White Sox Season Over; Time to Talk Draft

by larry on May 6, 2008 2:32 PM CDT Comment 128 comments

we're getting close to the draft now and coverage will be coming out in earnest. figure it's time to have a spot to talk the draft a bit and let people get familiar with some of the names who will be bandied about for the sox at the 8th spot. (if you agree, please 'recommend' this post and it will stick near the top and i'll promise to update it with more coverage over the coming days/weeks. if the diary, er, fanpost gets too many comments in it, I'll create another fanpost to continue discussion).

to start things off, here is john sickels' top college hitters and pitchers lists.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2008/5/6/481389/top-college-hitters-for-th

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2008/5/8/482628/top-college-pitchers-in-th

and here's a link to a mock draft currently ongoing at his site, as well.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2008/5/7/482037/milb-mock-draft-pick-21-de

college ball blog; direct link to draft coverage:

http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/category/mlb-draft/

baseball america's draft site

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/

milb's 2008 draft reports (with videos)

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/events/draft_report/y2008/index.jsp

[5/12 edit]

Please go to the following link to offer me and Wizard suggestions for the Mock Draft:

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2008/5/12/508198/mod-white-sox

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.

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Comments

I'd be very happy with any of his 7-8-9 rankings

though not so much with the mock choice of a RH HS pitcher.
Your opinion requested:
Is the hitting in this draft deeper than usual (or recent memory), or am I just not used to seeing the Sox with this high a pick?

"Lipstick traces on cigarettes can get you in trouble or remind you of the wonders of the night before."

by Chiburb on May 6, 2008 12:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

my opinion, for whatever it's worth

is that the draft overall is a little deeper than usual. maybe not so much premium talent (or at least guys viewed that way) as others but the talent is better at 5-12 or whatever than usual. which is good for the sox.

i think there is definitely a deeper group of college hitters. perhaps overall, as well.

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 6, 2008 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

and that last sentence was addressing your question

as in “perhaps in hitters overall, as well”

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 6, 2008 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, who needs hitting?

I want pitchers that don’t necessitate keeping 52% of our ML roster as pitchers. If the guys could carry their weight, already, maybe we wouldn’t need 13 on the parent club.

;)

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 6, 2008 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Javier Vazquez would just do his job...

and allow negative runs, the Sox wouldn’t be in this mess.

The bum.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 6, 2008 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you know who was the best at allowing negative runs?

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 6, 2008 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

so far this year, the blue jays staff, feisty.

Repeat after me: reading comprehension, even a little bit of thought before posting, and basic research are not signs of weakness.

by Toonderstrook on May 6, 2008 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sudden Sam McDowell.

Never trust a big butt and a smile.
Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on May 6, 2008 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's right

but who was the best at disallowing positive runs?

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 6, 2008 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Catfish Hunter?

Never trust a big butt and a smile.
Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on May 6, 2008 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you're on a roll, feisty.

want to hear the story about how yaz and i invented the george foreman grill before george foreman?

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 6, 2008 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're a liar, Hawk

Yaz never actually let you look at him, much less talk to him.

Never trust a big butt and a smile.
Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on May 6, 2008 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

but he probably did let hawk cook him up some \sasssssages.

Repeat after me: reading comprehension, even a little bit of thought before posting, and basic research are not signs of weakness.

by Toonderstrook on May 6, 2008 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Posey

Why, if Posey is ranked #2 on his top college hitters does he have him going 13th?

Given the lack of depth in Catcher on the Sox, a + hitting, +fielding Catcher prospect seems like a great, and obvious, choice.

If any of those position players can fall to the Sox, they’d better take them!

I’d scream if they took another pitcher, especially a HS pitcher, no matter how good he was.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on May 6, 2008 1:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

um, because that's not sickels' mock draft but the readers'?

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 6, 2008 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh. well that's a lot of bunk.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on May 6, 2008 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

many would say posey at #2 is a lot of bunk

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 6, 2008 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

fyi: larry's posted this at 12:49

I didn’t see it at the diaries and posted my ‘John Sickels: Top College Hitters for the 2008 Draft’ fanshot

so I updated the timestamp at larry’s post to put it on top…

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 6, 2008 2:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

coward!

where’s the game thread? Working on it?

