[Prospect Interviews]

Rangel Ravelo would be interesting to me.

 

I 3rd Rangel Ravelo.

[Samardzija/Hammel Traded to A's]

This was one of Epstein's great strengths with the Red Sox: have some top-line legit prospects and then a handful of B+ prospects who were trumped-up and Gammons-fed into something much more than they were. Very helpful when it comes time for trades.

 

"WAS" being the operative word here. The rules have changed where he can no longer buy just about any prospect that he wanted.

[White Sox sign 4 on July 2 signing day]

Members of #WhiteSox front office are in the DR for the start of international signing period. @MLBPipeline

 

https://twitter.com/JesseSanchezMLB/status/...365073641914368

 

They probably don't want to be around the Major League club now!

[Should He or Shouldn't He ?]

I voted absolutely NOT! I despise the Homerun Derby and do not want to see his swing messed up for the rest of the season.

[2014 Minor League catch all thread]

Basto is a pretty awful defensive infielder, has been all along. That's problem one. And while he was making good contact and hitting for average, he wasn't getting on base much, or hitting for much power, so he was hitting somewhat well but nothing to stand out. If he can't handle the position defensively, that's an issue.

 

Also: Christian Stringer promoted to Kannapolis. I was surprised Shryock got that job over him to begin with, it will be interesting to see how they manage playing time in Kanny with Shryock and Stringer with Rondon there, and the need to give Kenny's kid playing time (ugh) as well. That kept Voight from full time play.

 

Not this again, Can we just get rid of this guy?

 

[De Aza/Danks/Garcia]

He hit .098 in 48 PAs, so De Aza was (statistically) much better.

 

I agree that Danks is not exactly setting the world on fire offensively, but its not all about offense. There's defense of course, how many runs would Danks save over DeAza in the outfield.

 

I think more importantly however, is what kind of example is DeAza setting for the younger players? Can you keep screwing up like he does and still start everyday? I have no idea if DeAza is well liked in the clubhouse or not, but at some point this has to get the other players thinking that messing up consistently has little or no consequences.

 

2 years ago I was as big a DeAza fan as anybody, but wow, has he gotten bad. It may be wise to give him a few more weeks yet and hope that he can get hot, but DeAza is so depressing to watch.

[De Aza/Danks/Garcia]

I'm a JorDanks fan, but let me remind you how badly he performed in his Major League time this year.

 

Compared to DeAza?

[De Aza/Danks/Garcia]

At what point to you look at making the change away from De Aza? If Alejandro is going to hit .200, I'd rather have Jordan Danks up here, because the guy is a way better OF and baserunner. If he ADA isn't going to generate runs, I'd rather have a guy out there who will save some. I'd even be interested to see Garcia run out there for a few days a week to see how he could handle catching the ball in LF, and getting him on the bases once in a while.

 

I agree. Give me the solid defense. I also think that now is a good time to see what Danks can do with consistent playing time, he can't be any worse.

[Ventura rips the team]

He got off to a really slow start last year too and that was with more consistent usage and preparation.

 

It seems to me that several years ago DeAza had won the opening day starting CF job with the Marlins and I do recall reading that when he came over to the Sox that he was considered a real centerfielder, which we had not had in a while.

 

DeAza is really starting to bother me too. He doesn't seem to be comfortable doing anything. Maybe if we could transplant some of Eaton's mentality into him it would get him motivated.

[5/12 Games]

Or he's got a big, slow, loopy swing that he can use to capitalize against inferior pitching that is sometimes on the mound in AAA, whereas that opportunity rarely shows itself in the majors.

 

This sparks a question from me. I've always liked Jordan Danks as a prospect, mainly because he's an above average defensive CF (I would prefer him over any of the garbage outfielders on the Big League club now) and it seemed he was always one who's bat finally came around after a few months at one level. Is his swing just too long for the majors or what?

 

The follow up question to this would be about his personality. I do not know him personally, nor have I read much about him on a personal level. Is he just too stubborn to shorten his swing, or does he really not have that much offensive potential? Have the hitting coaches been working with him at all,, or does he not listen? I'd appreciate any insight from those more in the know.

[Johnson will make at least one more start at AAA]

I don't think anyone would expect a youngster to adapt so quickly to a loss of 3-4 MPH off his fb and make that up with command and control in the span of one off-season.

 

It also requires the ability to change speeds, arm angles and have a devastating change or offspeed pitch in the high 70's.

 

We could have said, I'd like you to meet Dylan Axelrod (or John Danks).

 

Of course, Putnam and Carroll hardly throw harder than 90 and have been very successful. Takatsu. But the league usually catches up and makes an adjustment at some point.

 

This is true, but doesn't it make a difference how many soft tossers you have on your staff? For example, is it possible that someone like Dylan Axlerod was more effective last season because he had hard throwers around him? After facing a Chris Sale, or a Hector Santiago for example, the hitters timing might be a little off to hit the slower stuff hard.

[Light at End of the Tunnel for White Sox/Cubs?]

What's your favorite moment of the Cubs-Sox series?

 

Mike Caruso's home run (1999)

A.J. Pierzynski-Michael Barrett fight at the Cell (2006)

Pierzynski's 3-run walkoff homer at Wrigley (2006)

 

Yeah, I caught that too. Did Pierzynski switch teams for the day?

 

Hey, Looky there, I finally made it to 1,000 posts! Been a member for over 11 years it looks like, guess I listen more than I talk.

 

Or maybe I just post quality over quantity!

 

[FutureSox: Profiling Cleuluis Rondon]

Really?

