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Post by taftreign on Apr 23, 2014 9:49:27 GMT -5
I think it would be an interesting debate between The Tampa strategy and Miami strategy for low budget team building. Tampa gets the praise for running a very efficient organization and deservedly so while Miami is at times the scourge of baseball for playing slash and burn economics. But last I checked Miami has two WS titles to Tampa's 0 (2 appearances to 1 so this could easily have been something other than 2-0) As a fan do you want an annual playoff contender who unfortunately for them hasn't gotten it done or an occasional competitor that has flashes of championship greatness. Can't you see another WS run in the works in Miami?
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Post by taftreign on Apr 22, 2014 23:52:28 GMT -5
No, I think he just takes summer courses at Yale. Go MOOK! The guy is insanely great. A sensational alien! No, Mookie TEACHES summer classes at Yale. Wait, is Mookie the new Chuck Norris?
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Post by taftreign on Apr 20, 2014 23:14:16 GMT -5
We can agree diminutive players don't generally possess 20 plus homer power. Mass does factor in when considering transferring power to the baseball but another important factor is bat speed through the zone. I wouldn't be shocked to find a correlation between 5'10 ish players w power and quick bat speed. I would put Pedroia in this class. Betts likely grades out between above average and plus when it comes to bat speed. What's the scouting consensus for those who have seen him recently?
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Post by taftreign on Apr 19, 2014 22:16:07 GMT -5
I was considering the other day who was more likely to handle CF duties in the future between Bradley and Margot when the time comes to make that decision. I actually thought it may be Margot with Bradley having the stronger arm as he seems very much capable of duplicating the level of RF defense Victorino gave us last season. Margot has better speed if not equal instincts but lesser arm. I see the 2018 roster however has JBJr holding down CF which is easily arguable. Just think personally it may go the other way.
* Thanks for this added content. Personally enjoy looking at the future system implications. All good planning accounts for some combination of a 1, 3 and 5 year outlook or forecast.
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Post by taftreign on Apr 18, 2014 21:24:33 GMT -5
Jon HeymanVerified account @jonheymancbs
hearing the PTBNL in ike deal is fairly significant. so there's that. #mets #bucs
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Post by taftreign on Apr 15, 2014 14:23:30 GMT -5
baseballprospectnation.com/2013/05/30/scouting-report-trey-ball-lhp/www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=20615here are a couple pre draft report links and a Callis quote regarding two way players... "The 2013 draftee with the best fallback plan is New Castle (Ind.) High’s Trey Ball, who likely will be a top-10-overall choice as a lefthanded pitcher. Coming into the year, scouts were split on whether Ball had a brighter future as an outfielder or a pitcher. He has put that debate to rest by showing a 91-94 mph fastball and an improved curveball this spring, but he also would merit a second- or third-round selecton as a position player. He projects as an athletic right fielder with above-average lefthanded power potential and arm strength". By next summer, we should know if Trey is a pitcher. if not, it might be like adding a supplemental round outfielder then. So your saying between Trey Ball and Brian Johnson we may have RF and 1B taken care of.
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Post by taftreign on Apr 14, 2014 21:01:17 GMT -5
I can't tell who is black-balling who. Part of me thinks it's collusion to not give the Red Sox another comp pick. I'm not so sure in regards to Detroit and the Mets but I have thought this for awhile as to why the Yankees seem so adamant despite an obvious need.
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Post by taftreign on Apr 13, 2014 21:41:08 GMT -5
You could make an argument ( maybe not a strong one over Betts talent) that Coyle could be an option with his 2B/3B versatility. It would allow some maneuverability with Roberts and Herrera.
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Post by taftreign on Apr 13, 2014 21:26:46 GMT -5
I know it's easy to question a 46 inning sample in general. However in such situations you at least want to see a 6-0 record while sporting a 0.76 era with 7.15 k/bb and 18.2 k/9 rates even if you question the competition. Essentially it comes down to your faith in the scouting department particularly with an emphasis in HS talent.
My read on the draft day situation is the club wanted the highest potential upside while picking in the top 10. I believe they must have shared the concerns that others had that Meadows didn't project to stick in CF and likely wouldn't provide enough pop as a corner OF to warrant top 10. I suspect the projectability of Ball was off the charts considering his size, fresh arm, continuing advancement of his pitch repotoire and his future focus on strictly pitching versus being a two way player. Perhaps they were emboldened by another tall lefty who has had great success of late. Other HS pitchers of recent draft history include 6-6 righty Ty Buttrey, 6-4 lefty Cody Kukuk and 6-2 righty Jaime Callahan. Not a bad track record IMO.
