I have no idea what it means but, Fangraphs pitch value says Davis is a pretty bad change up hitter. -2.5 vs a 9.4 fastball rating (2.5 vs 26.2 last year), so I have no problem with trying to put him away with the change up...just didn't work.

A low and in slider is brutal to lefties, but Belisario threw a terrible pitch over the plate that was jacked. Belisario gave up a single, HbP and a home run. The last pitch called obviously wasn't the only bad thing happening

 

I know we've only seen him for 3 months, but Belisario doesn't seem to like to throw his breaking pitch low and in to lefties. As you mentioned, that would be a great pitch to any lefty. Instead, he seems to like to try to use the backdoor slider a lot.

Who are the Top 3-5 prospects for next year's draft?

 

Any college bats who are reminiscent of Kris Bryant, minus the elevated K rate?

We would just take another starting pitcher to have saves blown for

I know we've only seen him for 3 months, but Belisario doesn't seem to like to throw his breaking pitch low and in to lefties. As you mentioned, that would be a great pitch to any lefty. Instead, he seems to like to try to use the backdoor slider a lot.

 

Belisario is simply not a closer, and should not be the closer. He was fine when he adjusted to the 8th inning, and has done nothing but walk a tightrope as the closer now.

 

Webb or Guerra need to be given a chance

A low and in slider is brutal to lefties, but Belisario threw a terrible pitch over the plate that was jacked. Belisario gave up a single, HbP and a home run. The last pitch called obviously wasn't the only bad thing happening

He needed to bust him in on the hands with the 2 seamer and try to get a weak ground ball, pop up or a K.Or hard and up like Hawk and Stoney were saying. Davis has been pitched in on his hands all season long . That's why he hasn't duplicated last season. Hard and in hard and in.

Edited June 24, 201411 yr by CaliSoxFanViaSWside

We would just take another starting pitcher to have saves blown for

 

Hey, at least that means the starter would have put the team in position to win, which is better than a lot of the starters the Sox have used this season. There are worse things in the world than adding another top pitching prospect to a core of Sale, Quintana and Rodon.

Belisario is simply not a closer, and should not be the closer. He was fine when he adjusted to the 8th inning, and has done nothing but walk a tightrope as the closer now.

 

Webb or Guerra need to be given a chance

 

I would love for Webb to get the chance, but he's done nothing this year to deserve it. My hope has been he'd add another 1-2 mph on his fastball with the extra adrenaline. Like you said, Belisario should be the 8th inning man.

It's a very tough call this year with regards to resurrecting Tank Commander Axelrod and TRTR. I really want to see Abreu, Eaton, Sale and Quintana perform well. I also don't want to think of the attendance being even worse next season with another horrific season this year. With that said, everyone besides the 4 players I just mentioned should be on the trade market.

 

I don't see the Sox being able to string together another 25-5 record like in 2010, as they just don't have the starting pitching depth.

 

 

It's going to be interesting to see what happens with Alexei and Dayan. They're both in terrible slumps over the course of the last 70-100 at-bats.

 

They will surely go on hot streaks again, where they will show tantalizing promise (Dayan) but will that be enough to keep Rick Hahn from pulling the trigger?

 

Changing the attitude in the clubhouse is another big issue...with Dunn, Konerko and DeAza on the way out, who will emerge? Abreu is a quiet, "by example" type of guy like Konerko. Sale's a pitcher. So it has to be Eaton and maybe Beckham if he survives this season in Chicago. It would be dumb to release/DFA Alejandro right now, but if we can't get ANYTHING in July or August for him, I'd hope that Hahn would send a message like they did with Keppinger and free up playing time for ANYONE else.

If you notice in the replay, Belly hits his spot perfectly. It was a slider over the outer third/corner. Davis pulled it. I agree he shouldn't have thrown that pitch, but Belly threw the pitch exactly where Flowers wanted it.

 

I'm getting dangerously close to driving the "Suck for draft spot" bus again. God forbid we get swept in Baltimore, I think I'll be starting the campaign up against for those braves souls who are willing to have our fandom questioned again.

I have no idea what pitch you were looking at .That thing was a spinner down the heart of the plate. Hit his spot perfectly ? You my friend better get your eyes checked.

Anyone think Carroll would be better than this? There really is no one

It's going to be interesting to see what happens with Alexei and Dayan. They're both in terrible slumps over the course of the last 70-100 at-bats.

