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Brendan Gawlowski Prospects Chat: 3/31/26
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Brendan Gawlowski
2:22
I don't have a great response right now but thanks for the article idea
SuperWill
2:22
For the Rangers list coming up - Maxton Martin and Paxton Kling seem like guys with some MLB tools. How do you like these guys?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:23
Maxton Martin is so similar to his brother it's a little scary
Tim
2:24
I see Spencer Jones is picking up where he left off at AAA: good looking surface stats, 38.5% strikeout rate. How big a sample do we need to decide he really is what he is?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:24
He/NYY/whoever his future employer is will be trying to shave that number until the day he retires because if he can the upside is enormous
Big Sally
2:24
You can reject the premise but its a fact that FG was way lower on him than everywhere else before last season. Eric said he didn't pull fastballs and that made him question whether he could handle premium velo
Brendan Gawlowski
2:25
Should he direct his apology to you, to Sal, or... ? What do you want here?
Gronch
2:25
What are the odds Bo Davidson puts up an above average (say, 3 WAR/600PA) season within his team control years? It seems the Giants have some outfield prospects who might be big leaguers (like Harber), but it is harder to see impact potential the way they have in the infield with Level, Hernandez, Josuar, Eldridge
Brendan Gawlowski
2:25
He could do that, has big fans in the org
Jake
2:25
Who is your favorite long term among River Ryan, Gasser, Christian Scott and Snelling?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:26
If you told me he'd stay healthy, River. Scott also looked really good before he blew out.
AL Central Casting
2:26
Will Mick Abel's control/command gains from 2025 stick enough for him to keep starting, or is he destined for the bullpen?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:26
Every reason to keep giving him chances to start
Gronch
2:26
Re: Cooper Pratt, do you read the extension as a signal that the Brewers think they can get more power out of him?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:26
Not necessarily. Clearly they think he's very good, but it may just be 'we think he's a plus shortstop who can hit'
Guardian of the Ephemeral
2:27
What's your take on Ryan Johnson at this point? In some ways it seems he could be the first of a group of SPs to break through and give the Angels a nifty lil homegrown rotation. On the other hand, it's the Angels.
Brendan Gawlowski
2:27
Nothing new from the LAA list. Like him a good bit.
Andy
2:27
Saw reports this spring from Keith Law, etc., that Jesus Made put on a lot of weight in the offseason, and not all of it is "good weight." Did you see him in Arizona, and does that raise any long-term concerns for you?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:27
I did not see him but Eric did and shares those concerns
The Actor for Al Pacino
2:28
Between Pratt and Emerson, we have a couple new datapoints in terms of very early extensions for players who haven't debuted yet. In the case of these two, they have barely even played much above AA, which is why I find the timing odd. It seems like the teams could learn more while letting them play in AAA a bit as there's no spot in the majors for them, and the price tag probably wouldn't go up much at all. Thoughts specifically on the timing of the signings for these two guys?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:28
Chourio had all of six AAA games as well
2:29
I agree it feels a little early
Guest
2:30
2025 report Sal Stewart wasn't in the top 100 and was rated a 40+ fv. The prospect reports from THIS OFFSEASON are more bullish on him. Literally only over the last 3 months has FG's opinion on Sal been positive. But ok reject the premise instead of actually answering
Brendan Gawlowski
2:31
Do people come talk to you like this at work?
I can see your IP address by the way
Guardian of the Ephemeral
2:31
Do you track extremely young MLB types who are developing in the majors? Or just stick with pure prospects? Asking because I am always intrigued by guys like Jordan Walker who debut, bork hard, then have to make changes in the big leagues.
Brendan Gawlowski
2:31
Try to cover all of it
2:32
Walker is fascinating
I think it was Craig Goldstein who was talking about the Cards and Walker/Scott in particular and he was just like 'can these guys just trade batted ball profiles?'
FelninCelestan
2:33
Odds that Felnin Celesten develops into an impact player someday? Loved him since his signing but the injuries have been a bummer to see
Brendan Gawlowski
2:33
Lack of energy on the field this spring was a bit of a turnoff. Not the be all end all, backfields can be a grind. But, like, run dude.
Dan
2:34
The Indians are viewed as the premier pitching development, but are we reaching a point where Pittsburgh might be moving up the list given the collection of arms that have come up and the ones behind like Reinold Navarro and Seth Hernandez?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:34
PIT's definitely toward the top
Big Buckston
2:36
Connor Prielipp didn't make the top 100 this year. Any specific reason for the dropoff? He put up a career high in innings in 2025 with solid performance.
Brendan Gawlowski
2:36
Stuff/control a little soft. Eric did the deep dive on that and I just nodded along, so for more detail I'd ask him on Friday.
Crabcakes
2:36
Hit tool encompasses pitch recognition, bat-to-ball, and quality of contact, yes?  If it weren't for the historical system where "hit" is a single tool, would you break those up and give guys multiple hitting grades?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:37
We did that with Pit, broke the hit tool into multiple grades. I see the rationale, think you can justify different approaches.
Ben from DC
2:37
What would you like to see from Crews at AAA to show you that he's getting back on track?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:37
Pulling the ball with authority
War2D2
2:38
Brendan! Any update on when the Cubs list will be released? I’m curious if the Cubs have enough in the minors to make a move for Joe Ryan or similar without mortgaging the farm. Despite how well Horton and Cabrera did in their first starts I can’t help but think they’re at least an arm (if not two) short for a team with deep playoff ambitions. Heading into October with Shōta and Taillon as your game 3 and 4 starters isn’t a recipe for success in my opinion.
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