As a proponent of "good pitching beats good hitting" I like to forecast the starting pitchers at each minor league level. Many of you follow our minor leagues much closing than I do so please feel free to give us your lists and thoughts.

 

AAA--Giolito/Fulmer/Lopez/Holmberg/Danish

 

AA--Guerrero/Kopech/Adams/Burdi/Stephens

 

Hi A--Martinez/Dunning/Thompson/Lowry/Banks (Cooper?)

 

Lo A--Flores/Hansen/McRee/Comito/Solorzano

As a proponent of "good pitching beats good hitting" I like to forecast the starting pitchers at each minor league level. Many of you follow our minor leagues much closing than I do so please feel free to give us your lists and thoughts.

 

AAA--Giolito/Fulmer/Lopez/Holmberg/Danish

 

AA--Guerrero/Kopech/Adams/Burdi/Stephens

 

Hi A--Martinez/Dunning/Thompson/Lowry/Banks (Cooper?)

 

Lo A--Flores/Hansen/McRee/Comito/Solorzano

 

Is Beck still around or is he a candidate to be a 5th starter or long-reliever role?

 

Also, doubt that Burdi will be a starter.

I'm hoping Hansen starts at high A, but I'd be ok with a short stint at Kannapolis.

Is Beck still around or is he a candidate to be a 5th starter or long-reliever role?

 

Also, doubt that Burdi will be a starter.

 

I didn't feel as though Beck had enough potential to take innings away from these others.

 

I'm hoping the rebuild gives the Sox a reason to keep Burdi in a starting role until he fails at it. We won't need him in the MLB pen this year.

Yeah Burdi won't be starting, at least not this year.

 

Based on the Big Board I maintain, here are my best guesses:

 

AAA: Giolito, Fulmer, Lopez, Danish, Sanburn

AA: Kopech, Guerrero, Adams, Stephens, Lowry

A+: Dunning, Thompson, Martinez, Lambert, Fry

A: Hansen, Flores, Solorzano, Comito, McRee

 

Guys above who may go to pen instead: Sanburn, Thompson, McRee

 

Guys not above who could jump in somewhere: Volstad, Banks, Walters, Beck

 

Also, Cooper is definitely a bullpen guy now, that was made clear to me by affiliate staff.

 

I'm hoping Hansen starts at high A, but I'd be ok with a short stint at Kannapolis.

 

I struggled with that one but my Hi A rotation was getting crowded. I suspect he'll eventually replace either Banks or Lowry whichever one doesn't perform.

Yeah Burdi won't be starting, at least not this year.

 

Based on the Big Board I maintain, here are my best guesses:

 

AAA: Giolito, Fulmer, Lopez, Danish, Sanburn

AA: Kopech, Guerrero, Adams, Stephens, Lowry

A+: Dunning, Thompson, Martinez, Lambert, Fry

A: Hansen, Flores, Solorzano, Comito, McRee

 

Guys above who may go to pen instead: Sanburn, Thompson, McRee

 

Guys not above who could jump in somewhere: Volstad, Banks, Walters, Beck

Do you think they may start Burdi to build strength, work on his pitches and make sure he gets regular innings?

Yeah Burdi won't be starting, at least not this year.

 

Based on the Big Board I maintain, here are my best guesses:

 

AAA: Giolito, Fulmer, Lopez, Danish, Sanburn

AA: Kopech, Guerrero, Adams, Stephens, Lowry

A+: Dunning, Thompson, Martinez, Lambert, Fry

A: Hansen, Flores, Solorzano, Comito, McRee

 

Guys above who may go to pen instead: Sanburn, Thompson, McRee

 

Guys not above who could jump in somewhere: Volstad, Banks, Walters, Beck

 

So is Holmberg altogether out or is he MLB?

I didn't feel as though Beck had enough potential to take innings away from these others.

 

I'm hoping the rebuild gives the Sox a reason to keep Burdi in a starting role until he fails at it. We won't need him in the MLB pen this year.

 

I should have clarified that Beck will likely be a candidate for a starting or bullpen gig (mop up guy/spot starter) at the MLB level. Also, they can't keep Burdi in a starting role if he was never one to begin with.

Do you think they may start Burdi to build strength, work on his pitches and make sure he gets regular innings?

 

The Sox like to do that, but at the lower levels, then move them back to bullpen by the time they reach upper levels. Clark, Cooper, Goldberg are all following that path. But Burdi is already at AAA, so I kinda don't see it.

 

So is Holmberg altogether out or is he MLB?

 

He's one I just don't know where to fit, but probably AAA bullpen I'd guess.

 

The Sox like to do that, but at the lower levels, then move them back to bullpen by the time they reach upper levels. Clark, Cooper, Goldberg are all following that path. But Burdi is already at AAA, so I kinda don't see it.

I was just curious. I know they do it at the lower levels. However, since he is so new to professional ball and now there is no rush for him to get to the MLB, I was wondering if they may do it with him for at least part of the year.

I think there's a decent chance Victor Diaz starts the year in Kannapolis' rotation.

I think there's a decent chance Victor Diaz starts the year in Kannapolis' rotation.

He might. They did that with Robin Leyer too for a bit, very similar profile.