Calling for rain at 7:00 btw (scroll to hour-by-hour):

http://www.wbbm780.com/topic/weather.php

"Lipstick traces on cigarettes can get you in trouble or remind you of the wonders of the night before."

by Chiburb on May 6, 2008 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rain? oh oh - might hold back the crowd tonight

"The little things are always in my mind," he said. "I always like to move the guy over, I like to bunt."

by ChicagoPete on May 6, 2008 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is rain code for "2008 White Sox offense"?

by Grinder in Training on May 6, 2008 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

clearly

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 6, 2008 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no gamethread tonight

scheduler’s on strike

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 6, 2008 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Technoquestion:

Are you on the same servers as DK? With the primaries over around game time, we may see some instability (if so)...

"Lipstick traces on cigarettes can get you in trouble or remind you of the wonders of the night before."

by Chiburb on May 6, 2008 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not an authority

but I think not from what I’ ve heard from cheat

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 6, 2008 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i feel violated

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 6, 2008 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

was that you?

and I thought it was a blowup doll!

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 6, 2008 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i got BAed

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 6, 2008 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I heard he was nuttin' honey

"Lipstick traces on cigarettes can get you in trouble or remind you of the wonders of the night before."

by Chiburb on May 6, 2008 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If anything

We should draft Joshua Fields, rhp, Georgia because of his name…

by PaulieK14 on May 6, 2008 3:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Poppy Fields might be more enjoyable

"Lipstick traces on cigarettes can get you in trouble or remind you of the wonders of the night before."

by Chiburb on May 6, 2008 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No that's too distinct

How about Papi Fields?

by PaulieK14 on May 6, 2008 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am hoping for a position player in the first round.

My guess is that Tampa Bay will take Alvarez and worry about his position later. The Pirates’ pick will be a test to see if the new front office will differ much from the Littlefield regime. At least one pitcher (Crow) ought to place in the top 5 somewhere, and the White Sox will have a shot at a hitter.
1. Alvarez. Even with the subpar season, it is hard to see him falling far. My best guess is Tampa Bay takes him #1.
2. Tim Beckham.
3. Smoak. Once the Sox started winning late last season, I clung to hope that they wouldn’t reduce their draft position too much to lose out on Smoak. I think there’s still a chance he will fall.
4. Posey.
5. Alonso.
6. Gordon Beckham.

If everyone on the list is off the board by the time the Sox pick, I wouldn’t be mad if the best available pitcher is taken.

by asinwreck on May 6, 2008 3:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Governor grants Uribe stay of execution...

Cowley

Juan Uribe is still alive and well. Looks like the rumors flying around the clubhouse after Monday’s loss were only felt by the players.

At least three members of the team had heard it would be “black Tuesday.”

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on May 6, 2008 5:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Probably because Cowley told them so.

Is that guy ever NOT full of poo?

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 6, 2008 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

JRE, I think you hit the nail dead nuts center on the head.

It was Cowley’s “scoop.”

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on May 6, 2008 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

this is certainly becoming more than a draft diary

why do they keep playing with our emotions like this?

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 6, 2008 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

what else would you expect from the biggest joke in baseball?

Repeat after me: reading comprehension, even a little bit of thought before posting, and basic research are not signs of weakness.

by Toonderstrook on May 6, 2008 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'm really getting sick of all these uribe fat jokes.

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 6, 2008 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

stop flip-flopping, larry. two posts ago you said you loved all of these uribe fat jokes.

Repeat after me: reading comprehension, even a little bit of thought before posting, and basic research are not signs of weakness.

by Toonderstrook on May 6, 2008 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

evan meek from rotoworld

Pirates designated RHP Evan Meek for assignment.

Meek allowed 12 walks and 10 earned runs in 13 innings for the Pirates. The Rule-5 pick will be returned to the Rays if he clears waivers, as he should.

i think we should put in a claim for this guy.

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 6, 2008 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

SSH, is that you?

