Good guys wear red

Scott Merkin:

Fans of the late Chuck Tanner’s 1972 White Sox squad, featuring Dick Allen, Bill Melton and Wilbur Wood, to name a few, will get a 40-year memory jog this year on Sundays at U.S. Cellular Field when the 2012 team wears uniforms similar to those that group wore.

The uniforms will feature the red pinstriped jersey with the iconic “Sox” script over the chest, red numbers (front and back) and a White Sox patch on the sleeve, along with the popular red cap with its unique variation of the Sox script. The White Sox will wear the throwback uniforms on 13 Sundays this season, starting with April 15 vs. Detroit.

Other White Sox links:

• James looks at the spring training non-roster invitees, and the Prince Fielder signing by Detroit.
• J.J. looks at what the Prince Fielder signing means to the Sox, and looks back at the 1972 Sox.
• Addison Reed ranked #100 on MLB.com’s Top 100 prospect list compiled by Jonathan Mayo.
• NotHawk details what Hawk’s answers interview to Daryl van Schouwen really mean. Here’s a hilarious point:
  DVS: What do you like about this team?
  NH: I like that the season hasn’t started yet.

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Alexei Ramirez to Boston? Gordon Beckham to SS?

Phil Rogers says Gavin Floyd isn’t the only White Sox player rumored to be traded to Boston:

With Eduardo Escobar already on the fringes of the big-league roster and Tyler Saladino on the horizon, why wouldn’t Ken Williams consider sending Ramirez and [Gavin] Floyd to Boston in a package for as much 25-and-under talent as possible?

One rumor bouncing around says Ramirez isn’t the White Sox regular the Red Sox are eyeing for the shortstop opening they created when they traded Marco Scutaro to the Rockies. It says they think Gordon Beckham is capable of regaining his ability as a run-producer and returning to the position he played at the University of Georgia.

Eduardo Escobar playing 2B? I don’t see this happening.

30 pounds down? maybe not

On Saturday Chuck Garfien tweeted:

Looks like a slimmer Adam Dunn will be at Sox Fest next week. Heard he's lost 30 pounds.

— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) January 21, 2012

But today Daryl Van Schouwen tweets:

Dunn has been working out — and swinging bat for the first time in offseason — but rumors of significant weight loss greatly exaggerated

— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) January 25, 2012

Video of Yoenis Cespedes from his days at Cuba [UPDATE]

Ben Bradler:

Luckily we were able to track down some great video from someone who posted four at-bats of Cespedes playing for Granma, his team in Cuba. In the video, Cespedes is the hitter in the first three at-bats, after which a double from Leslie Anderson (Rays) of Camaguey and Yoelvis Fiss of Ciego de Avila are spliced in between one final at-bat from Cespedes. I’m not much for spoilers (I always like to go in fresh), but I don’t think anyone should be surprised that these aren’t clips of him rolling over grounders to the shortstop.

The YouTube feed has some other great clips of Cubans, including Leonys Martin facing Aroldis Chapman, at-bats from Yulieski Gourriel and Alfredo Despaigne, an 18-year-old Kendrys Morales homering and the Cuban team facing Rangers righthander Yu Darvish in the 2008 Olympics, among other highlights. I would definitely recommend perusing when you have the time.

UPDATE: Cespedes established residency in the Dominican Republic.

White Sox invite 18 players to 2012 Spring Training

whitesox.com press release:

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on minor-league contracts with right-handed pitcher Brian Bruney, left-handers Leyson Septimo and Eric Stults, catchers Damaso Espino and Hector Gimenez, infielders Dallas McPherson and Ray Olmedo and outfielder Delwyn Young.  All eight players, in addition to 10 players within the White Sox system, have received non-roster invites to the club’s spring training camp in Glendale, Ariz.

Right-handers Brian Omogrosso and Jacob Petricka, catchers Michael Blanke and Josh Phegley, infielders Jim Gallagher and Tyler Kuhn and outfielders Jordan Danks, Jared Mitchell, Brandon Short and Trayce Thompson, all received invites to major-league camp from within the organization.  Six of the 18 spring training invitees have major-league experience.

