I was gonna go and be all skeptical about Natale, but he actually didn't have that bad a season in Wilmington. 280/420/405 is passable in Wilmington. Too many Ks, not enough power, but a good enough season that it's non-crazy that he could have a better year in Portland. Still a chance that he could be a cheap bench guy in the majors. I remembered Natale doing pretty crappy in the Carolina League. Was I wrong, or did he end the year on a hot streak like Lowrie?

Carlos Fernandez-Oliva (formerly just Carlos Fernandez) is an OF from the DR who hit .297/.376/.458 in the GCL this year, his first year in the States, after winning the batting title in 2005 in the DSL. There's a lot to like, but it's very early.

-- MWE

Where I said "DR", I meant "Venezuela".

-- MWE

I remembered Natale doing pretty crappy in the Carolina League. Was I wrong, or did he end the year on a hot streak like Lowrie?

You remember correctly. .603 OPS in July and 1.040+ OPS in August and September. August/September also featured 22 BB/15 K.

One problem--those minor league defensive numbers showed him to be brutal at 2B. I think the sooner he shifts to the OF the better.

Nickname proposal for Natale... Babbo Natale.

It means Santa Claus in Italian (Natale = Christmas, Babbo = more affectionate way of saying Father).

I like Babbo, but it's not as good as Gadzyouki.

There's a rumor that the Sox and Marlins are talking about a David Murphy for pitcher trade. They have a lot of pitching that I like. I'd even be interested in Kevin Gregg.

One problem--those minor league defensive numbers showed him to be brutal at 2B. I think the sooner he shifts to the OF the better.

I don't think anyone expects him to hit enough as a OF. I suspect he's better off a bad defensive 2B who can hit well relative to position than as an average defensive OF who can't hit relative to position.

Would you rather have Todd Walker or Gabe Kapler?

Would you rather have Todd Walker or Gabe Kapler?

Todd Walker was just run of the mill bad as a MLB 2B. Natale's numbers show him to be horrible when compared to single-A players. Maybe those numbers are wrong but people who've seen him play indicate that they're at least close to accurate.

You you, I hate it when otherwise intelligent people write something like this:

Bryce Cox, RHP, B- (Great arm but Rice pitchers scare me)

John, for Christ's sake. If you have a problem with Cox, say what it is. But don't give me this supernatural BS about the Rice baseball program being haunted or something.

You know you want Kotsay and Calero for Crisp.

(whoops, meant to post in the other Therapy thread...)

Especially since Cox was the exception to the Rice rule, since the problem with their pitchers' arms derive from overuse, and Cox was basically neglected until the last half of his senior season.

Carlos Fernandez is hitting .407/.444/.553 in the Winter League. He has never, ever, not hit. Wherever he goes he rakes. He also put on strength last season and tightened up his upper body. He should be in Greenville next year, which will be a prospect circus.

C- Jon Egan
1B- Lars Anderson
2B- Chih-Hsien Chiang
SS- Kris Negron
3B- Manny Arambarris
LF- Carlos Fernandez
CF- Ryan Kalish?
RF- Jason Place

SP1- Bard?
SP2- Doubront
SP3- Caleb Clay
SP4- Kris Johnson?

You can check out a report on the Sox winter league players and a short interview with Player Development director Mike Hazen, here.

Lets hope Natale can work his away into at least a slightly below average 2B. It's a position where, with a good instincts and knowledge of positioning, you can work yourself into a workable player.

It's not supernatural BS. There is a good reason to be scared of Rice pitchers as a lot of them have suffered major arm injuries possibly from throwing a lot of innings and pitches while there. They include several high-profile first rounders Kenny Baugh, Philip Humber, Wade Townsend and Jeff Niemann. If Cox had been a standout starting pitcher for several years in college, I would be worried too, but fortunately, he sucked for a while before finding a new arm motion and his arm is pretty fresh. Sickels should have seen the difference.

this is pretty cool: http://p209.ezboard.com/fredsoxprospects57174frm2.showMessageRange?topicID=2758.topic&start=40&stop=44