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Klawchat 2/20/25
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Keith Law
1:18
I don't know the actual offers with deferrals and backloading, but yeah, I'd pay the guy. At some point, you have to pay someone.
Nick
1:18
Do you think Chandler Simpson hits enough to hold down an every day role for the Rays?
Keith Law
1:19
He's #12 in the Rays' system. You may infer my answer from that, but I explain it in their org report.
RH
1:19
With the disclaimer that I would get rid of all amateur drafts if possible, if an international draft is inevitable would it make more sense to raise the age minimum to 18 and have one single amateur draft?
Keith Law
1:20
Yes but I also think that's going to wreak a lot of havoc on the baseball infrastructure in Latin America (except Puerto Rico), as it's all been built up around the signing age of 16, and in many places it's not like those kids are in school waiting to sign. Any switch to a draft is going to hurt the kids, but increasing the signing age may exacerbate it further.
SC1230
1:20
Hey Keith. Any chance you'd put out a list of the best MLB prospects for fantasy baseball (so just offense and pitchers)? Or maybe toss a top 10 in here?
Keith Law
1:21
No, sorry, I don't play any sort of fantasy baseball so I don't know how value there differs from what I'm talking about.
JR
1:21
As spring training is here again, we need to know - are you in the best shape of your life?
Keith Law
1:21
Definitely not.
Bruiser Flint
1:21
Question re the 2025 draft class. Is there any pitcher out there that you think could perform well enough to merit consideration at #1 overall? I'd love to see the Nats get an awesome young pitcher but obviously LaViolette would be great too
Keith Law
1:23
Laviolette struck out 80+ times last year. Barring a major change in his results this spring, I can't see taking him at 1. I've heard UCSB right-hander Tyler Bremner (who I should be seeing tomorrow) and Florida State LHP Jamie Arnold as 1-1 possibilities. I've got probably six names now of college starters who are in or trending towards top half of the round picks. I'll do a ranking for the draft either next week or the week after - I got sick through the weekend and we pushed my 2025 impact prospects column to next week so I could rest.
James
1:23
Trout going to RF. Will that really "save his legs?" I don't get how baseball players get that many injuries given how little they run in the field compared to other sports
Keith Law
1:24
It's a lot of zero-to-60 running, though - going from nothing to all-out. Also we see a lot more oblique/lat strains in hitters now, I think, which I assume is because guys swing so much harder, because pitchers throw much harder, which also leads to more injuries.
Guest
1:24
Is Andy Pages an everyday regular if he can get an opportunity to play in another organization? Is there an opportunity to be a part of a platoon with Conforto with the Dodgers this year?
Keith Law
1:24
Everyday guy for me.
Pat
1:24
Whenever I think of "very good player/star for a few years" that didn't hit their ceiling, Garry Templeton comes to mind. He was a guy that SHOULD have been a HOF'er, but, just didn't want it bad enough, I think.
Keith Law
1:25
Touch before my time - I remember him, but by the time my memories start he was already a Padre.
JR
1:25
Any free agents that you're surprised are still available? I know Quintana is no spring chicken anymore, but at 36 and coming off a decent year and given teams never have enough pitching it's a little surprising he hasn't found a one year deal to his liking.
Keith Law
1:26
Good name. I just checked my own rankings and Andrew Heaney is another one. I think Alex Verdugo is my highest-ranked unsigned hitter, but he's a platoon guy and I understand that a bit more.
Frank
1:26
The Giants are stuck in mediocrity with a bad farm system.  Seems like the worst of all places to be.  How does a team get out of that predicament without totally blowing it up and going into full rebuild mode?
Keith Law
1:30
Their system (org report & top 20) has a lot of untapped/underdeveloped talent, IMO. I think this will be a big year given the changes in leadership. But I also think they have to hit on some of the big picks - the first-rounders and the high-dollar IFAs. That's been a weak spot for them in the last five years.
Bret
1:30
I was at the UCONN-Penn State game in Puerto Rico Sunday night. Looked like 7-8 scouts were watching Ryan DeSanto of Penn State. Is he a legit prospect? From my naked eye he looked good and didn't give up a hit in four innings.
Keith Law
1:31
No, he's not, they were down there to see Virginia (Ford, Godbout) and Michigan (Vigue) primarily.
Ryan
1:31
Have you listened to Epica? Recently discovered them. Was curious your thoughts if you have.
Keith Law
1:32
Not familiar with them. Tuning in now.
Buckner86
1:32
When is the breakout column?   Walker was there last year.  You’ve been early on multiple player.  Is Walker one of them?
Keith Law
1:33
Some time in March. Sorry I don't have a more specific answer. Jordyn Walker may be my Rickie Weeks ... I can't believe he's never going to hit. It's just unfathomable.
James
1:33
Is there any chance of normalcy if the media is in the tank for Trump? Twitter paid Trump $10M to settle a case they had gotten dismissed and it doesn't make a blip when it's an obvious bribe. Where is the courage?
Keith Law
1:34
What I don't get is why major media outlets are failing to cover the obvious stuff. He called himself a king! He fired a whole bunch of veterans! How is that not front page news?
Billy
1:34
Guess a better way to phrase that Mitchell question is do you have concerns about his plate discipline?
Keith Law
1:35
Not huge ones. If you check out my report on him (Royals top 20) I noted his improved swing decisions in 2024.
Tim
1:35
Considering how much emphasis is placed on velocity at all levels including youth baseball, do you think a modern day high school Greg Maddox would get the attention from scouts he deserves?
Keith Law
1:36
Yes. One, he wasn't a soft tosser for his era. Two, we still love guys who can pitch.
MJ
1:36
Watch any good shows lately? Are you into Severance at all?
Keith Law
1:37
Very much on my list but right now I'm just catching up on movies on my flights/in hotel rooms. I've seen four of the animated feature nominees and have Memoir of a Snail queued up.
James
1:37
Do you like the pitch clock?
Keith Law
1:38
Yes, unreservedly. Makes going to games much more fun, and I think it's better for my focus. Also I'm not screaming "throw the fucking ball" in my head every couple of minutes.
Chewbalka
1:38
Welcome back and thanks for doing these chats. Jordan Westburg is pretty solid but do you think he may have another level, and is walking more possibly the key?
Keith Law
1:39
I don't think I have a good answer here - I haven't dug into him much since he established himself. What's the thinking here? Just the low OBPs? I think that's who he is, and it's rare (not impossible) for a 26-year-old to suddenly start walking more.
Jon
1:39
Was curious about your thoughts on Victor Scott II. Made his debut clearly before he was ready last year and was overmatched, can he still be an above average player?
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