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Post by sibbysisti on Sept 25, 2012 8:37:40 GMT -5
In two weeks play will commence in the Arizona Fall League. The Sox prospects are assigned to Surprise under the guidance of Jason Wood.
Pitchers:
Brock Huntzinger Chris Martin Ryan Pressley Pete Ruiz
Catcher
Christian Vasquez
Infielder
Michael Almanzar
Outfield
Bryce Brentz
As in past years the roster is made up of Rule 5/40 man roster eligible players. This is the case with all but Brentz. Last look at the candidates before decisions must be made?
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nomar
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Post by nomar on Sept 25, 2012 13:07:07 GMT -5
I hope Michael Almanzar impresses.
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steveofbradenton
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Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
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Post by steveofbradenton on Sept 25, 2012 14:26:35 GMT -5
I always am not sure what an organization is trying to achieve with the Arizona League. It would seem you would want to 1) get someone extra at-bats or innings if they didn't get them during the actual season, or 2) play folks that are getting real close to the big leagues and accelerate them.
I like that Brentz and Vasquez are there, but I'd rather have an Olmstead or Steven Wright there instead of Pressley or Martin. I know I'm missing something, but I can't shake this feeling.
I know some of you like Ruiz and Huntzinger. Are they available in Rule 5? Is it to make decisions on some folks?
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Post by amfox1 on Sept 25, 2012 15:03:56 GMT -5
I know some of you like Ruiz and Huntzinger. Are they available in Rule 5? Is it to make decisions on some folks? Both are Rule 5 eligible. FYI, a full list of the Rule 5 eligible players is available on the Wiki (top of page, under "SP Info" link).
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Sept 25, 2012 20:07:17 GMT -5
I always am not sure what an organization is trying to achieve with the Arizona League. It would seem you would want to 1) get someone extra at-bats or innings if they didn't get them during the actual season, or 2) play folks that are getting real close to the big leagues and accelerate them. I like that Brentz and Vasquez are there, but I'd rather have an Olmstead or Steven Wright there instead of Pressley or Martin. I know I'm missing something, but I can't shake this feeling. I know some of you like Ruiz and Huntzinger. Are they available in Rule 5? Is it to make decisions on some folks? Well let me ask you this: what do they need to see out of Olmsted or Wright that they haven't seen already? Ruiz missed a good chunk of the year with a hip injury. Almanzar is probably being rewarded for his season, and maybe they're hoping that seeing how some of the best prospects in the game prepare shows him what he needs to do as well. Martin was also dinged up a bit all year, and Huntzinger made some leeway as a reliever and has some innings left to throw. Vazquez was a pretty easy choice to be the catcher to go.
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badfishnbc
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Doing you all a favor and leaving through the gate in right field since 2012.
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Post by badfishnbc on Sept 26, 2012 8:31:25 GMT -5
I think it's safe to say that this is Almanzar's last chance to make his case to stick with the club, no?
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Sept 26, 2012 9:20:34 GMT -5
I think it's safe to say that this is Almanzar's last chance to make his case to stick with the club, no? No, why?
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Post by James Dunne on Sept 26, 2012 9:21:26 GMT -5
I think it's safe to say that this is Almanzar's last chance to make his case to stick with the club, no? I think that's overstating it a bit. After struggling for years, he had a solid season at Salem, at a level he was still on the young side for. He'll begin 2013 as a 22-year-old in Double-A, and he's not a Minor League Free Agent until after 2014. I don't see him on a path to being cut before then.
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Post by sibbysisti on Sept 26, 2012 10:21:35 GMT -5
While he's Rule 5 eligible, I can't see an org. taking a chance on a kid who is years away from being ready for a ML roster.
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nomar
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Post by nomar on Sept 26, 2012 10:32:37 GMT -5
Salem isnt a great place to be for Power hitters, so I'm really excited to watch Brandon Jacobs and Michael Almanzar next year.
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dd
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Post by dd on Oct 3, 2012 9:12:30 GMT -5
I think it's safe to say that this is Almanzar's last chance to make his case to stick with the club, no? I think that's overstating it a bit. After struggling for years, he had a solid season at Salem, at a level he was still on the young side for. He'll begin 2013 as a 22-year-old in Double-A, and he's not a Minor League Free Agent until after 2014. I don't see him on a path to being cut before then. My understanding is that the development of his skills has been held back by his attitude / immaturity. I wouldn't be surprised if this is a "last chance" to show that he's grown up and eliminated that impediment in which case there's a chance for him to improve his skills. If so, given his raw skills, he gets more time. if not . . . Everything I know about Almanzar comes from what I've read on this site so consider the above a question. Is that perhaps the way the Sox are looking at this?
