Season Over (Officially); Time to Talk White Sox Fall/Winter Baseball
ah, the arizona fall league. got underway yesterday. most of the sox' top prospects are involved: poreda, beckham, armstrong. armstrong a top prospect, you ask? well, he's been playing a bit like one recently and started strong in his AFL debut.
Cole Armstrong hit a three-RBI double and Chad Huffman homered and scored twice as the visiting Peoria Saguaros bested the Scottsdale Scorpions, 9-3, on Tuesday night to wrap up Opening Day in the Arizona Fall League.
White Sox catching prospect Armstrong cleared the bases with his two-bagger to right field in the four-run ninth inning. He went hitless in four at-bats out of the cleanup spot until the final frame. Armstrong hit .261 with 29 doubles, 48 RBIs and 39 runs in 99 games between the Triple-A Charlotte Knights and the Double-A Birmingham Barons in the regular season.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081008&content_id=3602920&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
derek rodriguez also provided 2 K in 1 IP.
the saguaros are in action again today at 1:30 against mesa.
White Sox AFL participants are:
Gordon Beckham, Lucas Harrell, Aaron Poreda, Derek Rodriguez, Carlos Torres, Cole Armstrong and Maurice Gartrell (due to injury, replaced by Jordan Danks).
SouthSideSox is a community driven site. As such, users are able to express their thoughts and opinions in a FanPost, such as this one, which represents the views of this particular fan, but not necessarily the entire community or SouthSideSox editors.
179 comments
|
4 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
link to gordon beckham's AFL blog
supposedly starts thursday.
http://aflwhitesox.mlblogs.com/about.html
clearly what the sox lack is more cowbell.
first entry
http://aflwhitesox.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/10/leading_off.html
clearly what the sox lack is more cowbell.
second entry
http://aflwhitesox.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/10/week_2_in_arizona.html
Gas is up and so am I.
third entry
http://aflwhitesox.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/10/shock_and_awe.html
this is probably one of the worst blogs ever.
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
i read it so you don't have to. he lost his phone. the rising stars game was good. his family is in town. women ask lots of questions.
he lost his phone. the rising stars game was good. his family is in town. women ask lots of questions.
http://aflwhitesox.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/10/visitors.html
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
"women ask lots of questions." ain't that just like a bitch? i feel ya, gordo.
Cashing checks and having sex.
by MarketMaker on Oct 30, 2008 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions
beckham makes AFL debut
http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2008_10_08_scowin_peswin_1
should be interesting to see how he fares against some more legit pitchers. today he’s up against an AA pitcher. how he handles himself likely determines what level he starts at next year.
clearly what the sox lack is more cowbell.
solid debut for beckham, 1-3 with a BB.
poreda pitched an inning of relief and gave up a couple hits but also recorded a couple Ks.
carlos torres pitched 1.1 and gave up a couple hits and a run.
clearly what the sox lack is more cowbell.
game recap
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081008&content_id=3604443&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
clearly what the sox lack is more cowbell.
gartrell
so maurice used to be stefan? or was stefan formerly maurice? either way, hopefully the name change has a joey/albert belle-like effect on his career.
also, he seems like an odd choice for the afl, as his age and numbers at birmingham don’t really jump out at me. he looks sort of like a poor man’s david cook. maybe he’s toolsy? i don’t know anything about him beyond his stats, so any info from someone who’s seen him would be appreciated.
yeah, in doing a little research
i saw that he was a former don. so he’s like jack haley to poreda’s dennis rodman? nice. i look forward to him leaping up off the bench and waving a towel after every poreda k.
not like there's anyone else in the sox organization that belongs there. especially since the other clubs filled up the saguaros roster with 1Bs quick.
i’m sure SSH2005 is foaming at the mouth right now about how some poor kid from birmingham is being denied the opportunity to play in the AFL. KW is a moron.
clearly what the sox lack is more cowbell.
that explains the absence of brandon allen
i know this has been covered before, but why not danks again? too much too soon? i see he’s in instructional league instead. what’s the level of competition there? i’m guessing the afl is somewhere between double and triple-a? so would that put the instructional league between high-a and double-a?
only one player below AAA/AA is allowed per organization.
gordon beckham wins.
clearly what the sox lack is more cowbell.
considering it's loaded with rookie leaguers, it's lower than what you posit.
clearly what the sox lack is more cowbell.
Just noticed that the Saguaros list 3 SS, 3 1B, and 2 3B, but no second baseman
obviously, one of the three SS can be moved over to 2B for each game, but I thought it was interesting none the less.
this isn't hard. you live in a port city. and you're a slut. do the math. -larry
cheat's boy harrell gets the start today
armstrong and gartrell also in the lineup.
http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2008_10_09_peswin_msswin_1
armstrong, for whatever reason, continues to impress; poreda IP, K and BB
beckham in leadoff position, 1-4, 2B and 2K.
http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2008_10_11_peswin_perwin_1&sid=l119
leadoff is more noteworthy
kinda like who the 12th man in a football game ;)
this isn't hard. you live in a port city. and you're a slut. do the math. -larry
wow, that was excellent caveman speak on my part
I was alluding to the identity of the “12th man” in football, for those who do not watch enough Geico commercials to “get it”.
