[7/12 Games]

Ravelo playing 3rd tonight...has he played there at all this year?

Hasn't played there this year or last.

[Futuresox midseason top 25?]

Just out of interest, if the Sox had been picking in the 22-25 range and took Spencer Adams, which is around where he was expected to go, who here wouldn't have him in their top 10? Or top 5 even?

 

I haven't done my updated list yet but he will slot somewhere into my top 10.

[7/11 Games]

Adolfo back in the lineup after an early exit last night. And it appears Johan Cruz is up from the DSL to replace the guy that went to the Astros.

0-5, SO in AZL debut. Had a .329/.424/.471 line with 12 BB/18 SO in 85 AB in DSL.

 

[7/11 Games]

 

Adolfo had his first 0 SO game as a pro and went 1-4, 2B, BB

 

[2014 Minor League catch all thread]

Baseball America prospect hot sheet.

 

Ravelo "In the team photo"

 

Rangel Ravelo, 1b, White Sox: Scouts everywhere have had trouble figuring out what to do with Ravelo. He’s a plus hitter and an on-base machine, but he has shown limited home-run power at Double-A Birmingham. That’s the kind of skill-set that is a perfect fit for a second baseman or center fielder, but not ideal for a righthanded-hitting first baseman. However, Ravelo went 11-for-23 (.478) this week with three more walks and now ranks second in the Southern League in average (.323) and on-base percentage (.411). His hitting ability is strong enough to find some sort of big league role.

[7/8 Games]

Jose Barraza 1-7, 6 SO

 

Also 2 PB

 

Rough day.

[Midseason Top 50]

from Parks' BP chat:

GrinnellSteve (Grinnell): What are the chances Courtney Hawkins puts together a credible major league career? Last year's debacle apparently didn't kill him. That's a victory right there, isn't it?

 

Jason Parks on the Top 50: Developmental speaking, surviving and rebounding from setback is always a positive thing. But I don't see Hawkins as an impact talent at the major league level. Could be a AAAA type or maybe an up/down power guy only guy, but I don't see the hit tool utility to bring the bat into a major league regular profile.

 

Kip (Texas): Are you jumping off the Tyler Danish bandwagon yet?

 

Jason Parks on the Top 50: I was on it from the beginning. I believe we were the highest on Danish of all the off-season lists. I'm not sure what Danish develops into, and its unorthodox, but I like the arm and I think he finds a way to defy the prototype we so often seek in a pitcher.

 

Russ (Chi Town): Thoughts on Carlos Rodon? Am i crazy to think he'll be better than Aiken?

 

Jason Parks on the Top 50: No. AIken brings a lot to the table but I think the Kershaw comps require drugs to be believable. Rodon was the top arm for me in the class. It's not crazy to think he;s better.

 

Keith Hernandez (Just for Men): You originally thought Tim Anderson was more suited for 2B, but the latest Top 50 suggests a move to CF. Is this due to defensive concerns with groundballs and turning double plays?

 

Jason Parks on the Top 50: I didn't write the Anderson capsule. But I think his likely home is either 2B or CF.

 

Justin (Chicago, IL): Here in Chicago, the big focus has been on Cubs prospects (and rightfully so). Any thoughts for us White Sox fans as far as their overall system? Are we starting to see any improvements?

 

Jason Parks on the Top 50: I really like the way the White Sox have approach talent procurement in the last 18 months; amateur draft, international market, trades. I think its a smart org that has been making smart decisions, and the system strength reflects that. I like the direction they are heading, and they could add to the farm with a few clever deadline deals this summer.

[2014 White Sox draft pick thread]

Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeymanCBS 11m

 

heres story on ligament issue thats delayed aiken deal. astros said to seek $1.5M discount to $5M. http://cbsprt.co/1mBvHx7

[Midseason Top 50]

No Sox on BA's list.

[7/1 Games]

Jordan Guerrero continues to be very good

 

3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 SO.

 

35.2 IP, 11 BB, 42 SO on the year.

[2014 International Signing Period]

Ben Badler has his projections out for all 30 teams. Does anyone have a BA account that can get that info? I am hoping for Nunez and Alfaro at least for the White Sox at this point.

Yes he mentions these 2 plus Dominican SS Ricardo Mota. Couldn't find any info on Mota.

 

Badler now has Twins as favorites for Ynoa.