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 6, 2008 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

milb's 2008 draft reports

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/events/draft_report/y2008/index.jsp

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 6, 2008 6:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the minor league draft rundowns

You folks do a great job trying to give us the necessary information to beat up Ozzie.

by floridajim on May 6, 2008 7:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Talk about your contrary indicator, larry

When larry says something is over, bet the other way…

;)

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 7, 2008 8:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Does Boras have feelers out to any of our potentials?

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on May 7, 2008 11:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

here's a piece on boras

http://www.saberscouting.com/2008/04/07/borasclientprice/

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 7, 2008 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

OMG!!!

don’t draft a pitcher at #8

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 7, 2008 7:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

#8

does not exactly have a storied history.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?overall_pick=8&draft_type=junreg

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 7, 2008 7:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Helton

and….Inky?

Sheesh.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 7, 2008 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

we'll change that!

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 7, 2008 7:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Smoak falls to us @ 8

and he turns out to be ANYTHING like Todd Helton, I would be ECSTATIC about Konerko’s eventual replacement

by PaulieK14 on May 7, 2008 7:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

you'd be ECSTATIC about having a player ANYTHING like todd helton

don’t overdo it there, paulie.

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 8, 2008 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

is this a personal vendetta against me?

what is wrong with the comment i made? does it “overdo it” because of the capital letters?

by PaulieK14 on May 8, 2008 11:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

part of it is the caps

but mostly it’s also quite an understatement that you’d be happy with a player like todd helton. kind of goes without saying.

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 8, 2008 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

is this Larry Vanover

and you didn’t like the way Konerko was arguing balls and strikes in a game? Jesus, it’s a comment about 1 player compared to a possible future HOF’er. I’m sorry if i stated the obvious and next time i’ll “go without saying” instead of littering you Fanpost with my “understated comments.”

by PaulieK14 on May 8, 2008 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's just funny, paulie. lighten up.

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 8, 2008 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

gonzo white sox draft update

By Mark Gonzales – 9:13 a.m.

General manager Ken Williams plans to accompany the White Sox on their 10-game trip after spending several weekends scouting top amateur players in preparation for next month’s draft.

It’s a very important draft for the Sox, who draft eighth overall but don’t have a second-round selection.

Baseball America recently posted its latest draft tracker and ranks University of Georgia shortstop Gordon Beckham as the eighth best player in the draft.

Given the Sox’s penchant for drafting college pitchers, there are three other intriguing possibilities. Two are Fresno State’s Tanner Scheppers and Tulane’s Shooter Hunt, who are ranked ninth and 10th, respectively, by Baseball America.

Eastern Kentucky left-hander Christian Friedrich, a former Loyola Academy standout, is ranked 14th. Stanford’s left-handed hitting catcher Jason Castro, the nephew of Sox farm director Alan Regier, was ranked 27th.

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2008/05/draft-update.html

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 8, 2008 12:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

top college pitchers from sickels

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2008/5/8/482628/top-college-pitchers-in-th

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 8, 2008 4:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Keith Law's top 60 prospects list for the June draft

NO. PLAYER POS. SCHOOL
1 Tim Beckham SS Griffin (Ga.) H.S.
2 Buster Posey C Florida State
3 Justin Smoak 1B South Carolina
4 Pedro Alvarez 3B Vanderbilt
5 Eric Hosmer 1B American Heritage H.S. (Plantation, Fla.)
6 Aaron Crow RHP Missouri
7 Gordon Beckham SS Georgia
8 Brian Matusz RHP San Diego
9 Tanner Scheppers RHP Fresno State
10 Gerrit Cole RHP Lutheran H.S. (Orange, Calif.)
...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/draft2008/news/story?id=3388073

hat-tip MLBTR

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 9, 2008 4:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

matusz is a

LHP

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 9, 2008 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i would also like all those "KW will draft jordan danks" adherents to point out where danks is on each of these lists

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 9, 2008 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

jordan danks is number 0 on law's list

you know, before 1

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 9, 2008 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

KW may draft him

but at 86, not 8. people need to stop reading draft reports from 2005.

