winninguglyin83 Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 just watching this guy hit left handed, drop all those bunts and steal bases, I'm wondering if Harris could become a top of the order hitter for the Sox like Pierre is for the Marlins. Harris got jacked around pretty good this season. He was great at Charlotte for the first month. I believe his OBP was close to .450. Struggled when he came up and then quickly was shuffled into no-man's land by Manuel. He was a man without a position or place in the lineup, not good for a guy who's 24. The things I wonder about Harris are: 1. What is his best position? Second base or center field? 2. Can he hit .280 or so at the big league level, take his walks, steal some bases and give the lineup juice at the top of the order? Just lookin for other opinions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forkit Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 I think he is a pinch runner... Forkit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac9001 Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 I really don't know what to think of Wille, lets see how he does in ST. If he proves he can hit in ST, i'd make sure to give him a lot of playing time early in the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 The things I wonder about Harris are: 1. What is his best position? Second base or center field? 2. Can he hit .280 or so at the big league level, take his walks, steal some bases and give the lineup juice at the top of the order? Just lookin for other opinions. 1. I feel less uneasy when Harris is in CF. I don't think he has good instincts, and CF lets you use your speed to correct mistakes more easily than 2B does. 2. There's been nothing to indicate that he'll ever be any better than a AAA player. He's still young but I haven't seen any better pitch recognition or patience at the plate. IF he could develop a more patient approach and take more walks, then obviously his base-stealing opportunities would increase, but I really think that's wishful thinking at this point. The Sox HAD to have addressed that with him in the past couple of years, and he hasn't improved ( at least not at the ML level ). I don't think he's a long-range factor in the White Sox future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KipWellsFan Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 Won't be Juan Pierre but can be a reliable leadoff hitter somewhere down the line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winninguglyin83 Posted October 19, 2003 Author Share Posted October 19, 2003 one thing in his favor is that Harris is really only the speed the white sox have. If Guillen becomes the manager, I would imagine Harris will get a major chance somewhere because he'll try to emulate what the Marlins do. Harris might work better as a number two hitter with Maggs or CLee hitting behind him. Just a thought. I, too, worry about his stick as a major league. Tough to shake that horrible at bat he had in the Boston series with the tying run at third. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxfest Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 NO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winninguglyin83 Posted October 19, 2003 Author Share Posted October 19, 2003 hey, the guy has some value because he can play several positions, is left-handed and can run. At some point Sox need to find out if he can play at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1549 Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 Willie's problem is that he puts the ball in the air, making his speed worthless...like Willie Mays Hays in 'Major League', before he was forced to do pushups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDsDirtySox Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 I'm not quite sure what to think of Willie. At one time he was the top prospect in the Orioles organization, yet he has never really been able to take that next step. Great at AAA, but has yet to show he deserves playing as a regular in the big leagues... but has he really been given a fair oppurtunity to do so? Milton Bradley of the Indians was awful for his first 600 big league at-bats, now this year he finally put it together. I still think Willie can be a special player if he has the baseball gods' support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winninguglyin83 Posted October 19, 2003 Author Share Posted October 19, 2003 both times JM tried to play Harris he struggled with the stick. and JM gave him the quick hook I think he needs to get a couple of months to show if he can hit in the bigs. guy was tearing up the International League in April. I think he at least deserves a long serious look in spring training. Last year he didn't get that because it was obvious management favored D'angelo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSteve Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 both times JM tried to play Harris he struggled with the stick. and JM gave him the quick hook I think he needs to get a couple of months to show if he can hit in the bigs. guy was tearing up the International League in April. I think he at least deserves a long serious look in spring training. Last year he didn't get that because it was obvious management favored D'angelo. I favored Jimenez last year. I thought he outplayed Willie. I do not know what you guys think, but I thought that. Where is Willie going to get his chance to play? No 2B (with either Alomar or another signed) and I can't see him considered our starting CF (Rowand, Everett, or another FA). I think he has to show he can hit with a limited amount of playing time, or he is again on the bench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg775 Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 I think Willie is a stiff; hope he proves me wrong or we trade him, one of the two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winninguglyin83 Posted October 19, 2003 Author Share Posted October 19, 2003 i'm not convinced Robbie Alomar will be resigned, especially if he wants a two-year deal. And if he is resigned, I don't know how much he has left in the tank. he didn't do much in September, as I remember. Harris' best bet to play might be as a Tony Phillips kind of guy. Some second base. Some outfield. Needs to hit either second or eighth or ninth. He'll probably be better off in the National League where there is more shuffling of the lineup with pitching changes and double switches. But as I said earlier, he's the only speed we have, and I predict he gets a chance because the sox are going to try to get away from all the reliance on power, the problems with double plays and the station to station runners. Just my prediction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSteve Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 i'm not convinced Robbie Alomar will be resigned, especially if he wants a two-year deal. And if he is resigned, I don't know how much he has left in the tank. he didn't do much in September, as I remember. Harris' best bet to play might be as a Tony Phillips kind of guy. Some second base. Some outfield. Needs to hit either second or eighth or ninth. He'll probably