Futures Game Thread

[Heads22]

at least we have something to look forward to next year. he should probably be in the top 3 prospects for us next year.

 

He's probably still behind Gio, Sweeney and Egbert right now. It's hard to tell though, still being at Low A and only utilizing two pitches that we saw there. Granted, he had some good stuff, but he does need a third pitch. Until then, he's Dewon Day.

[SoxFan1]

Oh s*** Omar and Kenny sitting right next to each other chatting

Contreras for Milledge. Do it.

[BearSox]

Oh s*** Omar and Kenny sitting right next to each other chatting

Contreras for Millidge!!! Get it done KW!

[Chisoxfn]

I liked what I saw from him. He was obviously overthrowing, as he was keeping his off-speed pitch too high. He definitely has a different skill-set than our other pitchers in the system.

Ya I liked it. I think the key to him is honing a change up and that is something our system is very good at teaching. If he can do that, stay healthy, and improve his command he has a chance to be an impact prospect. Right now I probably rank him #2 behind Gio Gonzalez but I wouldn't be surprised if he was the #1 prospect in the org by year end.

 

That was major league bullpen stuff right now.... certainly better than some of the guys we've got out there right now. I'm looking at you Masset and Buckvich.

 

But like you said, he'll need three pitches to be a starter at the majors, and we didn't see one there. He'll get by all the way through the minors with those two pitches though.

We need to remember that he is throwing a one inning game and he was shaking stuff off so he was going with his 2 best pitches and didn't even think about throwing anything else. I know he throws a change but it isn't very good right now.

 

I definitely think you are right about him having major league stuff right now (especially for the pen). And damn did that heater have some nice movement to it.

 

He's probably still behind Gio, Sweeney and Egbert right now. It's hard to tell though, still being at Low A and only utilizing two pitches that we saw there. Granted, he had some good stuff, but he does need a third pitch. Until then, he's Dewon Day.

Are you f'ing kidding me. No offense to Egbert but he doesn't have near the tools as the other guys on the list (including DSL) and I actually like Egbert a lot (its just hard to project him that high). Hell, Sweeney probably doesn't deserve to be on that list either. Its pretty much Gio/DSL.

 

Than again, I am the guy that pretty much only looks at tools when it comes to evaluating prospects (I take stats into effect but I put most of the value into tools).

[Heads22]

Are you f'ing kidding me. No offense to Egbert but he doesn't have near the tools as the other guys on the list (including DSL) and I actually like Egbert a lot (its just hard to project him that high). Hell, Sweeney probably doesn't deserve to be on that list either. Its pretty much Gio/DSL.

 

Than again, I am the guy that pretty much only looks at tools when it comes to evaluating prospects (I take stats into effect but I put most of the value into tools).

 

I don't like two-pitch prospects at all when looking at a starter, especially when that second pitch is a slider.

 

That's just me, I suppose. He needs a change.

[3E8]

Buchholz has the smallest face ever

[Chisoxfn]

I don't like two-pitch prospects at all when looking at a starter, especially when that second pitch is a slider.

 

That's just me, I suppose. He needs a change.

I don't know how to point this out, but just cause he only threw two pitches in an inning doesn't mean thats all he throws. Plus no prospect in low A ball has 3 plus pitches (unless they are a honed college top 5 arm and are just down in A ball for a couple starts).

 

He has a change, it just isn't a good to plus pitch but he has a couple years to develop it and he still needs to work on his command of his fastball and slider as well.

[Wanne]

I was pretty encouraged by DLS. Dude's got some serious heat. But like everybody's said...needs another pitch. Not sure his current arm angle is condusive to an effective changeup. But overall...I like what I saw.

 

btw....the Reds have some nice young guns.

[Chisoxfn]

This Guerra kid for the Mets throws a really really heavy ball.

[Chisoxfn]

Holy s***...Bucholtz looks good (or his highlights do). That is a nasty nasty breaking ball he has (based on those highlights).

[DBAHO]

Sounds promising on DLS from what I've read here. Starting out in the low to mid 90's, and then hitting 95-96 as he went on.

 

If he can develop that change (which I'm confident he can, because many other Sox SP prospects such as B-Mac have), he'll become quite the prospect.

 

He's ready for high A, and I wouldn't mind seeing him in AA as a matter of fact. The ballpark will help him, but you've got to consider is he being rushed too early?

[Chisoxfn]

Sounds promising on DLS from what I've read here. Starting out in the low to mid 90's, and then hitting 95-96 as he went on.

