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Eric Longenhagen Prospects Chat
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Eric A Longenhagen
12:01
Good morning from Tempe where we're enjoying a little cold snap before the heat cranks next week. Let me see how fast I can clear the questions in the queue...
Guest
12:01
Shaw shown you any new info in just a week in MLB?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:02
Nah, especially with the Japan trip in there, he deserves a nice, long runway to get comfortable after essentially skipping Iowa.
Baron
12:02
After doing the bluejays list and hearing scouts input of players. Who are the guys you are excited to watch in their system this year?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:02
Yorman Licourt
Idiotic Failson
12:02
Will Chandler Simpson be a viable big leaguer? I have sort of a prospect crush on him (and he's not even a part of my favorite team's farm system)
Eric A Longenhagen
12:03
I believe so, I have a strong grade on him. You can read more here: Tampa Bay Rays Top 56 Prospects | FanGraphs Baseball
DDG
12:04
Any matchups on opening day that you want or recommend people to watch?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:06
Double-A: Northwest Arkansas at Tulsa - Steven Zobac vs Jackson Ferris
12:07
High-A: Dayton at West Michigan - Chase Burns against several of the Tigers best guys
Low-A: whoever Carolina plays
the Carolina roster is so much fun
M Mitchell
12:07
Hearing a lot of good things about Welbyn Francisca with comps to Ketel Marte or a switch-hitting Altuve. Pump the brakes?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:08
I mean, those are pretty nutty comps.
I like Francisca a lot but those are a little much
szakyl
12:08
I thought you had said in a previous chat that DeLauter would be dropping in your rankings due to his newest injury. I am remembering incorrectly, or did something give you pause in downgrading him?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:08
I felt like the risk profile of those power hitters ranked near him was similar. The others for K's, DeLauter for injury.
FreeMingo
12:08
are you higher on Ben Rice or TJ Rumfield as the Yankees backup 1B/DH of the future ?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:09
Yeah, Rice's power gives him ceiling Rumfield doesn't have. Might as well try it to see if Rice can actually hit.
Gonzo
12:09
What’s the highest FV you ever gave to a prospect that never reached the minors? Excluding those who retired because of non-baseball injuries or non-baseball crimes
Eric A Longenhagen
12:09
At one point I think I had a 40+ on Max Marusak, and then he went to college and didn't hit.
Donny
12:09
Have you heard anything about Johnny King? I know he will be in extended spring training but it seems like it’s been quiet for him, any velocity/stuff jumps that you’ve heard?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:10
My Florida sources did not see him during minor league ST
Jay
12:10
What do you make of Jack Leiter’s start to the season? Obviously won’t keep up this level of production but does it change your outlook on his future and how you look at pitching prospects?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:11
If he can sustain it that's great. You could argue he belongs toward the back of the top 100 stacked with the other relief risk arms. He's had shaky control for quite a while now, though. I'm not sure I'm willing to take two starts as gospel rather than the four years of relative wildness.
A.Y.
12:11
Do you like the chances of either of the Dodgers' duo of Emil Morales, or Joendry Vargas to take a step forward and improve upon their zone-contact this year, and really break out? Quintero has better bat-to-ball skills, so I'm leaving him out. Also separately, it would look like Vargas has the actual skill + ability and tools to stick at SS despite being long-levered and an atypical size/build for shortstop, is there no chance he ends up being able to stick there and be a plus defender?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:13
I saw way more of Vargas this spring and think he's still pretty long, but it looks like he's learning how to compensate for that. I'd guess his chances of reaching a viable place are greater. And he looks pretty good on defense. There is a point where one's size becomes too much to move at shortstop, but there's also a point where your size (and the easy plus arm strength it gives you) is an asset and I think Vargas is going to mature in that Goldilocks Zone.
Plus glove, though? that's a lot
mmitchell
12:13
What is a realistic ceiling on Thayron Liranzo?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:13
All Star
guest
12:14
colt emerson hit a ball 115 mph and had an avg bat speed of 77 mph (99th percentile for big leaguers) in spring training. did these numbers make you reconsider his power ceiling?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:16
Those are relevant data points, yes. My apprehension with Emerson has more to do with his seeming inability to cover elevated fastballs and less with how explosive his hands are (they're explosive).
12:17
Also remember I've got that guy ranked 30th in baseball, it's not like I don't like him. And I'd ask you if his actual power production might cause *you* to reconsider what it's going to be. Colt Emerson - Stats - Batting | FanGraphs Baseball
Cobie
12:18
Was Grant Taylor’s ST surprising to you or was it kind of expected and just need health? I was surprised he didn’t jump up the ranks a little bit.
Eric A Longenhagen
12:18
The box he has to check is: show this stuff across a starter's load of innings. It wasn't possible for him to check that box during ST.
Ogbert
12:19
Which non-Big 3 Red Sox prospect is one to watch this minor league season? Perales? Paez? The Password?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:19
Paez and Nelly Taylor
D backs fan
12:19
Is Tim Tawa going to be this years ADLC? I know it early and it’s Reno, but he is smashing everything.
Eric A Longenhagen
12:21
I think he can be a valuable multi-positional role player but probably not an everyday stalwart. It's awesome that he hasn't struck out yet this year, though. If there have been real changes that help him make more contact, that'd be better. After six games, it's early to sniff around whether or not that's the case.
Moises Chace
12:21
What are the chances he's able to stick as a starter?  And if he's a reliever, does he have elite closer ceiling?
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