SB Nation User Blog: larry

BP's Red Sox Top 15 Prospects

larry — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:23:41 -0000

Five-Star Prospects
1. Ryan Westmoreland, CF
2. Casey Kelly RHP/SS
Four-Star Prospects
3. Josh Reddick, OF
4. Ryan Kalish, OF
Three-Star Prospects
5. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
6. Jose Iglesias, SS
7. Junichi Tazawa, RHP
8. Michael Bowden, RHP
9. Lars Anderson, 1B
10. Reymond Fuentes, CF
11. Derrik Gibson, 2B/SS

Four More:
12. David Renfroe, RHP/SS: Like Kelly, he's another big-bonus, two-way star, but Renfroe will begin his career as an infielder, and he projects as a prototypical third baseman due to his size, power potential, and arm.
13. Alex Wilson, RHP: He had a 0.50 ERA in New York-Penn League while giving up just 10 hits in 36 innings, but he's already 23, so he should dominate. Still, his fastball/slider combo is impressive.
14. Stolmy Pimentel, RHP: The young Dominican righty still has plus command and plenty of projection, but performances have been so-so.
15. Che-Hsuan Lin, LF: Lin’s tools still impress, his defense remains outstanding, his numbers... not so much, but Red Sox officials remain very high on him.

...

The Sleeper: Over-slot 2008 draftee Peter Hissey had a so-so pro debut on paper, batting .279/.356/.347 at Low-A Greenville, but scouts loved the tools and saw consistent progress throughout the year, as he hit .321 after the all-star break.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9762

Mark Buehrle Wins Gold Glove

larry — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:29:54 -0000

Mark Buehrle Wins Gold Glove

But on Tuesday, Buehrle officially captured an award he had coveted since becoming a member of the South Siders' rotation in 2001. Buehrle took home an American League Rawlings Gold Glove, joining Jim Kaat as the only pitcher in team history to earn the honor recognizing exceptional defense.

Buehrle's Gold Glove is the first won by a White Sox player since third baseman Robin Ventura in 1998. Always considered one of the best fielding pitchers in the AL, Buehrle was blocked by previous winners Kenny Rogers (five times), Mike Mussina (three times) and Johan Santana during his past nine years.

Now Official: Teahen and $1 Million to White Sox for Getz and Fields

larry — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:29:25 -0000

Now Official: Teahen and $1 Million to White Sox for Getz and Fields

KW explained to Getz that they needed to "shuffle things up.''

KW says Teahen is now the starting 3B and Beckham is starting second baseman.

Post your complaints here.

Also: KW says talks with Pods have broken down and now it's not likely they sign him.

And: KW on his payroll: "We’ll spend whatever we have available, but there’s not much.’’

This Month in White Sox Minor League Baseball

larry — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:58:25 -0000

Jordan Danks does it for the kids.

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This month:

Jordan Danks has been the outstanding performer so far for the White Sox winter ballas. Shaking off his poor, potentially injury induced, second half of 2009, he's gone .333/.450/.485 in 18 games. Watch him this Saturday at 7:15pm on MLB Network in the AFL Rising Stars Game.
The White Sox originally sent a bunch of junk to pitch in the AFL. Two junk removals have provided opportunities to a couple interesting guys. One, Sergio Santos, is simply that: interesting. A former first round pick of the Diamondbacks as a high school SS, he spent 7 seasons in the minors, never fulfilling his promise. After being invited to Spring Training this season by the White Sox and not impressing them with his hitting, either, he was converted to pitcher and, while very raw, showed some promise on the mound with a 9.4 K/9. Of course, that came with 6.4 BB/9 and a slew of wild pitches and hit by pitches. The story has been much the same in the AFL, with 6 BB and 12 K in 9.1 IP.
Also recently added from the instructional leagues was Kyle Bellamy, who is actually a prospect. A 2009 5th round selection, as a college closer, he's a fast track type and his appearance in the AFL confirms this impression. A tall, right-handed side-armer, some think he could be on the South Side next season and a good showing in the AFL would go a long way in raising his status in the organization.
As most of you know, Dayan Viciedo was shut down due to tendinitis in his right elbow after just four games. The injury is not considered at all serious and can arguably be chalked up to simple overuse in a player not used to a season stretching from February into November. He's an expected attendee at Camp Cora this January.
The injury to Viciedo opened up an opportunity for larry favorite Brent Morel. So far, .280/.296/.280.
C.J. Retherford: .255/.309/.392.
They do play baseball in places other than Arizona and the White Sox have a couple other notable participants. Jon Link is pitching for Tiburones de La Guaira in the Venezuelan Winter League where he's taken his usual high strikeout/high walk act: 15.1 IP, 11 H, 10 BB, 15 K. Clevelan Santeliz is playing for Navegantes del Magallanes in the VWL and is continuing his 2009 transformation into a high strikeout/low walk pitcher: 12.2 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 16 K. Look for him to get a serious look for the opening day roster.
High A affiliate Winston-Salem will finally be getting their new ballpark completed. After a year delay which forced them to play at the stadium they had sold to Wake Forest, the Dash's new home in downtown Winston-Salem is set to open on April 13. Hopefully this means the club will draw more than the putrid 901 fans per game they averaged last season.
And, for the first time in more than a decade, the White Sox will take on their AAA affiliate, the Charlotte Knights, in a pre-season exhibition on April 1, 2010.

