Zenny

I haven't heard of any reported set-backs. He should return in about two weeks, give or take.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform...oard.aspx?date= After the game is done, they post the box score and a log of the game, out by out.

Royal Rooters' Interview with Shoppach: I'm very excited about his future in this franchise.

Zink's knuckleballs have been quality, but he hasn't been consistent with his command of it. About 50-75% of them have been big-league quality knuckleballs, but when they aren't, that's when he walks guys or leaves a duck over the plate. One thing that I question about Zink is his competitive drive. He wanted to be an artist before Luis Tiant basically forced him to become a big-league pitcher. He may not be striving to be all he can be as a knuckler.

Oh Jesus. I can't believe that we are going to be swept by the Rockies. THE F'IN ROCKIES!!!!!

Manny's been K'ing people left and right, but he has yet to be consistent with location and pitch selection. Some of that is the product of the catcher he's working with, but the command is something that should return soon enough. I'd say he has #2 starter upside, but it's more likely that he'll be a #3 or so.

Is he really this good? We're talking 20 game winners. I think this might be too much optimism for a pitcher with mediocre stuff. No, it's really not over-exaggerating. The only thing "mediocre" is the speed on his fastball. He controls the fastball amazingly well, has a superb changeup (a 70 on the 20 to 80 scouting scale) and a great, and still developing, curveball. Once people get past the fact that he throws 88, they'll find the 20 game winner under there.

Well, Theo has stated that he has no problem calling up a talented player from AA is necessary, so I think the hints have been dropped.

I love Trot. Dirt Dog for life.

At the big-league level, he'll fall somewhere between Tom Glavine and Jamie Moyer. That's great company to be in. The hat and the hair are really going to piss people off, but don't let it fool you. He's a hard worker, mature and very focused.

I LOVE TROT NIXON!!!!!

Shopp went 1-4 with a R, 2B and 2 K's tonight. Daily Season Line Update: .242/.332/.421/.753; .37 (25/67) BB/K; 10 2B, 8 HR, 33 RBI, 31 R.

Thanks, I forgot about that part.

www.sportsnetwork.com- Go to minor league baseball, then the Eastern League. He just had a start not too long ago. www.soxprospects.com www.baseballamerica.com There's a start. The more you look around to find stuff, the more you'll find.

Kelly Shoppach Born: March 29, 1980; Fort Worth, Texas Height: 5' 11" Weight: 210 Bats: Right; Throws: Right Acquired: Drafted in 2nd round, 2001 out of Baylor University Shopp is an amazing defensive catcher and game-caller. Scouts are amazed by his skills behind the and especially by his strong arm and natural throwing ability. He's also a hard-worker and is constantly studying himself and opponents to improve his hitting and the pitching staff he has to handle. On the offensive side, Shoppach walks a good deal and that should translate into a big-league OBP .100 points higher than his BA. He also has good power to all fields and should hit 20-25 homeruns at the big league level with a .450-.525 SLG% every year. He does have the tendency to strikeout, but it doesn't hamper his ability to make contact or drive the ball. Estimated annual big league stats: .275/.400/.500/.900; 35 doubles, 25 homers, 85 RBI. ETA: September call-up 2004, ready to start in 2005 Current stats at AAA Pawtucket: .242/.333/.419/.752; .38 (25/65) BB/K ratio; 9 2B, 8 HR, 33 RBI, 30 R. Shopp had been awful up until mid-May, but his bat woke up and he began to take more pitches and adjust to the more advanced pitching. He has done several interviews where he stated that it is the first time in his career that he's actually had to make adjustments, but he is successfully doing so. He's hitting well over .300 in June and shows no signs of slowing down. His walk rate has tripled since the beginning of the season and he should finish somewhere near the estimated big-league stats above. Shopp is the reason that Jason Varitek is expendible. He does everything Varitek does, will provide superior defense right from the get-go and has better long-term offensive upside. Not to mention the fact that he will cost 3% of what Varitek will make next season. It is time to make way for the future of this franchise and Kelly Shoppach should be a huge part of it.

Sounds good. I call Kelly Shoppach. I'll start a thread on him right now. Good idea.

