If Beckham's up, when Danks?

[TheVulture]

Originally Posted by chisoxfanatic

My GOD!!! There are already too many inexperienced/unseasoned guys on this roster as it is, and you want to add another one?

Not necessarily - just wondering what Beckham's done that Danks hasn't. I wouldn't be opposed to a full on youth movement, though, to tell you the truth.

[TheVulture]

Originally Posted by oeo

You're looking at and comparing two sample sizes in Birmingham.

True, but Danks' numbers are exactly in line with his numbers at other levels.

[voodoochile]

Originally Posted by TheVulture

Looking at the better hitters of recent memory, they all seemed to have pretty good numbers in the minors.

Well sure, but there are plenty of others who did who failed dramatically at the major league level because a long looping swing on a guy with power is okay when the pitchers are only hitting 85-87 on the gun for the most part and still working on developing their breaking stuff, but take that up a notch and the numbers won't bear out.

I have no idea if that's the case with Danks. I'm just giving an example. All I'm saying is if all you have is stats to go on, you don't have enough information.

[voodoochile]

Originally Posted by TheVulture

Not necessarily - just wondering what Beckham's done that Danks hasn't. I wouldn't be opposed to a full on youth movement, though, to tell you the truth.

Great way to ruin a youth movement is to bring up a bunch of highly rated youths before they are ready to face Major League pitchers...

[Rohan]

Originally Posted by TheVulture

Not necessarily - just wondering what Beckham's done that Danks hasn't. I wouldn't be opposed to a full on youth movement, though, to tell you the truth.

We are probably one of the youngest teams in the majors right now...

[oeo]

Originally Posted by Rohan

We are probably one of the youngest teams in the majors right now...

Joking?

[thedudeabides]

Originally Posted by oeo

Why was Beckham drafted #8 overall? Why was he the 20th best prospect in all of baseball at the start of the season?

You're looking at and comparing two sample sizes in Birmingham. Give Danks some time to develop; he still needs to cut down on his strikeouts.

Exactly. He has 54 strikeouts in 218 at bats this year. That wouldn't translate well at the top level.

[chisoxfanatic]

Originally Posted by TheVulture

Not necessarily - just wondering what Beckham's done that Danks hasn't. I wouldn't be opposed to a full on youth movement, though, to tell you the truth.

I would be. You don't throw a bunch of youth into the ring of fire known as MLB all at the same time. You bring in a couple, let them get comfortable, and then bring up another guy or two gradually. It is stupid to have too many guys "learning" the MLB game at the same time. The only way they can learn is to have at least several other teammates there to give them advice and be there for support...and this is even MORE crucial considering who this team has for its hitting coach.

[Rohan]

Originally Posted by oeo

Joking?

I guess we're not as young as i originally thought.. But we are still pretty young... The average age of our line up today is 28, and there are extremes of experience on this team as well. Guys with a lot of experience, your AJ, Dye, Konerko, Thome... And not much experience at all, your Getz, Nix, Anderson, Fields.

[Mohoney]

Originally Posted by voodoochile

Great way to ruin a youth movement is to bring up a bunch of highly rated youths before they are ready to face Major League pitchers...

Amen. The philosophy you describe is one that turns teams into perennial suckfests like Pittsburgh and Kansas City.

[Britt Burns]

Danks, Vicideo, Flowers, Allen, Poreda, etc. will all be in Chicago soon enough, but they are not ready yet. Rushing them can only hurt their long-term development.

[CWSpalehoseCWS]

Originally Posted by TheVulture

You'd keep Pods long term, i.e. beyond 2009. even if it blocked a top prospect?

If that prospect is not ready, yes. Danks will not be ready by 2010.

[CaptUSN]

When will Jordan Danks get on the Beckham express to Chicago? His AA numbers are nearly eye watering and he is hitting lead off....

[DirtySox]

Sometime in 2010. Probably a mid season callup, but I wouldn't be surprised if he broke camp with the team.

[DirtySox]

Many of the reasons have already been stated. Beckham is a more advanced and polished product and is better suited to hit major league pitching right now. Stats don't tell the whole story. Gordon has great pitch recognition and a very solid swing. It is generally unanimous amongst scouts that he is ready.

Jordan Danks is opening eyes, but he doesn't have the reputation or track record that Gordon does. He strikeouts too much. He finished Winston-Salem with a near 30% K rate. This number has gone down slightly in AA, but he still needs to show he can maintain it. Lastly, Jordan has a very long loopy swing. It takes him a while to unload. He has to work on cutting it down especially in a pitcher's count. If he continues to cut the K rate while putting up these numbers, you will see him soon enough. Best case scenario he might break camp with the team in 2010, but I would expect a 2010 midseason callup at some point.