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Klawchat 2/22/18
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Keith Law
1:03
Don't let the walls cave in on you. Klawchat.
addoeh
1:03
Please rank these common reactions to dad jokes.  A) Subject turns to you and approves of joke. B) Subject turns to you and disapproves of joke.  C) Subject turns away from you trying to stifle laughter.
Keith Law
1:03
Everyone laughs. Some people just try to hide it.
Scott
1:03
What's a proper punishment for these disgusting conspiracy theorists? Have them fired from their jobs? Exiled? Beheaded in the town square? I mean who wouldn't blindly trust our outstanding corporate media and government despite a history of false flags, CIA black ops, and programs like Mockingbird?
Keith Law
1:05
Fired works for me. And banned from social media. False flag operations that took place a century ago aren't relevant to claims that there's a network of crisis actors paid by a specific Hungarian Jew with the complicity of all media ... you idiot.
Ray Grace
1:05
I just read a fascinating article on the Athletic about Alex Wood going full time out of the stretch instead of the windup, in part because Strausburg had so much success doing that last year. I'm curious of your thoughts on that.
Keith Law
1:05
Whatever he's comfortable with. Dude still really has no history of staying healthy as a starter.
Seb
1:05
Keith - I understand Austin Beck is kind of a lottery ticket for the A's and why he wasn't included in most of the reputable Top 100 lists. However, he was the 6th pick less than 9 months ago. What do you see as his ceiling? Thanks and keep up the good work!
Keith Law
1:06
Ceiling is at least an above-average regular in an outfield corner ... I guess CF is possible given his speed, but he's a long way off. The problem for him if you're placing value on him today is probability. There's a high risk he never gets out of AA, given where his approach is right now and what he did last summer.
Mike
1:06
I was looking at various minor league MVPs and curious if you had any opinions about either Darick Hall or Fernando Kelli. There's almost nothing out there about Kelli.
Keith Law
1:07
That's because Kelli hasn't played in the US yet. Hall was 21 in low-A, not a prospect, older guy with power and poor plate discipline.
Albert
1:07
Hey KLaw, love your chats.  Rangers questions, do you think Gallo takes a huge step forward this year, perhaps even into Aaron Judge territory?
Keith Law
1:07
I'm a Gallo fan, have been since he was in HS, but I think forecasting him into Aaron Judge territory would be purely wishful thinking.
Robert
1:07
Keith, what are your thoughts on blaming school shootings (or any shooting) on "mental illness"? I'm in favor of stronger gun restrictions for those with actual mental illness, but this debate is going to intentionally or unintentionally stigmatize people experiencing mental illness.
Keith Law
1:09
That's totally what it is - it takes advantage of the general public ignorance about "mental illness," particularly that it is all one thing rather than a broad spectrum of disorders from depression and anxiety to sociopathy, psychopathy, and antisocial or narcissistic personality disorders. And it diverts attention from the actual issue at hand, which is that no civilian has any valid reason to own a semiautomatic weapon.
Dr. Bob
1:09
Good afternoon, Keith. You saw Derrick Goold's article about Mike Maddux wanting Cards' pitchers to elevate the ball some as a way to counteract the hitting trend to lift the ball. What do you think?
Keith Law
1:10
If that's a one size fits all approach, then I don't like it. Maddux has a mixed track record with young arms from his last few stops, and that approach is one reason for it. You can elevate the ball if you throw particularly hard, or have a high spin rate on your four seamer, or have deception, or have plus command. Many big league starters don't have those things, or maybe have just one, and having them try to attack the top of the zone is just going to mean more fly balls.
Tony P (@disguyyy)
1:10
(take 2) Hi Keith, Do you find yourself going down rabbit-holes during times like the last week? It's been so hard to stay focused when I see misinformation or something I feel responsible for correcting then next thing I know, I've done 20 minutes of research just to debunk some idiot on the internet. How do you reel yourself back or avoid it in the first place?
Keith Law
1:11
That's generally time to walk away from the computer. I'm particularly prone to clicking on one thing and waking up 20 minutes later having read four articles and learned a lot but accomplished none of what I sat down to do.
dave
1:11
I've never seen this simple rule change discussed to improve pace-of-play and shorten games. What if a pitcher had to face a minimum of two batters instead of just one?
Keith Law
1:11
That's been discussed at least since the 1990s. Doesn't seem to be any desire to do that within MLB.
Manny
1:11
Where should devers bat in the Sox line up. Top third, middle third? Does lefty, righty alternation really matter much?
Keith Law
1:12
L/R alternation matters for late in games; you don't want a string of LHB with platoon issues whom opposing lefties can carve up. I don't know their lineup offhand to say where Devers should bat - he's probably not among their top 3 hitters so I guess below that. As long as he plays every day, I'm happy.
Rob (Gilbert)
1:13
I think I remember you saying that you started playing Pandemic: Legacy.  How many characters did you use (or did it vary), and did you ever finish?
Keith Law
1:13
We didn't finish S1, just because we keep getting other games (for me to review) and we got caught up in Charterstone lately.
Sandy Kazmir
1:14
Spin me tales about why I shouldn't hate everything upon learning my favorite baseball player will miss most of the next two years.
Keith Law
1:15
Honeywell's not officially out for 18 months ... but yeah, doesn't sound good, and I'd be pretty damn disappointed too with him right on the cusp of a debut. If he's done, then I guess Andriese becomes the 4th starter and Banda starts in the pen?
Sorry I don't have something uplifting to tell you, though.
Adam Doctolero
1:15
What would you say your core organizational philosophy would be in regards to drafting/player development?
Keith Law
1:16
Doubt that's anything I could distill into a short chat answer. That's probably a three-page essay.
Chris
1:16
I'm still intrigued by Gavin Cecchini. Feel like he has utility player potential at 3B, 2B and OF (hasn't played out there yet but I don't see why not give it a try as he's stuck in AAA). What are your thoughts on him?
Keith Law
1:16
Can't throw enough for 3b.
Jason
1:16
Keith...is there an obvious move for StL to make? Or are they better off at this point to see what they have in rotation and bullpen and adjust from there?
Keith Law
1:17
yes, I think going after a bigger starter would help. They have OF and P surplus in the upper minors. I like Flaherty a ton, but they can upgrade on that spot for this year and let him start in AAA for a few months.
Jon
1:17
What are you looking for for Max Kepler this year? Assume he will get some good run in Minnesota?
Keith Law
1:18
Not quite sure what you're asking in the second question. I expect continued improvement at the plate - he's always developed on a delayed sort of schedule, unsurprising for someone who grew up in a non-baseball country.
Zach
1:18
What to do with AJ Reed? Has to be a trade right? Does his bat still project as a quality hitter?
Keith Law
1:18
I'd take a flier on him. Actually thought he'd be a good fit for Tampa Bay, although Cron probably blocks him now.
Nick
1:18
Did the Yankees give up too much for Drury? Two top 20 prospects from a great system seems like a lot to me.
Keith Law
1:19
It's not a lot. Even that framing, which I think underestimates the gap between their top 10-12 and the rest of their top 20, doesn't sound bad ... how many teams really have 20 good prospects? Maybe two right now, if that?
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