[2014 FIFA World Cup]

Excellent penalty shot-out. Some top quality penalties from both teams. Even Gekas' miss was a very good save.

[6/29 Games]

Thompson 1-1 R

Ravelo 1-1 RBI

 

May 1-1 2B, R

DeMichele 1-1 RBI

Hawkins 0-1

 

Jake Peter is 2-2. Kid is on fire.

Just 1 XBH though (a 2B) from 14 hits.

[2014 FIFA World Cup]

It was hit right at him. He gets no credit. It would have hit him in the face.

The reactions to get his hands up and punch it onto the post were unbelievable. Maybe it would have struck him in the face and gone safe, maybe it would have ricocheted in, maybe it would have fallen to a Dutch player. I give him a lot of credit.

[2014 FIFA World Cup]

Wow at that save from Ochoa. Has anyone raised their value more during this World Cup than him?

[2014 FIFA World Cup]

WOW!!!Spectacular, spectacular goal from Colombia there. Jesus!

James may be the star of the tournament so far. He is extremely good.

[6/27 Games]

Victor Done 2.2 IP, 2 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 6 SO

 

Love the strikeouts at the very least. 10 K/6 BB in 6.2 IP for his first 2 starts.

[6/26 Games]

19-year-old Luis Martinez has 12 strikeouts in 8 innings (2 starts) for Arizona. Could be a prospect.

He was a reasonable bonus guy, and Paddy's first signing, so hopefully. I liked the scouting report on him when he was signed. Sounded like good talent for the money.

[6/25 Games]

Michalczewski stays in Kanny all year despite production right?

I think it would probably be best. He's young and this is his first full season blah blah but still the strikeouts are far too high. 27.8 K% coming into today and it's been getting worse:

April- 25.5 K%

May- 26.6 K%

June- 31.0 K%

Walks trending in the wrong direction also:

April- 14.2 BB%

May- 9.2 BB%

June- 8.3 BB%

 

Overall walks are very nice though and power at least solid. He's been better than expected for me this year but no reason to rush him.

[Your Current Top 10]

and I agree. mark grace is one. however with no history of ever hitting over 10 hrs, his anticipated power

may never come.

 

however a person who hits, and play great d, one will find a place for him, as you said.

Are there any reports of Ravelo's defensive ability at 1B? All I've ever seen is that he couldn't hack it at 3B.

[Your Current Top 10]

Baseball America just ran 10 hitters who might be better than you think at #4 was Ranglo Ravelo.

And Tim Anderson one of their five "red flag" picks:

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/base...better-realize/

[2014 FIFA World Cup]

Colombia are looking great. James and Cuadrado have been two of the most exciting players in the competition thus far.

[6/20 Games]

Good to see Jose Barraza back in action. IIRC, he was an over-slot signing we took in the 8th round the same year we drafted Ayala. He missed all of 2013 with an injury, but is still just 19 years old, so he's got plenty of opportunity to make up for lost time. He should be a fun prospect to follow.

 

Also, maybe I'm reading too much into it, but Barraza getting the opening day start over Ayala is pretty telling to me, given that Ayala is a repeater and should be considered the veteran. Purely speculation, but it seems like the organization may not be as high on Ayala as they previously were.

Barraza signed for slot in the 7th round. Losing a year of development was a blow for him as he was already thought to need a lot of time to develop defensively. Has some tools though, notably raw power and arm strength, and like you mention is still very young.

[6/21 Games]

I'm discovering that info out of the Arizona League is somewhat slow. The team doesn't have a twitter account or personalized website like the other affiliates. It's the old school milb.com layout. The box scores seem to be slow in updating as well. Hmpf

This article gives good insight into the AZL background

http://athletics.scout.com/2/1413302.html

 

AZL is a NON-REVENUE GENERATING LEAGUE. That statement will answer many questions or suggestions you may have once you arrive. Anything that begins with, “Why don’t they have/do…?” can usually be traced to the fact that this is a non-revenue generating league. If there’s no money coming in (ticket sales, advertising, etc.) there won’t be any money going out. It is a business. Keep that in mind.

 

The games are not broadcast/ streamed online, nothing. Why? (See above.)

[6/22 Games]

How many innings did Adams pitch so far this year? Wouldn't be surprised if we see him out of the 'pen on a starters schedule similar to Danish last year.