There seems to be 5 openings:

… Assuming the White Sox take 12 pitchers and make no further moves, one relief spot and four bench spots appear to be available. Brent Lillibridge and Tyler Flowers are certain to make the team, with Ozzie Martinez and Eduardo Escobar competing for the utility infield slot. Danks, Young, Gallagher, Bruney and Stults all have chances to compete for these final two openings.

Other White Sox links:

• J.J. has video from an excited Chris Sale, and text from a ready Jake Peavy.
• James looks at Juan Pierre’s games with the Sox, and the latest rumblings of Ozzie Guillen. Thankfully he’s not the Sox manager anymore. And KenWo has some advice for Mr. Guilllen.
• John Sickels ranked the farm systems of every baseball team, and Dave Gershman at BTB published his ‘Top 12 White Sox prospects’ list for 2012.
• Trayce Thompson gave an interview to Andrew Pentis of MiLB.com.

Oh no…

Sale just got back from Maui on late honeymoon, said he started training to be a starter in late Nov.

— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) January 23, 2012

When Q! got married he lost the ! and became Q. Hopefully Sale doesn’t follow Quentin.

Jim Callis comments on Jared Mitchell, Trayce Thompson and Keenyn Walker

Jim Callis:

Q: Jared Mitchell, Trayce Thompson and Keenyn Walker are all raw, toolsy White Sox draft choices, and all have had their problems making contact in the minors. Who’s most likely to have a productive major league career, and how would you rank them defensively?

A: The White Sox spend less on the draft than any team, but they invested $1.2 million in Mitchell as a 2009 first-round pick and gave rare (for them) above-slot bonuses to Thompson ($625,000 in the second round in 2009) and Walker ($795,000 in the sandwich round last year). All three are high-risk, high-reward prospects and their inability to make consistent contact could cause them all to go bust rather than boom.

Thompson is the best bet to be a useful big leaguer, because he has the broadest base of tools. He may always strike out and never hit for a high average, but he has a lot more power potential than Mitchell or Walker. Thompson is an average runner with good instincts on the bases and in center field, and he has enough arm strength to be a legitimate right fielder.

Walker has the speed to make an impact on the bases and in center field, but he’s going to have to make significant strides with his on-base ability. Mitchell, who won national titles in baseball and football (as a wide receiver) at Louisiana State, is the best all-around athlete of the trio. But he hasn’t been the same player since he tore a tendon in his left ankle when he ran into an outfield fence in the spring of 2010.

Walker is the best defender of the three, followed by Mitchell and Thompson in that order. None of them is the top defensive outfielder in Chicago’s system, however. That distinction belongs to Jordan Danks.

30 pounds down

Looks like a slimmer Adam Dunn will be at Sox Fest next week. Heard he's lost 30 pounds.

— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) January 21, 2012

Other White Sox links:

• James looks on regular 3B Brent Morel, and recently retired SS Orlando Cabrera. He also detailed why the White Sox probably won’t be particularly competitive in 2012 on southside showdown.
• J.J. details the recent Sox improvement moves.
• SeedlingsToStars’ Nathaniel Stoltz says there is little hope for Jared Mitchell.

John Sickels updates his ‘Top 20 White Sox prospects for 2012’ list

John Sickels updated his ‘Top 20 White Sox prospects for 2012’ list. #1 and #2 were interchanged and Simon Castro was added at #4:

1) Addison Reed, RHP, Grade B+: The best closer prospect in baseball thanks to superior command of 93-97 MPH fastball and devastating slider. One of my favorite prospects.

2) Nestor Molina, RHP, Grade B+: Acquired from the Blue Jays for Sergio Santos, and immediately became Chicago’s first or second-best prospect. I think he can remain a starter. Molina was a big topic of discussion earlier this winter. I like him a lot.

4) Simon Castro, RHP, Grade C+: Acquired from the Padres for Carlos Quentin. Live fastball, but secondary pitches went backwards last year and will need to rebound if he wants to stay a starter. The change of scenery could help him.

