Bruce_Blixton

QUOTE (raBBit @ Jun 3, 2014 -> 01:16 PM) Ravelo gets shafted. QFT.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jun 3, 2014 -> 12:29 PM) Aiken or Rodon What if they're both there? Great problem to have but I'd have to go with Aiken...

Seems like moving Trayce up to leadoff has had a positive impact on him, homers in each of the two previous games and a double today. Maybe this forced him to change his approach at the plate, hopefully he can sustain it for the rest of the season. On a side note Ravelo got his 6th HBP today, will easily set his career high this season. I wonder if the inflated total has something to do with how many long at-bats he keeps racking up, like the pitchers just don't want to battle him so they plunk him and move on?

I didn't realize Montas was such a thick dude, definitely looks the part of a workhorse.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jun 2, 2014 -> 11:03 AM) I doubt a player we are talking about cutting from our terrible AAA team will net a top 50 pick. Has there been discussion to cut Saladino? I thought they've been moving him around to develop him as a utility player.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jun 2, 2014 -> 10:59 AM) Neither of those guys will get you a comp pick, not a chance. You need to talk more Sanchez to even be in that discussion, and I'm not sure even that would get it done. If that's the case then I'm legitimately surprised considering what Bryan Morris was able to get in return, he's been pretty mediocre and has extremely limited upside even as a middle reliever. With Garcia and Saladino they're still young enough that there is still some projectability in them and the floor being an adequate utility player which in my mind is the equivalent to a middle reliever. Trading Sanchez actually might be worth the competitive balance pick, I really like him and have been a fan of his even before his breakout season a couple of years ago but we desperately need to trade someone to clear up our middle infield situation and that might be the best return available.

Seems like trading from our middle infield depth for a Competitive Balance pick makes the most sense, I wonder if L. Garcia or Saladino could net a Comp. Balance B pick from a team looking for a pro-ready utility guy. Saladino seems like a good fit with the Rays and Cards style of play, nothing flashy but solid all-around baseball skills.

I wouldn't mind taking a run at Gallardo if the Brewers don't pick up his option for $13 million, maybe sign McCarthy if he can be had for cheap.

Ravelo tried to steal home, loving this kid even more. I think I'll have to start calling him "juevos" or "cojones." (Pronounced coh-jones of course)

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ May 27, 2014 -> 04:46 PM) Going back some, I thought Jeremy Reed was gonna be a STUD. Like amazing player. He could field, he could run, he could walk, hit for an amazing average. I am most surprised that he didn't even become a solid major leaguer. Hadn't thought about that name in YEARS, how could you not get your hopes up about him after 2003?

I was really looking forward to Jake Cose this year, that ended before it started. Historically speaking I thought CJ Retherford was going to be the next Casey McGehee after his breakout year in Birmingham, pretty sad to see him struggle and not in Indy ball.

Kevan Smith 3 for 4 with a double and a couple of RBIs, putting together a very solid season. In fact both he and Phegley have been been having very productive seasons.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 25, 2014 -> 08:36 AM) MLB Stat of the Day ‏@MLBStatoftheDay 1h John Danks is first @whitesox since 1914 to have winless outing featuring at least 8 scoreless IP, 0 walks and no more than 3 hits allowed. He got Samardzija'd.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 24, 2014 -> 10:54 PM) How does that explain what's going on with Erik Johnson? I don't think it does. I think everyone is puzzled about his recent drop in velocity, even the front office and coaching staff, that's why they sent him down to Charlotte to find his velocity.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ May 24, 2014 -> 06:39 PM) Not going to make a big deal out of this particularly because Danish is only 19 in High-A, but pitching prospects for the most part need to show a proclivity for the strikeout. Strikeouts are a significant barometer for future success, especially at lower levels as competition only gets better as you move up. Even your pitch to contact sinker types strike people out in the minors. Extreme cases like Brandon Webb even had K/9's in the range of 7 to 9 throughout his progression. There are obviously outliers and exceptions to the rule, but a lack of strikeouts should raise some concern. Once again, not really worried about Danish. He's 19, on an innings limit, and is only working at 88 to 91 so far. Just hoping that more swing and miss shows up as he hones his craft. I agree that the lack of Ks from our top pitching prospects has been somewhat alarming but I do find it peculiar that all of our top draft choices that are being groomed to be starters have hit the same wall in their development. This similarity and the evidence provided by this first-hand account of Chris Beck's start in BIR lead me to believe that these pitchers are forced to focus on a certain aspect of their pitching arsenal to help develop their overall game. Also I could imagine that pitchers like Danish have been told to limit velocity and focus on location as well to save their arms while building arm strength which could explain Danish's lower velocity totals. We all know he is capable of hitting the mid-90s so there are has to be some other explanation for the decrease in velocity.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 23, 2014 -> 01:44 PM) Board survey time....who is your wish list for the 3rd pick? 1. Aiken 2. Rodon 3. Jackson 4. Nola 5. Freeland 6. Kolek Kolek seems like a Tommy John waiting to happen and not sure he'll keep the weight off of his frame as he matures. I know the Sox won't take Jackson but I think he'll turn out to be a very good pro.

