Lillian

Well Caulfield, between Kopech, Cease, Lopez, Giolito, Hansen, Dunning, Fulmer and whomever they draft, or acquire in a trade, I hope that they'll have their top 3 or 4 starters. Filling in the bottom of the rotation is not going to be that hard to do. If at least 3 of those guys don't develop into top of the rotation guys, I'll be pretty disappointed. it's the injuries that worry me the most.

I'm beginning to think that both Adolfo and Jimenez, along with Moncada, will comprise the heart of the order, on that contending team, around 2021. If that happens, I'm even more convinced that Eloy will move to first. We will likely have a very crowded outfield and having both of those big guys in the same outfield would present a defensive liability. I've been saying that it seems to make more sense to think of Adolfo in RF, with his elite arm (once he recovers), Robert in CF with his elite speed and either Rutherford or Basabe in LF. That would give us two very capable defensive players in LF and CF and a strong arm in RF. Depending upon whom they draft, the Sox may not have to sign any free agent position players. This team could be loaded, with just the home grown players. It also looks like the rotation might not need a free agent, either. That would be great, because we may need to spend big on a couple of elite arms for the bullpen!!!

The maple bats and the juiced ball should minimize the effects of not using metal bats. The only place it might still be significant is near the handle. I do note that India has been hit by a pitch 10 times. That suggests that he likes to set up over the plate. If so, he might get sawed off, with inside pitches, which would make the wood bat more of a negative factor.

Of course, you're absolutely right. However, I can't imagine that his power won't come, if he continues to hit and get on base. He is a very big and strong youngster. I'd worry more about his not being able to continue to make contact.

Even if the Sox don't resign Abreu, or Avi and don't sign a free agent, it's conceivable that their lineup could still be very impressive and look something like this in 2021: 2B Moncada CF Robert DH Jimenez C Collins RF Adolfo 1B Sheets SS Anderson 3B Burger LF Basabe Add to that list, any trade acquisitions and free agents, plus potential regulars, Rutherford, Zevala and our #4 pick (India), and you have to be excited. I do hope that they take India and he replaces Anderson in 2021, if he is better than Tim, or Burger, if he turns out to be a bust. That lineup has speed, high OBP, power and nice balance on both sides of the plate. If Sheets doesn't make it, Jimenez might end up at first base. In any case, with the crowded outfield of prospects, it seems doubtful that Jimenez will be in the outfield. He is probably better suited for first base, especially with Adolfo's arm in RF, Robert and Basabe patrolling CF & LF. The point is; how these top prospects develop, coupled with the upcoming draft, is not only very intriguing, but extremely important for the future window of contention, which may not have much of our current roster. It all makes it seem much easier to watch this losing season, doesn't it?

Yes, and with the two switch hitters, we'd have 4 LH bats in the top half of the lineup, versus RHP. That works for me!!!

After last night, Collins OBP is .459. Maybe the Sox have finally found that middle of the order, LH bat!!!!!

Another good day for India, 3 for 5 with his 15TH HR. How much of a factor is his playing in the SEC, the number one NCAA conference? It will be interesting to see how he finishes the season.

For the skeptics and cynics, maybe it would be helpful to watch the run differential, more than the won/loss record. When the Sox are able to be in most games, the hope that a few of the young prospects and a free agent signing, or two, will make this team competitive. There shouldn't be a lot of holes to fill, once we get the likes of Jimenez, Robert, Kopech, Cease, Dunning, Hansen and more.

If they decide to go with a college bat, as of this moment, with a month to go, I'm hoping for India as an under slot pick, at #4. 3RD base would be just fine, with some middle infield flexibility, if needed.

Has anyone posted a link to this article, published yesterday afternoon?: https://www.minorleagueball.com/2018/5/3/17304808/2018-mlb-draft-jonathan-india-3b-university-of-florida

India is especially intriguing because apparently he could go back to SS. If he is a good defensive SS, his bat would play very well, indeed.

