GreenSox

They took Nola, but it was with a later pick in a draft that didn't have the college hitters that this one has. Nola also had higher scout ratings than Singer. But I hope you are correct. Drafting Singer doesn't make any sense on any level to me, and calling him best player available would really stretch credulity. But they drafted a ceiling reliever with #27 or so, so this would be nothing new. Quick to the majors rules.

1000% agree; and they can do that with any position in which they are short.

That surprises me. The GM makes the trades based on scouting reports; would seem that they would also do the draft. On a different matter, I recall 2 years ago that the Sox were rumored to be on Dakota Hudson at #10; he was a mid-rotation ceiling pitcher who ended up going #30 ish. Maybe that was dis-information, maybe it wasn't. But it is consistent with the affectation for Singer.

Does the scouting director actually make the pick? Or does he give rankings and scouting reports to Hahn/Williams/JR and they decide. Maybe I'm just over-parsing your words. 2015: Fulmer (-.8 Total WAR) 2014: Rodon, Fry, Bummer (4.9 Total WAR) 2013: Anderson, Engel, Danish, May, Goldberg (3.1 Total WAR) 2012: Beck, Micah, Coats (-2.1 total WAR) 2011: K Smith, Semien, Devenski, Bassit, E Johnson, Snodgress (15.5 Total WAR) 2010: Sale, Petricka, Reed, Saladino, A Wilkins (50 Total WAR) Top WAR players: Sale: 38.8 Semien: 9.5 Reed: 6.9 Devenski: 5.4 Anderson: 5.1 Rodon: 4.6 The highest ranked player from 2005-2009 is Hector Santiago at 7.9, which makes him the 3rd highest WAR draft choice in 12 seasons; amazing that the Sox were able to hang in with competitive teams as long as they did.

Singer would be a disappointing pick on many levels. Please don't do it.

With their rotation, they need to be. We'll see how Jeffress, Albers and Jennings are faring on a championship-meant team in 6 weeks.

Nice easy win. I think the Brewers will soon be in the "we need some bullpen help" category.

Schnell at 4 would be a massive reach, which should save at least $3 million in pool money. That would mean that the Sox would go heavy prep in the first 5-10 rounds and already have several guys lined up. That would be interesting to watch unfold.

The rebuild will live or die by making the playoffs in two years. The excitement from signing a big time free agent will quickly turn into mockery should the Sox not field a playoff team. The Cubs signed Heyward after they made the playoffs, and he hasn't helped anway. The Cubs signed Lester, a huge help, and the Cubs made the playoffs the next season. If a big FA is critical part of the plan, then fine. But no more contrivances, distractions, built-in excuses that we've heard for so long.

Jordan Stephen is looking mighty interesting. Strikes out hitters, without the walks that have plagues so many Sox pitchers. Steadily improving over a long period of time (at least statistically). Looks like he should be next up.

If the Sox are following the Astros or Cubs models, neither one had to sign a player like that. The Astros stands were empty during the rebuild. Both had 3 lousy seasons during the rebuild and then made the playoffs. That would put the Sox at 2020, with 1/2 a season cushion (Sox rebuild started July 2016) and with having far more quality players to trade than either the Astros or Cubs. The Cubs had a good farm system when Theo took over, but the Astros' was as bad as the Sox when Luhnow came to town. Of course if you use the Brewers timetable (began the rebuild in July 2015 and posted winning season in 2017), the Sox should have a winning team right now. All in all, 2020 seems like a reasonable timetable IF there is accountability should it not be achieved.

Yes. Because it will not be complete until the Sox are great or at least good.

Correct. And what's to stop the Sox from repeating that? Let's say the core is 7 this time. Will the farm feed most of 9-25? Will they let it feed? Or will they make more trades for average/declining veterans to fill out the roster; it's like an instinct with this FO. The filler SHOULD be better by default this time because guys like Davidson, Palka, Yolmer, Leury are better than the most of the veterans they traded for/signed in 15-16.

But the core was Abreu, Sale, Quintana and Eaton. That's an all-star core, although on the thin side. Why was 78 wins its peak? Seems absurd, really. Has whatever caused that peak been corrected? One obvious cause was the farm. Is the drafting better than it was in 2014?

It's no cinch Madrigal is there, though, right? I'm still in the anyone but Singer camp.

i.e. drafting for need - one of many reasons why things are the way they are under this front office. Of course, how do they know that they don't need a SS, 2B, SS, 3B, CF, C, etc.? Which is the problem with drafting for need.

Lopez' peripherals haven't been strong; probably a matter of time. That's 3 of the top pitching prospects....so far, no for sure keepers.

I don't see why safe, not to mention 'quick to the majors" should be particularly appealing traits with the # 4 pick in the draft. Is #3 starter ceiling the best use of the #4 pick?

Swaggerty's a good player too and should stick at that key position. Fangraphs has him at a gaudy 4. Singer at 15 and my man India at 24...I guess I'm reaching!

Well there it is; + the arm slot. No Prefer several others, including India whom I like more than most (will stick at 3rd; maybe but unlikely at short) and could be an under-slot signing.

Swaggerty and a prep would be my guess. He didn't mention Swaggerty; that makes him my 2nd guess for who the Sox might take. Swaggerty is kind of hard to gauge; sunbelt isn't a bad league, but it's not one of the top leagues either. Some say he had a down year, but his stats look about the same to me.

It's easier to find relievers long term, but teams will pay premiums for short term needs. Plus a Lot of relievers don’t have long staying power, so by the time the Sox need him he may be done. now if they think he’s Kimbrall then they should keep him.

The scouts (public ones anyway) are all over the board on Singer. I agree on the grittiness and craftiness...those are really ancillary traits. I can understand not picking a player because you think they lack the toughness; but having it isn't a reason to take a player. After listening to Hostetler, and his comments on the players, JR and KW's involvement in the draft, etc., I predict Singer.

Now it works. Thanks

Yea all I get is Castillo talk when I click the link. It says Hostetler but doesn't contain it. And at this point, I'm basically anyone but Singer.