JotCast | Kiley McDaniel Chat

Kiley McDaniel Chat - 4/17/19

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Kiley McDaniel

2:08

You can export and sort by average of future hit+future game power and do that independently.

I'd imagine it would be the top prospects in the game, then a bunch of 1B/DH/LF types

Mostly rational Braves fan

2:08

Acuna is an alien. His homerun last night was ridiculous. Along with the astounding power for a human his size, there looks to me to be a big step in approach and selectivity. Is that what you/others are seeing?

Kiley McDaniel

2:09

He's the reason clubs bet on athletes. Every now and then there's one that can make about every adjustment that's necessary and athleticism is often a big part of why he's able to do it.

There's also the mental part of it, but many guys have that but not the 70 or 80 tools to make it actually work for them

Ben

2:09

So in the NFL draft, there's always this thing prior where the NFL writers put some of the QBs in the late 1st/second round group, and they always seem to go top 12 because hitting on one is too valuable and you don't risk missing it. Is there an equivalent profile/position that you think this happens with in the mlb draft?

Kiley McDaniel

2:10

College bats get moved up like QBs (but not as much) and HS RHP get moved down like running back (but not as much)

Slurve

2:10

What's the rarest 80 Grade tool for hitters? Pitchers?

Kiley McDaniel

2:10

Hit and Curveball

el Guapo

2:10

When and where do we see Kevin Alcantara and Osiel Rodriguez are they DSL guys?

Kiley McDaniel

2:10

Affiliates start right before/after the draft but often those sorts of talents will start in the DSL and get a quick hook if they're dominating

Peter Garbonzo

2:11

Seems like there are quite a few MINF that are transitioned to catching, whether that is because of a positional glut or traits about their game that might translate well. I'd assume having an athletic catcher is a good thing when it comes to framing, getting out of a crouch, etc. But what do teams prefer: athletic catchers who are relatively new to the position and unseasoned overall, or your traditional catcher who has been refining his skills for years who's more of a "plodder." I'm sure it's not that black and white of a topic, but interested to hear your answer.

Kiley McDaniel

2:12

The value now put on framing changes the calculus a bit on this. If catcher defense is now more framing than anything else (in terms of what clubs care about) and they think that's more teachable/tied to athleticism, and they can teach the game-calling stuff and they value versatility more...then there should be more conversions of athletic guys with middle-tier prospect value...which I think we're seeing?

Peter Garbonzo

2:13

Can you describe the relationship between Barrel Speed and Exit Velo? Is there a clear linear relationship, or does possessing plus Barrel Speed not necessarily lead to better Exit Velos, and vice versa?

Kiley McDaniel

2:14

wrist/forearm strength would be the other big variable there, but it's similar to spin rates being always good to have, but the impact they have varies on the other attributes (spin tilt/axis, other pitches, command, etc.)

Weenie

2:14

Ricardo Sanchez has looked great so far in AA. What's the report on him?

Kiley McDaniel

2:14

Three pitches that all flash 55 and 45 to 50 control but more 40 type command. If the command comes, he's really interesting

2:15

But he also didn't really improve over the last 3 years, so when he was 17 or 18 and carving the AZL, making that jump was obviously much more likely

Frank

2:15

I'm a older fan and now learning about advanced stats and such. I've read that "Pitcher Wins", "Saves", "Batting Average", and "Fielding %" are not useful anymore?

Kiley McDaniel

2:16

That's correct. They are good at telling you what happened but aren't good at telling you what a true talent level is and/or what the future will bring. The newer stats and/or scouting reports are better at that.

(depending on the exact question you're trying to answer and what level of play and amount of data you have)

Bobby Bradley's 40-time

2:16

Josh Jung playing some SS? Thoughts?

Kiley McDaniel

2:16

He's 3B in pro ball and may not last there for all of his 20's

James

2:17

Tatis Jr is posting near elite sprint times now. Why did the uptick in speed come from and will it stick?

Kiley McDaniel

2:18

Talked to a scout about that this week. It's legit 70 speed now and I still remember seeing him as a 15/16 year old and everything was fringe to average. Obviously this is always possible with a bigger athlete that actually gets faster as he gets stronger, but very unlikely and almost impossible to predict. Going from fringe tools and projection to all the physical tools being 60 or 70 and getting bigger/stronger is incredibly rare but happens sometimes

It's not weird for a kid to have 50 speed as a 14 year old, then add strength and weigh more, but be a 70 runner as an 18 year old

Pache went from a 60 runner to an 80 runner from age 16 to 19

2:19

and now is more of a 70 as he's added more bulk

Allen

2:19

Any word on Graeme Stinson? He hasn't pitched in over a month and the team isn't being all that forthcoming with information.

Kiley McDaniel

2:20

I don't know what the situation is exactly, but scouts assume it'll have some sort of medical intervention at some point and that he will be a reliever. Obviously the medical will come between now and the draft and that gray area will be less hazy for clubs.

BlueJayMatt

2:20

Jays draft at 11 - will Nick Lodolo or Kameron Misner be available there?

Kiley McDaniel

2:20

Lodolo almost certainly no, Misner probably is there

Dees

2:20

The Braves put Darling Florentino (17 years old) into A ball. The early results have been predictably terrible, but any scouting reports on him?

Kiley McDaniel

2:21

Saw him briefly in instructs and he was fine, but didn't rise to the level that I thought he needed to be included on the others of note for the prospect list

Weenie

2:21

What are your thoughts on Max Fried? Are you buying that he will stick in Atlanta's rotation?

Kiley McDaniel

2:21

This is what I thought would happen a few years ago...there was just some blisters and not so great performances in between. I believe a little more each time

Guest

2:21

Best prospect that should be available the Marlins should draft. I want Andrew Vaugh but not sure if he will fall to 4.

Kiley McDaniel

2:22

There's a 1% chance he's there

Andy

2:22

What the hell happened to Tyler Dyson? Is he to the 5-7 round range now?

Kiley McDaniel

2:22

Something like that, he's a reclamation project and could be going back to school depending on what he thinks is the best way to get back on track