 all year long is maybe asking too much. For B.J., the extreme nature of his season is in the other direction, but if he can adjust just enough, he might be able to salvage what has been a rough first 35 games for the Braves. That would certainly work for the Braves, who are in first place despite B.J.'s struggles -- there is time yet to get the player they expected, and the results they expected, before any real damage is done to their season. They can thank their other Upton for much of that. www.sportsonearth.com

By Mike DiGiovanna (www.latimes.com/sports/angels) May 16, 2013, 11:06 p.m. It's early, but it's not that early. The Angels began the second quarter of the season with another ugly loss Thursday night, committing two errors plus a crucial mental mistake, throwing a wild pitch that scored a run and issuing a four-pitch, bases-loaded walk to a .185 hitter who had not drawn a free pass all season. (sounds familiar!!!) The 5-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox dropped the Angels to 15-26, their worst 41-game start since 1976, and 12 games behind Texas in the American League West. There is still time for the Angels to make up ground, but the task ahead is daunting. They'd have to go 75-46 over the final 121 games to reach 90 wins, which would put them in the playoff hunt. BOX SCORE: Chicago White Sox 5, Angels 4 Considering the injuries, inconsistent pitching, shaky defense and shoddy baserunning that have marred the first seven weeks, that goal seems unattainable. “You've got to start a streak somewhere, because we're going to need to do something pretty special to get back into the race,” slugger Mark Trumbo said. “You let enough of them slide, you're not going to be able to do that. It's not make or break, but it's getting close to the time we need to start making a push.” Albert Pujols hit a two-run homer in the fourth, and the Angels took 4-2 lead in the sixth on Howie Kendrick's two-run double, which put Jerome Williams, who gave up two runs and five hits in six crisp innings, in line for a win. Reliever Dane De La Rosa preserved the lead by striking out Tyler Flowers with runners on second and third to end the seventh, but the Angels crumbled in the eighth. Alejandro De Aza led off with a single, and Alexei Ramirez singled to right-center. De Aza easily took third on Ramirez's hit, but Angels center fielder Mike Trout, who had no play, airmailed a throw over the cutoff man that allowed Ramirez, the tying run, to take second. “He knows he was too aggressive there,” Manager Mike Scioscia said of Trout. De La Rosa struck out Alex Rios with a breaking ball that bounced to the backstop, allowing De Aza to score. Adam Dunn's run-scoring single to center made it 4-4. Scioscia replaced De La Rosa with Michael Kohn, who got Paul Konerko to ground out. But Kohn walked the next three batters, including Jeff Keppinger on four pitches to force in the winning run. It was Keppinger's first walk in 141 plate appearances this season. “We're not going to bury our heads in the sand — we know the challenge in front of us,” Scioscia said. “It's going to be rough if we're not able to hold leads.” Williams gave up Rios' solo homer in the fourth and a run in the fifth when Conor Gillaspie doubled, took third on a groundout and scored on shortstop Erick Aybar's error. Williams, making his third start after moving from the bullpen, was pulled after Paul Konerko's leadoff single in the seventh, his pitch count at 74. The right-hander threw more than 90 pitches in his previous two starts and said he felt “strong, like I could compete.” But Scioscia said Williams “isn't as stretched out as he eventually will be — he's definitely gotten tired as his pitch count has risen.” [email protected]

http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/n...e-at-71-2013165 Dick Trickle write-up.

Good stuff. Let's hope we see him at the end of this season with some opportunities to start a couple of games...OTOH, maybe we should prefer NOT to see him in that role, because it might mean we've already been eliminated. You can definitely see him taking Axelrod's spot, at some point in the next 12 months.

By Mark Gonzales, Chicago Tribune reporter 10:10 p.m. CDT, May 16, 2013 ANAHEIM, Calif. — Possessing the 17th overall pick in the June 6 amateur draft may influence the White Sox to select the best player available instead of addressing a specific need, such as a middle infielder. "At that point, you have to go for the best guy," Doug Laumann, the Sox's director of scouting, said Thursday morning before traveling to see pitcher Alex Gonzalez of Oral Roberts. Executive vice president Ken Williams has taken a greater role in evaluations this year and is expected to spend this weekend looking at potential high picks in Southern California, and Laumann has kept general manager Rick Hahn abreast of all the evaluations. "You never say you want to address a need at 17,'' Laumann said. The Sox, who have selected outfielders with their first pick in three of the past four drafts — Jared Mitchell, Keenyn Walker and Courtney Hawkins — could tilt toward a college pitcher unless a highly desirable infielder is available. The big question for the Sox could be whether there is a college pitcher they perceive with as much talent as Erik Johnson and Chris Beck, their past two second picks who have emerged as top prospects. "Either this year's crop is weaker, or these guys (Johnson and Beck) are more advanced,'' Laumann said. There is plenty of intrigue after the first three overall picks that could have a trickle-down effect for the Sox. The consensus is that pitchers Mark Appel of Stanford and Jonathan Gray of Oklahoma, along with San Diego slugger Kris Bryant, will be the first three picks (in no particular order). The Twins own the fourth pick and are believed to be considering Houston high school pitcher Kohl Stewart, who has signed a letter of intent to play quarterback for Texas A&M. Stewart would play at least one year behind 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel if he honored his commitment, but his leverage as a two-sport player could command him well in excess of the recommended $4.5444 million signing bonus for the fourth pick. The other wild card is Indiana State left-hander Sean Manaea, who has coped with a hip injury. Agent Scott Boras is advising him and the Sox have shied away from his high-profile clients in past drafts. The dilemma for the Sox, however, is they don't perceive much separation in talent between picks 7-15 and 16-25. "There's nothing clear-cut," Laumann said. Laumann said as many as three high school catchers could be selected in the first round, but the Sox are in good shape with the emergence of Josh Phegley and Michael Blanke as, well as Kevan Smith. "We're good there," Laumann said. The Sox have a bonus pool of $5.3 million for their picks in the first 10 rounds, including an assigned value of about $2.2 million for their first pick and $1 million for their second-round pick (55th overall).