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 9, 2008 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

speaking of jd

Other Interesting College Hitters for the 2008 Draft
...
Jordan Danks, OF, Texas: Hitting .317/.443/.532 with 14 steals, 38 walks, 38 strikeouts in 186 at-bats, OPS about +24 percent compared to context. People keep expecting him to hit for power given his frame and strength, but even if it doesn’t happen, his speed, defense, and on-base ability should get him to the Show. I have him as a second-round target for my Shadow Twins.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2008/5/9/506686/other-interesting-college

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 9, 2008 5:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like Ryan Sweeney.

by SSH2005 on May 9, 2008 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

better CF

but yeah.

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 9, 2008 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

BA's top 30

1 Pedro Alvarez 3b Vanderbilt 1 1
2 Tim Beckham ss Griffin (Ga.) HS
3 Brian Matusz lhp San Diego
4 Buster Posey c Florida State
5Aaron Crow rhp Missouri
6 Eric Hosmer 1b American Heritage HS, Plantation, Fla.
7 Justin Smoak 1b South Carolina
8 Gordon Beckham ss Georgia
9 Tanner Scheppers rhp Fresno State
10 Shooter Hunt rhp Tulane

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/draft-dish/2008/266044.html

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 9, 2008 4:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

for brothers, those two beckham shortstops sure don't look an awful lot alike.

Repeat after me: reading comprehension, even a little bit of thought before posting, and basic research are not signs of weakness.

by Toonderstrook on May 9, 2008 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

different mothers

which means their power potential could be quite different.

Jesus H. Larry! I said the first half!

by larry on May 9, 2008 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've always heard that power is handed down through the mother

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

by rhythm on May 9, 2008 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

CLEARLY

Repeat after me: reading comprehension, even a little bit of thought before posting, and basic research are not signs of weakness.

by Toonderstrook on May 9, 2008 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no doubt

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 9, 2008 5:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

any reports from our UM section for these 2?

9) Zach Putnam, RHP-1B, University of Michigan: 6-0, 2.72 with 60/17 K/BB in 59.2 innings, 47 hits allowed. Also hitting .321/.394/.536 on the season. Being a two-way player is both a good thing and a bad thing. As a pitcher, throws a heavy fastball and has solid control. I could see him as an impressive ground ball-getting reliever or an inning-eating starter. Has a slider, splitter and curve to go with the sinker. Could go in the late first or supplemental round.

Nate Recknagel, 1B, Michigan: Hitting .394/.447/.782 with 18 homers, 23 walks, 20 strikeouts in 165 at-bats, OPS about +57 percent. Four-year source of impressive power for the Wolverines, but I never quite know what to make of Big Ten competition. A senior bat with pop should interest someone in the middle rounds, if only as a DH type.

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 9, 2008 6:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

For once, I do!

From my rarely updated michigan sports blog

Putnam has nice groundball stuff and if he doesn’t ever get strikeouts I don’t think it would be a big deal. Everything he throws goes down. He doesn’t have much of an approach at the plate and I don’t like him as a bat. Recknagel I do, but I really don’t know how to quantify it. He raked every time I saw him, but I don’t know hitting that well and it was the Big Ten. So…

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on May 10, 2008 8:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sox

I’m a Twins rube although I was born in Chicago (Wicker Park) and now live in a Minneapolis suburb. I think that Chicago has a much more likable manager in Ozzie than we do in Gardenhire. Ozzie was man enough to say ‘if we don’t win, fire me.’ I like the Sox and I apologize for intruding in your space, but the White Sox are a very good baseball team. Don’t give up on the Pale Hose yet. [To prove my White Sox bona fides: Minnie Minoso’s full name is Saturnino Orestes Arrietas Armas Minoso}

by Twins on May 10, 2008 11:50 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

with a tilde. and don't you forget it.

Repeat after me: reading comprehension, even a little bit of thought before posting, and basic research are not signs of weakness.

by Toonderstrook on May 10, 2008 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

BTB

Posey v. Beckham

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 10, 2008 8:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

anyone want to be white sox "scouting director" for sickels' mock draft?