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Post by taftreign on Apr 12, 2014 23:22:16 GMT -5
You'd like to think that your 6 hole hitter in a solid offense could at least luck into an RBI through 12 games. Seriously though 0 RBI for Bogaerts. I know it's not a great indicator of performance as Xander has been doing fine at the plate. Just seems to be quite a few oddities to the offense so far this season. Everything just seems out of sync. Once it starts falling into place I can see the team rolling off a 8 of 10 type of streak.
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Post by taftreign on Apr 11, 2014 16:41:42 GMT -5
I guess I don't get the worry. We're talking about a kid who came from a cold weather state (Indiana) who threw all of 46 HS innings entering the draft. Everything about this kid said projection when he was selected. He just recently started using a breaking ball for goodness sake. If he was a 2nd rounder no one would care and I'd bet most would be excited. So it"s short season. There are a dozen pitchers or so ahead of him in the system so why push. The systems not pitching starved. I'm not sure they would give him a full season workload anyway if he were in Greenville.
Chill out. Let"s let him get on the mound first. I wasn't a part of this site when Owens was drafted but what were the comments then. I'd say you should look at Ball the same with the major difference being draft position. Would you be happy with what you got from Owens if he was selected at 7 overall vs the supplemental. I think you would and Owens at least had 77 HS innings before being placed at Greenville. When I look at Ball I picture a younger Owens who may have greater velocity potential. Ball was a two way player and is now focusing strictly on pitching. I guess I have a little more faith. I get that Meadows has had early success but it doesn't always translate to high end major leaguer. It's too early to tell on any of the HS kids. I'm trying to reserve any judgement on Ball until next season afterl he has time to adjust. And if he does come out showing well in Lowell he will get a chance in Greenville sometime after the All-Star break.
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Post by taftreign on Apr 10, 2014 22:50:38 GMT -5
One could argue the best defensive alignment for the left side as early as next season could be Vazquez at C, Bogaerts at 3B, Marrero at SS and Betts in LF. May take a leap of faith on Mookie defensively but I'm buying his athleticism to do so. This alignment of course once again breaches the question what to do with Middlebrooks and Cecchini? I don't see how one of Middlebrooks, Cecchini or Betts isn't traded at some point by the 2015 All Star break. Only way around it would be Marrero as a utility, Bogaerts sticks at SS, Middlebrooks and Cecchini handle 1b and 3b in some form and Mookie plays LF.
I also wonder if Swihart has the build for long term catching. I wonder if it isn't in the best interest to have him catch only 2 or 3 times a week at the Major League level and play 1B, LF or RF the other days to keep his bat (assuming projected development) in the lineup and prevent the wear on his body as we see on Mauer and Posey. This seems very plausible with a defensive whiz in Vazquez on the roster.
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Post by taftreign on Apr 10, 2014 13:52:48 GMT -5
Thanks for the update. I'm not as concerned with the FB velocity per say as lefties generally do not need to throw at the same velocity as righties to succeed (when they have at least one plus secondary) but I am hoping to see a small uptick from Owens as he physically matures adding greater leg strength and drive but I'm not sure he needs much to be a solid 5 going on a 4 as he currently is constituted.
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Post by taftreign on Apr 9, 2014 20:59:34 GMT -5
Owens keeps throwing strikes. Pitches-strikes: Owens 39-31 for 4 innings. Yes. Great start with 9 K and 0 BBs. Now 18 K to 2 BBs on a very small sample to start the season. This is one progression that I'd hope to see this season. Positive beginning. I know its early in the season but does anyone have radar gun readings for his FB and CH so far.
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Post by taftreign on Apr 8, 2014 17:10:57 GMT -5
Anyone else think Roberts comes up big today?
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Post by taftreign on Apr 8, 2014 13:18:44 GMT -5
Excellent time to get some pinch hit experience for later in the season.
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Post by taftreign on Apr 5, 2014 9:25:47 GMT -5
Come on, JBJ and Bogaerts' days as prospects are very close to ending, it's not overeacting at all to say Mookie is #1 for all intents and purposes. Henry Owens might have something to say about that! Edit: Agree though he very well may be our #1 offensive player soon.
