JPN366

The real question is, what number will Gordon Beckham wear?

QUOTE (scenario @ Mar 22, 2009 -> 10:20 AM) Too early to know who all the players will be yet, but... Looks like Birmingham could have an outstanding team the first half of 2009. Beckham at SS Brandon Allen at 1B John Shelby in LF Stefan Gartrell in RF Tyler Flowers at C CJ Retherford at 3B And a good group of pitchers including... John Ely Lucas Harrell Clevelan Santeliz Jhonny Nunez It's going to be a very interesting team to watch. I'm guessing Greg Paiml and Joe Persichina will man 2B, Donny Lucy backs up Flowers, the outfield beyond John Shelby III is anybody's guess. Salvador Sanchez, Miguel Negron, Stefan Gartrell, Estee Harris & Ronnie Gaines are possibilities. Although Negron and Gartrell did more than enough to deserve a promotion to Charlotte. Negron's proved all that he can at AA with B'ham and the other teams he's played for. Aside from batting average and K's, Gartrell is ready for AAA. Brian Omogrosso should be back since he had injury setbacks last year. Most of the W-S picthing staff should move up to AA. I think Francisco Hernandez will repeat A ball. The big question marks position player wise in my mind are names like Javier Colina, Robbie Hudson, C.J. Lang, Freddie Thon, Jared Price, Eric Hollis, Brett Bonvechio, Adam Ricks & Lee Cruz. I think most, if not all, will be gone.

I'd be shocked if Getzy doesn't hit .300 most of the year.

Soxtalk.com needs a drug testing policy.

Success! Look at that, the White Sox can actually develop more than one position player starter in a decade. I think you guys can reasonably expect Ryan Theriot-like numbers out of Getzy.

...will be an exhibition game on Monday, April 6th against the University of Montevallo. It souldn't be a long game or a full 9 innings, mostly due to the fact that Montevallo is a liberal arts college. I assume it will be a bloodbath that will end in a mercy rule. I'll be there and I'll try to pass on as much early observation of the roster as I can after the game. The regular season begins 3 days later on the 9th.

QUOTE (flavum @ Mar 20, 2009 -> 12:44 PM) A different Sergio got traded too...Sergio Santos got traded to the Giants for future considerations. Not surprised, he didn't have a spot at Charlotte or B'ham. He's only a third basemen. I knew some guys were gonna have to go outright because there were too many players and not enough spots.

Thought I'd post this for anybody who hasn't read it. Can't wait to meet him! Batting Around with John Shelby III

It'll probably be an A ball level player. What's a position that needs more depth in the lower levels? Maybe a catcher, maybe OF or 1B. Aside from Shelby III, Danks, Jose Martinez & maybe Jimmy Gallagher, there aren't many outfielders to write home about. Like I said, keep the name Freddy Parejo in mind. He played for Huntsville last year and I could see him coming back in return for Sergio Miranda.

Keep in mind the name Freddy Parejo, although I wish it was Angel Salome.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 19, 2009 -> 03:48 PM) Sergio Miranda has been traded to the Brewers (he told me this directly). No word yet on who he was traded for, or if this is part of a larger deal. Let us know for whom as soon as you can, even if it was just for another minor leaguer.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Mar 19, 2009 -> 04:38 PM) Paiml is not gonna make it, and has the lowest ceiling out of the three. I'll trust Rex's analysis on that one. I won't get it in that regard though Miranda is a nice spect. Paiml's interesting in the fact he's about to go from Barons batboy to Barons infielder.

My grassroots campaign is working, at least half of it.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Mar 18, 2009 -> 08:21 PM) Yeah, but would you really consider talking baseball "work" Good point. I'm a baseball junkie.

Aaron Cunningham can play CF.

QUOTE (BearSox @ Mar 18, 2009 -> 07:09 PM) I personally would have rather had seen how Viciedo would do at Birmingham in the bigger park vs. more talent for a while. But oh well, doesn't make too much of a difference I guess. Less work for me I guess. I was assuming I would be hounded for info on him, Beckham & Flowers.

Rob Bowen was released by the A's. The Royals also released left Jimmy Gobble.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Mar 18, 2009 -> 01:59 PM) Don't be too sad. Viciedo opened a lot of eyes with his power and agility at 3rd base. He's still well ahead of the curve just having turned 20 and in AAA. Now you have too keep tabs on him through the Future Sox section and the Charlotte Knights website and you can listen to their games for free. http://www.charlotteknights.com/ Some their games will be on MiLB.tv throughout the year. When they play in Buffalo, Scranton, Durham, Louisville and a few others that I cannot recall.

QUOTE (flavum @ Mar 18, 2009 -> 01:07 PM) I'm not too surprised about Allen going to AA. He only played 41 games there last year. Plus Charlotte will probably have Broussard and maybe Myrow. You beat me to it. I figured Brandon would be back at least for the first half. He's talented but still very raw and barely 22. He'll probably move up to Charlotte in the second half, especially if Myrow and Broussard aren't doing well. The funny thing I've noticed is the glut of third basemen that will be at Charlotte. C.J. Retherford has earned the starting spot in B'ham, so that means Viciedo, Castillo & Sergio Santos will be in Charlotte most likely. To make matters more messy, Charlotte's roster includes Gookie Dawkins, Keith Ginter & Javier Colina. Plus, Eider Torres, Brent Lillibridge and Jayson Nix may be in Charlotte as well. Beckham looks likely to head to B'ham also. There's also some players on the Barons roster who may or may not still be with the organization. In a nutshell, not everybody's making a team in the system.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 6, 2009 -> 03:14 PM) Ah, I hadn't read that. Lucas Harrell assigned to B'ham, like I said. I think the Barons rotation will be Harrell, Omogrosso, Santeliz, Ely & Rasner.

QUOTE (JPN366 @ Mar 14, 2009 -> 03:44 PM) (hacking cough)...Gregor Blanco...(hacking cough) Oh yeah, or David Cook.

QUOTE (mmmmmbeeer @ Mar 14, 2009 -> 11:59 AM) Who else is out there that is available via FA or possibly via trade? I just don't see how KW and Ozzie can be at all comfortable heading into this season with one of JO, BA, and DW manning centerfield. To me it just screams of thrift or an unwillingness to improve. I find it nearly impossible to believe that there isn't an affordable (either money or talent) alternative somewhere that can play defense and hit above .250. While I truly appreciate the fact that DW is the only guy who is stepping up and trying to cease this opportunity, and do believe he's earned a roster spot, he's NOT starting CF material. As irresponsible as I think it is to have Beckham go north this year with the team, I like the Getz/Beckham/Ramirez(cf) option better than anything else if we can't go out and make an acquisition. (hacking cough)...Gregor Blanco...(hacking cough)

(cough)...Gregor Blanco...(cough)

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Mar 13, 2009 -> 11:14 AM) Oh excuse me that was RHP Josh Fields of the Mariners not our Josh There was another Josh Fields that pitched in the White Sox organization up until the end on 2007.

QUOTE (bmags @ Mar 12, 2009 -> 08:48 PM) You could add any major league player in the world, and you chose Gregor Blanco? I was talking about a player who could REALISTICALLY be added, as I said clearly in my post. One who would fit some or more of the current needs of the White Sox.