MLB 2016

[Blackhat]

Not sure the Brewers have the $$ for top line pitchers via free agency...maybe.    More likely they would flip top position player prospects for ace pitcher.

[brandx]

White Sox got Zach Collins.

Like their pick a lot.

Have the Sox drafted a real quality hitter since Mags?

[buckchuckler]

Have the Sox drafted a real quality hitter since Mags?

They didnt draft Magglio. He was an International free agent.  They signed C Lee after him and drafted guys like Aaron Rowand and Joe Crede.  Their pick from 2 years ago is a SS named tim anderson who is a top 50 or so prospect hittinghitting over .300 in AAA. 

Collins is the highest they've taken a hitter since Big Frank.  They have certainly focused on pitching with their top picks recently. 

[buckchuckler]

I'm looking for a silver lining here:  Keith Law has Corey Ray as his #1 prospect.

1. Corey Ray, OF
Louisville
Previous rank: 1

Although Ray could slip out of the top five, I still think he's the best all-around player in the draft class, a power-speed guy who has a good idea of the strike zone and plenty of bat speed, giving him a high floor of an everyday left fielder

Not sure why it is a struggle to find a silver lining.  Power speed combo.  Can play any OF position.  He was the ops leader on team usa I believe.  Legit 5 tool talent. 

[Blackhat]

The pick is growing on me but the Brewers picked up CF Trent Clark last year.   Would have been nice to attempt to get an ace power arm, since we aren't getting one in free agency.

[buckchuckler]

The pick is growing on me but the Brewers picked up CF Trent Clark last year.   Would have been nice to attempt to get an ace power arm, since we aren't getting one in free agency.

That's a good point.  There were several available as well, including Puk, but it seems like he isn't as much of a sure thing as most college guys that go that high, so maybe that is why.  I know it means nothing, but all the experts say Ray's floor is an everyday LF.  So he was a safe pick with some upside as well.

The Sox grabbed two power arms with their comp pick.  Zack Burdi completes the Samardizja trade in a way, throws 101, so that is interesting.  Some scouting reports say he could help a MLB club this year, and with their 3rd pick they grabbed Alec Hansen, a 6-7 RHP that throws 97-100 with a plus slider and change but with some command issues. 

[WI inferiority Complexes]

They didnt draft Magglio. He was an International free agent.  They signed C Lee after him and drafted guys like Aaron Rowand and Joe Crede.  Their pick from 2 years ago is a SS named tim anderson who is a top 50 or so prospect hittinghitting over .300 in AAA. 

Collins is the highest they've taken a hitter since Big Frank.  They have certainly focused on pitching with their top picks recently.

Gordon Beckham hasn't panned out completely, but was the Sox first-round pick in '08.

[Blackhat]

That's a good point.  There were several available as well, including Puk, but it seems like he isn't as much of a sure thing as most college guys that go that high, so maybe that is why.  I know it means nothing, but all the experts say Ray's floor is an everyday LF.  So he was a safe pick with some upside as well.

The Sox grabbed two power arms with their comp pick.  Zack Burdi completes the Samardizja trade in a way, throws 101, so that is interesting.  Some scouting reports say he could help a MLB club this year, and with their 3rd pick they grabbed Alec Hansen, a 6-7 RHP that throws 97-100 with a plus slider and change but with some command issues.

Liked the Burdi pick as well.   Sounds like he's on the fast track to the bigs.   White Sox had a very good draft, imo. 

Thought I heard Puk hasn't gone farther than 4 2/3 innings in awhile.   Big project, imo.  I would have taken:
1. Matt Manning
2. Braxton Garrett  if I was picking.

[buckchuckler]

Liked the Burdi pick as well.   Sounds like he's on the fast track to the bigs.   White Sox had a very good draft, imo. 

Thought I heard Puk hasn't gone farther than 4 2/3 innings in awhile.   Big project, imo.  I would have taken:
1. Matt Manning
2. Braxton Garrett  if I was picking.

The word was that Manning had (and has) signability concerns, so that could have been a factor anyways.  It seems like he was top 5 talent, but dropped because of his demands. 

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Gordon Beckham hasn't panned out completely, but was the Sox first-round pick in '08.

He had such a good rookie season too.

[buckchuckler]

Time to find out about Anderson.  Sox called him up today.

[naginiF]

Completely.  I did like how Manny dodged and weaved before knocking Ventura down with 1 punch.  Ventura is a train wreck.  He has massive amounts of talent, but he is a headcase.  The levels at which he is currently preforming do not support the head case factor he brings.

He's only 25 with a $750K payroll hit - he's a head case but with his age, salary and potential, as a fan, i'm happy he's a Royal

[wadesworld]

Machado should receive some kind of commendation for taking out Yordano last night. Ventura had it coming.

Yeah but Machado isn't a punk...

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11054046/baltimore-orioles-oakland-scuffle-manny-machado-bat-throwing

[MerrittsMustache]

Yeah but Machado isn't a punk...

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11054046/baltimore-orioles-oakland-scuffle-manny-machado-bat-throwing

He had a couple boned-headed moments in one game 2 years ago and that makes him a punk for life?

[wadesworld]

He had a couple boned-headed moments in one game 2 years ago and that makes him a punk for life?

Hmm.  Thankfully my "boneheaded moments" have never consisted of helicoptering a baseball bat at someone.

[🏀]

Machado seems alright.

Soler attacked a dugout with a bat, and he's a super good dude in the community. People have moments.

[MUsoxfan]

If Sox fire Ventura I know they're serious about winning

[buckchuckler]

Shark didnt make it 5.  Pitched better than Shields, but allowed 10 runners in 4.2.

[buckchuckler]

Kershaw by the way, has tied the single season record for games with 10k and no walks with 6.  It is June.  They guy is crazy.  He is also at more than 18k/bb.  The record there is about 11.5. 

[Lennys Tap]

If Sox fire Ventura I know they're serious about winning

Robin is good people but he's got to go.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

Robin is good people but he's got to go.

I'm sure Robin Ventura is a good guy, and the players seem to like him.  He handles some issues well.  He got a lot of credit during the stupid LaRoche-kid thing, and when the team is winning (his first year, April/May of '16), Robin's described as a manager with the right temperament.

But he makes some many head-scratching moves.  Dioner Navarro has caught more innings for James Shields than any other picther, yet Robin starts Avila for Sheilds' first start.  In the first inning last night, Melky Cabrera-- by far the Sox hottest hitter), bunted from the 3-spot in the first inning, (again!). 

[brandx]

In the first inning last night, Melky Cabrera-- by far the Sox hottest hitter), bunted from the 3-spot in the first inning, (again!).

I don't really like absolutes, but there is never a good reason to sac bunt in the 1st inning. Ever.

[buckchuckler]

You're right VBMG.  Cut that dead weight now.  Yikes. 

[tower912]

Re: James shields trade...  Sometimes the best trades are the ones you don't make.

[Blackhat]

Re: James shields trade...  Sometimes the best trades are the ones you don't make.