2010 Prospect Updates

[Yaz Sideburn]

i missed this piece of news last week, but jose iglesias the star cuban shortstop who we signed in the offseason hit off a tee last week and could return in the next 2-3 weeks. he's a wizard with the glove and he hit .306/.340/.408 in his introduction to the minors at aa earlier this year. could provide bench depth on the 40-man roster in september

[jacksonianmarch]

I'm still not convinced that his bat will play out as a solid big league bat, but he'll be worlds better than Scutaro defensively. I bet that even if Iglesias turns into the prototypical SS (minus hit, good speed, great glove) that he'd be worth more than Scutaro. And you have to like Epstein's signing of Scutaro now that Pedey is hurt. Mostly because having a rotating door at both middle infield spots would be death. The Scutaro acquisition is a good one in the long run. It gives the sox 2 yrs to get Iglesias ready and allows the sox to get some offense in the post Manny-Papi era.

[Spudboy]

I think it's way too early to accurately project Iglesias's ability to hit in the majors. He's really young and playing his first full year of "pro" ball in AA. Maybe not the best place for that to happen.

 

I've seen him play twice. Not that I'm a really good judge of these things. But he has a quick bat. He needs to work on plate discipline and contact. No surprise there. If he can learn to slap the ball into the gaps he'll really be fun to watch. Maybe he won't ever become an elite offensive player. I'll take something about as good as Scutaro and be satisfied. Combined with his great glove, he'll be the best Sox SS since Rico Petrocelli. But who really know at this point? The hand injury has not helped.

 

I was against signing Scutaro. I would have preferred keeping Gonzalez at a negotiated lower figure. The Sox wanted OBP at the position. I have to say that I'm very pleased by Scutaro's performance to date. He has a weak (accurate, not strong) arm but gets to most balls and makes the play. Plus he gets on base reasonably well. I just worry about his neck. Will he last through the end of this season? Will he need an operation?

[jacksonianmarch]

Spud, if Iglesias can hit .250/.300/.350 in the bigs, then he'll be worth almost twice as much as Scutaro. His glove is special. His range is special. His accuracy with his arm and his arm strength is solid. Getting compared to Ozzie Smith defensively by multiple scouts is impressive. I doubt his bat is able to get to MLB average, but it doesnt need to.

[Yaz Sideburn]

in every league that iglesias has ever played in, he's hit. he doesn't have much power, but he can hit for average

[Spudboy]

Spud' date=' if Iglesias can hit .250/.300/.350 in the bigs, then he'll be worth almost twice as much as Scutaro. His glove is special. His range is special. His accuracy with his arm and his arm strength is solid. Getting compared to Ozzie Smith defensively by multiple scouts is impressive. I doubt his bat is able to get to MLB average, but it doesnt need to.[/quote']

 

Which is kind of what I said. Or meant to say. By the way, he needs to continue to work on his footwork and throws to first. He's a little sloppy from what I saw.

[Palodios]

Well, saying that he's " the best SS since the 1960s" is a bit misleading.

[Spudboy]

Well' date=' saying that he's " the best SS since the 1960s" is a bit misleading.[/quote']

 

Who said that?

[Yaz Sideburn]

all he'd have to do to provide average offense for a shortstop would be to have an ops a hair above .700. if he could do that, with his defense he'd be one of the better shortstops in baseball

[Palodios]

Combined with his great glove' date=' he'll be the best Sox SS since Rico Petrocelli. But who really know at this point??[/quote']

 

Wasn't around back then, but Petrocelli did play in the 60s, right? I missed some details in my quote, but I assumed you would have known what I meant.

[Spudboy]

Petrocelli played for the Sox 1965-1976. I was there.

 

I don't see how my post could be seen as "misleading" since I stated that I am not the best judge of these things and stated opinion, not fact. Just speculation by a fan. Nothing more.

[Palodios]

No offense intended. "Best Sox SS" could imply things about his offense--which I don't think you meant-- which is why its misleading.

[Yaz Sideburn]

in 2007, orlanda cabrera was the 5th best defensive shortstop in mlb and he had an ops of .742. that was good for a war of 4.2. i think that's the kind of production iglesias could be providing in a couple years and he'd still only be 22 then so who knows what kind of a ceiling he could have

[Spudboy]

It's all speculation. But no one says anything negative about the Kid. And he is learning English, works hard, and is very coachable.

[Yaz Sideburn]

21 year old 1b anthony rizzo has hit .365/.404/.750 this month with 5 home runs and 20 rbi

 

20 year old ss jose iglesias has hit .333/.442/.444 since coming back from injury

[Yaz Sideburn]

reddick has been called up after hitting .351/.372/.627 since the all-star break at aaa. he's only 23 and could be an important part of a trade this offseason if the red sox are happy with what they have in kalish