ron883 Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 I have a few questions about Engel, if those who are more educated don't mind educating me. Plus I want to discuss him because he is an interesting prospect. I know he has plus-plus speed and a good arm. Has anybody seen his defense in person? It sounds like he has all the tools to be above average to elite in CF. Obviously, the jury is still out about his bat. Looking much improved since the AFL. Is there any chance that he is brought up this year as a defensive replacement if his bat keeps improving? That is, once the minor league seasons end. I know they won't take valuable at bats away from him. He is getting up there in age. A call up at the end of teh season wouldn't surprise me if it is warranted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 I've only seen him once in person, a couple times on MiLB.tv, and briefly in an ST game on TV. But I've also spoken with people who watch him regularly. His defense is very good - speed is a big help, but he also seems to be pretty efficient to the ball. His arm is pretty strong too, though maybe not as big as sometimes characterized. The main question is, and has been, the hit tool. He made some significant mechanical changes last season. It's not just the AFL - look at his numbers during last year and you see the improvement during the year as well, leading to AFL. If he can make consistent contact, that is huge for him. He already draws some walks. He's a very strong guy, more so than you'd think for a speed demon, so there is raw, untapped power in his frame. Increased contact would allow that to play up. His speed is legit. 70 grade or better. Basically, if he can make consistent contact, he's got the tools to be a legit starting MLB center fielder. That is by no means guaranteed, but it is possible, if things go well. 2016? He could be a September call-up (so that he doesn't burn much service time), to use as a pinch runner and defensive replacement. But I doubt, even under the best circumstances, that his bat will be fully MLB-ready by then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quin Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 FanGraphs once famously said Mike Trout level athlete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Apr 12, 2016 -> 02:54 PM) FanGraphs once famously said Mike Trout level athlete. More specifically, Nathaniel Stoltz said he was built like Trout physically. Body comp, but not tools comp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigsoxhurt35 Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 Engel is one of the hitters I'm really excited about. Hope he stays healthy and hits the day lights out of the ball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Allen Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 The White Sox have been batting close to .000 with these toolsy guys who needed a lot of development. They are due for one to come through. This would be a good one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Apr 12, 2016 -> 03:18 PM) The White Sox have been batting close to .000 with these toolsy guys who needed a lot of development. They are due for one to come through. This would be a good one. Saladino and Thompson are two leading candidates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxAce Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 He's one of my favorite prospects in the system. I've always had high school girl crushes on toolsy guys (or guys with raw stuff as far as pitchers) so I hope he succeeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winninguglyin83 Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 He's over .300 as of Tuesday at Birmingham. Watched him in college. He's sure-handed and gets good reads. Arm is good, not great. Plays the game with the football mentality. He was a high school quarterback in suburban Cincinnati. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiliIrishHammock24 Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 12, 2016 -> 03:05 PM) More specifically, Nathaniel Stoltz said he was built like Trout physically. Body comp, but not tools comp. I'll find the exact tweet, but he said something like "He's the closest athlete physically to Mike Trout that I've ever seen". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quin Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 "Adam Engel is a near-Mike Trout-level athlete. I know that sounds ridiculously hyperbolic, but I say it with unblinking sincerity. There are more 80-grade runners out there than one might think (largely because a lot of them can’t hit at all and thus never get any press), but very few of them have Trout’s dimensions of 6’2″ and 230 pounds. Engel is 6’1″ and 215, which is about as close as you’re going to get, and he was considered the fastest player in the collegian draft class last year. And boy, is he ever:" http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/prospect-wa...sy-outfielders/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Sacamano Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 12, 2016 -> 03:21 PM) Saladino and Thompson are two leading candidates. Yikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Sacamano Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 (edited) QUOTE (Chilihead90 @ Apr 12, 2016 -> 10:03 PM) I'll find the exact tweet, but he said something like "He's the closest athlete physically to Mike Trout that I've ever seen". That's not comparing hitting tools. More of speed and defense most likely based on his size. Trout's a pretty thick dude who can cover some ground. Edited April 13, 2016 by soxfan2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 12, 2016 -> 01:05 PM) More specifically, Nathaniel Stoltz said he was built like Trout physically. Body comp, but not tools comp. Maybe I saw Engel on an odd day, but I don't see a build like Trout (at least not today's version of Trout). Trout is one of the strongest, shorter, stockier guys I've seen. I don't remember Engel being as stocky / strong. That isn't a knock, Trout just has a really unique body type. He does have a ton of physical tools / attributes though (Engel). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiSoxFanMike Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 Sounds like Engel could get called up during the stretch run if the Sox need a pinch runner or defensive replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsox Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 QUOTE (ChiSoxFanMike @ Apr 13, 2016 -> 11:06 AM) Sounds like Engel could get called up during the stretch run if the Sox need a pinch runner or defensive replacement. Mike, I don't hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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