Keith Law

[asindc]

Originally Posted by munchman33

Gordon Beckham is a once in a generation player because of the way we run our team. Plenty of other squads bring stars and ROY candidates to the majors quite often. Two of those teams finished ahead of us in the division last year.

I don't subscribe to the all prospect philosophy of Keith Law, but the opposite end of the spectrum is just as nuts.

I agree with this as well. A well run farm system should produce a player of Beckham's caliber about every 3-4 years. He seems like a once in a generation player because, sadly, that has been the rate at which our farm system has produced such players in the past 15 years or so.

[EMachine10]

I'm not a Law fan at all. Baseball America is a MUCH better read for all things baseball (But more so for prospects).

[TheVulture]

As Phil Rogers pointed out yesterday, the Sox system's .546 winning percentage last year says otherwise. Birmingham had one of the most stacked lineups in baseball last year, but now the Sox have the worst minor league system in baseball? It don't add up.

[chunk]

Originally Posted by TheVulture

As Phil Rogers pointed out yesterday, the Sox system's .546 winning percentage last year says otherwise. Birmingham had one of the most stacked lineups in baseball last year, but now the Sox have the worst minor league system in baseball? It don't add up.

Trades and graduation can do that to you.

[tm1119]

Originally Posted by TheVulture

As Phil Rogers pointed out yesterday, the Sox system's .546 winning percentage last year says otherwise. Birmingham had one of the most stacked lineups in baseball last year, but now the Sox have the worst minor league system in baseball? It don't add up.

Minor league stats/wins do not really equate to MLB success. Its all about potential and talent. The reality is is that we've traded somewhere around 10 good prospects away in the past few years that has pretty much depleted our system. Whether or not we are dead last or 25th doesnt really matter, we have only a hand full of prospects that have a good future in the MLB. The positive thing is that we have been drafting very well as of late and it could only take a couple of years and good coaching/progression to vault us up to the top of that list.

[RichH55]

Originally Posted by TheVulture

As Phil Rogers pointed out yesterday, the Sox system's .546 winning percentage last year says otherwise. Birmingham had one of the most stacked lineups in baseball last year, but now the Sox have the worst minor league system in baseball? It don't add up.

This is a very poor way to look at minor league rankings.

Age to level is important..etc.

I could put together a Triple A team that was dominate that didn't have anything better than a potential bench MLB bench player on it.

[RichH55]

Originally Posted by asindc

I agree with this as well. A well run farm system should produce a player of Beckham's caliber about every 3-4 years. He seems like a once in a generation player because, sadly, that has been the rate at which our farm system has produced such players in the past 15 years or so.

Are there any well run systems out there then? Or have you set the bar a bit high?

[RichH55]

Aside from Boston nabbing picks from the Wagner thing.

They use their comparative advantage of cash as they often pay over slot for picks. The Royals have started doing this as well.

[asindc]

Originally Posted by RichH55

Are there any well run systems out there then? Or have you set the bar a bit high?

Perhaps that is a bit high, but I do believe going 20 years between drafting and producing a potential perennial all-star hitter is not good enough.

[RichH55]

Originally Posted by asindc

Perhaps that is a bit high, but I do believe going 20 years between drafting and producing a potential perennial all-star hitter is not good enough.

Different argument then.


Does it count if they get that prospect in a trade? Flowers fits the catergory then too IMHO.

[asindc]

Originally Posted by RichH55

Different argument then.


Does it count if they get that prospect in a trade? Flowers fits the catergory then too IMHO.

That does matter, but scouting, drafting, and developing your own players is the most efficient way to do it. KW has been damn-near masterful at parlaying our minor league talent into solid major league contributors or vice versa, but that is the more expensive way to do it.

[Daver]

Originally Posted by asindc

KW has been damn-near masterful at parlaying our minor league talent into solid major league contributors or vice versa, but that is the more expensive way to do it.

More expensive in what way?

[asindc]

Originally Posted by Daver

More expensive in what way?

Drafting Beckham, Big Frank, Black Jack, Buehrle, or any other top-flight player means you do not have to trade for him later and you get him at an arbitration-level salary for a few years before free agency.

[cws05champ]

Part of the problem with the Sox philosophy is that they rarely give over slot $$ to later round draftees or take the chance on hard to sign players like Porcello/Kelly later in the 1st round(where they have been drafting for much of the last 15 years). If they took these chances they may have more talent in the system in order to deal them if needed. We just had too many drafts of Ring, Broadway,McColluch in the 1st round and then not followed up with over slot talent later in the draft.

I'm not saying throw money around in the draft loosy goosy, but to get clearly superior talent sometimes you need to pay the price.

[Daver]

Originally Posted by cws05champ

Part of the problem with the Sox philosophy is that they rarely give over slot $$ to later round draftees or take the chance on hard to sign players like Porcello/Kelly later in the 1st round(where they have been drafting for much of the last 15 years). If they took these chances they may have more talent in the system in order to deal them if needed. We just had too many drafts of Ring, Broadway,McColluch in the 1st round and then not followed up with over slot talent later in the draft.

I'm not saying throw money around in the draft loosy goosy, but to get clearly superior talent sometimes you need to pay the price.

If you can't develop talent why would you overpay to get it?