February 5, 200323 yr This is an open-ended question, not a poll...Which young player do you think will have the most impact on the Sox success this year?
February 5, 200323 yr Ooooo, tough one. Starting rotation is about set, so I'm not sure about Rauch (especially w/ Loaiza here). So, I'll say Borchard.
February 5, 200323 yr Author I guess that I think the youngun who will have the biggest impact will be Jon Garland. I'm expecting a lot from him this year. He displayed some very promising leather last season, especially down the stretch of the season. I think that his one start in Boston last May really displays his capabilities. My expectations of him is to win 14-16 games this year, which, being the #3 starter in our rotation, will make us go far this season! Jon Garland's name is going to be more prevalent in league talk after all is said and done this year.
February 5, 200323 yr Ooooo, tough one. Starting rotation is about set, so I'm not sure about Rauch (especially w/ Loaiza here). So, I'll say Borchard. I'm with you. I think Borchard makes the team after having a monster spring and ends up hitting .265 with 20 hr's and 65-70 rbi's. Joe won't wow anyone this year, but he'll learn a lot and shorten his swing enough. Then the next year he'll really improve. I just got a hunch Joe makes this club out of spring. I can't explain why, I just see him having a great spring. He's a really smart kid who knows what he has to do. He has a good eye, which tells me he can shorten his swing at the major league level. I also think he's made good progress with the swing. Either way, he's up here by June 1st. Jon Rauch, Joe Crede and Jimenez will also have pretty good years. Olivo will likely struggle, but play very good defense and show growth. Garland and Wright will also grow, but I think they are already pretty good.
February 5, 200323 yr Hard to argue with Garland....or Borchard. I'll go with someone new... Olivo has to step up and play good baseball....he has to show that he can handle the everyday catching duties and hit well while swiping a few bags now and then....getting a .250 5-10 45-60 10-20 season out of him would be real nice, and I think he can do it. What would be very, very nice is if he went about .280 15 70 25, but that's asking a whole hell of a lot.
February 5, 200323 yr Author I'm with you. I think Borchard makes the team after having a monster spring and ends up hitting .265 with 20 hr's and 65-70 rbi's. If the rumors that Jerry Manuel all but guaranteed Daubach a roster spot are true, I don't think there will be any space on the Roster for Borchard. I think Borchard will start the season on the farm, and maybe by the All Star break, if it appears as if one of our OFers is incompetent, then he'll get the callup.
February 5, 200323 yr I'm with you. I think Borchard makes the team after having a monster spring and ends up hitting .265 with 20 hr's and 65-70 rbi's. If the rumors that Jerry Manuel all but guaranteed Daubach a roster spot are true, I don't think there will be any space on the Roster for Borchard. I think Borchard will start the season on the farm, and maybe by the All Star break, if it appears as if one of our OFers is incompetent, then he'll get the callup. I'm thinking Rowand will start the season on the DL, with Harris the backup centerfieler. The most likely scenario is Rowand starting with Harris backing up or Harris starting with Rowand backing up while he gets to 100%.
February 5, 200323 yr Author I'm thinking Rowand will start the season on the DL, with Harris the backup centerfieler. The most likely scenario is Rowand starting with Harris backing up or Harris starting with Rowand backing up while he gets to 100%. Speaking of Rowand, have you heard anything about how his situation is progressing?
February 5, 200323 yr I'm with you. I think Borchard makes the team after having a monster spring and ends up hitting .265 with 20 hr's and 65-70 rbi's. Joe won't wow anyone this year, but he'll learn a lot and shorten his swing enough. Then the next year he'll really improve. I just got a hunch Joe makes this club out of spring. I can't explain why, I just see him having a great spring. He's a really smart kid who knows what he has to do. He has a good eye, which tells me he can shorten his swing at the major league level. I also think he's made good progress with the swing. Either way, he's up here by June 1st. Jon Rauch, Joe Crede and Jimenez will also have pretty good years. Olivo will likely struggle, but play very good defense and show growth. Garland and Wright will also grow, but I think they are already pretty good. I have that exact feeling too. I think Rowand won't be 100% or will suffer a setback of some sort, and Willie Harris won't out perform Joe B. Though if they really don't want Joe to start in Chicago, they may wind up putting Rios or Daubach in center, which is a bad idea...
