2017 Spring Training Thread - Everything Sox ST

[S5Dewey]

Tidbits from Spring Training that you may - or may not - know:

 

Sandoval began the year 1-6 but has gone 9-21 since with 3 XBH's. IMO he's lookoing like the Sandval the Sox signed.

 

Going into today's game Joe Kelly had faced 2 batters over the minimum over his last 9.2 Ip going back into last season. During that span his opponents are hitting .069 with 0 XBH's.

 

This Sox are 33-5 in games when JBJ homers, going back to July of last year.

 

Benintendi began the spring 0-8 but he's 11-22 with a 1.000 SLG over his past 7 games.

 

Brian Johnson and Henry Owens have been optioned to Pawtucket today.

 

Devers, Junior Lake and Jordan Procyshen were reassigned to minor league camp.

 

Bogaerts has started all five games for the Netherlands - at third base.

 

Steve Selski got a timely 2-run scoring double in the 8th today to drive in what turned out to be the winning run. IMO he'll be the first OF called up from Pawtucket if someone is needed - ahead of Castillo.

[S5Dewey]

Still early, but if Craig did find his swing it gives the Sox some options. I think he has a better chance of making back to the Show then Castillo does.

 

IMO his biggest problem with making the Sox roster will be the LT issue. However, he could be good trade bait to help rebuild the farm system.

[Kimmi]

Tidbits from Spring Training that you may - or may not - know:

 

Sandoval began the year 1-6 but has gone 9-21 since with 3 XBH's. IMO he's lookoing like the Sandval the Sox signed.

 

Going into today's game Joe Kelly had faced 2 batters over the minimum over his last 9.2 Ip going back into last season. During that span his opponents are hitting .069 with 0 XBH's.

 

This Sox are 33-5 in games when JBJ homers, going back to July of last year.

 

Benintendi began the spring 0-8 but he's 11-22 with a 1.000 SLG over his past 7 games.

 

Brian Johnson and Henry Owens have been optioned to Pawtucket today.

 

Devers, Junior Lake and Jordan Procyshen were reassigned to minor league camp.

 

Bogaerts has started all five games for the Netherlands - at third base.

 

Steve Selski got a timely 2-run scoring double in the 8th today to drive in what turned out to be the winning run. IMO he'll be the first OF called up from Pawtucket if someone is needed - ahead of Castillo.

 

Good stuff S5. Thanks for posting.

[notin]

Selksy is 27 years old (28 in July)and has 54 MLB plate appearances in his career. I don't think he is a trade commodity and not someone we can deal if the goal is to rebuild the farm.

 

He probably is first outfielder up since the only other minor league outfielder on the 40 man roster is Bryce Brentz. ..

[Nick]

Craig is owed $11M this year. I just don't see him beinv a viable option.

[Bellhorn04]

Craig is owed $11M this year. I just don't see him beinv a viable option.

 

Who knows what will happen over a long season though.

[notin]

Craig is owed $11M this year. I just don't see him beinv a viable option.

 

True, but his AAV is what maters, not his salary. As he signed a 5 year $31mill, deal, his AAV is $6.2mill/

 

I could see him getting called up if the Sox need an outfielder/1B/RHH at some point...

[S5Dewey]

Selksy is 27 years old (28 in July)and has 54 MLB plate appearances in his career. I don't think he is a trade commodity and not someone we can deal if the goal is to rebuild the farm.

 

He probably is first outfielder up since the only other minor league outfielder on the 40 man roster is Bryce Brentz. ..

 

IMO the two best outfielders we will have in the minors are Selsky and Castillo (assuming that neither of them make the 25).

Selsky will be called up before Castillo because of the LT implications of adding Castillo to the 40 - which could be done with two strokes of a pen but would be expensive in terms of LT.

[S5Dewey]

Selksy is 27 years old (28 in July)and has 54 MLB plate appearances in his career. I don't think he is a trade commodity and not someone we can deal if the goal is to rebuild the farm.

 

He probably is first outfielder up since the only other minor league outfielder on the 40 man roster is Bryce Brentz. ..

 

IMO the two best outfielders we will have in the minors are Selsky and Castillo (assuming that neither of them make the 25).

Selsky will be called up before Castillo because of the LT implications of adding Castillo to the 40 - which could be done with two strokes of a pen but would be expensive in terms of LT.

[notin]

It may be time to trade him, before this problem becomes completely exposed.

 

1. If WE know about it, it already is exposed.

 

2. This is old news.

[notin]

IMO the two best outfielders we will have in the minors are Selsky and Castillo (assuming that neither of them make the 25).

Selsky will be called up before Castillo because of the LT implications of adding Castillo to the 40 - which could be done with two strokes of a pen but would be expensive in terms of LT.

 

I actually think Craig has a better chance than Castillo, hit luxury tax hit isn't nearly as significant. And, unlike Castillo, Craig has had success at the MLB level. ..

