An easier question than BMac's, but still debatable.

Edited September 16, 200421 yr by danman31

WS for me. He struggled there at first, but then responded to hit well. Lets make sure he mastered High A first, then send him to BHam at midseason if he is hitting well.

Play with these kids safe. Start him in WS, let him get adjusted, then make the bump to B-Ham.

I decided that Fields' stats need to be here since that would help people vote.

 

Season long stats: .285 avg, .333 obp, .445 slg, .778 ops, 12 2B, 4 3B, 7 HR, 39 RBI, 36 R, 18 BB, 74 K in 66 games.

 

I believe he has adjusted. Since July 21 he posted a .342 batting average over 155 at bats. In those final 40 games (not including playoffs) he had 7 2B, 4 3B, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 21 runs, 9 walks, 36 strikeouts.

I decided that Fields' stats need to be here since that would help people vote.

 

Season long stats: .285 avg, .333 obp, .445 slg, .778 ops, 12 2B, 4 3B, 7 HR, 39 RBI, 36 R, 18 BB, 74 K in 66 games.

 

I believe he has adjusted. Since July 21 he posted a .342 batting average over 155 at bats. In those final 40 games (not including playoffs) he had 7 2B, 4 3B, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 21 runs, 9 walks, 36 strikeouts.

Yep. Anyone who thinks he'll start in W-S if healthy, I'll gladly take their money if they'd like to wager a friendly bet.

An easier question than BMac's, but still debatable. 

Speaking of Fields, I recorded my Fields interview to .wav and mp3 last night and am going to try to have he, Miller and Rogowski transcribed by the end of the weekend...

 

With Valido, Gonzalez, Young and Ryan Rodriquez to follow...

No doubt he'll be in Bham. If Crede sucks and the Sox suck, you could even see him up in September. Although thats really really really pushing it.

 

He made awesome strides at the end of the year and his power is definately there. That bomb he hit to dead center when Cerb, me, Show, and molto were there was sick.

Since July 21 he posted a .342 batting average over 155 at bats. In those final 40 games (not including playoffs) he had 7 2B, 4 3B, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 21 runs, 9 walks, 36 strikeouts.

> Wishing that the Sox could draft someone who walks in the first round. Wishing that Rogo and Spidale and Young move through the system.

Bham because of previously mentioned reasons.

Bham for Fields. I think our next 'were to' polls whould be for Chris Young and Gio Gonzalez.

Bham for Fields.  I think our next 'were to' polls whould be for Chris Young and Gio Gonzalez.

I was thinking Gio, Lumsden, Whisler, and I'm sure a couple others will come to mind. I don't see how you could put Young anywhere but W-S, but if there is a debate about it we can have a poll.

BHam.

 

He really turned it on at the end of the year, just took some adjusting time.

BHam for sure. Usually first round picks move quickly through the system.

Birmingham for mine. Pefect scenario for me is we sign Corey Koskie to a 2 year deal. We leave Fields in B-Ham for 2005 and Charlotte for 2006, and then he'll definitely be ready by 2007 when Koskie's contract finishes. I'd like to see Crede and maybe a prospect moved for a closer, and we sign a top starter.

If he can consistantly hit behind a runner, make contact on a hit and run, get down a sacrifice bunt and hit using all fields, then Birmingham. If not, keep him back till he does show he can do all this.

 

In Bham, they can teach him how to play smart defense.

The other big part of my theory is, it is much easier to promote an overachiever, than it is to demote an underachiever. If Fields is hitting .400 at the end of April in WS it is much easier to send him up to Bham, then to have him hitting .100 at AA and trying to figure out what to do with him.

The other big part of my theory is, it is much easier to promote an overachiever, than it is to demote an underachiever.  If Fields is hitting .400 at the end of April in WS it is much easier to send him up to Bham, then to have him hitting .100 at AA and trying to figure out what to do with him.

You guys who think W-S are either crazy or haven't been paying attention.

 

Is this "IYO, where should he go?" or "Where will he go?"

 

2 very different questions.

 

I'm predicting a HUGE year out of Fields next year at Birmingham. He just has a perfect attitude for baseball and getting used to the wood bats and the quality of the pitching at the same time was the primary reason he struggled early... He was on a tear the last 1-2 months...

You guys who think W-S are either crazy or haven't been paying attention.

 

Is this "IYO, where should he go?" or "Where will he go?"

 

2 very different questions.

 

I'm predicting a HUGE year out of Fields next year at Birmingham.  He just has a perfect attitude for baseball and getting used to the wood bats and the quality of the pitching at the same time was the primary reason he struggled early...  He was on a tear the last 1-2 months...

It wouldn't surprise me if it were somehow negotiated into his contract or at least some verbal assurance he'd get a shot at Birmingham for 2005.

 

I think that's the plan, and that's where the Sox intend to send him

 

Would not surprise me if he starts slowly there. Big jump from high A to AA, especially for a kid with limited experience.

 

But he really flashed his talent that last month at W-S. Hopefully the Sox have him in line for some winter ball to get him more experience.

It wouldn't surprise me if it were somehow negotiated into his contract or at least some verbal assurance he'd get a shot at Birmingham for 2005.

Close. Both Fields and Lumsden were sold on possible time in Birmingham in 2004 if they signed early and impressed at W-S...

 

You heard that right, both were told if they came in and performed very well and signed early, they'd both have shots at Birmingham by season's end...

 

Turns out neither dominated early and W-S was in a playoff race, but still...

 

Fields will do well. With his first ever offseason devoted solely to baseball and extended Spring Training, I have no doubt he'll do very well in BHam.

Is this "IYO, where should he go?"

That one. It's more clear that he will be in Birmingham, but some apparently want him in Winston-Salem.

Close.  Both Fields and Lumsden were sold on possible time in Birmingham in 2004 if they signed early and impressed at W-S...

 

You heard that right, both were told if they came in and performed very well and signed early, they'd both have shots at Birmingham by season's end...

 

Turns out neither dominated early and W-S was in a playoff race, but still...

Lumsden needs to start in the rotation at W-S next season instead of throwing out of the bullpen. I'm looking forward to seeing how Whisler and Lumsden perform, and the kind of numbers they put up. Lumsden doesn't deserve to start next season at B-Ham with a ERA over 4 in my mind, plus there's already enough starters battling for positions in for the Barons and Knights as well.

I'd start him in CHI, ahead of Crede!!!