floridafan

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 19, 2013 -> 11:44 AM) If it meant that he was immensely successful as a major league baseball player, and signing a pretty big contract in trade for that, I bet he would take it. I can assure you he would! He needs the big contract because he promised me a new Flats Boat about 10 years ago and a house on the beach! I am still waiting, lol! (Who Knew?!, Eric is 3rd from left kneeling in center)

QUOTE (Jose Paniagua @ Jan 18, 2013 -> 05:21 PM) We have an "Adopt-a-Prospect" section of the message board, where any poster who wants to 'adopts' a prospect and just tracks their progress. and I just thought it'd be funny if the actual father of a prospect ACTUALLY adopted the prospect in that part of the forum. That's all. No malice intended(and it is really cool we have you here, keep participating!) Ok, Got Ya!

QUOTE (Jose Paniagua @ Jan 18, 2013 -> 03:14 PM) There'd be something very "meta" about floridafan were he to go and participate in the "Adopt-a-Prospect" forum. Or shall we say, it'd be redundant were he to do so I am not sure what you are trying to say. But if it is a problem with folks that I update my sons progress and/or setbacks I will stop. I don't want to make any waves for anyone, especially my son.

QUOTE (Lamar Johnson 23 @ Jan 14, 2013 -> 04:02 PM) http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1480298...icago-white-sox He put up some big numbers this past season! Looks like he had a BA of .397 one season with the Mets too! I am so excited to see we picked up another 3rd Baseman!

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 14, 2013 -> 08:43 AM) It seems there are multiple waves coming in at different times. There are some minor league players going in January - for some sort of extra development. Then there is the early MiLB crowd, which apparently Eric is in. Then there is the "normal" minor league report time a week or two after that. I'm not sure if the various different early report times are for development, rehab, scouting or other purposes - could be a combination of all. Thank you for the heads up! I was not sure what if any significance was related to reporting in February. Previously we were under the impression that he would not be reporting until March. It's a good thing he has been in training these past several of weeks!

Eric received his notification in the mail today to report to Early Spring Training, February 21st. I am fairly certain that having him report a couple weeks earlier than the majority of the other minor leaguers is a Very Good sign! Of course it could be standard operating procedure as well.

How many homers do they need to put up for you to feel that you are happy with your 3rd baseman? It is odd how 2B has become a power position, but I still expect power out of 3rd. Is 20HR a substantive enough figure, with a BA of around .300?

Isn't Flowers strike out percentage in the high 40's? I thought I saw that somewhere. I would think that fanning that often would be a problem, regardless of position. You can't even move a runner over without making contact. What is it about 3rd that makes it so hard to fill? What kind of production would make you happy out of a 3rd baseman? Realistically?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 9, 2013 -> 01:30 PM) http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1191270...l-be-overlooked A $1000.00 signing bonus with 25% withheld due to being construed as "special compensation". League minimum of about $1400 per month pre tax in season only while a rostered player. Believe me it is a tough row to hoe! Family support is critical for the first several years when working with those numbers! My guy has an off season job, which is very fortunate given the economy we are living through. But his focus needs to remain being prepared for Spring Training, which requires hours of work each day as well. All my best to Jason Coats! Welcome aboard! I hope you have an outstanding season!

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 5, 2013 -> 10:43 AM) Angel Sanchez (Rule 5 draft pick) fills backup IF role, and Keppinger could step in as a utility man also if needed. Giminez is sitting as the backup catcher right now. Can Kepplinger start at 3rd and be a Utility player at the same time? I agree that Sanchez will probably get the shot as a back up utility guy. There has been plenty of buzz about him! You have Joey De Michele in the system as well who is coming up quickly. I saw him in Bristol and he looked fine as a strong hitting 2B. I did not see him after he advanced, but hear that some have questioned his "polish" as a MIF. He appeared comfortable enough to me. If that big LH Bat is till on the shopping list, it seems to me that is where I would focus. Granted, I am a newbie with an agenda, but I think you have an upgrade with Kepplinger, and the Sox contended last year before they imploded. I would expect that the players that got us that close last season, may be capable of getting us there again. I was pretty shocked as I watched Beckham though, his plate appearances looked terrible. Lackadaisical absent intensity with no appearance of disgust as he struck out. He appeared content to fail, which I found both odd and on a separate level encouraging.

Those stats are interesting. Whenever I have seen line ups I was always under the assumption that the 3 and 4 hole hitters were considered the best hitters on the team. Is this new analytical work that is not yet widely accepted? I have never seen it put to use that I am aware of.

QUOTE (Jake @ Dec 29, 2012 -> 04:50 PM) Griffey and Frank were my favorite players....and I'm white. I must be doing it wrong. I was always a fan of Griffey Jr. He was hot when my son began little league. His coach called my son his Ken Griffey Jr. Please forgive me, but I was not a real baseball fan back then, I had no idea who he was talking about! But, as the years have gone by I have grown to really love this game!

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/12/24/...t-list#comments

Merry Christmas to all my new found friends and fellow Sox fans!

Two years for Grabe to move through the ranks. I like the Kepplinger deal, we saw a fair bit of him in the Florida market. A solid player. Glad he is older! If Grabe can come close to what he did in his debut season at subsequent levels you guys will learn his name. OPS over 1.000 against lefty's and over .900 against righty's. He has played 3rd his whole life, with stints at short. Power will be there by ST.

