Lillian

Bringing this discussion back to the 2018 Draft; I'm leaning toward Singer or Kumar Rocker, with our pick. By adding that one more top of the rotation starter, the future staff isn't going to need all that much offense. It will be interesting to see what kind of a Junior year he has at Florida.

QUOTE (beautox @ Aug 4, 2017 -> 11:08 PM) I think there is a good chance that a fair amount of those prospects beat those ETAs. as for '20 this is what i see if the sox have a similar success rate as the cubs. CF - Robert 2B - Moncada# LF - Jimenez 1B - Gillaspie# or Sheets* 3B - Burger C - Collins* DH - Abreu SS - Garcia# RF - Rutherford* or Adolfo or Basabe# or Call or Gonzalez SP - Kopech SP - Rodon* SP - Lopez SP - Guerrero* SP - Giolito CL - Burdi SU - Fulmer SU - Stephens MR - Goldberg LO - Bummer I think the sox lock up Leury to a reasonable contract extension and TA becomes our version of Castro. Locking up Leury has been an intriguing possibility to me, as well. I also agree that he now belongs back at SS. He was always regarded as a very good defensive SS, and the Sox now have plenty of outfielders. With Leury as our back up SS, or even our #1, if Anderson fails to put it all together, the Sox would have that position pretty well covered. They could certainly do worse than a productive switch hitter, with speed and he is still only 26. Where are Hansen, Dunning and Cease?

Just to follow up, and in response to the concerns about prematurely expecting the prospects to produce by 2020, here are their projected ages, in 2020 and the MLB Pipeline anticipated "ETA's": Moncada 25 ETA: 2017 Jimenez 23 ETA: 2019 Robert 23 ETA: 2020 Rutherford 23 ETA: 2020 Burger 24 ETA: 2020 Collins 25 ETA: 2018 Gillaspie 27 ETA: 2017 Sheets 24 ETA: 2020 Kopech 24 ETA: 2018 Giolito 26 ETA: 2017 Lopez 26 ETA: 2017 Dunning 25 ETA: 2019 Hansen 25 ETA: 2019 Guerrero 26 ETA: 2018 Cease 24 ETA: 2019 The 3 youngest guys; Jimenez, Robert and Rutherford would be 23. Guys as highly regarded as Jimenez and Robert often succeed by age 23. If they are truly elite prospects, they could very well be ready.

Greg, I'm rooting for Matt as well. However, my hope is that he establishes himself as a bonafide slugger, who could be used as a trade chip, to net something needed for that juggernaut squad, which Hahn is putting together for 2020. I suspect that sluggers will not be in short supply on that team.

Although it's very early to be projecting 2020's roster and lineup, could we have some fun? You guys were very forthcoming in the thread on next year's projected roster, so what the hell, why not? In addition to all of the future trades, high draft picks and free agent signings, here is a possible lineup, with an accompanying rationale: CF Robert RH LF Rutherford LH 2B Moncada SW RF Jimenez RH DH Abreu RH 1B Sheets LH / Gillaspie SW 3B Burger RH C Collins LH SS Anderson RH The lineup is intended to stagger the right and left handed hitters: Robert leads off, because he is purported to have the speed, on base and base running skills for the spot Rutherford is slotted in the #2 hole, as he possesses good pitch recognition, patience and contact skills. He could be proficient at executing the hit and run, and have enough speed, from the left side to stay out of double plays. So far, he has not demonstrated the power, but that may play just fine, in a lineup that has power potential at every position. Moncada provides power and speed, along with the ability to hit from either side of the plate Jimenez profiles as a legitimate clean up slugger, with the ability to also hit for average Abreu still belongs somewhere in the heart of the order, with veteran leadership and RBI skills Sheets or Gillaspie provide a left handed bat, to sandwich between three right handed sluggers Burger could be a real effective weapon, kicking off the bottom third of the order. Collins provides another left handed bat with power and high OBP skills Anderson provides speed and some pop at the bottom of the order. If neither Gillaspie, nor Sheets develops, Adolfo could end up in RF, with Jimenez moving to first. Hopefully, Avi, Davidson and perhaps another one, or two, current players will perform well enough to net a couple of useful pieces to augment this list. I'm very interested to get your takes. Let's do the pitching in a separate thread.