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Oct 3, 2012 13:45:21 GMT -5
Almanzar will get every opportunity possible. Jason Place was no peach in the clubhouse either and he got four full seasons of zero production. Granted, Almanzar is a smidge behind the development path Place had, but Place never put up the kind of numbers Almanzar did this year, and you could say Place never earned his promotion to Double-A.
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Post by sibbysisti on Oct 9, 2012 8:42:53 GMT -5
Seven RS prospects and the Surprise Saguaros open Arizona Fall League action today with a game @ Peoria. Good to see Sox related game action again.
Any SP scouts or posters plan to be around to give reports?
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Post by amfox1 on Oct 9, 2012 14:20:21 GMT -5
Brentz hitting 5th, RF Almanzar hitting 7th, 3B Vazquez hitting 8th, C
ex-Sox McGuiness hitting 4th, 1B
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Post by dwoody3123 on Oct 9, 2012 19:26:23 GMT -5
When do the Domincan/Mexican/etc. leagues start and will any prospects be playing in them?
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Post by sibbysisti on Oct 9, 2012 20:22:08 GMT -5
Not a good first day for Sox pitching prospects. All five Peoria runs scored off Huntzinger (2 IP,4H 2ER, 0SO), Chris Martin (2IP, 4H,2ER, 1SO), Ryan Pressley (1IP, 1H, 1ER, 1SO).
Almanzar had a BH. Brentz had one hit, a triple. Vasquez 0 for 4 with 2 SO.
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Post by sibbysisti on Oct 10, 2012 20:07:39 GMT -5
Bryce Brentz, 1 for five today. But he made it count with 2 rbi as the Saguaros won over Peoria. Old friend Chris McGuinness had a big day with 4 for 5 including a HR,. 3 RBI.
Only other Sox to see action was Pete Ruiz who pitched 1.1 innings, no hits and 3Ks.
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Post by azblue on Oct 11, 2012 14:48:59 GMT -5
I should be able to attend several Fall League games. The challenge is to pick a game when the Sox players are in the lineup. I have not figured out a way to determine that other than to check the lineups from the previous game and to assume that the Boston prospects will play if they did not play in the previous game.
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Post by sibbysisti on Oct 12, 2012 9:41:16 GMT -5
Look forward to your reports, azblue.
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Post by amfox1 on Oct 12, 2012 17:27:43 GMT -5
Brentz with his first AFL home run this afternoon.
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Post by sibbysisti on Oct 13, 2012 8:41:01 GMT -5
Brentz finished the game with two hits including the HR. Not so stellar performance, however, from the other two Sox to appear. Pete Ruiz and Ryan Pressley were both ineffective in 1.1 and 1 innings respectively.
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Post by sibbysisti on Oct 26, 2012 7:58:55 GMT -5
Nice game for Cristian Vasquez yesterday for Surprise; 4 for 4 including two 2Bs and a HR. Now batting .281. Also of note, Vasquez threw out three runners attempting to steal.
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Post by Oregon Norm on Oct 26, 2012 10:24:00 GMT -5
I think we're looking at the catcher of the (not to distant) future here. He's got much to recommend him including plate discipline, emerging power, and some serious defensive chops. There's no way he isn't protected on the 40 man, I believe.
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steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,823
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Post by steveofbradenton on Oct 26, 2012 11:20:35 GMT -5
Nice game for Cristian Vasquez yesterday for Surprise; 4 for 4 including two 2Bs and a HR. Now batting .281. Also of note, Vasquez threw out three runners attempting to steal. Now that is impressive!! I thought he was a sure thing before....and that cements it for me for the 40. I especially like the "D"!
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Post by Chris Hatfield on Oct 26, 2012 12:52:49 GMT -5
Nice game for Cristian Vasquez yesterday for Surprise; 4 for 4 including two 2Bs and a HR. Now batting .281. Also of note, Vasquez threw out three runners attempting to steal. Now that is impressive!! I thought he was a sure thing before....and that cements it for me for the 40. I especially like the "D"! Not to be Debbie Downer here, but he was hitting .150 with a sub-.600 OPS entering the game. He's only had 24 at-bats in what's basically an exhibition league with terrible pitching. Seriously, ignore any and all stats from the AFL.
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