Flash

If we stipulate that the 3 OF spots will be nicely manned by current minor leaguers, then rebuild timing/effectiveness will rely upon starting pitching and quality IF'rs. As we sit here today, its not obvious beyond Rodon who among the current crop of pitchers can be counted on as future starters. Covey looks projectable but jury still out on Kopech, Lopez, Hanson, et al. Sure we can project outcomes for guys like Dunning and Cease but the minor leagues are full of promising youngsters who can through fastballs. That said, I have more confidence in our ability to produce a competitive rotation out of existing assets than I do for our infield. Its hard to project what the IF will look like in 2-3 years based on the current guys we pencil in. Other than Abreu (who might be better used in trade), its hard to be inspired. When you go around the horn of the top tier teams, we pale at every position. To compensate, we need to trot out a rotation that can shut teams down. Here's hoping a couple guys seperate themselves from the pack and can be counted on in 2020 and beyond.

Not major players in rebuild due to poor performance, especially Giolito. Fortunately, Lopez looks like a serviceable rotation piece and Dunning a potential bright spot as far as the Nats trade goes. As far as the Sale trade, it looked much better on paper than the current reality.

Plenty of examples of year-year and even mo.-mo, performance swings of highly regarded prospects. I do feel as though Moncada had a higher bar than most due to his multi-year hype as the games top prospect. That said, his performance on the field (especially at the plate) has not lived up to the hype, let alone the play of other lesser touted young players (Albies, Soto, Bellinger, Torres, Robles (when healthy), Hoskins, etc.). Thats not to say he won't exceed their contributions eventually but for now, I don't think anyone can say he is the player we expected.

I usually find FG to be the best gauge for relative prospect ratings but leaving Cease off feels like an oversight. I know I am in the small minority here but I rank Cease with Kopech (1 and 1a). I know he needs to prove durable but his stuff (fastball/curve) is damn near as good as it gets.

Fair questions re: Anderson and Moncada. I am also concerned. WAR proponants will probably disagree but I'm not sold on either. Ultimately, Moncada needs to move to 3rd to make room for Madrigal. We also need a 1st baseman (ideally LH) who can prevent errors, not create them (Abreu should DH if not traded) and a catcher who can influence ball and strike calls. We have some excellent young pitchers rising through the ranks but it will be disheartening to them if we can't make routine plays behind them. There is a reason the Padres paid up for Hosmer to anchor an otherwise young IF and pitching staff. Its time we start focussing a bit more on defense, especially up the middle and first base.

Any concerns about his maturity and character should have been assuaged by the interview he did upon hearing his name called. Very poised and calm (unlike Bohm). He just seems like a veteren and leader.

Shields and Abreu for Brendon Rodgers and the Rox #42 comp pick. Maybe Rox throw in Desmond and we eat some salary. All in favor ???

Two points...1) while I lean toward a college bat (Madrigal), Singer is a stud and any team in MLB would be lucky to have him, and 2) Heimlich did (allegedly) a horrible thing a number of years ago and its much easier for all of us to adopt moral indignation than to accept whatever he may or may not have done was awful but its time for forgiveness and allowing him to move ahead with his life. I think he will be drafted reasonably early (much like the Yankees acquired Chapman amidst spousal abuse reports) and eventually go on to a productive career and some team and their fans will be happy to have him.

At this point it appears to be Singer/Madrigal and either has merit. India would be an interesting underslot option as I feel he compares favorably to Madrigal with more positional flexibility. What I'm really looking forward to are the 2nd and 3rd picks. There should be some excellent options to select from including names like Beer, De Sadas, Steel Walker or maybe even someone like Heinkens drops to the 40s. Can't wait.

I can see interest from Rox but doubt we will pry away similar value. If, however, there is an injury on Milwaukee, St. Louis or Red Sox, things could heat up nicely.

