BHAMBARONS

QUOTE(SouthSide2004 @ Mar 9, 2005 -> 10:24 PM) Good question. I got no idea where Bikowski fits into our organization's equation. With Blakely returning, you think he would be the fourth outfielder for the Barons. AAA would seem like a stretch for Scott. From what I have been hearing from Barons GM Jonathon Nelson who just returned from Tucson is Owens will start in Winston-Salem and Blakely will be 3rd OF with Bikowski beging the 4th OF with the DH in the SL he will have plenty of playing time. Again that is what i am hearing doens't mean a thing until April 3rd when rosters are finalized Tom

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Mar 6, 2005 -> 04:18 PM) yeah both his appearances this year Honel has looked pretty good which i hope is a sign of good things to come because i know for one that the rotation of him, B-Mac, and Tracey could be the best in AA. And then Add the Hoover Met which is the Grand Canyon for AA Parks

Is anybody even reading this? Yes I am down in Bham thanks for allowing me to be able to keep track of the sox's Tom

Final score??? 102-99 Spurs win but even though it was a good effort without Deng and the foul problems and anytime you go into San Antonio and have the lead with 1:30 remaining is great. And Tim Duncan making both free throws down the strech what is the likely hood he would do that again. We out played San Antonio on there home court for 3 quarters that 2nd quarter was a killer. I know it was loss but I am really encouraged by our play we really got into the paint against the spurs and the only quarter we were beat we had nothing in the paint. I still very happy with our performance Tom

I will take Andy Gonzalez. Granted I only seen him for a few games in Bham Last season but he is starting to develop some of that power the Sox's were hoping for when they took him in 2001. I believe that his power numbers will increase this year to go along with a plus batter's eye and improving D. Andy is still very raw and it is a huge gamble to go with him but he impressed me a little when I seen him. Thanks Tom

Forgot the list here it CHICAGO WHITE SOX Jonathan Aceves C Brian Becker 1B Mike Bell 3B Darren Blakely OF Morgan Burkhart 1B Julio Castro RHP Dionys Cesar SS Leo Daigle 1B Courtney Duncan RHP Jose Espinal RHP Cip Garcia C Ryan Hankins C Kyle Kane RHP Carlos Maldonado C Aaron McNeal 1B Brian McNichol LHP Jose Mieses RHP Michael Moore OF Bryant Nelson 2B Richard Paz IF Oneli Perez RHP Ken Ray RHP Jose Santiago RHP Robert Sasser 3B Bobby Smith SS Reggie Taylor OF Edward Tejada C Andres Torres OF Mario Valenzuela OF Jake Whitesides OF Patrick Williams IF Mitch Wylie RHP Thanks Tom

Just looking for a little info on the free agents on this list. Have we resigned any of these guys. Thanks Tom

I was just wondering if there was any info on where Brandon will start this season. I think Brandon should begin in Bham just to get the starts under his belt. I think Brandon has a very bright future but I see little reason to rush him. Brandon has a wicked curve just ask Prince Feilder #2 Brewers Prospect!! I will be glad to do a barons thread with photos when the season begins. Thanks Tom

I went to Winston Salem site purchased 2003 and 2004 set. I didn't see Brandon's Card in there just wondering what set would I find in. Tom

I am new to the board. I would like to be in a league. played in a Public League last year and it was awsome Tom

Just wondering if anyone knows anything about Kris. Haven't heard anything on him. All I know is he was hurt last year not even sure what that was even. Any info on Honel's health would be great. Tom

Talked to Barons Media Director and he gave a potential lineup he of course realizes that it is still way to early to tell but this is what they were and some of his comments: 1B Travis Hinton ( Needs a Break Out Year tough hitting league and Very Tough Yard Defense is shaky) 2B: Andy Gonzalez/Pedro Lopez (Pedro is more developed at this point) 3B: Josh Feilds (Best Power hitter in Sox's System maybe needs to start at Winston) SS: Same an 2nd LF: Casey Rogowski (Best Batting eye in Sox's System) CF: Brian Anderson or Michael Spidale ( Just a Matter of who doesn't make Charlotte Roster) RF: Ryan Sweeney (Best Avg Hitter in System) SP 1: Brandon McCarthy (Believes that McCarthy needs to start in Bham. And has excellent Strike Zone contro 89-92 MPH) SP 2: Sean Tracey (Best Fastball 93-94 MPH) SP 3: Kris Honel (Injuries) SP 4: Corwin Malone (Same as Honel) SP 5: Heath Phillips (Has a good Sinker) Bullpen: B.J. Lamura, Dwyane Pollok and the rest he isn't sure of I was just seeing what anyone else though of these projections Thanks Tom

I am big into getting auto's of sox's minor leaguers. I am just wondering if anyone knows a place I can get cards of sox's players before havin to wait until June to get Barons set becuase by that time a lot of the stars will most likely be gone. And Finally of the players likely to be in Bham who would be the first I should get Autographed Thanks Tom

I am just wondering who will be cut from 40 man with the Iguchi signing Tom

I am just looking for info on Dwayne & Sean, They have been rumored to be coming to Bham Next Seaon I know very little about these guys other than Tracy has a good fastball and Dwayne has a good slider. Thanks Tom

