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Post by Chris Hatfield on Jan 21, 2013 21:41:55 GMT -5
Not that I want it to happen but his team could get knocked out pretty early going on the road basically to face South Korea and Taiwan so he probably won't miss all that much from MiLB spring training. Certainly South Korea will offer a real challenge, but I'm not so sure about Taiwan. Their professional baseball league has languished over the last few years. Still, the pitching always seems to be there. Both 6' 4" Chien-Ming Wang, and to confuse the issue (a mini-me version of him perhaps?), the 5' 10" Ching-Ming Wang are listed. Looking at the roster, the young SS the Sox signed, Tzu-Wei Lin, isn't on it, but familiar names Chien-Ming Chang and Che-Hsuan Lin are. Should be lots of fun watching a few games. I think you're thinking of Chih-Hsien Chiang, who is not on the roster.
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Post by Oregon Norm on Jan 21, 2013 23:07:56 GMT -5
Thanks... You're absolutely right, I should have tracked it down. Got a little mixed up - not the first time.
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Post by ancientsoxfogey on Jan 26, 2013 13:49:34 GMT -5
I have a tiny question.
I realize that there is some uncertainty as to whether Xander can stick at SS. But isn't that a bit of a flimsy excuse for not listing him in the top 15 on the organizational depth chart at SS?
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Post by soxfanatic on Jan 26, 2013 13:55:39 GMT -5
I have a tiny question. I realize that there is some uncertainty as to whether Xander can stick at SS. But isn't that a bit of a flimsy excuse for not listing him in the top 15 on the organizational depth chart at SS? Lol
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Post by h11233 on Jan 26, 2013 14:20:26 GMT -5
I have a tiny question. I realize that there is some uncertainty as to whether Xander can stick at SS. But isn't that a bit of a flimsy excuse for not listing him in the top 15 on the organizational depth chart at SS? I don't see him listed at any position. Probably just an error.
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Jan 26, 2013 17:43:42 GMT -5
Thanks. For future reference, there is a corrections thread in the meta-forum.
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Post by larrycook on Jan 28, 2013 14:47:08 GMT -5
So if Bogaerts moves to 3rd base during the 2013 season, does anybody think the in season position change will affect his hitting.
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Post by borisman on Feb 7, 2013 9:55:33 GMT -5
In the Herald today. bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox_mlb/boston_red_sox/2013/02/power_x_factor_xander_bogaerts"As a 19-year-old between high Single A and Double A last year, Bogaerts blasted 20 homers. That may not sound otherworldly, but it’s actually a magic number. Since 1995, only 37 teenagers have reached 20 homers in the minors (a handful did it twice), and many of them went on to become big league stars." If he played more games in 2011, when he hit 16 HR in only 72 games, he would've been part of the "a handful did it twice" club easily.
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Post by wcsoxfan on Feb 8, 2013 22:16:20 GMT -5
So if Bogaerts moves to 3rd base during the 2013 season, does anybody think the in season position change will affect his hitting. Unless Middlebrooks falls on his face - i don't see this happening. The Sox seem to be high on Middlebrooks so they have no reason to move their top prospect to a blocked position. More likely they keep him at short or try him at 1b or in the OF. These positions are usually less demanding than short or 3b. So he should be ok.
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Post by bluechip on Feb 8, 2013 22:26:57 GMT -5
So if Bogaerts moves to 3rd base during the 2013 season, does anybody think the in season position change will affect his hitting. Unless Middlebrooks falls on his face - i don't see this happening. The Sox seem to be high on Middlebrooks so they have no reason to move their top prospect to a blocked position. More likely they keep him at short or try him at 1b or in the OF. These positions are usually less demanding than short or 3b. So he should be ok. You also need to factor in the fact that Middlebrooks is a very good defensive third baseman, whereas XB has never played the position.
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Post by bluechip on Feb 8, 2013 23:51:26 GMT -5
Has it been officially decided where Bogaerts will be playing in the WBC? I know that the Red Sox instructed the Netherlands not to play him in the OF. If he is not going to be starting every game then I will be strongly rooting for them to lose every game (sorry great-grandpa Jan), so that he can get some play in ST.
