14 minutes ago, Harold's Leg Lift said:

Holy s%*# if he stays like this he's going to have a monster season.  Short to it and long thru it.  

 

God, I hope you're right. He looked good at times in W-S last year. He gives you good AB's, plays a better CF than I expected and he's a pretty darned good baserunner. Lest year, he didn't hit into a lot of luck and he seemed to have trouble timing that leg kick. If he can play center flanked by, say, Saucke/McClain and Montgomery, he could shoot back up the rankings in a hurry. Really seems like he wants to be excellent.

31 minutes ago, Timmy U said:

God, I hope you're right. He looked good at times in W-S last year. He gives you good AB's, plays a better CF than I expected and he's a pretty darned good baserunner. Lest year, he didn't hit into a lot of luck and he seemed to have trouble timing that leg kick. If he can play center flanked by, say, Saucke/McClain and Montgomery, he could shoot back up the rankings in a hurry. Really seems like he wants to be excellent.

It's a big off season for him and it certainly looks like he's putting in the work.  I really like the adjustments he's made to his swing. Hopefully he can make a tweak to his approach and get a little more aggressive early in the count.  If he can do that  he's setting himself up to have a really good year.  

https://www.mlb.com/news/each-team-s-top-international-prospect-2025?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage

Quero voted the White Sox top international prospect.

Look out in CLE, another Chourio coming up, and that Tigers' catching prospect is winning a lot of accolades as well.

Very  encouraged that Zavala has essentially ditched his leg kick. Him breaking out would be huge for the org. Personally, I have not given up on him playing center. He's not Robert out there, but to me he's at least as good as someone like Roman Anthony. If he hits, I think he could stick there.

He looks great.  You can tell how much more physical he is now.  Dude's putting in the work.  Crazy he doesn't turn 21 until the AS break and he already has over 1000 minor league PA's.  His swing looks great too.  That back foot action is bonkers.

This is pretty fun, preseason Dash vs. Ballers matchup.

The last swing was absolutely nuked.

 

16 minutes ago, Harold's Leg Lift said:

The last swing was absolutely nuked.

 

Cespedes Colas and Adolfo once did the same...the proof will be in the High A placement pudding this season.

1 hour ago, caulfield12 said:

Cespedes Colas and Adolfo once did the same...the proof will be in the High A placement pudding this season.

Thanks. God forbid anyone express any optimism about anyone. Negativity until proven otherwise.

13 minutes ago, Timmy U said:

Thanks. God forbid anyone express any optimism about anyone. Negativity until proven otherwise.

Welcome to Soxtalk! 😀

https://www.mlb.com/milb/news/top-left-handed-pitching-prospects-for-2025

Pipeline writeup of the top 10 LHP prospects.

Smith gets best FB, Schultz gets best slider and tied for best control (with Mathews and Wrobleski).

Schultz also nabs both highest ceiling and highest floor:

Quote

Highest ceiling: Schultz
Because of his build, arm slot and slider, Schultz has drawn comparisons to Randy Johnson since high school -- and he's a much more polished pitcher at the same stage of development. He won Double-A Southern League pitcher of the year accolades at age 20 and has posted a 2.03 ERA, .191 average-against and a 33 percent strikeout rate as a pro.

Highest floor: Schultz
Schultz has the best arsenal and control, and his command is as good as anyone on this list. His slider alone could make him a late-inning reliever.

 

Mailbag episode. I think the most interesting parts are addressing the Sox' plan for SS if C. Monty doesn't work out there, and what pitching prospects are tradeable as the Sox face 40-man crunches from below. 

 

https://www.milb.com/player/caden-connor-804645

That was the hitter recommended for biggest breakthrough in 2025 by Jeff Cohen...keep in mind he's already relatively old, so this year is quite important.

Sam Antonacci…Jackson Appel, both received high praise.

Not sure the Sox have a plan to debut Smith and Schultz.

Edited February 9, 20251 yr by caulfield12

Interesting read. Some key takeaways:

• Continued emphasis on the integration/sharing of analytics/biomechanical data/etc to inform development.
• Sounds like "defensive versatility" will be a broader org focus, not just a way to maneuver the current roster.
• Janish thinks Teel and Quero are "very close" in catching/defensive ability, but gives Quero the edge due to having more reps (and caveats that he hasn't seen Teel as much). Offensively, he compliments Teel's track record and Quero's switch hitting.
• Described Meidroth and Baldwin as "not sexy in terms of size, strength, speed, or power, but they play the game well." Gives the Zobrist comp for Baldwin, and Jamey Carroll/Nick Punto for Meidroth.
• Says Wolkow has a higher floor than people think, in part due to makeup, work ethic, and coachability.
• Gonzo has added strength, while Colson has leaned out a bit.
• Org and Colson both believe he's a shortstop. Optimizing lateral movement at the position was an offseason focus.

Sad about Chapelli, but you could see the handwriting on the wall. Just not a lot of slots for second base types in the org right now. They have a lot of them.

Barons broadcasts won't be the same. Big shoes to fill for whoever takes over.

I watched way more Bloom last year than Schriffen. He will absolutely be missed. I am happy for him, but this news bums me out.