DirtySox

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Apr 13, 2014 -> 04:05 PM) Here was Wittman's last tweet. CJ Wittmann ‏@CJWittJr 8m @stoltz_baseball @chrisrod13 @JamesFox917 MLB extra is the ceiling Expand He says that Hawkin's ceiling is MLB extra. I have some JR High players in Homer Glen that I'd like him to predict the futures on for me as well. I think that Hawkins floor is lower than MLB extra but the ceiling is still higher. That was the tweet that got me. I understand not liking a prospect, but that's a conclusion that is far too early to make.

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 13, 2014 -> 02:18 PM) That's all very fair. Maybe it's the amount scouts and "experts" that bug me. Everyone has an opinion, and I really don't think it means much. I mean, if scouting were an exact science, then no first round pick would be a bust without an injury. That's why I'm not paying much attention to who the Sox are going to take at 3. It's such a crapshoot no matter how good the player looks in his uniform, or how hard he throws. Agreed. Wittmann also sounds especially negative/snarky on Hawkins which is unpalatable. He does like Anderson though. Both of these opinions are in line with Jason Parks at BP for what it's worth.

QUOTE (Butter Parque @ Apr 13, 2014 -> 01:55 PM) That also doesn't mean he knows what he's looking at. If his reports were good on Hawkins, would he then be credible? Even the BA Hot Sheet has a caveat on it: " One scout we spoke with believed Hawkins’ bat was slow and noted that he swung through plenty of fastballs in the series he viewed." I'm just taking his performance with a grain of salt. Especially after last year.

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 13, 2014 -> 01:33 PM) Oh, well then he must know what he's talking about. /eyeroll Kay. I'm not taking what he says as gospel but I'm not going to ignore it either. He's certainly seen much more of Hawkins then you or I.

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 13, 2014 -> 01:14 PM) Who the hell is CJ Wittman? Everyone is a scout these days. Baseball Prospectus prospect writer.

Wittman seems optimistic on Anderson but continues to think Hawkins looks dreadful. Doesn't see much different from last year other than stance.

This isn't a year where they are going for it. It's not a win now team. I expect the leashes for all of them are quite long.

QUOTE (Lemon_44 @ Apr 12, 2014 -> 06:04 AM) At least he doesn't focus on the negative. CJ Wittmann ‏@CJWittJr 54m So last night I saw really bad Tim Anderson but I also saw "holy s***" Tim Anderson. #whitesox Expand CJ Wittmann ‏@CJWittJr 53m The total package of Anderson is explosive. But he's still very raw. Long way away for me. I'll be sitting on the whole series #whitesox Expand

Also: CJ Wittmann ‏@CJWittJr 35s Hawkins just injured himself walking back to 1B. Very uncoordinated play. Grimacing and has considerable limp. Trainer is out now. #whitesox Expand

Wittmann has plenty more on Hawkins, none of it sounding very good.

CJ Wittmann ‏@CJWittJr 42m #whitesox Tim Anderson small frame but nice muscle build. Very athletic body; has some plus bat speed. Expanded zone first AB. Expand CJ Wittmann ‏@CJWittJr 41m #whitesox Courtney Hawkins took a 88 MPH FB middle middle for strike one. Swung and missed at 2 CHs away. Fell to a knee last swing. Expand CJ Wittmann ‏@CJWittJr 15m #whitesox Tim Anderson expanded zone again. Again against offspeed. First AB outside, 2nd: swung at 3 CBs down. Not sure he picked up spin. Expand CJ Wittmann ‏@CJWittJr 12m Routine play to Anderson; sloppy footwork, not particularly clean actions fielding; started rushing on transfer and lost it. E6. #whitesox Expand CJ Wittmann ‏@CJWittJr 5m Mental error by Anderson boy covering the bag on delayed steal. Teammates questioning him. Not a good start for Timmy. #whitesox Expand CJ Wittmann ‏@CJWittJr 4m #whitesox Hawkins front side flying way open early; chest is facing the pitcher by the time his barrel is coming through hitting zone. Expand

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Apr 10, 2014 -> 09:56 PM) Anyone know why Danish only went 3 innings? Encouraging stuff from Hawkins. I'm wondering if he's on some sort of pitch count. Looks like he threw 74 pitches tonight.