Here's Your Chance to Resolve Getz vs. Nix Once and For All

larry — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:42:43 -0000

Here's Your Chance to Resolve Getz vs. Nix Once and For All

The 2009 Fans Scouting Report - last chance, ballots close on Monday.

Interview with Mark Gonzales

larry — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:51:27 -0000

Interview with Mark Gonzales

Good read overall. Some damning discussion about player evaluation:

"The Nick Swisher evaluation was blown. The Sox thought they were getting a certain type player and that wasn’t the case at all."

"Whoever made the evaluation on Wilson Betemit should be held accountable for it. He was acquired expressly to back up Ramirez at short and it was clear from the first preseason game against the Dodgers he couldn’t do the job. That, I’m convinced, changed the complexion of the club, it forced Ozzie to make some personnel changes that he wasn’t expecting to have to do."

Buehrle Named Best Pitcher in Fielding Bible Awards

larry — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:51:22 -0000

Buehrle Named Best Pitcher in Fielding Bible Awards

Pitcher – Mark Buehrle, Chicago
In The Fielding Bible—Volume II, we put some extra time into analyzing pitcher defense. It’s not only pitchers’ ability to field their position that counts defensively. It’s their ability to hold runners that matters in an important way as well. In Buehrle’s case, he has it all. His plus/minus figure of +9 was tops among pitchers in 2009, but his ability to hold runners is legendary. In the last four years he’s allowed a total of 15 stolen bases. His catchers have managed to catch five potential thieves in that time period. But even more importantly, when Mark throws over to first, the results are devastating for baserunners. Sixteen times in those same four years, he’s thrown over to first and the runner broke for second and was thrown out. That’s a Pitcher Caught Stealing (PCS) in our scorebook. Not only that, 14 more times Buehrle nabbed a baserunner at the base as he tried to get back. That’s a Pitcher Pickoff (PPO), for those of you scoring at home. In total, 15 stolen bases against him (an average of just under four per year) and 35 guys thrown out (an average of almost nine per year). Not too shabby.

The second episode of "The Offseason" from Oral Sox Podcast.

larry — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:00:25 -0000

The second episode of "The Offseason" from Oral Sox Podcast.

Happy Anniversary! or, Viciedo Injured.

larry — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:22:38 -0000

White Sox playoff hero Orlando Hernandez.

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On this date four years ago, the White Sox won the World Series. Where were you?

White Sox link roundup:

Dayan Viciedo has been pulled from the Arizona Fall League ~~with an undisclosed injury~~, per ESPN's Jason Grey (h/t to chisox2691 for asking the question). Update: Merkin says it's inflammation in his throwing elbow. ~~No word as of yet on his replacement.~~ Could be an opportunity for Brent Morel. Update: And it is Morel who will be coming out of the Instructional League to replace him.
JJ continues his player reviews with Jayson Nix.
The always entertaining mailbag, this time from Scott Merkin.
Continuing the Sporcle bender, there's a White Sox first round draft pick quiz.

White Sox 2009 Draft Report Card - Baseball America

larry — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:54:37 -0000

White Sox 2009 Draft Report Card - Baseball America

[note: full article available to subscribers only]

BEST PURE HITTER:: OF Nick Ciolli (10)
BEST POWER HITTER:: C Josh Phegley (2)
FASTEST RUNNER:: OF Jared Mitchell (1)
BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Mitchell

BEST FASTBALL: RHP Ryan Buch (8)
BEST SECONDARY PITCH: Buch's curve can also be a plus pitch when he repeats his mechanics. LHP David Holmberg (2) has average velocity and a big body that might be maxed out physically, but he throws stikes and has good feel for a change and a plus curveball he commands well.

BEST PRO DEBUT: Ciolli
BEST ATHLETE: Mitchell.
MOST INTRIGUING BACKGROUND:: Trayce Thompson (2)
CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS: Kyle Bellamy (5)
BEST LATE-ROUND PICK: Taylor Thompson (44)
THE ONE WHO GOT AWAY: LHP Bryan Morgado (3)