[S5Dewey]

I actually think Craig has a better chance than Castillo, hit luxury tax hit isn't nearly as significant. And, unlike Castillo, Craig has had success at the MLB level. ..

 

And getting back to what I said originally, Selsky may have the best chance of any of them of getting called up if we need an OF'er. In spite of numerous opportunities Craig hasn't had "success" at the ML level since 2013.

 

BTW, Selsky's father was a part of the first-ever ML Draft.

[notin]

And getting back to what I said originally, Selsky may have the best chance of any of them of getting called up if we need an OF'er. In spite of numerous opportunities Craig hasn't had "success" at the ML level since 2013.

 

BTW, Selsky's father was a part of the first-ever ML Draft.

 

Selsky would likely be first. The only other option right now is Brentz.

 

But if Selsky is hurt or already up, Craig is far more likely than Castillo, since Craig's AAV really isn't so bad. It's in line with other backup outfielders like Chris Young or Johnny Gomes.

[Kimmi]

Selsky would likely be first. The only other option right now is Brentz.

 

But if Selsky is hurt or already up, Craig is far more likely than Castillo, since Craig's AAV really isn't so bad. It's in line with other backup outfielders like Chris Young or Johnny Gomes.

 

Besides the luxury tax issue, Farrell seems to be really high on Selsky.

 

Things would have to be going terribly wrong in terms of OF health and/or production in order for Castillo to have any chance.

[bosoxmal]

Did anyone notice Kyle Kendriks' stats today? Did anyone happen to be there asnd answere the question: was he as good as the stats?

[S5Dewey]

Did anyone notice Kyle Kendriks' stats today? Did anyone happen to be there asnd answere the question: was he as good as the stats?

 

Yeah. He was surprisingly good IMO. He had good command of his pitches and appeared to be in control of every AB. He's been inconsistent in that he's had some outings when he stunk the place up and others -like on Tuesday - when he looked very good.

 

I don't put a lot of stock in bad ST outings because I don't know what's going on with the pitcher. Is he trying out a new pitch he learned in the off-season? Or has he just plain lost the ability to pitch effectively?

 

We'll learn more as ST goes on, but this strong outing gives reason for optimism.

[notin]

Kendricks stands a decent chance of being completely rocked in AAA and pitching himself out of the picture altogether. His history as a starter in the NL doesn't lend anyone to believe that a couple spring training outings have morphed him into a reliable sixth or seventh starter in the AL...

[a700hitter]

Yeah. He was surprisingly good IMO. He had good command of his pitches and appeared to be in control of every AB. He's been inconsistent in that he's had some outings when he stunk the place up and others -like on Tuesday - when he looked very good.

 

I don't put a lot of stock in bad ST outings because I don't know what's going on with the pitcher. Is he trying out a new pitch he learned in the off-season? Or has he just plain lost the ability to pitch effectively?

 

We'll learn more as ST goes on, but this strong outing gives reason for optimism.

I was also wondering about whether he had come up with a new pitch. A few years ago, Rich Hill started spinning his curve ball more and it made a big difference. I haven't read anything about him working on a new pitch. Some of his success has been due to pitching against nonstarters -- weak lineups.

[cp176]

Kendricks stands a decent chance of being completely rocked in AAA and pitching himself out of the picture altogether. His history as a starter in the NL doesn't lend anyone to believe that a couple spring training outings have morphed him into a reliable sixth or seventh starter in the AL...

 

Hopefully no one so far has confused him with someone better than he is but the story is still a good one. There will be a need for another starter and of the perspective candidates looks like he is starting to stand out. It is a good thing.

[mvp 78]

From the Globe:

Kendrick attributes his success to improved health. He has pitched with shoulder pain in recent seasons but worked on that over the winter with a new stretching and workout program.

 

From the Herald:

He also is bringing back the curveball, a pitch that didn’t play well at Coors Field.

[moonslav59]

Kendrick stands a decent chance of being completely rocked in AAA and pitching himself out of the picture altogether. His history as a starter in the NL doesn't lend anyone to believe that a couple spring training outings have morphed him into a reliable sixth or seventh starter in the AL...

 

I agree that we should not get our hopes up too much, but Kendrick has started 4 games not a couple. I think Sox fans are looking for someone to step up and secure the 7th starter slot. Certainly Kendrick does not instill confidence in me that we have found our 7th starter, and maybe because everyone else competing for that slot has sucked, it raises Kendrick up higher on a pedestal.

 

15.95 Owens in 3 starts

9.00 Velazquez in 2 starts

5.40 Johnson in 1 start.

 

Only Elias looks to be doing well, so far in limited action (3.60 in 1 start & 5 IP total in 3 games).

 

These are all very small sample sizes against questionable batters.

 

Time will tell.

