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Eric Longenhagen Prospects Chat 6/27/2016
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Adam
2:20
What are your thoughts on AJ Preller's draft?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:20
It was super Prellery.
Adam
2:20
How big is the talent gap between Maitan and Almanzar?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:21
It's pretty big. This year's J2 class in general is down from last year's.
And I should note that the Cubans who have yet to be cleared to sign but are likely to be during this J2 period will be on the board/ranking and in the reports.
Sailor Jerry
2:22
Yadier Alvarez's AZL debut was seemingly stellar, think he has ace potential?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:23
I asked the White Sox AZL kids who faced him in the opener about him and all most of them could do was shake their heads. He plays catch at 94-98 and touches 100. He's a long way off but yes, he has top of the rotation potential and if you've been reading my stuff for a while you know I don't throw that around too loosely.
Adam
2:23
Do you have a quick scouting report on Cionel Perez?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:25
89-93, touch 95, will show you an above average slider and curveball. At least third of the league is interested.
Dave
2:25
How good is Lazarito going to be?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:26
Teams are still trying to figure that out. He's as risky a bat as is available (and it sounds like he's still available) in this year's J2 class. Needs a mechanical overhaul and probably ends up in left field despite the pure speed for CF. Feel for center just isn't there, which means he'll have to hit.
mike sixel
2:26
Buxton still having issues......I know prospects can struggle and still turn out to be great, but there are degrees of struggle. What are your thoughts on Lord Byron these days?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:27
I think Buxton is so physically gifted that he's never before had to make any significant adjustments. It's unfortunate that he's going to have to do it on such a well-lit stage. I still think he's going to be one hell of a big leaguer, but it's going to take some time.
Rog
2:28
If you were building a team around a young SS right now which would it be?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:28
Lindor.
Q-Ball
2:28
Do you foresee clubs opening a Cuban baseball academy, similar to the ones in the DR? If the politics and whatnot can be worked out, is there enough mass of talent to warrant it?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:29
I doubt it. Cuba treasures their brand of baseball and the government is very involved in the game there. They have every incentive to keep MLB hands of their guys for as long as possible. I actually think it will be a while before we have any real influx of talent from Cuba into MLB again. What you've seen and are seeing now is just about it.
FireDrayton
2:30
Bregman headed to AAA. Can he contribute in Houston by August?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:30
Yup. And long enough has passed that I started asking people about the uptick in power and nobody has any idea where the hell it's coming from but it's not a mirage.
Pat FL
2:31
Mauricio Dubon -- how bright is the future?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:32
Gotta be honest, didn't love what I saw last week.
If the weather holds up I'm seeing him again tomorrow and will have a report up on the site hopefully this week.
Bunk Moreland
2:32
Do you expect to see much movement before the July 2nd period opens, or is everything pretty much locked in at this point?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:34
There's a pretty large segment of players who will get done right away next week. There are a lot of players who were either not yet cleared or were hoping from big money at the tail end of the last J2 period (which ended on the 15th) or just thought they'd make more money in general that won't sign next week.
Those players will regroup with their agents/trainers and will join a late-signing, secondary market. This type of market is expected to be more robust than usual.
2:36
Just got to the part of the chat questions where everyone posted a Heavyweights reference. Good job, everyone.
Squeamish
2:36
Who will be the better Mariners outfielder, Alex Jackson or Tyler O'Neill?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:36
O'Neill. I'm out on Jackson until he proves I shouldn't be.
Dago
2:37
Anyone bearing a comparison to Victor Robles in the J2 pool?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:37
Nope, though Jeison Rosario is sort of a light-beer version of that.
Emma Ratajkowski Fan
2:37
Hey Eric, how did you get into the prospect game? How can one get on the inside?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:38
Go buy a notebook, stopwatch, an ugly polo shirt from Kohl's and go to a baseball game.
Allen Greenspan
2:39
Thoughts on Lucas Erceg? He seems like he may have been underrated going into the draft
Eric A Longenhagen
2:39
You're right, those are first round tools. But some teams had him off the board because of makeup.
Greg
2:40
What do you think of the Bulls first round pick Denzel Valentine? You think his skills will translate to the pros? #firepaxgar
Eric A Longenhagen
2:40
I'm in Philly and will only answer questions about Billy Ray Valentine.
Kion
2:40
Can you rank these three interesting arms? Mitch Keller, Yohander Mendez, Joe Musgrove?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:41
Mendez (gap), Keller, Musgrove.
OddBall Herrera
2:41
What are your thoughts on some of these teams that seem to be incapable of consistently developing hitters (Seattle, Minnesota)? Does it shape your prognosis in any way of their top prospects (thinking guys like Buxton, Sano, O'Neill)?
Eric A Longenhagen
2:43
Good question. I try to make a conscious effort NOT to be swayed by stuff like that. I have written things in the past like, "Prospect X plays for the Giants and those guys have developed players beyond my expectations before" but never the reverse side with clubs like you're describing.
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