Josh Fields mention on rotoauthority.com

[maggsmaggs]

Future Power Sources

Today let's take a look at some players who could be called up to the bigs in coming months and contribute some home run power. I'll find 'em by scouring the minor league leaders and making sure they're listed in Baseball America's Handbook (because there are always some minor league vets mixed in the leaderboards).

 

First up, Triple A.

 

Josh Fields leads the International League in slugging at .599. He's also got a fantastic .432 OBP as he's now drawing walks in droves. Fields was ranked 5th among White Sox prospects before the season began, and he should be very close to their best in next year's book. I think he's made the leap and could hit 20 HR in the Majors right now. Joe Crede currently blocks him at third base.

 

http://www.rotoauthority.com/

 

Chris Young is also mentioned down in the article.

 

Would anyone be upset if Pods was not brought back next year in favor of Fields in LF?

Edited June 14, 2006 by maggsmaggs

[Rowand44]

http://www.rotoauthority.com/

 

Chris Young is also mentioned down in the article.

 

Would anyone be upset if Pods was not brought back next year in favor of Fields in LF?

I have no problem with that at all BUT we'd need to find a leadoff hitter to play short then.

[Flash Tizzle]

I wouldn't mind if there were assurances Uribe and Anderson could produce at the plate more consistently. After what they've shown, are you willing to give up your lead-off hitter in place of a rookie? Talk about the proverbial black hole -- our 7-8-9 would routinely give 0-9's/ 4-5 K's performances.

 

Who becomes our leadoff hitter now?

 

We simply couldn't afford to have Fields struggle. Sure, he'll give us 20 HR's; but with an accompanying average below .240 and a large number of strikeouts. Let's not forget the fact he hasn't yet played in LF. A good place to begin in order to judge whether he could occupy the position is move him there now. Atleast have proper time to judge before any impending change.

 

Hell, he may just be trade bait. I hope not. I wouldn't mind Fields in LF someday. Why does he have to be behind Joe Crede, god dammit.

[DBAHO]

I have no problem with that at all BUT we'd need to find a leadoff hitter to play short then.

I hate to say it because I love Uribe's defense, but Cintron actually led off for Arizona a few seasons back.

[CWSGuy406]

I hate to say it because I love Uribe's defense, but Cintron actually led off for Arizona a few seasons back.

 

And his line while in Arizona was .279/.320/.412. Even when he's been "hot" this year, his OBP is still just .315.

 

If he's starting anywhere for the Sox, we have problems. His defense isn't anywhere near that of Uribe's, as has been mentioned, and his bat is marginally better. He's a really good bench player, and I'm glad to have him -- but not in a starting role.

 

As for LF, I think that spot might actually be for Sweeney next year. I don't think Sweeney would struggle as much as Anderson has because Ryan has done a better job of controlling the strikezone in his time in the minors. Plus, it's obvious that just about everyone in the organization loves him; I still remember Ozzie raving about him after the Spring Training he had a year or two ago.

 

I don't think Fields' place is in this organization, unless Crede's contract is more of a problem than everybody is letting on. If he is traded, though, he ought to net a really damn good player.

 

I think I need to start b****ing at Podsednik more. The OBP is down to .340, and usually after one of my mini-rants, he starts hitting.

[RockRaines]

who would bat lead off? We arent going to go back to all mashers like before. Fields is blocked, and it will prob stay that way for a little.

[GoodAsGould]

He could play in a winter league at LF and really should be able to adjust. A course he wont be perfect out there but it isnt like we are used to having a great fielding LF anyways with Carlos Lee and Podsenick. Like its been mentioned either CF or SS would probably have to be replaced in that scenario unless Uribe and Anderson show something this season.

[SoxAce]

As for LF, I think that spot might actually be for Sweeney next year. I don't think Sweeney would struggle as much as Anderson has because Ryan has done a better job of controlling the strikezone in his time in the minors. Plus, it's obvious that just about everyone in the organization loves him; I still remember Ozzie raving about him after the Spring Training he had a year or two ago.

 

Mmmmm nah. Right field has Sweeney's name written all over it when JD's contract runs out and for the future. (or if the sox choose another alternate) He has too good of a throwing arm to be in LF. Sweeney will adjust better than Anderson and Fields cause Sweeney's swing is by far, the best/smoothest. (Rafeal Palmeiro like) before the roids..

 

Fields will hit better than Crede in the majors IMO there's no denying that. (anyone who thinks Crede can keep up his average now, which has been dropping by the way, is not too good to bank on) But he will NEVER have the "D" Crede posesses though.