 

[moonslav59]

Small sample size alert and this is ST'ing not regular season, but it's nice to see 13 of our players with 18 or more ABs and an OPS over .800:

 

ABs Player OPS

33 Pablo .818

31 Beni 1.126

31 Hernandez 1.041

28 HanRam .965

28 Travis 1.174

26 Selsky .905

24 Betts .954

23 Castillo 1.154

23 Young .940

22 Moreland .907

22 Swihart .809

18 Pedroia .844

 

Not doing too badly:

.759 Marrero

.747 JBJ

.733 Craig

 

Others:

.345 Devers

.458 Brentz (doing his best to get DFA'd- out of options)

.500 Bogusevic

.539 Dominguez

.667 Holt

 

.343 Leon in 14 ABs

.498 Vazquez in 17 ABs

.618 Rutledge in 16 ABs

1.000 Bogey in 6 ABs

 

 

 

 

 

[Kimmi]

Or maybe Bannister will be able to revive his career much like he helped revive Rich Hill's?

 

I'm not expecting miracles, but Kendrick has worked his way to the top of the depth chart.

[Nick]

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/survivor/images/e/e1/S20_Stephenie_LaGrossa.jpg/revision/latest%3Fcb%3D20120617040515&imgrefurl=http://survivor.wikia.com/wiki/Stephenie_LaGrossa&h=1200&w=800&tbnid=ufoAjEmNsJhBYM:&vet=1&tbnh=186&tbnw=124&docid=SSH_deko7v6wgM&itg=1&usg=__p1u3qFyGTSoG7PMUJ5m8yKyRnGs=&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwioz4OnntzSAhXk64MKHTQSBu4Q_B0IcTAK&ei=lyfLWOinJOTXjwS0pJjwDg#h=1200&imgrc=ufoAjEmNsJhBYM:&tbnh=186&tbnw=124&vet=1&w=800

 

Meet Kyle's wife, Stephenie LaGrossa......

[S5Dewey]

Just a couple of comments on Thursday night's game...

 

When's the last time you saw a game with three triples in it?

 

Two great catches in the OF last night - the over-the-shoulder one at the 420 mark by Young and the one Beni made in LF after turning himself around (twice?). Could this be the best 4-man OF in baseball?

 

Also, after the first two strikes I gave Lin Ze-freakin-row chance of even making contact with the ball in the 8th and then he ended up coming through by just getting the bat in the way of the ball. It just proves that making contact is usually better than a K.

[Kimmi]

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/survivor/images/e/e1/S20_Stephenie_LaGrossa.jpg/revision/latest%3Fcb%3D20120617040515&imgrefurl=http://survivor.wikia.com/wiki/Stephenie_LaGrossa&h=1200&w=800&tbnid=ufoAjEmNsJhBYM:&vet=1&tbnh=186&tbnw=124&docid=SSH_deko7v6wgM&itg=1&usg=__p1u3qFyGTSoG7PMUJ5m8yKyRnGs=&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwioz4OnntzSAhXk64MKHTQSBu4Q_B0IcTAK&ei=lyfLWOinJOTXjwS0pJjwDg#h=1200&imgrc=ufoAjEmNsJhBYM:&tbnh=186&tbnw=124&vet=1&w=800

 

Meet Kyle's wife, Stephenie LaGrossa......

 

Meh {yawn}

[notin]

Small sample size alert and this is ST'ing not regular season, but it's nice to see 13 of our players with 18 or more ABs and an OPS over .800:

 

ABs Player OPS

33 Pablo .818

31 Beni 1.126

31 Hernandez 1.041

28 HanRam .965

28 Travis 1.174

26 Selsky .905

24 Betts .954

23 Castillo 1.154

23 Young .940

22 Moreland .907

22 Swihart .809

18 Pedroia .844

 

Not doing too badly:

.759 Marrero

.747 JBJ

.733 Craig

 

Others:

.345 Devers

.458 Brentz (doing his best to get DFA'd- out of options)

.500 Bogusevic

.539 Dominguez

.667 Holt

 

.343 Leon in 14 ABs

.498 Vazquez in 17 ABs

.618 Rutledge in 16 ABs

1.000 Bogey in 6 ABs

 

 

 

 

 

 

I put zero faith in ST at bats.

 

But clearly this March's winner of the Jeff Bailey Award - given to the player who excels in spring training to the point where fans argue he NEEDS to make the opening day roster - might go to Steve Selsky...

[notin]

From the Globe:

Kendrick attributes his success to improved health. He has pitched with shoulder pain in recent seasons but worked on that over the winter with a new stretching and workout program.

 

From the Herald:

He also is bringing back the curveball, a pitch that didn’t play well at Coors Field.

 

While Kendrick doesn't thrill me, hopefully he can do better than he did in Philadelphia. ..

[bosoxmal]

When do you think the bosses will wake up to the fact that Swihart can hit? After he's playing LF for the Rays and hitting .325?

[Fisk]

When do you think the bosses will wake up to the fact that Swihart can hit? After he's playing LF for the Rays and hitting .325?

 

I think they have already woken up to it, waiting for his defense to catch up to his bat.