https://twitter.com/CST_soxvan/status/692087939526967296

 

Names include guys like Aumont, Danish, Fulmer, Guerrero, Tago, Tim Anderson, Coats, Engle, Hawkins, May, Purke, Wall, and others.

Was hoping Eddy Alvarez would get a spot. Really want to see him.

My boy Coats. Nice.

 

Was hoping Eddy Alvarez would get a spot. Really want to see him.

 

I like Eddy too, but these are guys who have some shot at the opening day roster, or are maybe just one injury away from being added. Alvarez is a few steps away, so he's not likely to be there. Also some of those are just plain key prospects like Danish, and Alvarez isn't at that level either. Not yet anyway.

 

My boy Coats. Nice.

 

Serious question: is Coats a better player than Avi right now?

Serious question: is Coats a better player than Avi right now?

Legit question. There's a video from last year of Coats turning on a ball for a homer. Some of the quickest hands you'll ever see.

Suntimes give more details

 

http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/7/71/12...spring-training

Serious question: is Coats a better player than Avi right now?

Hard to say. Possibly. I wouldn't say definitely. It's all about whether or not Avi is willing or able to make adjustments that he hasn't made yet. If you could tell me right now he can't, and he's the same player as last year, than I'd honestly rather put Coats out there than Avi.

 

Coats isn't the prototypical White Sox OF prospect. He's not super-toolsy on 2 or 3 areas and a disaster in others. He's more of a portfolio. Hit tool is solid, makes good contact, quiet load and quick hands. Some power - he's hit 15 to 17 HR per full season - but he's not going to be a 20+ guy in the majors, probably. Pretty strong and very accurate arm from the outfield, I watched him put on a show in drills in Charlotte. Very good corner OF defensively, and can cover CF in a pinch but I wouldn't start him there. Some speed, nothing like May or Engel but he's faster than average and will steal bags here and there. His weak spot is he does expand the zone a bit and doesn't walk a lot, which hasn't caused him issues yet, but if he's got a weak spot that could bite him in the majors that's it.

Scott Merkin ‏@scottmerkin 20m20 minutes ago Chicago, IL

 

Organization is high on catcher Omar Narvaez, who was among the 20 to receive NRIs to Spring Training today as announced by the White Sox

Hard to say. Possibly. I wouldn't say definitely. It's all about whether or not Avi is willing or able to make adjustments that he hasn't made yet. If you could tell me right now he can't, and he's the same player as last year, than I'd honestly rather put Coats out there than Avi.

 

Coats isn't the prototypical White Sox OF prospect. He's not super-toolsy on 2 or 3 areas and a disaster in others. He's more of a portfolio. Hit tool is solid, makes good contact, quiet load and quick hands. Some power - he's hit 15 to 17 HR per full season - but he's not going to be a 20+ guy in the majors, probably. Pretty strong and very accurate arm from the outfield, I watched him put on a show in drills in Charlotte. Very good corner OF defensively, and can cover CF in a pinch. Some speed, nothing like May or Engel but he's faster than average and will steal bags here and there. His weak spot is he does expand the zone a bit and doesn't walk a lot, which hasn't caused him issues yet, but if he's got a weak spot that could bite him in the majors that's it.

 

Tommy Viola ‏@Tommy_the_V 22m22 minutes ago

 

Jason Coats compiled a combined 83 RBIs last season with @KnightsBaseball & @BhamBarons. It was his 3rd-straight 80-RBI season. #WhiteSox

Scott Merkin ‏@scottmerkin 20m20 minutes ago Chicago, IL

 

Organization is high on catcher Omar Narvaez, who was among the 20 to receive NRIs to Spring Training today as announced by the White Sox

Some folks scoffed at FS putting him in the Top 30. He's got very good zone judgment and bat to ball feel, plays good defense with a strong arm. Has consistently put up some of the best BB:K rates in the system.

 

My boy Coats. Nice.

 

 

 

I like Eddy too, but these are guys who have some shot at the opening day roster, or are maybe just one injury away from being added. Alvarez is a few steps away, so he's not likely to be there. Also some of those are just plain key prospects like Danish, and Alvarez isn't at that level either. Not yet anyway.

 

Just like...let him play one day instead of Matt Purke.

Was hoping Eddy Alvarez would get a spot. Really want to see him.

 

I was the highest on Alvarez - I ranked him 9th - but I don't think he's quite ready for this. I wish he was, but I understand why he wasn't given an invite.

Some folks scoffed at FS putting him in the Top 30. He's got very good zone judgment and bat to ball feel, plays good defense with a strong arm. Has consistently put up some of the best BB:K rates in the system.

Catchers always have a better chance at a NRI to spring training just based on practicality.

Prediction that Hector Sanchez makes Opening Day roster after Avila gets hurt in ST

Prediction that Hector Sanchez makes Opening Day roster after Avila gets hurt in ST

 

That's definitely a realistic prediction. I expect Sanchez at some point this season.

Hard to say. Possibly. I wouldn't say definitely. It's all about whether or not Avi is willing or able to make adjustments that he hasn't made yet. If you could tell me right now he can't, and he's the same player as last year, than I'd honestly rather put Coats out there than Avi.

 

Coats isn't the prototypical White Sox OF prospect. He's not super-toolsy on 2 or 3 areas and a disaster in others. He's more of a portfolio. Hit tool is solid, makes good contact, quiet load and quick hands. Some power - he's hit 15 to 17 HR per full season - but he's not going to be a 20+ guy in the majors, probably. Pretty strong and very accurate arm from the outfield, I watched him put on a show in drills in Charlotte. Very good corner OF defensively, and can cover CF in a pinch but I wouldn't start him there. Some speed, nothing like May or Engel but he's faster than average and will steal bags here and there. His weak spot is he does expand the zone a bit and doesn't walk a lot, which hasn't caused him issues yet, but if he's got a weak spot that could bite him in the majors that's it.

 

Got it. Yeah, he seems like one of the most overlooked position prospects we've had in the system and all he's ever done is hit and play well. His solid defense just seems to make his floor well higher than what we're getting from Avi. He's a year older than Trayce but he missed a whole year due to injury. Trayce's defense is closer to excellent than Coats and he has more raw power, but Coats is a career .278 hitter in the minors to Trayce's .241. The two put up almost identical seasons at AAA last year. The biggest knock against him just seems to be he was injured in his early 20s.

Prediction that Hector Sanchez makes Opening Day roster after Avila gets hurt in ST

Wouldn't surprise me if an injury happens, but I am not sure Sanchez then gets the job. I think he's in the pool with Brantly and Smith, and honestly I wouldn't put money on any one of them over the other at this point. I will say that the team won't carry all three in Charlotte, so if both the MLB catchers reach Opening Day healthy, one of those three will be with another organization. Probably Sanchez if I had to guess.