Starting a new thread for the 2024 year. We need to get the MiLB side active so i’ll give it a shot.
Going to try my best. I will covering Worcester again this year so will have plenty of stuff from there. Going to try to make it out to Portland as well to catch up with those guys.Thanks! You have big shoes to fill. But I appreciate you taking the reins
Yorke:Mayer’s been splitting his time this winter between his home in California and the Red Sox’s facility in Fort Myers, Fla. His hitting progression is in a planned downtime, but he’s doing full strength and conditioning and complete defensive work. He will be checked out this week before resuming his regular hitting progression into what’s expected to be a normal and healthy spring training. Abraham said that Mayer adding “good weight” has been an offseason goal so that he can better impact the baseball.
Hickey will be tried at other positions but will still catch:This offseason, Yorke, 21, has worked to add not only strength but also speed and quickness. Abraham said the organization’s objective numbers show Yorke’s defensive range has increased “significantly,” and the Red Sox now consider him “a tick above average” in the field.
“Last year, it was really important for him to be an everyday player,” Abraham said. “To be able to perform day in and day out. Maybe if the bat wasn’t there, the defense was there. If the defense wasn’t there, the baserunning was there. I think for him, being a complete player is really important.”
They believe in Meidroth's defense:There have always been questions about Hickey’s future behind the plate, and now he’s basically vying for playing time with one of the top catching prospects in baseball. Is it still worth using him at catcher?
“We definitely have had some conversations with Nathan, before even Kyle Teel was here, about seeing him elsewhere,” Abraham said.
The Red Sox still plan to have Hickey, 24, catch quite a bit this season, but first base is definitely on the table, and Abraham suggested other positions might be as well. He had an .858 OPS last year in his first full season of pro ball. Hickey’s offseason training, Abraham said, focused on athleticism and “coming in prepared to catch a lot of games, as well as be prepared to be in the lineup for a lot of days.”
Sox feel like Wikelman may have made a lep this past season:Abraham said he believes Meidroth is a legitimate defender at second and third, and he could fill in at shortstop as necessary (which he did late last season in Double A). If his bat will play, so will he, in one role or another. So, he’s worked this offseason to add core and lower-body strength.
“A main focus for him this offseason was improving his bat speed,” Abraham said. “Swinging the bat faster is going to allow for more impact. That’s just plain and simple. … The bat speed and impacting the baseball more consistently is going to be the difference between a utility player and a guy who can be a utility player who plays every day.”
Fitts:Gonzalez fits a familiar mold. He’s a 21-year-old kid with big stuff and spotty control, but the Red Sox seemed to tap into something new last year by altering his pregame focus and between-starts routine. He took off in the second half. It might have been just a good stretch, but the Red Sox think it might also have been a real breakthrough.
“I think our pitching group feels that’s the case,” Abraham said. “I think it’s a bit of a microcosm for a player in general. I think sometimes we in the industry can take for granted what we’re asking a player to do. … Sometimes a player wants to know why they need to do some of those things.”
The top prospect acquired in the Alex Verdugo trade, Fitts might already be the system’s most advanced, high-upside pitching prospect. His fastball is his bread and butter. He pitched well in Double A last year. What else does he need to keep developing as a starter?
“I think one of the best things about him is he throws strikes,” Abraham said. “He locates the ball really well. I think probably Fitts and our staff would say generating more swing-and-miss is really important. I think there are various avenues to getting that. So, we’re working on some areas now. We’ve had some conversations with him about improving certain things with his slider, and maybe a couple of adjustments with his cutter or even his changeup, to improve that swing-and-miss.”
The Red Sox believe they’ve made considerable strides in pitching development, and they’ve made offseason changes at the top of their pitching coach hierarchy this offseason. Fitts, 24, will be one of their early tests.
It's a great year to be covering Worcester. You'll see some pretty special guys as the year goes on for sure.Going to try my best. I will covering Worcester again this year so will have plenty of stuff from there. Going to try to make it out to Portland as well to catch up with those guys.
This was really good - I got to listen to the first 20 or so while at work.
Agreed. There really isn’t a 3B above him in Worcester at the moment that would keep him down in AA if he has a good first half. Could be a true difference maker in a fast promotion if defense is improved.This was really good - I got to listen to the first 20 or so while at work.