PS, you are all flagged for not being cavemen.
this isn't hard. you live in a port city. and you're a slut. do the math. -larry
minors maven deric mckamey on beckham and poreda.
PEORIA SAGUAROS
TOP PLAYERS
1. Gordon Beckham (SS, CHW): The RH batter turned in one of the more outstanding seasons in college and was easily the top middle infield prospect in the NCAA. He has above average power through solid bat speed and a disciplined approach at the plate, which allows him to hit the pitches he wants. A .300 BA may be a little much to ask for, but he should be a consistent hitter throughout his career. In 58 at-bats at Kannapolis (SAL), he is hitting .310/.365/.500. He possesses fringe-average speed and will pick his spots to steal bases. His defense at SS may be average at best, while he does possess a strong arm and playable range, his hands can be stiff. The White Sox would like for him to get 500 at-bats in the minors, which would amount to a July/August debut in 2009.
2. Brett Wallace (3B, STL)
3. Dan Murphy (2B/3B, NYM)
TOP PITCHERS
1. Aaron Poreda (LHP, CHW): Many scouts felt the tall/strong-framed hurler had as much upside as any LH pitcher in the 2007 Draft. He throws extremely hard (88-98 MPH) with incredible, hard sink to his fastball. His command, an issue in college, has been fine as a pro. He is able to repeat his low 3/4 delivery, which provides him with some deception, but there is also some effort associated with it. His slider is the better of his two comps, as his change-up has proved difficult to throw from his low arm slot. Between Birmingham (SL) and Winston-Salem (CAR), he was 8-9 with a 3.13 ERA, a 2.9 Cmd, 6.6 Dom, and a .244 oppBA. He has progressed quicker than the organization has planned and should be ready to crack the White Sox’ rotation in 2010.
2. Cesar Carillo (RHP, SD)
3. Lucas Harrell (RHP, CHW)
July/August of '09?
Not that I’m complaining. I’d say that’s best case scenario.
by Craig Grebeck on Oct 12, 2008 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions
he is advanced.
this is the first i’d heard of this whole 500 AB thing, which is why i quoted a month old article. september obviously wouldn’t have been a surprise but earlier than that seems aggressive, especially if the sox are in contention. of course, if your 2B next season is chris getz, one could see a scenario with beckham arriving earlier. at any rate, he’d basically have to start at AA to do this. and whether he does that, imo, depends upon how he does against AFL pitching, which is equivalent to that level.
once again
appreciate the in-depth work lare. i knew he was advanced, but wow.
"Deserve's got nothin to do with it."
Anywhere I can see video of Poreda's outings? At least the highlights?
"I’m gonna rise up, gonna kick a little ass. Gonna kick some ass in the USA. Gonna climb a mountain, gonna sew a flag, gonna fly on an eagle. I’m gonna kick some butt, gonna drive a big truck. I’m gonna rule this world. I’m gonna kick some ass. I’m gonna rise up, gonna kick a little ass. Rock, flag, and eagle!"
by Ozzie Montana on Oct 12, 2008 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions
players requiring protection from rule 5 draft (major league phase)
i usually mess this up, miss players and whatnot so i would appreciate any input. but here’s a rough list; i’m really only listing players who would actually merit protection on the 40 man, i.e. may be of interest to other clubs.
brandon allen
derek rodriguez
carlos torres
jon link
david cook
john lujan
wes whisler
[also of some note is joseph torres, who is likely a minor league free agent (those will be declared in the next few days)]
i think the first four guys listed are likely to be added. david cook will be an interesting decision; his star brightened early this year but cooled as his bat did at AAA. lujan is an interesting relievers. whisler is very likely to be unprotected but may draw interest.
i would posit that there is plenty of room on the 40; six players could easily be added, based upon likely free agent departures etc.
it doesn't look like there will be a situation like last year
not that it ultimately mattered, but that was a huge bitching point at the time. what is whisler’s deal? any reason why we’d want to hang on to him?
nothing gets ‘em wetter than infrequent postings on the city’s second favorite team
poor peripherals
decent ERA, soft tossing lefty. Think Heath Phillips. Not worth protecting unless you just happen to have an open spot.
I think we ought to call Thome and Konerko the "Cholesterol Brothers" because of the way they clog the bases.
yeah i've "seen" his starts on Jim's MiLB roundups
they are not pretty.
nothing gets ‘em wetter than infrequent postings on the city’s second favorite team
The only difference
Is that Whisler was a converted position player, which means he might be a late bloomer. But he has an extremely difficult time missing bats, so I’m guessing he is what he is.
EVERYBODY PICK US FOR 3RD OR 4TH SO I DINK WE DOIN POOTY GOO
Sox Machine
of that group,
rodriguez is the only guy i would say is
reallyready for the majors. if you’re a crap team, you could probably take any of the other guys and bury them on your roster if you wanted to. torres and link actually might contribute, some, too. allen is just too, let’s say, intriguing with his potential to leave available. after that, you come to decisions. what do you think of cook? he sort of seems like your usual rule 5 fodder outfielder. he’s old and he’s at a position the sox have decent depth (and also is pretty easy to acquire depth). on the other hand, he’s shown an ability to adjust to every level. and one of his primary tools (getting on base) is something the sox lack. i’d be inclined to protect him but i wouldn’t be that concerned either way. lujan didn’t have his k rate translate to AA. usually a red flag, though i wouldn’t be concerned if the sox decided to ensure he stayed, as well. whisler, as discussed, is pretty much filler. i wouldn’t even put him in phillips’ class. someone might want him. let them have him.
