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Eric Longenhagen Prospects Chat
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Eric A Longenhagen
12:02
Good morning from scenic Tempe. Are you well? I hope so. Let's begin a marvelous discussion about baseball.
chris
12:03
How worrisome is Bradley Zimmer's strikeout rate? How does it affect his outlook for 2017?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:03
Definitely a bit of a red flag but one that I think he'll overcome with the power and defense.
Philip
12:03
Which lower level padres prospect that isn't getting a lot of attention do you think can break out?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:03
Michel Miliano
That's a long term one.
Philip
12:04
Any draft prospects recently get helium?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:04
No because nobody is playing.
Curtis
12:04
Will Carl Edwards ever be a starter?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:05
I don't think so, hasn't worked in the past. He's yielding big league value in his current role, don't think it's worth risking a move at this point.
Shawn DC
12:05
Is Frankie Montas more valuable coming out of the pen considering the amount of middle of the pack pitchers right behind him. Seems like Oakland has a lot 3-4 pitchers in their minors.
Eric A Longenhagen
12:05
Nah, nobody is more valuable in the bullpen if they can start. I think he ends up there, though.
Boss Man
12:06
Probably a dumb question - but why don't we see more prospects for prospects trades? Good or bad example (not sure), if COL wants MLB ready pitching and CWS is rebuilding, a trade of Giolitio for Rodgers helps both parties. Just an example I could think of off the top of my head.
Eric A Longenhagen
12:08
The financial driver for many trades is gone in that scenario. Teams like their prospects, that's why they acquired them in the first place, and like to make decisions with information. Teams always have less info about another club's player than they do their own guys.
Erik
12:09
In the majors, it seems like a large part of walk rate is based on the fact that pitchers are afraid to pitch to a guy who has a lot of power. What then should we make of minor league hitters like JP Crawford who carry high walk rates despite below-average power? Is plate discipline still useful when pitchers have no reason not to throw strikes?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:10
I agree with the question's premise and certainly am more comfortable with a minor leaguer's walk rate when it's also a guy with power. But for Crawford, he's done it at a level where the pitchers do throw a lot of strikes and has done it at upper levels for a few years...probably safe to say he's got an idea of the zone and uses it to his advantage.
Joe
12:10
When you scout, what do you look for when judging players' athleticism?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:11
Body control and coordination. Fast + strong ≠ Athlete.
Pat
12:11
Drew Finley is one of my favorite low level NYY Prospects. Obviously a looooooong way to go, but what are your thoughts on him?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:12
Sturdy but projectionless body, low-90s, great curveball feel, could be plus at peak. Potential #4/5 type of arm that's far away.
Z in Arlington
12:12
With his proximity to the majors and stellar numbers, am I wrong to think Minter should leapfrog some of the higher-upside types playing for the Rome Braves?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:14
He's relief-only, so probably not. He'd have to be a dominant relief option to outgrade the high end guys on the FV scale. Only 20 relievers were worth more than 1.5 WAR this year, those are the best guys and they're mostly 45s.
12:15
Like, I have Robert Stephenson down at #7 on the Reds list (which was submitted to editing last night) because I think he's a reliever and couldn't justify putting him any higher.
Q-Ball
12:15
When Kris Bryant was a prospect, did you foresee that he would be this good a base runner and defender? We all knew about the power, obviously....
Eric A Longenhagen
12:16
I thought he'd slow down quickly, move to an outfield corner and be peak Pat Burrell for 15 years. Somehow that was light.
Jimmy the Twins fan
12:16
Whats the chances we see Burdi or Chargois closing games for the Twins at some point this season? Who has the better shot?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:17
I'd say they're decent. Burdi has better stuff but probably less a chance to do it because he's had health issues. I know Chargois has too, but Burdi's are just more recent/current.
cdx.
12:18
Any idea where Mike Clevinger would fall on the Indians prospect list were he eligible for it?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:18
In the 40 FV section as a reliever.
EbenezerBatflip
12:19
Should Red Sox fans expect to ever get to see Devers/Groome actually develop and play in Boston, or should we just expect they will inevitably be dealt by Dombrowski in the next 1-2 years? Should I let myself get my hopes up for prospects or just view them as trade bait?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:20
That's a tough one. Dombrowski sat 3 rows behind me at the Fall Stars Game and saw Michael Kopech look absolutely vicious for a few innings and then deal him a few weeks later. The dude is ice cold. Don't get attached to your new toys.
Fat Kenny G
12:21
From a scouts perspective, would it be bettter to try and find high contact guys and get them into a strength training program for power rather than have high power guys and just hope they learn to make contact?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:23
I'll take the hit-before-power prospect if he has physical projection and hope he naturally grows into the power. I'd have to be more convinced that one can substantially improve their power through weight training. You can get stronger, sure. But can you add bat speed that way?
bart
12:23
Where do you stand on Rowdy Tellez? Despite putting up great numbers he is ranked quite low on prospect lists and there is a popular opinion that his bat won't translate to the majors.
Eric A Longenhagen
12:24
I'm skeptical because we all saw him struggle with good pitching for six weeks last fall but I've talked to scouts who saw him this year and they've said he's improved. I think Jays fans are allowed to be cautiously optimistic that they might have a big league contributor coming up to replace the power they've lost but this isn't a player I'm targeting in dynasty leagues or anything like that.
Curtis
12:25
Could Keon Broxton pull a .250/12/25 with above average defense in CF this year?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:25
That seems like a reasonable line, yeah.
Q-Ball
12:25
What team is your next prospect report?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:25
Reds, they're done and in the queue. Pirates in production.
Jimmy
12:26
Eric, are there any top prospects that you think are more likely to have a rebound year in 2017? What are some of the most commmon criteria you assess when coming to these conclusions?
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