royoung

Laughable he's "eyeing" AA after three games, he was completely overmatched by High A all last season. I would be fine with him staying in Winston-Salem for the majority of the season. If he's tearing it up and they want to give him a taste of Birmingham for the playoffs or something, that's a different story. He doesn't deserve/need a promotion until then.

QUOTE (oneofthemikes @ Apr 4, 2014 -> 10:01 AM) So...plan on the Sox taking Hoffman? I trust in the White Sox scouting process and research for this pick. I honestly would be happy with any of the top five guys (Rodon, Aiken, Hoffman, Kolek, Beede) and whoever they take they obviously believe in. If Hoffman's struggles this year let him drop to the Sox and he is their guy all along, all the better.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 3, 2014 -> 12:49 PM) Sounds a lot like the same kinds of things that were said about Zach Greinke coming into the draft. What major league comps are being made with/about Hoffman? I heard Verlander...not sure if that was from Law or somebody else.

Interesting take from Keith Law. He's very down on Rodon and always been pretty excited about the athleticism and potential of Hoffman. Nick (Chicago) Rick Hahn has stated the White Sox are targeting a college pitcher with their #3 pick in the draft. Who offers more upside Hoffman or Beede? Klaw (1:04 PM) Hoffman. More velocity, great athlete, underdeveloped as a pitcher right now. Beede's the safer pick of the two, but I would bet that if they have both guys staring them in the face (and Rodon too) they'd take Hoffman.

QUOTE (danman31 @ Apr 2, 2014 -> 12:50 PM) Now that the rosters of all four minor league affiliates are online I figured it was time to share the big board I created. I will keep it updated throughout the year. Don't put too much thought into the rookie ball rosters. Those are mostly just filler spots for now. The big league and four full season affiliate rosters are official. Hopefully you guys enjoy this resource and feel free to let me know of any errors. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key...amp;usp=sharing Nice! Thanks for this, it is very helpful!

QUOTE (CyAcosta41 @ Mar 31, 2014 -> 12:49 PM) Straw man argument, man. I never suggested otherwise. IF Rodon at #3 is the proverbial BPA, then you take him. Without a doubt. But that wasn't my hypothetical. IF Rodon at #3 is plus or minus considered the same tier of prospect with two or three other guys, then all sorts of factors enter into what breaks the tie, one certainly being any "baggage" that he comes with. It's nice macho chest-thumping and all to say, screw Boras, I'm not scared of him, but disregard of history and practices is negligence per se. He's baggage and I'm certain that attorney/owner JR considers him just that. Deal with him if he's representing our guy, but consider his involvement a negative when breaking ties. Obviously, just my opinion, but Boras is as much of a known quantity as anything in baseball. I'm sorry Cy, I must of misunderstood your point. At this point, there is no evidence that Rodon would be a tougher sign than a HS player, comparatively. As far as I can tell, Appel is the only college player picked in the top half of the 1st round to not sign with his drafting team. However, I am not sticking my head in the sand about Boras or the entire flawed draft process. I am sure the White Sox will reach out to Boras about the possibility of signing Rodon. If it's not a fit financially, there seems to be other prospects in his tier that would be available at our position. Signability is definitely a variable that the Sox have to consider and I am sure they are doing their due diligence. If there is a chance he wouldn't sign with us, I feel confident we have other great options.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Mar 31, 2014 -> 10:49 AM) I have no idea why anyone would think this. Semien is more patient/sees more pitches. Semien will surely get on base more. Semien uses the whole field. Alexei goes up there, swings and at everything and pulls everything. Let him tap some of the power down low in the order. I agree. Semien also doesn't strike out very often. He's as close to a ideal #2 hitter we've had recently.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Mar 31, 2014 -> 10:29 AM) The real risk for the Sox is passing on Rodon and him going to the Cubs a pick later and becoming David Price. This draft will be forever held under a microscope if the Sox get a bust and the Cubs get a star. The Sox are getting a good player, any of the 5-6 pitchers seem to have ML floors as at least bullpen arms. I think Beede probably has the highest floor, but his ceiling is probably a two or three. Rodon, Hoffman, and Kolek probably have floors as bullpen guys but ceilings as #1's. Aiken, I am not sure what is floor would be. He has three good to really good pitches plus a developing cutter, but his floor is probably MiLB starter and a ceiling as high or higher than anyone else in the draft. Based on what we have heard from various sources the draft would go: 1. Houston - Rodon 2. Miami - Kolek 3. White Sox - Hoffman 4. Cubs - Beede This was before Aiken really blew up, but I haven't seen any team firmly attached to him yet. I think we should be more concerned with what the Twins do at #5 than what the Cubs do at #4. I would say that list is fairly accurate with Aiken being a big time wildcard. Also if the Astros select anyone but Rodon the draft just suddenly got veryyyy interesting.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Mar 31, 2014 -> 09:11 AM) This weeks stat update: Carlos Rodon - 6 IP 4H 1R 1ER 3BB 5K Season - 7 GS 2.09 ERA 47.1 IP 37H 24R 11ER 18BB 55K Tyler Beede - 5 IP 5H 3R 3ER 3BB 4K Season - 7 GS 2.47 ERA 40 IP 25H 20R 11ER 14BB 46K Jeff Hoffman - 7 IP 6H 2R 2ER 1BB 6K Season - 7 GS 3.80 ERA 45IP 35H 22R 19ER 18BB 45K Sean Newcomb - 7 IP 0H 0R 0ER 4BB 8K Season - 6 GS 0.00 ERA 39.2IP 14H 1R 0ER 19BB 46K Brady Aiken struck out 10 in 5IP in his start last week. Thanks for these updates Iowa.