What, again, is the argument 'against' Brandon Allen?
(Just a real quick note — the only reason I’m responding here is to address Allen generally, not specifically the (small) point larry brought up regarding BA. Also, the phrase “argument against” probably isn’t correct but I’m gonna go with it.)
I noticed in one of the prospects’ threads that excitement should be tempered. I think I even recall someone saying it’ll be a stretch to think Allen could even become an average first-baseman (and I took that to mean offensively speaking, as I know nothing of his defense). Obviously he’s gotta show it for more than one year, but there’s a lot to like in his 2008 — his age looks okay with respect to his league, the IsO is crazy good and it’s not like his BAPIP was abnormally unsustainable (at least from my — admittedly amateurish — view). I know he’s gotta be held to a higher offensive standard because he’s a 1B/DH type and that only one year of ‘good-ness’ isn’t a lot to go on, but he looks like a fairly decent (B-) prospect, no?
i think it's basically just a reflection that there are potential concerns
and that finding someone who can hit at the level of an average first baseman are rare. for that to come on very quickly and with fairly few PAs above A+, you have to maintain proper skepticism. his K rate will be the biggest thing to watch and it would be nice to see him increase his walk rate. if he kills AA as a 23 year old 1B, then you’re a lot nearer to certain that you’ve got a big time prospect.
nothing gets ‘em wetter than infrequent postings on the city’s second favorite team
you answered your own question
what does a career line of .256/.325/.460 get you as first baseman who can’t play defense?
a crappy DH?
a mediocre LF?
this isn't hard. you live in a port city. and you're a slut. do the math. -larry
AAAA 1st baseman.
You're on thin fucking ice my pedigree chums, and I shall be under it when it breaks. Now, fuck off.
Well, here's hoping that if Cook stays in the system, he make a Denard Spahn type of jump into the bigs
just not in the area of douchnozzlery.
PS Screw the Twinkies and Denard Spahn in particular. Punto as well. Bastards, all of them.
this isn't hard. you live in a port city. and you're a slut. do the math. -larry
Is Denard Spahn related to Warren Spahn?
And you criticize MY spelling, POS.
I think i did this wrong. Oh well…..delete my votes as they all suck anyway.
Kenwo4life=ratings
by KenWo4LiFe on Oct 10, 2008 2:02 AM EDT
by winningugly on Oct 13, 2008 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
enjoying your time in the spotlight, or are you still smarting over the Comiskey comment from Sat.?
yes, it’s true, I don’t give a fuck about spelling denard’s name correctly because he’s a douchnozzle. So fuck him if I spell his name incorrectly. Bastard. He should have it changed to coincide with my whims and rants.
;) OPOS.
this isn't hard. you live in a port city. and you're a slut. do the math. -larry
i guess we should get him lasik.
on span, it’s interesting to note that he’s yet another player who had lasik and experienced an increase in slugging. i was re-reading the studies (very rudimentary ones as it appears no one has, or perhaps is able due to less than perfect info on who has had it done, do an indepth study of this). but the evidence on this shows that players who get lasik have similar stats to the year prior except for a jump in slugging. sort of counterintuitive, at least to me, because you’d think pitch selection would be helped and that would show up most in OBP. however, it appears that maybe it helps most in squaring up the ball better and hit the ball harder.
i was involved in some vision training for baseball a few years ago.
it was a relatively new and underused concept at the time, but it’s some really interesting stuff. for instance, most people are right-eyed or left-eyed, meaning they have a dominant eye. and for most people it’s on the same side, i.e. a lefty will most likely be left-eyed, which in itself is detrimental if that same person is a lefty hitter because the nearer/lead eye is the right.
my experience was that it sharpened the edges of shapes, whereas they were almost imperceptible blurry before. i could see how that might affect one’s ability to square up a ball. i wrote something about AJ early this season because he had mentioned doing some vision stuff. i don’t know how much it did for him, but just like weight lifting, stopping will make you lose your gains.
You're on thin fucking ice my pedigree chums, and I shall be under it when it breaks. Now, fuck off.
Vision
Isn’t that the same argument made about steroids that slugging goes down to the fact that steroids also help your vision? 20/10 vision is probably more rare than quick hands, and muscle strength, therefore the improvement of one’s eyes may be giving you more of an advantage then the muscle strength, because the muscle strength isn’t as rare a human trait. (Obviously in the case of a Barry Bonds / McGwire it’s a bit blown out of proportion)
by Grinder in Training on Oct 15, 2008 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Practice.
I think i did this wrong. Oh well…..delete my votes as they all suck anyway.
Kenwo4life=ratings
by KenWo4LiFe on Oct 10, 2008 2:02 AM EDT
i think it's a little late
for me to go on a hitting tear and impress some scouts
"Deserve's got nothin to do with it."
with that attitude it's never gonna happen.
Cashing checks and having sex.
by MarketMaker on Oct 17, 2008 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions
How was your week, kid?
