SB Nation User Blog: larry

Thank You, Sir, May I Have Another White Sox Minor League Update

larry — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:22:15 -0000

Organizational players. Kind of like Masset, everyone has them. Deemed by a club to not be worthy of much consideration for the majors and yet produce well enough that they become fan favorites with whichever affiliate they remain. David Cook has been with the Sox since 2003 and has produced a very nice minor league resume. Stefan Gartrell is of a more recent vintage but has also produced in his time in the Sox minors. Both have been assigned the task of ensuring the Barons win this season. Which of these two do you think should be, or should have been, given more consideration as a prospect?

Poll

Who coulda/woulda/shoulda/still can be a major leaguer?

This Week in White Sox Minor League Baseball

larry — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:10:46 -0000

Carlos Torres, lone representative to the AAA All-Star Game.

View full size photo uploaded July 3, 2009

This week:

I was going to lead off with the revitalization of Jack Egbert, who has been impressive since his return to a starting role. However, last night, after another impressive beginning, he took a line drive to his pitching hand and left the game. Charlotte is notoriously tight-lipped about injuries so no further info available at this point. In eight starts, Egbert had far better results than as a reliever: 43 IP, 32 hits, 5 BB, 35 K.
Carlos Quentin will be starting his rehab assignment for the Knights tonight, where he is scheduled to play three innings.
Carlos Torres will be the Knights' only player at the AAA All-Star Game. His line has been very good this season: 86 IP, 67 hits, 35 BB, 84 K.
Promotions: Jhonny Nunez to Charlotte; Henry Mabee to Birmingham; Gregory Infante to Winston-Salem; and Nevin Griffith to Kannapolis.
Tyler Flowers: .286/.431/.533. Read this interview with him by Sox Examiner.
Flowers and Dayan Viciedo were granted permission from the White Sox to participate in both the Futures Game on July 12 and the Southern League All-Star Game the following night. The Barons are hosting the latter game this season.
Bryan Morgado, the third round pick out of Tennessee with control issues, had quite a day pitching in the Cape Cod League: 5 IP, 1 hit, 1 BB, 13 K. His price may be going up.
As The Cheat noted earlier this week, the White Sox were silent at the opening of the signing period for international free agents. The organization has long done a poor job in this facet, for a variety of reasons. However, it appears that they may have played the role of the blind squirrel with a nut named Miguel Gonzalez. This 18 year old catcher out of Venezuela piqued my interest last season while playing in the DSL because of his excellent plate discipline. He's made a splash so far in his stateside debut for Bristol, adding some power (in a small sample size) to his numbers: .429/.467/.750.
Josh Phegley, first round supplemental pick, was assigned to Kannapolis. The catcher has so far appeared in three games, all at DH, as he works himself back into catching shape and familiarizes himself with the pitchers. So far, as expected, he hasn't had much trouble adjusting to professional hitting.
Sox Machine gives his midseason prospect rankings for Charlotte and Birmingham and Winston-Salem and Kannapolis.
Nick Ciolli and Kyle Colligan have both had no trouble with Pioneer League pitching. These two outfielders are going to be putting pressure on some of the laggards at higher levels.
Tyler Kuhn isn't one of those laggards. He's been hitting very well since his promotion to the Dash: .400/.419/.475.

Our Savior

larry — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:42:22 -0000

More photos » by Nam Y Huh - AP

The face of our savior. For He has done wondrous things.

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Gordon is okay.

You've Been Warned: White Sox Minor League Update

larry — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:41:03 -0000

Kenny Williams has never been shy about trading players, especially his prospects. More often than not, there's a good argument to be made that Kenny made smart decisions by trading away players (Borchard, Reed, so on) who never panned out for players (Thornton, Garcia, so on) who become integral parts of White Sox teams. So, taking a riff from The Cheat earlier this week, of the current crop of top talent, who do you think is most likely to never appear in the White Sox uniform because he is traded?

Poll

Which of these players is most likely to never appear for the White Sox because he's traded away?

