BlackSox13

QUOTE (scs787 @ Jun 5, 2014 -> 11:51 AM) I'd be happy with any of the 4 guys speculated. I'm rather high on Nola. I know the draft is about projection, but I like production. 12-1 with a 1.57 ERA in the SEC??? Uh ya, I'd have no problem with that. The production put up by the high school kids is nice, but what was the level of competition there? I'm not saying I have Nola at the top of my list but I wouldn't question the pick one bit. Nola's numbers are what confuses me when some say we have to take Rodon if he's there but say no to Nola. Nola does have better college numbers than Rodon, though I realize you can't hinge everything on numbers alone. IMO, Rodon has been over-hyped.

QUOTE (southside hitman @ Jun 5, 2014 -> 10:45 AM) Aaron Fitt of BA saw his start in the SEC Tournament against Arkansas and said he was at 95-96 in a first inning or so, then sat 92-94 until the 8th. That would do just fine. I read that too, was a good read. I didn't really like the idea of Nola til I read that article yesterday. I'm much more at ease with the idea of drafting Nola. I still prefer Aiken, but Kolek or Nola would make fine selections as well if Aiken is gone. QUOTE (DirtySox @ Jun 5, 2014 -> 10:45 AM) The "safe" pick at 1-3 is different than the "safe" pick at 1-15, which is where Broadway went. I agree. Its just that the scouting reports remind me of what was said about Broadway when he was drafted. This doesn't mean Nola will have the same fate as Broadway by any means.

QUOTE (oneofthemikes @ Jun 5, 2014 -> 10:15 AM) This. His command is his biggest selling point right now. Very advanced pitchability. Plus fastball and a couple other potential plus offerings. I like what I've read, but what scares me is Nola's scouting reports sounds a bit like Broadway. You know, good command with good off speed pitches. But Nola is not Broadway so if the Sox draft him all we can do is hope Nola doesn't turn out to be Broadway 2.0.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jun 5, 2014 -> 10:05 AM) Eh that doesn't excite me to much. He's a 3 at best. I haven't read our watched much of Nola. What's his arsenal? Two seam FB that tops in the mid 90's, potential plus curve and change, supposed to be very good control/command.

Here's the latest from BA. http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/mock-...ooks-like-no-1/ 1- Aiken 2-. Rodon 3- Kolek

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jun 5, 2014 -> 09:59 AM) Who do scouts compare Nola to? Mike Leake, Nola is said to have higher upside than Leake.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jun 5, 2014 -> 09:47 AM) It's a VERY realistic scenario. If Rodon goes 1.1, the consensus seems to be Jackson goes 1.2, leaving Aiken to fall in our laps. This is my prediction, or wishful thinking. Just a gut feeling Houston goes a different direction than what's projected. There's usually a surprise and I think Houston's first pick will be that surprise.

QUOTE (southside hitman @ Jun 5, 2014 -> 09:45 AM) Well if you are referring to their aversion to high school pitchers by all accounts Aiken seems to be #1 on their board. I am hoping like hell he falls to them some how. WORD! Let Rodon go first to Houston, Jackson second to Miami and Aiken third to the Sox. Let the flubs choose between Nola and Kolek.

QUOTE (Feeky Magee @ Jun 4, 2014 -> 10:31 PM) Nick Faleris of Baseball Prospectus has Kolek's stock dropping too. Key to the whole White Sox draft might be how much the Marlins like Jackson. Just a guess but if in fact Kolek is sliding then its likely teams are beginning to inform one another of their intentions beginning with Houston and trickling down from there.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 4, 2014 -> 09:30 PM) He eventually mentioned Nola after talking about the big 3 guys. Hawk seems down on everyone they might take due to one reason or another. Just another reason why Hawk is NOT a GM, thank god that experiment ended quickly.

QUOTE (Melissa1334 @ Jun 4, 2014 -> 09:16 PM) im fine with any of the guys we have heard about getting as long as we dont pass on rodon Just my opinion but I'm not sold on Rodon. His heavy work load and use of his slider kinda scares me.

Assuming Aiken is gone by the time the Sox pick, Nola almost makes too much sense. I read earlier that Nola has a #2 ceiling, could fast track to the majors, right handed and projected to be very signable. Just fits too perfect between Sale and Q in the rotation. I still want Aiken but according to the good things I've read about Nola, I'd be quite happy with him at #3.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jun 4, 2014 -> 11:22 AM) This is how I think its going to go too. I just feel if theres going to be a surprise, it will come from Houston. With so many players capable of going #1, Houston could end up making people scratch their heads, if they drafted outside of what is currently being predicted (Aiken #1).

