Sell me on Cleuluis Rondon

[ron883]

I love the idea of an other worldly shortstop defensively. The idea of Andrleton Simmons-esque shortstop (defensively) to back a solid pitching staff makes me happy. Given how good his D is, how good will he have to be on offense to be an good MLB player? Is he still a legit prospect in some of your minds?

Edited May 9, 2015 by ron883

[BaconOnAStick]

Yes, he is a legit prospect. Andrelton Simmons is a stretch for anyone, though.

[ron883]

Yes, he is a legit prospect. Andrelton Simmons is a stretch for anyone, though.

I changed it to defensively. I don't think he has the bat Simmons does.

[Balta1701]

I love the idea of an other worldly shortstop defensively. The idea of Andrleton Simmons-esque shortstop (defensively) to back a solid pitching staff makes me happy. Given how good his D is, how good will he have to be on offense to be an good MLB player? Is he still a legit prospect in some of your minds?

If his defense is as good as promised he just has to be Omar Vizquel with the bat. .629 OPS before he was 28.

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

His comp is probably between Jose Iglesias and Didi Gregorious.

[LDF]

i think most have said it. it is his defense that will carry him. now comes the idea of how the sox will address this lack of hitting from the SS position.

 

this is my opinion. a 200 - 220 avg hitting ss with a great D in the majors. can the fans and the org live with that??

Edited May 9, 2015 by LDF

[Dam8610]

Isn't this the guy who is trying to be a switch hitter and has terrible lefty splits? He might develop a legitimate bat if he starts hitting right handed full time. Defense being equal, I'll take a .250-275 right handed SS over a .200-.220 switch hitting SS.

[LDF]

Isn't this the guy who is trying to be a switch hitter and has terrible lefty splits? He might develop a legitimate bat if he starts hitting right handed full time. Defense being equal, I'll take a .250-275 right handed SS over a .200-.220 switch hitting SS.

 

nice post, but let me ask you this, do you really see Rondon as a 250-275 as a rightly?

[bulokis]

I will take a Rondon like player at SS over Alexei anytime now. If Rodon can be close to Iglesias then that will solve one defensive position we need to address.

[LDF]

I will take a Rondon like player at SS over Alexei anytime now. If Rodon can be close to Iglesias then that will solve one defensive position we need to address.

that is your opinion and i respect that.

 

let me throw in this. it appears fans are not happy with just a defensive player. they want that player to be both.

 

so let me ask this question, if you don't mind. is that ok with you, a player who is a defensive specialist?

[Dam8610]

nice post, but let me ask you this, do you really see Rondon as a 250-275 as a rightly?

 

He has a close to. 400 split as a right handed batter. Now, part of that is probably that he's good against left-handed pitching, but he might bat better against right-handed pitching as a right handed batter, especially since I think his left-handed batting split is sub-.200.

[royoung]

He is definitely a legit prospect because of his defense but I am not convinced he will ever hit enough. The one thing that might save his offense is if he gives up switch hitting, I assume the Sox are holding out hope it improves because of his age. In 2014 he hit .226/.287/.251 as a LHB and .273/.350/.438 as a RHB and thus far in 2015 he has hit .200/.300/.200 as a LHB and .333/.360/.667 as a RHB. Those are some very dramatic splits and I'd be interested to see how his offense would improve as a full time RHB.

[LDF]

He is definitely a legit prospect because of his defense but I am not convinced he will ever hit enough. The one thing that might save his offense is if he gives up switch hitting, I assume the Sox are holding out hope it improves because of his age. In 2014 he hit .226/.287/.251 as a LHB and .273/.350/.438 as a RHB and thus far in 2015 he has hit .200/.300/.200 as a LHB and .333/.360/.667 as a RHB. Those are some very dramatic splits and I'd be interested to see how his offense would improve as a full time RHB.

 

i agree, i still think he will make the majors, but as a defensive specialist. too bad.

[winninguglyin83]

I thought Anderson was supposed to be the SS.

[Dam8610]

I thought Anderson was supposed to be the SS.

 

Can't have too many good shortstops.

[NorthSideSox72]

I will take a Rondon like player at SS over Alexei anytime now. If Rodon can be close to Iglesias then that will solve one defensive position we need to address.

