Outfielder Jared Mitchell, who tore a tendon in his left ankle during spring training, is currently working out in the Arizona Instructional League. The first-round pick in June of 2009 is expected to resume playing in the Arizona Fall League.
September 25, 2010
Jared Mitchell’s progressing nicely
September 24, 2010
The Kane County Cougars are a Kansas City Royals affiliate now
KCC:
The Kane County Cougars have announced the signing of a two-year player development contract (PDC) with the Kansas City Royals.
Effective Tuesday, September 21, the agreement does not affect the ownership, management or front office staff of the Kane County Cougars in any manner as the Cougars organization looks towards April 11 – the first home game featuring the Cougars’ new partnership with the Royals. Fans can call the Cougars now at (630) 232-8811 to inquire about partial-season ticket packages as well as season tickets for the 2011 season.
Damn! Couldn’t the Sox bring a minor-league affiliate home?
Phil Rogers: Losing Guillen as manager would be a mistake for the White Sox
Losing Guillen as their manager would be a mistake for the South Siders,
I don’t want a manager that asks for credit for prioritizing 9 games at NL parks over 153 at AL parks.
even if they wind up with Tony La Russa as his successor.
Oh, I’m with you there. If we’re gonna end up with La Russa, we better stay with Guillen.
Speaking of managers, how awesome would it be if the White Sox hired Tom Tango as manager? The answer is ‘Off the charts.’
BP’s Mark Teahen Q&A
DL: A player once told me that when guys in the minors say it’s all about “team,” they’re full of crap because everyone is playing for themselves and trying to get to the big leagues. Is that accurate?MT: Yeah, that’s pretty accurate. I mean, especially with the first group you get drafted with, it’s easy to pull for the guys around you—you all want to be on the same path to the big leagues. You’re trying to win games in the minor leagues, but everyone is trying to get to the next level and get to the big leagues. As much as you pull for the guys around you, because your success is tied to theirs, everybody is trying to get to that next level and ultimately you have to be a little selfish in the minors.
DL: Is there much jealousy in the minor leagues?MT: Yeah, I mean everybody—no matter where you are—always wants to be at the next level, so there is a lot of that. And obviously the guys that get drafted higher get a little better push or more opportunity, but it’s the nature of the beast. You always want to be moving up, no matter what profession you’re in. If somebody’s getting a better shot than you are, you’re always a little jealous and want to be the guy getting the shot. …
Fangraphs on Brent Morel
Like many young hitters, the key is breaking stuff low and away. If you look at his swings at TexasLeaguers.com, you’ll see four pitches he offered at above the zone, two inside, and 11 pitches low (most low and away). He has no discipline in that part of the zone. On pitches high in the zone, another weakness we often see in young hitters, it’s just the opposite. I could give you numerous examples in the last two weeks of catchers calling for the high fastball with two strikes, with Morel watching the pitch go by. Or, even more often, if the pitch isn’t too far out of the zone, he’ll hit it foul. He does that often, as 21 of the 139 pitches he’s been thrown (15.1%) have been hit out of play. …
Kevin Goldstein’s White Sox Top 11 prospects review
Chicago White Sox
No. 1 Prospect: Daniel Hudson, RHP (55th overall)
What Was Said: “…a good third starter at best.”
Analysis: Obviously, Hudson has been much better than that since his trade to Arizona, but I’m not convinced it will last. The league will obviously catch up to him a bit, but he’s still likely going to exceed that projection.
Two Through Eleven: The team’s two other four-star prospects had nightmare years, as 2009 first-round pick Jared Mitchell missed the entire year due to injury, while catcher Tyler Flowers regressed heavily. In the end, third baseman Brent Morel was too low at sixth, and control issues caught up to power reliever Clevelan Santeliz (seventh) at Triple-A. All in all, it was a bad year down on the farm for the White Sox.
Sleeper: Catcher Miguel Gonzalez collapsed at Low-A with a .218/.260/.276 line, but his defense was still outstanding, as he gunned down half of opposing base stealers.
