tray

What has he done for Mazara ? I'm asking. That is the guy who really needed to be coached up.

Cali: Your observations are right on the money. I imagine that scouting reports on Mazara note almost everything you pointed about Mazara's approach, stance, bat speed and more. Mazara can't cover the outside half of the plate and as you mentioned, he igets beat by fastballs that he does not appear to react to in time, or he just doesn't have the bat speed to catch up to. There were a few articles I read when the Sox traded for him by sportswriters for the Rangers. They commented that Mazara did not respond to coaching very well down there. I am wondering if he is having the same issue here with the Sox coaching staff because he does not appear to be making any adjustments to his approach. This guy is a beast. All he has to do is touch the bat on the ball and eventually one will go over the fence. There was an off-color joke about a guy with a big schwanz that nevertheless couldn't get any pussy. That's Mazara.

Precisely.

Mazara has looked good defensively. He has decent speed and a long reach with his height and wing span. At the plate, he has started to make better contact. Let's try to be patient with him. He has already hit 60 HR in his young career so the power is there...somewhere..

Bad pitch call by Grandal with two strikes.

How many rookies have been called up to the majors to be a team's full time DH ? I'm not saying it would be unprecedented, I'm just asking.

Against Giolito, the Tigers seemingly had a a game plan to take a lot of pitches rather than being aggressive at the plate. Giolito was lucky to have lasted as long as he did since he did not have his usual control. Today, it will be interesting to see the Tigers strategy and how ReyLo/Grandal try to counter it. If they decide to be patient at the plate and ReytLo can't throw strikes, that will obviously be problematic. On the other hand if ReyLo/Grandal try too hard to throw strikes early in the count, the Tigers may go to wailing on ReyLo's fast ball. In any case, ReyLo needs some calls on the corners . especially on his high fastball. If ReytLo doesn't get high strikes called, he could start bringing it down where it could be zoned in on and blasted.

9/11 was brutal , shocking day as those of you old enough to remember it know. A friend of mine lost the wife..

Presto Presto... 4-3 Good guys. Hold 'em now.

Yes Yes Yes !

I'd bunt.

That line drive double to Left Center caused the Left fielder to shag it was great to see. A few more shots like that and outfielders will think twice before they play Madrigal super shallow.

Talent evaluation is key. I wonder if some other teams scouts asked to see Vaughn in the outfield. Vaughn appeared to me to lack speed and athleticism in the Spring. I keep thinking of that play where he was running from first to home while his teammates were laughing as he was gasping for breath after chugging the last 90 feet. Vaughn could become a shorter version of Paul Konerko but he did not look that great at 1B, a position that requires reach and flexibility - not a short, tank like physique. Despite botching a few plays, Eloy takes long strides and covers a lot of ground. He is improving and will not be displaced by Vaughn who, unfortunately, is way too slow to play outfield. My hope is that Vaughn proves that he can absolutely rake in the Minors next year and then come up as a RH DH/pinch hitter. The other possibility is that he has enough trade value to get some decent pitching back in return. The Sox are not going to get rid of EE during the last few weeks of this season so let's see what Vaughn ad Burgur will do in the minors next year. McCann in LF ? OK, proceed.

Lots of posters said Moncada should stay at second base- "his natural position" And many said McCann would regress,that Giolito was toast after his bad year, TA should play Center field, that Abreu should not be signed to an extension,,, Lots of great advice here.

I would like to see a thread named for every player like this one devoted solely to Nick Madrigal. My opinion of Madrigal has evolved since I have seen him play in competitive games at the major league level. I like the fact that he tried pushing the envelope on the bases, that he runs out every grounder like it is a World Series game, and that he grinds out every at-bat hitting for a high average, even after two strikes. I also changed my mind that he is a small player. He isn't He has the upper body, arms and hands of a player that is a half a foot taller and the heart of a giant. When Nick runs the bases, his larger torso with small legs churning below remind me of the mascot races around the outfield. Seriously, Nick is a gamer and a great guy to have as one of our Chicago White Sox for years to come.

Dunning had pinpoint control. His fastball had movement and his slider had bite to it. I think he is going to be a lock as a 4th starter but at the same time, I realize that Pittsburgh's line-up is weak and that the Pirates are pretty much going through the paces instead of really bearing down in every at=bat to win. I wonder how Dunning will fare against Josh Donaldson, Nelson Cruz, Sano and the Twins in the upcoming series with them. We shall soon see.

Oh yea, McCann won't be on the Sox next year. Like it or not, You heard it here . (sarcasm)

Grandyman apparently didn't get invited to Bozo's Grand Prize game.

No question about that.

Fans like to fall in love (figuratively) with prospects but after they actually see them at the major league level, they are often disappointed. Speculation often leads to disappointment. Burgur, Fulmer, Courtney Hawkins, Gordon Beckham.. They are all sure things until they aren't.

Vaughn doesn't catch.

Vaughn is a super prospect, end of story. He has not proven that he can play any position at a major league level. He is a tank.

This team is in the heart of a competitive window. It is my opinion that there would be a lot more catching gaffes like last night if you run out Grandai to catch about 120 games and Collins ( a potential defensive liability) to catch 40. It is not that easy to replace proven major league talent like McCann. Prospects like Burgur and Vaughn are just that...prospects. You can speculate all day about them and pencil their names into future lineups. but that doesn't always work out.

Vaughn is a tank. He has not yet proven that he can play any position at the major league level , including first base. He needs at least a full season in the minors.

The Sox might be better off without a full time DH on the roster if they can utilize position players like Grandal, Eloy,Abreu and others to fill that role. If Vaughn absolutely rakes in the minors next year against LH and RH pitching, and does the same when he comes up to the majors, that is another story.