royoung

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ May 29, 2014 -> 08:38 AM) On a podcast last week, Jason Parks said that as of that day, he'd prefer Nola over Kolek, citing two primary reasons: 1. People assume too much that it's a given that someone as raw as Kolek can develop the "pitchability" to become a frontline starter 2. People are underrating the quality of Nola's stuff -- touches 96, sits 93/94 and has three good pitches I wouldn't be opposed to Nola at #3 if Aiken and Rodon are gone and he signs underslot. Nola appears to be a safe bet on at least being a mid-rotation starter in a couple years, which would coincide nicely with our current core of players.

QUOTE (danman31 @ May 29, 2014 -> 02:03 AM) Ha, don't make it sound like a real job. If it's not fun, don't do it. If someone thinks they would enjoy this, they can take a crack at it. If it sounds like a chore, don't do it. That simple. Semantics. It's a fun way to stay on top of a blossoming minor league system. I'd say it takes me 20-30 minutes to do and it's only a chore when our prospects don't do well

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ May 28, 2014 -> 08:50 PM) Seth Lakso ‏@SethLakso 4m More Per an industry source, this is consensus #whitesox current draft board... 1- Aiken 2- Rodon 3- Kolek 4 - Nola 5- Jackson Yeah thats exactly my top five. Thus I choose to believe in Seth Lasko's "source!"

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ May 28, 2014 -> 04:24 PM) Oh goodie, another thread derailed and ruined by a pedantic argument. Awesome. Gee golly whiz I was so wrong on Tim Anderson turning into Honus Wagner reincarnated!

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ May 28, 2014 -> 12:51 PM) Sanchez with a 3 run bomb. Lol he is on fire. Welcome back Carlos!

If anyone is curious/interested about what the job entails, feel free to message me and I would love to answer any questions you have.

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/draft/mock/...-Law-Mock-Draft Keith Law's 2nd mock draft is out and it has some VERY interesting information about the Sox's pick. He has the top three going: 1. Aiken 2. Rodon 3. Kolek "Tyler Kolek Analysis: The White Sox have been locked in on Kolek for more than a month, and the industry is betting he's their guy even if Carlos Rodon or Brady Aiken drop to this pick. They apparently prefer Kolek to Aiken and would rather not grapple with Rodon's perceived high price tag. (I say "perceived" because I don't believe he has put out any demands at all.) They were also in heavy at Aaron Nola's last start, with former GM Kenny Williams in the crowd." For all of you who have Rodon or Aiken above Kolek (frankly, nearly everyone), let's hope Keith Law is getting bad info. He says this about the Marlins, "I've heard this comes from the owner: If the Cuban-American lefty is there at No. 2, take him, and we'll have a pair of Cuban aces at the top of our rotation."

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ May 27, 2014 -> 08:56 AM) Narvaez has a lot of years under his belt, he's no longer challenged in A ball. Maybe he's very fringe at most. I personally have believed in Smith all along, because of the story behind the age. I even wrote a piece in the offseason comparing Smith and Nieto, and the conclusion I came to is that Smith probably had as much chance of MLB success in 2014 as Nieto if not more (which is to say, not very much). I think Smith could be in the mix in 2015. I like Narvaez quite a bit, but his ceiling is backup catcher or a light hitting defensive specialist starter. When you are evaluate catchers a lot depends on their defensive abilities, skill at calling a game, rapport with pitchers; stuff that doesn't show up in a box score. He is supposedly a good defensive catcher and his caught stealing percentages are excellent, but I plead the fifth on firsthand knowledge.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 26, 2014 -> 01:21 PM) That's not quite true. He pitched in a summer league the previous season for 40+ innings that don't show up on his college innings list. he basically threw 130 innings in both seasons. Good catch Balta, I completely forgot he was a Cape Cod League star. He pitched 55 innings for the CCL in 2009, upping his year total to 144.1 in 2009.

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ May 26, 2014 -> 12:41 PM) I'm glad NC State's overuse of Rodon to the tune of 130-140 pitches got them to the promise land. To me it's a nice plus Rodon's season is done. He pitched 98.2 inning this year, which gives the Sox (or whichever team selects him) a little breathing room to start his professional career. Rodon's Freshmen year, he led the ACC with 114.2 IP, then went out his Sophomore year and threw 132.1 innings. I think the 132 innings would be roughly the maximum they would let him pitch. For reference, Chris Sale pitched 103 innings at FGCU in 2010, then went on to pitch another 33.2 professional. This was a career high for him, blowing away his previous high of 89.1 innings in a season. The Sox then eased his innings back in 2011 with 58 appearances out of the bullpen, totally 71 innings.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ May 24, 2014 -> 01:13 PM) Has he been moving up draft boards? I'm still hoping for one of Aiken or Rodon. Yeah I would be pretty pissed/shocked if they selected Pentecost. If they wanted to go hitter, which I don't think they should, then go for Alex Jackson.