Just curious but what became of Bryce Turang? Lots of buzz as top 5 and possible 1.1. Unless he is injured or really played poorly, why has he fallen off the map? Based upon what I have read, he strikes me as a reasonable comp to Madrigal...smooth middle IF who can run, flash leather and hit at top of lineup. The fact that he is LH hitter is also a plus. Anybody know where he got off to?

And the BPA is/will be.....

The problem with the theory of BPA is that BPA is subjective. Ask 3 different experts and you'll get 3 different answers.

What a job to be the GM of a team that has sold management and fans on re-build. You can rationalize poor performance as part of the grand plan. Talk about job security.

couldn't agree more Lillian. I still think we should draft Madrigal and start him at SS. If he can't play there, he moves back to 2nd and Moncada to 3rd if that is what puts our best players on the field. We need this pick to contribute to the PO drive beginning next year.

Yep. I am of the mind that Anderson is not a ML shortstop and arguably...get ready for it... not a ML hitter, hence moving him to the OF buys us nothing and risks blocking a more worthy player. That said, at least for the time being, we should keep throwing him out there in the unlikely event the switch gets flipped. Its not like we have anyone kicking down the door for PT. In fact, if you really scour the majors, there are only a handful of high-quality SSs who have been entrenched with their teams for a while and a bunch of teams with guys who are not performing much better than Anderson. Not obvious who we pursue, either in FA or by trade.

Gonzalez looks to be for real. A true CF'r who can lead-off from the left side. I can see Jimenez (LF), Gonzalez (CF) and Robert (RF) in 2020.

I could see trading him. Sox still need talent, particularly left side of infield and pitching, ideally left-handed pitching. Its doubtful he will bring back fair value but the Yankees have some interesting targets such as Sheffield and Estrada. Rockies have several interesting infielders in their minor league system. Would love it if we somehow matched up with Brewers but they seem pretty well set at 1B.

In a perverse sort of way, I'm happy Kahnle is on the DL with shoulder issues. It makes me feel a little better about trading him. Rutherford was the centerpiece of that deal and, at least as we sit here today, I'll take Rutherfords future over Kahnle's. Of course this can all change in the weeks ahead.

Thanks for posting. I'm a fan. If we don't go pitching w/4, I'm hoping for Madrigal or India with a slight lean toward Madrigal.

Mize, Singer and McClanahan all got hit hard last night. Makes things even fuzzier.

Completely mischaracterizes my comment...we need pitching because it is not obvious our youngsters can be relied on. For all the buzz about Kopech, he has gotten shelled his last two starts and has been far from dominant in Charlotte (ERA almost 5). I believe there is reason to be concerned with Giolito, Hansen and Rodon although I hope I'm wrong. Fulmer cannot be counted on and, Cease was profiling as a bright spot but got his ears pinned back in A ball. This constitutes more than 'a rough night'. Its easy to fall in love with pitching prospects but lets not get blinded into believing this is a dominant (and durable) group. There are several clubs (Braves, Padres and maybe Yankees) who, on paper, appear to be every bit as loaded with young pitching talent as Sox. I say we need another rotation piece or two.

News flash....Kopech getting lit up and ERA close to 5...Cease got shelled in W-S. Rodon and Hansen are quetion marks and Gilolito and Fulmer look pitiful. Sox need pitching. If Singer makes it to 4, we need to grab him. And, by the way, he is a damn good pitcher.

Kanny SS Laz Rivera (23yr old) is ripping cover off ball. Avg in high 300's and flashing power. Said to be good with the leather as well. Keep an eye on him.

I grant that Mize' SO/Walk numbers are other-worldly but across almost every other stat, Singer is about on par...and Singer has a better record and beat Mize when they faced off. Player School Class Height Position G ERA IP H R ER BB SO FO GO HR WHIP SO9 BB9 Brady Singer Florida Jr. 6'5" RHP 12 2.33 81 51 24 21 17 86 62 89 6 0.84 9.56 1.89 Casey Mize Auburn Jr. 6'3" RHP 12 2.25 84 50 22 21 7 119 50 83 7 0.68 12.75 0.75