NorthSideSox72

Here's our season review of the Great Falls Voyagers. They came within one win of the league championship, and had quite a 2017 draft picks on the roster and some strong performances. Just one team review left - Charlotte, which will hit on Monday.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 28, 2017 -> 09:49 AM) I said it before, but I really think the big change NK will cause is the re-militarization of Japan. I think if China did anything to collapse NK, they know that they will be the recipient of all of the North's refugees and problems. In that way they are similar to USA and Mexico in that when people look for somewhere better to go, they go to China. They have a large NK immigrant population already, so if their society were to be destabilized by an invasion, China will pay the price. That is why I can't see them moving harshly against NK. Maybe a quiet assassination, but not an invasion. See here's the thing. It's already a nation full of people dependent on a trickle from the government. China could put in puppets that could easily replicate that and better. I don't think there would be any refugee crisis. There isn't one now, and most of the reasons why would still exist. The fear of NK's government would actually decrease pretty quickly after an initial spike. And yes you could be correct on quiet and small. When I say invade, I don't necessarily mean a massive aerial bombardment followed by hundreds of thousands of troops and tanks crossing over. I mean a surgical hit on the leadership, special forces to secure the Palace, then reinforcement from the regular military and immediate installation of sympathetic North Koreans already in government there. QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Sep 28, 2017 -> 09:51 AM) I wonder, if the hypothetical Chinese invasion scenario occurred, would NK still bombard Seoul? That's a good question. No idea.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 28, 2017 -> 08:55 AM) I think your statement that NK isn't helpful to china if they cause global S*** storms is exactly the opposite of reality. We've had a great example over the past 6 months (and I think there's probably a post of me in the Trump thread from December saying this would happen). Donald Trump came into office all ready to declare China a currency manipulator and take other actions to limit trade with them. Donald Trump had an actual dictator challenge him to a d*** measuring contest, and the only way he could get that guy to back down was to deal with China. Donald Trump immediately dropped basically every challenge he was suggesting about trade with China because he had to win that D*** measuring contest. China doesn't want a collapse of the NK state, they don't want to deal with those refugees, and they are 100% happy to let the US come begging hat in hand to them to get stronger sanctions on the Korean government. You think China prefers the s***storm to a stable but poor state? That they'd prefer sanctions to just being able to be their supplier? That makes zero sense. Of course they don't want a collapse, which is exactly why they might invade.

For the last couple weeks, a though on this topic keeps rolling around in my head. It's something I have not seen brought up anywhere (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on that - obviously i have not read every article on NK). So I just wanted to throw this one in here and see how people react. I think there's a substantial chance that North Korea will be invaded... by China. I know it sounds odd, but think it through. China is not allied with NK because of some sort of cultural bond - in fact prior to the Korean War the Koreans and Chinese were bitter enemies. They are not friends for any reasons really other than: China wants a buffer between them and the US-aligned nations, and they get cheap labor and a market desperate for their goods. Thing is though, those are only helpful if NK doesn't cause constant global s***storms. What China really wants is a stable, quiet, and still relatively poor North Korea that bends to China's whims. The current leadership won't supply that. China certainly can handle NK militarily. NK isn't poised against China - all it's eyes and guns are aimed at South Korea, Japan, and US interests in the Far East. China would have all the surprise, a wide open border, and better intel on where all the stuff is than probably anyone else. They could, for the first time in decades, show a real military victory to the world. Certainly no other country would step in during such a thing either. They slam NK, install a puppet government, open up the economy and allow the country to progress. Not saying it WILL happen. Just saying, everyone is so laser-focused on what the US will do militarily, but I think there could be an interloper.

We at FutureSox have some goals in mind for 2018. You'll see more over the next few months. But one priority is trying to find people local to one or more of the affiliate clubs (or Camelback Ranch, in which case fall ball in 2017 could be your thing too) who would like to join our crew as a writer, photographer and/or videographer. Do you fit the bill? Do you know someone who might? If so, email us (futuresox at gmail), or DM me here. This is NOT a paid gig, sadly. As of now, none of us are paid. Though some of what we are planning for 2018 is pointing us in a direction where that could change in the future. For now, it's just for fun, or to get your foot in the door in sports journalism.

