Sox drafts more productive than perceived.

[southsider2k5]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...,0,796858.story

 

One high level scout who has worked with two National League clubs in the past 20 seasons offered a unique perspective of the White Sox’s recent drafts.

 

The scout, who has no ties to the Sox, pointed out that the Sox’s drafts haven’t been that terrible. In fact, he praises them for the fact that 2008 first-round pick Gordon Beckham and 2010 first pick Chris Sale reached the majors in less than one year after they signed out of college.

 

“And don’t forget the San Diego State kid,” said the scout, referring to reliever Addison Reed, who advanced from Class-A to the majors in 2011 after being selected in the third round of the 2010 draft by the Sox.

 

“They’re doing a lot better than we’re doing,” said the scout, no fan of his own scouting director.

 

At any rate, the scout’s’ opinions contrast those of findings completed last week by Baseball America, which reported that the Sox have only five players ranked in their recently completed league Top 20 prospects lists. By contrast, San Diego and Tampa Bay each had 18 players, while Oakland was last with four.

 

Baseball America points out that their lists aren’t pure indicators of an organization’s talents because some players listed advanced to the majors, while other players didn’t have enough at-bats or innings pitched in their leagues to qualify for their league’s Top 20 lists.

 

Reed fit into the latter category.

 

The Sox’s players who were ranked in the top 20 in their respective leagues were outfielder Dayan Viciedo in the International League (12th), Winston-Salem shortstop Tyler Saladino in the Carolina League (20th), Kannapolis outfielder Trayce Thompson in the South Atlantic League (15th), catcher Kevan Smith in the Appalachian League (20th) and in the Pioneer League (17th), and Great Falls left-hander Scott Snodgress in the Pioneer League (14th)

[danman31]

I found this interesting, although a bit shortsighted. As a stand alone, yes the drafts have actually been pretty good, especially when you factor in the limited draft budget the scouting department is working with. However, I don't think drafting has been the problem in recent years. The problem is that there's very little supplement from the foreign markets and player development has been a bit below par IMO. You're starting with average to good drafts, but not adding enough quality foreign players like most other teams and don't seem to be getting the most out of your talent. That turns into a below average system.

[southsider2k5]

I found this interesting, although a bit shortsighted. As a stand alone, yes the drafts have actually been pretty good, especially when you factor in the limited draft budget the scouting department is working with. However, I don't think drafting has been the problem in recent years. The problem is that there's very little supplement from the foreign markets and player development has been a bit below par IMO. You're starting with average to good drafts, but not adding enough quality foreign players like most other teams and don't seem to be getting the most out of your talent. That turns into a below average system.

 

I won't argue with the foreign markets bit, but we seem to be turning the corner in player development. It was really nice to see rookies come and contribute right away this year. I hope that is a product of Buddy Bell and a sign of things to come.

[Balta1701]

I found this interesting, although a bit shortsighted. As a stand alone, yes the drafts have actually been pretty good, especially when you factor in the limited draft budget the scouting department is working with. However, I don't think drafting has been the problem in recent years. The problem is that there's very little supplement from the foreign markets and player development has been a bit below par IMO. You're starting with average to good drafts, but not adding enough quality foreign players like most other teams and don't seem to be getting the most out of your talent. That turns into a below average system.

The way I look at it...there are 9 starting position players, 5 starting pitchers, and 3+ key bullpen spots on an AL roster, along with a few key backup spots. Although the roster is 25 deep, you sorta need 18 ish key guys and then some depth that can be found cheaply.

 

If you turn out 2-3 players a year from your minor leagues to fill those spots...then you're in real good shape, because you hold onto those guys for 6.5 years (and longer if you can pull off the early extension).

 

The last couple years...Santos, Viciedo, Beckham, Morel, hopefully soon Flowers and Reed...we're pretty close to that pace.

 

We haven't had a big score from certain areas, but we've had the Cuban success to balance that. But what has really hurt us is the fact that we've lost a couple key guys in trades for big money players...You add in 2 more starting pitchers to that list of players and suddenly it looks like we've had stellar recent draft performance.

[Balta1701]

If you look at the non-Northeast teams...look how they've put together their teams when they're competitive. St. Louis? They have one monster that they originally found in the 15th round, and the big Holliday contract, but otherwise they've found key pieces like Jay from their system that no one really expected to do anything, they picked up Berkman off the scrap heap, their bullpen came from Toronto for a malcontent with talent, etc.

 

The Rangers...Cruz was a throwin along with Carlos Lee and cleared waivers a few years ago, Hamilton was stolen, Napoli was stolen, their starters are guys who vanished for years due to Tommy John Surgery, Japan, or Immigration issues, they've got one big FA in Beltre, and then the big return from the Teixeira trade still paying off.

 

The Giants...a bunch of big time front line starters, working around 2 terrible contracts (Zito and Rowand) and a bunch of scrap heap acquisitions, along with a top rookie catcher.

[danman31]

Look at the 05 Sox, definitely pieced together as well. I'm not saying you absolutely have to have a good farm system to compete. I'm just saying the Sox have a below average one and it's not because of their drafting.

[Soxfest]

Look at the 05 Sox, definitely pieced together as well. I'm not saying you absolutely have to have a good farm system to compete. I'm just saying the Sox have a below average one and it's not because of their drafting.

Sox caught lightning in a bottle in 05..........Sox brass gets way to much credit for 2005. Players played there ass off in the postseason and for that I am grateful.

Edited October 18, 2011 by Soxfest

[iamshack]

The key is obviously to have a balance. Teams can win in a variety of ways, but if you look at the more consistent franchises, they tend to have an influx of cheap young talent every few years, combined with some key veteran pieces from trades and the FA market.

 

I really don't care where the cheap young talent comes from, as long as it comes from somewhere.

 

I've obviously been a staunch defender of the White Sox in regards to their ability to find cheap young talent in unconventional ways, but obviously this needs to be heavily supplemented with success in the most conventional way, i.e. the draft and foreign signings.

 

I think Dan is correct in the major problem being the lack of success in the Latin American markets...this is basically the breadbasket of talent right now and we've not been getting anything out of there recently.

[SoxAce]

I won't argue with the foreign markets bit, but we seem to be turning the corner in player development. It was really nice to see rookies come and contribute right away this year. I hope that is a product of Buddy Bell and a sign of things to come.

 

I think some posters wouldn't say as much about the sox farm if guys we drafted were still here and producing/not traded. (the Hudsons, Gios, Youngs, etc.. of the world) Sox have a few guys contributing on MLB teams that were a product of their system. Not saying their system/philosophy needs some work (it obviously does) but they are not as terrible as perceived. A classic hit or miss, just like any other system (sox just have a different approach to potentially selling high/low on one for a priced vet or trading one with or without a vet for another team's prospect i.e. Danks/Floyd)