SoxProspects News
|
|
|
|
Legal
Forum Ground Rules
The views expressed by the members of this Forum do not necessarily reflect the views of SoxProspects, LLC.
© 2003-2024 SoxProspects, LLC
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Home | Search | My Profile | Messages | Members | Help |
Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register.
Recent Posts
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 4, 2016 7:59:38 GMT -5
Agree with Temple here (did I just say that?) Orsillo was fine, but O'Brien is another league as far as pbp goes. He's done tele-VISION before, too. Lots of it. He knows what he's doing. It is unfortunate he's in a partnership with Remy. Remy is awful. Normally I'd agree with you, but it looks to me like Remy is contributing more and may be more motivated. |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 1, 2016 16:15:14 GMT -5
Caught the first game yesterday. Only time I root for Sox to lose. Impressed with Sam Travis, two 2B hits. The first he legged it out to turn a single into a double. Second hit was scorched on a liner to left. Sam has speed to as he showed in his first hit. All pitchers looked good, but consider the opposition. Speaking of BC, it has a first baseman named Joe Cronin. Don't know if it was by design but he wears #4. Enjoyed this morning workout. Great experience to walk around, mingle with the players, and talk to sports writers. Had a chat with Shawn McAdam. Benintendi looks small both in height and girth. OTOH Kopech looked taller than I thought he was. Watched the big leaguers for a while. Pitcher fielding drills. Robby Ross, Jr. Earned a Gold Glove IMO. Coaches kidded him about his athleticism. Got Monster seats for the opener vs Twins tomorrow. Have a great time Sibby! Hope you enjoy Florida as much as I do. |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Mar 1, 2016 16:03:26 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier 13m13 minutes ago Murphy said he has a 3/27 opt-out but notes that he didn't sign with the Red Sox with the intention of changing teams. Taking a page out of the David Price book I see. Opt outs are apparently like pre-nubs. You're not planning on getting divorced, but it's good to have. You know....that is exactly right. It's a pre-nub. |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Feb 29, 2016 19:21:40 GMT -5
I was wondering why the Red Sox didn't add minor league OF depth. He makes a good platoon partner with Young. My thought also. If Castillo turns up lame again or doesn't hit, I can think of worse platoons than Murph and Young (or Murph and Castillo). As was said, he definitely is not the same defensive outfielder he once was (once was OK in center), but he should be able to handle left in Fenway. Solid depth move. I like it. Not surprised of the opt-outs, but I would hope he will stick around until June in AAA. |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Feb 27, 2016 15:22:27 GMT -5
Chris or anyone.....any ideas when they may announce the Minor League Spring Training schedules??
Looking forward to seeing Benitendi, Moncada, and the boys!
|
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Feb 25, 2016 21:01:30 GMT -5
I would expect Beni, Moncada, and Devers to all, at least start in Salem this year. Can you say "wow"! What makes all 3 quite special is that I wouldn't be surprised if all 3 hit .300 plus this year with close to 18 to 20 homers. They are not a Joey Gallo who may hit 40 homers but K over 30% of the time. Thank God!
I do believe, at least, one of these guys will "break out" and move up to Portland pretty fast. Heck I wouldn't be shocked if two of them do. It would be hard to find any minor league team that has 3 hitters with this type of potential.
|
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Feb 15, 2016 10:29:43 GMT -5
Mookie is lucky no one got hurt. We all are. He didn't drive in. It rolled in after he parked. Love to see Mookie parallel park. I bet that is a hoot! |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Feb 14, 2016 19:41:25 GMT -5
I'm going to the March 13 game @rays, anyone been to their park? Any suggestions on a good place to grab some food in the area or anything else that will make the day more enjoyable? I've been to a couple of games in Port Charlotte and I can tell you to get there a little early. Parking is behind the stadium and hopefully there was no rain the day before as the parking lot can be a mess (trust me). As to eating choices, I have no idea. The park is out by itself with nothing much around it. If you've been to the ballparks in Sarasota or Fort Myers, you'll find this one is just OK. |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Feb 14, 2016 15:48:49 GMT -5
Heres a clip of billy ripken on mlb network recently predicting that Espinoza will be 2017 rookie of the year at 19.... At times I watch Espinoza and see Dwight Gooden. He is not as tall, but his mechanics are similar, his fastball sizzles, and he may eventually have Gooden's curve. I would love for Ripken to be right. I think he is wrong, but I can see him hitting the majors during his 21st birthday. Hard not to be excited. |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Feb 14, 2016 12:31:21 GMT -5
I've always thought of baseball that way, especially when I lived in PA, NY, and NJ. The birds (and the bees) were just around the corner and I couldn't wait for the trees to leaf out. Living in SW Florida, it isn't quite the same.....but I doubt I will ever stop thinking of spring being close. I actually am a big fan of all sports, but baseball represented so much more!