First time through the Kanny lineup, everyone reached but one. Burger homered and is batting for the 2ND time in the inning!!!!!

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Jul 30, 2017 -> 08:39 PM) You are an amazing fan. There are literally no woman on this board posting besides you and you are still talking baseball in your 70's ? with a bunch of new age analysts. Loving the history of the game is why I like Hawk Harrelson. How could I not miss hearing about guys like Ted Williams or Joe Dimaggio from a guy who experienced much of it first hand ? You are no dinosaur . You are a rare gem or a fine wine. Your perspective is much appreciated. Thank you. That is very kind and much appreciated. Baseball, even with all of its changes, is still the most beautiful game, ever devised.

I have a suggestion and request for you, "Alexeihyeess". You appear to be quite convinced that this patient approach is not the best one. Could we try a compromise? Instead of the team giving up on winning until 2020, what would you think about giving the young prospects one more year, and then executing your aggressive suggestion to go for it, in 2019, instead of next year. Think in terms of at least a couple more very high draft picks, this June and next year. Then consider whom you would recommend for the roster in 2019. Please also add your favorite realistic free agent acquisitions, keeping in mind that you could acquire them in 2019, as well as next year. I'd be very interested to see what that might look like, and to discover whether, or not, you might find it more feasible than going for it next season. I'd look forward to reading it. Thanks.

With his change up rated a 60 and his control rated 55, I think he'll be right there with Guerrero and Clarkin, in the low, to mid 20's. I personally love a young pitcher with his qualities of pitch-ability and control, especially with a plus change up. It's still the second best pitch in baseball, right behind a well located fastball.

Where would you guess Puckett will be ranked, among our prospects?

QUOTE (Alexeihyeess @ Jul 29, 2017 -> 04:58 PM) I have never said they should call up Rutherford, Robert or Burger next year. No, I understand that you did not say that. However, those guys are part of the core that the front office hopes will make this team competitive. I added Jimenez, because he is only in A Ball. There will also be at least a couple more top prospects, added in the next two drafts. It's hard to understand the urgency to try to put a really competitive team on the field, next season. You are certainly entitled to your philosophy and strategy, regarding the best way forward, however it is likely that management does not agree with you. Right, or wrong, it is clear to most observers that Hahn intends to exercise patience here.

I'm sure that most of us empathize with those who hate watching the team lose so often. However, we can all be consoled by rooting for guys like Cordell, Wille Garcia and Gillaspie to prove that they are Major League ready, as did Avi, Davidson and perhaps even Leury did this year. And more importantly, it could be very rewarding watching all of the prospects take their next steps forward, toward their eventual call ups. Wouldn't it be wonderful to see Charlotte with a dominate team, beating everybody in sight, with a roster full of our favorite top prospects? That is the most realistic, best case scenario. if one wouldn't find such a circumstance rewarding, as a fan of this organization, they are likely in for a very frustrating stretch of baseball.

QUOTE (Alexeihyeess @ Jul 29, 2017 -> 03:57 PM) That is a choice they can make this offseason. There is more than enough available in free agency (at reasonable prices) and on the farm, assuming they are aggressive calling up Jimenez and Kopech, to field a team that can be competitive on a game-by-game basis. Probably not playoffs, but forward momentum towards 2019 (a season they absolutely must not spend wallowing in the basement). The point has been made, but should be emphasized, regarding service time. There is no reason to prematurely start the clock on young players, who are not going to be harmed by spending another year in the farm system. Of course, eventually they will need some Major League seasoning, but why rush guys like Jimenez, Robert, Kopech, Burger and Rutherford, none of whom will even be 21, at the start of next season? Wouldn't you rather see them on the parent club, prior to free agency, into their prime years? If you start the clock when they are that young, they will be free agents by the time they are 27, just when they should be in their best prime years. Patience is going to be the key. In the meantime, the idea is to let the guys with some Minor League experience, such as Cordell, Willie Garcia and Gillaspie play, to see what they can provide. Of course, it's always possible that they blossom and the team fields a pretty decent offense. However, the pitching is still not likely to be good enough to produce a winning record. The best arms are just not ready yet to dominate Big League hitters. Why not give them time?