How has Brent Morel's defense been? I see he is a .230 hitter with 10 homers in his 2011 season when he was healthy. Why would he not be the logical replacement for Youklis? Other than being a .230 hitter... NVM I see that his glove, not his bat is his calling card.

QUOTE (bucket-of-suck @ Nov 25, 2012 -> 02:47 AM) Also, the Rockies have soured a bit on top 3B prospect Arenado for production drop and for some attitude issues. (Nothing major, he's known to be pretty aloof in the field and that's not a fit for them.) When he's motivated, dude can hit. He projects to be a decent MLB 3B and is much better than anything the Sox have internally for that position, IMO. He could likely be had for Floyd. Hey! I would push Grabe, lol! He is good for better than .245 and an OPS of .718! By the time Youk is done, he will be ready! Resign Youk and push Grabe as far as he will go. He thrives in adversity and rises to the competition. I belive the organization likes what they have seen so far, and he will be better by ST. He is a bit short (5'11" and 195) but is very strong and has played the position his entire life other than opportunities at Shortstop and a very limited time at 2B. He probably has played less than 30 games his entire life at 2B. Mostly 3B and Short. Funny he was drafted as a 2B! But he projects there as well. He should show significantly more power next season, and maybe eventually find his way to Birmingham. Crossing my fingers on that one. Heck! We all have our favorite players here we want to push, my favorite just happens to be my son! LOL!

So, it would be pretty exciting for me if the Yankees moved their High A club from Tampa, Fl. to my town Ocala, FL. Pretty cool to get to see some Minor League games locally. Wish it were the Sox, but "oh well"! We had always been NY Yankee fans, I am from Staten Island, we named our dog Jeter, lol. Anyway, I am happy to be a Sox Fan now! Hopefully it will come to pass, I would love being able to head over an watch a couple games each week.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 13, 2012 -> 09:08 AM) Its not a great deal, but is the kind of deal that is out there for 2012. It is a revenue neutral deal, it gives the Sox a 3B, and it gives them a two hole hitter. It also buys them another year at 3B if they can't bring back Youk. I know I am new here, but this sounds like an exceptional idea. Young for a year or two until he gets "old", and then bring up a hot hitting versatile corner guy from the farm system!

I know, I know... But I am the Dad, I can't help myself! From Baseball America October 19, 2012 regarding the White Sox 2012 Draft: Best Defensive Player: 3B/2B Eric Grabe (24) showed reliable hands and arm strength at both second base and third, and he also can fill in at shortstop, giving him a utility profile. Best Pro Debut: Hawkins hit .284/.317/.480 with eight homers and 11 steals while finishing the summer in high Class A. Grabe was old for Rookie ball at 22 but batted .357/.434/.521 at Bristol. DeMichele reached low Class A while hitting .275/.328/.479 with seven homers. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Eric is working on his Hitting for Power over at Tiger Town in Lakeland as I type, and I do believe that his Average will remain high. He has always had a high BA. I expect his Power Potential projections will jump during Spring Training. He is also working at Cooper Strength and Speed Training 3x a week in Tampa, with a focus on Agility. As everyone knows, Eric is Older, and therefore needs to prove himself quickly and consistantly, I still believe he can achieve his goals. I hope that the Sox are pleased and surprised by what they got in the 24th Round.

Nice to see that the Articles associated with the Sox from BA named Eric Grabe as the Best Defensive Player of the 2012 Draft for the Sox, and Tagged him as having one of the best Debut's. Once they start to see his bat, which is by far his Best Tool, their assessments may change. I know he is older, but Grabe's mature slowly...I speak from experience there!

Keon may not of had many at bats while at Bristol, but while there it was almost expected that he would hit a Home Run. He is a great kid, very friendly. My son and he flew around together a bit since their home flights were to Tampa. I would expect when he is healthy he should be pretty formidable at the plate.

QUOTE (oldsox @ Nov 10, 2012 -> 12:42 PM) Which was worse last season, the Bristol team or the Bristol weather? Tough Call. They sure had a bunch of rainouts, and did not win a bunch of games...

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 9, 2012 -> 08:44 AM) Bristol Sox Bristol Baseball, Inc. announces continued affiliation with Chicago White Sox Bristol Baseball, Inc. (BBI) has announced the signing of a two-year management agreement with the Chicago White Sox. The agreement ensures that professional baseball will remain alive in the Twin Cities for the forty-fifth and forty-sixth consecutive summers, with BBI operating the Bristol White Sox team competing in the advanced rookie level Appalachian League. “We are excited to continue our relationship with the Chicago White Sox,” said Mahlon Luttrell, President of BBI and General Manager for the Bristol Sox. “This agreement will allow us to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Sox in Bristol in 2014.” For more information on the Bristol Sox and professional baseball in Bristol, visit BristolSox.com and BristolBaseball.com. They do a nice job up there. The people are wonderful and all Volunteer their services. The community is very supportive. All the money that they earn goes back into the field and facilities. I am very excited for Bristol. I do not want to go back to watch my son play a second season there, but the scenery and fishing is awesome! Great news for Bristol Baseball!

Within 2 seasons you will have a prospect ready for prime time from the farm system. Hopefully he will make it to AA by middle to end of next season. Home grown, reliable and gap to gap power with a strong arm and glove. Should be good for 15-20 HR's a season. Keep Youk until he is ready!