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 10, 2014 -> 07:52 PM) Cleluis Rondon 3-3, 2 SB Seems an appropriate day to spotlight him. Man. The defense is sparkling. If he develops a hit tool, look out.

BA's draft update/rankings article is now free. It was not earlier. A good read. http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/201...chers-dominate/

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. Alex Jackson is by no means a replacement for Avisail Garcia, especially given the time table. Jackson is in high school.

Alan (Chicago): Any inclination towards where the ChiSox are leaning with #3? Heard Hoffman plenty, but any chance they break the trend and go with a prep arm in Aiken/Kolek? John Manuel: I haven't really started trying to match up players with teams yet. I know the White Sox love athleticism in their pitchers, and I know they have been here in NC a lot this spring due to Rodon, Hoffman and Trea Turner, so if they took any one of those three guys, it wouldn't surprise me. I think they would prefer Rodon over Hoffman. If you think a pitcher needs a mechanical tweak, Don Cooper and the White Sox want you.

QUOTE (Y2JImmy0 @ Apr 10, 2014 -> 01:52 PM) Nonsense. If you get a good offer for them you just make the deal and play Danks in the OF. This.

BA has a draft update out now. New Top 10: 1.) Aiken 2.) Kolek 3.) Rodon 4.) Jackson 5.) Hoffman 6.) Beede 7.) Nola 8.) Gordon 9.) Freeland 10.) Zimmer Also a draft chat happening in a few hours. Feel free to submit questions: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/201...nt-longenecker/

QUOTE (daggins @ Apr 9, 2014 -> 08:41 PM) Common cautions apply, its early, etc, but Myles Jaye may end up the best pitching prospect out of B'ham this season. I'm a fan of his, and reports this spring have been good. I'm optimistic.

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 9, 2014 -> 07:53 PM) Hawkins- rbi double 4 doubles, 3 homers, 12 rbi's He also walked today! Need some more of those too.

Beck getting hit around. Still not striking people out.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Apr 9, 2014 -> 05:27 PM) Who cares, a pen is the most easily fixed part of the team. This is a throwaway season as long as the youngsters develop the pen can easily be fixed for 2015 and beyond. Pretty much this. Not worth getting upset and living/dying with the teams performance this year. Sit back and enjoy the new additions and their development. I've been mostly pleased with them so far.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Apr 9, 2014 -> 05:20 PM) What a f***ing coward. You suck Belisario. This is a bit much, no? People certainly get worked up in these game threads.

QUOTE (Jake @ Apr 5, 2014 -> 06:14 PM) I see no reason to take Hoffman at 3 and if it is with Rodon on the board, it is unconscionable Kay. You should probably expound on that.

Kendall Rogers ‏@KendallRogersPG 2h #ECU RHP Jeff Hoffman as advertised in the first. Moved around 94-96 FB, flashed a plus 77-80 CB, 86-87 CH just OK. #mlbdraft @ECUBaseball Expand Kendall Rogers ‏@KendallRogersPG 1h #ECU RHP Jeff Hoffman touched 97 in the second, doing a terrific job of keeping FB low in the zone. That CB has a lot depth too. #mlbdraft Expand Kendall Rogers ‏@KendallRogersPG 1h Really impressed with Jeff Hoffman's ability to change speeds/feel. One beautiful AB last frame: 97 FB, 82 CB, 82 CB (both plus). #mlbdraft Expand Kendall Rogers ‏@KendallRogersPG 1h After his changeup was just okay in the first inning, Jeff Hoffman's CH has gotten much better since. Still showcasing 95-97 velo, too. Expand Kendall Rogers ‏@KendallRogersPG 22m #ECU RHP Jeff Hoffman just sick in 6th. ++ CB, CB, then upper 80s CH for a K. He motions the #Rice hitter to "get off the field". #mlbdraft Expand Kendall Rogers ‏@KendallRogersPG 22m The book on Jeff Hoffman was that if he can get into a groove, he's almost unhittable. He did that early in this one, has looked tremendous. Expand