Santiago was interviewed on 670 this morning and seemed very confident he'd be on the team. He also implied that Cooper wants to use him in a variety of roles, sometimes as a long-man and sometimes as a specialist. Obviously this could just be a young pitcher hoping he starts the year in the majors and not the minors, but to me it sounded like he's been told he's part of the big league mix by coaching staff or front office.

That would be the only real obvious reason for him to back out of the WBC, if he's been explicitly told there's a role for him.

That would be the only real obvious reason for him to back out of the WBC, if he's been explicitly told there's a role for him.

Yeah, he did mention that he may be needed in the rotation if Danks isn't ready to start the season.

 

Another interesting thing Santiago said, unrelated to his potential role, was how AJ didn't call his screwball much, while Flowers would call for it a lot and how he wants his pitchers to use their entire arsenal. Based on the interview, you could easily tell that he preferred throwing to Flowers last year and I'm starting to think we might see Santiago make some serious strides in 2013.

Yeah, he did mention that he may be needed in the rotation if Danks isn't ready to start the season.

 

Another interesting thing Santiago said, unrelated to his potential role, was how AJ didn't call his screwball much, while Flowers would call for it a lot and how he wants his pitchers to use their entire arsenal. Based on the interview, you could easily tell that he preferred throwing to Flowers last year and I'm starting to think we might see Santiago make some serious strides in 2013.

Pretty funny Santiago wants to throw his screwball but AJ doesn't call it so he won't throw it. Its the pitcher's decision in the end.

Yeah, he did mention that he may be needed in the rotation if Danks isn't ready to start the season.

 

Another interesting thing Santiago said, unrelated to his potential role, was how AJ didn't call his screwball much, while Flowers would call for it a lot and how he wants his pitchers to use their entire arsenal. Based on the interview, you could easily tell that he preferred throwing to Flowers last year and I'm starting to think we might see Santiago make some serious strides in 2013.

Trouble with him throwing the screwball, particularly early in the season was...it wasn't a very good pitch. People hammered that ball early in the year.

Pretty funny Santiago wants to throw his screwball but AJ doesn't call it so he won't throw it. Its the pitcher's decision in the end.

How many rookie pitchers call off a veteran catcher?

Trouble with him throwing the screwball, particularly early in the season was...it wasn't a very good pitch. People hammered that ball early in the year.

So you just give up on the pitch the rest of the way? His screwball can be a serious weapon, especially if he's going to start or pitch long-relief.

 

 

So you just give up on the pitch the rest of the way? His screwball can be a serious weapon, especially if he's going to start or pitch long-relief.

When a guy is in the closer's role and he has a pitch that is being hammered? Yeah, you stop throwing that pitch.

 

If you have a problem with that...then the guy can't be in the closer's role.

How many rookie pitchers call off a veteran catcher?

If you want to go on the radio and use the catcher as an excuse not to throw a particular pitch, and after said catcher is out of town, its time to look in the mirror. Ultimately, whether a rookie or 20 year veteran, the responsibility is the on the pitcher.

 

He wouldn't shake him off, and he apparently couldn't tell AJ he wanted to throw more screwballs. I don't see where that's on anyone but Santiago.

Edited January 25, 201313 yr by Dick Allen

No idea if the stats backed it up, but there were times last year where it seemed AJP called for more fastballs than Flowers would.

When a guy is in the closer's role and he has a pitch that is being hammered? Yeah, you stop throwing that pitch.

 

If you have a problem with that...then the guy can't be in the closer's role.

He was the closer for like a month and it was a stupid decision from the get-go.

 

Not sure why he couldn't throw more screwballs after they pulled him from the role.

Coop will fix'em...

Coop will fix'em...

 

Reminds me of this Seinfeld clip.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDqCtD-fTtk

Now I remember what pre-Kenny Williams offseasons felt like.

Ok...........

 

This offseason's minor league signing truely have me scratching my head.

 

Andy Gonzalez. Randy Ruiz. Nick Giarraputo. Now Stewart?

 

At least he's young, but I'd be shocked if there wasn't better options out there. Even for Triple-A fillers, some of these guys are bottom of the barrel.

 

Actually, out of all those guys, I think Randy Ruiz might be the only one that can help the Sox. He was never really given a chance, but I think he can help as a 1B/dh off the bench like how Daryl Ward was wit the Cubs a few years ago. However, with the make-up of the team, it seems like there's no room or him, so he'll more than likely be in Charlotte, waiting in the wings in case Konerko or Dunn ever make a trip to the DL.

 

I hate the Stewart signing. I'd rather see the Sox sign Sammy Gervacio, he was once an Astros prospect, but last I saw he was pitching in the Mexican league. If the Sox had signed Gervacio, I think he could've been a surprise closer candidate, but I think a lot of people here on Soxtalk would HATE his windup. Lol, go ahead and look him up on youtube. :-P

 

 

Time to get the Zach Stewart fan club back together.....whos in???

 

 

 

I kinda doubt it. The Sox have at least 5 real, actual prospects that will be starting in Charlotte - Santiago, Castro, Molina, Leesman, Axelrod, probably Rienzo. That's already a crowd, even if one of them ends up being the long man out of the pen.

 

My guess is that Stewart goes into ST vying for the long reliever spot (the only one open in the pen), and either he gets it, or Axelrod does and Stewart is in the pen in Charlotte. I just have a hard time believing he bumps any of those guys out of the way.

 

Santiago will at the least be starting the season with MLB club, with Danks unlikely to be ready (by design IMO). I also wouldn't be surprised if Axelrod is the one to get the long man spot, we've liked putting players we see as fringe starters in our bullpen. Omogrosso could do that job as well, but I'm not sure what they'll do with him.

 

Are we sure Molina will be in AAA? He didn't exactly dominate AA last year and Charlotte isn't exactly a pitcher's haven. It wouldn't surprise me either way I suppose. Leesman might be able to provide us a spot start, but I really don't care about him either way - he's been around a while and is left-handed which is absurdly not a need right now.

 

I see Stewart starting in AAA. I'd be shocked if he does anything other than that.

Santiago will at the least be starting the season with MLB club, with Danks unlikely to be ready (by design IMO). I also wouldn't be surprised if Axelrod is the one to get the long man spot, we've liked putting players we see as fringe starters in our bullpen. Omogrosso could do that job as well, but I'm not sure what they'll do with him.

 

Are we sure Molina will be in AAA? He didn't exactly dominate AA last year and Charlotte isn't exactly a pitcher's haven. It wouldn't surprise me either way I suppose. Leesman might be able to provide us a spot start, but I really don't care about him either way - he's been around a while and is left-handed which is absurdly not a need right now.

 

I see Stewart starting in AAA. I'd be shocked if he does anything other than that.

I agree it is likely that Santiago is in Danks' slot to start the season, but maybe only for a start or two. After that, he really should be in Charlotte starting.

 

Omogrosso isn't a great candidate for long man - he's a short reliever, and he has a history that includes arm injuries and surgery. He's also highly velocity-dependent.

 

I suppose it is possible Molina is in AA again, but I think its unlikely. I'm sure it depends a lot on how he looks in spring camp.

 

My hunch is that Santiago has a head start on Q in the race for the 5th starter spot.

Dan Hayes ‏@DanHayesCSN

#WhiteSox have outrighted Zach Stewart to Triple-A Charlotte. He's off 40-man, which now stands at 39.

 

I wonder if the Sox will be signing someone real soon

Edited January 29, 201313 yr by SOXOBAMA

If he got all of the way to the Sox, that meant the chances of his getting claimed by someone else were pretty small. Nice move by the Sox.

Time to get the Zach Stewart fan club back together.....whos in???

 

LET'S DO IT.