Retired yet? I just read this AM that the hedgie who had the best performance in history (up 800%+ recently) is packing it in, lobbying for legalizing pot, and suggesting that others throw away their Blackberrys and enjoy life as he plans to do.
When are you going to experience success like that?
I think i did this wrong. Oh well…..delete my votes as they all suck anyway.
Kenwo4life=ratings
by KenWo4LiFe on Oct 10, 2008 2:02 AM EDT
success = hippie white sox fans.
the only issue now is whether i make it out of hampton alive.
by Toonderstrook on Oct 18, 2008 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions
volatile. thought we might have seen another big selloff. retirement on hold.
Cashing checks and having sex.
who's the funny guy?
WIKI-SAY-WHAT? The White Sox’s 2008 first-round pick, SS Gordon Beckham, apparently has a friend with an interesting sense of humor, but he has no idea who it is. A Wikipedia entry about Beckham was edited to say the University of Georgia star “is revered as one of the finest polo players in all of the Southeast United States. Beckham led the Chukkar Farm Polo Team to the state championship in 2004, where he scored three goals in a matter of minutes and led his team to victory.” Great story but totally untrue. “I’ve never even gotten on a horse in my life, except to ride a trail once,” said Beckham, who didn’t even know about the entry until a coach asked him about polo earlier in the day. “It’s a total hoax.”
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081012&content_id=3614282&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
from keith law
White Sox left-hander Aaron Poreda worked out of the pen, with two one-inning stints this week. He sat at 91-96 mph in his first outing and 93-96 in the second, showing big sink at the lower end of his range and late life on the four-seamers up toward 96. He barely used his slider — which is odd, since that has to be the main developmental priority for him — and showed one that was very sharp with good tilt, with the others more fringe-average; they started their break early enough for a big-league hitter to pick them up.
carlos torres gets lit up for 4 runs (2 earned) in 1/3 IP
armstrong 2-5 with HR, gartrell 1-4 with 3 Ks.
lucas harrell gets the start this afternoon.
poreda IP, strikes out side [with a BB and WP]
harrell 3 IP, 1 run, 2K, 1 BB
rodriguez IP, no runs
beckham 0-3 with K. also fielding error.
Is anyone reading this shit?
;)
I think i did this wrong. Oh well…..delete my votes as they all suck anyway.
Kenwo4life=ratings
by KenWo4LiFe on Oct 10, 2008 2:02 AM EDT
i know i'm not
brndnprkns: I'm pretty sure the "badass" value of your life is closer to Gigli than The Dark Knight
by whitesoxmatt on Oct 16, 2008 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions

the only issue now is whether i make it out of hampton alive.
by Toonderstrook on Oct 16, 2008 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions
i care when no one else does.
nothing gets ‘em wetter than infrequent postings on the city’s second favorite team
Peoria Saguaros lefthander Aaron Poreda (White Sox) came into the game in the top of the sixth inning yesterday with his team trailing, 2-1. Poreda gave up a single, threw a wild pitch and then walked a batter. So, there were runners on first and second with nobody out. But Poreda got himself out of the jam by striking out the next three Desert Dogs hitters to end the inning.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=1744#more-1744
Gas is up and so am I.
cole armstrong growing before our very eyes?
in addition to his offensive exploits so far, he’s thrown out 5 of 6 would be basestealers. this was after throwing out 36% during the regular minor league season over two levels. by way of comparison, AJ threw out 18, toby 17.
Gas is up and so am I.
that is to say that AJ threw out 18% of would be base stealers and Toby 17%
just looking to clarify if it isn’t obvious to others
this isn't hard. you live in a port city. and you're a slut. do the math. -larry
baseball america on Gbecks
Will the White Sox keep Gordon Beckham at shortstop or move him to second base? How soon do you think it will take him to reach the major leagues? How much will he hit, and how good will he be defensively?
Robert Barker
Athens, Texas
The White Sox plan on keeping Beckham at shortstop for the immediate future. He’ll also see time at second and third base in the Arizona Fall League, but that’s because he signed too late for Chicago to request a priority roster spot for Beckham on the Peoria Saguaros. It appears that Ian Desmond of the Nationals will get the bulk of the starts at shortstop for the Saguaros.
Beckham should hit for a solid average with well above-average power for a middle infielder, while playing steady defense at shortstop. His hands are the biggest question for him defensively, but he covers enough ground and has plenty of arm for shortstop. His big league ETA is mid- to late 2010.
Ultimately, where Beckham fits with the White Sox depends on where Alexei Ramirez winds up. Ramirez likely will shift from second base to shortstop next season. If Ramirez looks good defensively there, then Beckham probably slides over to second base. If Ramirez leaves something to be desired, he could return to second base or even move to center field when Beckham is ready.
Gas is up and so am I.
Nice sig.
Who’s quote? GOOG is not my friend.
I think i did this wrong. Oh well…..delete my votes as they all suck anyway.
Kenwo4life=ratings
by KenWo4LiFe on Oct 10, 2008 2:02 AM EDT
Nice. Hope he enjoys his offseason.
Somehow I think he will.
I think i did this wrong. Oh well…..delete my votes as they all suck anyway.