be better off in the National League where there is more shuffling of the lineup with pitching changes and double switches. But as I said earlier, he's the only speed we have, and I predict he gets a chance because the sox are going to try to get away from all the reliance on power, the problems with double plays and the station to station runners. Just my prediction. Naw, ya cannot seriously tell me he is the only speed, what about Kong? Seriously, I like him on the team, just am not sure if he can start. I am not convinced that Alomar will be back either. But, I am convinced we will have a FA at 2B if it is not Alomar. He did not do a great deal in September, but who did. We flopped on our faces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Fainter Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 I always thought that if we did not acquire Robbie, Willie would have been fine at second. He still learned a lot this year. Unless we pick up some expensive second sacker in the off season, Willie should win the job in ST and hold it for many years. As Hawk said, You can't bunt .400 at AAA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pastime Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 Willie's chance at being an everyday ballplayer can only happen if he decides to do one thing: Make a total and complete committment to choking up on the bat and just "slapping" down at the ball and bunting it. He absolutely cannot fall in love with trying to hit homeruns. If he made the aforementioned committment, he could be a .280 hitter - just by beating out simple ground balls. Plus, by choking up on the bat (ala Pierre), he would have better bat control and could avoid so many K's. IMO, I would like to see Harris and Pierre in a foot race. I don't think Pierre would be very much faster. Plus, if the Sox could acquire Luis Castillo as a free agent and pair him with Harris in the order, we wouldn't need so many HR's to score runs. (Harris in CF, by the way). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Lopez Ghost (old) Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 The things I wonder about Harris are: 1. What is his best position? Second base or center field? 2. Can he hit .280 or so at the big league level, take his walks, steal some bases and give the lineup juice at the top of the order? Just lookin for other opinions. 1. I feel less uneasy when Harris is in CF. I don't think he has good instincts, and CF lets you use your speed to correct mistakes more easily than 2B does. 2. There's been nothing to indicate that he'll ever be any better than a AAA player. He's still young but I haven't seen any better pitch recognition or patience at the plate. IF he could develop a more patient approach and take more walks, then obviously his base-stealing opportunities would increase, but I really think that's wishful thinking at this point. The Sox HAD to have addressed that with him in the past couple of years, and he hasn't improved ( at least not at the ML level ). I don't think he's a long-range factor in the White Sox future. I agree. Just because they're both fast doesn't mean Pierre's instincts for playing the game can be instilled in Willie. If you want to find out, you'll have to invest 3 or 4 months of playing time in the bigs, and if he fails...it would be hard to win the division. I think he's a lot closer to Julio Ramirez than Juan Pierre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winninguglyin83 Posted October 19, 2003 Author Share Posted October 19, 2003 Maybe Harris just needed some guidance -- and somebody who believed in him. He got a pretty quick hook when he didn't hit for a few games in a row, although I'll admit he looked overmatched against some pitchers and refused to shorten his stroke. If the Sox don't resign Alomar, you have to believe second base is one spot where they will go cheap, saving their resources for a pitcher, shortstop or center fielder. They have two options at second -- Harris and Miles. Both are at the age that if you have any belief that they are big-league players, you have to find out if they can play. I don't think second base is a spot where you spend a s*** pot of money. Just good to debate Sox baseball instead of talking about other teams around the league, including You Know Who Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHarris1 Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 I think Willie Harris can be a damn good lead off man. At either 2nd base or CF. Not sure if he will be Juan Pierre quality, but still good. We all know he can run and sometimes bunt. If he can just learn to slap the ball like Pierre he will be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winninguglyin83 Posted October 19, 2003 Author Share Posted October 19, 2003 opinion certainly seem split on Harris, which isn't surprising considering his inconsistencies as a player. I think we'll be able to tell how much of a chance Harris will get when the manager is named. A guy like Guillen figures to give him a chance because he'll view Harris as a guy who can put pressure on the defense -- Marlins' style. If Gaston gets the job, I would assume the Sox are going to re-sign more veterans and put Harris on hold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 Willie made some pretty good strides the last week of the season. Its about the first time i've seen him do that in the major leauges. The question is, was it a much due hot streak, or is he finally adjusted to the major leagues. I definately think he's valuable to have. If the Sox went with someone like Cabrerra/Matsui at ss, then I wouldn't have a problem with them going with Harris/Miles at 2nd and see what they got. This is presuming they are spending money on pitching and stuff. Option B of playing Harris and spending money at one position would be to sign Castillo and have him leadoff. Just sign a vet to play shortstop, cause the Sox have no in house solutions to shortstop. Then let Harris play center with Rowand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesox247 Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 Hes still not shown me anything to get excited about. Speed is useless when you cant get onbase. Just another AAAA in my book, but I would love it if he proves me wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted October 19, 2003 Share Posted October 19, 2003 His speed is similar to Pierre, but I've never seen anything from him (during his limited playing time) that would show he's anything more than an average hitter at best. Pierre is also a good defensive centerfielder, while Willie is still learning the position. Although I'd love to see him develop into something more than a role player, there's no evidence at this point that points to that as a reality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winninguglyin83 Posted October 19, 2003 Author Share Posted October 19, 2003 As little as we saw of Harris, we saw even less of Miles. Two mystery men at second base. KW has to do something with them. If he resigns Robbie, one of the two has to go in my opinion. Plus, Graff is also in the mix -- I hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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