Rodon vs Nola

[hi8is]

I know we don't have much sample size to go off but wanted to bring this up...

 

When the 2014 draft was cooking, speculation and insider comments stated the Sox wanted Nola if Rodon went before us. There was even some who thought we would take Nola even with Rodon still available.

 

Who do you think will have the better career?

 

I'm not suggesting we made the wrong choice or the right choice - just bringing up the topic for discussion.

[bmags]

I know we don't have much sample size to go off but wanted to bring this up...

 

When the 2014 draft was cooking, speculation and insider comments stated the Sox wanted Nola if Rodon went before us. There was even some who thought we would take Nola even with Rodon still available.

 

Who do you think will have the better career?

 

I'm not suggesting we made the wrong choice or the right choice - just bringing up the topic for discussion.

 

I know this isn't your question, but I think this is a nice indication that our scouting has improved, that we honed in on these two players who are both having early success. Sucks that Aiken/Kolek are dealing with arm issues, but that is a factor in a HS pitcher. I wish them well.

 

I think Rodon has a much higher ceiling of dominant stuff, where Nola will have off years where he has more "unlucky" hits due to more contact.

 

That said, the comparisons of Nola to Wacha were spot on.

[OmarComing25]

I think they'll both be great pitchers, but Rodon has the higher ceiling, while Nola has the higher floor.

[BaconOnAStick]

I think there is little doubt Nola will finish 2016 the better pitcher. Rodon still has a lot of work to do to even scratch his ceiling, whereas Nola seems have been ready for MLB batters from day 1.

[hi8is]

I think there is little doubt Nola will finish 2016 the better pitcher. Rodon still has a lot of work to do to even scratch his ceiling, whereas Nola seems have been ready for MLB batters from day 1.

Remember this being the pro and con side for each pitcher leading up to draft day. Personally I think Rodon will start to heat up as we see Latos fall. Pretty amazing what our pitching staff has done without Rodon firing and with the whole Danks downfall.

 

Nola has impressed more than I had anticipated. Dudes gonna be a stud.

[BaconOnAStick]

Velasquez/Nola/Eickhoff may be better than Thor/Harvey/deGrom by the end of the year. Who would've seen THAT coming?

[fathom]

Velasquez/Nola/Eickhoff may be better than Thor/Harvey/deGrom by the end of the year. Who would've seen THAT coming?

 

Harvey's stuff just doesn't seem that good anymore.

[chw42]

Nola was the most ML ready pitcher in that draft. But his stuff isn't nearly as electric as Rodon's. Nola's control has been absolutely insane this year though (only 6 walks in almost 40 innings).

[Dick Allen]

Much like his junior year and what made him available to the Sox, Rodon's slider hasn't really been cooking yet. It's just a matter of time.

 

I think any team would be happy with either one, but I'm glad the Sox got the guy they have.

[hi8is]

Nola was the most ML ready pitcher in that draft. But his stuff isn't nearly as electric as Rodon's. Nola's control has been absolutely insane this year though (only 6 walks in almost 40 innings).

His control reminds me of Buehrle. On MLB Networl today they also compared his arm angle to Sale. Very interesting pitcher. I too however am more than please that we have our own young stud in Rodon.

[ShandyMan]

I don't think its really even close. I'd say Nola and Rodon are at similar levels right now, with Rodon having a way higher ceiling.

[gosoxgo2005]

Rodon is slowly starting to drive me insane watching him pitch. Anyone who'd rather have Rodon over Nola right now is taking c razy pills

[Chisoxfn]

Rodon is slowly starting to drive me insane watching him pitch. Anyone who'd rather have Rodon over Nola right now is taking c razy pills

Rodon is much rawer than Nola. He is going to have his issues and still has to work on repeating his delivery, etc. His raw stuff is outstanding, but he's still absolutely a work in process from a pitchers perspective. That said, he's got a great pitchers frame and clearly plus stuff which is good enough to develop at the big league level. Despite some struggles, including one awful game, his overall ERA is still

 

I'll also point out Matt Latos will end up with an ERA > 4. I hope I'm wrong but he'll revert back. His stuff isn't good enough to pitch as close as he has, that said, his command and moxy is certainly good enough to give us quality starts (which is something I had my doubts about before the season started).

 

The key to this club, outside of health (which is a key to most any club) will be whether we can find a sustainable 5th starter, imo. I think Johnson can be that guy and I hope he can show that. That doesn't mean dominant pitcher, but can give us innings and keep us in games.

[gosoxgo2005]

I was told that unless Johnson throws a no-no, today will 99% be his only start for now. Take that FWIW

[Chisoxfn]

I was told that unless Johnson throws a no-no, today will 99% be his only start for now. Take that FWIW

Sox have there own concerns with Johnons's consistency issues so it doesn't surprise me. I feel the Sox should actually see what Johnson gets as I prefer him to Miguel, but I presume Sox will hand job to one of Turner / Miguel. Miguel is pretty hittable, sure a slight upgrade from 2016 Danks, but I think better odds are on Turner / Johnson actually being solid. Could be wrong though.