Just wondering about these two guys. Ulcia was a Baron last year and really picked it up the last two weeks of the season including a dominating effort against the the SL's Most powerful team and then seemed to go on a role after that winning a playoff game and his cutter looked a lot more crisp and was breaking bats. I am just wondering if this is the Dennis Ulcia of old or just a phase. And Corwin Malone, I know he had surgery last season and did not pitch a inning for the knights last year. I am just wondering if he will now be able to return to old self and if he will be ready to start the season in Charlotte. Finally Kris Honel, he only pitched 7 innings for the Barons last season, he looked good in his opening day start vs West Tenn, then the Injury I never heard much about the injury only that he was hurt but when he came back his velocity looked way off. Just wondering if it was the injury causing that drop. Finally do you guys think he will start in Bham or Charlotte. I am happy that I finally found a site that I can find good Sox's info and talk with fans. I never had a good sox's site before so that is why I have so many question's about the sox's minor leaguers. Thanks Tom

Just wondering if Spidale has earned a spot in Knights Lineup I am not sure what kind of openings are left there. I seen Spidale the whole season last year and he impressed me and he saved his best for the strech run and also showed some power which was very shocking becuase he only had 1 homer in Winston then comes to the Met and hits 7. While I would love to have him back in Bham I think he has earned a spot with Charlotte. Thanks Tom

I have been hearing the name Travis Hinton, Just wondered who he was and where we got him and finally which level does he pencil in right now. Thanks Tom

Thanks for the good answers about Pedro & Andy. Now I have some questions about what I like to call the Baron role players of last season, People like Scott Bikowski who had his 3rd season of AA last year he still hits the ball well at Hoover Met. I know he struggled @ the beginning of last season in charlotte. Norm Martel he was a 4th outfielder last year in Winston then is Called up to Bham and excels hitting 10 Bombs and hitting for a Good Avg. And Finally Brian Becker he was a Baron for a short time and I know he has been around a while but he still had decent power numbers @ both Bham and Winston. Thanks for the help Tom

I was just wondering who the better Shortstop is. I got the pleasure of watching both of them last year when they were members of the Barons. Lopez to me seemed like he was the better all round player. It took a couple of weeks for him to get adjusted to the Met. Andy Gonzalez really struggled with his Batting Avg but he looks like he has a good deal of power in just 3 weeks of playing at the Met Andy hit 2 homers to the deepest part. I don’t get the membership to Baseball America so I don’t know there opinion of the two so I though I would see what you guys though. Thanks Tom

Full Name: Michael Spidale Date of birth: 12 March, 1982 (22 yrs old) Born: Broadview, IL Lives: Broadview, IL Drafted: 2000 First Year Player Draft, 12th Round Height: 6-1 Weight: 180 LBS Bats: Right Throws: Right Nickname: Spy Career Highlights: 2002: Led Class A Kannapolis with a .291 AVG & .371 OBP, Second in Stolen bases with 37. Also didn’t commit and error in 235 Chances, was selected to South Atlantic League Mid Season All Star Team. And was named Player of the Year by the Kannapolis Rotary Club. 2003: Led Class A Winston-Salem in Triple (5) & Walks (57), Finished 3rd in Steals with 25. Spidale Recorded 5 straight Multi- hit games from April 6th to April 14th. Had 26 multi- hit Games for the season & had 2 4-RBI Games. Spidale reached base the last 18 straight games To conclude season, Including a 15 game hit streak. 2004: Led Class AA Birmingham with a .309 AVG (5th in the SL) & Hits with 148 (3rd in the SL) Also led Birmingham in walks with 61 (7th in SL). Led the Southern League in hits with 148. Recorded 5 straight Multi hit games from August 16th to August 20th. Had 45 multi- hit Games for the season & had 2 4-RBI games. Spidale scored 4 runs in a game on August 17th Vs the Carolina Mud Cats, hit first career game winning home run on July 5th @ Mobile off R.D. Sphiez. Spidale saved his best for the end of the second half reaching base 36 out the Last 37 games he played including a 12 game hit streak from August 1st to August 12th. Spidale hit an amazing .382 the final month of the year raising his season avg from .279 to .309, hit first career post season Home Run on September 9th @ Mobile off R.D. Sphiez whom Spidale picked on a lot during season. Finally Mike was named Barons MVP by the Fans which He certainly deserved. OVERALL OBERVATIONS: When Michael was placed in Leadoff role on May 1st over the struggling Ruddy Yan he Immediate became a spark plug with his hustle & unselfishness he displayed on the field. Mike filled in great in CF for the Injured Bryan Anderson making great Defensive plays. Spidale was Mr. Clutch when Barons needed him down the stretch to make there 5th Consecutive Playoff Appearance. And Finally I Believe the Spidale is a much underrated player in The White Sox’s system. Credits: 2004 Barons Media Guide. And Sports Network

Hello I am new to the board, I am from Birmingham Alabama this upcoming season will be my 4th as a season ticket holder. I heard about the site through the Barons Booster Club. I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas what the 2005 barons might look like. Thanks Tom