Bruce_Blixton

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 10, 2013 -> 04:29 PM) SoxNet.net ‏@SoxNet 2h @toby_thomas4 I take it you were in Chicago for a contract signing? If so, welcome to the Sox! Toby Toby ‏@toby_thomas4 42m @SoxNet signing Wednesday and flying out to AZ the next day Good to hear, he seemed like he'd be a tough sign considering he's 19 and has so much eligibility left. Sounds like a good prospect, he was in the running for Alabama's High School Player of the Year last year and a pretty positive scouting report on PerfectGame.org. I'm looking forward to see how he develops.

That's an absurdly low ranking for Saladino, I know a lot of people have soured on him after this year because he didn't hit for power but he was top 10 in walks, runs and stolen bases in the Southern League. He also hit leadoff for most of the season which I think impacted his entire approach at the plate to be more patient and work the count like a good leadoff hitter is supposed to do. I still have faith in him and hope they actually push him to start in Charlotte next year.

Chris Devenski throws a 16K no-hitter for his new team, can we call trade-backs?

Shoemaker hit the go-ahead 3 run homer in the top on the ninth last night too, I know he's a fringy prospect but he's impressed me a lot this year. The dude can rake!

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Aug 7, 2012 -> 12:01 PM) You just keep ignoring that there are no other good options. You yourself pointed out, Napoli may be the only good one available, and he will cost a fortune. AJ won't cost a fortune. Youk probably will, and he is also a guy who was fading fast before the Sox got him. That may have been injuries or a blip, or maybe it was the start of a trend for him. At 3B, there is usually more good talent available at any given offseason, than at C. And all else equal, having stability at C is much more important than at 3B. Of course, I'd love to see both of them back in 2013 on short, reasonable deals. I just am not sure Youk will sign for a short, reasonable deal. AJ, I think, would. I don't think the Sox are necessarily limited to the free agent market for a C to replace AJ, KW could try to deal Floyd in the offseason for some major league ready catchers. I could see two possible trade partners that have a need for Floyd and flexibility at the catcher position: the Dodgers and the Blue Jays. Plan A: The Dodgers deal AJ Ellis + some lower minor league prospects for Floyd + Flowers. Ellis is having a decent year putting up a similar line to what AJ has done the past few seasons and would serve as a solid stop-gap until we can develop a catcher from within (Phegley, Smith, etc.), Floyd would serve as a decent 3/4 in the Dodgers rotation for the next two years and Flowers can serve as a solid back-up to Tim Federowicz. Plan B: The Blue Jays trade J.P. Arencibia + Deck McGuire or Travis d'Arnaud for Floyd. Toronto has expressed interest in Floyd before and need all the starting pitching they can get considering how fast they burn through them plus they would be dealing from an area of strength with Arencibia and d'Arnaud both viable options behind the plate. I agree that the need for a viable 3B is more important than re-signing AJ.

This has to be some kind of record for postponements for the Bristol team, it seems like half of their games have been rained out this season.

I know his stuff isn't flashy or overpowering but Heidenreich's development over the past few years has been pretty impressive/fun to follow, maybe it's the fact that he's a 6'5" Socal kid but he kind of reminds me of Jon Garland. Does anyone know what he throws? Does he feature a sinker? He should definitely consider adding that to his repertoire with his size and build.

Would've liked Jesse Winker instead but I like Barnum's size, needless to say the Bristol team is going to be fun to follow this year.

Gotta give some thought to Richie Schaffer if he's there at 13, best college power bat left and has a good chance to stick at 3B.

I'm on the Stroman bandwagon as well, especially if Richie Schaffer is off the board by then. Who do you guys think we'll draft at 48? I wouldn't mind taking a shot at a high-upside project type player with that pick, Lewis Brinson, Jesse Winker or even Adam Brett Walker wouldn't be bad. One thing is for certain, we need some legitimate power threats in our system. Andy Wilkins and Dan Black just aren't going to cut it.

Here's a scouting video of Myles Jaye and a small write-up on him, kind of reminds me of Daniel Hudson's build and mechanics.

