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Kevin Goldstein FanGraphs Chat - 2/22/2021
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Kevin Goldstein
12:25
It's TBD. I think he's every day at short or in center and I'd support having him concentrate on one and be good at that as opposed to just ok at both.
LB
12:27
When looking at college baseball, how would you say you tilt between eye test of skills (i.e. a pitcher's stuff) vs. actual results, specifically for underclassmen? The genesis of this question was from watching Miami's freshman RHP Alejandro Rosario on Saturday, where his stuff looked really good to me, but he got touched up a good bit.
Kevin Goldstein
12:28
It's really important and also really challenging to separate the two, but you have to discount performance, especially on a one game look and think about what you saw.
Tim
12:28
Can Brendan Rodgers still end up being an impact MIF bat? Where do you see his playing long term? Could he end up at SS if Story is traded?
Kevin Goldstein
12:29
I don't think defensively he's a big league shortstop, and he's been continually hampered by a downright bad approach.
Moose_Bolton
12:29
What are some of your favorite non-baseball related books?
Kevin Goldstein
12:30
Liz Phair: A Rant by Camden Joy; The Magus by John Fowles; White Noise by Don DeLillo; Baader-Meinhof: The Inside Story of the RAF by Stefan Aust; I could go on . . .
Marver
12:31
With minor league players reporting to camp April 1, does that mean spring training games this year will feature more MLB-ready players than usual? I feel like in years past, once the game hits the 6th inning, you start seeing a bunch of guys who've never played above Low-A. If you only have MLB, AAA, and invites, have a much smaller player pool to field spring teams, resulting in more innings for regulars/AAAA guys. Am I wrong?
Kevin Goldstein
12:31
You are not wrong. There are no minor league camp guys to lean on, which is way you are going to see shorter games at times (up to five innings) and rolled innings.
RJ
12:32
Hey Kevin - honestly curious on your perspective as an ex-front officer member on this. If a member of ownership (or in this case a CEO) publicly trashes your organization’s past, present, and future....how do you react? Obviously Baseball Ops is separate, but if I’m in a front office, I feel like I’d want to call all those guys who were insulted the very next day and check in or talk about your support of them? Maybe it does nothing, but I feel like that’s the right thing to do. But, curious what you think the reaction should be internally when so many awful things were said by out-of-touch and egregiously racist “leaders”
Kevin Goldstein
12:33
I imagine it is exceptionally frustrating for many really good people in the Seattle front office today, and yes, some of them are likely working on damage control.
JUAN SOTO
12:34
Seems like I’ve read a lot about Kjerstad going too early, but not much about where he should have gone. I can’t tell if his pick was a bit of a stretch or an egregious overreach. What say you?
Kevin Goldstein
12:35
I mean, he was more likely to go 5-10 off talent, but the pick let the Orioles do some interesting things with later picks, so I get it. I don't think it was a mistake.
Spleebs
12:37
Hi Kevin! I know you've gotten some negative comments regarding your presence here at Fangraphs, but I really wanted to say that it's great to see you on the public side of baseball, sharing what you can about how FOs operate, their logic and rationale, etc.

With that being said, I wanted to know your general take on giving top prospects extensions similar to what SEA did with Evan White. We heard that the Players' Union advised White not to agree to the terms, but he signed anyways. How bad are these deals for players in aggregate?
Kevin Goldstein
12:38
I appreciate the kind words. Certainly some negative comments, which is to be expected, but the overwhelming response has been really positive and I can thank those folks enough. It's been a lot of fun.
12:39
In general, those deals are very team friendly, as it were, but in White's case, I actually think he's going to do quite well because I'm not a big believer in the player.
Jeff
12:39
Can you give any insight on what Chris Holt will be bringing as the Orioles big league pitching coach this year? I’m extremely optimistic after all the strides the minor league pitchers made in 2019 under him
Kevin Goldstein
12:40
I got to see Chris Holt's work up close in Houston, and I think he's absolutely remarkable. The arms there are in VERY GOOD hands.
Just a HEADS UP: I have a piece going up in 25 minutes in which I set odds on who will get the first $400 million contract.
Bubba
12:43
Thoughts on Ohtani’s ability to stay healthy and his skill set as a starter?  Thanks.
Kevin Goldstein
12:43
I'd just have him hit. [Ducks]
Luke
12:43
% chance that Max Meyer is a SP?
Kevin Goldstein
12:43
57.3452%
Kevin
12:43
Thoughts on Nick Lodolo and possible ETA? Thanks
Kevin Goldstein
12:44
He's really interesting. Kind of old school as a sinker guy in a world where up in the zone four seamers have become the norm. Command borders on special and I'm a believer in his as a valuable No. 3 starter.
Calico
12:44
As a Tigers fan, it’s nice seeing our farm be ranked so highly. It’s equally as frustrating to see us keep losing. I’ve seen some optimism from fans saying some of the young guns will be called up and make an impact, but I don’t see it happening until next year. What’s your take on the Motor City Kitties?
Kevin Goldstein
12:45
I'm optimistic. You can definitely see the scenarios where this team takes some steps forward, and A.J. is the perfect manager for them.
svan
12:45
separately: was the first week's podcast intro song the elsewhere-mentioned steve albini one? in any case, does that song exist in a corporeal form somewhere?
Kevin Goldstein
12:46
That was Kowloon Walled City's "The Pressure Keeps Me Alive" a song that helped me get through 2020. The electircal audio produced theme song debuts this week.
Thoughts about...
12:46
...Andre Scrubb? Some good reports about fitness and stuff coming out of Spring Training on him.  Early in the spring obviously, but do you think he can corral his control issues and be a top tier middle/set-up guy?
Kevin Goldstein
12:47
I think he can have some kind of reliever career with his super-vertical attack profile. I think command can improve, but doubt it will ever be a strong suit.
Will
12:47
Is this the most excited you've ever been for a Monday college baseball doubleheader?
Kevin Goldstein
12:48
It's just fun to have games on, no?
Tim Livingston
12:49
Thoughts on Marc Normandin’s Retro XP project? Looks like he’s weighing JRPGs pretty highly.
Kevin Goldstein
12:49
I love what Marc does, and love the fact that he does it his way. We have plenty of private video game discussions and I always respect his thoughts on that subject as well as baseball.
Zirinsky
12:50
Does the FO ever solicit feedback from current players about players you're considering acquiring?  If so, what do you ask them?
Kevin Goldstein
12:50
Absolutely, especially if they played with him. What's this guy like? Do you like him? Does he work? Would he fit in here? etc.
Justin J.
12:51
In the future, do you see any growth of the minor leagues or amateur draft? Not saying we will go back to a 50 round draft, but surely teams will want to get more players into their systems and will find a way?
Kevin Goldstein
12:51
With the minor league reconstruction and org size limits, no. I don't think you'll ever see a draft more than 30 rounds again.
Taylor E.
12:51
Do you plan on traveling outside of the Chicago area to see live games?
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