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Post by taftreign on Mar 30, 2014 23:24:10 GMT -5
1. How many games will the Red Sox win in 2014? (points +/-1 either way) 92 2. Who will win AL MVP? Mike Trout 3. Who will win AL Cy Young? Chris Sale 4. Who will win AL Rookie of the Year? Masahiro Tanaka 5. Who will win the World Series? St. Louis Cardinals 6. Which current or ex-Red Sox player/prospect will get the most MVP vote points in 2014? Hanley Ramirez 7. Who starts the most games for Boston after Lester, Buchholz, Lackey, Doubront, and Peavy? Chris Capuano 8. Who is the first player to be added to the 25-man roster on or after April 15? (players coming off the DL do not count). Drake Britton 9. Who is the first player to earn a permanent promotion after the season starts? (from any level to any level - not just to Boston - but excluding rehab re-assignments or call-ups from XST) Teddy Stankiewicz 10. Name one player the Red Sox will draft in 2014. Foster Griffin
Red Sox minor league system only 11. Which pitcher has the most wins? Henry Owens 12. Most strikeouts? Henry Owens 13. Which hitter hits the most home runs? Travis Shaw 14. Best OPS? (min 200 PAs) Mookie Betts 15. Most stolen bases? Manuel Margot 16. Who will be voted the Offensive POY as voted by the SP Community? Mookie Betts 17. Pitcher of the Year? Henry Owens 18. Breakout POY? Teddy Stankiewicz 19. Comeback POY? Sean Coyle 20. Which prospect will make the biggest jump in the SoxProspects rankings? Victor Acosta
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Post by taftreign on Mar 24, 2014 21:16:52 GMT -5
Keeping a close eye on Matt Imhof. Want to see how his year progresses but could be a nice early supplemental pick. Has the size at 6-5 220 the team prefers. A lefty sitting low 90s for Cal Poly.
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Post by taftreign on Mar 19, 2014 11:58:53 GMT -5
Maybe the Cubs reference at the end was a Fruedian clue. Would coincide with Theo's arrival bringing a saber minded approach to the organization. Boston's always been ahead of the game with saber metrics and the article mentions you wouldn't have expected it five years ago from the team.
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Post by taftreign on Mar 10, 2014 10:33:25 GMT -5
I would think with Santana willing to take a one year deal Baltimore should be willing to sign him away from Toronto. May not be the ideal fit in Camden but for one year to try to make a playoff run and let Gausman develop the first half in the minors and Bundy get himself healthy it makes huge sense. If it's not working I bet you could unload him in July for an average return ensuring no QO for Ervin next season. If he sticks all year maybe he accepts the QO next year at 15 mil but maybe he doesn't and the Orioles turn a 2014 3rd rounder into a 2015 1st round supplemental. Seems to make to much sense for them IMO. Bonus is the fans will eat it up.
As for Toronto I'm not sure it really makes a significant impact in the standings to turn the team into a playoff contender. It's only one year and the team has the money. They save a little face for doing nothing I suppose. Not sure it's worth a high 2nd this season.
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Post by taftreign on Mar 5, 2014 21:58:16 GMT -5
Reading reviews like this one which I fully agree with is why I questioned the BA Prospect Handbook grade of 55 High. Not so much an argument against the 55 which is fine but the High designation. Both Betts and Swihart received a high but Betts has shown it for essentially one year and Swihart has development both offensively and defensively to be Major League ready. I believe Cecchini's approach with the bat would play at the bigs as it's currently constituted. JBJr is a 55 Medium and I felt it more appropriate for Cecchini as well. Bradley has a better defensive floor but Garin has a better offensive floor. Side note: Same with Vazquez who was a 50 high. I'd have been no worse than 50 medium and could argue 50 low.
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Post by taftreign on Feb 22, 2014 20:18:10 GMT -5
I imagine worst case is they cannot sign players falling in the pick 5 to 12 range or there abouts but by selecting a player expecting to go mid teens and offering full slot they could get it done. They do have the ability to gamble on selecting a higher prospect without knowing signability if they choose as a result of holding a protected first rounder as worst case of a non signing player is another 1st rounder next year.
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Post by taftreign on Feb 21, 2014 11:07:53 GMT -5
I imagine if it becomes apparent that Trout is going to have a reasonable possibility of reaching free agency a few teams will try to "clear" or open up budget space to make a run at him. Others may just not care about budget by then and go after him anyway. Thing is with most free agents how many real suitors are there for them? 6 or 7? I imagine Trout would have 14 or 15 by then with the new TV deals in effect. If enough teams are in the deal has the potential to escalate quickly. Truth is though I bet most of us don't really think he will get to free agency. No way they let it happen. They'll find a way.
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Post by taftreign on Feb 21, 2014 10:53:06 GMT -5
This could push top talent down another spot if the player and "advisor" put out the word they won't sign with the Phillies if drafted.
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