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Post by Oregon Norm on Feb 9, 2013 0:21:26 GMT -5
Has it been officially decided where Bogaerts will be playing in the WBC? I know that the Red Sox instructed the Netherlands not to play him in the OF. If he is not going to be starting every game then I will be strongly rooting for them to lose every game (sorry great-grandpa Jan), so that he can get some play in ST. It has been decided since he shows up on their roster. I don't believe the Sox are in any position to tell Bogaerts that he can't play in the WBC, not one that they could rationally support. The sort of outcry that would follow and the bad blood would leave a lousy taste in everyone's mouth. He's quite proud of where he grew up and that he's made the team. They're not just a bunch of stiffs either, although some of the players, such as Andruw Jones, are getting up there. He'll man the outfield, probably along with Wladimir Balentien, and Roger Bernadina. We're not talking an all-star roster here, but they should hold their own. The infield is something else entirely with three of the better prospects in baseball in Bogaerts, Profar, and Simmons. They could sneak up on a few people. It may be a bit of an education for teams like Chinese Taipei (i.e. Taiwan) and Australia if they're not careful. It will all depend on the pitching, with pitching coach Blyleven working hard to browbeat his troops into performing over their heads as he did last time. That's about the only way I can see them beating Korea but you never know. That first round is being played in Taichung, Taiwan which has high-speed rail service north to Taipei, and south to Kaohsiung, the two largest cities on the island, though Taichung has over a million people also. Most folks think of the place as one crowded and heavily commercialized tribute to industrial civilization. That's largely true around the largest cities (though there are fascinating reminders of the older culture everywhere). But that's maybe a 20-40 mile coastal strip on the western side of the island. The rest of it is a giant heavily forested mountain block - dotted with national parks - looming off to the east, with a rift valley beyond that and another mountain block rising out of the sea to the southeast. That east coast has some of the finest surfing in Asia and an expat community of westerners and Aussies taking advantage of it down around Taitung. I'd be there for the games in a heartbeat if I could. Should be great fun. If you could post a link to the story about the Sox telling the Netherland's not to play him in the outfield, please. I'd like to see that story. Thanks.
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Post by pedroelgrande on Feb 9, 2013 1:16:51 GMT -5
I think he's asking where is he gonna play no if he's gonna play. That roster is also preliminary and some players have already backed out like King Felix for example.
Profar seems to be debating if he's going to attend or not so X might have quite a good chance to play in the INF. If he wants to play the Red Sox should let him go but take all the precautions that are sensible and thats it.
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Post by bluechip on Feb 9, 2013 11:03:59 GMT -5
I think he's asking where is he gonna play no if he's gonna play. That roster is also preliminary and some players have already backed out like King Felix for example. Profar seems to be debating if he's going to attend or not so X might have quite a good chance to play in the INF. If he wants to play the Red Sox should let him go but take all the precautions that are sensible and thats it. Yes, I was asking where. Peter Abreham recently reported that the Red Sox requested the Netherlands to not play him in the OF, so I was wondering if he would get play at second or third. I am pretty sure the MLB does not allow teams to bar players from attending.
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Post by bluechip on Feb 9, 2013 11:07:33 GMT -5
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Post by Matt Huegel on Feb 9, 2013 11:39:43 GMT -5
Yeah the report is that he will only play SS, 3B, and DH in the WBC. I also heard Profar was out so he might play more short, but someone would have to confirm that on Profar.
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Post by wcsoxfan on Feb 9, 2013 14:04:31 GMT -5
Yeah the report is that he will only play SS, 3B, and DH in the WBC. I also heard Profar was out so he might play more short, but someone would have to confirm that on Profar. I also read that Profar is or because he wants to concentrate on making the Rangers out of camp. It should be noted that Xander is the tallest infielder they have listed. 2" taller than anyone not named Profar. So, who's on first?
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Post by raftsox on Feb 9, 2013 15:06:21 GMT -5
BA was talking about Simmons at SS, Bogaerts at 3B and Profar at 2B. That would maximize the defensive value of each (since they can't all be at short) according to them. If Profar's out that might change it a hair.
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Post by soxcentral on Feb 22, 2013 12:32:03 GMT -5
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Post by fenwaythehardway on Feb 23, 2013 10:11:04 GMT -5
One of the things that makes me believe in Xander just a little bit more than the average prospect is that none of his hype came before his pro career. He wasn't brought into the organization with a multi-million dollar bonus and massive expectations; in fact according to the Speier article he was anonymous to most even within the Sox organization. His hype and his prospect status is based on what he's done, not things he's supposed to do.
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Post by njsox on Mar 20, 2013 11:21:22 GMT -5
Based on the Red Sox various position depths over the next few seasons I think there is a possibility Bogaerts ends up at first base. This is based mostly on the more remote idea that Jose Iglesias shows enough growth with the bat this year that he becomes a viable ML option. In terms of overall team strength this could make a lot of sense if Boagaerts is ready next year. Bogaerts has the athleticism which leads me to believe he could be a plus first baseman while filling the rare "Youkilis" role of possible being able to back up at third and maybe the outfield. That versatility was huge for us when Youkilis was able to cover those positions. I know it seems like a complete waste to have a guy with the ability to have a +bat at SS move to first, but paving the way for possibly the best fielding SS in MLB changes things, no? This is all just food for thought based on the speculations that Middlebrooks continues to produce at the ML level this year, Iglesias proves capable of holding down a ML job and Bogaerts is ready for the majors opening day 2014 (lots of ifs, yes). This could also potentially net us the 1st round draft pick, as well as save us the possible 13 million it would take to bring back Napoli if he has a big year this year.