Happy for the guy to work on himself, excited to hear he’s dropped some weight, as his athleticism has been a critique, and that he wants to try to stick at 3b. That would be real depth add to the system if he was high-grade 3B/1B prospect.
He’s still so young that I would hope he can get a good term at Portland.Agreed. There really isn’t a 3B above him in Worcester at the moment that would keep him down in AA if he has a good first half. Could be a true difference maker in a fast promotion if defense is improved.
Baseball America came out today. Same four as BP. Higher on Mayer, lower on everyone else:8 - Roman Anthony
32 - Marcelo Mayer
47 - Kyle Teel
59 - Cedanne Rafaela
Our long, SoSHional nightmare is over!!!Happy 2024!
I am going to resume doing Red Sox MiLB stuff, & we're going to take the forum in a slightly different direction in terms of organization which will hopefully make everything more accessible & so we won't get bogged down in 1 mega-thread. At some point, I should have the power to move things where they should go, so don't worry too much about posting in the right places & just post whatever makes you happy wherever it makes you happy.
The original planned template includes:
1) This catch-all thread which hopefully won't have much to catch.
2) A thread for each level of the Red Sox system:
a) Worcester (AAA)
b) Portland (AA)
c) Greenville (A+)
d) Salem (A)
e) FCL Red Sox (FCL)
f) DSL Red Sox - Red & Blue (DSL)
3) A prospect rankings thread where all rankings would go, including Tim's excellent post above ^^^ & my rankings, SP's rankings, etc.
4) Adopt-A-Prospect type threads. I'm not sure how exactly this will look in terms of whether it will stay where it is, join the main MiLB forum, or there will just be 1 thread to discuss all the biggest name prospects in the org at the time. Obviously a lot more people want to talk about the guys who are most likely to have the most impact on the Red Sox the soonest, so those should probably be broken out somehow
5) Injuries/Availability news.
6) Promotions/Demotions.
7) Acquisitions/Removals.
& then there are already existing threads for media stuff & the 2024 IFA period to use, & I'm sure other thread concepts that will get added over time.
Anyway, hopefully this will be fun. If you want to talk to me about MLB you'll have to PM me because I am 100% not going back to the Main Board, but I missed chatting MiLB with y'all <3
Big +1 to this outline. I especially like the idea of a thread for each level. I think you could also get away with a format of like one thread for the near-ready AA/AAA, then the A-ball teams together, then FCL/DSL together, but it doesn't make a big difference either way. It can be really tough to keep everything straight. I still have a hard time remembering that Greenville is the higher level now, for example, so I think the organization will be a big improvement.Happy 2024!
I am going to resume doing Red Sox MiLB stuff, & we're going to take the forum in a slightly different direction in terms of organization which will hopefully make everything more accessible & so we won't get bogged down in 1 mega-thread. At some point, I should have the power to move things where they should go, so don't worry too much about posting in the right places & just post whatever makes you happy wherever it makes you happy.
The original planned template includes:
1) This catch-all thread which hopefully won't have much to catch.
2) A thread for each level of the Red Sox system:
a) Worcester (AAA)
b) Portland (AA)
c) Greenville (A+)
d) Salem (A)
e) FCL Red Sox (FCL)
f) DSL Red Sox - Red & Blue (DSL)
3) A prospect rankings thread where all rankings would go, including Tim's excellent post above ^^^ & my rankings, SP's rankings, etc.
4) Adopt-A-Prospect type threads. I'm not sure how exactly this will look in terms of whether it will stay where it is, join the main MiLB forum, or there will just be 1 thread to discuss all the biggest name prospects in the org at the time. Obviously a lot more people want to talk about the guys who are most likely to have the most impact on the Red Sox the soonest, so those should probably be broken out somehow
5) Injuries/Availability news.
6) Promotions/Demotions.
7) Acquisitions/Removals.
& then there are already existing threads for media stuff & the 2024 IFA period to use, & I'm sure other thread concepts that will get added over time.
Anyway, hopefully this will be fun. If you want to talk to me about MLB you'll have to PM me because I am 100% not going back to the Main Board, but I missed chatting MiLB with y'all <3
Bro, I have some news for you about the PawSox, then. .I still have a hard time remembering that Greenville is the higher level now, for example, so I think the organization will be a big improvement.
