False Alarm Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Jordan Danks never lived up to expectations during his three years at the University of Texas, and when he plummeted in last year's draft, the White Sox, hoping that the potential of playing with his brother might help in negotiations, drafted him in the seventh round. The gamble worked; they signed him to a $525,000 bonus. After an impressive run in the Arizona Fall League in 2008, Danks has continued to roll hitting leadoff for High-A Winston-Salem, batting .329/.414/.518 while scoring 20 runs in 21 games. One scout who recently saw Danks walked away impressed, but not without concerns. "Well, you have to start with the body, you have to love that frame and the tools," he began, referring to Danks' 6-foot-5, 210-pound frame. "I know he had a reputation for not showing much power in college, but he's hitting the ball hard here," he added, as Danks entered Wednesday's action with eight doubles, a triple, and two home runs in 85 at-bats. If there is one red flag on Danks' stat line, it's a contact issue, as he has struck out 26 times so far this year, and the scout discussed the way that it's a function of the center fielder's swing. "It's definitely long-ish," said the scout, "and it could spell some trouble for him down the road. It takes him some time to unload." It's hard to talk about Danks without comparing him to former White Sox prospect and current Oakland outfielder Ryan Sweeney, another tall, athletic outfielder who didn't hit for the power people expected... and who still hasn't. "It's a good comp," said the scout. "We'll just have to wait and see." http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=8804 i don't think their statistical profile is very similar, and i don't remember sweeney having a longish swing, and i had the impression that danks is a much more natural CF than sweeney with quite a bit better speed. thought it was interesting info anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Jordan is supposed to be a plus fielder while Sweeney was criticized for his power because he projected as a corner guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Maybe the comparison is because of the size and frames, although Jordan will end up being bigger. Danks is definitely more of a natural CFer and has the edge in overall athleticism. I think you would have to compare their K/BB ratios in their first few years in the minors, although that would be unfair to Ryan, because he came out of an Iowa high school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 QUOTE (False Alarm @ Apr 30, 2009 -> 03:54 PM) http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=8804 i don't think their statistical profile is very similar, and i don't remember sweeney having a longish swing, and i had the impression that danks is a much more natural CF than sweeney with quite a bit better speed. thought it was interesting info anyway. Ryan Sweeney had 32 XBHs his entire season in A-ball, and that went down to 26 when he moved up to AA (where he only hit 1 homer). Jordan Danks is already 1/3rd of the way to reaching that first total in one month. I'm not worried about his power at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danman31 Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Pretty bland report. We knew he was athletic, we knew he is hitting for more power than in college and we knew he Ks too much. I want to like Jordan for the reasons that scout said though: body type and tools. I'm trying to ignore my fears of his Ks, but he has been doing much better lately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearSox Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 That Danks-Sweeney comparison has to be based mostly on the fact they are both lefites and have similar frames. Cause I don't think their games are all that similar just looking at it stat wise, since I haven't seen much of Danks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caulfield12 Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?g...oakmlb_texmlb_1 Sweeney made an amazing, Hunter-esque catcher to rob Kinsler and save the game today for the A's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearSox Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 (edited) We could have him in CF right now (tear rolls down my eye) Edited May 1, 2009 by BearSox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danman31 Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 QUOTE (BearSox @ Apr 30, 2009 -> 08:38 PM) We could have him in CF right now (tear rolls down my eye) Yeah, I don't know about you, but I love guys that are slugging .349! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reddy Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 30, 2009 -> 05:16 PM) Maybe the comparison is because of the size and frames, although Jordan will end up being bigger. Danks is definitely more of a natural CFer and has the edge in overall athleticism. I think you would have to compare their K/BB ratios in their first few years in the minors, although that would be unfair to Ryan, because he came out of an Iowa high school. what the hell does that mean? /defensive Iowan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bighurt4life Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 QUOTE (Reddy @ May 1, 2009 -> 03:52 PM) what the hell does that mean? /defensive Iowan he didn't spend three years in an elite college program/ less refined player Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 QUOTE (Reddy @ May 1, 2009 -> 05:52 PM) what the hell does that mean? /defensive Iowan Nolan Ryan was born and raised in Texas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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