NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (JenksIsMyHero @ May 12, 2017 -> 01:35 PM) Alright, I agree that Trump is not smart. I agree that he was provided a huge head start. But taking a few million and some connections and making an empire worth, even conservatively, several BILLION, is still SOMETHING. I'm sure a lot of us got money from our parents for school or in cash and we're not multi-millionaires. And despite his dumbness, he still managed to be an absolute nobody politically and beat out other republican candidates and Hillary in the election. There's SOME intelligence there. A complete moron does not attain the Presidency in 2017. Pretty sure none of us got a few million. But more importantly, as I said, what he got that really propelled him was an empire pre-built. He was given all the connections he needed. He got there on what was given to him plus guile, ruthlessness and drive. Driven, he certainly is. I used to tell people, no President is dumb. Even Bush, who maybe wasn't as smart as some of the others around him, was not an idiot. Trump, I am not sure I'd call him dumb either, but compared to Presidents I think he's bottom of scale on smarts. Compared to the whole country? Not dumb, probably average intelligence. Just super-warped as a person.

greg- One of the points you bring up for the intelligence of Trump is his business success. This is quite common. Others point out in contrast that he's not actually been all that successful by various measures. But here's the key in my view. How did he get there? He infamously got a few million dollars from Daddy to get started, which already puts him in a better place than 95% of the people going into Real Estate. But even more importantly - truly, this is the key in my view - his Dad was already in Real Estate and he gave his son THE CONNECTIONS. That is everything in Real Estate. That is the key to the kingdom. He was handed everything on a silver platter. And what did that get him? By most projections, less profit than he would have had if he had just put the few million in an index fund. He hasn't accomplished anything special. He was handed everything, managed to stay moving forward thanks to his willingness to step on anyone for a dollar, and bullied his way to success. Just about anyone who is as willing as he is to treat others like crap could have done the same if given the same opportunities.

Have a batch of prospect injury updates, from various sources... --Alex Call took swings in the cage earlier this week, and is close to a return --Victor Diaz went to DL with shoulder soreness, and recently had a setback. Is rehabbing in AZ. --Jordan Stephens is throwing in Ext ST, should be back soon. --Corey Zangari had Tommy John surgery, so he's likely out for the year.

QUOTE (Jake @ May 12, 2017 -> 08:33 AM) 18 K in 27 PA for Hawkins since he came off the DL. Somebody has to do something...it's obvious this problem isn't going to fix itself by just running him out there and having him strike out 2-5 times every game. I would be inclined to not release him, but either come up with a fake injury or send him to extended spring to work through these problems that at this point are largely psychological. It's like the yips for hitting at this point. He's already had a ton of training and attention. This is him deciding "screw it" and just swinging for the fences. It's over for him as a hitter. Give pitching a try, if he's willing. If not, see if another team wants to do a swap for a failed or marginal prospect. If not either, then just release the guy.

Next in our content derived from visiting the affiliates - detailed reports on Carson Fulmer and three key Charlotte relievers (Burdi, Goldberg, Clark). Video of all but Goldberg, quotes on Fulmer. All but Clark are, to me, almost definitely going to be with the Sox at some point this year. Clark maybe too.

QUOTE (bmags @ May 12, 2017 -> 09:12 AM) Was there ever talk of Adolfo trying 3b? I've never heard word of anything other than outfield for him. There was some thought he could be a CF maybe, but that was dropped and he's a corner guy now. Thing is, he's actually got some real speed, but he's not super-quick first step. And while his arm is strong, it's not overly accurate yet. I don't think third base is a good idea, and that's not even getting into the idea that you're taking a 20-year old who is finally doing well and throwing him a curveball developmentally.

Check in on the performances of the Top 15 Prospects, plus one bonus, in our weekly update here.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ May 11, 2017 -> 02:37 PM) Look how much land he won! HUGE tracts of land! All the wheat, cotton and corn love Trump because he wins!

An overview of all the 1st, 2nd and supplemental round picks who are currently playing in the White Sox minor leagues. There's quite a range of results here, making for an entertaining look.

QUOTE (raBBit @ May 10, 2017 -> 10:45 AM) Charlotte is @ 11 and W-S game 1 is @ 11. They are both at 10am Central, underway now.

Alec Hansen is one of the top pitching prospects in the system, and the highest-ranked one in the lower minors. He even snuck into an all-MLB Top 100 prospects list during the offseason. You want to get to know Hansen? Here's an in-depth report with just about everything you'd want to know. Detailed report from watching the game with players and scouts, videos, quotes from Hansen and quotes from his pitching coach, Matt Zaleski.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ May 9, 2017 -> 02:56 PM) Thanks for that. I saw Delmonico up close at the last game we attended in spring. He had a ringing double off the wall opposite field and held his own at 3B, although he failed to make a play on a slow roller you'd expect a good MLB 3B to make more often than not. I thought he was older and had less of a pedigree when I was watching him. But seeing how he's only 24 and was once thought of as a pretty high upside prospect gives me hope the Sox might have found something. In a few weeks I'd really like to see Lopez, Moncada and Delmonico all up but that means something has to be done with Todd for their to be any real playing time at 3B. Having seen Fulmer and Lopez recently, I'd say you want Fulmer before Lopez - for now. Long term it's Lopez. But Fulmer is closer to ready at the moment.

