PolishPrince34
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Posts posted by PolishPrince34
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It’s really sad how we haven’t developed a key player since Ordonez and Lee. No other organization in the last 20 plus years comes close to it except maybe Baltimore but that has changed quickly in such short period with Elias putting the resources in the international spending and development.
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Miguel Vargas coming to Sox
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Wow that’s a ton the Padres sent to the Rays!
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Do we know who Shirley wanted instead?
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Sirota has some makeups issues reported by many publications.
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Don’t forget we signed 9 undrafted players. I’m sure another million was spent on them. You never know. I like taking more chances.
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Just now, PolishPrince34 said:
Chicago White Sox
The White Sox took the best left-handed pitcher in the draft in Arkansas ace Hagen Smith (1), who finished second in Division I in strikeouts and produced one of the most dominant pitching performances scouts have ever seen in his 17-strikeout outing against Oregon State in February. He’s 92-97 with a plus slider, coming from a lower three-quarters slot with a funky delivery and starts all the way on the extreme first-base side of the rubber, making him tougher on lefties but also making it harder for him to get to his glove side. I think he has No. 2 starter upside but there’s some development required.
I was surprised to hear Caleb Bonemer (2) get picked after a down spring that sparked rumors the Michigan prep product would just go to Virginia, but you could also argue that the White Sox got a guy who was a clear first-rounder coming into the year and are taking advantage of a buy-low opportunity. He’s got plus power and above-average speed, with a dead-pull approach even as he’s changed his swing mechanics multiple times in search of better results. He’s a shortstop now but probably moves to third or second. Florida prep pitcher Blake Larson(2A) is another low-slot left-hander — the White Sox do have a type — who’s very projectable, 92-94 already with a tight slider that should be plus in time, although his delivery looks like it will put stress on the shoulder and he may need some help cleaning it up for durability and control.
Nick McLain is the younger brother of the Reds’ Matt McLain. (Zac BonDurant / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Nick McLain (3), the younger brother of Reds infielder Matt McLain, took off this year once he was fully recovered from a hand injury from last year, hitting .342/.457/.663 with more walks than strikeouts for Arizona State. He plays very hard and scouts say he’ll get the most out of his tools, for what that’s worth. Once he got going, he had one of the better swings in the draft, with a Barrel rate in the top 5 percent of the class. The main concern is he hasn’t shown he can hit good velocity, without a hit on anything registered over 93 this spring, while he’ll expand the zone somewhat against offspeed stuff.
Virginia outfielder Casey Saucke (4) won’t turn 21 until a week after the draft, so he’s one of the younger college players in the class. He’s got some bat speed and power but his hand load is so high and deep that he has real timing issues. He also expands the zone way too easily when he gets to two strikes. He’s probably an extra outfielder but does have everyday upside with some serious approach work.
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Infielder Sam Antonacci (5) transferred from JUCO to Coastal Carolina this spring and hit .367/.523/.504 for the Chanticleers, with an extremely high contact rate on pitches in the zone and a swing that’s consistently in the ideal launch angle range, allowing him to get more out of his contact than you’d otherwise guess from his fringy power. He’s played short, third, and second over the last three springs and summers but isn’t great at any of them and may end up in left field.
Pitt right-hander Phil Fox (7) transferred from Gardner-Webb this spring and apparently purified himself in the waters of the Monongahela, going from a 15 percent walk rate in 2023 in the Big South to a 2.1 percent walk rate this year in the ACC. He reduced his glove tap, started getting down the hill a little faster, and went from throwing about 75 percent fastballs to over 90 percent fastballs. He’s 91-94 and does have at least an average slider. It’s straight relief but I’d like to see him get to Double A quickly to see how this all plays against pro hitters, because I don’t think you’re waiting on anything here to get him more ready for a middle reliever role in the majors.
Keith Law
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Quote
Chicago White Sox
The White Sox took the best left-handed pitcher in the draft in Arkansas ace Hagen Smith (1), who finished second in Division I in strikeouts and produced one of the most dominant pitching performances scouts have ever seen in his 17-strikeout outing against Oregon State in February. He’s 92-97 with a plus slider, coming from a lower three-quarters slot with a funky delivery and starts all the way on the extreme first-base side of the rubber, making him tougher on lefties but also making it harder for him to get to his glove side. I think he has No. 2 starter upside but there’s some development required.
I was surprised to hear Caleb Bonemer (2) get picked after a down spring that sparked rumors the Michigan prep product would just go to Virginia, but you could also argue that the White Sox got a guy who was a clear first-rounder coming into the year and are taking advantage of a buy-low opportunity. He’s got plus power and above-average speed, with a dead-pull approach even as he’s changed his swing mechanics multiple times in search of better results. He’s a shortstop now but probably moves to third or second.
Law's breakdown: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5640375/2024/07/18/mlb-draft-2024-american-league-report/
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The 6-foot-6, 240-pound George has one of the most electric arms in college baseball but worked just two innings as a Texas freshman in 2023 and 11 1/3 as an Alabama sophomore this spring because he doesn't throw strikes. His fastball averages 99 mph and touches 102 but usually misses the zone badly, and most of the strikes he gets on his sharp upper-80s slider come on chases. There's nothing glaringly wrong with his delivery, but he's more physical than athletic. He has closer upside if he even can discover some feel for pitching.
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Pierce George Alabama Pitcher
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Sox have to be targeting someone big tomorrow in the 11th round.
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Changed 2 years ago.
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Where the heck has Lacombe been this year. Hasn’t pitch an inning.
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Looking at the video on Bonemar there are some quick fixes to help him out. He barely loads and the lower half isn’t being used. Needs to be more athletic with his swing.
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12 minutes ago, DirtySox said:
Surprised Yesavage is still on the board.
Completely shocked he lasted to #20
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Oakland has done a lot strange picks in the 1st round for the past decade.
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Seems like Reds and Rockies are in play for Cags.
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2 hours ago, Harold's Leg Lift said:
Some not good thngs out there about Rainers makeup. Would be surprised if he's still in the mix.
I haven’t heard anything about his makeup. What are reports saying?
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Herrera hasn’t been in the lineup the past 2 weeks down in the DSL. Any word?
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I love Griffin’s tools, but that swing needs some work.
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I actually don't think that. I'm just making fun of Caulfield's depressing observations.
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I think the Sox are bottom five farm system after reading that.
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Miller’s bat is legit. He would have been a Top 10 prospect in last year's draft if he didn’t break his hamate bone.
Pedro Grifol, Charlie Montoyo, Eddie Rodriguez, & Mike Tosar Fired (Grady Sizemore interim manager)
in Pale Hose Talk
Posted
Put it on the board! YES!!!