Kenwo4life=ratings
by KenWo4LiFe on Oct 10, 2008 2:02 AM EDT
2010 may well see Alexei in CF
nothing gets ‘em wetter than infrequent postings on the city’s second favorite team
If that means Beckham is playing some decent defense, it wouldn't bother me in the least
this isn't hard. you live in a port city. and you're a slut. do the math. -larry
in the sense that he's the only sox organizational soldier playing.
i suppose i could also say this morning that i knew he would go 2-4 with a walk and SB. actually i will. i’m that fucking good.
Gas is up and so am I.
beckham and armstrong in the lineup today
http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2008_10_17_msswin_peswin_1
Kenny on the Phones - my favorite GM
18-10 loss for the saguaros
rodriguez had to come in and stop the bleeding after mets farmhand eddie kunz gave up 8 runs in .1 IP in the ninth inning of a tie game. he allowed an inherited runner to score but struck out two to get out of the inning. torres provided an inning of scoreless relief.
beckham 1-3, 2B, BB but also a throwing error.
armstrong 4-5, also with a throwing error.
Kenny on the Phones - my favorite GM
beckham plays 2B, 1-3; gartrell 2-4 with a double; poreda pitches a scoreless inning but gives up 2 hits
http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2008_10_18_peswin_msswin_1
Kenny on the Phones - my favorite GM
2 hits?
what a loser
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
i try to avoid editorializing.
but poreda clearly could not have helped the white sox bullpen down the stretch and also clearly does not have a future in organized baseball.
Kenny on the Phones - my favorite GM
DFA/trade him now.
Figgins/Teixeira/Kendrick for Paulie/Poreda.
I think i did this wrong. Oh well…..delete my votes as they all suck anyway.
Kenwo4life=ratings
by KenWo4LiFe on Oct 10, 2008 2:02 AM EDT
whoah, whoah, whoah
are you trying to rob us? the angels must sweeten the package on their end
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
You're sweet.
Glad to see your contributions increasing. How’s it feel being the SSS version of Christ, rising from the dead?
(Unlike shaftr, who remains, like Generalissimo Franco, dead.)
I think i did this wrong. Oh well…..delete my votes as they all suck anyway.
Kenwo4life=ratings
by KenWo4LiFe on Oct 10, 2008 2:02 AM EDT
You think too much of me, kid
I’m not that clever
:p
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
isn't Rowand the SSS version of Christ?
seriously though, it’s always nice conversing with friends
and I don’t have to leave my basement!
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
draft expenditures by club
http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/ask-ba/2008/267034.html
Kenny on the Phones - my favorite GM
other sox players in winter ball
Dominican League
ricardo nanita, azucareros del este
francisco hernandez, estrellas de oriente
Venezuelan League
miguel socolovich, leones del caracas
no info on any puerto rican league participants.
i’d also expect some guys to join teams, especially in the mexican league, later in the season. getz is probably a likely candidate for that.
i’m sure i’ve missed some so please add if you know of any. i deliberately did not include guys like dj carrasco (tiburones de la guaira) and jason childers who are free agents and not likely to be retained or are otherwise even less relevant than the above.
Kenny on the Phones - my favorite GM
Gordon Beckham
He is going to be in the Majors in a year or two. Watch him crush winter league pitching, minor league pitching, and major league pitching.
recap of last year's rule 5 draft.
not much to write home about, partially, as pointed out in the article, by the recent rule changes. only three players officially stuck with their drafting teams, though others remained with them after deals were worked out.
http://baseballanalysts.com/archives/2008/10/a_review_the_20.php
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2008_10_20_perwin_peswin_1
White Sox farmhand Carlos Torres (1-1) absorbed the loss after surrendering three runs — two earned — on a hit and a walk in 1 1/3 frames. also a WP and HBP.
armstrong 1-4 with 2 Ks
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
hey, that high school musical 3 looks like a can't-miss, huh?
well, see ya later.
Cashing checks and having sex.
non-sox related AFL; mesa crushes suprise 28-1.
lots to see in this game. guy pitches to seven batters in the 3rd inning without retiring a single one. final pitcher for suprise was andrew laughter. 8 errors for suprise. list goes on.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081020&content_id=3634213&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
harrell starts today.
gartrell also in the lineup.
http://www.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2008_10_21_peswin_perwin_1
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
go lucas, party like it's your birthday...

the only issue now is whether i make it out of hampton alive.
by Toonderstrook on Oct 21, 2008 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions
harrell roughed up for 6 runs in 1.2 IP, poreda pitches usual scoreless inning with a couple Ks
rodriguez joined torres and harrell in the ass kicked club by giving up 5 runs on 7 hits in 1.1 IP
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
Is this what is expected of Poreda?
Isn’t AFL essentially AA caliber?
by Craig Grebeck on Oct 21, 2008 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Poreda, Beckman named to AFL Rising Stars Game
By Mark Gonzales – 3:12 p.m.
Left-hander Aaron Poreda and infielder Gordon Beckham, the White Sox’s first-round picks of the past two seasons, were named to the Arizona Fall League’s Rising Stars Game on Oct. 24 at Surprise Stadium.
Poreda and Beckman will play for the American Division team, where Sox roving pitching coordinator Kirk Champion will serve as a pitching coach.
