Bruce_Blixton

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ May 13, 2014 -> 07:17 PM) Seem's like Joe Borchard with less power. He reminds me of Hunter Pence from what I've seen which wouldn't be bad but definitely not what we should be looking for in the third overall pick of the draft.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 7, 2014 -> 05:09 PM) If Rodon's gone, that makes it a LOT more interesting amongst Aiken/Kolek, Jackson, Gordon and then some of the top collegiate pitchers remaining. That's kind of the nightmare scenario right now. If that happened, you'd have to believe the Astros would take the local product Kolek and we could then select Aiken. I wouldn't call that a nightmare scenario, I think if we had to choose between Aiken/Kolek & Jackson at #3 we'd still be getting a player that has a high probability of being a major leaguer. If Rodon's off the board when the Sox are picking I'll be very upset if they choose a college player.

QUOTE (Charlie Haeger's Knuckles @ May 4, 2014 -> 05:52 PM) If I was Rick Hahn and I was making a move on a starting pitcher... I'd be looking west towards San Diego. The Padres have a guy in their system that is gonna be lights out. His name is Heywood Jablome. Padres match up well with the Sox as trade partners too. I think we should target his brother in this year's draft out of Morehead State University Sherwood Jablome, has all the tools to be a real stud!

I'm not a huge proponent of rushing prospects (although I thought challenging Hawkins last year was the right move), but I don't see any reason to keep Danish in Low-A Ball anymore. It doesn't appear that the hitters in the SAL really pose a challenge to him, his 1.00 WHIP and 2.0 GO/AO this season suggest that he's breezing through most of the lineups he's facing now. It'll be an interesting choice for the Sox to make when Montas comes back, it'd be a great opportunity to promote Danish and see what he can do in the Carolina League.

Ravelo's last 10 games: .536/.690/1.000/1.690 with 7 doubles, 2 Home Runs and 11:3 BB:K ratio. He's putting together an Edgar Martinez/John Olerud season right now, should be in Charlotte by mid-season and with the way Andy Wilkins is hitting it should be sooner.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Apr 28, 2014 -> 03:43 PM) If you weren't going to draft a guy because he missed a start or two due to an injury, you probably wouldn't be able to take anyone. I think it comes down to what drove the injury and is it long term or serious in nature. If it isn't, you shouldn't not draft him if you think he is the guy. Plus, for anyone pushing Rondon over Hoffman due to injury concerns, you should probably rethink that as there are other concerns over Rondon, including the impacts of the high pitch count. On the flipside, if he stays strong in his mechanics, it might not impact him and you also have to remember that college pitchers get the benefit of extra rest (vs. mlb starters). I've never been a fan of Hoffman and this recent injury just furthers my skepticism of him. I know a lot of people covering the draft as well as a lot of posters here are very high on Hoffman's physical tools and projectability but you just can't ignore his lack of dominance against college competition. It's also concerning that right after he finally has a seemingly breakthrough start he gets shut down for a week with arm soreness. Other than a strong showing in the Cape Cod League he's never been able to consistently dominate his opposition the way that most aces naturally do. My personal preference in this year's draft is Aiken, Kolek, Jackson (I think he'll have a very successful career regardless of position), Rodon (posters have made very good points regarding his recent pitch counts and reliance on the slider which could portend serious arm injury) and then Hoffman. If the Sox end up drafting Hoffman at #3 I hope that he proves my doubts in his ability to be unfounded but every time watch video of him I come away unimpressed.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Apr 28, 2014 -> 12:30 PM) Gotta say no to Hoffman at this point. I don't want ANY injury flags for a guy who is valued appropriately at the slot. In other words, I think it can make sense to go for an injury guy if his talent represents something higher than the slot that you get him (i.e. Washington and Giolito), but when he's a #3 talent if healthy anyway, I think you have to go for another #3 talent. QFT.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 25, 2014 -> 03:42 PM) Other than Santiago and Buehrle, how many picks since the late 90's outside of the first five rounds have made a marked impact? Marcus Semien was a 34th rounder, just looked that up. Sure, you need rounds 6+ for organizational depth/filler, but a ton of those AA/AAA "glue" veteran guys can be picked up from other organizations, the Rey Olmedos and Corky Millers of the world. Clayton Richard was an 8th rounder. Hudson was a 5th rounder...I think Crede was somewhere around the 5th as well. Even Lucas Harrell was the 4th round. Semien was a 6th rounder in 2011, you can add Chris Carter, Chris Young and Chris Getz to that list as well. Obviously we should focus on just drafting players with the first name Chris.