 

If he can develop that change (which I'm confident he can, because many other Sox SP prospects such as B-Mac have), he'll become quite the prospect.

 

He's ready for high A, and I wouldn't mind seeing him in AA as a matter of fact. The ballpark will help him, but you've got to consider is he being rushed too early?

That is too big of a jump and there is no reason to do it.

[DBAHO]

That is too big of a jump and there is no reason to do it.

It's probably on the Bill Bavasi thought of rushing prospects (which isn't a good idea). I only brought up the idea because of the effect of pitching games in B-Ham has for a pitcher (look at Gio's numbers compared from last season, although he is repeating the level of course).

 

But I think everyone knows he's outgrown low A ball and needs to be in W-S right now, at least by the end of the season.

 

I'd like to see him start in B-Ham next season at least, if he does well in W-S for the rest of the season. Still it's just nice to be discussing this type of SP spect in our system for once.

[BearSox]

Holy s***...Bucholtz looks good (or his highlights do). That is a nasty nasty breaking ball he has (based on those highlights).

I wasn't to impressed with either him or Kershaw. Very disappointed. They showed good velocity but little movement and their curves were non-exsistent. But more then likely from all I have heard about them and their numbers, they likely just didn't have it today. Pitching 1 innings out of the bullpen isn't really something they're accustomed to.

 

And as far as DLS goes, I'd like to see him up to W-S ASAP, and if he dominates for the first couple of weeks or so, promote him to AA.

[Chisoxfn]

Bucholtz had a nasty curve, but the other stuff wasn't much (his fastball was meh and I didn't see any other impressive secondary stuff). Still, the highlights they showed of him were insane (the curves he was throwing).

 

Kershaw had great velocity for a youngster but I didn't see him throw any brilliant curves while in. That said, its hard to judge anyone on one short outing in an all star type of game. Kershaw is supposed to have one of the best curve balls in milb.

[AddisonStSox]

Couple of minor league thoughts I was hoping some of you could speak to...

 

...I'll check back later to see what you think.

• Wassermann

-Is this guy AAAA 101 or an actual relief prospect? If the latter, why not bring him up in the second half and scrap Bukvich (a guy with no real reason to be on any major league roster)?

• Hu

-A passing fancy or a legitimate middle infield prospect? Again, if the latter, is he obtainable for the likes of Dye and would he be of any interest to the White Sox organization?

• Ellsbury

-What does he project to at the major league level? Does he hit for any power or strictly a speed/pest sort of player? If he can put the ball in play, hit the occasional long-ball, and steal 40 bases, I think he should be a priority. However, why would the Red Sox part with that sort of player, as I'm hearing he projects to be their center-fielder of the future? Strike-zone judgment is also a very important factor in a guy with his skill set.

• Jack Wilson

-Jack Wilson is going to be available for the right package of pitching prospects and major league talent and with gaping holes at both middle-infield positions, I wouldn't mind taking a chance on a guy like that (even with that salary). How does a package surrounding Broadway and some other viable talent sound? Would Pittsburgh bite? Should the Sox offer it?

 

Thanks guys, you do a heck of a job.

[Chisoxfn]

You might as well let Wasserman come up and see what happens. Maybe he'll stick but most likely he won't (still at this point no harm in trying).

 

Hu is absolutely legit. I fell in love with this guy just watching him in today's game. Wow, he just knows how to play and has a very good mixture of tools. He's going to be the type of player that helps a team win for a long long time (to see him go opposite field and do the little things was just impressive). Of course I'm basing that on the one time I've seen him play but I've read other prognosticators who have said similar things.

 

I would love him on the Sox but I highly doubt Jermaine Dye will fetch that (unless of course he mashes over the next couple of weeks).

 

Ellsbury is a guy that is probably not an option for the Sox unless Garland or Javy are headed to Boston. Ellsbury is ridiculously fast and projects to be an above average defensive center fielder (poor arm though). He will not hit for much power but doesn't strike out much and has shown improving strike zone judgement.

 

He could definitely be a fixture a top the order for the next 5-10 years, posting a .360 OBP or higher all while stealing 50+ bases (at least thats what the Red Sox or a team that acquires him will hope).

 

I'd rather have Juan Uribe than Jack Wilson, but thats just me. If the Sox want to get rid of Uribe they need to find a way to get a legitimate SS prospect that is close to major league ready (whether thats Hu, Ronny Cedeno or if they somehow think Richar is gonna be able to play SS although I highly doubt that will be the case).

