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12:32
From your prospect writeup, it sounds like Kelenic may not end up a CF, at least not a palatable one. In this case, does he end up with something like a Conforto profile- a power-hitting LH RF? While that is absolutely a valuable player, I feel like seeing him in that light might make his loss a bit more palatable to Mets fans (who I think still see him as the CF who got away).
Eric A Longenhagen
12:33
I think you're thinking about the possible defensive fit in exactly the right way, but I think a thing to remember is that Kelenic is further along than Conforto was at the same age and that's an indication his ceiling with the bat is higher.
Blue Dodger
12:34
If everything clicks for Andy Pages, what is he doing in 2024 and what level is his game at stat wise.
Eric A Longenhagen
12:35
If everything clicks he's hitting 35+ bombs
12:36
in 2024 he's on the cusp of the big leagues
i think Franmil Reyes-type is more the median outcome, the one better than that has a more stable approach than Pages does now.
Jeph
12:37
Hi Eric. Kumar Rocker's ultimate upside seems to be similar to other power starting pitchers in recent years (electric offerings if the command comes along). Who does Jack Leiter compare to when it comes to upside? Your report on the Board suggests he's more of a (pardon the terrible pun) jack-of-all-trades type. Does that ultimately limit him?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:38
I think that the thing the game has become best at developing is velocity, and that I'm at a point where I'm more likely to anticipate growth in velo rather than in pitchability (see: Cleveland). In this regard I prefer Leiter's foundation to Rocker's. But obviously it's razor thin. Leiter's curveball needs more power to really be a weapon. Rocker's slider is one right now.
Old Prospector
12:38
Beyond Hayes and Keller, do you think any current Pirates big leaguers will be on the next contending Pirates team?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:40
Reynolds (as more of a solid everyday type than a star) and Tucker (who knows what he ends up being, but he's the kind of guy who I think is important to keep around for a number of reasons, some of which is just because he seems like a great dude, some because I think he has a ton of late-bloomer traits)
Jacob
12:40
With the question about Antone, have you heard of any ways to increase spin rate other than foreign substance? Do you think Foreign substances will be legalized?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:41
I don't know about any of that. I know I have a high speed camera and that I see a lot of baseballs leave guys' hands in a very intimate way. And now I watch them between pitches as if I were watching someone do closeup magic and was trying to see how they did their trick.
12:43
As far as policing it, in my opinion it's only the players who should have an opinion on this. This is an code of conduct thing that they alone should have say in, its impact is limited to them alone. However they see it is fine with me, I don't know if that "hitters actually prefer us to do it so we have better control" stuff is eyewash or not
Hermie
12:43
What are "backfields" exactly? Thanks!
Eric A Longenhagen
12:45
So every spring training complex has several auxiliary fields out behind the main stadium where developmental work occurs. Minor league games, live BP, bullpens, infield/outfield. Stuff like that. It's a useful place for scouts and people like me to be.
Stanley
12:45
What do you hear about Ryan Vilade? Keith Law heard issues, bat taking a step back (lost bat speed, looked "awful"), while others heard many positives and expect a breakout. I know you haven't done your COL list yet, but hoping you could clear up the confusion for me. Thx!
Eric A Longenhagen
12:48
I did not see Rockies instructs myself so I leaned on scouts who did and in-office folks for what I have on Vilade. The in-office types like him. At one point he was toward the back of the top 100. I liked him as an amateur, he had huge power. Scouts who saw him in fall did not like him as much, especially in LF, and that still appears to be the case. I like the bat enough to think he's likely a contributing big leaguer, but I decided not to 50 him.
Jacob
12:48
Will you scout the Pioneer League at all? What kind of talent do you think will be a part of that league? Do you know how that talent will be sourced?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:49
Maybe if I'm vax'd by then. I haven't spoken with anyone about the kinds of players they anticipate will be there.
I Like Baseball
12:49
Best college baseball game(s) to watch this weekend?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:51
auburn/boston college, Tennessee/Georgia State (go look at GSU's non-conference schedule, they're fearless), Grand Canyon/Okla. St, Oregon/UCSB
Scott
12:51
Does Burl Carraway have 9th inning upside?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:51
yes
Matt
12:52
Does Vidal Brujan's FV change if he can be an above average defender in CF? The Rays have been trying him there in ST.
Eric A Longenhagen
12:52
No, I'm already betting on him being a impact defensive player somewhere/in several spots.
Brandon
12:53
Any other high upside college pop up guys that we should be keeping an eye on, that weren’t mentioned in your March 2nd article?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:54
Caleb Roberts at UNC, Nathan Hickey at Florida, Chase Silseth at Arizona, John Rhodes at Kentucky...there are gonna be more
Cito's Mustache
12:55
Who's the oldest player you have ever included in your team prospect lists, and would you ever have a hard cutoff for age? (this question was inspired by the Julian Merryweather entry on the Jays list)
Eric A Longenhagen
12:56
I can't think of who it is off the top, it's been older/injured relief types like Merryweather or Ray Black, guys in their late-20s. Some foreign pros coming over.
12:57
I just think most of our readers know how to understand/research big leaguers on their own, so all I'm trying to is provide a central location for the guys who are outside the natural scope of readers, and sometimes those guys are older
Hegelbon
12:57
You haven’t seemed to be in on Chase Petty or Anthony Solometo, two guys who have been getting a lot of hype online. Will they rank on your next board update or do you have reasons for skepticism?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:59
Solometo's arm action and Petty's effort terrify me, the track record of mature-bodied hard-throwing high school guys is not good, especially when they have violent deliveries.
1:00
Ashe Russell, Justin Hooper, etc
Hermie
1:00
Could there be such a thing as FV without regard for service time? Like when Adell dropped on the BOARD because the Angels called him up too early... it'd be cool if there were a way for us to parse your feelings about Adell's career from your feelings about his value to the Los Angeles Angels baseball franchise as human capital.
Eric A Longenhagen
1:03
"feelings" about "value"? That's weird man. He slid because he's clearly going to take time to adjust (on offense and defense) and then (hopefully) be great while other guys (like Soto, Acuna, etc.) came up and crushed right away. There's gotta be daylight between those two types of players, it became clear Adell was not going to in that instant impact group. And that's totally fine.
Donnel
1:03
Regarding Jaden Hill, is it unusual to see someone with an uncertain future as a starter feature so high on draft rankings?
Eric A Longenhagen
1:05
Not really, I think our collective ability to anticipate which of those someone will be is overstated. Like Puk, and McKay and Whitley...guys get hurt and totally change. Hill's got awesome stuff, three plus pitches, he should go really high
1:06
okay baseball is about to start. Thanks for stopping by, everyone, enjoy this weekend's slate of games and stay safe.
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