JotCast | Klawchat 3/4/21

Klawchat 3/4/21

Keith Law

2:11

Gold's just around the corner. Klawchat.

Bradley

2:11

What do you think Sal Frelick's potential MLB comp is?

Keith Law

2:12

I don't like player comps, for various reasons. As he is now, he's a leadoff type, high average/OBP, speed, defense in CF. Aaron Fitt and I discussed him on the podcast this week and he really thinks there will be more power in there. I could see that with some swing help.

2:12

You said on the podcast that this seemed like a weak draft class. Same with 2022? Any particular standouts there already - Green, Johnson, someone else?

Keith Law

2:14

I don't think I said that - it's not a weak class, it's kind of a good one. Strong in college RHP, high school shortstops, more catching than usual. Light on college bats - there may not be a college bat in the top ten - and left-handed pitching.

Tom G

2:15

Is there a comp for Lewis that you know of? 2 years off of baseball at such a young age?

Keith Law

2:15

Which Lewis?

Flavia

2:15

Do you have any concerns about the shape of Leiter's curveball translating to MLB?

Keith Law

2:15

No. That's ... weird. I don't think I've ever heard that complaint about a player.

Jared

2:16

Do Antonetti and Francona need to go? Still some fact-finding to do, I suppose, but it reeeally looks like they knew and covered it up.

Keith Law

2:17

If executives know a potential employee has a history of the kind of behavior Callaway exhibited, and hire him anyway, yes, they should be let go.

Jason

2:17

Thoughts on the JBJ signing? I guess you can never have too many OF. Are we a pitching and D team, hoping to win 1-0?

Keith Law

2:17

What if you made the whole team out of centerfielders?

I actually love the deal. But i wonder if there's a trade coming too - do they really need him, Cain, and Garcia?

David P

2:17

Who is the better pitcher? Grayson Rodriguez or Edward Cabrera. I’m torn but lean towards Grayson.

Keith Law

2:18

I ranked them both on my top 100, so the one I put higher is going to be my pick.

whyaremen

2:18

If I get the vaccine is there any reason for me to not attend games, from a public health perspective?

Keith Law

2:18

No, but wear a mask so you don't spread the virus unknowingly.

David P

2:18

Any sense on who the Red Sox prefer at 4? Would they really draft a bat over one of the 3 pitchers?

Keith Law

2:19

WAY too early. Anyone trying to claim they know who's drafting whom, or even who teams are targeting, is misleading you. I was with the Jays for five springs, and we never had anything narrowed down this early. This year it's even less likely teams will do so.

Noah D

2:19

Hey Klaw, who do you see winning the Cleveland SS job between Gimenez and Rosario? Both were highly touted at one time

Keith Law

2:19

No inside info here, but I'd guess Gimenez is the regular SS and Rosario ends up playing multiple positions.

@RichCampbellPhD

2:19

I've had some fun watching ASU streaming games while waiting for April 1. How will the scouting of college players go for this year's draft? Are word-of-mouth/network effects going to be even more pronounced than usual?

Keith Law

2:21

Teams are able to send scouts to most colleges right now. I only know of a handful of prospects who can't be scouted in person right now, like Mason Black (who was scouted at Coppin State last week, but whose school, Lehigh, isn't allowing anyone into games yet).

Barry

2:21

Will you be doing an Eagles draft preview this year? Seriously though, it would be fun if you joined The Athletics's Eagles podcast as a guest at some point.

Keith Law

2:22

I don't know how to define my Eagles fandom if I can't complain about how Carson Wentz must be color blind since he never seemed to distinguish between his own receivers and the other team's secondary.

Rocky

2:22

Do you think Gabriel Moreno has the chance to crack the top 100 prospects this year?

Keith Law

2:22

If you read all the way to the end of my Blue Jays org report, I answer that question directly.

Guest

2:22

RE SF Giants. Is this a draft class that allows the Giants to load up on arm talent? It seems the Giants farm system, while getting stronger generally, is lacking high ceiling arm talent. Thoughts?

Keith Law

2:23

They're definitely lighter on arms than bats. They could probably grab 2-3 quality arms in their first three picks, although I'd always advise best player available.

Adam

2:23

The Padres 5th OF job appears to be Brian O’Grady’s to lose going into Spring Training. More importantly, he is likely the primary back up to Trent Grisham in CF. If Grisham were to get banged up a bit, how much faith (both defensively and offensively) would you have in him starting for an extended amount of time?

Keith Law

2:23

I wouldn't let him play there on more than an emergency basis.

Adam

2:23

Now that Fernando Tatís Jr is locked up for the next 14 years, would you project CJ Abrams as a CF or as a 2B long term? Which of the two positions is deemed more valuable?

Keith Law

2:24

He's a shortstop.

Mason

2:24

Do you follow what’s going on in Independent ball much? Noticed some former 1st round picks will be coming to a city near me in Nick Travieso and Ty Hensley. Any chance they can break back through to affiliated ball?

Keith Law

2:24

Hensley's main issue was health - and it wasn't his fault. All depends on how hard they're throwing, and in Travieso's case I'd ask where his arm slot is these days.

Joe J

2:24

What is Franco’s ceiling? Can he be better than Tatis?

Keith Law

2:25

He's not as dynamic as Tatis, or as fast, but he's a better pure hitter.

Ben

2:25

Keith, why do you hate my draft prospect?

Keith Law

2:25

I hate all draft prospects equally.