Poreda hasn’t allowed a run in four appearances for the Peoria Saguaros, striking out six and walking two while scattering five hits in four innings. Beckham is batting .250 (4-for-16) with two doubles for the Saguaros.
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
.250 with a .375 SLG gets you a Rising Star nod? Where was he before the "rise"?
Man, I think the bar might have to be raised a bit.
I think i did this wrong. Oh well…..delete my votes as they all suck anyway.
Kenwo4life=ratings
by KenWo4LiFe on Oct 10, 2008 2:02 AM EDT
the teams choose their represenatives.
this is who the sox want playing another game.
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
Appointed, not elected, then. I did not know that.
Still, “rising star” is a bit much.
I think i did this wrong. Oh well…..delete my votes as they all suck anyway.
Kenwo4life=ratings
by KenWo4LiFe on Oct 10, 2008 2:02 AM EDT
the whole league is run for the benefit of the clubs.
no one goes to any of the games other than scouts and club personnel and maybe a few people who really, really, really, really like baseball a whole lot. this particular game is something to give your top prospects as a carrot and, probably more importantly, have them take on the best of the best. these are the two sox’ top prospects.
anyway, the most a particular player has played is maybe ten games. picking a rising star from that is pretty darn ridiculous.
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
The name is more about hope than experience, then.
I’d still like to see ‘em play. Think they will televise this on the Baseball Channel? I’d watch.
I think i did this wrong. Oh well…..delete my votes as they all suck anyway.
Kenwo4life=ratings
by KenWo4LiFe on Oct 10, 2008 2:02 AM EDT
i think i'd be watching the world series. but they probably will show it next year.
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
I believe they now have technology that allows you to record games for viewing later.
I’m not sure what that technology is called, though. I hear there are even televisions that have 2 pitcures that run concurrently!
Modern stuff. You should try it.
I think i did this wrong. Oh well…..delete my votes as they all suck anyway.
Kenwo4life=ratings
by KenWo4LiFe on Oct 10, 2008 2:02 AM EDT
beckham 1-4, 2B; armstrong continues strong showing with 2-4 and threw out a would be stealer
http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2008_10_22_surwin_peswin_1
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
seems beckham's defense sucks so badly, he's now a DH. nice fucking job with this one KW. moron.
http://www.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2008_10_23_peswin_surwin_1
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
jeez, another DH...
KW should quit, he’s clearly an epic failure
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
beckham 0-2 in rising stars game, poreda DNP
http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2008_10_24_afawin_afnwin_1
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
armstrong unstoppable; apparently really wants to play for canada in WBC.
http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2008_10_25_peswin_perwin_1
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
At 25 is it too late to think he could turn into anything more than a back up catcher?
by Grinder in Training on Oct 27, 2008 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions
jordan danks added to sags roster
gartrell removed.
http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=t_ros&cid=542
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
White Sox outfielder Stefan Gartrell suffered a third-degree shoulder separation when he hit the ground diving for a fly ball, and though it is expected that his AFL season is over, he has not been ruled out to return sometime in November.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3659710&name=grey_jason
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
DANKS A LOT: With White Sox OF Stefan Gartrell’s shoulder separation ending his AFL experience, the Saguaros needed another outfielder on the roster. The White Sox helped out by sending Jordan Danks, younger brother of starting pitcher John Danks. The 2008 seventh-round pick out of the University of Texas hit .325 (13-for-40) in 10 games with Class A Kannapolis after signing for an above-slot $525,000. Danks has yet to play in a game but joined the Sags’ roster on Oct. 24.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081026&content_id=3646469&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
sucks about gartrell, but glad they're giving danks a challenge
by Craig Grebeck on Oct 26, 2008 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm going to assume he's on the "travelling squad"
and thus only eligible to play on Wednesday and Saturday
AIM: SouthSideCheat
harrell rebounds: 3 IP, 4 K, no runs
torres making it clear that he doesn’t deserve a spot on the 40 man; beckham 1-4, BB; armstrong 1-5.
http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2008_10_27_peswin_msswin_1
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
a minor review of 2008: the white sox
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/a-minor-review-of-2008-the-white-sox
review of ramirez, ely, egbert, jordan danks, and poreda.
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
danks debuts; crushes cheat's malformed assumption that danks was on something called the "travelling squad".
what an ass.
http://www.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2008_10_28_msswin_peswin_1
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
"what an ass"
are you talking about Cheat or Danks?
this isn't hard. you live in a port city. and you're a slut. do the math. -larry
danks spells o-v-e-r-m-a-t-c-h-e-d
poreda spells p-i-t-c-h-e-r-w-i-t-h-w-h-o-m-y-o-u-a-r-e-o-v-e-r-m-a-t-c-h-e-d.
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
he's had serious K issues thus far.
thus far being like 3 games.
nothing gets ‘em wetter than infrequent postings on the city’s second favorite team
ha, not even three games
nothing gets ‘em wetter than infrequent postings on the city’s second favorite team
beckham, danks, and armstrong will be tested today as they and the sags face top pitching prospect brian matusz.
http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2008_10_29_peswin_surwin_1
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
danks can has power?
