2016 Prospects Thread

[moonslav59]

Good read on Benintendi....

 

http://news.soxprospects.com/2016/07/the-write-up-andrew-benintendi.html

[Kimmi]

I'm just not sure if it's worth it this year. I get it that it's Papi's last season and they want to give him a bunch of October at bats. However, I just don't think this rotation is good enough right now to rush anyone.

 

I don't necessarily agree with rushing him up, but the FO is operating under a sense of urgency. All I'm saying is that I can see them doing it.

[Kimmi]

WOW! Thanks, Ben!

 

This makes me happy.

[mvp 78]

I don't necessarily agree with rushing him up, but the FO is operating under a sense of urgency. All I'm saying is that I can see them doing it.

 

If they were, they'd have supplemented the pitching staff by now imo.

[mvp 78]

This makes me happy.

 

Ben's legacy is definitely a mixed bag. Some great stuff. Some horrible stuff.

[mvp 78]

@kburke90 19 pitches, 10 strikes in the first inning for Michael Kopech. 18 of 19 pitches were fastballs sitting 98-100.

[cp176]

I get the fact that it is not a good idea to rush prospects. As good as Benintendi might wind up being, I can't wait to see what the Sox plan is for Moncada. His physical attributes combined with his baseball ability could be something very special. Size, strength, talent, and overall fitness.

[moonslav59]

Ben's legacy is definitely a mixed bag. Some great stuff. Some horrible stuff.

 

True enough. His biggest weak area was FA signings. Even the ones that "worked" ended up having issues: Vic, Naps, Dempster...But, if you look at how many FA signings fail, maybe it should be viewed a little more in context.

[Bellhorn04]

True enough. His biggest weak area was FA signings. Even the ones that "worked" ended up having issues: Vic, Naps, Dempster...But, if you look at how many FA signings fail, maybe it should be viewed a little more in context.

 

I think his biggest weak area was constructing a pitching staff.

[mvp 78]

True enough. His biggest weak area was FA signings. Even the ones that "worked" ended up having issues: Vic, Naps, Dempster...But, if you look at how many FA signings fail, maybe it should be viewed a little more in context.

 

Victorino, Napoli and Dempster were brought in as short term replacements to keep the team competitive while the players of tomorrow developed. It worked splendidly. He gets all the credit in the world for creating the 2013 roster.

[Kimmi]

Ben's legacy is definitely a mixed bag. Some great stuff. Some horrible stuff.

 

Contrary to what other's have posted, I have never said that Ben is without fault. Only that he does not get the credit he deserves and that he gets far more blame than he deserves.

[moonslav59]

I think his biggest weak area was constructing a pitching staff.

 

Good point. The Lester fiasco was right up there with the worst of the worst

 

I, personally, thought the Dempster signing was poor, since it attempted to rebuild the rotation from the bottom or middle not the top. I was also against the Peavy trade for similar reasons, plus my love of spectacular SS defense Hanrahan, Bailey amd others did not work out, but injuries are hard to pin on the GM.

 

Ultimately, right or wrong, GMs are judged in hindsight. They are supposed to be able to know who s about to be injured or begin a steep decline. He did make a few good moves (Uehara was best) and choices (saying no to Salty and others), but he sure did build up our farm, and we will be grateful for that for many years to come.

[moonslav59]

Victorino, Napoli and Dempster were brought in as short term replacements to keep the team competitive while the players of tomorrow developed. It worked splendidly. He gets all the credit in the world for creating the 2013 roster.

 

It worked "splendidly", as you said, and I pointed out that too, but we paid for 3 years of Vic and got one 3/4 season just in the nick of time. Dempster gave us a great present by retiring. I loved Napoli, and defended him through all his slumps, and the first signing was clearly a great one, but the second one-maybe not. Those were the "issues" I was referring to. There was also the "mixed bag" of signing Drew.

 

(Note: I give Theo a lot of credit for the 2013 roster as well.)

[Jack Flap]

Another midseason list out (Baseball America):

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/midseason-top-100-prospects/#cKr0jobAy0UpdrUk.97

 

#1 Moncada

#9 Benintendi

#15 Espinoza

#41 Devers

#93 Kopech

[mvp 78]

Margot is 39

Guerra is 87 "Guerra’s 2016 season has been a disaster. He’s still ranked solely on the memory of the power and defense he showed in 2015."

[Hugh2]

WOW! Thanks, Ben!