QUOTE (flavum @ May 24, 2014 -> 12:30 PM) https://twitter.com/SethLakso/status/470254387647229952 Not sure why a writer covering the Charlotte Knights would have better sources than MLB, ESPN, and BA's guys but stranger things have happened. It makes all the sense in the world for the Sox to acquire a college starter. There is less chance of busting, and I believe they want sure impact from this pick rather than a lottery ticket. Earlier I was rooting for Rodon to go before us, but it seems like he's their clear #1 so hope he falls. If you would of told me six months ago we could draft Carlos Rodon I would be doing backflips so yeah let's make it happen.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ May 23, 2014 -> 02:41 PM) They're both walking at an acceptable rate and both striking out too much. Don't get me wrong, I like both of them, and I'm admittedly biased because, while I want him striking out less, I absolutely love Hawkins. Hawkins also has top of the line talent while I'm not sure Michalczewski is there on a talent level. Agreed. That's why I have Hawkins #4 and Michalczewski #6. And as another poster said earlier, the gap between the top 4-5 prospects and the rest is huge. However, if you put a gun to my head to asked me to put a percentage on Hawkins ever hitting 10 major league home runs, I would say 15% or worse at this point. Very real and scary bust potential due to his hit tool.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 23, 2014 -> 10:53 PM) Did anything good happen tonight? Eh. No disrespect to Kevan Smith, but when he is the "Star of the Day," the top prospects didn't do anything that spectacular.

http://www.chicagonow.com/future-sox/2014/...ap-kevan-smith/ Recap posted

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ May 23, 2014 -> 11:53 PM) Nola over Aiken would be a nightmare scenario. God I hope that doesn't happen. Agreed. My preference is: 1. Aiken 2. Rodon 3a. Nola under-slot 3b. Kolek Such an interesting choice between Nola or Kolek. Nola seems like a surefire #3-4 starter in 1-2 years, which would fit nicely into our "reload not rebuild" plan. Kolek would be a swing for the fences in 3-5 years type of pick. But after typing this, I am realizing why Nola/Rodon makes so much sense for the Sox.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ May 23, 2014 -> 11:54 AM) Michalczewski, 19, low-A - .275/.374/.379/.753, 26.2% K rate, 12% BB rate Hawkins, 20, high-A - .257/.337/.514/.851, 28.4% K rate, 10.7 BB rate I mean, I don't disagree with your rankings (though mine would be different), but I don't understand why you're panicking on Hawkins while loving what Michalczewski's doing. Hawkins is the better prospect now due his huge power, but the consistent lack of solid contact is really concerning me. I know Hawkins is a level in front of Michalczewski, but he's also a year older and Michalczewski is preforming better in every aspect aside from the power.

Also Law's thoughts on Kolek's injury concerns. nick (weed,CA) When I see Kolek I see a guy destined for TJ. Everything he throws is max effort, does this thought scare teams away? Klaw (2:20 PM) Completely disagree on the max-effort part.

In the Keith Law chat. In case you were wondering about Alex Jackson to the Sox. Rob (Lime Rock, CT) I saw one mock with the White Sox choosing Alex Jackson, but you have mentioned they are all in on one of the three pitchers. Who do you see them leaning towards at this point? Thanks Klaw (2:18 PM) Pitchers. I think there's zero chance they take Jackson. Only hearing them really on Kolek and Nola right now.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ May 22, 2014 -> 05:03 PM) keithlaw ‏@keithlaw 6m White Sox in heavy on Nola today - I saw Kenny Willliams Jr and I was told Reinsdorf is here too Expand My knee-jerk reaction to this (if true) is one of two things. 1. They are making it blatantly obvious they are super "interested" in Nola by sending two of the most recognizable people in the organization to "scout" him. In reality, they are set on the top three and just want some negotiation leverage when pre-draft terms start to get bandied about. 2. They have serious reservations about someone in the top 3 and in the scenario where that guy is the one left they want options.

QUOTE (raBBit @ May 22, 2014 -> 12:09 PM) Beede is pitching himself out of top 10 conversation let alone #3. Serious concerns over his command and makeup. Yeah looks silly now we were considering him for the Sox at #3 a few months ago. I've seen him projected in some mocks to go in the teens or low 20's.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ May 22, 2014 -> 10:47 AM) I'm saying it because the two teams who could take him before us are Houston and Miami, which would leave the Sox with the choices of either Rodon or Aiken, which would be awesome. It appears most people on here (me included) have Kolek at #3 in their preference, so sure if he goes 1-1 that's great.

My top 15, trying not to overreact to start of the 2014 season. 1. Anderson 2. Davidson 3. Johnson 4. Hawkins 5. Danish 6. Michalczewski 7. Sanchez 8. Ravelo 9. Beck 10. Thompson 11. Montas 12. Rondon 13. May 14. Barnum 15. Engel I think Anderson has the highest ceiling in our system and his stats are very impressive considering how raw he was coming from juco. Not panicking on Davidson; panicking a bit on Hawkins. Love what Michalczewski is doing at age 19 in Kannapolis, also what Ravelo is doing in Birmingham at 22. Sanchez is having a resurgent year in Charlotte, remember he's only 21 and really had no business being in AAA last year. Thompson appears to be a 4th outfielder with some pop, don't think he can hit consistently enough to earn a starting spot. Big fan of Montas and his upside.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ May 22, 2014 -> 10:34 AM) Do we know why he fell? If you are talking about Trey Michalczewski, he was supposedly a tough sign. We had to go overslot to get him.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ May 22, 2014 -> 09:17 AM) Davidson could be a DH for 2015, if he puts it together offensively. His 3B defense, while improved, has never been called anything better than average at best. Conor isn't exactly a wizard out there either, but it's probably better than Davidson. With Viciedo's terrible OF defense, I would imagine one of Viciedo/Davidson/Gillaspie would have to go for next year.