[CWSGuy406]

Mmmmm nah. Right field has Sweeney's name written all over it when JD's contract runs out and for the future. (or if the sox choose another alternate) He has too good of a throwing arm to be in LF. Sweeney will adjust better than Anderson and Fields cause Sweeney's swing is by far, the best/smoothest. (Rafeal Palmeiro like) before the roids..

 

Fields will hit better than Crede in the majors IMO there's no denying that. (anyone who thinks Crede can keep up his average now, which has been dropping by the way, is not too good to bank on) But he will NEVER have the "D" Crede posesses though.

 

A couple of things:

 

1.) Fields has a WAYS to go. That K/BB ratio needs to improve by years end. It's absolutely brutal right now, and that many K's tells me he's still got some holes in that swing.

 

2.) Sweeney is not going to be replacing Jermaine Dye until that power develops. He has all of 11 extra basehits on the year. I realize that this is something that will take time to develop, but even when it fully does, is he going to come close to reproducing what Dye has given us this year and last year (btw, I think he has an option for next year as it is).

 

You can ease Sweeney into the lineup next year by putting him in LF. The power numbers, then, wouldn't be needed -- just what he's been doing in the minors would be fine, high AVG, relatively high OBP, low SLG. By years end, so long as Sweeney doesn't take another trip to the DL, he could be ready for the show in '07.

[maggliopipe]

I don't know, I see bust written all over Fields. I'm basing it largely on his K rate and glove. I hope I'm wrong. Dream scenario for next season would be something along the lines of trading a very nice package of prospects to Tampa, including Fields, for Crawford. Fields, Broadway, Haeger, yeah fine. Throw Carl in center, put Sweeney in left, pick up JD's option in right.

 

That's if BA keeps sucking it up. I've got much more faith in BA than Fields, though, despite BA's K rate.

[3E8]

Fields will hit better than Crede in the majors IMO there's no denying that.

Why? Fields' contact rate has been worse than Crede's at every level of pro ball thus far.

[GoodAsGould]

A lot of guys strike out a ton in the big league level... I think you guys are overlooking his K's. More important than Fields K's are his high avg. and OBP to go with his good power and rbi total. Hell Adam Dunn breaks records by King so much and would you not want him on the team if it was only hitting... or Hank Blalock K's a ton and our very own Jim Thome K's a bunch. Dont put 2 much emphasis on the K's.

[3E8]

A lot of guys strike out a ton in the big league level... I think you guys are overlooking his K's. More important than Fields K's are his high avg. and OBP to go with his good power and rbi total. Hell Adam Dunn breaks records by King so much and would you not want him on the team if it was only hitting... or Hank Blalock K's a ton and our very own Jim Thome K's a bunch. Dont put 2 much emphasis on the K's.

All of the players you mentioned showed good eyes and plate discipline at the minor league level and were prolific at drawing walks, something Fields is not. The chances of him being as productive as any of the players you mentioned are slim to none.

[CWSGuy406]

A lot of guys strike out a ton in the big league level... I think you guys are overlooking his K's. More important than Fields K's are his high avg. and OBP to go with his good power and rbi total. Hell Adam Dunn breaks records by King so much and would you not want him on the team if it was only hitting... or Hank Blalock K's a ton and our very own Jim Thome K's a bunch. Dont put 2 much emphasis on the K's.

 

Umm, there's a difference between striking out at the big league level and striking out at the minor league level. You don't have to tell 3E8 and I about K's -- we're probably two of Adam Dunn's biggest supporters on this site.

 

For comparisons sake, Dunn's K/BB ratio in the minors was 1.17. Fields is at 2.65 -- major league pitchers will absolutely exploit the holes in his swing.

[GoodAsGould]

All of the players you mentioned showed good eyes and plate discipline at the minor league level and were prolific at drawing walks, something Fields is not. The chances of him being as productive as any of the players you mentioned are slim to none.

 

You do realize his first season in AAA... Fields is 6th in the league in walks. Yes right now he is K's way too much but to say he isnt prolific at drawing walks.... Especially when the guys ahead of him are mostly guys with major league experiance. Like Carlos Pena and Heep Sop Choi.... also BJ Upton who offensively has been ready for the majors for awhile now.

 

also let me add Josh Fields is leading AAA in OPS, 2nd in avg, 2nd in OBP to Lastings Milledge, like i said 6th in walks, tied for 7th in HR's, 2nd in doubles, tied for 4th in hits..... all in his first year at AAA. But you 2 are obviously right Fields is nothing special because he K's a lot.

