That's interesting. Most of what I've read over the past week has suggested his stock has fallen as his stuff has become less impressive due to an increase in IP. Sounds like we're going after a right handed collegiate pitcher, regardless.
White Sox 2015 Thread
That's interesting. Most of what I've read over the past week has suggested his stock has fallen as his stuff has become less impressive due to an increase in IP. Sounds like we're going after a right handed collegiate pitcher, regardless.
An interesting exchange from Keith Law's live chat:
Brad (Chicago)
The White Sox seem obsessed with taking a college arm today. If Fulmer and Jay both go before #9 I'd almost prefer they went for a bat to shore up the weak hitting system. I'm almost hoping Stephenson is in their plans. Or should I be satisfied with Harris or Tate?
Klaw
They seem to believe they have a core competence in drafting and developing pitchers even if they have delivery or command questions. I'd roll with that.
Brad (Chicago)
The White Sox seem obsessed with taking a college arm today. If Fulmer and Jay both go before #9 I'd almost prefer they went for a bat to shore up the weak hitting system. I'm almost hoping Stephenson is in their plans. Or should I be satisfied with Harris or Tate?
Klaw
They seem to believe they have a core competence in drafting and developing pitchers even if they have delivery or command questions. I'd roll with that.
I read an interview with Hahn about a week ago that suggested the same thing.
Given that we're talking about Rowand being the last productive position player we drafted, it might not be a bad thing to stay away from position players that high in the draft.
Illiniwek06
- N of I-80
Chris Sale is on fire. :hail:
Bob Christiansen
- 4th & Chalmers, a few years ago...Now? Weeki Wach
OK....
Evan Longoria .273 .351 .414
Gordon Beckham .263 .321 .394
Not a whole lot of difference, and Longoria is considered one of the best in the league...
Oh, Bob, c'mon now.
Let's throw out the fact you're using a small sample size, Longoria's bum wrist, and the fact Longoria has about 75% more plate appearances.
It would be one thing if you were comparing two prospects, or even a prospect to Longoria...but you're comparing two known entities here. Longoria is considered one of the best in the league because he has proven across the board for entire seasons. We're talking a guy that receives MVP votes more often than not. Gordon Beckham might be a better option than Gillapsie (by a slim margin), but he's a replacement level player at best. He's certainly not Evan Longoria. Only once in his career (rookie season), has Beckham produced a better WAR than Longoria's worst season.
Don't forget, due to platooning Beckham has avoided pitchers that he has no chance against.
I will say though, Longoria's better days are probably behind him. He's significantly better this year than last, but not nearly what he was.
Bob Christiansen
- 4th & Chalmers, a few years ago...Now? Weeki Wach
Guys, I know what you're saying. And the comparison to Longoria? Well, since he's local to me, just kind of threw that out there as a sort of "present time" comparison. Like Hawk says (OMG, I'm quoting Hawk!!
) about pitchers, "You're only as good as your next start..."
I don't know if it's attributable to platooning, to a "different attitude", whatever, but Beckham is having a pretty decent year in comparison to the recent past. During Sunday's loss vs the tiggers, there were a couple of key hits that got through with Gillaspie at 3B that I'm pretty sure Beckham would have at least knocked down, possibly even gotten a force or a play at first...at least he would have saved a run or 2. My personal confidence when he comes to the plate in comparison to Gillaspie is definitely higher.
Rose colored glasses? Maybe. But just the way I see things...
) about pitchers, "You're only as good as your next start..."I don't know if it's attributable to platooning, to a "different attitude", whatever, but Beckham is having a pretty decent year in comparison to the recent past. During Sunday's loss vs the tiggers, there were a couple of key hits that got through with Gillaspie at 3B that I'm pretty sure Beckham would have at least knocked down, possibly even gotten a force or a play at first...at least he would have saved a run or 2. My personal confidence when he comes to the plate in comparison to Gillaspie is definitely higher.
Rose colored glasses? Maybe. But just the way I see things...
ILL in IA
- Iowa City
Quoting Hawk. Next thing I know you will be comparing Beckham to Yaz!Guys, I know what you're saying. And the comparison to Longoria? Well, since he's local to me, just kind of threw that out there as a sort of "present time" comparison. Like Hawk says (OMG, I'm quoting Hawk!!
I don't know if it's attributable to platooning, to a "different attitude", whatever, but Beckham is having a pretty decent year in comparison to the recent past. During Sunday's loss vs the tiggers, there were a couple of key hits that got through with Gillaspie at 3B that I'm pretty sure Beckham would have at least knocked down, possibly even gotten a force or a play at first...at least he would have saved a run or 2. My personal confidence when he comes to the plate in comparison to Gillaspie is definitely higher.