 

With absolutely no intention of offending anyone, I've always believed that the VAST majority of hardcore fans, including all those who have played at the high school level and beyond, prefer everything that goes with the chess-match aspect of baseball over cro-magnon "piñata ball." And that's despite the media's interest in glorifying the shameful McGwire-Sosa-Bonds "chicks dig the long-ball era."

 

The big bombs are an amazing part of the game. I enjoy the occasional slugfest too (as long as my guys win). But, baseball is so much bigger and richer than just that.

 

You're not exactly the only two left.

 

KEWL ! Agree 100%

[FutureSox: Profiling Cleuluis Rondon]

Wow. We may be the only two left that think this way.

 

I've never cared much for Home Run ball either. Overall I think that the Cell is a pretty good ball park, but I wish that it had Comerica Field dimensions. Would love a few doubles and triples, that to me is a much more exciting offense. You can then watch a pitcher pitch his way out of jams.

 

My favorite player of all time was Carlton Fisk. I really loved how he worked with the pitcher. A.J. wasn't bad in that department either. I'm more concerned about Tyler Flowers development in this area than I am his offense!

[FutureSox: Profiling Cleuluis Rondon]

I agree with that part. I just remember Omar being thought of as a back up IF, and that was it. Then he hit Cleveland, and wow.

 

My personal opinion of the 2005 team, aside from great pitching and speed when Podsednik was healthy, was that overall we had a pretty good defense, especially up the middle. I really don't care too much about the offense as long as they can take a walk and maybe bunt once in a while; but I prize above all else a catcher, 2nd baseman, shortstop and centerfielder who can catch the ball.

[FutureSox: Profiling Cleuluis Rondon]

you have to think anyone stuck in that lineup would develop his hitting merely by osmosis. Talk about a fearsome bunch of hitters

 

Anyone know who the Indians minor league hitting instructors were 20 - 25 years ago and if they are still around could we kidnap them and get them in our system?

[FutureSox: Profiling Cleuluis Rondon]

If you were excited about Omar Vizquel after his time with Seattle, you should probably be a scout.

 

Lol!; No, I've just always valued defense and pitching over offense. I much prefer a pitchers dual over a 10 - 9 game. I loved last nights game for the most part, even though I only got to see the last half of it. My favorite part of baseball is observing how the pitcher and catcher are working together and how the defense is playing certain hitters.

[FutureSox: Profiling Cleuluis Rondon]

Vizquel's career OPS numbers in A- and A were .623 and .649 respectively, with K/PA rates around 13%, and very little Iso power, walk rates around 12%. He also spent 3 seasons at those levels, at similarly young ages (18-20). So there is definitely some similarity there, though it looks like Vizquel was a little better.

 

Thank you NSS & Wite. I still remember when the Indians got Visquel from Seattle and was wishing it was the Sox instead. I, for one, will be hoping that 20 some years later we got our own Visquel from Boston. Now, if we only had minor league instructors that could teach players how to hit like the Indians did back in the day.

[FutureSox: Profiling Cleuluis Rondon]

Can anyone tell me how Omar Visquel profiled as a minor leaguer? It's been 20 some years ago, but I seem to remember that he was considered all glove, no bat as well. It would be tremendous if we had an Omar Visquel clone in our system!

[5/5 at Cubs]

A Tribune article today P. K. talks about his memorable moments in the Sox / Cubs series. He makes no mentioned of being hit in the face by tonight's starter.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0,4101549.story

 

I almost wish he was starting tonight for revenge.

 

Never, NEVER FORGET !

[WHITE SOX WINNER]

lol...

 

People freak out over Balfour's reaction in the dugout afterwards but I really didn't have a problem with that. Many on this board have said at times that we want to see a player be pissed when they messed up, show some emotion.

 

I think that I would rather have a pitcher of Balfours's talent as our closer right now over Lindstrom and I think that many on here would agree with that. That said, with his overall personality, being an ass clown and all, I really would not want him anywhere near this team.

[Sox @ Tigers, Quintana vs. Scherzer, 4/24, 12:08, CSN]

Tank leading the league if average against RH's.. Who would of thunk that

 

Certainly not Robin Ventura based on the first few games of the season.

[Chris Sale to start Thu May 22 vs Yankees]

If he is truly having a PRP injection, there is more than some flexor inflammation going on. This article makes me more worried than hopeful. That is not a procedure done for minor inflammation.

 

; This is NOT good.

[Cleveland Indians @ Chicago White Sox]

From 2010-2013, he ranked 34 of 35 for first basemen by defensive runs saved, at -55.6, minimum 2,000 innings at the position. Only Prince Fielder was worse, and he had about 1,900 more innings.

,

Sorry, but I'm not agreeing with this statement. I'm not a sabermetrics guy per say, but I'm not against them either. I think that this must, in some way, under value Paulies ability to scoop up errant throws. How many errors (baserunners) has he saved just from Alexi alone? I agree that Paulies range was bad, but I can't believe that he was that poor of a 1st baseman. JMHO.

[How good would they have been?]

Bonds went from being a surebet HOFer to the best player I've ever seen.

 

Remember, at age 42 he still OPS'd .1045. 30 HRs in 350ABs.

 

Well yeah, when baseball practically instructs umpires not to call a strike on him unless it's over the heart of the plate I'm pretty sure that an out of shape old guy like me could hit a little bit too.

 

Watching Bonds bat in his steroid seasons was one of the most disgusting things that I've ever seen in my 50 years of watching baseball.