[3E8]

You do realize his first season in AAA... Fields is 6th in the league in walks. Yes right now he is K's way too much but to say he isnt prolific at drawing walks.... Especially when the guys ahead of him are mostly guys with major league experiance. Like Carlos Pena and Heep Sop Choi.... also BJ Upton who offensively has been ready for the majors for awhile now.

 

also let me add Josh Fields is leading AAA in OPS, 2nd in avg, 2nd in OBP to Lastings Milledge, like i said 6th in walks, tied for 7th in HR's, 2nd in doubles, tied for 4th in hits..... all in his first year at AAA. But you 2 are obviously right Fields is nothing special because he K's a lot.

I realize this is his first season at AAA. He's 23 years of age while all the other players you mentioned earlier had the talent to progress to that level by age 21 or earlier. And your stats are misleading. He's 6th in the International Leauge in gross number of walks. Let's even the playing field and rank players in both leauges by their BB/AB ratios. Fields isn't in the top 25.

 

Your other stats show his power numbers have been impressive thus far but don't forget that Knights stadium is a bandbox and the power alleys are 365 there. I'm not trying to take everything away from him and I'm pleased with his progression at each level in pro ball thus far but let's not set our sights too high with the Jim Thome and Adam Dunn comparisons.

[GoodAsGould]

Im not saying he is going to be Jim Thome or Adam Dunn... I said dont condemn a guy for striking out a lot when some of the best hitters in the big leagues strike out a ton. Im not saying Fields is going to be a MVP but he is ready for the bigs or close to it. Definitely by next season.

[danman31]

All of the players you mentioned showed good eyes and plate discipline at the minor league level and were prolific at drawing walks, something Fields is not. The chances of him being as productive as any of the players you mentioned are slim to none.

Comparing AAA numbers of the players mentioned:

Fields (23): 33 BB, 65 K in 215 AB

Dunn (21): 38 BB, 51 K in 210 AB

Blalock (21): 34 BB, 61 K in 387 AB (started K'ing a lot more once he reached the bigs and his power developed in his first full season)

Thome (21): 12 BB, 29 K in 151 AB

Thome (22): 6 BB, 16 K in 48 AB

Thome (23): 76 BB, 94 K in 410 AB

 

Fields is close to Dunn and better than Blalock in walks. The Ks for both hitters were lower than Fields. Thome is a tough comparison because he started 1991 in AA, got promoted to AAA, and played 27 games in the bigs. 1992 Thome was back in AA for 30 games and had a short stint in AAA with another 40 games in the bigs. Between 600 minor league ABs in the minors in 91 and 92 he hit only 10 HRs and then in 93 finally got the power numbers going.

 

Fields is getting compared to very good players here though. The thing is most rookie hitters don't hit well out of the gates. Dunn is the only one of those 3 to actually hit well out of the gates. If Fields is going to play with the Sox next year they will need to cover one of the current holes in the lineup so they don't have to rely on him doing well.

[beck72]

With Crede under Sox control until '08 [and should be locked up to a longer deal], Fields won't come near Chicago for a while. He'll likely be traded though. Seeing how the only realistic spots for Fields is 3b or 1b, another team looking for a 3b man [a lot of teams] should be looking to deal for him.

[GoodAsGould]

With Crede under Sox control until '08 [and should be locked up to a longer deal], Fields won't come near Chicago for a while. He'll likely be traded though. Seeing how the only realistic spots for Fields is 3b or 1b, another team looking for a 3b man [a lot of teams] should be looking to deal for him.

 

I dont know how many times its been mentioned him being moved to LF.....

[beck72]

I dont know how many times its been mentioned him being moved to LF.....

 

I know but mostly by people on boards like this. But I still the Sox want above average defensive OFers. Fields will not come close to being an above avg OFer.

 

With Dye likely to stick around, along with Brian A, Pods probably, and Sweeney in the wings, Fields should stick to 3b where he still needs work.

 

I think the Fields to LF talk is more geared toward upping his trade value, and having other teams thinking Fields can be a part of the long term sox plan.

[GoodAsGould]

no... the Fields to LF is because he is a good athlete and has the speed to play the OF. Also since he isnt a great 3B which would make even more since for him to move to LF. And Pods is not exactly a great outfielder and b4 him Carlos Lee wasnt either. For LF you dont need to be great at the position. Also Dye only has one more year on his contract after this season so he isnt a long-term answer.

[Hatchetman]

corner OF'ers are a dime a dozen compared to decent 3B.

[Heads22]

corner OF'ers are a dime a dozen compared to decent 3B.

 

Fields makes Crede look like Brooks Robinson

[Jordan4life_2007]

Fields makes Crede look like Brooks Robinson

 

Crede makes Crede look like Brooks Robinson.