…We’ll start with the good stuff first. Both Nestor Molina and Addison Reed are personal favorites. I originally had Molina one spot ahead because I think he can start. Of course, I think Reed could probably start too, but given how well he pitched last year I can understand their desire to keep him in the bullpen. He should be ready to close sometime in 2012, perhaps out of spring training. I went back and forth on this but in the end I ranked Reed slightly ahead.

BTW, here’s the original list:

1) Nestor Molina, RHP, Grade B+: Acquired from the Blue Jays for Sergio Santos, and immediately became Chicago’s first or second-best prospect. I think he can remain a starter. Molina was a big topic of discussion earlier this month.

2) Addison Reed, RHP, Grade B+: The best closer prospect in baseball thanks to superior command of 93-97 MPH fastball and devastating slider. You can make a case to rank him ahead of Molina, if you think Molina will be a reliever.

3) Tyler Saladino, SS, Grade C+: 2010 seventh round pick out of Oral Roberts developed from draft sleeper into solid prospect. Good power for a middle infielder, and has some idea about the strike zone, scouts like his work ethic. Main issue now is if he can stick at shortstop, and I think he has a decent chance to do so.

4) Trayce Thompson, OF, Grade C+: Highest-ceiling bat in system, tapping into his power now and making good progress on defense. Kills lefties but has serious contact problems against right-handed pitching. Struck out 172 times while repeating Low-A. Has the tools to be a star slugger but also carries a high risk of failure.

5) Hector Santiago, LHP, Grade C+: Came out of nowhere to reach the majors (briefly) in 2011 thanks to development of a new screwball to go with 90-95 MPH fastball. Third pitch still needs work and it is unclear if he starts or relieves in the long run, although recent rumors indicate the Sox will continue to start him. Projects as number three/four starter if third pitch develops, or a power relief arm.

Hopefully Coop will help Castro with his secondary pitches in Spring Training.

Yoenis Cespedes hits his first HR in the Dominican Winter League

Ben Bradler:

In a 3-2 count against Astros righthander Rhiner Cruz, Cespedes lifted a 97-mph fastball over the left field wall in the sixth inning. Including tonight’s game (as of the eighth inning, Cespedes was 1-for-4), Cespedes is 3-for-24 (.125) with a hit by pitch, no walks and six strikeouts while serving as the Aguilas DH.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_xDVWfTkuc

Seems to me his bat speed is pretty good.

The Hardball Times projects the 2012 AL Central

The Hardball Times:

American League Central
Team	Wins	Losses
DET	91	71
MIN	85	77
CHA	76	86
CLE	76	86
KCA	63	99

Other White Sox links:

• J.J. says the White Sox were close to signing Kerry Wood and  looks at the link between Jared Mitchell and Josh Fields.
• James looks at the Michael Pineda-Jesus Montero trade, and Jake Peavy saying Ozzie Guillen quit on the Sox.
• Jim Thome was interviewed by Chuck Garfien (video). Big Jim, who the Phillies think of playing at 1B, thinks Adam Dunn, a player that’s very similar to him, will rebound this season.
• colin posts the 1st part of his pitching primer. Part 2 of colin’s pitching primer is here.

SeedlingsToStars’ 2012 White Sox Team Prospect List

Nathaniel Stoltz:

Shortstop: Tyler Saladino. Saladino’s almost a year younger than Wilkins, plays on the other side of the defensive spectrum, and still outpaced his teammate in slugging (.501) and Isolated Power (.231), while maintaining a 90/51 K/BB in 102 games in High-A. He’s not an elite defender at short, but should certainly be fine at second base. He could be a poor man’s Dan Uggla. Grade: B

Starting Pitcher #1: Nestor Molina. Easily the best prospect in the system, Molina is an excellent “performance prospect,” completely dominating High-A and Double-A en route to a 148/16 K/BB ratio. He’s not without stuff though, with a solid low-90′s fastball and very good splitter. A potentially excellent #2/#3-type starter. Grade: A-

Starting Pitcher #2: Dylan Axelrod. Axelrod is already 26, but he pitched well in Double-A, Triple-A, and a September callup. He owns a devastating slider and hits his spots with an 88-92 mph fastball. He should provide several good seasons toward the back of the rotation, starting in 2012. Grade: B-

Relief Pitcher #1: Addison Reed. Reed has a filthy three-pitch mix, with a mid-90′s fastball, tilting 78-83 mph slider, and fading mid-80′s changeup. He blitzed through four minor league levels last year and ended the year with a successful stint in the big leagues; he should make a big impact in 2012. Grade: B

Molina becoming a a #2/#3 starter would be most excellent. More at the link.