Thx!Welcome back @JM3
lol thx!Our long, SoSHional nightmare is over!!!
Welcome back!
I think it's cleaner with 1 thread for each level, but definitely open for suggestions on that & literally everything else.Big +1 to this outline. I especially like the idea of a thread for each level. I think you could also get away with a format of like one thread for the near-ready AA/AAA, then the A-ball teams together, then FCL/DSL together, but it doesn't make a big difference either way. It can be really tough to keep everything straight. I still have a hard time remembering that Greenville is the higher level now, for example, so I think the organization will be a big improvement.
Will there be a dedicated Corey Rosier thread? If not, why not?Thx!
lol thx!
I think it's cleaner with 1 thread for each level, but definitely open for suggestions on that & literally everything else.
You too, buddy. You can go ahead & post it. I could use some new ideas.Damn.
I guess I'll just trash the Top 362 Red Sox Prospects list I was working on.
I was already up to #3 on my list.
Nice to see ya
Now that the BABIP gods have caught up to Rosier, he has a fair # of things to work on. If you want to start an Adopta thread for him, I will certainly contribute, though.Will there be a dedicated Corey Rosier thread? If not, why not?
Welcome back! Never really commented on anything last year, but you were single-handedly the best part of SoSH and the biggest reason I kept checking daily. I think I speak for many others here when I say all your hard work certainly does not go unappreciated!Happy 2024!
I am going to resume doing Red Sox MiLB stuff, & we're going to take the forum in a slightly different direction in terms of organization which will hopefully make everything more accessible & so we won't get bogged down in 1 mega-thread. At some point, I should have the power to move things where they should go, so don't worry too much about posting in the right places & just post whatever makes you happy wherever it makes you happy.
The original planned template includes:
1) This catch-all thread which hopefully won't have much to catch.
2) A thread for each level of the Red Sox system:
a) Worcester (AAA)
b) Portland (AA)
c) Greenville (A+)
d) Salem (A)
e) FCL Red Sox (FCL)
f) DSL Red Sox - Red & Blue (DSL)
3) A prospect rankings thread where all rankings would go, including Tim's excellent post above ^^^ & my rankings, SP's rankings, etc.
4) Adopt-A-Prospect type threads. I'm not sure how exactly this will look in terms of whether it will stay where it is, join the main MiLB forum, or there will just be 1 thread to discuss all the biggest name prospects in the org at the time. Obviously a lot more people want to talk about the guys who are most likely to have the most impact on the Red Sox the soonest, so those should probably be broken out somehow
5) Injuries/Availability news.
6) Promotions/Demotions.
7) Acquisitions/Removals.
& then there are already existing threads for media stuff & the 2024 IFA period to use, & I'm sure other thread concepts that will get added over time.
Anyway, hopefully this will be fun. If you want to talk to me about MLB you'll have to PM me because I am 100% not going back to the Main Board, but I missed chatting MiLB with y'all <3
Thx! I enjoy it & it's a nice outlet. Hoping you & others decide to post more this year, though. It's a lot more fun as a collaborative endeavor.Welcome back! Never really commented on anything last year, but you were single-handedly the best part of SoSH and the biggest reason I kept checking daily. I think I speak for many others here when I say all your hard work certainly does not go unappreciated!
I agree, I think it's just my work brain talking where I am constantly balancing the need for organization with a need for fewer slack channels. Seeing as how we are currently at one mega thread there is certainly room for level-specific channels.I think it's cleaner with 1 thread for each level, but definitely open for suggestions on that & literally everything else.
Good to have you back, sir. Hopefully at some point, you'll reconsider your position on returning to the main board as well.Happy 2024!
I am going to resume doing Red Sox MiLB stuff, & we're going to take the forum in a slightly different direction in terms of organization which will hopefully make everything more accessible & so we won't get bogged down in 1 mega-thread. At some point, I should have the power to move things where they should go, so don't worry too much about posting in the right places & just post whatever makes you happy wherever it makes you happy.
The original planned template includes:
1) This catch-all thread which hopefully won't have much to catch.
2) A thread for each level of the Red Sox system:
a) Worcester (AAA)
b) Portland (AA)
c) Greenville (A+)
d) Salem (A)
e) FCL Red Sox (FCL)
f) DSL Red Sox - Red & Blue (DSL)
3) A prospect rankings thread where all rankings would go, including Tim's excellent post above ^^^ & my rankings, SP's rankings, etc.