Shame to see Lindstrom go down with such a rare injury, I found this diagnosis on an orthopaedic surgeon's website: Sounds like we can probably rule Lindstrom out for the rest of the year, it's not a debilitating setback to the team but he could've been a trade piece for a Brandon Jacobs level prospect which is better than nothing.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ May 20, 2014 -> 02:19 PM) I think you mean cyborg baseball. Robot baseball would suck.

QUOTE (winninguglyin83 @ May 19, 2014 -> 08:46 PM) Is Kevan Smith still considered a prospect? Hitting for a decent average, but minimal power. About a month from 26th birthday and still in AA ball. My guess is probably not? I wouldn't immediately discount him as a prospect despite his advanced age, when he was at Pitt he was more focused on football in his first few years there and then decided to devote more time to baseball when his future prospects for the NFL dried up so when we drafted him he was very raw and still learning the game. He's a tremendous athlete as evidenced by him actually starting a few games at QB for Pitt so the lack of power shouldn't necessarily be a huge concern or his ability to stick behind the dish.

QUOTE (OilCan @ May 19, 2014 -> 02:54 PM) http://www.lookoutlanding.com/2014/5/17/57...l-carbonell-per Includes a Youtube vid. here's a second linky w/another Youtube vid: http://www.pinstripealley.com/yankees-rumo...fect-free-agent Looks like a swole Alexei.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ May 19, 2014 -> 10:35 AM) Also interesting, the Sox signed Andre Ramirez (LHP) to a minor league deal. Was the Twins' 2012 6th round pick, had originally been signed over-slot then had his bonus knocked way down due to a shoulder issue they found. Pitched two seasons with pretty lousy results, released in April. He's 20, turns 21 in June. Stoltz says he's got intriguing stuff, but is very inconsistent. Are you talking about Andre Martinez? This is the only video I could find on him, his delivery reminds me of Bronson Arroyo with a high, somewhat exaggerated leg kick. We've had success in the past with these types of transactions before so I guess it's worth a shot, if anything I'm encouraged that they're taking these kinds of risks in the minors.

There are a lot of players that are currently flying under the radar that should draw some optimism, Nick Basto is having a very solid year at the plate although from all reports his glove is severely behind. Someone else mentioned Trey Michalczewski at Kannapolis as someone to keep an eye on, I'd also like to mention the guy that has been hitting behind him as well someone else to keep an eye on going forward, Carl Thomore. He's had a challenging start to career, after being drafted in the second round by the Rockies he severely injured his leg during a slide at third (some people at the scene thought amputation was a strong possibility). This pretty much derailed his career for the next year, we signed him after he was cut loose by the Rockies as a reclamation project. His numbers aren't impressive but there is a lot of untapped potential if he can remain healthy and develop. Beyond those two you also have Adam Engel and Cleuluis Rondon in the lineup that have a lot of upside, in fact I'd say that Kannapolis has the most exciting mix of prospects within our organization.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ May 14, 2014 -> 01:08 PM) He's been so good, I don't mind the promotion. My concerns with him are not enflamed by a promotion. I'm more worried about how well more advanced hitters will handle his stuff, and this is a good test. They also supposedly have him on a 100 inning leash this season. Wow, that seems pretty conservative but probably a good approach until he builds up enough arm strength for a heavy workload. I like the fact that they are being conservative with him, he could be something special if he puts it all together.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ May 14, 2014 -> 11:24 AM) There were 3 or 4 top 10. 40 years ago...

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ May 14, 2014 -> 10:32 AM) The White Sox have selected 10 HS pitchers in their history in the first round and supplemental first round. The best of all of them was Gio Gonzalez a #38 pick, although he is one of the 7 out of 10 who never won a game in a White Sox uniform. The other 2 are Steve Trout with 37 wins and Chris Knapp with 15, and Joel Davis with 8. Past performance does not predict future results. All of those previous picks were mid-round picks where the talent level tends to level out amongst the available prospects, this situation is completely different since we have the 3rd overall pick. If Aiken is there at #3 then we should be completely ecstatic, I don't think the Kershaw comps are that far off with him.