Basketball is over. The Lakers lost the championship. Trot is back playing tonight. It's a good day in a Boston sports fan's life.

Nope, he's still nursing his wrist injury, but his return should come soon. Maybe in the next week or two.

My favorite prospect is definitely Kelly Shoppach. He calls a great game, he's superb defensively and scouts say he has the best throwing arm and release point they have ever seen in a catcher. Offensively, he had a hard time making contact, but has adjusted, and is hitting well over .300 this June and his season OBP is .100 points higher than his BA. He has shown a lot of power (8 doubles and dingers) and, of late, he isn't chasing the bad pitches and is adjusting to AAA pitching. He's also second to only Adam Hyzdu on Pawtucket in walks. At the big league level, I see him hitting .275/.400/.500/.900 with 20-25 homers, 30-35 doubles and 75-100 RBI year in and year out with Gold Glove defense and all of the trust of the pitching staff that 'Tek is known for. Shopp makes 'Tek expendable when we have a cheaper replacement who is 8 years younger with superior defense right out of the box and more offensive upside over the long-haul. Boras can have his golden-boy catcher go play for someone else; I think the future needs a place in this franchise. I also like Abe Alvarez, Matt Murton and Jon Papelbon a lot. Jeremy West, Jon Lester and Youk are up there on my personal list as well.

Here's a list of the Red Sox top prospects, the levels they are currently at, their upside and ETA: Boston Kevin Youkilis- 3B- ETA: Now, Upside: Wade Boggs Anastacio Martinez- RHP- ETA: Now, Upside: Guillermo Mota Pawtucket Kelly Shoppach- C- ETA: late '04/'05, Upside: Jason Varitek Portland Abe Alvarez- LHP- ETA: '05, Upside: Tom Glavine Chris Smith- RHP- ETA: late '05/'06, Upside: John Thomson Charlie Zink- RHP- ETA: '06, Upside: Tim Wakefield* Juan Perez- LHP- ETA: late '05, Upside: Damaso Marte Sarasota Matt Murton- LF- ETA: late '05/'06, Upside: Pat Burrell Jeremy West- 1B- ETA: late '05/'06, Upside: Mike Sweeney Hanley Ramirez- SS- ETA: '07, Upside: Edgar Renteria Jon Lester- LHP- ETA: '07, Upside: Randy Wolf Jon Papelbon- RHP- ETA: late '05/'06, Upside: Brad Penny Chad Spann- 3B- ETA: '07, Upside: Sean Burroughs David Murphy- CF/RF- ETA: '06, Upside: Unknown** Manny Delcarmen- RHP- ETA: '07, Upside: Vicente Padilla Jose Vaquedano- RHP- ETA: '06, Upside: Steve Trachsel Juan Cedeno- LHP- ETA: '07, Upside: Unknown*** Augusta Brandon Moss- RF- ETA: '07, Upside: Bobby Abreu Beau Vaughn- RHP- ETA: '08, Upside: Wade Miller Jarrett Garnder- LHP- ETA: '07, Upside: Jarrod Washburn *Zink walks way too many people right now. His knuckleballs are quality, but not consistent. If he nails that down, he'll be Wake Jr. If not, he'll be Steve Sparks. Yuck. **Murphy has been hurt most of the season and hasn't hit a lick when he's in the line-up. He still has lots of major-league potential, but it's becoming less and less likely he reaches it. ***Cedeno throws the ball harder than a mofo, but he's got no control and no other pitches. He could be great, but he could suck balls too. NOTE: The younger the player and the lower the level he plays at, the less likely it is for him to reach potential, especially for the non-college draftees. But, it is also more likely that they exceed expecations as well.

I could keep it going. I made a "Red Sox Farm System" thread on NetSports and I do nightly updates there and I wouldn't mind doing so in both places. My thread is already up to 13 pages there and is going strong. I pretty much know every Red Sox minor leaguer, their upside and their approximate stats thus far, so I nominate myself for the job, should the opening come up.

I've always hated the Lakers. It's fantastic to see them lose.

If Schill goes on the DL, rumor has it that top prospect Abe Alvarez or semi-good prospect Chris Smith would be called up from AA to start. Alvarez is the more polished pitcher and has had more success to go along with the Tom Glavine upside.