|
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Feb 14, 2016 9:01:39 GMT -5
Don't get me wrong.....I'm a big football fan, but this photo captures my priorities.
|
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Feb 8, 2016 15:05:54 GMT -5
He's a lottery ticket still in my opinion. At Best!! He is REAL raw. Seen him a couple of times, and at the moment I don't see him developing into a top prospect. This season will certainly give us a better idea what we have. |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Feb 4, 2016 10:13:47 GMT -5
Swithart is the starting catcher in 2016 for the Boston Red Sox if everyone is healthy opening Day and he should be. Vasquez should be in AAA rehabbing or whatever you want to call it. Totally right!! We have excellent depth starting this season, but it doesn't take much to dwindle it down considerably in an instant. If things work out well for Christian, at mid-season Hanigan may be worth trading....but lets not get in any hurry. There is absolutely no reason to be rash. Few clubs, if any, have this luxury. Few teams have the starting pitching depth we have either. It is a long season, and our depth will keep us afloat where other teams will (hopefully) sink. |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Feb 4, 2016 10:03:37 GMT -5
February might be the worst month of the year for baseball. There's no action going on except for truck days and workouts. Good thing it's the shortest month of the year. The bad thing is that it's a leap year. The Red Sox doubleheader vs BC and Northeastern is on NESN the 29th. So there's at least that. Lets face it, even that makes you salivate. I can't wait to hear Fogerty sing his damn song!!!! or as the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz said.......... oh joy oh rapture! |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Feb 4, 2016 9:55:35 GMT -5
I also have thought about Wil Myers as a potential acquisition. I like the thought myself. San Diego using this kid at 1st seems ridiculous. He is a solid athlete and still young. Just the power potential is something to really consider. I would be all in on exploring a buy low.
|
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Feb 3, 2016 14:53:19 GMT -5
Would any of you be surprised if Blake Swihart hit above .280 with 50 extra base hits, if he had, at least, 450 at bats? I know I wouldn't. He may not do it this year, but I think he is more than capable. To provide some context, 19 players did that last year and not a single one was a catcher. All got at least 500 PAs, all but one got 550 PAs, and all but 2 got at least 589 PAs. I think you're talking about his perfect world ceiling with .280/50 XBH, at which point, if he's a catcher, he'd be one of the most valuable players in baseball. I don't think that's impossible, but I think if he does that in the next, say, two years, then yes, I'd be very surprised, and if he did it in the next five, I wouldn't necessarily be "surprised" so much as tickled pink that his development pretty much went perfectly in the way player development rarely does. I must admit I did not know that even Buster Posey had not accomplished that in 2015. He had an "off" year. .318/19 homers/47 xbh. In his 3 previous years he did better: 2014 - .311/22 homers/52 xbh 2013 - .294/15 homers/50 xbh 2012 - .336/24 homers/64 xbh I'm not saying Blake Swihart will become a Posey, but I do think he will be a well above average catcher offensively. I really wasn't counting on him doing the .280/50 extra base hit thing this year.....but I'm willing to bet if he gets his 450AB that he will accomplish an average of .280 but with at least 40 extra base hits. |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Feb 3, 2016 12:02:11 GMT -5
Would any of you be surprised if Blake Swihart hit above .280 with 50 extra base hits, if he had, at least, 450 at bats? I know I wouldn't. He may not do it this year, but I think he is more than capable.
