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Eric Longenhagen Prospects Chat
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Eric A Longenhagen
2:02
Good morning from lovely Tempe and welcome to the new chat day. Let's begin.
ChiSox2020
2:03
Thoughts on Dane Dunning?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:04
Think he's going to be a league-average starter.
Bubbles Depot
2:04
I know it is incredibly early but is Juan Soto poised to be the Ronald Acuña of this year?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:05
Don't think the tools are on that level but could see him being a low-variance 60 by the end of the year like Kyle Tucker became last year.
Joe
2:05
Thoughts on Malique Ziegler? He's had a good start to the season
Eric A Longenhagen
2:05
Kind  of interesting but more bench OF prospect for me.
Joe
2:05
Hear any early reports on any pitchers who may have taken a big step forward in velocity or offspeed pitches?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:06
Jose Soriano, Mitch White's velocity is back up, looks like Edward Cabrera is already throwing harder, Griffin Canning has been 93+ all spring, and touching 96-97 regularly...
Trying to think of more....
2:07
Bryan Mata has been more 90-94 than 88-92
Also literally just got a text that Dustin May is touching 97 today, so him too perhaps
2:08
Luzardo
Been a pretty good spring
Pete
2:08
Do you think that Oakland will take a high upside lottery ticket prospect at 10 like they did with Beck last year? If so, who would fit into this category?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:10
I guess it's possible but Beck was more polarizing than any of the guys I could see them picking (like Libby or McClanahan, who have huge upside but everyone likes them, not everyone liked Beck). I guess the guy who's like that this year is Connor Scott? Just because he was a toolsy, early-spring pop up guy.
Mertz
2:10
How confident are you in Yusniel Diaz' floor?  What kind of player do you think he will be?  .300 and 20 HR?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:11
.300 with 20 bombs is 70 hit, 50 power. Diaz is more of an average regular for me, both tools in the 50/55 range and he's not as explosive an athlete as people think.
Redbeard
2:12
Best prospect that has a realistic chance to fall to the Pirates at #10
Eric A Longenhagen
2:14
Any of the high school arms might look like they should have gone top 3 a year from now. Carter Stewart has the monster spin rate and that's what Baz had last year. But Pittsburgh also likes big, athletic guys and Stewart is one of those. Rocker, Hankins is more that type.
Joe
2:14
Worried about Monte Harrison?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:14
Nah, only played half a season in Hi-A last year so the assignment was aggressive and it has literally been a week.
Joe
2:14
Were you a fan of Max Kepler? What do you think his upside is?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:14
Yes, think he's a 50
Matt Barnes
2:17
Taillon finally arriving?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:17
Looks that way. Still think his fastball plays closer to average but that curveball is filth.
Drew
2:17
Is Canning going to get bumped up soon after looking real good in his first couple starts? Has he exceeded or met expectations so far (I know SSS)
Eric A Longenhagen
2:19
Yes and this is a good time to remind chat that Small Sample Size applies more to on-paper results than it does things  like stuff/tools. If Max Scherzer were 86-90 tomorrow, we'd all appropriately freak out, not say 'small sample size, he's fine'.
snood
2:19
Lakewood's Ramon Rosso struck out 12 guys yesterday. A-ball fluke or is he someone worth watching?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:20
He's worth watching. 6-4, good frame, low 3/4s slot, loose but doesn't repeat. 90-93 with natural cut, can spin a slider.
FH
2:20
Have you seen or heard anything interesting out of the Giants extended spring training group?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:22
Not yet. Saw some of their guys yesterday (Giants Orange) but nobody really jumped out. They have two teams and it's going to be tough to track guys like Gregory Santos because it looks like their pitching situation is fluid between the two rosters. Giants Black has Canario, so that's who I hope to keep seeing.
Mertz
2:22
Your thoughts on the following OFs: Marcus Wilson, Daniel Johnson, or Jhailyn Ortiz?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:23
Ortiz has the most offensive upside because of the power but I don't thihnk he's an OF. Johnson has more power than Wilson but WIlson's a better all-around ballplayer.
Dan
2:23
Do you think that the Cubs failed victim to all the public talk about how they haven’t be able to draft and develop pitchers? They didn’t really seem to draft the best player available last year.
Eric A Longenhagen
2:25
No, the Chicago Cubs don't care what the public thinks or says about baseball ops. I agree it's clear this is not just a BPA strategy, but I get it. The big club has a young core of hitters and is more likely to need pitching sooner than anything else.
And they're doing well with position prospects in Latin America, so the system isn't barren of hitters.
paul
2:26
Jaseel De La Cruz off to a great start. Is he someone to keep an eye on? What makes him stnad out?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:26
Have seen him and can't believe he's throwing this many strikes. Low-90s, good breaking ball. One of the strangest deliveries I've seen. I'll try to get video online today or tomorrow, check the Youtube page.
Matt
2:27
Kiley mentioned some NL West prospect with a Julio Jones comp. Any guess who that is?
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