JotCast | Kiley McDaniel Chat

Kiley McDaniel Chat - 7/18/18

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Kiley McDaniel

1:02

Yes, he was clearly the best player on the field that day and didn't even look like he was interested in being there.

Devon

1:03

I read a lot about Hunter Greene’s fastball being straight. Does that concern you? I know everything is dependent on developing secondaries but does the lack of movement limit his upside? Thanks, Kiley!

Kiley McDaniel

1:03

It's worrisome but you can sometimes improve that with a different grip/approach, with Touki Toussaint one recent example. So I wouldn't kill the kid over it right now, just know that, like breaking ball consistency are keys for him going forward.

Nick

1:04

Do teams usually go through a player's social media accounts before drafting them?

Kiley McDaniel

1:05

Yes and I know one player this year that had Hader-adjacent tweets that were about 8 years old that a team noticed in like February and got him to take them down. I'm sure there's been others.

1:06

I also found out about some private workouts because they were posted about in social media by the player or parents

Sean

1:06

Do you see Nick Senzel, Eloy Jiminez, or Austin Riley as worth holding in a keep forever league?

Kiley McDaniel

1:06

I'd think yes to all three

Daniel McKiley

1:06

I know Eric likes Madrigal, do you feel as confident?

Kiley McDaniel

1:06

Just as confident

Carson Cistulli

1:06

I knew you believed in Josh James, but a top 30 trade asset was beyond my expectation.

Kiley McDaniel

1:07

You know I'm about that #JAMESLYFE

Charles Finley

1:07

Doesn't Kopech suck? The stuff is good but geez

Kiley McDaniel

1:08

POTENTIAL to be an ace. The ingredients are obviously there. If he turns into an ace, everyone will be like oh yeah we knew that COULD'VE happened.

1:08

Not to be a Hader, but is getting into "insane" shape involve unapproved assistance?

Kiley McDaniel

1:10

Those rumors usually accompany any insane-level body changes. To be fair, the workout resources and nutrition in Cuba aren't the best, so there is a reasonable expectation of improvement. Getting previously unavailable top-end everything for a month or two straight...I mean I'd be in better shape if that was my job for 60 days, too.

mark

1:10

Do you think it's better for a player to be "challenged" and struggle at a level he's young for, or establish himself with solid production at a level where he's at a league average age? I'm thinking about the Padres J@ guys hitting 200 at Ft. Wayne for contect.

Kiley McDaniel

1:11

Depends on the player. Some players are so talented and aren't being challenged and need to fail to be humbled and be forced to sharpen their skills. Others are more treading water with skills since their tools are ordinary and they should probably move slower.

Jo Adell

1:11

Aren't there a handful of aces, other than Cliff Lee, that didn't have that "potential ace" label coming up (deGrom, Kluber, etc)

Kiley McDaniel

1:12

Yes, I could've made that point clearer. I meant more aces without ace-level stuff. Kluber and deGrom have ace stuff that just developed later. Those two were projected as aces once the stuff was what it is now.

Garrett

1:12

Not a prospect question but- Where does Josh Hader go from here? Nobody will ever look at him the same? This is going to follow him forever.

Kiley McDaniel

1:13

A teammate (I believe it was Cain) already came out and said this doesn't represent the person he has interacted with, so I think he'll be fine long-term

BoJackDonkeyMan

1:13

Is Acunbies the greatest bromance in sports?

Kiley McDaniel

1:13

It is v cute

The Beije

1:13

Should we be worried about Sixto's "elbow inflammation? The guy hasn't pitched since June 3rd.

Kiley McDaniel

1:14

He had some minor arm stuff early in the year that was mostly him trying to come out of chute a little too hard. I would imagine he'll be fine.

Conor

1:15

Not looking for ~spoilers~ but does the fact that it looks like vlad is in your top 20 hints that there’s a wide gap in value between him and tatis/other elite prospects in the eyes of the industry?

Kiley McDaniel

1:15

Yes. Hit tool certainty is huge for these types of guys with no MLB track record

1:16

Also, players should try not to be racists or homophobic. That would be easier.

Kiley McDaniel

1:16

The best suggestion!

Sam

1:16

Contreras ranked higher than Sanchez certainly seems like a case of recency bias, as Gary is younger, much better with the bat (Sanchez career .385 xwWOBA; Contreras .336), and has done this in the much tougher league.

Kiley McDaniel

1:17

Unfortunately that's how teams often do stuff, too. Had a friend with a club check with me on some potential trade targets and we agreed one prospect was better than the other, but since the better one was on the DL he said "yeah but he can't be a headliner in a big deal"

Guest

1:17

Touki not on your list of future aces? Obviously he has to continue his improvements from this year and last, but the stuff seems to be there. Am I wrong?

Kiley McDaniel

1:18

Yeah, I mean the stuff is there, but he's never been better than a 50 command guy at any point in his career, so probably not on that list. Kopech has even bigger stuff with the same issue and you could argue he's pretty fringy for that list.

John Kasich

1:19

Vote Kasich 2020

Kiley McDaniel

1:19

Ron Paul 2012, bro

Kiley McDaniel

1:19

KILEY. MCDANIEL.

Kiley McDaniel

1:19

An upset for the chat kicker! See you guys next week