 

Earlier in the year it seemed as if BP was more down on Devers and Espinoza than most other scouting organizations. Now it's as if they are more high on them than anyone else. That could have been 5 guys in the top 24, and while I still think the Kimbrel trade was an overpay I think it was worth it (hard to type after the injury but it was) and Benintendi's rise made Margot expendable.

[moonslav59]

Most people know my views on the Kimbrel trade, so I don't want to open up that old can of worms. I realize Margot was "expendable" due to the presence of Benintendi (and maybe even Moncada possibly moving to the OF), but some of us suggested expanding the package to involve Swihart and/or Devers to get a SP'er not a closer.

 

Giving up so many prospects for a closer is something I think should be avoided. The fact that Kimbrel was being paid almost as much as an open market free agent was just too much for me to support.

 

I'm not going to use Kimbrel's injury to make any points. It's an unforeseen event. Getting Kimbrel certainly improved our odds on winning this year, and despite his struggles this year, he has helped us a lot so far. I hope he comes back int ime for the playoffs, but I'm not holding my breath.

[a700hitter]

Most people know my views on the Kimbrel trade, so I don't want to open up that old can of worms. I realize Margot was "expendable" due to the presence of Benintendi (and maybe even Moncada possibly moving to the OF), but some of us suggested expanding the package to involve Swihart and/or Devers to get a SP'er not a closer.

 

Giving up so many prospects for a closer is something I think should be avoided. The fact that Kimbrel was being paid almost as much as an open market free agent was just too much for me to support.

 

I'm not going to use Kimbrel's injury to make any points. It's an unforeseen event. Getting Kimbrel certainly improved our odds on winning this year, and despite his struggles this year, he has helped us a lot so far. I hope he comes back int ime for the playoffs, but I'm not holding my breath.

Worms everywhere.

[Bellhorn04]

Lol

[Kimmi]

Most people know my views on the Kimbrel trade, so I don't want to open up that old can of worms. I realize Margot was "expendable" due to the presence of Benintendi (and maybe even Moncada possibly moving to the OF), but some of us suggested expanding the package to involve Swihart and/or Devers to get a SP'er not a closer.

 

Giving up so many prospects for a closer is something I think should be avoided. The fact that Kimbrel was being paid almost as much as an open market free agent was just too much for me to support.

 

I'm not going to use Kimbrel's injury to make any points. It's an unforeseen event. Getting Kimbrel certainly improved our odds on winning this year, and despite his struggles this year, he has helped us a lot so far. I hope he comes back int ime for the playoffs, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

100% spot on.

[Bellhorn04]

Nice job not re-opening the can of worms, moon.

[Kimmi]

Nice job not re-opening the can of worms, moon.

 

LOL It's what we do here.

 

Because the first 100 times we argued a point were not enough.

[moonslav59]

LOL It's what we do here.

 

Because the first 100 times we argued a point were not enough.

 

Like the GIECO commercial. If your a moonslav, it's what you do.

 

LOL

[Hugh2]

Yoan Moncada was the futures game MVP yesterday. It's going to be great seeing Moncada/Benintendi/Betts/Bogaerts in the same lineup.

[Kimmi]

Yoan Moncada was the futures game MVP yesterday. It's going to be great seeing Moncada/Benintendi/Betts/Bogaerts in the same lineup.

 

"Yoan Moncada hitting third for World Team, Andrew Benintendi leading off for Team USA. Somewhere, Ben Cherington smirks, sips a whiskey."

 

To all, Ben says you're welcome.

[Jack Flap]

Yoan Moncada was the futures game MVP yesterday. It's going to be great seeing Moncada/Benintendi/Betts/Bogaerts in the same lineup.

 

Is JBJ going somewhere?

[mvp 78]

"Yoan Moncada hitting third for World Team, Andrew Benintendi leading off for Team USA. Somewhere, Ben Cherington smirks, sips a whiskey."

 

To all, Ben says you're welcome.

 

Well, thanks to Ben and the international signings after Moncada, we can't get Moncada part 2 if we tried right now.

[mvp 78]

Is JBJ going somewhere?

 

No, but Benintendi is being traded for Teheran per the Herald.

[Hugh2]

Is JBJ going somewhere?

 

No he's not, I suppose we should include him in there as well.

[Hugh2]

Well, thanks to Ben and the international signings after Moncada, we can't get Moncada part 2 if we tried right now.

 

Well we wouldn't of and shouldn't have anyways. We can jump back into the international market again next year and unless MLB comes out with an international draft I suspect the Sox to be very active.