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Post by raftsox on Mar 20, 2013 12:02:52 GMT -5
It's a lot more likely that Bogaerts spends all of 2013 in AA and is slated for AAA in 2014. Additionally, why not just play him in LF? That would at least take better advantage of his athleticism.
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Post by soxcentral on Mar 20, 2013 12:02:57 GMT -5
Based on the Red Sox various position depths over the next few seasons I think there is a possibility Bogaerts ends up at first base. This is based mostly on the more remote idea that Jose Iglesias shows enough growth with the bat this year that he becomes a viable ML option. In terms of overall team strength this could make a lot of sense if Boagaerts is ready next year. Bogaerts has the athleticism which leads me to believe he could be a plus first baseman while filling the rare "Youkilis" role of possible being able to back up at third and maybe the outfield. That versatility was huge for us when Youkilis was able to cover those positions. I know it seems like a complete waste to have a guy with the ability to have a +bat at SS move to first, but paving the way for possibly the best fielding SS in MLB changes things, no? This is all just food for thought based on the speculations that Middlebrooks continues to produce at the ML level this year, Iglesias proves capable of holding down a ML job and Bogaerts is ready for the majors opening day 2014 (lots of ifs, yes). This could also potentially net us the 1st round draft pick, as well as save us the possible 13 million it would take to bring back Napoli if he has a big year this year. I think if Iglesias, Xander and WMB all end up as above average regulars a more likely scenario would be seeing WMB traded for a quality 1B plus a prospect or bullpen arm. Or Xander gets moved to RF to take greater advantage of his athleticism and arm. The one position I'm not concerned about us being able to fill from year to year is 1B.
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Post by beasleyrockah on Mar 20, 2013 12:15:28 GMT -5
Based on the Red Sox various position depths over the next few seasons I think there is a possibility Bogaerts ends up at first base. This is based mostly on the more remote idea that Jose Iglesias shows enough growth with the bat this year that he becomes a viable ML option. In terms of overall team strength this could make a lot of sense if Boagaerts is ready next year. Bogaerts has the athleticism which leads me to believe he could be a plus first baseman while filling the rare "Youkilis" role of possible being able to back up at third and maybe the outfield. That versatility was huge for us when Youkilis was able to cover those positions. I know it seems like a complete waste to have a guy with the ability to have a +bat at SS move to first, but paving the way for possibly the best fielding SS in MLB changes things, no? This is all just food for thought based on the speculations that Middlebrooks continues to produce at the ML level this year, Iglesias proves capable of holding down a ML job and Bogaerts is ready for the majors opening day 2014 (lots of ifs, yes). This could also potentially net us the 1st round draft pick, as well as save us the possible 13 million it would take to bring back Napoli if he has a big year this year. They need to build their roster around talents like Xander, not Iglesias. Iglesias shouldn't be a factor at all in Xander's future unless he explodes offensively and becomes a completely different player than he's been. I'm not moving the top prospect off a position he can currently handle and to 1B of all places just so a "viable" shortstop can keep his job. If Iglesias busts out and looks like Elvis Andrus we can revisit the topic. But even then there's a good possibility trading either one of them for a deal that would represent much better value than shifting Xander around just to fit your current needs. FWIW If Kevin Youkilis could've played shortstop it would've been way more valuable than switching off between 1b and 3b.
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Post by ray88h66 on Mar 20, 2013 13:14:01 GMT -5
Based on the Red Sox various position depths over the next few seasons I think there is a possibility Bogaerts ends up at first base. This is based mostly on the more remote idea that Jose Iglesias shows enough growth with the bat this year that he becomes a viable ML option. In terms of overall team strength this could make a lot of sense if Boagaerts is ready next year. Bogaerts has the athleticism which leads me to believe he could be a plus first baseman while filling the rare "Youkilis" role of possible being able to back up at third and maybe the outfield. That versatility was huge for us when Youkilis was able to cover those positions. I know it seems like a complete waste to have a guy with the ability to have a +bat at SS move to first, but paving the way for possibly the best fielding SS in MLB changes things, no? This is all just food for thought based on the speculations that Middlebrooks continues to produce at the ML level this year, Iglesias proves capable of holding down a ML job and Bogaerts is ready for the majors opening day 2014 (lots of ifs, yes). This could also potentially net us the 1st round draft pick, as well as save us the possible 13 million it would take to bring back Napoli if he has a big year this year. Your thoughts are interesting. I'm a big fan of Iglesias. I think he will hit enough to be a plus major league SS. But I agree with Beasley. You work around Boggy. I don't move him off short till he proves he can't do the job there.If all involved hit, I think a trade is the most likely outcome.
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