moonslav59

As far as I know, yes. I was thinking of putting a "the" in front of it, but I don't want to add more pressure on our next mega star.

The ALE has 3 of the top 4 records in the AL. The ALE has 4 of the top 7 teams in wins in the AL.

The pen squeaks by.

I'd play Franchise in the OF, when not at 1B.

Good answer!

And you doubted the dominance... or not!

Better pad this lead!

Danish walked the first guy in the 8th, but yesm Strahm added some gas to the dumpster fire.

Doesn't it seem like Lowrie was around during Dan Duquette's era? (I know he wasn't, but it feels like forever!)

This better not be happening (again.)

Hickey went 3-3 with 2 BBs and a 2B Kavadas had another BB w no Ks along with that 6th tater. The team walked 9 times and had just 3 Ks.

We might not win in 2018 without JD and Sale.

A late bloomer.

Those damn leadoff walks! And how many times to the 9 hitter?

Big game from Big Nate. Pen better hold this one! How ab out some more runs?

He always "had the tools," but so did a lot of others like him that failed. For a while, it looked like Winckowski was the best hope of redeeming something from that Beni trade. Now, Beni's control is up, this winter, and Franchy has 2 more arb years.

Can anyone really imagine we could have a budget like this? AAV in $millions 30.0 Devers 29.0 Betts 28.1 Bogey 25.6 Sale 23.3 Story 22.0 JD 17.0 Nate Total $175M on just 7 players

I'd say the odds are close to zero, unless Machado or someone else slides into him like they did Pedey.

And, having 7 or 8 of these types increases the odds one will rise to become a solid #3.

What pitcher has the most PAs (1645) and only 1 HR? Tom Glavine What pitcher has the most PAs (1559) and no HRs? Don Sutton What player has the most PAs with no HRs, since 1910? Roxy Walters (1601)

Hoyt Wilhelm

I wouldn't call it that, but we certainly don't have anyone near a can't miss #2-3 starter, even. It's a more promising outlook than we've had in years, but that's more of a reflection on just how sad it looked before now. I happen to think we will likely get a decent 4 & 5 starter out of this group and maybe one can be a solid #3, someday. We have some promising RP'ers, if that's any consolation. German looks like the real deal. Some of these starters might make fine RP'ers.

Winckowski got drilled, tonight: 4.0 IP 9 H 5 ER (7 runs) 1 BB 3 K

I don't think so. We have Whitlock and Houck. We have Pivetta with 2 m ore arb years. Maybe Paxton or Sale can return to grace. We will likely get a 4th and 5th starter from the bunch I listed, but maybe just one exceeds what their summaries project. Many of the guys listed are having career years, and their profiles have not been updated. My hope is, we can get a top arm via trade or free agency. We should have over $100M to spend, next winter, but we have to replace or extend Nate, Wacha and Hill. All hope is not lost with me.

You act like some or most of us were expecting greatness out of guys like Winckowski and Seabold. We know their potential is likely a back-end starter or long relief arm. The thing is, those roles have real value, and we don't need all of these fringe guys to become our 5th starter or RP'er. Yes, we have hopes one or two of the many guys who fit that profile end up exceeding that expectation, and it's not like it never happens. How many of us though Houck would turn out like this, based on his minor league profile? Hell, the Yanks gave up on Whitlock. Years ago, you'd have bashed his profile like you are the current Sox mid-range prospects. We read the scouting reports. Nobody is expecting the next Roger Clemens. Here is the summary reports from sp: Winckowski Potential multi-inning bridge relief arm. Ceiling of a back-end starting pitcher. Could be very effective in a bulk role, in which his lack of strikeout potential with his fastball would not be as much of an issue. Slider misses more bats than his changeup at this point, but still does not at a very high level. Margin for error is slim, as he has to rely on commanding his pitches and generating weak contact. To stick as a starter long-term, needs to make strides with his command and improve his slider to the point where it can be counted on as a consistent bat-missing pitch at the major league level. Can effectively tunnel his fastball, sinker, vertical slider and changeup, with all moving in similar ways, but could stand to mix in more of his cutter or a horizontal slider to give hitters a different look. Very competitive. Really thinks about pitching and is always trying to refine his craft. Bello Potential back-end starter. Ceiling of a mid-rotation starter. If he can not stick as a starter, could develop into a high-leverage reliever. Stuff looks like that of a starter, but combination of thin stature and delivery could indicate a future in the bullpen. Has done a much better job repeating delivery and holding velocity deeper into starts in looks in 2022. At his best, will flash three at least above-average pitches, and on the right day, all will look like potential plus pitches. Fastball and changeup are his best pitches right now and could profile in a late-inning bullpen role if slider and command do not continue to develop. Not imposing physically, but still has projection and has the type of athleticism you look for. Has continued to improve year after year, and now is one of the top pitching prospects in the system. Walter Potential major league swingman. Ceiling of a back-end starter. Will show a starter's arsenal with three average-or-better pitches and the ability to turn over a lineup, but does not have a typical starter's delivery. Command and control need refinement, as does consistency with secondary pitches. Can project as a starter or reliever depending on the day you see him. Has some traits that would push him to each potential outcome, but has the makings of a major league-caliber arm either way. If pushed to the bullpen, combination of stuff and handedness gives him a decent floor. Breakout prospect for whom scouts are still getting a feel. Mata Projects as a back-end starter, but delivery and command profile could ultimately push him to the bullpen, where his stuff could play in a late-inning relief role. Ceiling of a mid-rotation starter. Has a much better chance to start now after taking to his new slider and cleaning up his delivery. Changeup still needs refinement, but has the potential for a true four-pitch mix with two plus offerings. Has shown the ability to miss bats with all four pitches at various points in his career. After developing physically, harnessing command of his arsenal will be key for his development. Injuries are becoming a concern, particularly after 2021 UCL injury. Will need to continue to watch conditioning as he physically matures. Still is very young and is a very intriguing arm who still has a lot of pitching development left. Tommy John Surgery in April 2021 clouds future starter profile. Murphy Potential multi-inning relief arm. Ceiling of a back-end starter. Dominance against lefties gives him a chance to pitch at the major league level. Chances of starting will depend on improving his control and showing he can consistently get right-handed hitters out. Posted extreme splits in 2021, dominating left-handed hitters (.401 OPS, 0 HR) but getting hit very hard by right-handers (.914 OPS, 21 HR). Misses a lot of bats, but pitch counts may prevent him from going deep into games. Seabold Potential number 5 starter. Ceiling of a solid 3-to-4 starter. Lacks a plus pitch right now, but will show three at least-average offerings. Strong pitchability and advanced command and control profile allow his arsenal to play up. At his best, can generate whiffs with three pitches. Not the highest ceiling, but command/control and feel/pitchability, combined with proximity to MLB, give him a high floor. Needs velocity and feel for changeup to return to reach his ceiling. With diminished velocity projects more as a spot-starter or low-end number five type. Gonzalez Great arm with a wide range of potential outcomes. Ceiling of a solid mid-rotation starter, but size and delivery could push him to the bullpen potentially. Great arm strength with a lot of development remaining. Fastball and changeup show the most potential right now. Breaking balls and command and control need work. Still learning how to pitch, but is not as raw as some comparable arms age-wise in the system.