 

They will surely go on hot streaks again, where they will show tantalizing promise (Dayan) but will that be enough to keep Rick Hahn from pulling the trigger?

 

Changing the attitude in the clubhouse is another big issue...with Dunn, Konerko and DeAza on the way out, who will emerge? Abreu is a quiet, "by example" type of guy like Konerko. Sale's a pitcher. So it has to be Eaton and maybe Beckham if he survives this season in Chicago. It would be dumb to release/DFA Alejandro right now, but if we can't get ANYTHING in July or August for him, I'd hope that Hahn would send a message like they did with Keppinger and free up playing time for ANYONE else.

 

Dayan's entire career has been a slump. I've defended the guy time and time again and he was one of my favs, but a butcher corner outfielder that can't manage an OPS+ above 85 has no role in MLB except as a bench player.

Edited June 24, 201411 yr by chitownsportsfan

Who are the Top 3-5 prospects for next year's draft?

 

Any college bats who are reminiscent of Kris Bryant, minus the elevated K rate?

 

Oh you mean Miguel Cabrera? lol.

 

We all know B/R sucks, but they've done more research than I am willing to do right now, so here is there project top 10 for next years draft.....

 

 

1) CF Daz Cameron - HS (Mike Cameron's son)

2) RHP Michael Matuella - Duke

3) SS Alex Bregman - LSU

4) SS Brendan Rogers - HS

5) LHP Nathan Kirby - Virginia

6) 2B Ian Happ - Cincinnati

7) CF Jahmai Jones - HS

8) OF Kyle Dean - HS

9) SS/3B John Aiello - HS

10) RHP Carson Fulmer - Vanderbilt

 

 

Of those, it sounds like Happ is the best college hitter, and Kyle Dean is the best prep hitter. Dean apparently has monster-raw power due to exceptional bat speed, and a big arm to play RF. 8th overall is definitely a spot this team could land in.

Oh you mean Miguel Cabrera? lol.

 

We all know B/R sucks, but they've done more research than I am willing to do right now, so here is there project top 10 for next years draft.....

 

 

1) CF Daz Cameron - HS (Mike Cameron's son)

2) RHP Michael Matuella - Duke

3) SS Alex Bregman - LSU

4) SS Brendan Rogers - HS

5) LHP Nathan Kirby - Virginia

6) 2B Ian Happ - Cincinnati

7) CF Jahmai Jones - HS

8) OF Kyle Dean - HS

9) SS/3B John Aiello - HS

10) RHP Carson Fulmer - Vanderbilt

 

 

Of those, it sounds like Happ is the best college hitter, and Kyle Dean is the best prep hitter. Dean apparently has monster-raw power due to exceptional bat speed, and a big arm to play RF. 8th overall is definitely a spot this team could land in.

 

Kirby is a LHP, so it will clearly be him.

This section in this article about the Sox is perfect

 

http://grantland.com/features/the-30-natio...power-rankings/

I have no idea what pitch you were looking at .That thing was a spinner down the heart of the plate. Hit his spot perfectly ? You my friend better get your eyes checked.

 

I just checked the video again. It was more over the center of the plate than I had though. It was just above the knees, over the center. But it was still right where Flowers had his mitt. Pause the video as Belly is about to release, and straighten Flowers' wrist up. That's exactly where the ball was headed.

Kirby is a LHP, so it will clearly be him.

 

 

 

You know if KW was still running things, it would be Cameron's son as the top target.

 

Does he also play football and basketball? Check. "Football" mentality...another check.

Edited June 24, 201411 yr by caulfield12

Oh you mean Miguel Cabrera? lol.

 

We all know B/R sucks, but they've done more research than I am willing to do right now, so here is there project top 10 for next years draft.....

 

 

1) CF Daz Cameron - HS (Mike Cameron's son)

2) RHP Michael Matuella - Duke

3) SS Alex Bregman - LSU

4) SS Brendan Rogers - HS

5) LHP Nathan Kirby - Virginia

6) 2B Ian Happ - Cincinnati

7) CF Jahmai Jones - HS

8) OF Kyle Dean - HS

9) SS/3B John Aiello - HS

10) RHP Carson Fulmer - Vanderbilt

 

 

Of those, it sounds like Happ is the best college hitter, and Kyle Dean is the best prep hitter. Dean apparently has monster-raw power due to exceptional bat speed, and a big arm to play RF. 8th overall is definitely a spot this team could land in.