Baseball America’s Appalachian League Top 20 Prospects
17. Matt Heidenreich, rhp, Bristol White Sox
19. Jacob Petricka, rhp, Bristol White Sox
As the article says, all the parent clubs in the Appalachian League, besides the Braves (Danville) and the Twins (Elizabethton) have rookie-ball in more advanced leagues and usually send their college picks there. Also all the parent clubs, besides the White Sox (Bristol), usually send their high school picks in their Arizona or Gulf Coast leagues affiliates.
September 23, 2010
Kenny Williams and Jerry Reinsdorf won’t extend Ozzie Guillen’s contract
“I am not planning on making a managerial change before next season,” Williams told me over the phone. “That said, with one more year left on his contract and another (for 2012) with the team option, if those are terms he’s no longer happy with, (Jerry and) I understand and respect him enough to let him out of his deal.”
“It’s just not the right time,” Williams elaborated. “There is a year left on his contract, two years from the team’s perspective, unless he would like to decide otherwise. If he does, I’ve talked to Jerry and we agree if this is something he doesn’t want, we’re not going to stop him.”
UPDATE: Seems Kenny is saying ‘Ozzie the door is there. If you want to walk away open it.’
BTW, Paulie is a free-agent after the season Ozzie. Take a clue from him and stop whining while the team is flat-lining.
September 22, 2010
White Sox to pick up Matt Thornton’s 2011 option
The White Sox appear destined to make several changes next season, but they made a move to stabilize their bullpen Wednesday in picking up the 2011 option on All-Star left-handed reliever Matt Thornton.
The Sox gave Thornton security by signing him to a three-year contract before the 2007 season that included two team options. The last of those two options — a $3 million contract for 2011 — likely will be picked up formally once the season concludes.
Tyler Flowers to get playing time
“I think right now we’re going to see him play,” manager Ozzie Guillen said. “That’s why I’m giving him the opportunity now to see how he’ll do with it. Maybe I’ll start him two or three more times, that’s what I would like to do. Unless [GM] Kenny [Williams] comes down and says, ‘Listen, I need to see this kid.’ In the meanwhile, I have A.J. to finish up the season and I have [Ramon] Castro to finish up the season. If Kenny comes to me and says he wants to see [Flowers] more, well then I will do that.”
“I cannot say he is ready to play in the big leagues or he’s not because it’s not fair for me or him to say what I think,” Guillen said. “Spring training is a different scenario, a different ballgame. There are so many people to look at. He will get some opportunity and hopefully he will open some eyes. In the meanwhile, is he going to play here every day? That’s not my call. We’ll give him an opportunity and see what happens.”
The Fire Joe Morgan guys are at Deadspin today
They have some pretty awesome takedowns:
EXTRA! EXTRA! Jeter Has Best Year Yet! (Jr.)
Playing Down To Your Audience (KT)
Let’s Welcome Special Guest Bill Conlin As He Helps Me Criticize Bill Conlin (Jr.)
Where Were You (/Will You Have Been)? (KT)
UPDATE: A few more:
Ozzie Guillen’s way out of the White Sox manager job?
The source even outlined a scenario that could lead to Guillen’s departure from the club:
• Guillen asks for a contract extension, one that goes beyond the team simply exercising his club option for 2012.
• The White Sox balk, and Guillen asks owner Jerry Reinsdorf to allow him to pursue the Marlins’ opening.
Guillen hinted at his desire for an extension in conversations with White Sox beat reporters in Oakland on Tuesday. His option for 2012 would become guaranteed if the White Sox won the AL title next season. …
Another Kenny Williams, Ozzie Guillen fight?
According to one Sox player, however, the two got into another heated confrontation in late August, and while this player admitted the team was out on the field when it happened and he didn’t hear it, word leaked out: ”Kenny told Ozzie, ‘You’re done, you’re done.”’
September 21, 2010
Greg Walker opens up
“And I think at times, I don’t know if it’s to sell tickets or what, but I think we’ve told people that at times we were a little more talented than what we were on a given year or maybe we just misjudged it. I know last year, you looked up at a given time and we had Chris Getz and Josh Fields hitting one-two a month into the season, and Brian Anderson and DeWayne Wise [in the lineup]. Nothing against those guys, but they just weren’t ready to handle those roles.”
Brooks Boyer won’t like that.