QUOTE (Quin @ Jul 29, 2017 -> 02:50 PM) UNLESS C - Omar Narvaez just keeps doing Omar 1B - Abreu hits like he just learned Ron made a thread about him 2B - Moncada is promised a box of twinkies for every hit SS - Anderson rebounds to last year, tweets out that he loves Fathom. 3B - Davidson, idk, Mark Reynolds LF - Leury continues being super Leury CF - Engel thinks he's actually back in the AFL RF - Avi hits like All-Star Avi DH - Casey Gillaspie thinks he's Conor in the NLCS against the Cubs How fun!! I love it. The only thing you forgot was that awful pitching staff, unless all the young arms are prematurely called up, and somehow win a "joint" Rookie of the Year award.

I would be very surprised if they make any significant free agent acquisitions. It seems more plausible that they will wait, both to see what their needs are going to be, and to save their financial capital for the coming window of contention.

Yes Greg, that suggested roster was not assembled, with the intent of winning. It's about development, both for the players on that roster, as well as the future "stars," down on the farm. It's all in preparation for 2019 and beyond.

Just to add another note on Jake Peter: He has an 18 game hitting streak, including his first 9 games with Charlotte, in which he also has hit 4 homers. Going back to July 7TH, which was the last game in which he went hitless, the 5 games previous to that 0 for 4 night, he was 11 for 20 including three 3 hit games. The guy has been on fire, and his raised his average and OBP to very respectable levels. Pretty impressive for a former pitcher. He'll be an interesting player to follow, the rest of the season. I suspect that he is opening some eyes. Does anyone have any insight into what might account for the sudden improvement?

QUOTE (Quin @ Jul 29, 2017 -> 11:22 AM) Scouting reports go back and forth on whether or not Delmonico is a butcher at third and Yolmer/Leury both have had way more AAA success than Peter has to this point. I've always liked Peter, but if he's a starter he either blew past expectations or something has gone very, very wrong. Asche is a non-factor and is AAAA fodder. Also this. In a perfect scenario, the future will have Moncada, Collins, Rutherford and Sheets/Gillaspie providing balance from the left handed side. But that is well down the road. You are absolutely right and you can imagine how happy that prospect makes me. It's great that they are finally stock piling some very promising left handed hitters.

QUOTE (Rowand44 @ Jul 29, 2017 -> 11:18 AM) Lineup construction isn't going to be a priority next year. That's a good point. I guess I have to remind myself that winning with these guys is not a priority. They need to concentrate on development, so who cares?

QUOTE (Quin @ Jul 29, 2017 -> 09:22 AM) Leury and Sanchez will both get spots over Delmonico/Asche/Peter. Yes, I love both of those little guys. I was trying to find a decent defensive third baseman, and another LH bat. You know me. I "loves me" those left handed bats, especially in the middle of the order. Without Melky, they are going to be short a decent bat, from the left side. Moncada would be the only one. In addition to being a decent infield defender, Peter is intriguing, because he had also previously be concentrating on pitching, as well as hitting, yet has seemed to figure it out pretty quickly. It would be interesting to see if he could fill the #2 hole, with his good contact skills.

QUOTE (BrianAnderson @ Jul 29, 2017 -> 09:40 AM) That was a well put together post. I agree with most of it. Very realistic too. I think Tilson will get his shot. I also think Gilaspie will get his shot too. Asche had his. I think they like Willy Garcia a decent amount too. I can see them trying to hit on a few washed up former 1st or 2nd round picks. We have the luxury of tryin got hit gold while we suck, so I see Hahn pursuing that route this summer Thanks for the input. I also like Gillaspie, but don't you think that they will want to see him get back on track, at AAA, before they bring him up?

