You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Return toFanGraphs
Brendan Gawlowski Prospects Chat: 1/27/2026
powered byJotCast
Brendan Gawlowski
2:02
Hello everyone. In case anyone missed it, the Jays list went live last week. Eric is publishing Philly's list... tomorrow, I think. It'll be soon. I also have LAA in the hopper, that'll probably go live  Friday.
2:03
Otherwise, let's get to it.
mike
2:04
Will any Twins minor league hitters debut this year, or will they keep them down for control purposes (esp. given the likely lockout)?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:05
I would be surprised if you see huge shenanigans, honestly. Like, if Walker Jenkins rakes in AAA to start the year, I wouldn't expect him to be stuck there all year.
Big Christmas
2:05
What do you make of the Mariners linked to CJ Abrams? Good idea to give Colt Emerson a few more games at AAA? I know he's great, but only 40 games above A+ would give me pause in fully turning over an infield spot in the spring for a contender
Brendan Gawlowski
2:06
If you're in the midst of your competitive window an you can acquire a player like Abrams at a tolerable price, you do it.
Lowe Distribution System
2:06
When I played baseball I was simultaneously a good OF because I was fast and covered a lot of ground and a lousy OF because my subconscious instant calculation of where a fly ball was coming down was terrible and so I took awful routes.  Is this what's up with someone blazing fast like Chandler Simpson being a bad OF?  If so, is that something that can even be taught?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:07
Speed is the biggest part of the job but yeah, your reads off the bat and ability to predict where the ball is going to land has an impact as well. It can be improved but there's also a visual component to it.
2:08
Less commonly, you may need to round on a guy because his hands aren't very good. Braiden Ward is a very good defender because he's an 80 runner but I've seen him drop a lot of balls when he's at full extension
Big Fan
2:08
Thanks so much for the great coverage.  When do you expect to get to the Braves list?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:08
Late February
e
2:09
is there any concern in mlb circles about the recent NCAA rulings with regards to players with minor league experience being eligible to compete in the NCAA? If a player in the NBA G-league can play for Alabama, would MLB or the NCAA be able to stop someone like Sebastian Wolcott from getting a big NIL bonus to play for a college team?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:10
I'm not sure the NCAA can stop anything at the moment.
Matt
2:10
As you’re working through the Angels list, have you had any general thoughts/themes pop up?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:10
A lot, and I'm not looking forward to publishing it because it's going to be pretty negative.
Vic
2:11
Could Konnor Griffin produce Junior Caminero results two years later in terms of fantasy results, not skills set?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:12
He stole 65 bases last year, so... no, but in a positive, additive way
chase
2:12
Is there any reason to feel optimistic about the Rays system, in light of the step back seemingly every top prospect took last year?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:12
Yeah, they have a ton of guys, they develop well, and they've already added smartly this winter. You're in good hands.
MoonBeamMcSwine
2:12
Better CF prospect in the DBax system.. Waldschmidt, Jones or someone playing out of position but can be moved to CF?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:13
Do you mean defensively? It's Jones all the way.
Andrew
2:13
Can I talk about Hayden Alvarez real quick? I get the concerns about the power potential but the rest of the profile could feed families, 80% contact rate with a 14% BB rate. 30 SB potential and decent CF defense. Is there something in the swing that people don't like? I just don't get why people aren't higher on him.
Brendan Gawlowski
2:13
Okay, it's not going to be entirely negative! (I like Alvarez)
Jesse Ventura
2:14
Speaking of Abrams trades, reports that SF was willing to part with Gonzalez+. Thoughts there?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:14
If you're trying to win now, and you have ground to make up, there's nothing wrong with using your farm system to bolster the big-league team.
Cousin Sal Stewart
2:16
Looking at the coaching for the WBC, and seeing so many interesting names for MLB fans. Dusty Baker leading Nicaragua? Amazing! Francisco Cervelli running Team Italy with Jorge Posada at his side? Iconic! Johan Santana as the pitching coach for Ranger Suarez and Pablo Lopez!?!?!? Dangerous! Alexei Ramirez coachi...wait no he's PLAYING for Cuba!
Brendan Gawlowski
2:16
Alexei is playing, my word. Awesome
Adam
2:16
Have you ever witnessed a player with what you thought were eye popping tools that the rest of the industry didn't agree with?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:17
There's usually agreement on tools with varying opinions on whether a guy will hit.
War2D2
2:17
You’re a loose cannon, Gawlowski! I want your badge on my desk by noon! That aside, when should you guys be posting the Cubs’ system rankings? Any interesting pop-ups that we should look out for?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:18
Cubs will likely be a ST list. I believe Eric is going to tackle that one, since their facility is about ten minutes from his house. Not a great system, and not one I have a ton of familiarity with. I do want to see Conrad, though
Jeff
2:19
Eric mentioned Henry Davis' make up problem at the end of a chat years ago without saying anything further. Then you mentioned his make up improving recently. But before Eric had said that I'd never heard anything bad about his make up. Can you elaborate or explain?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:21
On behind the scenes stuff -- game prep, working with pitchers, handling the day to day stuff that comes with being a big leaguer -- he grew tremendously year over year. Full credit to him.
Deaf deaf to the IDF
2:21
Am I the only one on the Kyren Paris wagon?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:21
I really don't think he's going to hit
Cousin Sal Stewart
2:21
How would you judge the effect of prospect promotion incentives so far?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:23
By and large seem to be doing their job. We haven't had an egregious, Kris Bryant-esque situation in a few years and a lot of prospects are debuting on Opening Day, to the point where maybe we've gone the other way.
Colton
2:23
Will you be making it out to AZ for some spring training games? If so, would you and Eric be tackling some of the same games together or would you guys pick different games to broaden the scope or players you see?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:24
I'll definitely be going. I imagine we'll divide and conquer mostly but it's not like it'd be a screw up if we went to the same game once over two weeks.
Happy to be here
2:24
thanks for a great chat! BoSox suddenly seem to be a pitching factory, any one of their young arms you think is most likely to stick in rotation?
Load More Messages
Connecting…