2009 Spring Training

[BoSox21]

SP's report on Lars Anderson

 

Scouting Report: Large, powerful slugger with a great hitter's frame, excellent present power, and an elite power ceiling. Extremely smooth and fluid swing. Impeccable batting eye with very good patience at the plate, he actually could stand to be a little more aggressive. Hits especially well to the opposite field, but also can pull the ball on occasion. His swing is tailor-made for Fenway. Still strikes out a little bit too much, particularly against off-speed stuff from more advanced pitchers. Athletic for his size, plays a pretty good first base. Digs throws in the dirt well. Makes some nice diving plays, but still can look awkward at times. Mediocre range. Not a stolen base threat, his speed is about average for a big 1B. Takes instruction well and learns fast. Strong work ethic. Intelligent and confident. Likely would have been a supplemental first round pick in 2006 if not for high bonus demands. Anderson spent significant time in left field in high school (but has yet to play there professionally), so it's not out of the question that he could spend some time in the outfield in 2009 in case his path is blocked at 1B in the Red Sox system.

 

Seems pretty unbiased to me considering how many people talk about him like he's Jesus with a bat

[italstallianion]

I'm not a fan of soxprospects.com personally, so I try to avoid it whenever possible.

[Dipre]

SP's report on Lars Anderson

 

 

 

Seems pretty unbiased to me considering how many people talk about him like he's Jesus with a bat

 

Every rule has its exception, but after reading reports on Kalish and Reddick, i stopped taking their reports seriously, but that's just me, specially considering there're so many sources to find scouting reports on minor league players.

[Dojji]

Every rule has its exception' date=' but after reading reports on Kalish and Reddick, i stopped taking their reports seriously, but that's just me, specially considering there're so many sources to find scouting reports on minor league players.[/quote']

 

Kalish:

Scouting Report: Excellent athlete with a solid build, good bat speed, and lots of quickness on the basepaths. Leadoff hitter potential. The organization worked with Kalish to improve his swing and plate patience prior to his 2007 short-season debut, and since then he has demonstrated a very good approac

h at the plate. Not a lot of present power but does have decent power potential. Above average speed. In the field, he has excellent range, a slightly above aveage arm, and average accuracy, but needs to work on his decision making. Tough competitor with a mature demeanor. Kalish tends to be a very popular player with fans. Could project as a center fielder or a right fielder -- it all depends on how much he fills out. Missed part of 2007 season with a wrist injury, which seemingly lingered throughout the 2008 season.

 

Don't see much bias there. The numbers and performances Kalish has given us since his return from the DL match the hype for the most part -- good plate approach, decent range and fielding, not sold on his arm, decision making, or power. The only thing to sort of fret about is how quick they are to blame his lack of 2008 power on a wrist injury rather than on him never having that much power to begin with.

 

Redditk:

Josh Reddick can put the bat on the ball. He's a contact hitter with a quick bat and very good present power. He has a sweet-looking uppercut swing - starts with his hands held high then brings them low-and-up through the zone. Creates good lift on the ball when he turns on it. An aggressive hitter at the plate, he needs to improve his plate discipline. He swings at a lot of balls off the plate, and he can also get pull-happy on occasion. Has shown some resistance to the Sox disciplined approach. His frame is athletic and lean, with a potential to fill out. If he adds strength to his wiry frame, there's not much limit on his power potential. In the field, Reddick has above average range to go along with excellent arm strength and outstanding accuracy. Great hustle, always goes all out. Reads the ball well coming off the walls. Can play all three OF positions well, probably best suited for RF.

 

Again, I see no particular bias. Reddick makes good contact and is a power hitter, and is an excellent toolsy defender, but he has Francoeur like plate discipline and the fact that it hasn't improved much over his tenure in as OBP-friendly a system as ours suggests he might have coachability issues that could trip him up if he doesn't correct them.

 

So where's the unreasonable bias here?

[Dipre]

Kalish:

 

Don't see much bias there. The numbers and performances Kalish has given us since his return from the DL match the hype for the most part -- good plate approach, decent range and fielding, not sold on his arm, decision making, or power. The only thing to sort of fret about is how quick they are to blame his lack of 2008 power on a wrist injury rather than on him never having that much power to begin with.

 

Redditk:

 

 

Again, I see no particular bias. Reddick makes good contact and is a power hitter, and is an excellent toolsy defender, but he has Francoeur like plate discipline and the fact that it hasn't improved much over his tenure in as OBP-friendly a system as ours suggests he might have coachability issues that could trip him up if he doesn't correct them.

 

So where's the unreasonable bias here?

 

Phrases like "no limit for Reddick's power potential". Really?

 

And Kalish projecting as a corner OF. Really?