Although the rebuild, aka; "house cleaning," is likely not quite finished, it's not too early to begin to think about the Major League roster for next year. Almost all of the young guys will be vying for their various positions down on the farm, while the parent club bides its time, and looks forward to a few more high draft picks next June and in 2019. Nevertheless, there are benefits to grooming a few players, who may either become part of the equation for 2019, or be decent trade candidates, used to fill other needs. In any case, someone has to play!!!! In that context, it would be fun and interesting to consider whom you all think might comprise the starting lineup, next year, while we all wait for 2019. Here is my suggestion: CF Adam Engel or Cordell. (Both are Right Handed). My rational is that both guys possess good enough tools and are now too old to waste more time in the Minors, where they would be taking up roster spots, needed for the very promising younger prospects. It's time to find out what they can do. Tilson is another name, but you have to wonder if he can stay healthy. 3B Jake Peter. (Left Handed) His recent emergence as an offensive contributor should boost his stock. I'd like to see him at third, as he is supposed to have a pretty good arm, being a former pitcher. He seems like a good candidate for the 2 hole, because of his good plate discipline and contact skills. 2B Yoan Moncada.(Switch Hitter) I realize that hitting him third may be putting some extra pressure on him, but having Abreu and Avi behind him, should provide a little protection for him, and help ensure that he sees more hittable pitches. DH Jose Abreu. (RH) He is clearly the best hitter on this team. It's time to see if he can still be productive, while DH'ing, as that is likely to be his long term role, once the rebuilt team matures. RF Avi Garcia. (RH) If he can finally realize his power potential, and learn to take his walks, he may be worth extending, but if not, he could be traded to fill any hole, in the next wave. LF Nick Delmonico/Cody Asche (Both bat LH) The lineup needs another left handed hitter, and I'd like to see if either of these guys could produce at the next level. They are both having pretty good years, at AAA, especially vs RHP. Maybe one of them could platoon with Willie Garcia, whom I like. 1B Matt Davidson (RH) He has established himself as a legitimate power threat, but probably is better suited to first base, than the hot corner. C Omar Narvaez (LH) I like his plate discipline and ability to draw walks. You may be surprised to know that he leads the team in OBP, even if he has no power. I'm not sure if he's good enough defensively. ???? SS Tim Anderson (RH) Well, he is signed long term, so these next 2 years are his chance to demonstrate that he can be part of this promising Sox future. I am still convinced that he must develop better plate discipline, if he is ever going to realize his potential. If not, SS will be a hole, going into that window of contention, starting in 2019 or 2020. You'll note that this projected lineup does not include the acquisition of any veterans. I don't see the point in taking that route. Let's see who can either be part of the future, or provide a trading chip. Sanchez and Leury top my list for the bench. That leaves the pitching, which is going to be very interesting. Unless they start bringing the prospects, it's hard to imagine who is going to fill out the rotation, as well as the bullpen. That would be another interesting discussion. Any suggestions??

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jul 28, 2017 -> 02:47 PM) Melky Cabrera can hit the baseball pretty well. He doesn't have a ton of power, he isn't fast, he doesn't play great defense, and he doesn't have much of an arm. He is a 1 WAR player, and there legitimately are not a lot of teams looking for an outfielder. Look at the outfields for contenders and find a spot for him where he is going to get significant playing time while representing a large upgrade. You really are not going to find it. Melky Cabrera WILL have use for a contender as a situational bat off the bench where he gets 2-4 starts a week and can be used as a pinch hitter. He will not get the Sox much of a return. On what do you base your assertion that "Melky does not have much of an arm"?

How good is Mendick's defense, at SS?

This is the quote, from Fan Graphs' Dave Cameron, that stands out to me: "For these deals to work out as well as the White Sox hope, their player development system is going to have to take some raw materials and turn them into polished big leaguers". With this team's future completely invested in their farm system, if management doesn't make a concerted effort to put in place the right coaching staff, failing would be as much their responsibility, as it would be the failure of the prospects, themselves. I have no idea from where the help would come, or how feasible it is to acquire competent coaches and instructors, but that should be the goal. The front office should certainly have sufficient financial resources to dedicate toward that goal, as the team's payroll projects to be as low it has been, in a long time.