Timmy U

How slow is Benintendi? Ball banged off the wall, he barely made a turn at first.

Schultz and Smith have both regressed. Is it time to question the Sox pitching program? McDougal went to an outside pitching lab to fix his issues. I don’t think you can just assume Bannister is a genius.

Schultz just gave up a 3 run shot in the Futures Game. Not worried yet, but things are not trending well at all.

Ump is really not helping Burke in this game.

This ump is brutal. He’s squeezing the hell out of Burke.

Looks like Vaughn has brought the leg kick back. With Robert making no progress and Vaughn cratering until he left, I am beginning to question why Marcus Thames has a job.

These teams deserve each other.

Gonzalez is 2-4 with a double. Seems promising.

Why does Marcus Thames still have a job?

Does Slater hit into a DP every time up?

Why the heck are you grooving a pitch to Ramirez with Manzardo on deck?

McDougal is done for the night 6IP 0R 1H 2bb 1hbp 7K

Another solid start for McDougal. Through 5 1 infield hit, 2 bb 6K. Guy is coming fast.

The list of possible starters in 2026 should include McDougal. Getz just name checked him as a guy who may get innings this year. Kid is Rule 5 eligible. He is on the cusp.

Christian Gonzalez 4-4 with a HR in the ACL. Hmm, Sox may have something here.

The Orioles just acquired another Comp A pick from the Rays at 37. Now they have the largest pool in the draft. Got to imagine they’re trying to push a Top 10 guy down. They generally prefer college hitters, but that’s not the strength of this draft. Hopefully they don’t have their eye on Jojo. Maybe they finally draft pitching? Could see them trying to get Arnold or Witherspoon down there.

Worth a shot. Journeyman profile, but some of these guys hit. Look at Tauchman. Similar career prior to promotion.

Theoretical Q: How much is too little for Houser? Given his contract and mediocre career track record, I have a hard time believing other teams are going to give up an impact bat for him. Maybe a failed prospect who is out of options a la Vargas. But non-elite position players are essentially worthless. A guy like Dru Baker probably has less future value than cash considerations. I could see getting a pitcher. Because of injury rates and pitching development strides, even the most innocuous trades can bring you a useful guy. Vasil was pretty rough in AAA yet he’s been a contributor. But you ought to be able to draft and develop depth arms. I get that Houser is like 2 mor wins on a team poised to lose 110 games, but I would rather watch him for two months than trade him for some guy who’s just gonna clog up minor league rosters.

Game 2 in Charlotte is Covid buddies Clevinger v. Plesac.

If that’s the scenario, I hope they go way under slot and go for a splash at 44.

4 base runners, 2 GIDP. 1 HR. 1-0. Sox won’t compete until they get some power.

Would be huge if Gonzalez could be anything.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they tried to underslot someone like Kilen or Bremner and try to push Schoolcraft down to 44. They have been rumored to like him since the fall. Bremner and Schoolcraft would be a pretty solid draft that they would absolutely get crushed for.

I don’t believe he’s played 2b at all this year. He’s played some 3b. He looks pretty darn good at ss, but he’s athletic. Uh he hits, he could end up a lot of places.

Crazy that Nats are rudderless picking at 1-1 now. True wildcards. I am concerned that Sox like only 2 college pitchers, but also like 2 college hitters in a down year for that demographic. I wonder which 5 ss they like. Probably Holliday, Willits, Carlson, Parker, and either Hall or Cunningham. Hall stays at the position, Cunningham probably the better hitter.