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Eric Longenhagen Prospects Chat
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Eric A Longenhagen
12:01
Hello from sweaty, stormy Tempe where we've had a weird mix of 110+ degree heat and moisture the last few days. There were several heat-related incidents with players at Bridge Camp yesterday. Looks like it's going to break next week and our weather patterns will change.
12:02
Let's get to your questions, might be a shorter chat this week as the only game in town is west valley today, which means a longer commute for you friendly neighborhood prospect writer.
Mike
12:02
Minnesota going to keep Abel and Bradley in the minors to lose every game?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:04
Their deadline was the only one that felt like a true, complete bottoming out, so maybe? I can see them wanting to give Zebby all the runway, but Urena and Hatch idk. Did Hatch tweak something in Japan they want to see vs MLB hitters for an extended spell? Trying to take the most generous read of the situation but yeah they might just be tanking. Which, ok.
Alex
12:05
Do the Braves have a chance to have more than one(Didier Fuentes) Top 100-ish prospects for 2026?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:06
Ritchie's had a good year and held his stuff even though his innings load has doubled. Will they be as aggressive with him as the other young arms, or will they be gun shy because AJSS and Fuentes were clearly undercooked?
db
12:06
Big night for Aidan Miller last night, two moonshots. Have you noticed anything different in his setup / swing in his recent turnaround? Or is it more approach based?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:08
He's looked fine all year, tools-wise. His bat path is such that he'll probably K some, he's not a 60 hit tool guy, but he's going to get to power because of the strength and verve in his hands. He's fine, wild in-season changes to him I'd constitute as an overreaction.
J36T
12:09
Thanks for all the prospect info.  You and the site truly bring value.  I wanted to know if you think if Joshua Baez has done enough yet for a an upward revision in hit tool grade?  His K's are down around the 20% since July 1st - wondering if the in-zone contact and chase rate has improved along with the K rate, and has he done this long enough to justify a 40 or 45 hit tool grade?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:09
I don't think that guy is going to hit at all.
Alek
12:09
Felt like you were a little light on Jackson Kent…think a 45 or even mid rotation SP is a possibility?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:09
Maybe, changeup has performed like a 70 this year, other stuff is still average or below
Just a bit outside...
12:10
Is Chase DeLauter a lost cause in the OF?  DH only bat?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:10
He's in uncharted territory as far as injury frequency for a position player, I have no idea how that's going to shake out.
Arn Anderson
12:11
Sam Brown gets traded to the Nats and turns into CJ Kayfus overnight. Anything new there or just SSS variance?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:13
Radical shift in hitting environment leaving Madison, I think he's a good hitter and has big league utility but probably not the power to be an impact guy (same with Kayfus btw)
Casey
12:13
I have a buddy who is a Brewers fan who said he wouldn't trade Made straight up for Skenes. How dumb is he?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:14
I mean, I think most of us would take the known elite entity. There's a lot of wishcasting in the queue today if I'm being honest.
Yokozuna
12:14
Quite a debut for Eli Willits last night. Comps?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:14
IDK if there's a flush comp to make, he's a really good prospect though.
Phaser Ramon
12:15
Ethan Petry leads all draftees in OPS so far. High EV's, walks a lot. 30 body/defender/speed. Thoughts here?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:15
In that DH only area, exits have always been huge, lotta 4A traits, fringe guy but indeed a prospect.
Jason
12:15
In your report on Jarlin Susana, you indicated his injury from earlier in the year slid him to the back of the 55 FV tier. Since he's come back, he's been dominating. You also mentioned in the report that we should take his AA results with a grain of salt. So my question is...how excited should we be about Jarlin and where would he be within that 55 FV tier now?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:15
Look awesome, happy to have him stuffed.
5 Run Homer
12:15
So does Basallo’s extension mean bad things for Adley or is Basallo just not a catcher for the Orioles?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:16
Positive spin: what if they both catch a bunch and both 1B/DH a bunch, everyone stays healthy and performs at their peak on offense all year.
Edouard Boolean
12:17
What are the chances we see Kevin McGonigle before the end of this season, and the chances we see him on Detroit's opening day roster in 2026?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:17
I think it's like 5-10%? Tough to replace Gleyber at 2B and I don't think K-Mac is a good enough SS defender to just get thrown into the fire there and be okay with the big league pace of play.
Lord Thunder
12:18
What's going on with Thayron Liranzo's horrible second half? Will you be lowering his FV?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:18
Probably not, I tend to move catchers conservatively because he might be dealing with an ailment we don't know about. Plus, switch-hitting catcher with huge power, let it air out.
Alicia
12:18
What do you think of Jacob Wilson as a hitter? It's a weird profile, but I tend to think he'll get stronger + that park will add power. Am I crazy to think he could Altuve-ey?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:19
In the same way Mike Harris and PCA have had their chase-driven roller coasters, I'd expect that from Jacob. But he's good, he's their everyday SS for the long haul I think.
Alex
12:19
Re: your commitment to breaking news - any info on Didier Fuentes’s injury that landed him on the 7-day IL?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:20
Is that not out there? That'd be kinda nutty if it's not, he was a big leaguer and surely there's a good Braves beat who has reported that, right?
If not I'll get on it.
Nervous Flyball Pitcher
12:20
Any thoughts on recent Baltimore risers like Trey Gibson or Nate George? I saw George got the bump to 40 FV
Eric A Longenhagen
12:20
Gibson you could argue is a 50, George's contact profile is so oppo-driven it's terrifying.
Carl
12:20
The consensus on Andrew Fischer seemed to be that it was optimistic of the Brewers to announce him as a 3B. Early days still, but what has the initial impression of his defense been?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:21
I haven't done a deep dive on his defense since turning pro, I think the amateur report still holds water.
Brian
12:21
How close is the password to being a 50? Any chance he can get there?
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