FutureSox has had a few writers storming the affiliates in the past few days (still ongoing), and our content from that is now rolling out. This is exclusive content including videos, quotes from players and coaches and more. All free. First up: A look at some key hitting prospects in AAA, just a call away from the majors. We focused on Yoan Moncada, Nick Delmonico, Adam Engel and Danny Hayes. Take a look, spread it around, let us know what you think. Other than Moncada (duh), who else are you excited to see?

Here's this week's News and Notes, with a review of all the key news that's fit to print! A handful of transactions, teams going different directions and more.

QUOTE (Sox-35th @ May 8, 2017 -> 08:10 AM) "Safe" if you can live with the collateral damage. "Safe" for the species that were alive 50 million years ago. Which certainly didn't include humans. That's also after the events that killed off not only the dinosaurs but also most large creatures all over the earth. Also, keep in mind that brett isn't interested in discussion. He just likes to troll.

CHAR: Lopez, 6:05 CT BHAM: Adams, 6:30 CT W-S: DH: Thompson and Easterling, 4:05 KAN: Comito, 6:05 Rob Young (@RobertHYoung) of FutureSox will be covering the Charlotte game live. Matt Cassidy (@Matt_Cassidy) will be covering Kanny.

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ May 6, 2017 -> 12:39 PM) What about Luis Martinez? Hear anything on him? Not yet, sorry.

As some of you may know, Rob (southside hitman) and I are down here in NC covering the affiliates for a few days. We hit KAN last night, and we are splitting up to hit CHAR and KAN today and tomorrow. Rob will also be hitting Winston-Salem early next week. Lots of content coming, but 1) Follow @FutureSox on twitter or each of us individually @RobertHYoung and @Matt_Cassidy for lots of live tidbits, and 2) We've already uploaded 19 new videos of 8 prospects including Hansen, Adolfo, Fisher and other faves. Check 'em out.

QUOTE (PolishPrince34 @ May 6, 2017 -> 06:57 AM) Any update on Jordan Stephens and Victor Diaz? I put in a request for info on both of them, and Corey Zangari, but haven't heard back yet.

There will be lots of content coming, but for now, feel free to peruse the 19 new videos we just posted from that Kanny game. We got all the pitchers including 5 of Hansen, plus at least two each for 5 hitters (Booker, Fisher, Adolfo, Remillard, Roman).

QUOTE (ptatc @ May 5, 2017 -> 01:55 PM) What an awesome time. When I retire, can you hire me to do this trip? Of course! I like to ping you with health-related questions anyway, but it is a lot of fun to cover the clubs. And I don't do this for a living, it's just a hobby for us. Not much money in it. Don't have to retire! QUOTE (caulfield12 @ May 5, 2017 -> 01:59 PM) Nice time of the year to do it. June, it starts to get uncomfortable in that neck of the woods, unless you're in Asheville. QUOTE (bmags @ May 5, 2017 -> 01:59 PM) Fingers crossed for dry weather Yeah, last year I was here in June and it was 100 degrees with a billionty percent humidity. Got lucky for this weekend - upper 60s to low 70s each day, only small chance of rain.

FYI, two of us FS writers will be at this game. Rob and I will both be tweeting out some bits from what we see, on the FS feed (@FutureSox) as well as our personal ones (@RobertHYoung, @Matt_Cassidy). Full reports, videos and interviews up later. We will hit KAN tonight, then split up to hit both CHAR and KAN on Saturday and Sunday. KAN again Monday, Winston-Salem Tue-Wed.

See who was hot or cold (or injured) among the top 15 prospects in the White Sox system, plus a bonus player from the 16-30 range, in the weekly update report. A lot more good than bad in the past week.

In this week's edition of The Silo, Julie takes a look at the five youngest players on a currently playing roster in the White Sox system. She also invokes how their youth may be perceived by us old folks.

QUOTE (soxfan2014 @ May 3, 2017 -> 04:24 PM) Yeah link I provided earlier said he told Milwaukee he wanted to be released and then changed his phone number. Then Sox signed him like 7 months later. Dude definitely had something going on in his head and I'm glad he's straightened up whatever was going on. He may have asked, but the team spent those months trying to track him down anyway before releasing him. Definitely an odd story. He had a PED suspension too - he had some issues.