I just don't trust he will ever amount to more than a backup or utility infielder type. He doesn't impress me.

 

Even if that's his future, I'll take it. When's the last time the Sox had a nice solid UTIL guy off the bench? The last few years, I think that has hurt the Sox.

Even if that's his future, I'll take it. When's the last time the Sox had a nice solid UTIL guy off the bench? The last few years, I think that has hurt the Sox.

 

Eduardo Escobar, lol?

 

Andy Gonzalez?

 

Lillibridge, when he could actually hit worth a lick for 1/2 a season.

 

 

Even if that's his future, I'll take it. When's the last time the Sox had a nice solid UTIL guy off the bench? The last few years, I think that has hurt the Sox.

 

And I would consider a guy like that a fringy prospect. And I don't mean it as in he is someone who is barely a top 20 guy, and is maybe 25 or 26 and in AA. I mean as far as top prospects for this team, guys we can pencil in to future projected lineups in a couple years. I think he could play a bench role at some point, but will never be a starter for more than a 1-season experiment because of injury or rebuilding.

Have you ever seen him play in person, just curious...

 

He's one of those players who grows on you over time. He's an above average runner, an above average fielder...and has something we're completely lacking in at the minor league level, plate discipline and the ability to take a walk.

 

When's the last time we had a hitter whose K and BB numbers were pretty even?

 

He's also shown himself in the last 12-18 months to be a pretty decent contact hitter.

 

Now without the 20+ homers or 40-50 stolen bases, he's not going to be a SABR/rotisserie league owner's dream....he profiles as a complementary piece, and not a game changer...like a Tadahito Iguchi. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that at all. The problem is we're going to have to be patient and wait for his XB power to come, and that's going to put even more pressure on the rest of the line-up to put up big homer numbers at USCF.

 

 

What a line.

 

Hawkins has 23 K's in 37 AB's, along with 3 BB's.

 

711 OPS with a .162 BA.

 

4 HR's and 10 RBI's, along with 2 SB's.

I believe....that Hawkins will figure it out and thrive, that Carlos Sanchez will continue developing, and both will be solid ML ballplayers. Mitchell and Thompson, not so much.

I just don't trust he will ever amount to more than a backup or utility infielder type. He doesn't impress me.

 

I think when he's hitting .300 on the regular at the MLB level, he will start impressing you.

I believe....that Hawkins will figure it out and thrive, that Carlos Sanchez will continue developing, and both will be solid ML ballplayers. Mitchell and Thompson, not so much.

 

Thompson has made progress each year and shows that he might be reducing his k rate. I still hold out hope that he will be a contributor in a sox uniform. Mitchell is quickly approaching lost cause status. Wait till he inevitably gets hot, then deal him.

I have no doubt Thompson is a major leaguer. Whether that is a big time, middle of the order power hitter (similarities to Giancarlo Stanton, but nowhere near as good) or a talented, defensive-minded, but strike out prone player (in the mold of Drew Stubbs), I'm not sure. Thompson will be at the MLB level, and I wouldn't be surprised by a cup of coffee this year.