January 12, 201511 yr Ranking the Top 10 rotations in the big leagues, based on input from evaluators. http://t.co/n6Qt5wMobJ News, notes and links. https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/554637606416551936 ESPN's Buster Olney says the #WhiteSox have the eighth-best rotation in baseball. I think that's pretty conservative: http://t.co/DColE4cdAe https://twitter.com/CST_soxvan/status/554694978488647680
January 12, 201511 yr QUOTE (WhiteSoxLifer @ Jan 12, 2015 -> 01:06 PM) Ranking the Top 10 rotations in the big leagues, based on input from evaluators. http://t.co/n6Qt5wMobJ News, notes and links. https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/554637606416551936 ESPN's Buster Olney says the #WhiteSox have the eighth-best rotation in baseball. I think that's pretty conservative: http://t.co/DColE4cdAe https://twitter.com/CST_soxvan/status/554694978488647680 It's conservative because they're much better "If Sale stays healthy".
January 12, 201511 yr I think saying the Sox have the 8th best rotation in baseball is perfectly fine and maybe even a bit optimistic. It'd be dangerous in a 5 or 7 game series with the front 3, but the depth behind those big 3 is questionable. I like what Rodon can bring, but he's still gotta do it at the MLB level. Beyond him, you're looking at Brad Penny (and other NRI invites) and Chris Beck, and then hoping that Montas and Danish take enough steps forward to succeed.
January 12, 201511 yr Top 3 are as good as it gets. Back of the rotation? Ugly. 8-10 makes sense to me.
January 12, 201511 yr i really haven't thought of what the other posters are writing. on first initial glance, i was saying no way, maybe 5. but someone mention the backend of the rotation and now i can see it. i agree, maybe 9-10.
January 12, 201511 yr A rotation with Hector Noesi & this version of John Danks should not be much higher than 8th.
January 12, 201511 yr QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jan 12, 2015 -> 12:30 PM) A rotation with Hector Noesi & this version of John Danks should not be much higher than 8th. Agreed. Now if Rodon is as good as advertised, the rotation will look a hell of alot better by the end of the season (and probably a top 3-5 for next years ranking). As of now though, he's penciled for Charlotte.
January 12, 201511 yr I'll echo what everyone else is saying. We might have the best top 3 in baseball but the bottom of the rotation is such a mystery. I'm not saying the 4-5 is going to be bad, we just don't know so I have no problem being ranked in the 8-10 range.
January 12, 201511 yr what everyone is saying is why i keep harping on getting another pitcher. too many "if's". pretty much like Felipe Paulino of last yr.
January 12, 201511 yr 8th in the whole league. 4th in AL. Pretty good. Could argue up or down a couple, but it's early.
January 12, 201511 yr QUOTE (GoSox05 @ Jan 12, 2015 -> 07:27 PM) 8th in the whole league. 4th in AL. Pretty good. Could argue up or down a couple, but it's early. yeah and i have to keep reminding myself where the sox were last off season.
January 12, 201511 yr QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jan 12, 2015 -> 01:11 PM) I like what Rodon can bring, but he's still gotta do it at the MLB level. He's still gotta do it at the minor league level, for that matter. But yes, if he pans out anywhere in the vicinity of what we and the Sox are hoping, definitely a top notch rotation.
January 12, 201511 yr QUOTE (bmags @ Jan 12, 2015 -> 07:36 PM) Man, why couldn't Erik Johnson have worked out...BASEBALLLLLL i think the sox are hoping he will come back and regain his touch. no mention of him, no pressure from the media. i hope he does regain his stuff.
January 12, 201511 yr I can see 8th. As others have said the top 3 is no question pretty damn good, probably top 5 in entire MLB. But with Danks and Noesi following behind those 3, the ranking is understandable. If Rodon lives up to the hype, then yes I think the rotation would easily be top 5.
January 12, 201511 yr QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jan 12, 2015 -> 07:47 PM) I can see 8th. As others have said the top 3 is no question pretty damn good, probably top 5 in entire MLB. But with Danks and Noesi following behind those 3, the ranking is understandable. If Rodon lives up to the hype, then yes I think the rotation would easily be top 5. and i can't wait for spring training . btw good post.
January 12, 201511 yr Danks had 20 quality starts and will be healthier, and Noesi is going to be better than he was. Best rotation in baseball and the Sox will win 97 games.
January 12, 201511 yr There is a general problem with lists like this, you really have clumps of teams basically tied then they break them down. Splitting hairs. I like the rotation but until guys get to camp and you see what kind of shape they are in. It's 50% past history, 30% projection, and 20% luck.
January 12, 201511 yr Yea I agree. It seems like it all hinges on Danks fully embracing the slowballer mindset. Hope he wasn't ignoring Buehrle all those years thinking he'd always have 93-94 gas.
January 12, 201511 yr Who cares about pre-season pitching rankings. These are filler pieces that pop up by baseball publications. Like the goofy pre-season standings predictions. The rotation looks promising. Strong front end, some ? marks at the backend. We will see what happens once they break camp. Edited January 12, 201511 yr by southsideirish71
January 12, 201511 yr The Sox have three Top 15 pitchers if you go by fWAR. Rodon is the wild card, because Danks and Noesi won't carry it. I also can see Montas knock on the door by the end of the year.
January 12, 201511 yr QUOTE (Jerksticks @ Jan 12, 2015 -> 02:10 PM) Yea I agree. It seems like it all hinges on Danks fully embracing the slowballer mindset. Hope he wasn't ignoring Buehrle all those years thinking he'd always have 93-94 gas. Velocity is one aspect. Deception, velocity changes, command and control. What made Buerhle great was pitching inside. Cutters in on the hands. That and a good changeup away.
January 12, 201511 yr QUOTE (southsideirish71 @ Jan 12, 2015 -> 02:12 PM) Who cares about pre-season pitching rankings. These are filler pieces that pop up by baseball publications. Like the goofy pre-season standings predictions. The rotation looks promising. Strong front end, some ? marks at the backend. We will see what happens once they break camp. Um, duh. Otherwise it is just something to talk about in January.
January 12, 201511 yr QUOTE (flavum @ Jan 12, 2015 -> 01:52 PM) Danks had 20 quality starts and will be healthier, and Noesi is going to be better than he was. Best rotation in baseball and the Sox will win 97 games. I can't wait for the day when we can quit citing the ridiculous "quality start" stat. It is really meaningless. June 24th, 1997 - Randy Johnson - 9 IP, 11 Hits, 4 ER, 0 BB, 19 Ks - Not a Quality Start July 5th, 2000 - Mark Mulder - 6.2 IP, 15 Hits, 9 R (2 ER), 3 BB, 7 Ks - Quality Start Edited January 12, 201511 yr by lasttriptotulsa
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