[BearSox]

Ellsbury could be available via trade if the Red Sox sign Ichiro, which seems like a stron possibility.

[DBAHO]

Hu is absolutely legit. I fell in love with this guy just watching him in today's game. Wow, he just knows how to play and has a very good mixture of tools. He's going to be the type of player that helps a team win for a long long time (to see him go opposite field and do the little things was just impressive). Of course I'm basing that on the one time I've seen him play but I've read other prognosticators who have said similar things.

You have to remember, the Dodgers have Furcal at SS for the moment, and he's in what the 2nd year of a 3 year deal IIRC.

 

Hu was a name I brought up when Dye was 1st linked to the Dodgers. He's fantastically defensively by all reports, the only question about him coming into this season was his hitting, and I think he's answered those by hitting about .320 in AA this season, with an OPS around the the .900 mark.

 

If there was one position prospect from the Dodgers that you would target that REALLY fits a need for this ballclub going forward, it's Hu.

 

I'd offer Dye and a bullpen arm for say Kemp and Hu, and try to start the negotiations from there. Of course I'm surprised the White Sox are being linked with Kemp after the incident he had Razor Shines, and fathom said he would never play for this organzation.

[AddisonStSox]

You might as well let Wasserman come up and see what happens. Maybe he'll stick but most likely he won't (still at this point no harm in trying).

 

Hu is absolutely legit. I fell in love with this guy just watching him in today's game. Wow, he just knows how to play and has a very good mixture of tools. He's going to be the type of player that helps a team win for a long long time (to see him go opposite field and do the little things was just impressive). Of course I'm basing that on the one time I've seen him play but I've read other prognosticators who have said similar things.

 

I would love him on the Sox but I highly doubt Jermaine Dye will fetch that (unless of course he mashes over the next couple of weeks).

 

Ellsbury is a guy that is probably not an option for the Sox unless Garland or Javy are headed to Boston. Ellsbury is ridiculously fast and projects to be an above average defensive center fielder (poor arm though). He will not hit for much power but doesn't strike out much and has shown improving strike zone judgement.

 

He could definitely be a fixture a top the order for the next 5-10 years, posting a .360 OBP or higher all while stealing 50+ bases (at least thats what the Red Sox or a team that acquires him will hope).

 

I'd rather have Juan Uribe than Jack Wilson, but thats just me. If the Sox want to get rid of Uribe they need to find a way to get a legitimate SS prospect that is close to major league ready (whether thats Hu, Ronny Cedeno or if they somehow think Richar is gonna be able to play SS although I highly doubt that will be the case).

 

Appreciate it, J. Thanks. You and I are on the same page for a lot of that.

 

You have to remember, the Dodgers have Furcal at SS for the moment, and he's in what the 2nd year of a 3 year deal IIRC.

 

Hu was a name I brought up when Dye was 1st linked to the Dodgers. He's fantastically defensively by all reports, the only question about him coming into this season was his hitting, and I think he's answered those by hitting about .320 in AA this season, with an OPS around the the .900 mark.

 

If there was one position prospect from the Dodgers that you would target that REALLY fits a need for this ballclub going forward, it's Hu.

 

I'd offer Dye and a bullpen arm for say Kemp and Hu, and try to start the negotiations from there. Of course I'm surprised the White Sox are being linked with Kemp after the incident he had Razor Shines, and fathom said he would never play for this organzation.

 

Yes, sir. That's my line of thinking as well. The Dodgers have Furcal for both this year and next and from all accounts, he is quite happy out there. If the Dodgers really feel they are in the hunt this year and feel a rejuvenated Jermaine Dye-veteran puts them over the hump, discussions should begin with Hu and go from there.

 

Now, as for Kemp and Hu together...we may be going a bit too far.

 

Nice intentions, but reel it in a little, A.

[DBAHO]

Still if I was only offered Hu for Dye, I don't know if I would take that deal. You have to ask yourselves, is Hu worth more than 2 draft picks? Possibly yes, but possibly not, if he regresses hitting wise.

 

Hence why I threw Kemp's name in there. I saw as well, the Dodgers had been linked to Contreras. If you threw Jose in there with Dye, then you could start talking about some of their better prospects.

 

And just for comparisons sake, Jason Schmidt signed a 3 year deal for 45M in the off-season and hasn't pitched much at all this season. Hence, why it makes the Buehrle signing so good, and locking up Vazquez as well.

 

And with Schmidt injured, probably why the Dodgers are being linked with pitching.