royoung

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 16, 2014 -> 11:12 AM) Hawkins 2 for 2 with a double, run scored....no K's. .364 Goldberg getting beaten up. Every time Hawkins gets a hit I imagine CJ Wittman seeing it and saying it was lucky swing, bloop that should of been caught, hit it off a non-prospect, etc etc.

His small sample size slashline of .294/.468/.618 was my dream when we signed him, but not sustainable now. However, I think he'll settle in at .240/.375/.530ish and net a prospect or two at the deadline for a power hungry club. Glad he is shutting up the off-season haters.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Apr 15, 2014 -> 10:37 AM) I'm really starting to like the idea of Tyler Kolek in a Sox uniform... I would be quite surprised if Aiken and Kolek go 1 and 2. It would be the first time ever a HS pitcher went 1-1 correct? Say Aiken/Rondon go 1-2, it will be fascinating seeing Sox decide between Kolek/Hoffman/Beede.

http://www.chicagonow.com/future-sox/2014/...t-on-rainy-day/ 4/14 recap posted. Not a lot to work with yesterday...

The HS kids are looking better and better as time goes on. But if we are honest with ourselves some of that has to do with the scrutiny the college guys are under. I've read at least 7-8 different updating scouting reports on Hoffman, Rodon, and Beede as the season has gone on and maybe 1 or 2 of Aiken and Kolek. It's true the college guys don't seem to be dominating like they should, but it's a lot projection, not so much stats. I honestly would not be upset with any of those five guys I've mentioned, just excited to hear the reasons why the Sox took them and happy to end the speculation and have them in the organization. It' like Christmas morning, you drive yourself nuts over the anticipation and unveiling more so than the actual gift.

Hawkins K's twice and CJ Wittman is not a believer. Depressing. CJ Wittmann ‏@CJWittJr 1m #whitesox Hawkins tied up on inner half with 88 then expands zone with SL down for another K. Hasn't made any improvements from last year.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Apr 12, 2014 -> 04:05 PM) I understand that but he isn't anywhere close to what he is without that 80 grade slider. He relies on it too much. His fastball is lagging behind in development because he keeps throwing sliders. In the minors stats don't matter, development does. If he has to learn how to get hitters out with his other pitches it makes his whole arsenal better. In that article he says he has to aim at the dirt with his fastball just to keep it down. College hitters are sitting fastball because his command of it is below average. That would be a major red flag for me if I was considering taking him. The Sox would have to feel comfortable that the fastball, cutter, and change will improve enough to let his world class slider have maximum effectiveness.

QUOTE (Bigsoxhurt35 @ Apr 11, 2014 -> 07:56 PM) @laurakeeley: Carlos Rodon is done. 7.2 innings, 6 hits, 2 runs (1 ER), 3 walks, 1 HBP, 12 Ks and a career-high 134 pitches. #Duke up on State 2-0 Wow http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/vin...ukes-van-orden/ "Duke senior David Perkins, who had 20 at-bats entering the game, led off the second inning by pounding an elevated 95 mph fastball over the fence in dead-center field. In the third, Mike Rosenfeld doubled to right-center on another elevated fastball, and Jordan Betts drove him in on a single through the drawn-in infield on a 96 mph heater. “When I leave the ball up, I just beat myself,” Rodon said. “That ball that, I don’t know who it was that hit that home run, the ball’s up. You throw a slider there, he’s out. You throw a fastball down, he’s out. That’s probably the only ball he’ll ever hit off me. Sounds like Rodon is kind of a douche. Would having a "mean streak" be the scouting term? "Rodon, of course, owns the most explosive slider in college baseball, and it was at its best Friday, devastating the Blue Devils at 86-89 mph. BA’s Clint Longenecker recorded 55 sliders from Rodon, and 67 percent of them were strikes—and a staggering 54 percent of his slider strikes came via swings and misses. Over the first three innings, he also showed his best fastball velocity, sitting at 94-96 and touching 98 once. But it was elevated in those early innings, and Duke took advantage." 55 sliders? No wonder his fastball has been less than impressive this year. I read that a scout would recommend whatever team draft him to force him to not throw sliders or very few during games to make him get outs with his fastball, cutter, and split-change.

http://www.chicagonow.com/future-sox/2014/04/4112014-recap/ Minor League recap posted

http://www.chicagonow.com/future-sox/2014/...-rondon-shines/ 4/10 Recap posted. On the day fellow Peavy trade return piece Avisail Garcia is ruled out for the season, Cleuluis Rondon takes it upon himself to step up.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Apr 10, 2014 -> 02:53 PM) I meant worst case as in hardest decision to make, if one was off the board it would be a slam dunk. Oh gotcha. I think it will be a tough decision either way, the HS kids are making a pretty compelling case as well...

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Apr 10, 2014 -> 02:46 PM) With Garcia's injury they may now need to take a potential elite bat like Jackson. Buy the pitching. No rational front office makes draft decisions based on one injury on the major league team. Any bat the Sox draft would take at least three to four years to make an impact and by then Garcia will have been healed long ago.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Apr 10, 2014 -> 02:27 PM) Thats the worst case scenario for the Sox. Picking between Rodon and Hoffman is going to be extremely tough. I think in the end it will come down to contract demands. You think that would be worst case? Sox have usually shown a preference of college arms, it would be ideal in that case. In a perfect world where contract demands aren't a factor (they are, but we don't know behind the scenes who is demanding or agreeing to what), my top five is Aiken, Rodon, Hoffman, Kolek, Beede.

