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Brendan Gawlowski Prospects Chat: 1/20/2026
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KevinT
3:21
Prospect promotion follow-up: are you and Eric considering the new approach now when evaluating prospect promotion timelines ahead of the top 100 in a few weeks? How do both best determine a promotional timeline? Obviously Jesus Made could be up at age 20, but that should not be the timeline for most
Brendan Gawlowski
3:23
Trying to. It's also a moving target and not consistent between orgs. The Rays and Mariners are willing to go a little slower; Michael Arroyo and Laz Montes hung around High-A longer than other teams have kept them their, for instance. Meanwhile, the Angels might sign and promote you to the big leagues by the end of this chat
Okra
3:23
Do you knock a pitching prospect down a grade when he gets TJ?  Why or why not?
Brendan Gawlowski
3:25
It introduces an element of risk, obviously, but doesn't change the pitch grades or anything. Eric has traditionally handled it by sending top 100 guys to the back of the list, which I think is a fair approach from a value estimation standpoint.
Crabcakes
3:25
How much are you interested in graduated guys who are back in the minors and thus might still be thought of as prospects vs there are so many players to watch I don't have time for anyone who no longer has rookie-status?
Brendan Gawlowski
3:25
Very, I think guys can get buried way too quickly. How close did Josh Donaldson come to not having a career?
Dallas
3:25
im convinced Jhostynxnon Garcia is Alexander Canario 2.0. Tell me I’m wrong
Brendan Gawlowski
3:26
Canario has some mechanical issues that prevent him from getting to fastballs on time. Garcia may or may not hit but I don't look at him and think "this major thing needs to change or we have a problem"
Will
3:27
From your time inside the walls, what has been the general reaction to the shrinkage in MiLB levels & technology?
Brendan Gawlowski
3:27
Negative to the level shrink. I will never forgive the league for cutting Montana/Colorado teams out of my summers
btownfritz
3:27
Do you feel that Colt Emerson of the Mariners would be ready for an opening day debut? Could you see him putting up a ROY campaign?
Brendan Gawlowski
3:28
Neither would be shocking.
Guest
3:28
What are your thoughts on Bryce Mayer? His fastball plays up vs his velocity, and he’s performed very well in the low minors and pretty well in the upper levels as well.
Brendan Gawlowski
3:28
He could be a No. 4.
Hi
3:29
Organizationally after the Dodgers, are the Mariners in best shape top to bottom?
Brendan Gawlowski
3:29
Do you mean just the farm system? Because if not I would definitely pick a franchise willing to pay for things over Seattle.
Jonathan
3:30
What is the weirdest anecdote you've ever heard about a prospect?  No need to name names if it's egregious.
Brendan Gawlowski
3:31
I'll choose something harmless. I was at a game where a woman released a flock of doves 10-15 minutes before first pitch and then I saw Tai Peete go over to her, shake hands, and exchange business cards. Never know when you're gonna need a bunch of doves, I guess.
Daniel
3:32
In your opinion, what do you think are the chances Angel Genao hits for average power in the majors? I’m concerned by his groundball tendencies.
Brendan Gawlowski
3:33
Fair concern to have until he starts doing it.
Tyler
3:33
Re: moving summaries to the top of prospect writeups, do you all use a tool like HotJar or Full Story for website analytics? For a numbers-driven group like yourselves, tools like those could be an easy way to quantify what part of the reports (and all of your articles, honestly) get the most eyeballs / clicks / etc.
Brendan Gawlowski
3:34
Better question for Appleman and Meg. My understanding is, as we've moved into more of a subscription model, metrics like that have become a little less important. But also I'm a prospect writer not a businessman and thank god not an SEO marketer anymore. I could be talking out of my hind parts here.
e
3:34
what happened to Jordan Walker? he seemed like the kind of profile of a guy who just seemed like a sure thing to hit (even if there were limitations to his defensive profile), and he just... hasnt
Brendan Gawlowski
3:35
Still on him to some degree, good change of scenery candidate.
KevinT
3:35
For 2026 only, rank in terms of major league ABs & expected contributions: Aiden Miller, Colt Emerson, Sebastian Walcott, JJ Wetherholt, Jesus Made. I am leaving off Konnor and McGonigle as I think they both rank as 1/2 if they are up
Brendan Gawlowski
3:36
Emerson and Weatherholt are close. Gap between them and the other two who may not get there at all.
3:38
Going to shut it down here today. Thanks for all the questions. Looks like we're making it a weekly thing, I'll try to come armed with a little more on the Mets next time.
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