Guest JimH Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 Here are 10 Sox prospects that will bear watching in 2004, based on their good performance in 2003. While I don't think all of these guys will make it, their progress this year bodes well for the system. If we had 10 more like this, I'd be a lot more excited about the farm system. Here goes, not necessarily in order of best prospect to least, just random listings as I thought of them: 1). Jeremy Reed, OF. We all know the story on this guy! 2). Neal Cotts, LHP. I foresee one more year in the minors. 3). Enemencio Pacheco, RHP. Came from obscurity to go 12-2 with Birmingham. I especially liked 151 IP, only 131 hits. 4). Kris Honel, RHP. Appears to be progressing nicely, did fine at W-S. 5). Ryan Sweeney, OF. Over .300 at 2 levels, it appears he can really rake. 6). Brian Anderson, OF. Flashed talent before wrist injury. Will be interesting to see if there are any long term residual effects ... bad wrists are not good for hitters. 7). Clint King, OF. This year's 3rd round pick got better as the season went on and he adapted to wood bats. Finished at .305 and showed blossoming power. 8). Ricardo Nanita, OF. .384 in 185 AB's ... I like it. 9). Brandon McCarthy, RHP. Got high marks for competitiveness (which is exactly what this franchise needs!). Best stat: only 15 walks in 101 IP. 10). Ryan Wing, LHP. 26 starts, 9-7, 2.98 ERA. Not bad at all. Bonus: 11). Mike Spidale, OF. From Chicago area, went to Nazareth in LaGrange Park. .362 OBP with 25 stolen bases. Also improved as year went on. Now, the list of guys I'm NOT excited about is definitely longer !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg775 Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 Good post. Glad to see we have some decent players coming up. What do you guys and girls think of Miles? Can he play or is he a stiff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KipWellsFan Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 I would have put Ryan Wing above the really young guys like Clinton King and Ryan Sweeney. He's put up some really awesome numbers and not many have noticed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 Despite all of the haters out there, I am still excited about Borchard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KipWellsFan Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 Despite all of the haters out there, I am still excited about Borchard. I agree with you abo, Joe Bo deserves a mention on any Sox prospects top ten list at least for the time being. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesox61382 Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 If there is one thing I am excited about it is the talent in rookie ball, mostly coming from this past draft. Besides the guys you listed here are some other players to keep an eye on. Valido 18 SS low-advanced rookie ball .307/6/31 17 SB - is probably the best middle infield prospect after only a half year in rookie ball Chris Young 20 OF low-advanced rookie ball .290/7/28 21 SB - a guy that doesn't get much attention, but he is a good 5 tool prospect to keep an eye on Bounds 22 1B advanced rookie ball .326/9/47 20 2B - i really think this guy is a sleeper, a big powerful left handed hitter Lopez 19 RP low rookie ball 2.37 ERA 49.1 IP 38 H 18 BB 53 SO - the guy impressed me last year and didn't disappoint this year Fabio Castro 18 LP low rookie ball-low A 1.72 ERA 47 IP 29 H 19 BB 59 SO - dominated rookie ball and got a cup of coffee with low A ball Tisch 23 LP low rookie ball-low A 3.13 60.1 IP 52 H 21 BB 44 SO - good numbers in rookie ball and a cup of coffee with low A ball Other names to keep an eye on. Schnurstein 3B - struggled a little this year, but is probably the best 3B prospect in the minors Haigwood LP - has a good arm from the left side Gonzalez SS - i am not giving up on this kid yet, but he will need to come back with a big year next year Julio Castro RP - relievers don't get much attention, but he has been good all year at 2 different levels Lopez 2B - one of the younger players in A ball has some good tools Rauch RP - still to soon to give up on this guy and could be the 5th starter next year Diaz RP - solid year again in AAA, has always put up good numbers at every stop and has a good arm, look for him in 2004 Majewski RP - good reliever with a plus arm, could see major league action in 2004 Munoz LP - after a bad 1st week he really settled down and put together a decent year Ginter RP - could start the year in the pen after a solid year in AAA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KipWellsFan Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 My list of whom I'm most excited about 1. Jeremy Reed 2. Neal Cotts 3. Joe Borchard 4. Kris Honel 5. Enemencio Pacheco 6. Ryan Wing 7. Ruddy Yan (I just love speed) 8. Corwin Malone 9. Jason Stumm 10. Ryan Sweeney (Just because we "stole" this guy in the draft makes it more exciting) I'm sure that I'm fogetting some of the guys I'm excited about, like Rick Hummel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winninguglyin83 Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 What about Jon Rauch? Three years ago he was the minor league player of the year. Then he had shoudler surgery. Sometimes it takes a couple of years to get back. He had a solid, if unspectacular year, at Charlotte. Don't write him off. The sad fact is that