Ventura had mixed emotions about three miscues that nearly cost the Sox - Alejandro De Aza's base running mistake that cost the Sox a run in the fourth, left fielder Dayan Viciedo's crooked route that resulted in a two-run double by Howie Kendrick in the sixth, and Alex Rios not running to first on a wild pitch on a strike three call in which Rios thought he checked his swing. Ventura didn't think that De Aza's mistake was terrible because Ventura thought that shortstop Erick Aybar could have trapped Alexei Ramirez's line drive if De Aza wasn't running. As for Viciedo, "you want him to make that play, but again, we want to get better at it," Ventura said. "He probably should have had it.'' As for Rios: "I don't know if he saw it at first or where it was," Ventura said. "But we talked to him." www.chicagotribune.com/sports

QUOTE (fathom @ May 16, 2013 -> 11:40 PM) Sox won a bases loaded walk by Keppinger...just think about that sentence. And Viciedo walking was a key part of that too... If for no other reason than to NOT face him and go after Keppinger instead. 10 days ago, would Viciedo AND Keppinger walks be in the same sentence?

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ May 16, 2013 -> 11:25 PM) Jenks hook was what made him unhittable That and the 89-91 MPH slider/cutter. Remember the key AB against Bagwell in the World Series?

Good win for the team, as they were able to overcome some defensive issues (Viciedo, specifically) to get the W. Finally feels like there is some sort of positive momentum, and Dunn waking up means the world to the offense. Now all the threads can focus on Paulie and what's wrong with him for awhile, with a few for Keppinger (Beckham rehabbing, worst WAR in the game) and Flowers (because of Phegley and RISP avg). Not unexpected, with both teams leading the AL in errors, that defense and the bullpen would both be key factors. Angels' bullpen really suffering with all those pitchers on the DL. They just brought up 2 more guys today.

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ May 16, 2013 -> 11:18 PM) Velocity is nothing for a closer control of two good pitches is the key Tell that to Jenks or Koch, lol. Actually, Tom Gordon would be a perfect example, or Foulke. Neither as closers threw much over 90, but they had the #2 pitch (curve and change) to nullify batters trying to cheat. Even Takatsu, although that frisbee was a one trick pony...he had more velocity than Dylan.

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ May 16, 2013 -> 11:18 PM) Velocity is nothing for a closer control of two good pitches is the key Tell that to Jenks or Koch, lol. Actually, Tom Gordon would be a perfect example, or Foulke. Neither as closers threw much over 90, but they had the #2 pitch (curve and change) to nullify batters trying to cheat. Even Takatsu, although that frisbee was a one trick pony...he had more velocity than Dylan.

QUOTE (TaylorStSox @ May 16, 2013 -> 11:16 PM) Addison Reed is the case study for velocity being overrated. Or Jon Garland...when he threw the sinker, it was always more effective at 89-91 rather than 92+. But that's true for lots of pitchers, when the throw with just a bit less velocity, the natural movement will take over...but they're so consumed with putting up three digits on the scoreboards, they can't stop themselves easily.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 16, 2013 -> 11:10 PM) 90-91 range, IMO. A. Simmons of the Braves supposedly clocked in 97-98 mph range. Viciedo and Ramirez could get it there near 90, for sure. Uribe and Valentin...Shawon Dunston, haha.

Well, if nothing else, Jesse Crain is putting himself at the top of the "target list" of every team in baseball needing relief help in June/July.

Talk about the definition of "winning ugly" in this game.

QUOTE (Jake @ May 16, 2013 -> 10:28 PM) This is a serious question -- has Dunn ever had consecutive multi-hit games as a White Sox? I'm sure he did in May last year or June. Maybe a couple of times in September or August.

Never would have thought 3 weeks or even 2 weeks ago I would want Dunn up again this season with RISP.

Oh, Alex. This game seems to be the epitome of our season so far. Average pitcher on the mound but less than 3 runs scored. Defensive plays that could or should have been made. Hitting with RISP (until now)? Not so much.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 16, 2013 -> 10:14 PM) After watching the replay again, it's definitely a play that needs to be made. Not sure if his glove blocked his vision at the last second. Well, we might be playing him at 1B/DH next year, anyway. Yeah, yeah....I know someone will say his best value is in LF because of his arm....but if we had Peter Bourjos playing out there, we wouldn't have to worry about any ball hit into the air. Of course, we'd then be worrying about offense instead.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 16, 2013 -> 10:08 PM) Besides two games ago But still, overall, he's something like 3/25 with RISP, yes? Just guessing...maybe he has 4 hits.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 16, 2013 -> 09:59 PM) The top spin would have made it easier for Viciedo to get to. It hit his glove and he didn't have to jump for it = should be caught FWIW, the Angels' announcers said he did a good job just to get to the ball. From their perspective, at the time of the play....it was a double, but a play that would be made about 30-40% of the time, at least my interpretation.