 

Last year, Johnson posted an ERA plus of 117 over 35 big league innings. Small sample size but the eyes backed up the results. He also had success in his first stint a couple years back. Problem is somewhere in between he had a season where he was complete trash (stuff non-existent, etc) and this spring while he didn't look that bad, his stuff definitely wasn't near as good. Don't know what the driver is, but I thought I had saw where his stuff popped back down in Charlotte this year so I personally think as long as his stuff is there, he is a no brainer to be a qualify 5th starter (vs. everyone else we are talking about).

 

Sox don't think so and they clearly know more than I do, although I happen to think they are wrong and are just being too gun shy due to other concerns they have on him.

[bmags]

I was told that unless Johnson throws a no-no, today will 99% be his only start for now. Take that FWIW

 

Phil Humber it, EJ

[Dick Allen]

I was a little surprised Gonzalez didn't get the call. I wonder if it had to do with him taking a ball off the face, or if there might have been a problem with how long he has been back at Charlotte. I would think he would have been good to go, but isn't there a time period after you have been sent back until you can be recalled again unless there is an injury? I would think he exceeded that, but maybe not.

[SCCWS]

 

I like Rodon but Nola already has what is considered the best curve ball in baseball. That is quite a feat for a player that young. Obviously his control is and always was outstanding. Since we have( hopefully for a long time) 2 of the best left-handers in baseball I think in hindsight having a stud RH may have made for a better rotation. But that is a minor improvement and maybe Fulmer will be just as good as Nola.

[lasttriptotulsa]

I was told that unless Johnson throws a no-no, today will 99% be his only start for now. Take that FWIW

 

I don't believe that for one second. If he goes out and give them 6 or 7 innings of 2 run ball they would be fools to not give him another start. Gonzalez was trash in his game and Turner has pitched in the Majors since 2014.

[southsider2k5]

I don't believe that for one second. If he goes out and give them 6 or 7 innings of 2 run ball they would be fools to not give him another start. Gonzalez was trash in his game and Turner has pitched in the Majors since 2014.

 

I do. The Sox have had so many chances to get Johnson in the majors, and they seem to do everything they can to make it not happen. For example, how many times last year did they recall starting pitchers? They didn't call up Johnson until September. They could have slotted him as the #5 this winter, but instead they brought in both Turner and Latos, despite the questions around them. When they called up EJ the first time this year, he literally sat on the bench the whole time instead of pitching (even in garbage time), before they sent him down.

 

I 100% believe that the White Sox have zero belief in Erik Johnson, I have no idea what the reason why is.

[RockRaines]

Rodon may have one of the best sliders in baseball, its a plus plus pitch. He just gave up his first HR to a lefty in his career. Kid has future top of the rotation guy written all over him. it was a great pick.

[southsider2k5]

Rodon is slowly starting to drive me insane watching him pitch. Anyone who'd rather have Rodon over Nola right now is taking c razy pills

 

There isn't a GM out there who would take Nola over Rodon, even knowing what they know today. Let's not get crazy. Remember, Rodon could easily still be in the minors as one of the top prospects in the game.

[hi8is]

There isn't a GM out there who would take Nola over Rodon, even knowing what they know today. Let's not get crazy. Remember, Rodon could easily still be in the minors as one of the top prospects in the game.

Not so sure I agree with your logic here - as we're comparing apples to apples. Both pitchers were drafted the same year and both could be top prospects in the minors still.

[Rowand44]

Sox have there own concerns with Johnons's consistency issues so it doesn't surprise me. I feel the Sox should actually see what Johnson gets as I prefer him to Miguel, but I presume Sox will hand job to one of Turner / Miguel. Miguel is pretty hittable, sure a slight upgrade from 2016 Danks, but I think better odds are on Turner / Johnson actually being solid. Could be wrong though.

 

Last year, Johnson posted an ERA plus of 117 over 35 big league innings. Small sample size but the eyes backed up the results. He also had success in his first stint a couple years back. Problem is somewhere in between he had a season where he was complete trash (stuff non-existent, etc) and this spring while he didn't look that bad, his stuff definitely wasn't near as good. Don't know what the driver is, but I thought I had saw where his stuff popped back down in Charlotte this year so I personally think as long as his stuff is there, he is a no brainer to be a qualify 5th starter (vs. everyone else we are talking about).

 

Sox don't think so and they clearly know more than I do, although I happen to think they are wrong and are just being too gun shy due to other concerns they have on him.

This is exactly how I feel. Just give the dude another chance. His stuff for whatever reason was depleted a few years back but he bounced back pretty terrifically last year. I have no idea what he's capable of(I do think he can be a decent enough 5 though) but at least give him the opportunity to prove one way or another what he is. The Sox seem pretty against that though for whatever the reason may be.

[southsider2k5]

Not so sure I agree with your logic here - as we're comparing apples to apples. Both pitchers were drafted the same year and both could be top prospects in the minors still.

 

You are comparing a guy who is probably a 55-60 on the 80 scale now, and that is probably as high as he is going to get. Rodon probably has the same grade now, maybe a notch lower at most, with a 75-80 ceiling.

 

Rodon did get to the majors quicker than Nola, and didn't have as much time to learn in the minors. Rodon's next start will be his 30th in the majors. Nola is at 20