Bruce_Blixton

Bassitt has to have firmly entrenched himself in the top 10 prospect ratings after the past couple of seasons. He's absolutely shredding Southern League lineups since his return, hopefully he doesn't turn into EJ 2.0.

What has been the most difficult transition for you making the switch from speedskating to baseball? What motivated you to make such a dramatic change? What were your expectations on your skating ability translating to baserunning? Does it give you an advantage? *Edit - Are you cool with the nickname "Fast" Eddy Alvarez?

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Aug 18, 2014 -> 10:20 AM) Seriously. I mean, Andy Wilkins didn't get a lot of love from us at FutureSox because he's 26, but we understand that he can hit. But Ravelo? This is a guy who is 22 years old hitting .318/.397/.491 at AA and showing ever increasing power. I don't want to go all crazy talk, and I'm not outright making this comparison, but at similar ages, Ravelo and Votto were putting up similar numbers. Votto walked and struck out more (so more good and bad), but they do have similar bodies of work at this point (including height and build). Like I said, I don't want people to think that I'm saying Ravelo is the next Votto, but there's a lot of reason for optimism. The name that always comes to mind Ravelo's very top ceiling when looking at his stats is Edgar Martinez, a very talented hitter that won't wow you with power but has the ability to make contact and hit for average.

QUOTE (newguy @ Jul 29, 2014 -> 07:03 AM) Hello everybody. I am Brad's father. I will try to keep the emotion out of the discussion since I am obviously biased. I am only responding to this to provide some additional information. I certainly appreciate all of your positive comments & I hope Brad continues to improve & perform. Regarding the "velocity" concern. I was actually very happy to hear about all the movement of his offspeed pitches. I wonder if the person who wrote that was at the game? Anyway, regardling velocity, Brad typically sits around the 90-91 range, but on a few occasions this year, both at Great Falls & Kannapolis, he has been able to top out at 94. As you stated, more velocity will come as he continues to re-learn how to pitch. He hasn't pitched since his junior year of high school in 2009 & has only been a "pitcher" for about a year now. It was about this time last season at Great Falls that he actually got to pitch in games. Hope that info helps. Thanks for all the info and welcome to the board, I know the transition from position player to pitcher is a tough one but Brad is in one of if not the best organization to make that switch. Looking forward to following his progression!

QUOTE (ChiSoxJon @ Jul 28, 2014 -> 08:48 PM) Throws a lot of nasty offspeed stuff, FB reaches 88-89 as seen tonight but his movement is filthy, most of his pitches were 78-81, pretty normal delivery and arm action, his 1 jersey looks so odd on a pitcher That's very interesting to hear, following his progression this season I always assumed that he was one of those SS that had a rocket for an arm and was just blowing away hitters with an upper 90s fastball. Hearing that he has nasty movement on his offspeed stuff is very encouraging since I'm sure he'll be able to add some velocity as he irons out his mechanics. I've been rooting for him this year and am really happy to see his continued success.

QUOTE (Feeky Magee @ Jul 27, 2014 -> 07:32 PM) No Ravelo on the White Sox top 20. That is completely absurd.

QUOTE (Feeky Magee @ Jul 27, 2014 -> 07:19 PM) Adams is a strikeout machine. 2 in the first makes it 25 in 18.2 IP, and it's been trending up too. I love the fact that he's not afraid to attack the strike zone this early in his career, what's his ceiling if he puts it all together? Greinke? Also, I'd have to say that Dykstra has to have cracked the top 15 prospects by this point, it looks like he's adjusted well to the promotion and is sporting an 8.5:1 K/BB ratio with a 1.15 WHIP between the Sally and Carolina Leagues.

Another day, another Wilkins homer. I can't recall any of our minor leaguers having a stretch like this in a while.

Another dinger for Wilkins, up to 5 RBIs on the night. They really need to find a way to call him up and play him.

2-2 with 2 more doubles and 2 RBIs for Wilkins already, it's getting to the point where you almost want to stick Konerko on the 15-day DL with a phantom injury and call up Wilkins while he's this hot to see what we actually with him.

Pretty blah day so far, Ravelo and Kevan Smith both 1-2 with an RBI, Snodgress doing his unimpressively effective thing as usual. Jason Coats providing the only offense so far with an RBI double in the 3rd. Things getting heated for Kanny today, the manager, hitting coach and Trey all have been tossed from the game. Serious question: Mitchell has almost 100 ABs at Birmingham now and has put up 1.000+ OPS, is he back in the prospect conversation for us? After last season it's been hard not to remain skeptical but he's made the Southern League his b**** over the last month.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jul 11, 2014 -> 02:03 PM) There are some parallels between those two. Both were 3B who went to 1B for defensive reasons, both hit for high average but only hints of power through their middle-minors careers, both were said to have power potential but didn't show it for a few years, both hit plenty of doubles. One could do an interesting parallel study there. I knew Thome started as a 3B but I never realized that he was more of a hitter for average in the minors, I always assumed that he was a masher from start. That makes things a lot more interesting, now I'd like to see Ravelo promoted to Charlotte sooner rather than later.

QUOTE (Ozzie Ball @ Jul 11, 2014 -> 10:13 AM) Baseball America prospect hot sheet. Ravelo "In the team photo" I'd really like to see what happens when Jim Thome gets to work with him, maybe he can unlock that untapped power we're all waiting for. Is he still in Charlotte working with Davidson or is he more of a roving instructor?

Barraza with 6 Ks yesterday, what is that called? The titanium sombrero? The adamantium sombrero?

While Blanke has struggled with the transition to pitching Brad Salgado has really taken to the switch to the mound. His peripherals have been great so far and with the way they've been pitching him it looks like they plan on stretching him out to be a starter. He should be a very interesting name to follow next season.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jul 7, 2014 -> 05:46 PM) Who do we want to give those Dunn at-bats to? Wilkins? Mitchell (haha)? Semien? Michael Taylor? Honestly I'd like to call up Saladino to allow Robin more flexibility defensively and use the DH for Abreu or to plug in the best offensive matchup on any given day.

Ravelo also stole third, the kid can do it all! Mitchell still keeping it going at AA, it's hard not to be skeptical but his recent performance makes you wonder if a light went off for him.

Mitchell with another homer, that demotion must've really rustled his jimmies.

QUOTE (flavum @ Jul 1, 2014 -> 05:19 PM) Tim Anderson--fractured wrist 4-6 weeks. So do they promote Rondon from Kanny or pull Wagner down from Birmingham? Rondon's bat can barely stay afloat in the Sally League I'd hate to see how the Carolina League pitchers tear him up.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 27, 2014 -> 08:37 AM) Birmingham Barons ‏@BhamBarons 21m TRANSACTIONS: RHP Chris Beck and INF Dan Black have been transferred from @KnightsBaseball to Birmingham. Luis Sierra placed on the DL. That was quick, I guess they don't think Beck is ready for AAA after all.

QUOTE (flavum @ Jun 26, 2014 -> 10:59 AM) It's going to be interesting to see what Anderson and Hawkins can do in AA next year. That Birmingham team is going to be stacked next year, especially if they start Rodon there next season.

Barnum and Hawkins with a homer each in the resumed game.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jun 25, 2014 -> 05:30 PM) Surkamp will before him. Surkamp has a 40 man spot. Heath does not. Good point, I didn't think about that. Surkamp's definitely earned it with his recent performances, the strikeout numbers are very encouraging.

Anyone else think that Heath might be next in line to be called up for a spot start? His last 5 games as a starter have been pretty impressive.

Hawkins 12th homer on the year.