Sox Breakout Performer

[mvp 78]

Last year, both Xander and Mookie had breakout seasons that exceeded most expectations. Who do you think will have a breakout season in 2016?

[Spudboy]

For position players Swihart.

 

For pitchers? Kelly.

[User Name]

Owens for pitchers, Castillo for position players.

[Bellhorn04]

E-Rod and Swihart.

[Dojji]

Xander Bogaerts has another level that he's capable of. I think he hits 25 HR's this year and plays acceptable to good defense at SS to become a breakout player 2 years in a row. He's the right age, and he's the right kind of talent.

 

I'm really excited to see what Bogaerts is going to do as he gets into his mid 20's and his body finishes filling out. He's got a power hitter's body and a good righthanded swing, and the numbers suggest that his approach is advanced for his age, I think we're just waiting for him to put it all together and see what he can be

Edited February 26, 2016 by Dojji

[cp176]

Brian Johnson

[Spudboy]

Owens for pitchers, Castillo for position players.

 

Is Owens going to be in the rotation to start? If he does shine it will be because one of the stellar starters 2-5 have crapped out or got a boo boo. Maybe you are right!

 

Castillo is closer to the verge of bust than star. If he produces consistently I will be pleased.

 

I only said Kelly because he seemed to figure some things out late last year. He could easily suck balls.

[mvp 78]

Johnson or Owens could earn a spot even if the other pitchers don't piss down their legs.

[Thunder]

Definitely Vazquez. I think he's the next Yadier. Has more potential on the offensive side, which is obviously very rare for a catcher.

[mvp 78]

Definitely Vazquez. I think he's the next Yadier. Has more potential on the offensive side, which is obviously very rare for a catcher.

 

Vazquez has offensive potential? Since when?

 

Personally, I think he gets stashed in AAA and Blake makes the most of his situation. He should end up hitting about .285 with 15 HRs which is great for that position.

[Dojji]

It is great, but it's the eternal question with those two, which is better, to have the best possible offensive catcher playing defense, AKA Swihart, or the best possible defensive catcher playing offense, AKA Vazquez, and which combination of strengths and weaknesses is more likely to hurt you.

 

Personally I feel like the defense guy is your best bet. No position player touches the ball more than the catcher, defensive greatness and defensive flaws are both severely magnified at that position simply due to the number of chances to make a mistake. A mediocre presence in the lineup is worth it for a great presence behing the plate, even though Swihart is also no slouch as a defensive backstop

 

I'd rate Swihart to a below average catcher with above average potential defensively, and the capability to hit very well for his position, and compare that to Vazquez who can probably clear replacement level in a good year offensively, but is a generational defensive talent. Frankly the team could do a lot worse than letting CV win the catching job and moving Swihart to one of the 4 corners.

Edited February 27, 2016 by Dojji

[a700hitter]

Vazquez has offensive potential? Since when?

 

Personally, I think he gets stashed in AAA and Blake makes the most of his situation. He should end up hitting about .285 with 15 HRs which is great for that position.

I don't know what kind of hitter Vasquez will become or how our scouts are projecting him as a hitter, but I was impressed that right out of the box he was not overwhelmed by big league pitching and he put the ball in play at a very high rate and much of it was good contact. I like young hitters that don't strike out a lot. To me it shows that they are not playing out of their class. Whether that ability to put the ball in play translates to good offensive production remains to be seen. These are my recollections of a small sample size that are more than a year old. It is possible that the stats say something else.

[SoxHop]

I think Swihart will crush it offensively. He is also extremely athletic and I believe his catching will get much better than it was last year.

 

He only started catching while with the Sox organization and last year was his fourth year of catching. He's going to going to get much better I believe.

 

If Vasquez does end up being the better choice of the two. Swihart as a catcher will bring better value in trade than having him in another position on the Sox.

 

Watching what happens with these two this year is going to be fun no matter what.

[User Name]

With how thin the catcher position is throughout the Majors, having two young, highly projectable C's in the organization battling out for playing time is a luxury no one else in the league can really claim to have.

[Kimmi]

It is great, but it's the eternal question with those two, which is better, to have the best possible offensive catcher playing defense, AKA Swihart, or the best possible defensive catcher playing offense, AKA Vazquez, and which combination of strengths and weaknesses is more likely to hurt you.

 

Personally I feel like the defense guy is your best bet. No position player touches the ball more than the catcher, defensive greatness and defensive flaws are both severely magnified at that position simply due to the number of chances to make a mistake. A mediocre presence in the lineup is worth it for a great presence behing the plate, even though Swihart is also no slouch as a defensive backstop

 

I'd rate Swihart to a below average catcher with above average potential defensively, and the capability to hit very well for his position, and compare that to Vazquez who can probably clear replacement level in a good year offensively, but is a generational defensive talent. Frankly the team could do a lot worse than letting CV win the catching job and moving Swihart to one of the 4 corners.

 

I agree that the defensive guy is your best bet at catcher. I think Vazquez will start in AAA just because he's still recovering from TJ surgery, but I think he'll become our permanent starting catcher by June. This is not any knock against Swihart. I just think that Vazquez' defense is that good and that important.

[Kimmi]

As far as who the Sox break performer will be, I think that the "breakouts" are going to come from Mookie and Xander building off of last season, and Pedroia and Price doing their veteran things.

 

Also, I see significant improvements from the trio that stunk last year, Porcello, Hanley, and Pablo. Keep in mind that a significant improvement from a -2 WAR does not mean that Hanley and Pablo will be all stars, but rather 2-3 WAR players.

[Spudboy]

"War. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing! Say it again."

[cp176]

Sticking with brian johnson on this one if he gets a chance.

[Thunder]

I hate to be one of those guys, but didn't E-Rod kinda sorta have his breakout over the last couple months of last year? Aren't we just expecting that from him know? I don't think a good year from him should be considered a breakout. It should be considered as meeting expectations.

[Spudboy]

Bu everyone knows E-Rod needs to improve. And most people expect him too.

[Northern Star]

Bu everyone knows E-Rod needs to improve. And most people expect him too.

 

I'm very much believe it when I see it in most things when it comes to sports.