"i'm convinced the whole day long that all i learn is always wrong."
by Toonderstrook on Oct 29, 2008 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions
awwwww yeaaaaaah
nothing gets ‘em wetter than infrequent postings on the city’s second favorite team
good shit.
both beckham and danks with walks today, danks with a jack…and some more PAs to go yet. keep it up dudes.
nothing gets ‘em wetter than infrequent postings on the city’s second favorite team
white sox prospects decided today was the day to fuck some motherfuckers up.
danks 4-4, HR, SB, BB, outfield assist. (i think that’s all the tools?)
beckham 1-3, BB, sac fly
armstrong 1-5, HR, BB
rodriguez strikes out side in IP.
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
DANKS CAN HAS EVERYTHING
nothing gets ‘em wetter than infrequent postings on the city’s second favorite team
minor league transactions
Chicago White Sox
Released: RHP Luis Guzman, RHP Michael Lucas, LHP Israel Chirino, LHP Wilmer Rojas, C Billy Killian, OF Ronnie Gaines, OF Nick Mahin
Removed from 40-man roster: LHP Andrew Sisco, C Paul Phillips, 2B Jason Bourgeois
Reinstated from inactive list: SS Robert Valido
Assigned to Arizona Fall League: RHP Lucas Harrell, RHP Derek Rodriguez, LHP Aaron Poreda, C Cole Armstrong, SS Gordon Beckham, OF Stefan Gartrell
http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=1764
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
hey now
he’s just no longer protected
nothing gets ‘em wetter than infrequent postings on the city’s second favorite team
no. we went over this when the moves were made. he elected free agency.
"winning tacos for America was pretty cool too."
and i didn't pay attention?
for shame!
nothing gets ‘em wetter than infrequent postings on the city’s second favorite team
Robert Valido is still in baseball?
by Grinder in Training on Oct 30, 2008 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
fortunately when you sign when you're 12
it gives you a lot of time to play out your usefulness
nothing gets ‘em wetter than infrequent postings on the city’s second favorite team
Cole Armstrong might just be a starter/platoon catcher for a team some day
I hope that isn’t for the White Sox, ’cause that would mean Pierzynski is traded/let go/washed up. Although Armstrong probably already plays better defense but… the pitchers seem to like AJ, calls a good game.
Either way, I like Danks a lot, always have, and put him in for the #3 prospect on that thing we did. Probably has as much a chance of becoming a regular as anyone in the minors, save Becks.
I dont think Javy likes AJ.
Probably since AJs always calling him a pussy in the pre/postgame.
"I'll take one in the mouth over the eyes anyday." - AJ
by omnipotent grab on Oct 29, 2008 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Javy doesn't matter
There isn’t a catcher out there that can cure his disease, and that is his stubbornness. And I can see what AJ is saying. He’s… well, he’s kind of a pussy. Not like Gavin Floyd, who has big, hairy balls, or Johnny D and his big situation clutchness lisping glory. I wouldn’t mind seeing him traded sometime before his contract is up.
Make some jack the last 2 days?
Shit, even I traded TXT Monday for a decent profit. And I retired from trading a few years ago because I suck at it.
Whoosh!
His stubbornness?
The hell do you mean by that?
nothing gets ‘em wetter than infrequent postings on the city’s second favorite team
mostly that he refuses let his stuff take over
and sacrifice a few strikeouts for more efficient outs, and throw the pitches AJ wants, but I’ll have to document that when I see him next year, assuming he stays here, which he probably will. I don’t wanna be dissin’ without substance.
by Daniel Berlyn on Oct 29, 2008 7:43 PM CDT up reply actions
um, you already did.
"i helped move the body because that mafia motherfucker was gonna beat the shit outta me."
by Toonderstrook on Oct 30, 2008 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
carlos torres executing perfectly KW's plan to save a 40 man roster spot by sucking so badly that no team would draft him in rule 5.
armstrong stunk 0-4, 2K; beckham much better 1-1, 2 BB. danks looked BAesque on the bench. holla back, ladies.
http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=g_box&gid=2008_10_30_surwin_peswin_1
he's stubborn. and lacks discipline. and i hope he drowns in front of his children. but I’ll have to document all that when I see him next year, assuming he stays here, which he probably will. i don’t wanna be dissin’ without substance.
AFL Road Trip: White Sox’s Harrell Gets A Grip
Posted Oct. 31, 2008 9:57 am by Kary Booher
Filed under: Arizona Fall League
PEORIA, Ariz. — If Lucas Harrell makes a turn for the better here in the Arizona Fall League, the White Sox’s righthander might look back to two days ago as the turning point.
The 2004 fourth-round pick was working on the side and experimented with a new grip on his slider. Gone is the four-seam fastball-like grip in which Harrell would turn his hand in order to get the necessary spin.
In its place is more of what Harrell called a John Smoltz-like grip for the slider as he handles it on the seams.
Credit Kirk Champion, one of his pitching coaches here in the Arizona Fall League for the Peoria Saguaros and the White Sox’s roving pitching instructor, for the suggestion.
"It’s going to help me tighten it up," Harrell said. "It’s more of a strike pitch now."
Harrell was a surprise addition to the White Sox’s 40-man roster last November despite not pitching at all in 2007 following minor surgical repairs on his elbow.
He then battled an inflamed shoulder in 2008, missing time from mid-April to mid-June. He finished back at Double-A Birmingham, striking out 25 but issuing 18 walks in almost 42 innings.