Are you kidding me? Wow that's a huge blow to his development.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Apr 10, 2014 -> 01:03 PM) Keth Law Chat included some White Sox tidbits. Paul (Chicago) If they draft were tomorrow how do you see the first 3 or 4 picks playing out? Klaw (12:15 PM) Aiken, Kolek, Hoffman, Rodon. I've heard the White Sox like Trea Turner more than most teams, but I wouldn't expect them to take him with every college arm still on the board. Eric (Memphis) If you were Rick Hahn, would you take Hoffman over Rodon (assuming Aiken and Kolek were already selected)? Klaw (12:42 PM) It depends on the cost, but if it's equal I'd take Rodon. Hoffman's a tremendous athlete with arm strength, but the secondary stuff isn't at all consistent and he needs a lot of work. Of course, Don Cooper will give him a cutter and he'll end up in the top 5 in Cy Young voting for 2016. Trea Turner at 1-3....nooooo thank you.

Not a great day so far for the Knights...1 hit and 7 strikeouts. The only guy with a hit (Saladino) has a error.

keithlaw ‏@keithlaw 1h Hearing LHP Brady Aiken, the top prospect for this year's #mlbdraft, is dealing today, hitting 96 at least six times already If true, wow. Hitting 96 repeatedly as a HS lefty with advanced secondary stuff?

QUOTE (oneofthemikes @ Apr 9, 2014 -> 02:39 PM) I think that there are enough high ceiling arms in the top 5-6 picks that the Sox will be able to find someone that is willing to sign at or below slot that will allow them to have a strong rest of the draft. They all know how important this draft is toward getting the organization back on the right track and they are going to do all they can to make sure they do just that. Of the five arms you are referring too (Rodon, Hoffman, Kolek, Aiken, Beede), two of them are HS players so I can guarantee you they won't sign under slot or quickly. Boras would never let Rodon sign underslot (especially at #3) so that leaves Hoffman and Beede. I think it's most likely that they would sign at slot and quickly. If you are hoping for the scenario where we would spread the cash around and get a top guy, you should be rooting for Hoffman or Beede. If we go outside of those top five guys to draft a college guy far outside the top 5 who would go way underslot...I would be pretty pissed honestly. I don't understand the fixation on saving money when you picking this high in the draft. It's going to be slot money or slightly above to get an elite prospect that's available at #3 overall.

http://deadspin.com/jose-abreu-makes-his-b...dium=socialflow Deadspin loves them some Abreu

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 8, 2014 -> 04:06 PM) If they get a big enough savings out of the player they do sign, which allows them to bring in other players who were highly regarded but slipped due to demands, I am OK with that. Not sure I agree with that. If it's a coin flip then that's one thing, but we (hopefully) won't draft this high again for a long long time. At #3 overall I think you go for your guy.

4/8 Minor League Recap http://www.chicagonow.com/future-sox/2014/...wkins-goes-off/

QUOTE (raBBit @ Apr 7, 2014 -> 06:28 PM) I think if Hoffman's there at #3 we take him. If he's not we take Beede. I think this is realistic but the possibility of swinging for the fences with Aiken or Kolek will keep us all speculating.

QUOTE (Stan Bahnsen @ Apr 7, 2014 -> 03:59 PM) I'm glad Hoffman is righting the ship performance-wise, and given the org's long term interest, I think he'll be the guy, if he's available. And as a college guy, he should be ready for 2016 when we win the WS again. I guess we should root for the HS guys to go 1-2, huh? I'm rooting for Rodon to go #1 or #2 because I don't know what to think of him anymore. I'd love to see the Sox have to decide between Hoffman or Aiken/Kolek.

QUOTE (Joshua Strong @ Apr 7, 2014 -> 01:14 PM) I think that is a horrible mindset, and if you're a GM with that mindset you're never going to set your team up for long term success. I would agree with you, but it just so happens that this class is extremely top heavy on pitching. I expect the first five players to be selected to be pitchers. It is a perfect blend of need and talent available.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Apr 7, 2014 -> 11:46 AM) Notes from ESPN Draft Blog: They say Rodon no longer a lock for top 3, but won't last beyond 6. Says destinations are Houston, Marlins, Cubs, or Mariners. Scouts were impressed with Beede battling back after giving up 3R in the first inning. Beede has been linked with Twins, Sox, and Rockies. Brady Aiken K'd 10 in a no-hitter last week. Now has 40K/24IP. Mentions prep Grant Holmes, says he will be a quick mover, no ace potential but a solid #2. Lack of projection will keep him from a top 5 pick. Scout says Turner may just be a utility guy, likely mid-first rounder. Kyle Schwarber is #1 C now, Pentecost's stock has slipped. http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/mlb-draft/post?id=1499 Notable to me is that they mention all the teams picking around the White Sox as possibilities for Rodon, but not them. Rodon is such an enigma now, I'd be so torn if the Sox did end up taking him.