Chris Beck is at 12, Brandon Brennan is at 16.

 

The only other name I thought might get consideration was Micah Johnson, but he was a long shot at best. At least we have two pitchers on the list, and Hawkins from the Appy (and I'm guessing Barnum may have made it had he not been injured). That's a better look in the two Rookie leagues than the Sox system has had in a while, I think.

 

Is it just me, or is signing bonus/draft position the biggest determining factor in that list?

Is it just me, or is signing bonus/draft position the biggest determining factor in that list?

I think you are looking at it as symptoms forcing a cause. In the Rookie leagues, the scouting reports have to rely heavily on non-performance stuff - subjective scouting information. Performance in those leagues itself is a factor, but less so than at the higher levels, for all the obvious reasons. SO, you are talking tools and skills - which are also the determining factors of draft position. So naturally, there will be a big correlation. But it isn't everything - Hawkins at 2 in the Appy put him above some guys drafted higher, same with Brennan at GF.

 

I don't see the high ranking for Beck given his age (22) and stats.

I don't see the high ranking for Beck given his age (22) and stats.

You have to forget stats with Beck. All we really wanted to see from him this year was pitching healthy for a few games.

 

Beck was a guy who was considered probable high first round talent, but then this past year he gained a bunch of weight and his college numbers (and peripherals) went south. That's why the Sox were able to pick him up when they did. There is still a ton of potential there.

 

Keep in mind too, Pioneer League stats should be taken with a grain of salt - especially core numbers like ERA, and hits allowed. Defenses are weak and it is a big hitters' league. Only a few qualifying SP's had ERA's below 4 in the entire league.

 

You have to forget stats with Beck. All we really wanted to see from him this year was pitching healthy for a few games.

 

Beck was a guy who was considered probable high first round talent, but then this past year he gained a bunch of weight and his college numbers (and peripherals) went south. That's why the Sox were able to pick him up when they did. There is still a ton of potential there.

 

Keep in mind too, Pioneer League stats should be taken with a grain of salt - especially core numbers like ERA, and hits allowed. Defenses are weak and it is a big hitters' league. Only a few qualifying SP's had ERA's below 4 in the entire league.

 

To clarify, I am pretty sure he gained a lot of MUSCLE weight, not fat. IIRC, he was told to bulk up, but that added mass ended up hurting him. This offseason he is expected to work back to where he used to be, physically.

To clarify, I am pretty sure he gained a lot of MUSCLE weight, not fat. IIRC, he was told to bulk up, but that added mass ended up hurting him. This offseason he is expected to work back to where he used to be, physically.

Right. I didn't say fat, did I? Wasn't what I intended. Just said weight.

 

Right. I didn't say fat, did I? Wasn't what I intended. Just said weight.

 

I know, that's why I said I was clarifying, not correcting. When I hear a player put on a bunch of weight, I tend to assume that means fat, just like when someone LOSES a bunch of weight, you assume they lost fat, not muscle mass. Just clarifying for those who don't know Beck's backstory.

excellent information, balm for the disappointment of the last two weeks.

 

maybe the sox can lose the next two -- and improve draft position for 2013.

To clarify, I am pretty sure he gained a lot of MUSCLE weight, not fat. IIRC, he was told to bulk up, but that added mass ended up hurting him. This offseason he is expected to work back to where he used to be, physically.

Gaining the weight even with muscle is not a problem. I'ts a decrease in flexibility that goes along with it that is the problem. There are too many weightlifting programs that do not include the flexibility exercises for pitchers. Pitcher's need to have the range of motion in the hips and core to get the motion they need. Too many focus only on the shoulder range, which is important obviously but the others will hinder the motion as well.