This Week in White Sox Minor League Baseball

larry — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:34:21 -0000

Christian Marrero

View full size photo uploaded June 27, 2009

This week:

Daniel Hudson made his AA debut. LIstening to his first start, I was surprised to hear that, on the Birmingham gun, his fastball was frequently registering in the upper 90s. Now, I know the gun there is fast; however, because of Aaron Poreda, I know roughly how much faster it is than reality. And these readings were suggesting that Hudson's fastball was not sitting in the 90-93 MPH range that scouting reports previously had him at but more in the 93-95 MPH range. John Sickels and Keith Law both confirmed this week that Hudson's fastball had gained a few ticks. This certainly helps to explain his success this year, going from A ball to AA in a half season, and also raises his status and ceiling as a prospect.
I remain puzzled that Hudson's Old Dominion teammate Dexter Carter is still in Kannapolis. Guys with K/BB ratios of 94/20 in 78 IP need to be challenged.
The White Sox' two rookie league teams began play this week. The Bristol Sox probably have the most interesting players at this point, as the Great Falls Voyagers are still waiting for the highly drafted college players to arrive. Bristol has two young pitchers drafted out of high school - Nevin Griffith and Steven Upchurch. Drafted in 2007, Griffith missed almost all of last season after Tommy John surgery. He has apparently abandoned the slider, which he credits with causing his elbow problems, and is going to feature his curve and changeup more. Before his injury, these were described as potential plus pitches. His first start was not good - 5 IP, 6 hits, 4 BB, 3 K, WP, HBP - though it probably shouldn't have been unexpected. Upchurch, on the other hand, had a very solid first start: 6 IP, 5 hits, 1 BB, 3 K. The 2008 draft pick is unlikely to spend much time in Bristol before promotion to Kannapolis.
The Voyagers are waiting/hoping for more of the college guys to arrive and start playing, especially the likes of Jared Mitchell and ~~Josh Phegley~~ (update: assigned to Kannapolis), if only for cameos, as there really isn't all that much about which to be excited on the team right now. Picks like RHP Justin Collop (6th), RHP Ryan Buch (8th), OF Nick Ciolli (10th), and CF Kyle Colligan (12th) have been assigned there though, due to the length of time since the end of their college seasons, the pitchers haven't debuted yet.
Speaking of Mitchell, he had an excellent finale to his collegiate career by leading LSU to the College World Series title and garnering the tournament's Most Oustanding Player award. In the three game final, he went 5-13, 3B, HR, 2 BB.
Tyler Flowers: .275/.429/.512. I asked earlier this week how long one can keep a guy with that line in AA. I guess we'll see. Flowers and Dayan Viciedo were both selected to the Futures Game, which is played the day prior to the Major League All-Star game.
Recently promoted Christian Marrero has slotted into Brandon Allen's spot for the Barons nicely: .273/.306/.576 in nine games. The lefty's move to 1B from the outfield appears, at least for the moment, to be permanent so he'll need to keep that slugging up in order for his bat to play at that position.
Brandon Allen, after a torrid start to his AAA career, cooled down significantly this week, as he was hitless in all four games against Louisville to end the week. He has a .258/.258/.419 line in eight games now. To all those who were attempting to infer a link between the timing of his promotion and Konerko's injury (or whatever else), his was merely a deserved promotion for a guy who had spent the equivalent of a full season in AA. He ain't ready for the majors yet.
Jeff Marquez, who missed about a month and a half with elbow problems, returned for the Knights last week and has been far more effective than prior to his injury. In two starts this week, he went 11 IP, 8 hits, 5 BB, 9 K. Still no real evidence, though, of his supposed amazing groundballing abilities.

As always, check the White Sox Minor League Update fanpost on the right sidebar for daily updates and commentary, and to participate in the weekly poll. If you're interested in White Sox minor league updates, follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/SouthSidelarry.

The art of the third to first move - Black Jack on the White Sox

larry — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 20:24:49 -0000

The art of the third to first move - Black Jack on the White Sox

Jack takes Steve Phillips to school.

Masset Theory in Practice, Reds Edition

larry — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 04:26:30 -0000

More photos » by David Kohl - AP

Alexei Ramirez exhibits his grasp of Masset Theory and hits a three-run home run off Nick.

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People shouldn't need to be reminded, but Masset should never pitch in high leverage situations. That's what you pay real pitchers to do. While Masset can, for brief periods, show the properties of non-Masset, by definition, it always is Masset.

In other news, Jermaine Dye is out until at least Tuesday with his sore left calf but is available to pinch hit. Carlos Quentin is making some progress but still is in a boot when not working out.

