Just thought I'd post a few observations from Arizona, just got back.

 

- We sat right behind KW at the Sox-Padres game in Peoria last week and I had a chance to talk with him. On Pablo Ozuna, he said Ozuna is doing all the right things, they are happy with him and not surprised with his production. KW said Ozuna knows this is a big opportunity and is making the most of it.

 

- On the pitching staff: KW said Ozzie is giving everyone a chance, they both really like McCarthy. Said McCarthy probably needs a little seasoning but "the good ones rise fast". We talked about Adkins, they like him a lot. They challenged him to be a bit more aggressive, throw strikes ... he's done it.

 

- Carl Everett: Personal observation, he is in good shape. Very impressed with how he appears to take young guys under his wing. I saw him working with Chris Young at two of the games, encouraging him. Mentioned this to KW ... KW said that's a part of Carl Everett the public doesn't see and might not know.

 

- Brian Anderson: Looks great in the OF, very smooth. Has bulked up, looks to have added 15 solid pounds. Asked KW about him, KW said he's coming along nicely, needs to stay healthy.

 

- Lots of scouts at the games ... and I do mean a lot. We chatted with several, among the teams we saw at two of the games were Toronto, Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Detroit. Felix Diaz pitched on that Wed. game vs. San Diego and a couple of scouts were there to see him. They charted him, had the radar gun on him (topped out at 91) and two of the scouts left when Diaz finished up.

 

- Joe Borchard: Talked to KW about him, KW (of course) likes him, thinks he can be a productive major league player and added "we'll see what happens these next few weeks". Borchard played mostly LF and RF.

 

- On staying in Tucson: Happened to meet Matt Burke, the Operations Director for the Tucson Sidewinders and Tucson Electric Park. He is well connected in the sports world, his brother Brian Burke is a prominent hockey guy. He said Sox for sure will be in Tucson for 2006 but Reinsdorf would love to make something happen in the Phoenix area, and Tucson people are monitoring the Cleveland Indians situation in terms of their Florida lease. Wait and see on this.

 

- Other minor leaguers: Asked KW about other guys, one name he mentioned was Pedro Lopez. They like his defensive instincts, he needs to fill out and get more experience but they feel he will play in the major leagues.

 

- Personal observations: Casey Rogowski is a very good defensive 1B but his swing is long and he looked overmatched vs. pitching. Ryan Sweeney looked great in the OF, made two very nice plays in both CF and RF. Did not see Iguchi play at all, Harris played every day. Chris Widger getting a lot of time behind the plate and he looks like a quality receiver ... sets up well and very few shake offs.

 

Oh, Josh Fields. He looked great to me. He knows what he's doing at the plate, worked a few counts nicely. In the field, I was very impressed. He is not awkward out there whatsoever ... strong arm. Lacks some range (he is not speedy at all) but he picked a few tough hops with ease.

 

I'll add more as I think of stuff or as the topic dictates.

Very awesome Jim. Thanks a lot for the tidbits; they're definitely great to hear!

Good stuff. Thanks for the info Jim.

Good stuff Jim, nice read....I'm starting to get back into the swing now...just knowing that Sox baseball is in the very near future, I'm getting excited.

Jim, any comment on Jerry Owens? He played an awful lot and he looks pretty good at the plate, he seems to know what he's doing -- but that's just from watching on TV and listening to the radio. Looks like he has some good plate discipline, but when he needed to he was able to get the bunt down -- plus he's lightning quick.

 

What do you think about him, having seen him live?

Jim, any comment on Jerry Owens? 

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You are correct Keith, he is very fast. They had him playing all three OF positions and this guy can cover the ground. It's very obvious he's an athlete. His arm looked ok, not a plus tool in my perception.

 

On the bases he appears to have good instincts, Raines was in his ear after almost every pitch so they are working with him closely.

 

Actually the thing I liked best was his swing, which looked pretty compact for a bigger guy and someone who is described as being raw and inexperienced.

