Chicago White Sox

Nice win heading into the break!!

Fangraphs may want to reconsider their 40 FV grade on Basabe.

That was absolutely crushed!

Or he’s a 23 year old still developing?

Basabe HR off Hunter Greene!!!

Oh shit, I didn’t think he actually swung there and assumed it was called a strike. At least he battled and didn’t looked overmatched against one of the premier pitching prospects in Keller.

Basabe K’s looking to open the Futures Game.

You forget about Basabe leading off the Futures Game with a HR.

You got to give him a chance to get through six. If he lets two base-runners on, then go ahead and pull him. But this is a great opportunity for Ricky to show some faith in his young starter.

Obviously I don’t want to get too excited here, but today is a great example of how development isn’t linear. These aren’t just good games, Yoan & Giolito actually look significantly better. I’m sure playing the Royals helps to some extent, but with young players it can all just suddenly click. Hopefully we’re seeing the beginning of consistent above average play from both of them.

Lol...very promising day for Yoan.

RIGHT HANDED BOMB FOR MONCADA!?!

I think you got to give him one more, but maybe pull him at the first sign of trouble.

lol...I guess it must just feel that way cause he’s started two games in a row.

Is Engel really OPSing below .600? I can’t believe this guy is still getting everyday at-bats.

Yeah, it’s pretty ridiculous. No idea what Seth Beer has to do with Nick Madrigal anyways.

I mean, a month or two ago nothing was working for him. At least right now, his velocity has returned (for the most part) and his fastball command has gotten better. His breaking stuff is what will ultimately make or break him and those can be weapons if he can harness/locate them. We all saw host nasty they were in that mystical spring training start against the Cubs. I remain cautiously optimistic with Giolito, but I really think we’re going to have a few more rough patches (and I mean rough) before it all finally clicks. That probably won’t be next year if I had to guess, but right now giving him these starts is a worthy investment.

Laser!!

I was going to say, the positives from that first inning was getting ahead with good fastball command. He’s got to find a way to command his breaking pitches and be able wipe guys out though. He can’t survive without them.

The difference is mental fortitude between Lopez & Giolito is startling.

Good god...

I’m really hoping Giolito can have a strong start like Lopez did yesterday (ignoring the two HR’s). Just give us reason for optimism going into the second half of the season.

The problem I have with your theory is organizations have access to Trackman data in the minors. They can be working on launch angle down there and yet for whatever reason guys who have shown minimal power in the minors all of sudden are called up and going on tears. To me that, that’s pretty strong evidence to suggest balls are juiced. I do think the launch angle craze has had an impact on some guys who have been in the league for a while, but there is clearly something else also happening with these young players IMO.

I agree, I don’t really see the risk of letting him play.

Looking at that World lineup I went from excitement to sorrow in like two seconds. Regardless, pretty cool that Basabe is leading off and it shows just how good of a year he has had.