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Brendan Gawlowski Prospects Chat: 1/13/2026
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Brendan Gawlowski
2:04
Hello everybody! Thanks for chatting with me. Just as a little background: This is my first chat here. I spent the past couple of years as a scout for the Pirates. I mostly covered West Coast systems and a lot of my knowledge is from that part of the country. I'll do my best with everything else!
Jack Martinez newly a Cardinal
2:04
I’m famous for this morning! And now a Cardinal! Please tell me all about me as a pitcher and a prospect!
Brendan Gawlowski
2:06
Michael Bowman will have a full writeup shortly, but Cliff notes: low-mid 90s FB w/cut, pairs with CH. We'll see if he has a good breaking ball. Tends to open up early, which gives me concerns about his deception. Flier type.
Klubot3000
2:06
Where would Cole Young have slotted in the Ms list for you? I'm pretty encouraged by holding his own with the bat, but man did the arm stroke look awkward at 2B and the range left something to be desired.
Brendan Gawlowski
2:07
Toward the bottom of the 50's. He's young, I'd be patient. Tools aren't huge though, he's not going to be a star.
Red sox nation
2:07
Who's doing what between you and Eric?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:08
We're sharing a lot of the beefy systems, like you've seen already with MIL/LAD/CLE. In general, you'll probably see him lean towards teams with Florida complexes while I'll take more of the AZ group this year. But there will be some mixing and matching; I'm working on Blue Jays right now, for instance
Broken Bat
2:09
Welcome Brendan, can you provide some background on yourself to help us fans know you a little better.
Brendan Gawlowski
2:10
Born and raised in Seattle. Played ball growing up, topped out as a lousy D3 outfielder but grateful to have made it that far. Always have enjoyed writing, and was thrilled to latch on with FanGraphs back in 2019, and happy to be back here. Still live in Seattle area, with my wife and son; he's 3 and likes catchers.
Blue Jays Eh?
2:11
Your thoughts on Gage Stanifer and Johnny King, could Johnny king be #2 behind Yesavage in a few years?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:12
More to come on Jays (hopefully) this Friday but... I think King is going to be a pick to click for me when Eric and I do that post next month. No. 2 is stretching it but that's a good pitching prospect.
Redbeard
2:12
Anything unique on how the Pirates run the minor league scouting etc annything different since you started there?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:14
The Pirates were/are very intentional about integrating their pro scouts with their statistical analysts. It's not unique but the level of commitment there is notable.
Dodgers Blue
2:14
Given the acquisition of Bregman - and now the news that Matt Shaw has been resistant to approach changes the club has asked of him - how much does this hurt the player's stock and the club's ability to get a fair return for him?  As a former, recent scout, would you be pushing a team like the Giants to go after him given what we're hearing?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:15
Really interested to see what the Cubs do with Shaw. Don't see SFG as an obvious fit; they've got a few guys who can play third already.
Kate
2:15
Welcome to Fangraphs!  Loving your work with Eric so far.  Do you think David Davalillo have a shot at the Top 100 next month?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:16
Off the top of my head I'd guess he'll fall a tick short of that but he'll be in the discussion for sure.
Kate
2:17
Where would you have Caden Dana if he was still prospect eligible?  Does he have any hope of figuring it out in that org or does he need a trade?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:18
Significant big-league exposure tends to change the conversation re: prospect lists b/c it's data we just don't have for the majority of guys under consideration. On talent, towards the back of it. As for the LAA angle, I think a lot of guys there would benefit from a change of scenery.
Mike
2:19
as a fellow baseballer who topped out in D3 (Washington and Lee), curious where you played?  Also, born and raised in Pittsburgh.  Any hope for Termarr Johnson and/or Henry Davis?  Thank you!
Brendan Gawlowski
2:19
Whitworth University; go Bucs. Davis: I'm skeptical of the bat but the defensive (and makeup) transformations from his debut to now are remarkable. He can help in some capacity.
DC51stState
2:20
Hi new guy! Is it fair to say that the Yankees have been successful at prospect identification, but performed below league average at development? Does the success of a less-touted prospect like Ben Rice (or, to a lesser extent, Austin Wells), tell us anything about the underperformance of Anthony Volpe or Jasson Dominguez?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:21
I didn't cover the Yankees much but one thing that stood out was how sloppy they were fundamentally. The things you see at the big league level, like the bad baserunning and weird fielding lapses are present down on the farm as well.
MHS
2:21
A friendly morning wave from somewhere else in Seattle Brendan.  When it comes to pitching prospect analysis, how do you evaluate a player's command grade?  What criteria do you use to adjust upwards or downwards as the player progresses through the minors?  And if a player is going to make a command leap, is there a level where that frequently happens?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:24
Command: can you throw the ball where you are trying to throw it? I tend to project on good athletes, clean arm swings, and on guys who show some feel for moving the ball intentionally. The magnitude of the projection will depend on a fair bit on how competently they're doing that last one presently.
Kate
2:24
Sorry, just to clarify, when you say "towards the back" for Dana, you mean the back of the Angels list or the back of a Top 100?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:24
Back of the 100
Potato
2:24
Are you Alfredo Duno-pilled like Eric?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:24
His enthusiasm is infectious.
Okra
2:25
What was your reaction to the Harry Ford for Jose Ferrer trade?  Were you surprised a RP who hasn't really broken out yet got such a strong return?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:26
Like a kid at a new school, that title was my attempt to fit in here.
Lewis
2:27
What do you feel is the most likely outcome for Thomas White's development?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:29
I tend to look at this more from "realistic upside" rather than "most likely outcome" because, statistically speaking, we know that most guys will sputter as they reach the highest level and regressing across the board like that doesn't really tell us anything useful. With that in mind: No. 2/3 type starter. Want to see more strikes before going ALL in but he's very good.
Redbeard
2:29
Sorry about another Pirates question but anyone there you're or they are significantly higher on compared to public list/available info
Brendan Gawlowski
2:30
Cat is out of the bag now but for all of last year the answer was Antwone Kelly.
Oaktown Blues
2:30
Does Luis Morales have ace potential, or more of a mid-rotation ceiling?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:30
Ace; wide bars here but I really like him.
Klubot3000
2:32
Liked the Pat Forbes write up on the AZ list. I'm pretty high on him and if the DBacks can add a cutter and/or change/split, he could be a huge mover this year. With how good his 1/2 punch is, I could see the fast-moving reliever route, but if you're the DBacks dev group, are you prioritizing a cutter or change first?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:32
I would give him a chance to start and see if those pitches tick up with reps and exposure to Dbacks coaching. Can always push in relief later.
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