 

They gave him quite a bit of playing time, which was good.

 

Overall impression was very positive ... I can see why they made a move to get this guy. Hopefully he can have a good year and push his way into the picture.

Two more observations:

 

Kris Honel, saw him pitch, it was wacky. He couldn't get his grip on the ball and threw one to the back screen and another where the catcher had to jump way up to catch it. He got cuffed around too. Did not see any radar gun readings but it didn't look like he had his velocity. It was only one outing but he was awful for that particular inning.

 

Paulino Reynoso: Saw him pitch and he opened up some scouts eyes. Heard them all asking one another, "who is this guy?" "Is he a converted position guy, where did they get him?". Then, they started charting and getting the radar gun out. Reynoso blew a couple of guys out and we saw his slider coming right at us, nasty. Good heat on the fastball too, saw one radar gun register 92. Did not get a chance to ask Williams about him but in my eyes if he keeps progressing he is a possible lefty specialist. I liked him.

Wow. That's awesome to hear all the news on our prospects and potential trades (Joe B, Diaz) thanks for the info.

not the great Honel, tell me it isn't so. Our number one starter of the future? Nice to hear about the KW chat, must have been nice to see. I would suspect with all the scouts that something is in the works. Its not unusual to have scouts at these games but it seems like something is in the Air.

Two more observations:

 

Kris Honel, saw him pitch, it was wacky.  He couldn't get his grip on the ball and threw one to the back screen and another where the catcher had to jump way up to catch it.  He got cuffed around too.  Did not see any radar gun readings but it didn't look like he had his velocity.  It was only one outing but he was awful for that particular inning.

 

Paulino Reynoso:  Saw him pitch and he opened up some scouts eyes.  Heard them all asking one another, "who is this guy?"  "Is he a converted position guy, where did they get him?".  Then, they started charting and getting the radar gun out.  Reynoso blew a couple of guys out and we saw his slider coming right at us, nasty.  Good heat on the fastball too, saw one radar gun register 92.  Did not get a chance to ask Williams about him but in my eyes if he keeps progressing he is a possible lefty specialist.  I liked him.

I'm pretty sure Reynosos is a converted infielder, or something, but not 100% on that.

not the great Honel, tell me it isn't so. Our number one starter of the future? Nice to hear about the KW chat, must have been nice to see. I would suspect with all the scouts that something is in the works. Its not unusual to have scouts at these games but it seems like something is in the Air.

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Was not impressed with Honel at all, he looked baffled and befuddled. Maybe just a bad day, who knows. Maybe he's not healthy. But it was really weird.

 

You should have seen all the scouts perk up when Diaz came in to pitch, I think that's why they were there primarily.

 

Oh, on Borchard's two home runs that one game - one was definitely legit and one was a wind-aided homer, big time. But they all count toward his spring stats.

 

Personally I don't feel the Sox want to lose Borchard for nothing, but they like this kid as a person and want to give him an opportunity to strut his stuff for other teams. If he has to go thru waivers a low end team will likely claim him. Might as well get something vs. sending him to Charlotte where he has little to prove.

 

Man Soo Lee was giving big handfulls of Bazooka bubble gum to all the kids down the line. I asked him to pose for a picture, he came over and gave me a big handful too. Nice guy.

Good stuff Jim...appreciate the info.

Was not impressed with Honel at all, he looked baffled and befuddled.  Maybe just a bad day, who knows.  Maybe he's not healthy.  But it was really weird.

 

You should have seen all the scouts perk up when Diaz came in to pitch, I think that's why they were there primarily.

 

Oh, on Borchard's two home runs that one game - one was definitely legit and one was a wind-aided homer, big time.  But they all count toward his spring stats.

 

Personally I don't feel the Sox want to lose Borchard for nothing, but they like this kid as a person and want to give him an opportunity to strut his stuff for other teams.  If he has to go thru waivers a low end team will likely claim him.  Might as well get something vs. sending him to Charlotte where he has little to prove.