 

Maybe it's just me, but just a little overprojection on a player will make a scouting report seem "homey" to me.

 

But again, that's just my opinion, i don't have to like soxprospects.com if i don't want to.

 

What are you, a founding member or something?

[diony]

Phrases like "no limit for Reddick's power potential". Really?

 

And Kalish projecting as a corner OF. Really?

 

Maybe it's just me, but just a little overprojection on a player will make a scouting report seem "homey" to me.

 

But again, that's just my opinion, i don't have to like soxprospects.com if i don't want to.

 

What are you, a founding member or something?

 

At least read the entire sentence.

 

Reddick

If he adds strength to his wiry frame, there's not much limit on his power potential.

Kalish

Could project as a center fielder or a right fielder -- it all depends on how much he fills out.

 

Don't see anything wrong there.

[Dojji]

Wow, Diony the voice of reason?

 

I *must* be going insane.

[Keeper]

Haha, I was thinking the same thing.

[CrespoBlows]

I don't think people have much issue with their scouting reports, except when they touted Abe Alvarez as the next Tom Glavine, but the way they run their message board is f***ing horrible.

 

If you don't like a prospect, they will erase your post, ban you, and then claim that they don't want to hurt the player's feelings.

 

That's about as biased as it gets.

[Dojji]

They do the same thing if you tout underrated guys they don't like. It's just a good ole boys thing I guess.

 

Guess how I found that out.

[Dipre]

At least read the entire sentence.

 

Reddick

 

Kalish

 

 

Don't see anything wrong there.

 

Again, i just don't like it.

 

I find words like "not much limit" to be a bit too much for my taste.

 

Seeing as there countless scouting sources EVERYWHERE, i fail to see the issue with my dislike of soxprospects except for diony's lack of social life and Doiji's taste for dumb argument.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Since I'll be up all A.M. (I managed to re-f*** my sleeping schedule just in time for spring break), maybe trolling soxprospects would be something to do tonight...

 

 

Aren't there a few former talksox guys over there?

[Cocos Disciples]

Yeah, JSinger is a mod/admin over there.

[italstallianion]

I don't think people have much issue with their scouting reports' date=' except when they touted Abe Alvarez as the next Tom Glavine, [b']but the way they run their message board is f***ing horrible.[/b]

 

If you don't like a prospect, they will erase your post, ban you, and then claim that they don't want to hurt the player's feelings.

 

That's about as biased as it gets.[/QUOTE]

 

 

 

 

Thank you! Jesus f***** Christ I don't like those guys. Especially their moderators. I got banned there for bogus reasons...but hey, if I didn't get banned then I'd still be stuck there to this day and I'd never have discovered talksox.com.

[a700hitter]

Some observations about the last couple of games: Despite giving up some runs, Bucholz pitched well. In the first inning with the help of an error the Puerto Rican team loaded the bases. Bucholz went 3-0 on Beltran and then beat him on 3 consecutive fastballs-- up and in, down and in and up and away. Del Gado flew out to RF and he K'd Alex Rios on a change up. He threw the fastball for strikes and he was throwing hard. Daniel Bard pitched a 1-2-3 scoreless inning and threw a very high percentage of strikes, which is a very good sign. He threw very hard. The paper said that he was hitting 100. Carter is a major league ready hitter. He crushes everything hard even his singles. He hit a long HR on Thursday. Beckett was throwing hard and throwing strikes. His fastball was high in the zone about half the time, but the batters couldn't get the head of the bat to the ball. He looked good in his 3 innings. Saito threw hard again. He had very good velocity and he kept the ball low in the zone. He appears completely healthy. If he stays that way, he will be a very good pick up. Lars had two more very poor ABs. He hit one loud foul and the ball jumped off his bat, but he has continued to be tentative. I am sure that I will get heat about Lars, but he hasn't looked good this week. Bailey has had a bad week too. He has been fooled quite a bit, but he has been more aggressive than Lars and he has had a few solid hits.

[BoSox21]

Isn't this the first time ever that Lars is even seeing pitching above the AA level?

[riverside sluggers]

Yes it is. But in the minors for facing new pitchers, the biggest jump is going from Single A to Double A

[BoSox21]

True but I still wouldn't find it too alarming that he's only batted .091 thus far

[Dojji]

*shrug* Spring Training. The ultimate small sample size.

[italstallianion]

It's almost as if spring training is some sort of indicator for Lars's success level when he makes his debut in a few years...

[Dojji]

It's almost as if spring training is some sort of indicator for Lars's success level when he makes his debut in a few years...

 

Crazy that, especially when everyone knows it's nothing of the sort.