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2008/5/12/508043/2008-mock-draft-scouting-d#comments

by larry on May 12, 2008 12:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

sounds cool what little I know centered around the top 10/15 guys

after that is ‘throw a dart and wherever it lands’

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 12, 2008 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

considering where the sox pick, that's about all you need to know

plus everyone else will help you out.

by larry on May 12, 2008 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

by the way, i'd want to be the scouting director, or someone's deputy, but i can't ever say i'd be able to be on the computer for like five hours

so if someone wants to team up…

by larry on May 12, 2008 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can be your deputy

that sounds wrong

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 12, 2008 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

sounds better if you say "i will take the position of your deputy"

oh. wait. no. it doesn’t.

by larry on May 12, 2008 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

so its the first 5 rounds on sat may 31

when we have to post that MOD diary?

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 12, 2008 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no, i think we're supposed to post that diary about now

someone is going to need to organize that better, though, because the diaries aren’t going to stay on the front page.

by larry on May 12, 2008 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh so the diary is discussion for the main event

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 12, 2008 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you should definitely make some front page posts on SSS

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on May 12, 2008 8:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

BTW, should we start referring to you as "White Flag larry"?

18-18 and the season is still OVA?

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 12, 2008 12:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

i unfurled the flag in october.

and, getting to reality, the sox have blown a huge opportunity to get some distance between themselves and the rest of the division. everything needed to go right (or close to it) for the sox to seriously compete. 18-18 with the kind of pitching they’ve gotten is not getting it right.

by larry on May 12, 2008 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

JESUS H. LARRY. DONT U LISTEN TO ME? THE SOX WILL WIN 97 GAMES AND THE DIVISINO!

"For those that don't understand stats... that ops is horrifying."

by Toonderstrook on May 12, 2008 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just tweaking

(But they have looked better overall since the bottom-of-the-market call, with which I happened to agree.)

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 12, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it was sarcasm

as we all know, rarely is someone as bad as they are at their trough. and rarely are they as good as they are at their peak.

by larry on May 12, 2008 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

jim callis on buster posey

With 3½ weeks to go before the draft, the Rays’ plans for the No. 1 overall pick remain undetermined. Florida State catcher Buster Posey (more on him in a second) remains the rumored frontrunner, but he’s not a lock like David Price was for Tampa Bay a year ago.
...
Posey is the current favorite to go No. 1 overall to the Rays, and though he only began catching two years ago, he has made such a quick transition that scouts project him as a possible Gold Glover. He’s more athletic than most backstops, and his arm and receiving skills are both plus tools.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/ask-ba/2008/266078.html

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 12, 2008 1:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

i am chagrined

that posey developed so much this year because i wanted him badly for the sox and hoped he’d come along a bit more slowly. but that is why you don’t get infatuated with a player that early. things are quite fluid in the draft. remember when there was no doubt alvarez would be #1? now he may not even be top 3.

by larry on May 12, 2008 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

With the Rays hitting stride this year, getting the #1 pick

is a cherry on top and has got to have that fan base of 2500 season-ticket holders jazzed. They looked great this weekend agains the same LAAAAAAAAAAAAA Angels we’re engaging this series.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 12, 2008 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Part of that does have to do with the injury

and I like the Teixeira comparison with him

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on May 12, 2008 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i feel the same way.

a college catcher would seem to work out really well for us.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on May 12, 2008 8:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

please offer draft suggestions for the mock draft. thanks.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2008/5/12/508198/mod-white-sox

by larry on May 12, 2008 3:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

hat out, asking for help again

if anyone is a member of minorleagueball, please go to the above link and recommend the fanpost so that the sox will remain on the top of the list.

by larry on May 12, 2008 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

high school hitters of note

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2008/5/13/508737/high-school-hitters-of-int

by larry on May 13, 2008 1:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Combing the schoolyards again, sir?

Has the restraining order been lifted?

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 13, 2008 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

btw

buster posey played all 9 positions yesterday, hit a grand slam, and retired the two hitters he faced while pitching.

"For those that don't understand stats... that ops is horrifying."

by Toonderstrook on May 13, 2008 1:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You gotta draft a guy named "Buster".

