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Brendan Gawlowski Prospects Chat: 4/28/26
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Brendan Gawlowski
2:01
Hello everybody
2:02
Usual housekeeping items... Last week I published the Royals list, so give that a look if you haven't already. Eric and James are working on the Cubs right now and I'm most of the way down the trail on Padres. We're gunning to publish both this week.
2:03
I suspect Giants will follow those two before we pivot to the Florida teams to finish things out.
Let's get to it
drplantwrench
2:03
the angels bullpen is a goddamn disaster, and only partially because of injuries.  is there anyone in their minor league system that could provide backup?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:04
They're thin, particularly if they're going to use Urena as a starter. I was surprised Cody Laweryson didn't stick, as he's a perfectly fine fungible reliever, but he's also hurt now, so.
Natitude Adjuster
2:04
Is the excitement-meter increasing for Ronny Cruz?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:04
Certainly in the comments here.
I forgot to mention that Eric finished the Nats system in the housekeeping update above.
2:05
For all the latest on Cruz, check there, that's fresh.
Aaron
2:05
Any recent comps for Kade Anderson's hot start?  SPs who debuted in AA and dominated right away?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:06
Unusual but not unheard of for advanced college arms to sail through the upper minors. Suspect he's closer to Mike Leake than Paul Skenes but obviously very encouraging start.
OW
2:06
What should I be expecting from Bazzana? His profile feels a little overwhelming, but maybe he's a perfect fit for the small ball terror offense in Cleveland?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:07
Modern hitter. Long AB's, pulled fly balls, power over hit even without huge raw. Fair at second base.
Matt
2:07
You mentioned in the Angels list that Yilver De Paula was one of the players you were most excited to see this spring. Did you get a glimpse at him and, if so, what’d you see?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:08
I got a nice glimpse of him on the bench at the Breakout game. LAA both brought a small roster of prospects to the game and played fewer of them than anybody else.
Caught him a tiny bit in other backfield action, looked good at short.
Jorge
2:09
Has your opinion of the Braves position player prospects changed since season opened?  Eric Hartman, Owen Carey, Isaiah Drake, Tate Southesiene, Cody Miller - seems like they have guys who could be GUYS in a way they haven't for quite some time (not counting Drake Baldwin or Michael Harris).  Does the whole system look better or am I just being a fan?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:10
Was just texting a source about whether Atlanta has a case as the farm system off to the best start this year (at least relative to expectations). Really encouraged that Southisene has shortened up and found a way to make more contact. Hartman's measurable power is up a grade, which is also exciting, though it's coming with enough swing and miss that I want to dig on him a little bit before I get too excited.
Ritchie continuing to throw the ball well
2:11
Gil hitting for more power and seemingly no worse for wear with his speed
All good stuff
guest
2:11
What's your preferred non-MLB live baseball experience in greater Seattle: Huskies, Rainiers/Aquasox, Fish Sticks, or other? Also wouldn't the Tacoma Tahomas be a way more fun name than the Rainiers?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:12
Everett. Professionally useful, sentimental favorite, close to home. I'm there a lot.
RAH
2:12
Wilber Dotel throwing smoke in a follower/long relief role. Does he have enough command to move into the rotation?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:12
Maybe in the hybrid role
Cool Lester Smooth
2:13
Any changes/improvements underlying Lombard’s hot start in AA, or is it mostly a function of him getting closer to drinking age?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:15
Looks a little stronger year over year, which always helps. Still seeing the same swing, he does a lot of damage on balls in and is particularly dangerous on pitches low and in. Still beatable up and away, tends to be under fastballs in the upper third. No major changes to profile, tracking in the middle of the "positive" and "as expected" part of the venn diagram
Ryan
2:15
Any prospects on your radar that could make the leap from a 45/50 to a 55 or higher?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:16
The guy that has most impressed me thus far is Luis Peña but the poor kid had a scary medical situation last week and so I want to hold off on anything baseball related until he's back on the field.
NYY
2:16
Elmer Rodriguez called up to make his debut tomorrow. What do you see is his ceiling/floor? I know this is only temporary with Rodon/Cole on the way, but is he a future #2/3 SP, does his future lie in the pen? He's been mighty impressive in the minors with the Yanks, and had a nice 3 innings in the WBC as well.
Brendan Gawlowski
2:16
Grounder-generating no. 3 for me.
Once in a while those guys turn into Logan Webb
Oaktown Blues
2:17
Were you on Carlos Cortes at all as a prospect? Obviously he's not this good but seems like his hit tool has really ticked up in the past 12 months
Brendan Gawlowski
2:17
I had barely heard of the guy, though in retrospect his performance in AAA offered a sign that he was a late-bloomer with big league ability.
Guys like that make this fun
2:18
And warrant going deep
RAH
2:18
Thanks for the doing the chat, and joining FG in the first place. FG Prospect coverage has always been at it's best with Eric doesn't carry the entire load and has someone to banter with. Speaking of... One of my favorite FG things was the podcast with Eric and Goldstein. Would you be open to talking prospects and player dev on the mic or live stream?
Brendan Gawlowski
2:18
You're welcome. I think for Eric, the opportunity to do something besides lists all year was very appealing.
As for podding/streaming... I'm open to it, one of a dozen or so things on my radar to explore once this cycle of lists wraps up.
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