9/17 Gameday Thread: Wilkelman & A Young Jedi Catch the Eye

I arrived a little late for the game in Hartford last night but sat down just before Pedro launched a majestic fly ball from a 90 mph pitch from the starter well over the 360 fence in left in the second. Granberg and Casas also showed they had no trouble with Baird's fastball following with line drives to left and right center, with Casas showing some nice hustle to get into second before the throw. After a groundout, Baird's night was over.

I hadn't seen any scouts at the Tuesday or Thursday night game but noticed one radar gun last night. In between innings, I went over to ask if the stadium gun was accurate. He said what I said in Tuesday's game thread that it was sometimes plus one but sometimes accurate. I asked who he was scouting for and he said Baseball Prospectus. Jeffrey was willing to talk so I spent the the rest of game discussing the Red Sox with him. He said BP's top 101 will be out by Christmas for the book and the Red Sox list of top prospects for the site is due to come out Jan 18.This is his column www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/article/67467/the-view-from-behind-the-backstop-back-behind-the-backstop/

Jeff has been with BP for 6 years. He was writing a Mets blog when BP contacted him to work for them. I asked if he applied and he said he hadn't, they contacted him. When asked, I believe he told me BP has 11 other writers that cover the minors. He missed the Bello start because of family commitments.

I saw Winckowski pitch well in May, giving up only 2 hits through 5, and had another similar good outing last night. He hit 97 once but threw more sliders than fastballs. Jeff saw a few average chaneups, something he didn't throw in May. I asked about the rule 5 and he said he was a definite add.

I asked about a number of other roster decisions the Sox would have to make for the rule 5 including whether Potts and Rosario would survive off season cuts. He said he liked Potts two years ago in the SD system but didn't think he would be taken if DFA'd. He said someone might take Rosario for his defense but he personally wouldn't. He said he has seen Santos a lot and likes him, but also said he might try to sneak him by leaving him off. He mentioned Santos fastball ticking up and his good change. Politi looked good again last night throwing 97 and I mentioned it looks unlikely he will be added. Jeff agreed saying you can't protect every reliever. He said after watching Somerset, the Yankees will have another roster crunch this year saying he saw 4 major league arms on that staff.

I asked if Whitlock was a lock for the rotation next year and he said he might keep him as a multi inning reliever, especially after the Tommy John operation. Some here thought Duran was a little high in the national rankings and he agreed with that assessment. I asked if there were any he liked more than others and after thinking a little he said Cellucci, Wu-Yelland and Lugo.

Another game note, Granberg's homerun was another fly ball down the right field line that just cleared the 305 fence, similar to Pedro's on Tuesday. Potts also took 89 the opposite way Thursday night.