ESPN's Scouting Reports on MLB players

[CSF]

I think they have updated all of the Sox players except for Vizcaino, Adkins, Jenks, Escobar, Baj, Borchard, Diaz, Grilli, Valdez, Walker, & Timo (they still have his 2003 scouting report).

 

Here's the report on Buerhle:

 

Scouting Report

 

2004 Season

Few major league pitchers are as consistent as White Sox ace Mark Buehrle. He may not match up with other elite pitchers in terms of pure stuff, but his durability and command make him a cornerstone for a team trying to remodel itself from a power plant to one built around pitching and defense. Buehrle not only led the American League in innings pitched-he threw 17 innings more than anyone else, in part because Ozzie Guillen skipped the No. 5 starter whenever possible. Minnesota's Johan Santana and Brad Radke were the only AL pitchers with more quality starts than Buehrle, who had 23.

 

 

Pitching

Buehrle succeeds by keeping it simple. He attacks hitters with a low-90s fastball and a plus-plus changeup, working fast and throwing strikes. He used those two primary pitches to set up a cut fastball that sometimes comes and goes, but was generally in his 2004 arsenal. Buehrle yields a lot of home runs, in part because he is based at U.S. Cellular, and can give up ringing hits against batters who know he is going to challenge them in hitter's counts. He very rarely beats himself.

 

 

Defense

Buehrle is a steady fielder with quick reactions. He sometimes wants to force the action on bunts but has developed more patience with experience. He has an excellent pickoff move and is difficult to run on.

 

 

2005 Outlook

Buehrle continues to handle a heavy workload and still hasn't shown serious signs of wear and tear. One good sign for future seasons is that he increased his ratio of strikeouts per nine innings to 6.1 last season after it had dropped the three previous years. His mind seems free after signing a long-term contract, which has allowed his leadership skills to blossom. He remains a better bet for 16-18 wins and 225-plus innings than anyone else in the American League.

[YASNY]

He remains a better bet for 16-18 wins and 225-plus innings than anyone else in the American League.

[CSF]

Shingo's

 

Scouting Report

 

2004 Season

Searching for a new challenge, Shingo Takatsu left Japan, where he was the career saves leader, to sign a one-year deal plus an option with the White Sox. Takatsu got hit hard in spring training and opened the season as the fourth righthander in Ozzie Guillen's bullpen, but by June he had replaced Billy Koch as the closer. Takatsu showed the funky stuff and mental toughness that earned him the nickname "Mr. Zero" while with the Yakult Swallows. He allowed only three of 25 inherited runners to score, went 19-for-20 in save situations and became a cult hero for fans at U.S. Cellular Field. In a remarkable stretch from late April through late June he went 24 appearances without allowing a run while holding batters to 10 hits in 26.1 innings.

 

 

Pitching

Everything Takatsu throws is from down under, and there's almost no way to anticipate the speed of his pitches. He sometimes throws his dive-bombing changeup in the low-60s-pitching coach Don Cooper says "it looks like it can defy a little gravity sometimes"-and can hit 90 with a fastball, which he generally throws in on hitters' hands. He rarely beats himself with walks and held opponents to a .182 batting average, including a .150 mark for righthanded hitters. He has a variety of pitches, but the key is how many speeds he throws his changeup and fastball.

 

 

Defense

Takatsu is tough to run on because he's so unorthodox. He permitted only one stolen base last season. He is a well-schooled fielder who handles his position.

 

 

2005 Outlook

Takatsu will get a chance to establish himself as one of the AL's top closers. Teams will have a better scouting report on him, but his strong September showed he doesn't depend on the element of surprise. Look for 30-plus saves and a possible trip to the All-Star Game in Detroit.

[YASNY]

Seeing Shingo in the All Star game would be SWEET.

[knightni]

Seeing Shingo in the All Star game would be SWEET.

I agree. When casual MLB fans get a look at his pitching, he will be a fan favorite even more than he already is.

[CSF]

Aaron Rowand

 

Scouting Report

 

2004 Season

After being relegated to fourth outfielder status in previous seasons, Aaron Rowand established himself as a regular. Those who looked closely saw one of the best center fielders in the American League in the second half of the season. Rowand was batting .213 on May 17 while sharing time with Willie Harris and Timo Perez, but he batted .332 the rest of the season. He finished with a .905 OPS, which was tops among AL center fielders. Because Rowand is popular in the clubhouse and community, many welcomed his emergence.

 

 

Hitting

With his confidence growing by the week, Roward began to drive pitches he had been happy just to put into play in previous seasons. He used the whole ballpark, going the opposite way against tough pitchers while jerking hangers into the seats. He's always been an aggressive hitter who swings early in the count, but he did a better job at spoiling filthy pitches. He figures to get more respect from pitchers, which could result in an increase in walks.

 

 

Baserunning & Defense

Roward is fun to watch in center field, but he does not cover ground like the Carlos Beltran guys with their long, smooth strides. He doesn't fit the mold, but he gets good jumps off the bat. He has quickened his release and overall his arm is considered adequate. After having only five steals in his first three seasons, Rowand responded to Ozzie Guillen's desire to force the action by stealing 17 bases.

 

 

2005 Outlook

Rowand returns as a regular and should hit high in the order, either leadoff or in the No. 2 hole. The only question is whether GM Ken Williams will look to add speed and a lefthanded bat in center field, which would prompt Guillen to shift Rowand to a corner. He could become an All-Star if he stays in center, where the hitting standard is lower.

[Leonard Zelig]

What does Willie's say?

[qwerty]

What does Willie's say?

 

2004 Season

Despite being made the personal project of manager Ozzie Guillen, Willie Harris failed to establish himself last season as anything more than an extra player. He got into 129 games and raised his batting average by 58 points over 2003, but has a .240 career average and lingering questions. A dynamic offensive player in the minors, Harris hasn't made much of an impact with the White Sox.

 

 

Hitting, Baserunning & Defense

Harris has not mastered lefties, which forces him to be platooned. He hits the ball on the ground, but has found it hard to get those grounders through the infield. He had a nice on-base percentage against righthanders last year. Harris is a gifted athlete who has terrific range at second base, especially covering ground to his left and toward the foul line on popups. His arm is below average. Harris can play center and left fields, which gives him value as a utility man. He's a quality basestealer and can fly going first to third.

 

 

2005 Outlook

Harris' situation depends largely on whether Juan Uribe is written into the lineup at shortstop or second base. If the Sox acquire a middle infielder in the offseason, Harris could be little more than an insurance policy.