4) Adopt-A-Prospect type threads. I'm not sure how exactly this will look in terms of whether it will stay where it is, join the main MiLB forum, or there will just be 1 thread to discuss all the biggest name prospects in the org at the time. Obviously a lot more people want to talk about the guys who are most likely to have the most impact on the Red Sox the soonest, so those should probably be broken out somehow
5) Injuries/Availability news.
6) Promotions/Demotions.
7) Acquisitions/Removals.
& then there are already existing threads for media stuff & the 2024 IFA period to use, & I'm sure other thread concepts that will get added over time.
Anyway, hopefully this will be fun. If you want to talk to me about MLB you'll have to PM me because I am 100% not going back to the Main Board, but I missed chatting MiLB with y'all <3
Thx! But naw. The overarching lack of intellectual curiosity doesn't interest me.Good to have you back, sir. Hopefully at some point, you'll reconsider your position on returning to the main board as well.
That's precisely why you'd be an asset there.Thx! But naw. The overarching lack of intellectual curiosity doesn't interest me.
Thx! Good to be back.Welcome home, it's good to see you again. Thanks for picking this place back up!
Thx! There's always fun stuff to explore, whether the Sox are doing actual things or not. They're really working on building up the pitching infrastructure. Will be kind of fascinating to see how it goes.Favorite Thread of 2024!
Very glad to have you back JM3. So appreciate the work you do in here.
(Even more right now given the slow news cycle with the Sox)
Let's just say not everyone feels that way & posting on a message board, much like baseball, should be fun. If anyone wants to chat MLB, you know where to find me, & we can always try to creatively tie in stuff here.That's precisely why you'd be an asset there.
Blaze made the Top 10 first base list...Thx! I enjoy it & it's a nice outlet. Hoping you & others decide to post more this year, though. It's a lot more fun as a collaborative endeavor.
I haven't exactly decided how I want the rankings thread to look for this upcoming year, so I'll just post this here for now:
The Top 10 (ETA)
1. Ethan Salas, Padres (2025)
2. Samuel Basallo, Orioles (2025)
3. Jeferson Quero, Brewers (2024)
4. Harry Ford, Mariners (2025)
5. Kyle Teel, Red Sox (2025)
6. Dalton Rushing, Dodgers (2025)
7. Blake Mitchell, Royals (2027)
8. Moises Ballesteros, Cubs (2026)
9. Edgar Quero, White Sox (2025)
10. Diego Cartaya, Dodgers (2025)
https://www.mlb.com/news/top-catching-prospects-for-2024
They're dropping a position a day (sadly but unsurprisingly, nothing on the LHP or RHP lists).
It's been fun to follow along with Blaze's mental & physical health journeys & it will be really exciting if he is in a better place in both aspects this year. Even with his struggles, in his age 20 season he had a 145 wRC+ in High-A over 322 PAs, which is really good. He noted in that interview that pitchers in AA aren't necessarily much better than A+ pitchers in terms of stuff, but there are less bad ones, better approaches & less mistakes. Blaze has consistently taken advantage of mistakes, so learning to hit better pitches with more authority will be an important step.
Theo Denlinger:Any interest in a Theo Denlinger interview? Split time between Portland/Worcester last season.
View: https://youtu.be/A97hOoNucG4?si=mC8lwpP4NUNYVFsp
How much content are you expecting me to put out???I will echo the chorus of welcoming @JM3 back. I was afraid that I would actually have to do work during the course of my time clocked in.
Thx! Those don't seem like unreasonable requests.Welcome back @JM3! Looking forward to following updates about Luis Perales and hoping Mikey Romero is able to establish himself this year as a top prospect in the system.
View: https://twitter.com/SoxSpects/status/1747466298357883319Perales has an arsenal that has dazzled scouts. That includes a fastball that tops out at 99 miles per hour with riding action. Perales also has a slider that has the potential to be a plus pitch and a cutter to keep opponents off balance. The only question that remains if he ends up in the rotation or bullpen.
This is what happens when 20 y/o's get married I guess...If these guys are going to be our next young stars they need to learn to dress better. You guys got a combined $4.8M in signing bonuses…treat yourself!
God I can't wait for this season to start.