I'm really surprised by all the outrage over this trade, Santos was basically a waiver claim that KW was able to flip for a top 50 prospect. Sounds like a pretty good return on investment.

I wouldn't mind seeing Axelrod added to that list.

Doyle was dealing tonight, 7.0 IP 12 Ks only 2 BBs and Gilmore continues to stay hot, I'm pretty impressed how he's been able to overcome such a horrible start to the season, good mental toughness.

Have they started the AFL "B" league yet? I could see Saladino and Thompson being assigned there and wouldn't mind seeing if Rangel Ravelo can keep up his productivity against better competition. Also, Gilmore has been really impressive lately and would really like to see him in the AFL. I think we need to temper our expectations regarding his power potential, maybe he can develop into a Wally Joyner, John Olerud-lite type player in a few years.

With the second half he's been having is he a candidate for the AFL this fall?

Oh Keith Law, isn't trolling the FutureSox board beneath even you?

QUOTE (danman31 @ Aug 13, 2011 -> 05:49 PM) I'm holding out hope with Thompson because he has shown significant improvement in an area of his offensive game each year as a pro. Remember, he's younger than Keenyn Walker. No doubt, I'm a believer in Trayce, he's got some good skills and a great frame that will hopefully fill out over the next couple of years. Somewhat off topic, I've noticed that a lot of Sox fans are overly pessimistic about our farm system and have a tendency to be really impatient with most of the prospects. With the growing depth in our lower levels I hope that perception changes, I think that the team in Kanny is indicative of the direction that our farm system is headed, so their should be some optimism.

Trayce Thompson hit his 20th homer today for Kannapolis; I know his average is still pretty low and K rate is still high but I think if we're patient enough with him he'll develop into a pretty good ballplayer. The Winston-Salem team should be fun to follow next season, it's going to be packed with some interesting prospects.

QUOTE (knightni @ Aug 12, 2011 -> 12:25 PM) What's that boy? You say that Oney got pushed down into a well? How did that happen? We can only dream...

QUOTE (Espy.Teahen @ Aug 12, 2011 -> 08:09 AM) Bark bark bark bark bark bark bark bark What's that boy? Mark's average is trapped below the Mendoza line? We'll get Greg Walker right away!

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Aug 11, 2011 -> 10:07 AM) Well his defense is supposed to be top notch and SS isn't exactly an offensive juggernaut of a position anymore so he has a shot. He's only 22 still so it'd be nice if he could develop better on base ability. His K rate is about 20% right now so if he can get it down a little more and hit for a higher average he could do alright. He'll probably at the very least end up as a decent utility infielder. His game is quite similar to Omar Vizquel and if you compare Escobar's stats to Vizquel's they are eerily similar. If his glove is as good as it has been billed Escobar could have a pretty decent big league career.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Aug 7, 2011 -> 08:16 PM) No doubt, though it's crazy to see Smith struggling this much which seemed like a seamless "jump" (if you even wanna call it that) to GF from Bristol. Still early for him though. Good point, I wonder if he was pissed that he was promoted all the way out to Great Falls and not Kanny, he could've just mentally given up on the season out of frustration. There's no way that he's this overmatched by Pioneer League pitching.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Aug 7, 2011 -> 05:50 PM) Damn shame that Johnson and Buckner are the only two guys carrying that Bristol team. To be fair that team has lost a lot of pretty solid players so far this season like Ravelo, Collin Kuhn, Kevan Smith, Carlos Sanchez, etc. On the other hand Great Falls has been mediocre and extremely underwhelming all year.

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ Aug 7, 2011 -> 06:48 PM) Yeah with Kuhn and Lillibridge, we have two players who can play every position except catcher (though both are athletic enough to do it in a pinch). That is huge for the team. It will be interesting to see what they do with Lillibridge next season if Kuhn has an impressive enough Spring Training to earn a spot on the team as the utility. If that's the case I'd like to see KW try to move Lillibridge for a Thornton/Humber/Floyd type project.