QUOTE (CyAcosta41 @ Mar 31, 2014 -> 08:55 AM) Joshua ... And, in return, I didn't suggest you actually hoped that they didn't sign their pick. Rather, I thought I carefully avoided arguing with you, but concentrated on my personal opinion. Namely, the Sox have an improving, but still barely adequate farm. ... one that is sorely lacking in legit high-ceiling guys. For any team with a system like that -- e.g., the White Sox system -- I personally believe it would indeed be truly horrible to let a draft pass you by without bringing into the system, A.S.A.P. (meaning, NOW) the kind of high-ceiling talent that the #3 pick in the entire draft should bring in. Understood that current rules provide something of a consolation prize in next year's #4 if we aren't able to sign this year's #3. Sure, that is something. And it's possible that next year's #4 could net a better player than this year's #3. But not a single person on Earth knows that answer. What we do know, is that not signing this year's #3 means we had a chance to bring in one of the top 3 players available in the entire draft this year (and who knows, it could be the VERY TOP player based on the team's subjective analysis) and we let it get away. Not as improved overall this year as we could be. (And yes ... someone could make an argument that foregoing a high first round pick this year opens the budget for going with multiple overslot picks in later rounds ... but the viability of a strategy like that is way outside of our discussion here). A team with a currently or perennially strong farm might consider this a glancing blow, but for a team like the White Sox, I'd be hard-pressed to consider it as anything other than a "horrible" result (even though MLB protects us against ourselves, somewhat, in the following draft). And full-circle back to my original point: such a scenario turns from "horrible" to "inexcusable" if this happens because we decided to play ball with The Evil Prince himself, Scott Boras. If the Sox refuse to deal with Scott Boras at all, they shouldn't be a franchise. I think his reputation is inflated at this point. If Rodon is there at three and he's the BPA in the Sox's eyes, I am all for pulling the trigger. The difference between 1-3 slot money and 1-1 slot money isn't huge like when Appel fell to 1-8.