BDD is reviewing PECOTA’s 2011 projections

Doug Thorburn:

The isolated power of Alexei Ramirez has bounced around like a pinball for the last few seasons, and PECOTA mined beneath the career marks and struck gold. The relative hits on Ramirez’s batting average and OBP are less impressive, if only because his career numbers in those categories are more stable. Ramirez did up his walk rate beyond expectations, improving on the biggest deficiency in his offensive game, though he had showed similar patience back in 2009. PECOTA came very close on this hi-beta player, coming within 4 points of OPS and righteously projecting his 2nd-worst performance of the last four years. However, there is no way to measure the deleterious affect that Ramirez may have had on the approach of his aforementioned double-play partner, if only through association by proximity.

Alexei’s stats:

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
2008	26	CHW	AL	136	509	480	65	139	22	2	21	77	13	9	18	61	.290	.317	.475	.792	103	228	14	3	4	4	3	*468/5	RoY-2
2009	27	CHW	AL	148	606	542	71	150	14	1	15	68	14	5	49	66	.277	.333	.389	.723	86	211	15	1	6	8	3	*6
2010	28	CHW	AL	156	626	585	83	165	29	2	18	70	13	8	27	82	.282	.313	.431	.744	99	252	12	2	7	5	2	*6	SS
2011	29	CHW	AL	158	684	614	81	165	31	2	15	70	7	5	51	84	.269	.328	.399	.727	97	245	19	6	8	5	1	*6/D
4 Seasons				598	2425	2221	300	619	96	7	69	285	47	27	145	293	.279	.323	.421	.745	96	936	60	12	25	22	9
162 Game Avg.				162	657	602	81	168	26	2	19	77	13	7	39	79	.279	.323	.421	.745	96	254	16	3	7	6	2

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table Generated 1/16/2012.

There’s a review of Gordon Beckham’s projection as well at the link.

Kevin Goldstein’s 2012 Top 11 White Sox prospects

Kevin Goldstein @ BP:

System in 20 Words or Less: Two words: Not good.

Four-Star Prospects
1. Addison Reed, RHP
Three-Star Prospects
2. Nestor Molina, RHP
3. Trayce Thompson, OF
4. Jake Petricka, RHP
5. Simon Castro, RHP
6. Keenyn Walker, OF
Two-Star Prospects
7. Eduardo Escobar, SS
8. Jhan Marinez, RHP
9. Myles Jaye, RHP
10. Tyler Saladino, SS
11. Andre Rienzo, RHP

Goldstein has 9 more Sox prospects (Juan Silverio, 3B; Jared Mitchell, OF; Brandon Short, OF; Pedro Hernandez, LHP; Gregory Infante, RHP; Erik Johnson, RHP; Michael Blanke, C; Dylan Axelrod, RHP; Osvaldo Martinez, SS) more and his scouting report on Addison Reed at the link.

White Sox interested in Cuban LHP Gerardo Concepcion

It’s not only Jorge Soler and Yoenis Cespedes on the White Sox radar. Phil Rogers writes:

Most expect Cespedes and Soler to go to the highest bidder, which is usually the case with Cuban players, but clearly the White Sox and Cubs are positioning themselves to sell the comfortable fit, not just the contract. Both organizations know other teams are prepared to extend themselves financially, as these are among the last significant pieces that can be acquired before international signing limits kick in this summer.

… A major league source said the White Sox also join the Cubs in pursuing left-hander Gerardo Concepcion. He was Rookie of the Year in Serie Nacional last year but hasn’t had as much international experience as Soler, Belaguert and Martinez. He’s considered a finesse pitcher but has succeeded with his command.

The 18-year old Concepcion pitched 101.2 innings in the 2010-11 season. He allowed 103 hits, had a 53/43 K/BB ratio, and a 3.36 ERA. He had a 10-3 record in 21 starts.