He is 2-0, 6.52 in 9.2 innings in the AFL, with nine strikeouts and four walks. His velocity is back up in the low 90s.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=1776
he's stubborn. and lacks discipline. and i hope he drowns in front of his children. but I’ll have to document all that when I see him next year, assuming he stays here, which he probably will. i don’t wanna be dissin’ without substance.
AFL Road Trip: Armstrong Works On Staying Back
Posted Oct. 31, 2008 9:54 am by Kary Booher
Filed under: Arizona Fall League
PEORIA, Ariz. — At first glance, it would look like Cole Armstrong had a fairly decent season, what with a half season spent at Double-A Birmingham before he earned a promotion to Triple-A Charlotte.
But ask Armstrong about it, and the White Sox’s catching prospect thought it could have been a lot better. After all, he was a meager 10-for-65 down the stretch this year.
"The season was a good learning experience," Armstrong said. "There were some pretty severe downs and pretty severe highs. There were two or three weeks where I would not square up any balls. And there were times when you don’t sleep because you start looking at your numbers.
"And it wears on you because this is your career you’re talking about."
Armstrong should be sleeping much better these days as he tears through the Arizona Fall League.
Through Wednesday, the lefthanded hitter was batting .354/.415/.583 with three home runs, two doubles and 11 RBIs as a key figure for the Peoria Saguaros, a team featuring Cardinals 2008 first-round pick Brett Wallace and Padres first baseman Kyle Blanks.
Working with Double-A Springfield Cardinals and Saguaros manager Ron Warner and Nationals hitting coach Rick Eckstein, Armstrong is having success by staying back on the ball. He has had bad habits of getting out on his front foot, robbing the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder of his power.
"When he does that, he’s a dangerous power hitter," Warner said. "When he stays behind it, he’s got more power. He’s been consistent the last couple of weeks."
It was understandable that Armstrong had high expectations in 2008. The White Sox placed him on their 40-man roster last November, having acquired him in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft from the Braves in 2005, two years after Atlanta drafted the Canadian in the 16th round.
He hit .275/.310/.406 with two home runs, 12 doubles and 17 RBIs at Triple-A Charlotte, but struck out 27 times against five walks. He was 10-for-65 from Aug. 1 on, with 15 strikeouts and only one walk.
He had hit .252/.293/.413 with six home runs, 17 doubles and 31 RBIs in the Southern League.
"The consistency is not where I want it," Armstrong said of his time so far in the AFL. "But by the time I leave, I hope it’s nothing I consciously think about, something I don’t have to think about all the mechanical flaws."
http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=1774
he's stubborn. and lacks discipline. and i hope he drowns in front of his children. but I’ll have to document all that when I see him next year, assuming he stays here, which he probably will. i don’t wanna be dissin’ without substance.
"I can be centerfield."
http://www.mtvmusic.com/video/?id=58620
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
cole armstrong is doing a solid impression of a good player, isn't he?
Cashing checks and having sex.
had a hell of a day on defense, too. apparently fucked up tolleson enough so he had to leave the game. that's how you get it done. already got the twin hating down.
thank god KW didn’t do anything silly like give an aging catcher a two year extension with no trade protection so this guy will get an opportunity. dodged a bullet there!
fucked up tolleson?
"I'll take one in the mouth over the eyes anyday." - AJ
by omnipotent grab on Nov 1, 2008 8:37 PM CDT up reply actions
BECKHAM/DANKS IN 2012
nothing gets ‘em wetter than infrequent postings on the city’s second favorite team
remind you of someone?

from scenario at soxtalk; more there.
http://www.soxtalk.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=67854&pid=1787277&st=105&#entry1787277
same physique, carry themselves the same way,
of course jordan is way taller. i’ve been trying to think of CFs that were as tall as him. haven’t given it a lot of thought but hamilton is the only way i can come up with.
"[Our new product] is a revolutionary advancement in golf tee time technology," said Harry Ipema, Co-Founder and President of Fore! Reservations. "Two months ago our programmers told me that it would take twelve months to develop it. But it took one sixth of that time - we've had a programmer who has really been focused recently."
so he's gonna be like josh hamilton? awesome! larry says jordan danks is the next josh hamilton!!
Cashing checks and having sex.
august 2009 preview?

from scenario at soxtalk; more there.
http://www.soxtalk.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=67854&pid=1787333&st=105&#entry1787333
"[Our new product] is a revolutionary advancement in golf tee time technology," said Harry Ipema, Co-Founder and President of Fore! Reservations. "Two months ago our programmers told me that it would take twelve months to develop it. But it took one sixth of that time - we've had a programmer who has really been focused recently."
jayson nix rocking and rolling in the mexican league
http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Jayson%20Nix&pos=&sid=l132&t=p_pbp&pid=434624

"[Our new product] is a revolutionary advancement in golf tee time technology," said Harry Ipema, Co-Founder and President of Fore! Reservations. "Two months ago our programmers told me that it would take twelve months to develop it. But it took one sixth of that time - we've had a programmer who has really been focused recently."
what's the mexican league equivalent to?
i thought i saw AAA, but i couldn’t find where.
nothing gets ‘em wetter than infrequent postings on the city’s second favorite team

by 

















