Tuesday Thursday Curveball
by Texy
2008 February 21 at 12:01 am
Normally, every Tuesday, I post a discussion topic or question for everyone to think about and then discuss in the comments section. This week, the Tuesday Curveball is the Thursday Curveball – which, I suppose we might have expected would happen sooner or later given that it IS a curveball we’re talking about.
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Yesterday, the position players reported for camp- which means we’ve got everyone down in Ft. Myers (save for Bobby Kielty, whose wife is having a baby today). Which Red Sox prospect are you most excited about seeing develop into a major leaguer? For purposes of this discussion, let’s not count Clay Buchholz or Jacoby Ellsbury- both of whom are already guaranteed major leaguers (it’s just a matter of when). I want to hear about those guys who are still battling it out to even make the 40-man, who are looking to maybe get a cup of coffee in the bigs – or turn a cup of coffee into a big league career within the next couple of years. |
As always, you don’t have to be a fan of the Red Sox to get in on the discussion. All baseball fans- even Yankee fans- are welcome… just substitute your team where it says “Red Sox” in the question above.
I adore Brandon Moss, and I’ve also gotten jazzed about Justin Masterson – but I have to say my favorite Sox prospect is Kyle Jackson. He doesn’t get a lot of ink, he’s not highly touted, and it may be he’ll never bust through and be a bona fide major leaguer, but he’s been a favorite of mine since 2005.
If the question was “Who do you think has the best shot?”, I couldn’t name him as the winner — but since it’s who would make me the most happy to see break through, it has to be Kyle.
Jed Lowrie. I’d love to see him break through defensively because he has so many doubters about his skill as a shortstop.
Love Brandon Moss.
But the minor league team I really follow are the Rochester Red Wings. Went to college in Rochester, love that team. Love them.
The ultimate test: I think I’m going to a Pawtucket-Red Wings game this year. No idea who to root for.
Does it have to be someone with the big league camp? I mean granted I love Justin Masterson and Jed Lowrie, but the one minor leaguer that I’m most excited about is still a couple years off. That’s Lars Anderson. I mean he’s likely the 1B or DH of the future and he seems like he can develop to be a big bopper in the lineup, which is something the Red Sox hadn’t been able to really develop.
Also, for hilarity’s sake He looks like a perfect cross between Dustin Pedroia and Craig Hansen
I’m most excited to see some of these guys we keep hearing about but haven’t SEEN much of – Jed Lowrie, Justin Masterson, etc – and the catchers! I really really want to check out the catching prospects (did we bring back Kevin Cash on a minor-league deal? I liked him – and he was easy on the eyes).
the coverage of justin masterson this spring has totally won me over. i’m smitten.
i’d also love to see lowrie make it, but no one seems to think he’s a major league shortstop. that must be hard to hear if you’re a prospect. “but … but … but … that’s my position!”
Anne – Dusty Brown and George Kotteras are both catching prospects. And both are easy on the eyes, which I never object to. I think Cash is going to be on permanent fill-in duty — but I’ll be anxious to see if Dusty can develop into a bona fide major leaguer.
Well, he’s not in the PawSox, but I’m looking forward to seeing how Michael Bowden progresses through the Sea Dogs. I’ve seen him play before and I like him.
Also, like mouse said, I’m interested in watching Jed Lowrie, who’s clearly waiting for a chance to show off his stuff at short-stop.
Justin Masterson for me. Let’s see why he was talked about in the trade talks for Santana.
He’s supposed to have some nasty stuff.
I think the Red Sox are waiting on Mark Wegner who caught in Lancaster this year as their future catcher when Tek decides to hang up the spikes.
Lowrie and Masterson. And I would love for Brown and/or Kottaras to have big years, just so I can stop being nervous for what happens when Tek inevitably retires in a few years.
Interesting question. Tough to prioritize, but I’d love for Hansen to “develop” this year, to the point making a positive contribution to the Sox bullpen after the All-Star break. I have patience for the Masterson/Lowrie/Bowden, etc, group to develop. The prospect that fires my imagination the most, at this point is Kalish. I can’t wait for him to play in the Eastern league.
Kalish is definitely another one on my watch list. I like everything I’ve heard about him.
Dusty Brown, baby. I saw him throw two guys out stealing at the Futures game last year and I’m excited about his defense and would love to see him develop into a Big League Catcher. Of course I’d love that for George, too, but Dusty has charmed me.
Hmm, this is a hard one, if only because there are a whole ton of guys I find myself getting excited about. I have a huge weak spot for the baby!catchers, though: Dusty Brown and Ty Weeden, in particular, but I’m following them all to varying degrees of obsession. As for non-catchers, Nick Hagadone and Ryan Kalish have both caught my fancy.
I’m with the Masterson group. He’s been on my “radar” for a while, baseball-wise but I saw him at the Rookie Development autograph signing and he was very sweet and silly and charming. He’s kind of my Minor-League Baseball-Crush.
Otherwise, I like Moss, I like Jackson–I also really like Anthony Rizzo, Will Middlebrooks, Nick Hagadone, and Mark Wagner. And for fun, I’ll throw Josh Papelbon into the mix.