I read this twice, and can't decide if it's serious. You want Rondon over Alexei right now? Alexei is one of the best defensive shortstops in the game, and while his bat is inconsistent he's still overall at least average offensively and probably a little better in the long term.

 

And you want to replace that with ab A-ball guy with raw but interesting defense and no history of any ability to hit?

 

I like Rondon, but that's just getting way too aggressive.

 

[Y2Jimmy0]

If Rondon hits .220 he will be a big leaguer. That's how good his defense is.

[GreenSox]

I read this twice, and can't decide if it's serious. You want Rondon over Alexei right now? Alexei is one of the best defensive shortstops in the game, and while his bat is inconsistent he's still overall at least average offensively and probably a little better in the long term.

 

And you want to replace that with ab A-ball guy with raw but interesting defense and no history of any ability to hit?

 

I like Rondon, but that's just getting way too aggressive.

How's L Garcia been doing defensively in Charlotte? I assume he's still overmatched at the plate against any good pitcher.

 

Realistically, if the Sox want to improve in areas (like C or 3B) they're going to have to move a good player at least this offseason. And if we aren't in contention in July, by then. Alexei is at the top of that list, so I'm interested in possible replacements.

[NorthSideSox72]

How's L Garcia been doing defensively in Charlotte? I assume he's still overmatched at the plate against any good pitcher.

 

Realistically, if the Sox want to improve in areas (like C or 3B) they're going to have to move a good player at least this offseason. And if we aren't in contention in July, by then. Alexei is at the top of that list, so I'm interested in possible replacements.

If they have to move Alexei in July, it's Carlos Sanchez. Maybe Saladino I suppose, but not sure he's going to be healthy enough by then. Anderson is (for now) like the 4th or 5th option, and Rondon is about 7th (again, for right now).

 

[Chisoxfn]

I've long thought he was one of the very best prospects in our system and a guy that has a high likelihood of playing in the bigs. The fact that his offense has grown significantly in the past year, is huge though, as if he can hit respectably, you are talking long-term starter (especially when you factor in his legs, etc, a part of the game he needs to start better utilizing).

 

But alas, I am a huge Rondon fan.

[LDF]

 

in what i am about to express, do not take it wrong, but i believe someone can not be sold on anything, i look at Rondon and what is there not to like.

 

most needs to think outside the box with Rondon. i see him as being a plus +++ many times over who can solidify the defense from the SS position. but the team may need to sacrife the offense, that is if the team will be ok with that.

 

peace.

[wsiskel]

Nick Capra, Director of Player Development on Rondon:

 

“Offensively, he’s getting much, much better from the left side. It’s a matter of mechanics. We are trying to get him to use his legs more – he doesn’t use them all that much in aspects of the game – both offensively and defensively. He has a chance to be a special player,” said Capra.

 

Article Link: http://www.chicagonow.com/future-sox/2015/...-kirk-champion/

[OilCan]

Nick Capra, Director of Player Development on Rondon:

 

“Offensively, he’s getting much, much better from the left side. It’s a matter of mechanics. We are trying to get him to use his legs more – he doesn’t use them all that much in aspects of the game – both offensively and defensively. He has a chance to be a special player,” said Capra.

 

Article Link: http://www.chicagonow.com/future-sox/2015/...-kirk-champion/

 

That is an awesome quote from Capra....and an awesome writeup...thank you Will. Plus...that assessment on Hawkins FTW. :gosox

[LDF]

Nick Capra, Director of Player Development on Rondon:

 

“Offensively, he’s getting much, much better from the left side. It’s a matter of mechanics. We are trying to get him to use his legs more – he doesn’t use them all that much in aspects of the game – both offensively and defensively. He has a chance to be a special player,” said Capra.

 

Article Link: http://www.chicagonow.com/future-sox/2015/...-kirk-champion/

 

welcome and congrats to the writing staff.

[oldsox]

in what i am about to express, do not take it wrong, but i believe someone can not be sold on anything, i look at Rondon and what is there not to like.

 

most needs to think outside the box with Rondon. i see him as being a plus +++ many times over who can solidify the defense from the SS position. but the team may need to sacrife the offense, that is if the team will be ok with that.

 

peace.

Absolutely no disrespect intended here, LDF....This is not a cheap shot, but are you related to Yogi Berra? (who just turned 90 today).

Edited May 13, 2015 by oldsox