Rose colored glasses? Maybe. But just the way I see things...
I think several things are going on with Beckham. I think the trade and coming back to Chicago changed his mindset. He has had a much better approach at the plate. It doesn't look like he is trying to pull everything, and has a much better swing with 2 strikes. But as it was stated above, Ventura has put him in very good situations. Is it nice to seem him playing better, YES! But stay away from the Gordon Beckham light. If you get to close you will start to sound like Hawk. Mercy.
Bob Christiansen
- 4th & Chalmers, a few years ago...Now? Weeki Wach
LOL!!! Believe it or not, Hawk DOES do some things that irritate me...
So I'll move on over to his sidekick Steve Stone. One thing that Stoney reiterates, regarding any team and any manager, is that a good manager knows what a player can do, but more importantly, knows what a player can't do...and puts that player in positions to succeed. Basically what you said above, my friend...:thumb:
Illiniwek06
- N of I-80
Bob Christiansen
- 4th & Chalmers, a few years ago...Now? Weeki Wach
Watching Chris pitch last night was exciting, and I've seen him enough where I shouldn't really be excited. Kinda funny how when you watch greatness, it almost becomes normalcy. But the last dude he faced (for his 14th K, 3rd out of the 8th), he just had this look about him, a look like, "I WILL mow this sumbeetch down", and he blew strike 3 right by him (swinging)...and it was pretty cool!!!
Believe that was Altuve, one of the toughest guys to strike out in the majors.
Nastiest stuff in the game.
Bob Christiansen
- 4th & Chalmers, a few years ago...Now? Weeki Wach
Correct, Bailey, it was Altuve...and Sale K'd him twice! Don't know if you saw the first one, but if you did, did you see the look Altuve gave Sale? It was a look like..."How the hell did you do that, man?!" Priceless!
Bob Christiansen
- 4th & Chalmers, a few years ago...Now? Weeki Wach
I know, puzzled me too. I guess he wanted RH bats in the lineup, LaRoche doesn't fit the bill. Not like Geo is working hard tonight, should he need to spell Flowers.
Rodon is NOT pitching well tonight...yet it's bottom of 6, no score. Guess what? Abreu just jacked one!!!
Bob Christiansen
- 4th & Chalmers, a few years ago...Now? Weeki Wach
I know his line looks good, but an elevated pitch count, even though his walk total was only 2, he had a BUNCH of full counts, then couldn't get the 3rd strike by them (lots of foul balls, hence the pitch count). Once again the percentage of 1st pitch strikes was down, and a couple of jams that he REALLY had to work to get out of. And he did. It was just a game that watching him, I never felt comfortable that he was gonna come through.
I give him all the credit in the world for sucking it up when his command was not where he wanted it, and leaving the game with the Sox in an excellent position. The home plate ump sucked, calling high strikes out of the zone, with a lot of knees strikes he called balls...and then would screw up and call a few strikes. Consistently bad for both teams though, so it's not like he was a homer. One pitch to Altuve, crossed the plate damn near at his shoulders, ump called it a strike, I was like, "Hmmm, I'll take that one..."
IlliniRunIn07
- Tampa, FL
Bob, you making the drive over to St. Pete to catch any games this weekend?
Bob Christiansen
- 4th & Chalmers, a few years ago...Now? Weeki Wach
No Illini, I'd love to, but had other things planned. My mom actually had to remind me the Sox were gonna be in town this weekend. She, the now Rays fan, who grew up in Bridgeport...go figure!!
IlliniRunIn07
- Tampa, FL
I'll be there on Saturday cheering on the Sox, will drink enough for both of us! :thumb:
Bob Christiansen
- 4th & Chalmers, a few years ago...Now? Weeki Wach
:thumb::thumb: Where are you sitting? My folks have been doing the upper deck behind home or a little up the lines, say those are the best seats.
Just got in, will be turning on the game in 1/2 hour. At least Archer isn't pitching tonight, gives Danks a fighting chance...
Bob Christiansen
- 4th & Chalmers, a few years ago...Now? Weeki Wach
Wonder if the Sox can catch and throw the ball today. That would be a nice change over the last 2 days...:tsk:
IlliniRunIn07
- Tampa, FL
I was in Section 106, decent seats. It was a great game with a bad outcome Saturday. Today was pathetic, to waste another superhero effort from Sale. :tsk: