http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/c...spects-2012-13/

 

1. Courtney Hawkins (OF)

2. Carlos Sanchez (IF)

3. Erik Johnson (P)

4. Trayce Thompson (OF)

5. Keenyn Walker (OF)

6. Scott Snodgress (P)

7. Andre Rienzo (P)

8. Christopher Beck (P)

9. Keon Barnum (1B)

10. Joey Demichele (IF)

11. Jared Mitchell (OF)

12. Jacob Petricka (P)

13. Sammy Ayala ©

14. Andy Wilkins (1B)

15. Brandon Brennan (P)

 

What a difference a year makes -- no mention of Molina or Castro (he didn't lose rookie eligibility, did he?) at all. Someone asked about Molina in the comments and Hulet responded:

 

He took a step back in 2012 and now looks like more of a middle reliever or spot starter… With the improved depth in the system, he gets shifted down the line probably into the 20-25 range.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/c...spects-2012-13/

 

1. Courtney Hawkins (OF)

2. Carlos Sanchez (IF)

3. Erik Johnson (P)

4. Trayce Thompson (OF)

5. Keenyn Walker (OF)

6. Scott Snodgress (P)

7. Andre Rienzo (P)

8. Christopher Beck (P)

9. Keon Barnum (1B)

10. Joey Demichele (IF)

11. Jared Mitchell (OF)

12. Jacob Petricka (P)

13. Sammy Ayala ©

14. Andy Wilkins (1B)

15. Brandon Brennan (P)

 

What a difference a year makes -- no mention of Molina or Castro (he didn't lose rookie eligibility, did he?) at all. Someone asked about Molina in the comments and Hulet responded:

 

Looks like that Santos trade might not work for either side.

 

Looks like that Santos trade might not work for either side.

 

It seems to me that both G.M's knew what they were doing in that deal. Both sides taking a gamble on players that all parties involved were aware of both ability and injury issues. Each side thought that the player they were getting was less of a risk than the one they were trading, but a risk none the less. In this case it has not yet worked out positively for either side.

 

Although G.M's can appear pretty stupid at times, especially with free agent contracts, most have at least some semblance of a brain or they would not have the position they are in. It's all about taking a calculated gamble. Some are more of a gambler than others.

I still think we will see Simon Castro sometime soon. He had a nice year and his right handedness could be an asset, especially if we ship Gavin out.

That was actually a pretty positive review of our guys. Even though we are probably still ranked in the mid 20s or lower, you would not know it reading that review.

 

 

That was actually a pretty positive review of our guys. Even though we are probably still ranked in the mid 20s or lower, you would not know it reading that review.

 

I basically noticed that past the top 10, there wasn't (and isn't) much high end talent, but there are some potential difference makers in the system right now.

Yeah, I think this is a definite step forward. Seems like a lot of guys see real potential in Snodgress now, and it was good to see Trayce play well at AAA

I still think we will see Simon Castro sometime soon. He had a nice year and his right handedness could be an asset, especially if we ship Gavin out.

I certainly wouldn't count him out either, but right now he's like 7th or 8th in line for a rotation spot. If nothing else, it makes sense that people wouldn't put him in prospect lists without knowing our system well, since he's already had a stint at AAA and will now be repeating it.

I'm a little surprised on Castro as well - I think he's still Top 10 in the Sox system, even if just barely.

 

I'm a little surprised on Castro as well - I think he's still Top 10 in the Sox system, even if just barely.

I'd have him exactly at 10.

 

The overall depth in our system definitely still lacks but I actually really like our top 10.

I'd have him exactly at 10.

 

The overall depth in our system definitely still lacks but I actually really like our top 10.

 

You'd think he'd be in there ahead of Rienzo at this point. Or I would think, anyway.

You'd think he'd be in there ahead of Rienzo at this point. Or I would think, anyway.

Eh, there's pluses and minuses. When i saw them both pitch, Castro had a clearly better fastball, but Rienzo was only reaching AA for the first time, while Castro had already had a year of struggles at AAA and was repeating AA. So Castro pitched better, but that wasn't unexpected. Plus, they're almost the same age, so Castro has more experience at higher levels. With their experience i'd probably have given Rienzo the edge based on his performance in the 2nd half, but the worry there is the 50 game suspension he also drew.

Eh, there's pluses and minuses. When i saw them both pitch, Castro had a clearly better fastball, but Rienzo was only reaching AA for the first time, while Castro had already had a year of struggles at AAA and was repeating AA. So Castro pitched better, but that wasn't unexpected. Plus, they're almost the same age, so Castro has more experience at higher levels. With their experience i'd probably have given Rienzo the edge based on his performance in the 2nd half, but the worry there is the 50 game suspension he also drew.

 

That makes sense. I guess I've just always heard "reliever" thrown around with Rienzo but not ever really with Castro. I didn't realize they were the same age, though.

 

EDIT: Is Petricka better than Castro/Molina? I never see anyone that thinks he is a starter (though they always mention his size), and he's gotta be about 30 years old at this point.

Edited January 2, 201313 yr by Eminor3rd

That makes sense. I guess I've just always heard "reliever" thrown around with Rienzo but not ever really with Castro. I didn't realize they were the same age, though.

 

EDIT: Is Petricka better than Castro/Molina? I never see anyone that thinks he is a starter (though they always mention his size), and he's gotta be about 30 years old at this point.

 

That's the one I'd drop out. Petricka has a big time fastball but he's struggled and he's got reliever written all over him.

I'm a little surprised phegley and Leesman weren't mentioned.

I'm a little surprised phegley and Leesman weren't mentioned.

 

Welcome to Soxtalk.

 

I think because of Phegley's injury history, plus the fact that he hasn't had any seasons that just screamed "major leaguer", I'm not surprised.

 

Leesman has to be at the fringe of any of these rankings. He put up a nice era last year, but none of his peripherals or scouting reports pops off of the page at you. Plus he has to be behind a LOT of pitchers right now to get a chance at a big league job. Maybe he is a future middle reliever? I think in the 15-20 range is a fair spot for Charlie.