CWSpalehoseCWS

Heath Phillips. I thought he was the next Mark Buehrle. Even got him to sign a baseball for me and told him as such... ?

Fisher might be out of the organization. Hasn’t been that impressive with the bat. That was his only plus tool and it’s not there.

I think if anything, it would help take the pressure off of him to be the future fixture of the franchise. It can't be easy having those expectations on you at 23 while trying to learn and adjust to MLB pitching. Anderson is doing considerably well compared to last year and his whole approach has changed this year with him going out and having fun and being loose.

I don't fully agree with that statement. Players may be the ones directly responsible for the on-field results, but managers need to know how to bring the best out in their players. There's a lot behind the scenes we never see. They do more than just write in the lineup card before each start. Some individuals are more skilled at getting the best out of their players than others. If managing was so easy, every former player would be lining up to do it. Same goes for hitting and pitching coaches.

Didn't MLB just ban any dealings with the Independent Mexican leagues? I would think corruption would be very much a concern too.

Definitely does. Just gotta keep reminding ourselves this one could have been worse.

So that injury was never fully healed to begin with? What crap news. Kid needs to learn the baseball season is a marathon, not a sprint.

I'll give him credit for 2012, but he was extremely mediocre the next 4 years. That makes me question whether or not he was just lucky his first year.

Ventura was very much deserved. Guy had no business managing a MLB club.

Ouch. This is absolutely brutal. Wonder if they'll add Gomez to the roster?

Absolutely. He's battled through it. That's still a positive. Doesn't have his best stuff but he's keeping the game in reach. Looks like Eloy is finally adjusting. Nice to see the BA keep creeping its way up.

Why does it always seem like this team gets dominated by shit-ball pitchers like Gallardo? This is ridiculous.

I can't speak for anyone else, but for me: Collins hitting respectably greatly increases his value to me. I'm a believer he sticks at catcher. I think his potential is back to where it was when the Sox drafted him. I'm not overly high on Zavala. I view him as an offensive-first backup at the major league level. I know there are some that say he has improved his defense, but there are still reports out there (leading into this season) that say otherwise. I'm a fan and rooting for him to succeed, I just don't think he's going to be as productive as some other people think he will be once he makes the majors. I don't view Burger as having a high ceiling, but I think he will be a MLB starter even if it is ultimately at 1B. I think his hit tool is better than Zavala's. Regarding his injury in comparison to Hansen - it seems to me that Hansen's injury could cause a more severe derailment in his development than Burger's. If this persists and forces Hansen's ability to pitch his value is greatly diminished. Burger has no speed to lose, and if he gets shifted to 1B the bat still plays IMO. Hansen worries me a little with the arm issue he had. I feel like most of the other top prospects, especially Cease and Dunning, have take a big step this year. Perhaps that is unfair for Hansen's position on my list, but he technically hasn't developed any further than last year at this time. If Hansen repeats last season for the rest of '18, he'll be back up at the top for me.

Same here. I totally read this as he's bound to have another injury in the future. Guess we'll have to wait and see how he responds to the rest? Will patiently wait for ptact's take on all this.

IF Juan Perez was released to make room for Thompson.

1 Eloy Jimenez 2 Luis Robert 3 Michael Kopech 4 Dylan Cease 5 Nick Madrigal 6 Dane Dunning 7 Zack Collins 8 Alec Hansen 9 Blake Rutherford 10 Micker Adolfo 11 Zack Burdi 12 Luis Alexander Basabe 13 Jake Burger 14 Steele Walker 15 Jordan Stephens 16 Gavin Sheets 17 Seby Zavala 18 Ian Hamilton 19 Luis Gonzalez 20 Luis Curbelo 21 Tyler Johnson 22 Lenyn Sosa 23 Lency Delgado 24 Konnor Pilkington 25 Thyago Vieira 26 Spencer Adams 27 Laz Rivera 28 Kade McClure 29 Jose Ruiz 30 Jonathan Stiever

Very positive start for Kopech. Wish he would have thrown more breaking pitches, but positive none-the-less. Keep building on it.

5 K's already, 32 of 49 for strikes.

Yeesh, not sure how to take that. He clearly realizes something is up after that pitch. Hopefully it isn't serious. Not the blow this organization needs right now.

Stephens is dealing. He really has pitched himself into consideration for a rotation spot.

This will be interesting assuming he returns. Do the Sox put him in the pen?

Jose Rondon is shown as being listed on Charlotte's roster. Not sure if it is premature move by whoever updates the page. I would think this signals both Garcias are coming back tomorrow if it's legit.

Hard hit ball up the middle that deflected off the pitcher.

Yea, Birmingham is getting a whole new team. There’s got to be a few more released to make room. They can’t possibly get away with using the inactive or phantom DL can they?

I did a huge report on this while in college. The movie is great, but it doesn't tell half of it. You need to get the book by Eliot Asinof.