Dunt

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 28, 2016 -> 11:56 PM) Definitely depressing when you start looking up the Sox top tier prospects and read over their minor league numbers so far this season....brutal. Courtney Hawkins might be on an even worse trajectory, after starting off his career with such promise (ala Jared Mitchell). He's a 22 year old in AAA that has produced at every level. Relax.

Maybe I jumped the gun a little bit on Avi. Through his last 7 games, he's batting .280/.345/.440, his last 15 games went to the tune of .235/.322/.451. Still not convinced he will put it all together, but the last couple of weeks have been encouraging. He's currently has his highest BB% to date, second highest ISO, and a considerably low BABIP. A mid to high 700ish OPS out of the DH spot would do wonders for this team.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Apr 29, 2016 -> 10:25 AM) I don't see these increases from the data posted. If that's what these numbers are supposed to be - increases in velo. His FB seems to have remained the same and his slider has moved up a lot. There was a contingent of us here that loved Arrieta when he was in Baltimore and thought he'd be really good one day. When the Cubs got him, Bosio worked with his slider and he changed some of his mechanics. His mechanics are a lot better than they were in Baltimore and there's been stuff written on it in the last couple years. The other thing is, if his FB velo is constant and his SL has moved up, that could totally be a result of a different school of thought on throwing it. People differentiate between sliders/cutters as if they're totally different pitches. Arrieta usually throws the hard one, which acts like a cutter (and has led to incredibly weak contact), and that's been a huge difference to his game. He still has the old slider, your more typical disparity in velocity with more lateral movement, that he throws in different situations. I don't know, the guy is yoked and has had an incredible turnaround to his career but you can't just say "steroids." This isn't a Mike Piazza situation where he was picked in the 60th round as a family favor and all of a sudden ballooned physically and became the best offensive catcher ever. The guy went from playing for a team with perhaps the worst reputation in handling pitchers and he had to iron out his mechanics against the toughing pitcher division in baseball. Then he goes to one of the games best pitching coaches, made some strides and pitched against some cupcake teams. Where is this coming from anyways? Just Stephen A. Smith? Or is there actual reason to tie him to PEDs. Those increases just took his low velocity from before the trade/demotion and compared them to his highest velocities post trade. Not an exact science obviously, but players dont just add that type of velocity later in their career. No actual tie to PEDs for him, but as stated above "fool me once..." It really doesnt pass the eye test and you cant really fault people for being skeptical.

QUOTE (BigHurt3515 @ Apr 29, 2016 -> 11:05 AM) For some reason I am worried about this team spiraling downward quick. Please win Theyve really not given you any reason to feel that way this season

Not sure how EJ can be any worse than what Danks has been this season. If anything, stack them together like the Cubs were doing with Travis Wood so you limit exposure for Danks. It would help save the bullpen and give EJ some time to start showing what he's got.

Hope Rodon looks strong tonight, he a big response from him and the rest of the team

QUOTE (shysocks @ Apr 28, 2016 -> 06:52 PM) Hawk specifically says anybody accusing Arrieta of using is a disgrace to the game. Hope you're all happy. Hawk is a blathering idiot that should've retired years ago

QUOTE (fathom @ Apr 27, 2016 -> 11:06 AM) Just looking at the velocity data, if he was up to no good, it probably started taking place towards the end of the 2012 season. Some pretty big spikes across the board. It is amazing that he's throwing his slider 5-7 mph harder than when he first came into the majors. http://www.brooksbaseball.net/velo.php?pla...16&s_type=2 3.47 mph on 4 seam 3.3 mph on sinker 5.75 mph on changeup 6.75 mph on slider 5.72 mph on curveball Lol! Seems legit.

New MLB Pipeline Top 100 http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2016?list=draft

Sox wont even need him this weekend, the bats will be on fire and games wont be close. Sorry to hear about the passing, hope he has the time he needs.

Jose Abreu currently has the lowest fWAR on the team

Make Atlanta an offer they couldnt refuse for Freddie Freeman

I think this is how I want those first 3 picks to go 10. Nolan Jones, SS/3B, HS 26. Zach Collins, C/DH, Miami 49. Matt Thaiss, C, UVA

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 27, 2016 -> 10:34 AM) Mitchell was the 23rd overall pick. Yes. Corey Ray is a much better player. They shouldn't be compared.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Apr 24, 2016 -> 11:07 PM) I just hope he doesn't go all Jared Mitchell on us. Mitchell was not even close to the prospect Ray is

OP = Cat Albers

Sox have increased their playoff odds by 28.1% on Fangraphs since April 3rd

I must be missing the 4th Cub...

THE HYPE IS REAL FAM!

Who is this team?

Pretty sure I'm going to buy an Albers jersey at this point

QUOTE (flavum @ Apr 25, 2016 -> 03:53 PM) This week: 3-4 fine 4-3 very good 5-2 damn we're good I would be real happy if they came home 17-9 or better from this trip. After that, you got some pretty miserable teams over the next few weeks.

Nate Silver just posted his most recent projections: http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2016-mlb-predictions/

QUOTE (pettie4sox @ Apr 25, 2016 -> 03:29 PM) Where is the lineup? Twitter. It is: Eaton Rollins Abreu Frazier Cabrera Lawrie Jackson Garcia Smith

QUOTE (chw42 @ Apr 25, 2016 -> 01:25 PM) I feel like he's being seen as an ace by a lot of people when he's probably a #2 at this point. I would definitely rather have Quintana personally