Daily Links - High Quality Ken Rosenthal Edition

I was watching the second Red Sox game yesterday when they turned the triple play and it occurred to me, I don't think I've ever seen a triple play before. Of course I've never seen one in person, but I don't think I've ever seen one live on TV either. Strange. In any case, like Dustin Pedroia, I thought it was exciting.

Link time!

Your weekly Power Rankings are here and the results say, well, who cares what the results say really. How's that for an endorsement, eh? The Sox have taken a short fall in both the Beyond The Boxscore Power Rankings (from first to second) and the Hardball Talk Power Rankings (again from first to second). This is due to the team's less than stellar August record and probably to the way the Yankees have hung around this season, nipping at the Sox heals. (Off topic: I'll just say this: if the Orioles had signed Bartlo Colon and Freddy Garcia this past off season they'd both be pitching for the Rockies right now.) Of course it's nice to be the best team in baseball on any given day, but being the best on August 17th isn't what the season is about. Fortunately.

It's been a disappointing season down on the farm for the Red Sox. Sure there have been some nice surprises and a few breakout performances, but for the most part the Sox system has endured a down year. Fellow SBN blogger John Sickels, who writes at Minor League Ball, reviews his picks for the Red Sox top 20 prospects which he made at the beginning of the season. Most haven't done well and one (rhymes with Make Mitton) have taken what was supposed to be a breakout season, held it down and pooped on it. Mr. Sickels is especially down on the aforementioned Make Mitton and Jose Iglesias, whose offensive talents are beginning to be questioned. It's fair to question Iglesias's stick, I think, but it's far too soon to make any final determination. Sure, he hasn't hit this season, but remember as a shortstop Iglesias doesn't have to hit like Adrian Gonzalez to be an All Star. If his glove is as awesome as it has been reported to be he can still be a starter on a championship caliber club with a bit more development of his bat. We'll see if he can do it.

As I alluded to above, there have been a few players who took took off the coke-bottle glasses, removed the pocket protector and ended up with the cutest girl in school. One of them is Ryan Lavarnway, who WEEI.com's Alex Speier tells us, was a popular name during trade deadline discusions. Fortunately the Sox upgraded their rotation without having to deal the slugging catcher. That the Sox didn't deal the youngster is exciting news for those of us who like watching homegrown talent find its way to Boston.

The Red Sox may not have spent the most money in the draft, but they definitely weren't cheap. The total expenditure came to over $10 million (the reported figures are approximate). I'd argue it's a bargain at twice the price, but then it isn't my money. In any case, Alex Speier who apparently types multiple articles simultaneously, has a comprehensive piece up on some of the bigger talents who just signed with Boston. The big name to know, at least according to Mr. Speier (and others), is Blake Swihart, the slugging high school catcher. He'll be a name to follow as time goes on.

The news wasn't all good yesterday though. Or really even half good considering in eighteen innings the Sox picked up six hits. Anyway, according to ESPN Boston's Gordon Edes, David Ortiz has bursitis in the heal of his right foot. It remains to be seen what the long term affects of this will be, but Ortiz was in enough discomfort to miss both games of yesterday's double header. If this is a longer term problem, and there have been no indications that is the case, we may see Ryan make his Lavarnway up to Boston sooner than expected.

Stories like this make me miss Justin Masterson.

Finally, Batting Stance Guy takes on some prominent baseball announcers. It was only a matter of time. And really, dude does a high quality Ken Rosenthal.