Anyone else high on Jonathan India? How good is his defense at SS and 3B? He leads the Southeastern Conference for the Gators, with the following: .401 .546 .810 1.356 10 2B 3 Triples and 14 HR, while walking more than he has struck out and 10 for 10 in stolen bases. If he is a solid defensive third baseman, he is very intriguing.

Madrigal profiles best at second and passable at SS. There is no way he profiles at third. Therefore, he would have to replace Moncada or Anderson. As I suggested earlier, it could make sense to trade Anderson, if and when Madrigal were ready to take over short. It doesn't appear that they want to think of repositioning Moncada, who clearly wants to stay at second. In any case, you wouldn't think that Madrigal would push his way onto the MLB squad, until 2020, at the earliest, probably not until 2021, when he would turn 24.

You have just raised my biggest concern. While it's understandable how some of these prospects are going to arrive earlier than others, it's a shame that the time table for the rebuild couldn't have been a little better coordinated. It would have been great to have the maximum number of controlled years for Moncada, Jimenez, Robert and the future starting rotation. It now looks like Jimenez will probably not be on the parent club, for a full year, until 2020. By then Moncada, Giolito and Lopez will be nearing arbitration. It would have been wonderful to see them all dominate AA, then AAA and ultimately come to the Big Leagues together. At the least, I'd have preferred to have them all come within a 2 year time frame. If they had waited until this year to bring Moncada, 2019 would have been his first full year, and the year that Jimenez could have gotten a late call up, in preparation for his first full year, in 2020. That would have allowed guys like Kopech, Cease and Dunning, to join them. I guess that's a pretty difficult thing to manage, but it would have been great to have them playing and winning, together, in the Minors, before coming to the big club and being able to stay together for a long run of contention.

I want his service time to be during his prime years, not developmental years. Let him play at AA and then AAA and then we'll see. There is no rush to bring him up, as this team is not going to win anything with him, even if he's good. I'm hoping for one more really good draft, next year.

Booker has overtaken Rutherford, for the Carolina League, top batting average!! Of course, he is 3 1/2 years older. Winston-Salem has 5 of the top 10 Carolina League batting average leaders!! Is that Vizquel's influence?

It would be a big surprise if he could generate Eaton type power, with a wood bat. Eaton is actually pretty strong, for a guy of his small stature. It is also difficult to imagine that he would ever play in the OF. He is a middle infielder and maybe not even a MLB SS.

I could care less about his lack of power. There are already too many guys in the game, who swing for the fences. If he could play good defense, get on base at a .375 clip, or better and steal bases, I'd take him. I don't care if he never hits even one home run. But then, I'm a "throw back".

Good point.

If you read the previous 2 or 3 pages, of this thread, you'll note that there is some criticism of his mechanics.

Regarding Madrigal: Would the questionable mechanics, at the plate, impede his ability to make solid contact and hit for average? If the alleged flaws in his approach, only limit his power, I wouldn't consider that to be a major negative. In fact, I personally prefer to see guys of his physical stature, concentrating on making contact and getting on base. Leave the power production to the physically stronger hitters. Therefore, if his approach actually increases his ability to make contact, albeit without much power, I'd consider it a plus. The future Sox team is not likely to need a power hitter, at SS. If he could continue to get on base, and steal, he would make an ideal leadoff hitter. The idea of a lead off hitter, who can hit the long ball, is rare and certainly not required. So, my question is; Can his mechanics result in good contact hitting, at the Major League level?

Just to make note of the fact that he is currently hitting .400 vs. RHP. His combined batting average is .342, which leads the Carolina League. We're all rightly concerned about his lack of power, but we should be encouraged by his results. Remember, he is young for Advanced A Ball.

I stand corrected. Of course, it was indeed Giambi who won the MVP, when it should have gone to the "Big Hurt". Giambi was another PED user.

Steroids were a huge factor in baseball, during Frank's career and he was very vocal about the fact that he didn't use any. In fact, he probably lost the MVP award to Mark McGwire, because of PED's. This article might be of interest: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1917409-how-frank-thomas-brilliant-career-was-overshadowed-by-the-ped-era