Bruce_Blixton

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.

QUOTE (Paulstar @ Jul 23, 2013 -> 09:18 AM) I think Peavy for Matt Adams straight up would be a good deal, that's how good he can be. However, I don't think the Cards have any intention of letting Adams go in any deal. You're probably right which is a shame since he seems like the odd man out in St. Louis.

QUOTE (beautox @ Jul 23, 2013 -> 07:54 AM) first off sorry if I came across condescending. to me yes they are to completely different hitters. Semien doesnt just have an understaning of the strike zone he controls it and so far this season he is showing more power than desmond did at AA. I also agree that as a whole we are undervaluing what Marcus is doing at AA as a 22 year old with the tools defensivley to stick at SS. No problem, I agree that currently Desmond and Semien are two very different hitters but back in 2007-08 I'm not sure too many people were expecting Desmond to develop 25+ HR power either. I'm not saying that Semien will develop that much power in the MLB but if his progression continues (big IF) then I could see him hitting 15-20 HR seasons which I think will be more in line with Desmond's career average. Tadahito Iguchi circa 2005-06 might be a better comparison at the plate. It's good to hear that Semien has the glove to stick at SS, we haven't had a good hitting true SS in the system for a long time.

QUOTE (beautox @ Jul 22, 2013 -> 11:50 PM) In all honesty I don't see that comparison at all, In all seriousness how are you getting that comparison and how does that come to your mind? I'm not trying to be a jerk. 21 Year Old Season - A+ Desmond - G 129 HR 13 RBI 45 SB 27 CS 11 .264/.357/.432/.789 Semien - G 107 HR 14 RBI 59 SB 11 CS 5 .273/.362/.471/.833 Semien (Adjusted for 129 Games) - G 129 HR 16 RBI 71 SB 13 CS 6 .273/.362/.471/.833 22 Year Old Season - AA Desmond - G 93 HR 12 RBI 44 SB 12 CS 8 .251/.318/.406/.724 Semien - G 97 HR 12 RBI 39 SB 17 CS 5 .271/.394/.438/.832 Are those really that drastically different? Both players project to hit around .260-.280 & 20/20 with Semien holding an advantage in the power department so far, it's not a perfect comparison but I found the similarities between the two players pretty interesting. Also, you're not being a jerk, just extremely condescending.

QUOTE (DirtySox @ Jul 22, 2013 -> 09:57 PM) Dan Hayes ‏@DanHayesCSN 8m One baseball source thought #Rangers overpaid for Matt Garza. Believes #WhiteSox could get a similar haul for Peavy. http://bit.ly/12e3Tp6 View summary So something like Wong (or Matt Adams), Tyrell Jenkins & James Ramsey for Peavy if we traded with StL?

QUOTE (beautox @ Jul 22, 2013 -> 09:07 PM) Doing some more digging, Marcus Giles looks like a fair comp both in terms of age, level, handedness and position. Giles at age 22 in 533 plate appearances at AA in the southern league had the following line .290/.388/.472 with 72BB/71K (13.5BB% | 13.3K%) and 17HR and 25SB/5CS. There are 43 remaining games for the barons so it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see Seimen surpass those totals and if that happens i believe we're looking at a top 40-60 prospect in all of baseball (note: after that season in AA Giles was regarded as the 54th best baseball prospect). I think i found my comp for him. A potential 15/15 MI that might have the ability to stick at SS we can only hope that maybe he would produce a 6.5WAR season like Giles did in '03. Last note Semien is 12 points below his career MILB BABIP so that average should come up a bit. Semien's numbers look pretty similar to Ian Desmond's numbers, they were both in A+ ball at age 21 and AA at age 22 so the comparison is pretty close. Semien edges Desmond out in a lot of categories including fielding, the only real statistical advantage Desmond had over Semien was in stolen bases.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Jul 14, 2013 -> 06:49 PM) My god, people are so quick to declare every prospect a bust. He may not be playing as welll as we would want our #13 overall pick to play, but my god, let's wait until he is 24 years old and still not in AA yet until he write him off. I have to echo this sentiment, posters have been too hard on Hawkins this year and have unfairly scrutinized him. I really enjoy visiting Soxtalk and following the minor league action, this community is by far the most knowledgeable about the team's minor league system so I really value everyone's input in the game threads. I feel like I gain a very good understanding of the players within our system but also the system as a whole, the good with the bad. Unfortunately the current trend seems to be to keep a running count of Hawkins' strikeouts and mental errors and not in a constructive manner but a very sardonic, cynical tone. My question is, what's the point of being so cynical and pessimistic? What do you have to gain by scrutinizing a player's performance to the point of not allowing anyone else to have a shred of optimism for that player? Is it some type of Borchard hangover? This isn't a personal attack against any particular poster but rather a deeper, philosophical question on how to view the players in our minor league system. Also regarding Hawkins' troubles this season, can you imagine if you were a Royals fan right now? Bubba Starling, who at one point was compared to Mickey f***ing Mantle is barely hitting above the Mendoza line in the Sally league, so let's cut Hawkins a little slack for struggling. He still has the most talent and best physical tools in our system, let's give him a couple of years (or at least one full season in professional ball!) before we write him off. Sorry for the rant.

QUOTE (bbilek1 @ Jul 13, 2013 -> 10:13 AM) Could that really be the issue? I mean obviously his plate discipline is trash but is there any examples of guys who had a resurgence after addressing eye issues? Brian McCann comes to mind. Bubba Starling just had LASIK surgery this year after a horrible start, so there is precedent.

I think the Cardinals make the most sense with Furcal out for the season and the Kozma/Descalso platoon is shaky at best. I feel like Alexei, despite his defensive miscues, has increased his value with his work on the base paths. I've been really impressed with the jumps he's been able to make this year in particular and I'm sure other GMs and scouts have noticed as well. I would try to target Matt Adams as the main piece to get in return to be Konerko's heir apparent.

Pretty solid list, I agree with the previous posters suggesting flipping Wilkins and Black and I would include Morel at #1 in the 3B section along with Basto at #3 instead of listing him under SS. Other than that, I'd say that's a pretty accurate assessment of our top prospects. The big question is whether T. Thompson or Hawkins rates higher?

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 2, 2013 -> 10:51 AM) They just picked up Feldman but a team like the o's might be the type that overpays for a guy like Peavy to put them over the top. Hard part is, until Peavy makes some starts, it will be hard to get the type of value they should. Sox might be better off holding him till the off-season and moving him then. Really sucks cause with his contract and ability, he'd have gotten a solid haul. Just saw that, I'm not convinced they're done shopping around for pitchers though. I agree that Peavy needs to make a few starts before we trade him and I think we can still get a decent return from a team just on the cusp of a playoff spot (most likely from the AL East). I can definitely see the benefits of waiting until the offseason as well to trade Peavy.

What about Peavy going to the Orioles? They definitely need a veteran starter going into a playoff stretch, maybe we could get a package centered around Nick Delmonico or Henry Urrutia and a lower level pitching prospect like Tim Berry.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 25, 2013 -> 08:32 PM) Haha. With our RISP tendencies, he'd probably never score. That almost equals Ramirez, Viciedo and Keppinger for the season. Let me guess....he's as fast as one of the Molina brothers? He also had 2 stolen bases.

I'd like to get Matt Adams from St. Louis, he's rotting away on their bench with Craig at 1B and would make a good replacement for PK next year. Maybe we can get him in a package for Alexei, I'd be nervous with Kozma heading into a playoff run and Furcal is out for the year with Tommy John surgery.

I'm also interested in seeing how Nick Basto does in his second year too.