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Klawchat 3/26/21
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Keith Law
1:18
I appreciate you prefacing that by saying no one was low on him ... everyone's got him rated pretty highly, especially for a guy who's nearly 21 and has barely played. Even this winter I had execs from other clubs saying they weren't sure about his hit tool, and while I know he's been the flavor of the month, it's still spring training and the hype is out of proportion. I don't think he's anything like the man in Anaheim - Trout was over a year younger on draft day, and at Witt's age Trout was already the best player in baseball.
Freddie
1:19
Is CJ Abrams a potential #1 overall prospect, he seems to check off more boxes every time I blink
Keith Law
1:19
He checked off two more while you asked that question. And the answer is yes.
Fred
1:19
Do you still view Mize as a top of the rotation type? Seems like he gained a few ticks on his velocity. Is it just experience he needs, or is there another reason he seems to get hit harder than you'd expect considering his apparent raw stuff
Keith Law
1:19
I do still view that as his ceiling. He has to either miss more bats with his fastball or pitch with it less.
Scott
1:19
Do the A's stay in Oakland?
Keith Law
1:19
Inertia says yes. Economics says no.
Ahammer
1:19
Is B.Doyle a legit prospect in Colorado? I have friends that are constantly hyping him, but I need more considering his age and level, or more from someone that knows what they're talking about. These friends..don't have the best track record, lol
Keith Law
1:20
Yes he's legit but he really needs to play. He's 23 with almost no pro experience and he played D2 ball in college, so we really have no idea if he can hit.
IF-land
1:20
Hi Keith, you seemed to hold up pretty well this last year, as many of us that battle mental health have had a rough year (not assuming you haven't, but your writing has been great all year). Personally, I can't wait for Baseball, getting to ball games will seem like a break from the mundane. Have you got out to games in person yet, last I recall your last game was scouting Veen. Hope your spring allows you to get out to games as we all enjoy your write ups
Keith Law
1:21
Thank you. I'm supposed to drive down to UVA tomorrow to see Miami and Adrian Del Castillo, which, as you remembered, will be my first game since Veen. It's been about 54 weeks. I feel like I'm about to fly to Mars.
Sowers
1:21
Cleveland has seem to unlock the secret to develop pitchers that don't seem to have the highest pedigree. Who would you think increases their value most in their system between Espino, Hankins, wolf, burns or the allens.  Is there a type of pitcher the develop better? Seems like burns falls more in line with the pleasac, Bieber mold
Keith Law
1:21
Espino if he stays healthy. Burns if you think Espino won't do so.
H.cows
1:21
If Adley Rutschman was a RF, Would he still be viewed as a top 25 prospect? Is the bat good enough that it would play anywhere, or is it just that good in comparison to others at his position and stage?
Keith Law
1:22
Top 50 for sure. Top 25 might depend on the year.
Isaac
1:22
With Gimenez looking locked into the SS role in cleveland, who do you see ad the 2B in say 2023-24, seems like they have a ton of players that are pretty similar up the middle
Keith Law
1:22
I don't think Gimenez is good enough to block their parade of SS prospects.
Rick
1:22
Apparently Kimbrel hasn't been looking too good in Spring Training.  He hasn't looked good since leaving Boston except for a short run at the end of last season.  He still has good stuff, but he's reminding me of a former Cubs Closer Marmol who was all over the place. Think Kimbrel keeps the closing job or does he end up getting cut mid-season? Thanks
Keith Law
1:23
There's a more likely option in the middle, where they keep him but he's no longer the closer. The unavoidable truth is that closers - relievers of any sort, really - don't last. Kimbrel held his peak longer than most.
KIL-cle
1:24
Because of the shortened season last year, should we be expecting a noticeable uptick in injuries to position players ad well as pitchers, in your opinion.
Keith Law
1:24
I wrote about that this week. I don't know the answer - no one does - but I have an opinion, at least.
KIL-cle
1:24
Amed Rosario had a nightmare game in CF last week, but it was his 1st ever game there. Could be be an ultimate utility type for Cleveland, or would moving him maybe benefit both sides in this case?
Keith Law
1:25
As long as they just pick a position and leave him there, I think he'll be fine. Moving him all over the place when he has no experience doing so wouldn't help his bat.
Kevin
1:25
I know spring training stats dont matter, and last year for Dalbec was a SSS with 8 HR in 80 ABs, but realistically do you think he could hit 35-40 HR playing a full season this year?
Keith Law
1:25
I don't. He's going to swing and miss too much fort hat.
Jon
1:25
RIP Larry McMurtry.  Favorite novel of his?  I love The Last Picture Show.  The movie version is outstanding and might be better than the novel.  One of the great casts of all time.
Keith Law
1:26
I've only read Lonesome Dove, which was incredible despite its length.
Herb
1:26
It seems like many of the rules they are experimenting with in the minors seem geared to helping the running game, is that something you would like to see increase. Personally, I love going to games in the 90s and seeing Kenny Lofton get on 1st. A stolen base got the crowd going seemingly as much as anything. I think it shows the game within the game that the crowd really feeds on.
Keith Law
1:26
I do miss the running games of the '80s and the race for 100 SBs. I think they're exciting, but as many folks have written, they're not a great strategy when the cost of a CS is so high.
Tony
1:27
It looks like the Marlins are going to have a pretty interesting rotation. I know your prospect rankings discussed Sanchez/Cabrera, but looking at the rotation as a whole how do you feel about those players and how to compare to each other regarding floor/ceiling?
Keith Law
1:27
I mentioned Rogers in my breakouts piece, even though I almost never include rookies, because he's got a new slider that gives him a much higher ceiling than he had previously as a FB/CH guy with a 40 breaking ball. I don't think the Marlins are going to see .500 this year but they'll be the most interesting they've been in a decade.
Tony
1:28
If the draft were today, what would you estimate Jud Fabian’s range to be? Mid first to early second?
Keith Law
1:29
Late first to mid second, and dropping.
Wolf
1:29
Should transgender girls be able to win college scholarships in women's sports?
Keith Law
1:30
Trans women are women.
Brent
1:30
Klaw, any idea who will fill in for Eloy in LF? I'd love for it to be Wild Thing Vaughn, but I'm a realist. Engel's hurt too. Do you sign someone, just play 8...thanks
Keith Law
1:31
I worry about putting Vaughn in left when (as far as I know) he's never played the OF. He might be Ryan Klesko out there. Maybe he gets hurt, maybe it impacts his bat. It's not worth that risk.
Dungeon Master
1:31
Do you think the Mariners should go hard for one or two of the top free agents next year, especially a SS? Seems like with Kelenic, JRod, Haniger, Lewis, a bunch of solid role players, and the big 3 SP prospects they're not far away from a pretty good team in a weakening AL West
Keith Law
1:32
I agree. Next winter is probably the beginning of the window where they should spend big to compete.
Mike
1:32
Not putting a ton of stock in spring training games, but Garrett Mitchell has a chance to be really fun, doesn't he?
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