other than Rauch, Borchard, Miles, Cotts and Pacheco (who might not be added to the 40-man according to the current issue of Baseball America) most of our best prospects are a long, long, long way from helping in the big leagues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JimH Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 I have an autographed Jon Rauch baseball, so you can bet I'm rooting for him to make it I just remember watching him in a spring game last year in a game at Tucson Hi Corbett Stadium vs. Colorado, when he needed a good game to enhance his chances of making the team. He looked lost out there ... no confidence, velocity way down, poor control. And his demeanor on the mound and coming off after each inning was kind of, "s***, I can't get this figured out". Even still, it does take a while to bounce back after surgery ... some guys do it quicker than others. He had a good September in Charlotte but I was a little concerned that Sox brass didn't think he was a candidate for the 5th starter spot which was so desperately needed. I wonder if they've soured on him a bit and whether he isn't trade bait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 I liked what I saw of Miles as a hitter, didn't see enough glove to give an opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MurcieOne Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 I liked what I saw of Miles as a hitter, didn't see enough glove to give an opinion. Watching him play in Charlotte..... i'd say he's adequete. He's more of a super utility guy than an everyday starter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerbaho-WG Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 Schnurstein 3B - struggled a little this year, but is probably the best 3B prospect in the minors Andy Marte? Anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 Andy Marte? Anyone? Marte is the man. Seen him play twice and both times he absolutely raked the ball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 Andy Marte? Anyone? He's no doubt the best 3B prospect in baseball and will be the Braves starter in 2005, if not sooner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JimH Posted October 14, 2003 Share Posted October 14, 2003 Maybe Marte will be able to get a hit off Cub pitching :fthecubs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Fainter Posted October 15, 2003 Share Posted October 15, 2003 Spreaking of top prospects, does anyone have a list of those minor leaguers that will have to be protected this winter or exposed to the draft? I know Jason Stumm is in that category. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted October 15, 2003 Share Posted October 15, 2003 Spreaking of top prospects, does anyone have a list of those minor leaguers that will have to be protected this winter or exposed to the draft? I know Jason Stumm is in that category. I'll see what I can find...... FWIW, I don not think they will protect Stumm nor do I think he will be selected by another team. He is nowhere near ready for the Majors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasox24 Posted October 15, 2003 Share Posted October 15, 2003 I'm really excited about some of our prospects that played in the rookie leagues. 2 that I love are Robert Valido and Brandon Bounds. I really think Bounds has emerged as a top prospect at 1B and could be in Birmingham at the end of next year. The only problem with Bounds is that I think he's 23 and just finished playing in high-rookie league ball. Valido also played really well this year at only the age of 18. His hitting was the major question about him coming into the draft, and he's shown he can really hit the ball. He may have had a lot of errors, but he's still young and can improve on that. Plus, he was supposed to be the best defensive high school SS coming into the draft, so that means he must be pretty darn good defensively. Other guys I like: Clinton King- OF (Really came on stong at end of year, raising his AVG. about 75 pts. from one point in the season to the end of the year.) Mike Myers- SS (played very well, tying for team lead in RBI's) Ricardo Nanita- OF (nuff said) Micah Schnurstein- 3B (struggled after coming back from a broken wrist) Chris Young- OF (really had a break-out season) Ryan Sweeney- OF (played very well at Bristol and G.F.) Brian Anderson- OF (hit for cycle in like his 6th or 7th professional game) Brandon McCarthy- SP (I love the 125 K's vs. 15 BB's ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted October 15, 2003 Share Posted October 15, 2003 Just have a question about Durham. Is he anything. I know he is the younger bro of Ray, and I know he is on the Barons, but never hear anything about him. Is he just living off his bro's succses or what? Whats the deal with him? He's not really considered that big of a prospect. Has a lot of speed, but he's an average player from what I've read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 Durham is a AA player...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winninguglyin83 Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 isn't Durham a six-year minor-leaguer? I believe he'll be gone as a minor league free agent after this season ordinary outfielder no pop. only an average hitter in the minors He gawn as far as I can tell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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