Peel Slowly and See White Sox Minor League Update

larry — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 15:50:44 -0000

Last week we polled which White Sox minor league player has disappointed you the most with his lack of progress this year. This week, let's discuss the converse: which prospect has encouraged you the most with his progress this year. Considering the overall improvement in the system, there are some solid candidates. Daniel Hudson, who, in a half season, has played at three levels? Jordan Danks, who similarly has climbed to AA in less than a year? Tyler Flowers, the motherfucking boogeyman of the Southern League? Charlie Shirek? Maybe there's a player who isn't at Birmingham...oh yeah, thanks for promoting Brandon Allen. As always, and especially since we all have our favorite prospects, write-in candidates are welcome.

Poll

Which White Sox minor leaguer has encouraged you the most with his progress this year?

Charlie Shirek

0 votes

Daniel Hudson

18 votes

Brandon Allen

11 votes

Nathan Jones

2 votes

Carlos Torres

4 votes

C.J. Retherford

5 votes

Jordan Danks

82 votes

Christian Marrero

1 votes

Tyler Flowers

30 votes

Other (please post below)

2 votes

155 votes | Poll has closed

This Week in White Sox Minor League Baseball

larry — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 03:26:16 -0000

Dayan wonders where all his new friends have gone.

View full size photo uploaded June 19, 2009

This week:

There was a lot but let's start with a late-breaking one: Jordan Danks was in Chicago on Friday for tests on his wrist. Jordan had missed some games a couple weeks back when the issue apparently began on a check swing but was placed on the DL Thursday. The results of the tests are expected today. Update: "Jordan Danks' wrist will be in a splinter (sic) for a week and then he will be brought along slowly. No serious damage was found." Per Cowley. Sounds like a sprain
Brandon Allen received his expected mid-season promotion to Charlotte and enjoyed his debut: 3-4 with a couple doubles. His fellow promotee, Brian Omogrosso, did not make a good first impression: 2 IP, 4 runs, 4 hits, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 WP.
Carlos Torres threw a rain shortened perfect game Thursday for the Knights: 5 IP, 0 hits, 0 BB, 5 K. On Friday, Levi Maxwell threw a double header shortened no-hitter for the Dash: 7 IP, 0 hits, 3 BB, 2 K. It was at an opportune time for Maxwell, too, as he is likely one of the players being considered for release to make room for the mid-season additions in the low minors. He credits his recent success to the development of a cutter. Imagine that.
Daniel Hudson has moved quickly and impressively through the White Sox low minors. After a couple poor starts in late May, Hudson returned to fine form for the Dash in June and was rewarded with promotion to the Barons. His AA debut is scheduled for today.
No commentary required. Tyler Flowers: .278/.426/.521.
Steven Upchurch is back in Bristol to start his season but hopes to move up to Kannapolis quickly.
Dexter Carter hopes to be moving on from Kannapolis quickly. After yet another fine performance last night - 7 IP, 1 hit, 1 BB, 7 K - Carter has probably thrown his last pitch for the Intimidators and will join the recently promoted Justin Edwards in the Winston-Salem rotation.
There were lots of other promotions and roster moves this week (and expect more next week). Go here if you want to know them all.
LSU's Jared Mitchell has alternately impressed and frustrated in the College World Series. He's flashed the power and batting eye while also flashing the high strikeout rate. Watching him play, however, confirms his high upside. He'll be playing in the final on Monday and Tuesday next week at 6pm on ESPN.
Dayan Viciedo: .277/.298/.377.
In other free-swinging Latino prospect news, Juan Silverio continues to tear apart the DSL: .338/.390/.730.
On tap for next week is the start of the rookie leagues. The White Sox have the Bristol White Sox in the Appalachian League (usually assigned high school draftees and debuting Latino players) and the Great Falls Voyagers in the Pioneer League (usually assigned college draftees and "graduates" of Bristol).

As always, check the White Sox Minor League Update fanpost on the right sidebar for daily updates and commentary, and to participate in the weekly poll.

Brandon Allen Promoted to AAA Charlotte; Jordan Danks to the Birmingham DL

larry — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:24:53 -0000

Brandon Allen Promoted to AAA Charlotte; Jordan Danks to the Birmingham DL

The injury to Danks is likely the hand/wrist injury he suffered on a HBP a few games back. Daniel Hudson, Christian Marrero and Lee Cruz promoted to Birmingham. Brian Omogrosso's promotion to Charlotte is also confirmed. Winston-Salem gets Tyler Kuhn, Justin Edwards and Seth Loman. Update on Kannapolis: Kenny Williams Jr. back off the DL. Luis Sierra and Murillo Gouvea join from extended spring training.