Seeing as how there's usually a shake up from the predicted mock drafts, I'm going with this... 1- Rodon- Houston 2- Jackson- Miami 3- Aiken- Sox 4- Nola- Cubs 5- Kolek- Twins

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jun 4, 2014 -> 09:58 AM) There will be a pinned thread in PHT tomorrow, with a link to the tracker in the OP and discussion, which can be used for that. OK cool, thanks for the heads up. Now, if only I could decide on what my predictions will be.

Will there be a predictions thread tomorrow or will we just post our predictions here?

QUOTE (Chicago White Sox @ Jun 3, 2014 -> 08:56 PM) I'm not sure it's a lack of power that makes players ideal for those spots. Those are the spots in the lineup you don't expect much power from and likely where they would fit in.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 3, 2014 -> 07:35 PM) To me, you can't have Micah Johnson, Sanchez and Eaton in the same AL lineup. Way too little power from that trio. The lack of power could make them ideal #1, #2, #9 hitters.

QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Jun 3, 2014 -> 04:38 PM) That's actually exactly who I was going to bring up, but we haven't heard Kolek having the kind of secondary stuff that Verlander has. That's why Jonathan Broxton was kind of the comp I've always had in mind for Kolek. Rodon comes with possible elbow concerns from over using his slider ( depending on the scout/writer). Aiken throwing such a good CB at 18 could also raise an eyebrow , though I take him in a heartbeat anyway. Kolek relying on his fastball and not breaking pitches is a very good thing for a young 18 YO pitcher. Depending on the source, some say when Kolek does throw a slider and CB , one or both flash plus potential.

If Jackson and the Marlins is true then Houston has already cut a deal, but with whom? Rodon, Aiken, Kolek?

Here's the latest mock from MLB fwiw. 1- Aiken 2- Rondon 3- Kolek http://m.mlb.com/news/2014/06/02/77857076/...oice-for-astros

QUOTE (southside hitman @ Jun 2, 2014 -> 01:18 PM) Just based on body type alone, it would be pretty funny to have Sale and Kolek as our 1-2 punch in our rotation. I am rooting for us to draft Kolek just for the photo ops with those two. No kidding. It would be like snapping a pick of Bluto and Olive Oil together. I'm fine with Kolek, been a fan all winter but Aiken would be to good for me too pass up if he is available. If the Sox grab Kolek, I hope the first thing they work on is getting him to focus more on control and less on velocity. Dude throws hard anyway so he can afford to lose a few MPH.

Here's a writeup from BA about the ideal body type for a pitcher and mentions Kolek. http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/whats...thander-anyway/

QUOTE (The Ultimate Champion @ Jun 2, 2014 -> 12:39 PM) Competitive Balance Round A Rockies Orioles Indians Marlins Royals Brewers Competitive Balance Round B Padres Diamondbacks Cardinals Rays Pirates Mariners Any of these teams want Gordon or a reliever? Rienzo+? Maybe we could eat all of DeAza or Dunn's contract and send a prospect/second piece. Putnam, Petricka, Belisario would be nice gets for any team in need of RP ATM. I can't believe the Pirates got such a great deal. On June X next season, if the Marlins offer that same player back to the Pirates striaght-up for the player they draft at 39 the Marlins probably get laughed off the phone. Dumb. This is what I'm hoping for as well. This is a good draft to have an extra pick, not sure what teams would be willing to part with a pick for what the Sox have available. I'm sure Hahn has it in mind should a team call about a trade between now and Thursday.

QUOTE (oneofthemikes @ Jun 2, 2014 -> 06:46 AM) As the draft draws closer, it would seem that no one has any idea what to expect come Thursday. I guess I could see things shaking out a handful of ways on Thursday. 1) Aiken, Rodon, Kolek 2) Aiken, Jackson, Rodon 3) Rodon, Aiken, Kolek 4) Rodon, Jackson, Aiken But there have been rumblings of the Astros going underslot like they did with Correa a couple years back and picking Nick Gordon. If that happens, I have no idea what to expect from any of this. If the Astros pick Gordon, I'd guess Miami sticks with Jackson and the Sox take Aiken #3. At least that's what I would hope for.