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ESPN' John Sickels


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Jim from Indiana writes: Are we ever going to see Joe Borchard or Jon Rauch in the Show? What kind of prospects do the White Sox have on the farm?

 

Borchard had a really bad year, hitting .253 but with a weak .307 OBP and .398 SLG at Triple-A Charlotte. His plate discipline collapsed, as he drew just 27 walks in 435 at-bats, while striking out 103 times. He hit just 13 homers, about half what was expected. Borchard did go 5-for-16 (.313) in seven major-league games, but that doesn't mean much given the small sample size. At age 24, he needs to take a big step forward in 2004, or risk losing his status as a prospect entirely. I saw him play for Charlotte, and he looked awkward and mechanical at the plate, with a slow bat.

 

Rauch looks like he's finally recovered from the arm trouble that hampered him in 2001 and '02. He went 7-1 with a 4.11 ERA in 24 starts for Charlotte, with a 94/35 K/BB ratio in 125 innings. He pitched very well in August, and should be given another chance to earn a rotation spot in 2004.

 

Several Sox prospects had disappointing years in '03, including lefty Corwin Malone, who was bothered by a sore elbow and control problems, and pitchers Felix Diaz and Arnie Munoz, who were very erratic. The biggest surprise was outfielder Jeremy Reed, who hit .409 after being promoted to Double-A at midseason. He has to be considered the best prospect in the organization now, with pitchers Kris Honel and Neal Cotts not far behind.

 

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I really believe Jon Rauch is gonna win that #5 spot in da rotation come Spring Training. He's really slipped under the guard of lots of ppl with the consistent year he had in Charlotte. We certainly can't bank on another Loaiza fallin into our laps again. :o

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The time has come for the Sox to get something out of Rauch AND Ginter.

 

Both of them have the ability to succeed in the big leagues.

 

2004 should be their chance to deliver.

They'll probably have their chance since Colon is most likely gone and since the Sox never really had a number 5 starter all of 2003 anyway. That's two spots in the rotation for one of them at least.

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seems like the Sox had no interest in Rauch last year

 

Almost as if they overreacted to 2002. They promoted him too quickly then. Last year it was as if they didn't want to put any pressure on him at all.

 

I realize Baseball America predictions aren't worth much, but the guy was the player of the year in 2000. He ought to be able to deliver as at least a No. 4 or 5 starter.

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The time has come for the Sox to get something out of Rauch AND Ginter.

 

Both of them have the ability to succeed in the big leagues.

 

2004 should be their chance to deliver.

Agreed, I think they can do it.

There out of Options on Both, So they better get something or it's bubye to them

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I think they left Big Jon in the minors so there would be no pressure on him--let him heal up and start fresh in 2004. They gave him a pressure situation and he ended up injured. Better to let him get his work in in the minors and then go full-tilt in spring training.

 

Borchard? Hopefully, his wrist tendons are happy and his foot is back to normal. He's probably a bit tired as well, since he hasn't had many years playing a full baseball season, unlike most guys that play high school and/or college ball, since he focused fully on football. It'd be nice to see him give Reed a run, as well as Reed give him a run.

 

Forkit!

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