Tough luck for Hoffman this late in the season, my wild speculation regarding his injury is that his last start was basically an unofficial pro-day with so many scouts in attendance so he dialed it up and let everything fly to very positive results. However in the process he probably overextended himself which probably led to this recent soreness, my concern is whether he can consistently pitch at the level he did in his last start without risking serious injury. I've never been a believer in Hoffman and this really should scare Hahn & Co. off of him at #3. If Aiken/Kolek are off the board at #3 I'd probably go with Alex Jackson, I know our OF depth in the minors in a bit crowded but his swing and tools are too hard to pass up IMO.

Really interesting article, thanks for sharing! I found this quote from Hahn about Alexei's pregame meal to be equal parts hilarious and disgusting:

Winston Salem hung an 8 spot in the bottom of the first, Anderson with a 2-run HR and Hawkins with a 3-run shot.

This sustained hot start has made me a believer in Courtney Hawkins and will even go out on a limb and say that the aggressive assignment last year was actually beneficial to his development. It looks like they're taking the same approach with Barnum, it'll be interesting to see if he struggles as badly as Hawkins last year and how he'll handle it.

I know most people are expecting the Sox to take a pitcher at #3 but if both Kolek and Aiken are off the board at that point I'd like them to take a hard look at Alex Jackson. High school position players are always a boom or bust proposition but this kid looks like a monster in waiting. and . The main thing I notice is how quiet his stance and swing is, he takes a shallow stride but is still able to generate huge power. He reminds me a lot of a right-handed Joey Votto.

QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 04:08 PM) Funny you post this article, I just read it a few hours ago while trying to find out how Kolek pitched in his last outing. Would absolutely love to see the Sox draft the big right hander and would fit well between Sale and Q in the rotation a few years down the road. Great minds... I'd be happy if Hahn chose Kolek, my only concern about him is his weight since he's already the size of a mountain. His work ethic and dedication to conditioning will be the key determinants in whether his weight will be an issue down the road which is something that can only be gauged by meeting with him one on one. Bobby Jenks could've had a long and prosperous career in the majors if he would've dedicated himself to getting in shape, he didn't have the work ethic or will power to do that and the Sox were smart enough to see that and let him walk. Having gone through that I'm sure the Sox can get a good sense of this kid's character and whether he'll have what it takes to succeed.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 03:51 PM) Interesting note by Callis. I'd be very okay with Kolek or Aiken. I came across this article that states Rick Hahn was recently at one of Kolek's games to watch him in person, seems like there is some serious interest in Kolek on the Sox' end.

QUOTE (Vance Law @ Apr 14, 2014 -> 03:23 PM) Blue Jays just lost their second baseman for the season. Tripped on his way to the bat rack, yet another entry into the annals of freaky baseball injuries. If I recall correctly the Blue Jays expressed interest in Beckham before plus there is the Marco Paddy connection so there might be something there. Now the question is what is the asking price given their current circumstances? I'd be comfortable with a return of 2-3 C+ project prospects for Beckham, something like Matthew Smoral, Richard Urena & maybe Deck McGuire as a throw-in flyer might be realistic.

QUOTE (IowaSoxFan @ Apr 11, 2014 -> 10:16 AM) Rodon's biggest issues this season have been the lack of ability to throw strikes consistently, the inability to locate his fastball, and a lack of a third pitch. Hoffman in that video looked like he was struggling with locating his CB against LHB's, but overall he looked pretty good. He has some work to do with the delivery of his CH and extending his stride a bit, but he definitely appears to have the tools. Beede I don't love at 3 as I feel he has the lowest ceiling of the 5. I would pick Aiken, Rodon, Hoffman, Kolek, and Beede in that order. Hoffman and Rodon seem to be facing similar issues this season with control, I guess I just prefer Rodon's approach more than Hoffman's. Rodon looks to be more fearless than Hoffman which I think is an essential trait for an ace or #2. Rodon, Aiken and Kolek all went after the hitters, Hoffman looked hesitant like he was trying to paint the corners which suggests to me a lack of confidence in his stuff.