You know who else played all 9 positions? Campy.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 13, 2008 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

true

but campy never had the opportunity to play ten positions. like adam russell can.

by larry on May 13, 2008 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Adam Russell plays lead off?

That guy is amazing.

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

by rhythm on May 13, 2008 9:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

white sox draft board

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2008/5/12/508198/mod-white-sox

i haven’t given this the greatest of thought but please critique/add/subtract/whatever at the above link. this is the order of players, if available, i would draft at #8

1. buster posey
2. pedro alvarez
3. tim beckham
4. justin smoak
5. kyle skipworth
6. aaron crow
7. brian matusz
8. gordon beckham

by larry on May 14, 2008 10:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd say that's pretty fair

Skipworth is pretty intriguing… it would seemingly go against Williams’ MO to take a high-schooler in the first round, but damn could the Sox use an up-the-middle impact prospect. Are the Sox a patient enough to take somebody like Hosmer or Skipworth and understand they probably wouldn’t see he bigs until late-2010 the earliest (and that’s optimistic)?

My very early top four - provided Posey, Alvarez and Beckham-the-younger are gone by #8 - are Skipworth, Smoak, Hosmer and Beckham-the-older. I haven’t read up enough on these guys to actually differentiate those four yet… I’m an advocate of drafting the best player available, not drafting for need, but as I mentioned, getting one of the top four SS/C prospects is awfully intriguing. Then again, Smoak seems like as good a bet as anyone to really rake.

The one thing I wouldn’t advocate is the Sox taking a pitcher. The Sox need this pick to be a hit, and with the way pitchers flame out (injury), I’d rather take my chances with a hitter

by CWSKeith on May 14, 2008 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

replies

wizard: looks good, I’d add hosmer and alonso after 5

larry: hosmer maybe, he would be #9, probably. way too soon for alonso, though.

Daniel Berlyn : We need a hitter, Posey, Tim Beckham and Alvarez will not be there. If Matusz is there and Smoak isn’t you have to take him IMO but that probably won’t happen. I don’t like G Beckham but that’s up to you. You have to consider Brett Wallace and Alonso if Smoak isn’t available.

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 16, 2008 7:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

larry,

perhaps we should start another diary?

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 16, 2008 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

your turn, deputy

by larry on May 17, 2008 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok!

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 17, 2008 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

jonothan mayo's mock draFt

1. Tampa Bay Rays: Buster Posey, C, Florida State

2. Pittsburgh Pirates: Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Vanderbilt

3. Kansas City Royals: Eric Hosmer, 1B, American Heritage HS, Plantation, Fla.

4. Baltimore Orioles: Brian Matusz, LHP, University of San Diego

5. San Francisco Giants: Tim Beckham, SS, Griffin HS, Griffin, Ga.

6. Florida Marlins: Kyle Skipworth, C, Patriot HS, Riverside, Calif.

7. Cincinnati Reds: Aaron Crow, RHP, University of Missouri

8. Chicago White Sox: Gordon Beckham, SS, University of Georgia

9. Washington Nationals: Justin Smoak, 1B, University of South Carolina

10. Houston Astros: Tanner Scheppers, RHP, Fresno State

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080514&content_id=2698111&vkey=draft2008&fext=.jsp

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 14, 2008 1:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

i know you're loving the idea of the sox passing up smoak there, aren't you, wiz?

"For those that don't understand stats... that ops is horrifying."

by Toonderstrook on May 14, 2008 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I nearly punched my monitor when I saw that!

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 14, 2008 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I too

wish for Smoak. I’m warming up to the idea of Wallace though.