February 5, 200323 yr Harris as backup in OF??? why would that happen if we have borchard AND daubach available????
February 5, 200323 yr I'm thinking Rowand will start the season on the DL, with Harris the backup centerfieler. The most likely scenario is Rowand starting with Harris backing up or Harris starting with Rowand backing up while he gets to 100%. Speaking of Rowand, have you heard anything about how his situation is progressing? He's supposed to be 80% at the start of spring training.
February 5, 200323 yr Harris as backup in OF??? why would that happen if we have borchard AND daubach available???? Its because Harris is the only one capable of playing centerfield on the bench if Borchard isn't there. Daubach can play left or first, and I guess 3rd if necessary. Rios can play right or left, and I guess center in a bind, but he's terrible out there defensively. Maggs can't play center. Harris will also be the back up 2nd baseman incase Jimenez struggles. If Jose really stinks and Jimenez does real good, then you could see Jimenez move to short with Harris taking over the 2nd base spot and Manos moving to the bench.
February 5, 200323 yr Gee, why not have daubach in left and move clee to center? (imagine that in green--sarcasm!)
February 5, 200323 yr Gee, why not have daubach in left and move clee to center? (imagine that in green--sarcasm!) God, for a second ya scared me toasty
February 5, 200323 yr Rowand's days in a White Sox uniform are numbered, Borchard by July rest is history.
February 5, 200323 yr Got to go with Jon Garland on the pitching staff, and Jimenez in the lineup and on the field. D'Angelo has to step up huge in the leadoff spot if the Sox are going to go anywhere.
February 5, 200323 yr Gee, why not have daubach in left and move clee to center? (imagine that in green--sarcasm!) God, for a second ya scared me toasty hah... it would be worth a laugh at least!
February 5, 200323 yr Maggs can't play center. Since when? I remember Maggs playing center and doing an adequate (at least) job. He has the speed and the arm for it. I can see no reason Maggs couldn't play CF in a pinch.
February 5, 200323 yr Person who needs to step it up: Wright Person who needs to be impact: Thomas Person who needs to show consistency: Garland
February 5, 200323 yr As much as I love Maggs, he is no Centerfielder. He did play it in a pinch 2-3 years ago, and he was not very good. He plays so deep, he has no chance on most balls hit in front of him. He is strictly a corner outfielder.
February 5, 200323 yr Biggest impact, either good or bad, will be Frank. If he hits, we'll be tough to beat. If he falls apart like a 29 cent mop, we have problems.
February 5, 200323 yr Garland is going to be the surprise from the staff......winning 16-18 games D'LO Jimenez is going to be the surprise outta the line-up hittin .280 15 60 with 35SB's hitting leadoff.
February 5, 200323 yr Maggs can't play center. Since when? I remember Maggs playing center and doing an adequate (at least) job. He has the speed and the arm for it. I can see no reason Maggs couldn't play CF in a pinch. He could play there in a bind, but it wouldn't be pretty.
February 5, 200323 yr Author Since when? I remember Maggs playing center and doing an adequate (at least) job. He has the speed and the arm for it. I can see no reason Maggs couldn't play CF in a pinch. He could play there in a bind, but it wouldn't be pretty. I seem to remember him playing in CF a few times in 2001 when they were experimenting with Jose in the OF, putting Jose in RF. From what I recall, he didn't have the greatest arm to get it in from deep center. You need the OFer with the best throwing arm in CF, as the distance to the plate is longer. I don't think Maggs in CF is a really good idea.
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