Thought I'd share some recently uploaded footage I found for Rodon, Aiken, Hoffman and Kolek (I tried to find footage on Beede but for some reason it's hard to come by): Carlos Rodon: Rodon's debut on 2/16/14: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjxRDFfMi8Y Rodon vs. Appalachian State on 2/21/14 (also includes tape on Turner and a few other prospects): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOye7V69jnE Rodon vs. UCLA on 3/1/14: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py-CAm522dQ Rodon looks to have a pretty smooth delivery, attacks the hitters and throws a lot of strikes. The stuff looks to be front of the rotation quality based on the several swing and misses. I would be very happy to see Rodon available at #3. Jeff Hoffman: Hoffman vs. UVA on 2/21/14: Hoffman vs. Rice on 4/1/14: I'm not a big fan of Hoffman and the recent tape does nothing to sway my opinion, the stuff and athleticism might be there but I immediately noticed that he is a nibbler in the mold of Javy Vazquez or AJ Burnett, a pitcher with above average that stuff doesn't really trust it. I see a lot of comps to Justin Verlander and Adam Wainwright floating around but those guys at least dominated their competition at this point of their career whereas Hoffman has yet to demonstrate that type of domination. Brady Aiken: Aiken vs. University City: Aiken's no-hitter vs. Ja Jolla: I really like this kid and he would be my top choice if available at #3, his delivery looks very clean and repeatable, his stuff is plus but on this footage his fastball looks heavier than I remember, relentlessly attacks the hitters and has the look of an ace. If we could nab Aiken to pair with Danish and Sale in 3-4 years we could have a filthy rotation. Tyler Kolek: Kolek video uploaded on 4/7/14: Kolek video uploaded on 3/24/14: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxMQT0yhLVc I like Kolek's potential and he already has plus stuff but his size is still a concern for me, he has kind of jerky delivery that causes his control to be erratic which I'm sure can be corrected with the right coaching but doesn't bode well for his long-term health. Based on the recent footage I'd go with Rodon, Aiken, Kolek, Beede, then Hoffman and to be perfectly honest I'd rather take a serious look at other top end college pitchers before pulling the trigger on Hoffman.

Carl Thomore is an interesting story, a 2011 second round pick by the Rockies out of high school that sustained a horrific leg injury that really set his development back. Looks like a reclamation project and a long shot but at least he making consistent contact so far this season, I'll be interested in tracking his progress throughout the season.

Good win, you get the sense that these guys feel like they're always in the game. It's shaping up to be an ugly but fun season!

This is the most recent footage I could find on Aiken, big kid that can add some weight with a really easy delivery. After Beede I like Aiken over Kolek and Hoffman, Kolek's weight scares me and Hoffman's lackluster results against mediocre competition raises a lot of red flags for me.

QUOTE (sircaffey @ Nov 4, 2013 -> 08:51 PM) I think Ruiz ends up being the best value of any of the free agent catchers. I was thinking the same thing, I'd like to see the Sox sign Chooch to a 2 yr/$14-15MM deal and then make a big push for Wieters in 2016.

I'd add Jake Cose and Myles Jaye to the list as well. Jaye really put things together in Kannapolis before struggling with a promotion to W-S but it looked like he was adjusting to the Carolina League by the end of the year. Jake Cose is rather unheralded around here but IMO he had as impressive of a season last year as any of our other pitching prospects. He has a major league frame and possesses some pretty good movement on his pitches as demonstrated . Another guy that split time between Kannapolis and W-S, struggled at first in the Carolina League but looked like started figuring things out by the end of the season.

I've been following him this year since his hot start at Kannapolis, he struggled mightily in the Carolina League when he was first promoted but it appears that he's figured hitters out down there. I'm surprised he hasn't gotten more attention here since he's got a pro body and he's put together a great year over twon levels. He's my early choice for next year's darkhorse prospect that flies up the system.

QUOTE (NCsoxfan @ Jul 24, 2013 -> 07:00 PM) Looks like Tim Hudson is out for the year (and career?). Have the Braves just entered the Peavy sweepstakes? That was a brutal replay to watch.