JotCast | Eric Longenhagen Chat

Eric Longenhagen Chat

Eric A Longenhagen

2:00

Howdy everyone, let's dive right in so I can finish the A's list after we're done.

2:00

I’m sure it’s different from position to position, but if you had to put an overall defensive grade on a player, how would you weigh their arm and field tools?

Eric A Longenhagen

2:02

Arm is it's own thing, though I'd like to break defense into multiple categories -- hands, feet, range, maybe actions too if you consider those separate from hands. You could look at those categories and know which positions a player is athletically capable of playing and how well instead of getting confused by the way different tools impact others like...

Darren

2:02

Normally, speed guys are supposed to be good defenders. What keeps a guy like CJ Abrams at a 50 FV as a fielder?

Eric A Longenhagen

2:04

We have Abrams evaluated at SS right now but he has issues throwing from those weird athletic platforms that shortstops need to be able to throw from to be really good there. So he has elite range, his hands are fine, his windup/max effort arm strength is good, but he still may not be all that great at short because he can't make these types of throws

Santa’s Reindeer

2:05

When’s your first mock draft coming out?

Eric A Longenhagen

2:05

Not for a while, they're just clickbait at this point

T.Y

2:05

If Bryse Wilson doesn't win the 5th starter spot, but is sent to the big league bullpen does that all but close the book on him as a starter?

Eric A Longenhagen

2:06

nah, far too young for that kind of thinking

No foot

2:06

I'm sure you've seen and have reports on Chris Paddack from 2018, but please... what were your initial thoughts on him the other day seeing Majorleaguers?

Eric A Longenhagen

2:07

Bien, as expected. velo, angle, command, plus-plus change, 5 curve on occasion

Nico

2:07

I understand the Jays want to build up value of guys like Richard and Shoemaker, but why not just ride with both Borucki and Reid-Foley in the opening day rotation to see what you've got?

Eric A Longenhagen

2:08

The reason you state is arguably sufficient, but I also get that you wanna see the younger dudes.

Ford

2:09

Is there a demographic with more pop-up guys than others? Whether it's pre-draft or once they're in the minors

Eric A Longenhagen

2:10

Pre-draft, and this is a combo of logic and anecdotal thinking I haven't studied this or anything, it's probably HS arms. Teenagers are undergoing more rapid physical development on the average and uptick in talent (velo, especially) is easy to measure and pay attention to. For pro prospects it's probably swing changers now.

We Got Lebron!!!!

2:11

So the O's trade Int'l $$$ for David Lebron. Is this backsliding into old bad habits, or is there something to like in the late-round arm? Thanks!

Eric A Longenhagen

2:12

I plan on poking around Lebron when we do the rest of the Rangers system. Ask again next week.

Ford

2:13

Quick report on Kyren Paris? Any other Bay Area high schoolers of note? (filtering by state would be an awesome addition to the board, if possible)

Eric A Longenhagen

2:14

One of the younger HSers in the draft, above run, above arm, 2B/SS fit, pretty quick bat, frame limits power projection somewhat (he's 5-11) but in our 2nd round mix on the board right now

Stinky Cheddar

2:15

What are your favourite under the radar spring training battles?

Eric A Longenhagen

2:16

DBacks pitching staff stuff, Rockies Tapia/Dahl/Desmond/McMahon/Murphy/etc situation, 'Stros 5th starter and bench situation w/o Marwin

Dale

2:16

Longtime Phillies fan and get to the affiliates a few times a season. Was really impressed with some of the arms in the system. Are Kyle Dohy or Zach Warren big league options at any point this season?

Eric A Longenhagen

2:16

I'd set the over/under at one of them getting there this year

Jake

2:16

Will DJ Peters swing and miss issues relegate him to a bench bat or does he mash enough/play ok defense to overcome the weak average?

Eric A Longenhagen

2:17

I think he plays everyday but might be volatile, year-to-year, like Michael Taylor and those types

JaKob

2:17

I'm intrigued by the report on Stiward Aquino, SP LAA.. does this guy have a legit chance to be a "dude"?

Eric A Longenhagen

2:17

of course, it's why we stuck him where we did

Sad Cleveland

2:17

Does Oscar Mercado for Jhon Torres really make much sense? Why deal a low level OF for a 40-man OF? Is Mercado's bat going to hold up in MLB?

Eric A Longenhagen

2:18

It makes lots of logical sense, CLE knew they were going to be thin in the OF and they flipped a player several years away for someone who can help them right away. In a vacuum I take Torres, but teams don't operate in a vacuum.

Chase Utley's Good Looks

2:18

Are there some prospects you know of that will be debuting swing changes this year? Excited to see any in particular?

Eric A Longenhagen

2:19

No idea. If big leaguers have made changes I haven't noticed (Thaiss is opening up more than last year, I guess) and minor league games don't start until March 12thish so nothing yet.

Scotty

2:20

Hey Eric, what are your thoughts about Vandy's Austin Martin for next years draft class?

Eric A Longenhagen

2:22

Took great ABs here in AZ opening weekend, plus athlete, love that he can play all over, hands aren't especially explosive not sure he'll have big offensive impact just yet.

careagan

2:22

Hey Eric, thanks for the chat. MLB Pipeline's report on Dennis Santana said one organization views him as the Dodgers best prospect. Which org do you think that is?

Eric A Longenhagen

2:24

My educated guess points toward teams that want ready upper-level pitching so I guessed Cubs but Jim just told me that's wrong.

JaKob

2:24

I asked Kiley yesterday, but wanted your opinion as well.. if we re-drafted the 2018 class.. which guys would be the biggest risers? And who was a guy you were lower on, but has changed your opinion this early (if any, since a fairly small sample).. as always thanks Eric!

Eric A Longenhagen

2:25

Gus Varland, Aaron Ashby, Ross Adolph, generally guys from smaller schools who we've learned more about in pro ball

Roger

2:25

Can Shed Long realistically get major time in the bigs and where would that be?

Eric A Longenhagen

2:25

yes, in a multi-positional role

Tobias

2:27

If draft picks were able to be traded what player would be equal value for the #1 overall pick?