 

Man Soo Lee was giving big handfulls of Bazooka bubble gum to all the kids down the line.  I asked him to pose for a picture, he came over and gave me a big handful too.  Nice guy.

 

 

Nice , but I don't agree with your assessment of borchard. I do agree they say they still like him, and I do think they maybe looking to trade him, but they won't send him through waivers. They will send him back to aaa then pray he has a good year and add him in a deal at the mid year. Just my thinking.

Nice , but I don't agree with your assessment of borchard. I do agree they say they still like him, and I do think they maybe looking to trade him, but they won't send him  through waivers. They will send him back to aaa then pray he has a good year and add him in a deal at the mid year. Just my thinking.

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He's out of options, he has to go thru waivers to get sent down. Try to keep up, please, you know exactly what I'm sayin'.

He's out of options, he has to go thru waivers to get sent down.  Try to keep up, please, you know exactly what I'm sayin'.

 

 

One of the Chicago papers said he has 1 more option.

One of the Chicago papers said he has 1 more option.

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Yas, I hope this is true, different info than what I heard down there.

Man Soo Lee was giving big handfulls of Bazooka bubble gum to all the kids down the line.  I asked him to pose for a picture, he came over and gave me a big handful too.  Nice guy.

Man Soo Lee gave my daughter an autographed baseball at the Silver & Black Pack parade last September. He's like a giant kid, the way he interacts with everyone is wonderful. He's great - he's THE MAN.....Soo.....Lee.

Yas, I hope this is true, different info than what I heard down there.

 

 

he is not out of options. You have spent way too much time in the sun. Melting your brain away.

 

- Other minor leaguers:  Asked KW about other guys, one name he mentioned was Pedro Lopez.  They like his defensive instincts, he needs to fill out and get more experience but they feel he will play in the major leagues. 

 

He has looked awful. If they think he can make it to the show, he has his work cut out for him. Long way to go with this one.

Man Soo Lee gave my daughter an autographed baseball at the Silver & Black Pack parade last September. He's like a giant kid, the way he interacts with everyone is wonderful. He's great - he's THE MAN.....Soo.....Lee. 

 

He gives away gum to the kids who sit by the pen at Comiskey also. He is a really nice and friendly guy.

He has looked awful.  If they think he can make it to the show, he has his work cut out for him.  Long way to go with this one.

 

And trying way too hard in the field as well. That error he made yesterday, you could tell he was making the play before the play actually happened. He needs to relax.

he is not out of options. You have  spent way too much time in the sun. Melting your brain away.

 

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Would be happy to be wrong on this one. Dennis Gilbert must not know what he's talking about if Borchard still has minor league options.

Would be happy to be wrong on this one.  Dennis Gilbert must not know what he's talking about if Borchard still has minor league options.

Who is Dennis Gilbert?

Who is Dennis Gilbert?

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Don't know why I should tell you, it will probably be wrong anyways.

 

Dennis Gilbert is the special assistant to Reinsdorf. He was a big time player agent a number of years ago, lives in LA and/or Phoenix. He helps the Sox with contract issues, labor stuff, etc. It's in your media guide.

 

Sitting right in front of me were KW, Rick Hahn, Reinsdorf, and Dennis Gilbert. Chatted with all of them.

 

None of them knew you, by the way.

Edited March 16, 200521 yr by JimH

Don't know why I should tell you, it will probably be wrong anyways.

 

Dennis Gilbert is the special assistant to Reinsdorf.  He was a big time player agent a number of years ago, lives in LA and/or Phoenix.  He helps the Sox with contract issues, labor stuff, etc.  It's in your media guide.

 

Sitting right in front of me were KW, Rick Hahn, Reinsdorf, and Dennis Gilbert.  Chatted with all of them.

 

None of them knew you, by the way. 

 

 

You guys were obviously throwing back a few miller lights. you love name dropping.