CWSpalehoseCWS Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 1 surprise - Adam Engel He sticks in CF all year, and makes an argument that he has a place on the team. 1 disappointment - Reynaldo Lopez I think he's in for a rough year. He'll stay in the rotation all year, but it's not going to be what fans want to see or are expecting. After this year, there will be talk on this board about moving him to the pen. 1 dark horse - Tim Anderson He still isn't going to walk, but he's going to break out this year. Solid to plus defense at SS with at at least 20 HR's and 20 SB's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 (edited) I'm assuming this is just for the big league players? If so... Surprise - Davidson/Anderson (Cease is going to absolutely turn heads all year, top 10 prospect in all of the minors, but that's an easy answer for me. Ima go with Ian Clarkin. I like the kid and believe he'll finally be healthy most of the year) Disappointment - Fulmer... not a doubt in my mind unfortunately. God I hope he proves me wrong. (Robert in the minors only because I don't think he'll stay healthy even when he comes back) Darkhorse - Davidson/Anderson (Cordell if we're talking about all minors. Basabe or Gonzalez if we're talking about actual prospects) I put Anderson and Davidson for either because they both can technically be counted as a surprise or darkhorse IMO, depending on what you see in them. Edited March 29, 2018 by SoxAce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiSox1917 Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Surprise: Completely agree with OP on Davidson. It think he becomes a solid starter for the next couple years Disappointment: Rodon Dark Horse: Cordell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Parkman Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Qualifier: I don't think at this point that Moncada and Giolito becoming an all-star and ace respectively would surprise anyone anymore, so I'll leave them out. I've been super high on both those guys since they were acquired. Surprise: Avi continues raking and gets traded in July. Disappointment: After a strong showing in Charlotte, Kopech gets lit up in the majors. Dark Horse: Fulmer sticks in the rotation all year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Replacement Level Poster Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Surprise: yolmer solidifies third base with 20 hr pop and plus defense, taking ownership of 3b for next 4-5 yrs. Dissapointment: Abreu does not age well in early 30s due to lower body injuries and general decline. (Think pujols) He misses out on competitive window from 2020 forward because not extending him at that point seems like an obvious no brainer. Dark horse: sexy Zavala continues to hit at every level and makes its obvious to organization he is catcher of future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackSox13 Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Before I have a chance to see other's responses. Surprise will be Sanchez Disappointment will be Davidson Dark horse will be Cordell Not sure how much of a dark horse Cordell is but I just get the feeling he's waiting in the weeds for his chance and when it happens he's going to hit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chitownsportsfan Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 QUOTE (Replacement Level Poster @ Mar 28, 2018 -> 09:53 PM) Surprise: yolmer solidifies third base with 20 hr pop and plus defense, taking ownership of 3b for next 4-5 yrs. Dissapointment: Abreu does not age well in early 30s due to lower body injuries and general decline. (Think pujols) He misses out on competitive window from 2020 forward because not extending him at that point seems like an obvious no brainer. Dark horse: sexy Zavala continues to hit at every level and makes its obvious to organization he is catcher of future. Solid post, plausible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daa84 Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 yeah im not buying the Engel optimism. Love the guys defense obviously, but the board is putting way too much stock in his 47 spring training ABs. Did we forget how awful he was last year in 301 ABs? .166/.235/.282. Also .229/.306/.417 in his AAA career. I'll actually list engel as my disappointment Surprise i'll say Joakim Soria with a bounce back year Darkhorse - I'll also go with Fulmer based on nothing but my appreciation of his collegiate triumphs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
he gone. Posted March 29, 2018 Author Share Posted March 29, 2018 QUOTE (Tony @ Mar 29, 2018 -> 12:16 AM) This is such an interesting thread because people have so many different answers. No one can really be wrong (at least as we sit here on Opening Night Eve) which tells you how many interesting storylines we will be watching in 2018. Almost every single position has intrigue (Abreu/Avi contract decisions, Figuring out which players take the next step forward, and who takes a step backwards.) James Shields and Miguel Gonzalez are the only two I can really say I don’t care about at all. This is why a rebuild is interesting. I was so sick going into a season knowing everything had to go just right for the Sox to compete, and having to watch season after season of Alexei, Rios, Dunn, Konerko, etc. I loved some of those guys but their wasn’t any intrigue with any of it. Haven’t been this excited in a long time for Sox baseball. I've been real interested reading these too. From what I can tell people are generally cold on Reynaldo Lopez, a mixed bag on Engel (hot/cold), and a lot of support for Cordell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliSoxFanViaSWside Posted March 29, 2018 Share Posted March 29, 2018 (edited) Disappointments Delmonico Fulmer Dark Horses and Surprises Engel Davidson Edited March 29, 2018 by CaliSoxFanViaSWside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.