Fun fact: the 6’1’’ 245 pounder has 14 steals in 17 attempts. There’s future leadoff hitter, boys.

by Daniel Berlyn on May 14, 2008 8:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

high school pitchers of note

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2008/5/15/509937/high-school-pitchers-of-in

by larry on May 15, 2008 11:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Baseball America's Mock Draft

1. RAYS: TIM BECKHAM.

2. PIRATES: PEDRO ALVAREZ.

3. ROYALS: BUSTER POSEY.

4. ORIOLES: BRIAN MATUSZ.

5. GIANTS: JUSTIN SMOAK.

6. MARLINS: KYLE SKIPWORTH.

7. REDS: AARON CROW.

8. WHITE SOX: GORDON BECKHAM.

Chicago GM Kenny Williams wanted better position players for his farm system last year—and then the White Sox selected pitchers with their first six picks. That won’t happen this time around, with bats such as Beckham, Alonso, Arizona State first baseman Brett Wallace and Stanford catcher Jason Castro available. Smoak would be in that group as well if he hadn’t found a taker.

9. NATIONALS: YONDER ALONSO.

10. ASTROS: SHOOTER HUNT.

11. RANGERS: ERIC HOSMER.

12. ATHLETICS: BRETT WALLACE.

13. CARDINALS: ZACH COLLIER.

14. TWINS: CHRISTIAN FRIEDRICH.

15. DODGERS: AARON HICKS.

16. BREWERS: JOSHUA FIELDS.

17. BLUE JAYS: CONOR GILLASPIE.

18. METS: JASON CASTRO.

19. CUBS: CASEY KELLY.

20. MARINERS: TIM MELVILLE.

21. TIGERS: ANDREW CASHNER.

22. METS: ETHAN MARTIN.

23. PADRES: IKE DAVIS.

24. PHILLIES: ANTHONY HEWITT.

25. ROCKIES: JAKE ODORIZZI.

26. DIAMONDBACKS: GERRIT COLE.

27. TWINS: BRETT LAWRIE.

28. YANKEES: KYLE LOBSTEIN.

29. INDIANS: RYAN PERRY.

30. RED SOX: REESE HAVENS.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/draft/mock-draft/2008/266117.html

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 16, 2008 5:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I've had enough

Of Gordon Beckham. I’ll be legitimately upset if they go for him.

by Daniel Berlyn on May 16, 2008 6:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

how about alonso?

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 16, 2008 6:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What don't you like about Beckham?

by hitlesswonder on May 16, 2008 10:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

I’m pessimistic about how his power will project into pro ball, and I’m pessimistic about his ability to stay at short. I don’t think his upside is very high. I would much rather them get someone who won’t have to adjust very much hitting wise. I could be wrong, very wrong but my intuition says that Beckham isn’t right for the Sox. I think he has as good a chance as anyone to be an above average player but not for the White Sox.

by Daniel Berlyn on May 17, 2008 12:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Alonso

Wouldn’t be ideal considering the other talent in the draft but it works for me. He’d probably be ready to hit in the majors very soon. He has less power potential than guys like Smoak and Wallace but he’s as sure a bet to hit as anyone in the draft.

Let’s cross our fingers for Smoak, yes?

by Daniel Berlyn on May 16, 2008 6:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

oh yeah

no question there!

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 16, 2008 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can't believe it

120 messages and I didn’t mention if we had lost 2 more games last year we would have the #5 pick

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 16, 2008 7:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I just took Aaron Crow

in the Project Prospect mock. Smoak was taken by the Giants(Adam Foster) and I felt that the risk of taking the pitcher was worthwhile, considering he’s supposed to be second only to Matusz. I gave thought to Alonso and Wallace. Thoughts?

By the way, this is the mock so far:

1. Tampa Bay Rays – Buster Posey, C, Florida State University
2. Pittsburgh Pirates – Brian Matusz, LHP, University of San Diego
3. Kansas City Royals – Tim Beckham, SS, Griffin HS (GA)
4. Baltimore Orioles – Pedro Alvarez, 3b, Vanderbilt
5. San Francisco Giants – Justin Smoak, 1B, South Carolina
6. Florida Marlins – Kyle Skipworth, C, Patriot HS (CA)
7. Cincinnati Reds – Gordon Beckham, SS, Georgia
8. Chicago White Sox- Aaron Crow, RHP, University of Missouri

I think that 2-5 is jumbled, and that the Sox won’t get Crow, but I think that the Posey, Skipworth and G. Beckham assignments are all feasible.

by Daniel Berlyn on May 17, 2008 1:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs