Andy profiles as a guy who has the ability to hit in the middle of the lineup for a championship major league team. He has all the ingredients to be a special hitter. |
As players get closer to the majors, we like to increase their versatility and see how they might fit in. For now, though, he's strictly a catcher, and we like his development there. |
David Kelton is a guy who still has youth on his side, and we feel there's more in there. |
God's not making many guys like him - a switch-hitting catcher with power from both sides and the ability to make contact. |
He can be a bat off the bench for us in Atlanta at some point in time. He's got a very patient demeanor. He's always had an instinct to hit. |
He can play first, and maybe a little outfield. But he's really a third baseman. I don't think you want to move him around. |
He has the charm that people want to be around. No matter what your physical ability is, unless you didn't have that advanced ability and advanced knowledge of the game, you can't advance quickly. |
He has the projection of being a five-tool player. But he just needs to play and adjust to the rhythm of the game at each level. |
He'll probably go to (Class A) Myrtle Beach and he'll be evaluated accordingly. The next step would be Mississippi. It's possible he could get there this year. The competition (in A-ball) will tell us. |
He's got a chance to be Miguel Tejada or Alfonso Soriano. He'll certainly be a way better defensive player [than Soriano]. |
He's had a tremendous year. He comes to play every day and he doesn't give up a single at-bat. He's really shown a lot of maturity. |
I never saw Derek Jeter when was young, but that's who he reminds me of. He's just real sure and real controlled with everything that he does. |
Manuel says that he's throwing well and his arm looks as good as it ever has. That's encouraging. He says [Villarreal] is really excited about his new opportunity and can't wait to get to Spring Training. |
Our children are 9, 6 and 3. The demands of this game are tough enough. To be general manager of the Red Sox , it just puts it in a whole other gear. It just didn't feel right. |
Patience and opportunity are really the number-one things that develop players. The guys are young and they make mistakes. You've got to believe in them and you've got to keep throwing them out there. |