[riverside sluggers]

Updated ST stats

 

Positional

Yamaico Navarro, 2 for 2 (1.000 avg) Double, 2 RBIs, 2 Runs

Mark Wagner, 3 for 5 (.600 avg) Double, HR, 2 RBIs, 2 Runs, Walk

Jeff Natale, 1 for 2 (.500 avg) Run, Walk

Chris Carter, 10 for 21 (.476 avg) 2 Doubles, HR, 5 RBIs, 4 Runs, 3 Walks, 2 Ks

Nick Green, 9 for 20 (.450 avg) 2 Doubles, 3 RBIs, 5 Runs, 3 Ks

Angel Chavez, 4 for 9 (.444 avg) Double, 2 HRs, 8 RBIs, 4 Runs, Walk

Zach Daeges, 4 for 9 (.444 avg) 2 Doubles, HR, 3 RBIs, 3 Runs, 3 Walks, 2 Ks

J.D. Drew, 3 for 7 (.429 avg) Double, RBI, 3 Runs, 3 Walks, 2 Ks

Che-Hsuan Lin, 3 for 7 (.429 avg) Run, 2 Walks, 2 Ks

Jeff Bailey, 8 for 20 (.400 avg) 3 Doubles, 6 RBIs, 3 Runs, 2 Walks, K

Jed Lowrie, 8 for 21 (.381 avg) 3 Doubles, Triple, 7 RBIs, 4 Runs, 2 Walks, 3 Ks

Julio Lugo, 6 for 16 (.375 avg) 2 RBIs, 3 Runs, Walk, 2 Ks

Josh Reddick, 6 for 16 (.375 avg) Double, RBI, 2 Runs, Walk, 2 Ks

Jacoby Ellsbury, 7 for 21 (.333 avg) 2 Doubles, 2 Triples, 2 RBIs, 3 Runs, Walk, K

Dusty Brown, 2 for 6 (.333 avg) 3 Doubles, RBI, Run, 2 Ks

Carlos Maldonado, 1 for 3 (.333 avg) Run, 2 Walks

Chih-Hsein Chiang, 2 for 7 (.286 avg) Walk

Dustin Pedroia, 6 for 23 (.261 avg) 2 Doubles, 3 RBIs, 3 Runs, 3 Walks, 2 Ks, SB

Kevin Youkilis, 5 for 20 (.250 avg) 2 HRs, 5 RBIs, 6 Runs, 3 Walks, 6 Ks

Jason Bay, 3 for 13 (.231 avg) Double, 2 RBIs, 5 Runs, 7 Walks, 2 Ks

Gil Velazquez, 3 for 13 (.231 avg) Double, 2 RBIs, 3 Runs, 2 Walks

Paul McAnulty, 4 for 19 (.211 avg) Double, HR, 6 RBIs, 2 Runs, Walk, 5 Ks

Brad Wilkerson, 4 for 20 (.200 avg) Double, 3 HRs, 3 RBIs, 5 Runs, 8 Ks

Jonathan Van Every, 3 for 15 (.200 avg) HR, 3 RBIs, 2 Runs, Walk, 6 Ks

Josh Bard, 2 for 11 (.182 avg) HR, 2 RBIs, Run, 2 Walks

Rocco Baldelli, 2 for 10 (.200 avg) RBI, Walk, 2 Ks

George Kottaras, 2 for 10 (.200 avg) HR, 2 RBIs, 3 Runs, Walk, 2 Ks

Ivan Ochoa, 3 for 19 (.158 avg) HR, 2 RBIs, Run, 6 Ks

David Ortiz, 3 for 20 (.150 avg) RBI, 2 Runs, 4 Walks, 2 Ks

Chip Ambres, 2 for 19 (.105 avg) Double, 2 Runs, Walk, 6 Ks

Jason Varitek, 1 for 10 (.100 avg) Double, 4 RBIs, Run, Walk, K

Lars Anderson, 1 for 13 (.077 avg) 3 Runs, 4 Walks, 4 Ks

Argenis Diaz, 1 for 15 (.067 avg) RBI, 2 Walks, 7 Ks

Bubba Bell, 0 for 1, Run, Walk

Zach Borowiak, 0 for 2, K

Jeff Corsaletti, 0 for 2, Run

Ino Guerrero, 0 for 2, Walk, K

Ryan Khoury, 0 for 3, Run, Walk, K

Bryan Pritz, 0 for 1, K

Iggy Suarez, 0 for 2, Run, K

 

Pitchers

Daniel Bard (0.00 ERA)- 5 innings, 3 Hits, 6 Ks

Josh Beckett (0.00 ERA)- 7 innings, 3 Hits, 5 Ks

Manny Delcarmen (0.00 ERA)- 4 innings, 4 Hits, 4 Ks

Felix Doubront (0.00 ERA)- 4 innings, 2 Hits, Walk, 5 Ks

Steve Green (0.00 ERA)- 1 inning

Mike James (0.00 ERA)- 1.1 innings, Hit, 2 Runs (0 ER)