Now I do not want him messing around with a 2nd position this season, but he is enough of an athlete to play leftfield or 1st base down the road. A lot of his value is tied up in him catching. No one knows how the catching will shake out over this season and next, but some of you seem to think Vazquez will eventually wrestle the position away from young Blake. I don't. In time his D will solid. In time his O will be above average.
|
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Feb 3, 2016 9:43:09 GMT -5
Thank the Lord those taxes are being taken out of Massachusetts (red sox) rather than new york (yankees). I imagine he'd be screaming more, I can't imagine new york city having better taxes. Doesn't his residence in Fla make his $$$ be taxed in Fla? It is good that his agent Hastings is basically his financial advisor as well. Hastings wife is from Cuba as well & she is more like a mother/interpreter. Yoan bought a house 3 houses down from the Hastings. They live in the St Pete area (Gulfport) so it's not like he is in Miami or another area where there is a lot of "questionable" activities that he could get caught up in. Gulfport is a very nice community a 9 iron from the Trop. The biggest Cuban population in the area is in the Tampa area called Ibor City. Great Cuban food and gorgeous flamingo dancers. My favorite Cuban restaurant is The Columbia. He doesn't need Miami to feel comfortable with his "roots". Did I mention the dancers? |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Feb 1, 2016 11:56:16 GMT -5
Looking at the possible Salem roster, I would almost consider living there for a couple of months starting in April. I almost wished I still lived in Carolina so I could take in those games in Winston Salem when Salem comes to town.....but just kidding. Salem, VA in April is way too cold for me at this stage of life, and I'm too fawn of SW Florida.
Feb 18 is closer!!
|
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jan 31, 2016 19:15:32 GMT -5
We need spring training to start like now so there is something to talk about. Let me double and triple that sentiment! Thank goodness tomorrow is February. Was it me or was January 10 days longer? |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jan 26, 2016 14:50:14 GMT -5
I actually will not be surprised, if Cespedes regresses greatly off that 2 months he had with the Mets. I actually like the Mets. But I'm not sold on his consistency over a year. His tools are outstanding, but he just leaves me wondering how much effort he will put out day after day. Maybe it's the Beyler relationship, I just think he is not worth $27 million he is being paid this year, etc.
|
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jan 25, 2016 13:10:47 GMT -5
Was anyone else surprised Cespedes signed for 3/75 1 yr opt out? Essentially a pillow deal for 1/25. I'm sure we could have at least matched that if not exceeded it without blocking our future prospects coming up. The only problem with this thought.....he wanted to play for the Mets and in New York. He never seemed comfortable or happy in Boston. I doubt he would have been at all interested in that deal coming here. |
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jan 23, 2016 14:52:52 GMT -5
Surprised somewhat he went with the fewer years instead of signing for 5 with Nats. I guess he just loves the Big Apple. The only smart thing about this is the lousy free agency class next winter. He is definitely betting on himself to having a big season so he can cash in. Not sure he, or his agent, has taken into account he can now be given a qualifying offer and therefore hurting his value to many teams. With him not having one this year, I was surprised he couldn't exploit it.
|
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jan 22, 2016 15:35:27 GMT -5
As most of you know, I've seen him 3 times last year. I would have to think you are over-estimating where he is presently. I love the kid, but I think he is a year away from flying through the system. IMO guys like Benetendi and Moncada are ready for their "fly through the system" years now. You may see these guys play for 3 different teams next season, but I think that is too aggressive for Espinoza this year.
Half a year in Greenville and half a year in Salem is just fine for his development. His stamina and pitch-count numbers need to improve. His body, he is a baby, needs to do a little catching up.
2017? If this year goes like we all hope, the kid-gloves may be taken off some. I'm fine with his ranking of #10. At the best, looking at the guys ahead of him, he could be #8. I agree, at the end of the year he may be in the top 3.
|
|
steveofbradenton
Veteran
Watching Spring Training, the FCL, and the Florida State League
Posts: 1,840
|
Post by steveofbradenton on Jan 20, 2016 12:14:03 GMT -5
As what was mentioned earlier, the thing that really excited me was how he used the whole field. Those swings in which he went with the outside pitch and hit it hard and deep were a thing of beauty. We should probably start a poll in what Jackie's final stats will be for 2016.
I like Jackie Jr. for
.248 BA, .325 OBP, .425 Slugging, 14 homers, 31 doubles, and a K rate of 27%
|
|
|
