Eric Longenhagen Prospects Chat
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salisburysteak
12:43
Thanks as always for chatting. Wondering if you have anything to share about Austin Charles. The long awaited Austin Charles Breakout looked underway earlier this year, then he had a bad injury and was out all summer, now he’s back and apparently hitting again. Any thoughts or info?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:46
Freaky tall guy with a weird (but pretty short) swing. I had him as a pre-2025 pick to click, then he struggled. Data is better in every way this season, albeit in a 185 PA sample. Power is approaching average, contact piece went from 30-grade to 45/50 area, up around 73%. He's 22, still so long.. late bloomer characteristics but I don't think a big breakout is suddenly here. I think if he carries this over to Double-A next year we can start to talk about whether they should be planning for him to be part of the big league picture in 2028/29
tmh198
12:47
Is the realistic outcome for Lazaro Montes akin to Murakami? (high K rate, decent OBP r/t BBs and around 30 or so HR's, or am I being too optimistic and overrating him a bit?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:48
They're different in a meaningful way: Laz has super long levers. I just think that makes him more volatile. But also, I love the kid, he's such a fun and energetic player. I hope it pans out. We have the same grade on Montes (50) as I did on Murakami entering the season. 'kami has produced more like a 55, prorate to a 60 if you want because he missed time.
doink000
12:48
Josuar Gonzalez - Top 10 prospect next season?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:49
Yeah, Brendan and I chatted some this week about how good he looks on defense. I'm ready to go all in despite the total lack of launch right now. 70 defender.
dbailit
12:49
on the topic of australia... as intl depts start to scout more and more from unique countries which country do you think will emerge as a legit producer of big leaguers?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:52
I think there will be another wave thanks to Bazzana and Mead but probably on a bit of a delay, just as those guys emerged a good bit after Rowland Smith and Hendricks and Balfour, just as they emerged after Nillson and Lloyd.. ... need time for these guys to establish themselves, for kids to get on board, and then mature as athletes
I think Africa will end up being a bigger deal over time
Brian Martin
12:53
Rainiel Rodriguez reducing strikeouts and hitting like a man on fire since the end of May. And still only 19….4 months older than Jesus Made. Best offensive skill set prospect in the minors? Is defensive development going to delay his arrival in the big leagues? If Made and Walcott are likely to arrive in MLB early in 2027 (assuming baseball schedule happens), should Rodriguez be on a similar trajectory?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:55
Rainiel's defense might put him on a longer timeline. It tends to be the nature of catching regardless of player quality, and in his case he's a bit crude for an upper level minor leaguer because his bat is what has accelerated his rate of promotion. Another guy with excellent contact quality in spite of some whiffing. Contact rate has actually dipped this season, slider chase/whiff kinda scary. Love him, think he's obviously going to be an impact player, not sure how much catching he's going to do from the jump.
doink000
12:56
Bo knows ball! Does Bo Davidson have the tools/performance to warrant top 100 consideration next season?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:56
Absolutely, anyone with this kind of lefty power deserves to be in the conversation.
oaktownblues
12:56
Do you think you'll be bumping Johenssy Colome up a grade after his DSL performance?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:56
Yes. Wish they'd have sent him to AZ for instructs, it'd be easier to stuff him if we could see it from 20 feet away rather than only on tape.
ADoctolero
12:56
Percentage odds that Josuar de Jesus Gonzalez is the #1 prospect in baseball by this time next season?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:57
I think he's one of like 5 or so guys who have that kind of ceiling, so 20%?
jacobteam
12:57
Thoughts on 90% outcome for Logan Hughes?  Michael Conforto?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:59
That's not a bad comp. Melky Cabera?
Phillip Denny
12:59
Between Kade Anderson and Josue De Paula making the jump straight from AA, are we seeing a new team strategy of saying screw AAA if you're talented enough, or just happenstance that coincidentally happened twice this summer?
Eric A Longenhagen
1:00
Nah, we've seen this plenty before, dating back 20 years. Triple-A has grizzled vets who it'd be insulting to have at Double-A even if there's technically a 20-year-old down there who is more talented than them.
1:01
Okay, I've gotta go handle some clerical business. Great questions this week, I'm gonna go through the queue and pull some out for a mailbag or something. Look for that next week. Rental car time for you boy. See you guys next week.
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