The Kannapolis Intimidators enjoyed their best season in at least 8 years and possibly more, going the SAL Championship Series. Read here about which players got them there.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Sep 19, 2017 -> 02:37 PM) Another great article keeping us informed about mostly lower level guys that are difficult to follow due to the lack of coverage. thanks. Keep it going. Thanks!

Fall Instructs open this week. For the Sox, they open Thursday. Here is our report on the roster, why certain players are there and what to watch for in fall ball. We will have an AFL preview too, up next week most likely.

For our third team to cover, here is the review of the 2017 season for the Birmingham Barons. The overall results... not good. But the pitching had a number of strong performances, and there were some key players on the club. So far we've covered AZL, Winston-Salem and BHAM. Charlotte, Kanny and Great Falls are coming out soon.

In our latest prospect deep dive, Y2Jimmy0 gives us a glimpse of Justin Yurchak, this year's 12th round pick. Includes quotes from Justin. By the way, Yurchak is a guy that FutureSox gets a lot of questions about. Hopefully this will fill in a few of the blanks.

Our Y2Jimmy0 gives you the full picture on the upcoming Otani sweepstakes and what effect they likely have on your White Sox.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 13, 2017 -> 09:54 AM) I would put money that FutureSox is probably the only publication in existence that talked about Ryan Lewis. I mean, we didn't either. Who is Ryan Lewis? Do you mean Zach Lewis? The one who's mother complained on our Facebook page that we didn't talk about him enough in the article?

As we do every year, we will post a Season in Review for each affiliate. We're starting with this one on the AZL White Sox, who had some solid young talent and just missed the playoffs. See how the youngest stateside affiliate's players did in 2017 - some of these guys will be with full season clubs next year.

Julie's column this week describes what it feels like when the minor league season ends, for the people that do it for a living.

QUOTE (Donaldo @ Sep 6, 2017 -> 07:19 PM) Any updates on Matt Cooper? Nothing official. He's still on Temporary Inactive.

Here's the last regular season edition of the Minor League News and Notes, including some post-season hardware, pending playoffs, transactions and more.

If you want to know what the Sox are getting in Jace Fry, here's an in-person report with video from a couple months ago in BHAM. He's changed a bit since his pre-2nd-TJS days.

Here's the weekly Top Prospects Report, and this will be the last one for 2017, so don't miss it! It's a long one, as it also includes season recap blurbs for each player. Lots of nice recoveries in the last week, a few down weeks too, and a fun bonus player. Nice work from Owen on writing these weeklies this season.

Get to know the story on RHP Matt Foster, 2016 20th round pick. He's been flatly dominant so far as a pro, but he actually retired after his first pro season before returning. Interesting story, and a prospect on the fringes of the radar. Includes quotes from him, and his pitching coach.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ Aug 31, 2017 -> 11:15 AM) That was just a straight claim and not a waiver trade hence, the title of this topic. Also the fact that he was a straight claim was mentioned in the article.

Here's a look back at some August trades made by the White Sox over recent years. Mostly, the players involved end up after thoughts. But not always.

QUOTE (ron883 @ Aug 30, 2017 -> 05:10 PM) Anybody know how coaching works? Does each team sending a hitting and pitching coach or something? Just one regular coaching staff, taken from various teams. Only Sox coach is the PC for Glendale, Matt Zaleski.

I'd bet they held out Stephens to protect his arm, given why he missed time at the beginning of the season (forearm tendonitis, and he's a former TJS).

Here's another two weeks worth of who's been hot in the Sox minors. This went up last night but I forgot to post it on SoxTalk, sorry. Pay special attention to the lower level teams, especially the rookie clubs. Justin Yurchak has been a man on fire.

Here's your weekly farm update, albeit a day later than usual. Lots to catch up on though! Next week's will be on Tuesday as well, with Labor Day on Monday.