Hunter Jones (1 SV, 0.00 ERA)- 4 innings, Walk, 4 Ks

Jon Lester (0.00 ERA)- 4 innings, 2 Hits, 3 Ks

Justin Masterson (0.00 ERA)- 4 innings, 2 Hits, Walk, K

Jonathan Papelbon (1-0, 0.00 ERA)- 2 innings

Takashi Saito (0.00 ERA)- 3 innings, 2 Hits, Walk, 4 Ks

Junichi Tazawa (1-0, 0.00 ERA)- 4 innings, Walk, 5 Ks

Clay Buchholz (1-0, 1.80 ERA)- 5 innings, 4 Hits, Run, 4 Ks

Devern Hansack (2,14 ERA)- 4.2 innings, 5 Hits, 6 Runs (1 ER), 3 Walks, 5 Ks

Kris Johnson (1-0, 3.00 ERA)- 3 innings, 3 Hits, Run, Walk, 3 Ks

Adam Mills (0-1, 1 SV, 3.60 ERA)- 5 innings, 2 Hits, 2 Runs, 3 Ks

Javier Lopez (4.50 ERA)- 2 innings, 3 Hits, Run, 3 Walks, 2 Ks

Daisuke Matsuzaka (1-0, 4.50 ERA)- 4 innings, 2 Runs, 2 Walks, K

Hideki Okajima (1-0, 4.50 ERA)- 4 innings, 2 Hits, 2 Runs, 2 Walks, 2 Ks

Tim Wakefield (0-2, 5.14 ERA)- 7 innings, 8 Hits, 7 Runs (4 ER), 4 Walks, 3 Ks

Marcus McBeth (8.57 ERA)- 2.1 innings, 3 Hits, 2 Runs, Walk, K

Fernando Cabrera (9.00 ERA)- 2 innings, 4 Hits, 2 Runs, Walk, 2 Ks

Ramon Ramirez (0-1, 9.00 ERA)- 4 innings, 6 Hits, 5 Runs (4 ER), 3 Ks

Billy Traber (9.00 ERA)- 4 innings, 7 Hits, 4 Runs, 2 Walks, 3 Ks

Dustin Richardson (16.36 ERA)- 2.2 innings, Hit, 4 Runs, 4 Walks, 2 Ks

Michael Bowden (19.69 ERA)- 3.2 innings, 10 Hits, 7 Runs, 2 Walks

Wes Littleton (19.69 ERA)- 3.2 innings, 5 Hits, 7 Runs, 3 Walks, 3 Ks

Charlie Zink (0-1, 27.00 ERA)- 2 innings, 4 Hits, 6 Runs, 4 Walks, K

Enrique Gonzalez (33.75 ERA) 1.1 innings, 6 Hits, 6 Runs (5 ER) Walk

Richie Lentz (0-1, 54.00 ERA)- 0.1 inning, Hit, 3 Runs (2 ER), 2 Walks, K

[a700hitter]

True but I still wouldn't find it too alarming that he's only batted .091 thus far

I don't find it alarming either, but his ABs thus far have been very poor and very tentative. He's not ML ready as some thought before the season. Carter is ML ready. Two years ago Ellsbury was much more of a finished product. In fact, when Lowrie was just in A-Ball he was more of a polished hitter in ST camp.

[a700hitter]

If Bucholz continues to spot his fastball well, I would prefer that he get the 5 spot in the rotation and that Wakefield be shipped to the bullpen. I just can't take watching him pitch. As for the knuckleballer Zink,he should never again see Fenway without buying a ticket.

[riverside sluggers]

The Sox FO would be foolish IMO to choose Brad Wilkerson over Chris Carter. He should def be on Boston's bench

[BoSox21]

Both Carter and Bailey are better than Wilkerson

[Dojji]

Offensively, yes. Defensively no. Bailey nor Carter can provide Wilkerson's versatility and neither of them should try playing RF in the Fens..

[BoSox21]

Assuming Ellsbury, Drew, Bay and Baldelli are healthy, Wilkerson shouldn't be anywhere near Fenway. Carter or Bailey on the other hand should make the opening day roster

[Dojji]

You know, and I know, that ther will be times when both the fragile Drew and the medically limited Baldelli won't be available.

 

I suppose they could always stuff Youk in RF occasionally if that's needed.

[BoSox21]

I'm sure there will be, and hopefully Kotsay will be healthy by then

 

who knows, Eric Hinske made the best catch a RF has made at Fenway in years