 

By the way, we are currently in the 6-8 spot. Obviously 11 1/2 months away from the draft, but that would mean Happ or Dean at this point.

 

Don't wanna get on the tank train again, but man, it's beginning to look like it's on the horizon.

a | Alex Bregman | 2B | 20 | SO | LSU

a | Beau Burrows | P | 17 | HS | Texas A&M

a | Brendan Rodgers | SS | 17 | HS | Florida State

a | C.J. Hinojosa | SS | 19 | SO | Texas

a | Cody Poteet | P | 19 | SO | UCLA

a | D.J. Stewart | OF | 20 | SO | Florida State

a | Daz Cameron | OF | 17 | HS |

a | Devon Roedahl | P | 17 | HS |

a | Jahmai Jones | SS | 17 | HS |

a | James Kaprelian | P | 20 | SO | UCLA

a | Joe McCarthy | OF | 20 | J2 | Virginia

a | John Aiello | SS | 17 | HS | Wake Forest

a | Josh Naylor | OF | 17 | HS |

a | Kyle Molnar | P | 17 | HS | UCLA

a | Nathan Kirby | P | 20 | SO | Virginia

a | Nick Shumpert | SS | 17 | HS | Kentucky

a | Nolan Kingham | P | 17 | HS |

a | Riley Ferrell | P | 20 | SO | TCU

a | Ryan Burr | P | 20 | SO | Arizona State

a | Ryan Johnson | OF | 17 | HS | TCU

a | Skye Bolt | OF | 20 | SO | North Carolina

a | Stephen Kolek | P | 17 | HS |

a | Steven Duggar | OF | 20 | SO | Clemson

a | Thomas Szapucki | P | 18 | HS | Florida

 

 

Here's another list from http://www.mlbprospectguide.com/p/2015-and...-prospects.html

 

Not in order. Forgot about Tyler's brother. How he does his older brother does in the next 12 months in pro ball will have a lot of bearing on his brother's draft spot, one would think.

 

And Skye Bolt's the coolest name ever for an outfielder, other than maybe Toe Nash.

Edited June 24, 201411 yr by caulfield12

By the way, we are currently in the 6-8 spot. Obviously 11 1/2 months away from the draft, but that would mean Happ or Dean at this point.

A few more weeks like this the Sox will be top 3 again.

Not in order. Forgot about Tyler's brother. How he does his older brother does in the next 12 months in pro ball will have a lot of bearing on his brother's draft spot, one would think.

 

And Skye Bolt's the coolest name ever for an outfielder, other than maybe Toe Nash.

 

The Kolek brothers have very different builds.

Don't wanna get on the tank train again, but man, it's beginning to look like it's on the horizon.

 

I have a feeling next year is going to be a very, very different team on the field. You look at the 25 man roster, and it seems like a lot of guys who are on the roster only due to injury/ineffectiveness (Noesi, Rienzo, Carroll, Sierra) or it's their last year to show what they can do/contract expires (ADA, Flowers, Dunn, Konerko). I'm excited to see more "core" guys added between now and the start of next season.

I just checked the video again. It was more over the center of the plate than I had though. It was just above the knees, over the center. But it was still right where Flowers had his mitt. Pause the video as Belly is about to release, and straighten Flowers' wrist up. That's exactly where the ball was headed.

If Flowers wanted a slider right down the middle, that's terrible . No one wants to throw a guy struggling or any guy for that matter a pitch like that. I think that HBP played a big part in what was thrown . Belly had Jones down 1 and 2 and tried to bust him in and hit him. A pitcher needs the confidence to throw inside and jam the guy into hitting into the DP . He didn't want to hit him or walk him so he throws junk up there and the result was predictable. Either he needs to trust his pitches or be taken from the closer's role if he doesn't have the confidence to throw what should be thrown.

A few more weeks like this the Sox will be top 3 again.

 

Once Tampa starts trading their players, they're going to be in good position for a top 1 or 2 pick. The Cubs will likely be in the same range if they trade a few of their starting pitchers. Padres are likely another top 5 worst record. Outside of that, it's up for grabs.

Looking at those two lists, it's intriguing that Matuella is projected as the 2nd pick and didn't even make the other list. Hmmm...