The White Sox have had an advantage in judging Cuban players, because general manager Ken Williams can get in-depth scouting reports from Jose Contreras and now Alexei Ramirez. So when they spend big money to sign Dayan Viciedo, as they did this week, you have to wonder if they know a little more than everyone else.
Some scouts were down on Viciedo after watching his workout in the Dominican Republic earlier this month. They said he was out of shape, and that while he has tremendous raw power, it looked like he might have to play first base, rather than third.
The White Sox reports on him were much better, so much so that it's said they like Viciedo more than they liked Ramirez, who finished second to Evan Longoria in rookie of the year balloting.
It's worth remembering that rival scouts were dismissive of Ramirez this spring, and even early this season, calling him nothing more than an extra player who wouldn't hold up over a full season.



 