QUOTE (Lillian @ Mar 29, 2014 -> 08:02 AM) This alleged "deep draft" doesn't appear to contain a true potential "Ace" pitcher, at least not from the early season performances. It had seemed that the Sox would have almost a guarantee to get a great pitcher, drafting third. I was hoping for a right handed, top of the rotation arm, to compliment Sale. The way it's been going, I'm not sure that any of these pitchers are worthy of a #1. Now that Rodon has come back to the pack, Kolek and Aiken seem like the only ones with true Ace potential, and the Sox don't appear to be inclined to draft a high school arm. If the top two picks are pitchers, and the Sox are left to select the best of the remaining arms, might they be better off going with the best position player in this year's draft? I understand the concern but it is very early in the process to be skittish. The Sox have been pretty clear that they are targeting an impact BPA (best player available) player with this pick and it just so happens to be strong in pitching. As far as worrying about a "true potential ace" being available, in the past 10 years I can only see Strasburg and Price being that guy who everybody knew was going to be a #1. It's extremely rare. I would argue the Sox are in a very good position. There seems to be a fairly strong top 5 of arms (Aiken, Rodon, Kolek, Beede, and Hoffman) and the Sox will be guaranteed to have three of them sitting on the board when they are on the clock. Aiken has a ton of helium right now, definitely #1 starter potential, same with Kolek and Rodon. Hoffman hasn't blown anyone away, but he is an uber athlete, which has been compared to Verlander in his athleticism and body type. He is a potential frontline workhorse, with the right type of coaching I could definitely see him taking off in the minors. Beede has struggled with his control but has the "best swing and miss stuff in the draft." His control might hold him back from being a true ace, but think a solid 2 or 3 is very reasonable.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Mar 28, 2014 -> 10:19 AM) What I read between the lines for that #3 pick is that it is going to be a pitcher. Frankly, it doesn't pay to have a scout watch every single game for hitters, even if you get a better scouting report, simply because there are going to be times they tee off on lesser competition. You want to see how they do against the good pitchers. The Sox have scouted every game of their top 5. That is extremely possible wit pitchers. Also, I took it very much that they've done their initial homework and they've narrowed that #3 pick down to five potential guys. Yes I would be incredibly shocked if they picked a position player. Prediction on who will be first off the board? Jackson? Gatewood? Nobody has really emerged like some of the pitchers have.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Mar 27, 2014 -> 05:45 PM) I didn't take it as they limited it to 5, just that they have a top 5. Right but effectively when they are on the clock they will have a top three, unless the Astros or Marlins don't take someone in their top five. It's good they've pinpointed an upper echelon of prospects anyway, it seems there is a top 4-5 that I wouldn't be terribly surprised whichever order they go.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 27, 2014 -> 03:34 PM) Read highlights here. Interesting guy. Interesting and exciting they've limited their draft targets at #3 to just five players. Obviously at the point the Sox are picking it goes to down to three players on that list so surprising to me they didn't have a few more. I have to speculate that it's Rodon, Kolek, Hoffman, Beede, and Aiken? It's frustrating they've asked Courtney Hawkins to make all these adjustments while playing in a league way above his head. Hopefully he can get back on track this year.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Mar 26, 2014 -> 01:41 PM) But there goes your mid-tier contract money on a player not on the roster. Shame, can't sign that mid-tier player you want. BUT WHY ISN'T THERE MONEY FOR EVERYTHING I WANT?? JERRY IS CHEAP!! And around we will go.

QUOTE (robinventura23 @ Mar 26, 2014 -> 01:27 PM) So if he is on the big league roster, I wonder who is the odd man out. Most likely Webb. He could probably use more time in AAA anyway, he ascended quickly.

Bernie Pleskoff ‏@BerniePleskoff 3m #WhiteSox have claimed Javy Guerra off waivers from the #Dodgers. That's a big addition to the bullpen. Good move. I like it. Nice to have surplus arms. It's a long season.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 25, 2014 -> 05:41 PM) People are putting WAY to much stock into early season statistics. It's not about the stats, scouts are saying his fastball has been average and his control has been below average all year. I'd still be fine with Hoffman if our scouts believed he is still flashing/capable of plus stuff and his numbers are awful. Rodon has to show it at some point or somethings gone very wrong.

QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Mar 25, 2014 -> 11:41 AM) That's exactly what I'm thinking as well. I never liked the idea of the Sox trading Gio away, twice no less. I'm no scout but I think Aiken could end being every bit as good as Gio if not better. Again, I'm just a fan and no scout. I wouldn't have a problem taking a hs kid like this for the #3 pick. Yes its a risk but one I'm willing to take. Would you take Aiken over Rodon at this point?

QUOTE (Marty34 @ Mar 24, 2014 -> 07:04 PM) It's unlikely that all of these prospects turn out well, that said aside from catcher and probably another LH hitter somewhere I'm willing to roll dice on the position players. I think it's still debatable whether Quintana is a #2 or #3 on a playoff team with the contract he signed though it doesn't matter because if nothing else that boosted his trade value. If Quintana settles in as a #3, he may be able to be packaged with a Beck or Bassit for an established #2 with Johnson hopefully sliding in at #3. For the sake of the argument, let's assume Q "settles in as a #3," which I am not agreeing to. But if he's a #3 starter, why in the world would you trade a #3 starter with a very team friendly contract for a slightly better pitcher and throw one of our top pitching prospects??? If Johnson slides in at #3 and you trade Beck who would be our #4 and #5 in that scenario? Hahn gave Q this contract because he is going to pitching with Sale at the top of our rotation for a long time. He's not going anywhere.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Mar 24, 2014 -> 03:45 PM) I really hope everyone doesn't expect our #3 pick to be on the OD '15 roster. Even Rodon or Beede wouldn't contribute meaningfully until 2016 at the earliest. If we take Kolek or Aiken extend that to 2017 or 2018.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 24, 2014 -> 02:44 PM) Bruce Levine ‏@MLBBruceLevine 14m Manager Robin Ventiura will not commit to a closer. ( he waited until opening day 2012 to bring in Hector Santiago without fanfare -opener Hoping for a closer by committee approach. Ride the match-ups and the hot hand. Also would keep Webb/Jones arbitration costs way down.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Mar 24, 2014 -> 10:42 AM) The difference is the proper caveot is being used there. "Future core" is different from "core". Right. Theo and Hahn are VERY aware of service times and windows of opportunities. The Cubs are simply targeted 2016-2021 as their window to compete and are working towards achieving that. Hahn is doing the same thing effectively with a quicker time table.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Mar 24, 2014 -> 10:21 AM) Yes, but you said that after the fact. You included him him your original White Sox core. I hope the Cubs suck forever. The fact is, if their pieces were White Sox pieces, you would be talking them up more than you are talking up Matt Davidson right now. Some of these guys on both teams are going to not amount to much. Right now, the Cubs have more room for error just because they have more highly thought of prospects in quantity if not quality. I think we are arguing semantics are this point. Hahn referenced Eaton, Abreu, Garcia, and Davidson as the White Sox "future core." He can say that even though between the four players only one has ever put on Sox uniform and that was briefly. I am sure the Cubs consider Baez, Almora, and Bryant part of their future core as well.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Mar 23, 2014 -> 08:28 PM) Parks was loving what he saw from Anderson and Jaye today. "SS Tim Anderson: Body beautiful; plus athlete; swing is silky smooth, loose and easy; a hands hitter who attacks the ball out front and can drive it; very impressive hand-eye at the plate; natural ability to square up the ball; hit tool is going to be plus; power could be late to arrive but could also be plus; defense at short is shaky despite quick-twitch athleticism; wasn’t quick in his reactions to the ball; actions were a little stiff; arm looked average to solid-average; not as fast as I originally thought, more 55/60 run." That's all I can see as a unsubscribed reader, does anyone have the rest of the content?