JotCast | Klawchat 4/19/18

Klawchat 4/19/18

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Keith Law

1:38

I saw a bad Ranger start, although it was 40 degrees at first pitch. I'm hoping to see him again on Saturday vs New Hampshire. Anyway, yeah, that's a good group. Kilome belongs in the same discussion.

Jacob

1:38

What kind of tools does Jarred Kelenic possess? I am trying to understand what kind of upside he could have and having difficulty.

Keith Law

1:39

So is everyone else, since he's played something like two games outdoors so far. I don't believe he has any 70 tools, but it's a lot of above average - hit, field, throw, run - and the potential for above-average power.

Marc

1:39

Given the current prospect mix for the White Sox, what area would you target at #4?

Keith Law

1:39

Best. Player. Available.

You don't draft based on what you have, unless you really, really want to be unemployed. You take the best guy out there and figure out the fit later.

Tommy

1:40

How long until we see Juan Soto somewhere other than Hagerstown? This guy rakes.

Keith Law

1:40

He only played about a month there last year. I'm assuming he'll be out of there by their All-Star Break.

Aaron's Greenies

1:40

Griffin Canning aggressively moved to AA which was expected, but a bit surprising to see Jose Suarez (at 20) moved to AA as well - anything more than a 4/5 for Suarez?

Keith Law

1:40

I think Suarez might be more like a mid-rotation guy.

Rick C

1:40

Do you think it's reasonable for the Braves to hold Acuna down until he's hitting a little better?

Keith Law

1:40

I do. He's been swinging out of his ass lately.

1:41

Were you involved with the ESPN 1-100 player rankings? Always a tough thing to nail, obviously, and perhaps it's recency bias considering his torrid start, but Mookie Betts at 17 seems... low.

Keith Law

1:41

I was not.

Mike

1:41

If you had to guess, do you think Jordyn Adams will sign or will he end up at Carolina?

Keith Law

1:41

Carolina. My understanding from scouts is that he is committed to football. And there is no way I'm paying him seven figures to go get his brains scrambled every fall and spring.

1:42

Vegas resident. Any local draft prospects worth checking out for this years draft?

Keith Law

1:42

Isbel at UNLV.

Kevin

1:42

Buy or sell: MLB isn't serious about fixing length of game issues until they force hitters to keep one foot in the box between pitches.

Keith Law

1:42

Soft buy. That's an issue, but not the main one (commercial breaks).

Wahoo

1:42

Keith, I have great respect for your opinions, even if I might not agree with every one (I am in outspoken agreement on the importance of vaccines!). I had a respectful chat-disagreement with Kiley M. a week ago as he made it clear thinks programs like UVA and Fullerton do their kids a disservice by the way they play/coach -- suggesting that he isn't sure why truly good prospects would even go to those programs. He also made reference to UVA pitching, something I know you have commented on as well. I am a big UVA guy, but I would like to think I can look at things objectively. I know there have been injuries and "questions" about mechanics. Fair share of small ball as well. However, is there truly evidence that warrants this kind of criticism? UVA has not only built a respectful program - they have sent their share of players to the MLB including high draft picks. Certainly some pitcher injuries, but where is this not happening?

Keith Law

1:44

The track record of their pitchers in pro ball is awful, and it's because they force every pitcher to pitch with 'their' mechanics. For all their success and high picks, the most WAR any UVA pitcher draftee has accumulated in the majors is 8.1 ... by Javier Lopez. Teams have spent a lot of money and high picks on UVA pitchers for naught, and we are way past calling it a coincidence or saying this happens at all programs (hint: it doesn't).

Sriram

1:44

Here's what I don't get. The Reds are rebuilding. So you know they will lose a lot. It doesn't make sense to grade Price on that. So then Price has non-winning metrics (player development progress, whatever). How do you get any read on THAT from 16 games?

Keith Law

1:45

You don't. They didn't. This was a "DO SOMETHING!!!!?!?!?!!" move.

Roger

1:45

Is Taylor Clarke close enough that Arizona should bring him up in place of Walker? Can Braden Shipley still be a viable starter?

Keith Law

1:46

I am not sure in which piece this was - impact prospects? - but I think I said Clarke was ready and would probably end up with 20 starts or so this year. Walker's injury might be the opening. I don't see how you can start Shipley unless he's regained his lost velocity.

Andrew

1:46

I read a story about the A's maybe moving to Portland. The story also said expansion could bring a team to Portland. Is expansion a good idea considering how many teams feel the need to tank in a desperate attempt to acquire talent? Or is the size of the league not a problem related to tanking?

Keith Law

1:47

I don't think tanking is about # of teams, but about the current CBA. I do worry about getting enough pitchers to fill two more rosters since everyone insists on carrying umpteen relievers.

Brett

1:47

I thought for sure you were going to be Michael Cohen's third client. Was sure of it.

Keith Law

1:47

I pulled his ear close to my lips and whispered, "Privilege." So I'm good.

Joe

1:47

Any players being connected to the Braves yet in the draft?

Keith Law

1:48

I heard them with Vasil. Again, this is all very early, speculative stuff, and something random could happen and suddenly Carter Stewart is staring at them at pick 8 and they change their plan.

Draft guru

1:48

Top high school players who have a shot to be top 40 picks out of the North East for '18 draft?

Keith Law

1:48

I just put up that draft top 50 today.

Gabriel

1:48

Is it too early for a mock draft?

Keith Law

1:48

Yes. It would be farcical.

Joe

1:49

Have you heard of the Braves hiring any international scouts after the basically fired their whole department this winter?

Keith Law

1:49

No, they can't really sign anyone signifcant anyway, and Anthopoulos came in so late that restocking the department would have been difficult. I expect that will all happen later this summer.

JSC

1:49

Do you have any recommendations for sci-fi or high fantasy fiction series you have read?

Keith Law

1:50

The Magicians, by Lev Grossman. The NK Jemisin Broken Earth series is good, although I haven't cracked The Stone Sky yet.

Connecting…

Bill G

2:36

Hi Keith. You passed along the article in the Athletic regarding Manfred's position on minor league pay. For those of us who do not subscribe to the Athletic, can you give us a synopsis of his position? I get the economics, I do not get the morality of the position.

Charley

2:42

If the entire MLB were forced to play out a Lord of the Flies situation (yes, I know, many flies), who would end up being Ralph? Piggy?

Tony

2:51

Hey Keith,

Brian J

2:53

Big 2, or SSS?

JeremyK

2:58

Hey Keith, Are there any real MLB prospects at Indiana U? Proud of my alma mater developing a solid baseball program.

Jason

2:59

I know it is early but has there been any player in the minors or majors early on that has really impressed you? Has anyone mentioned to you about anyone that has really stood out?

Fuzzy Dunlop

3:37

Who is the most likable player in the league right now and why is it Ozzie Albies?

Ricardo

3:43

Can Girardi help this young Reds team?

Ricardo

3:44

Any thoughts on teams keeping players in the minors to limit service time? Nick Senzel could help this struggling Reds team right?

Jim

3:44

Thanks for the draft rankings. If my count is correct 2 of the top 4 high school bats are from the Midwest. How rare is that and does it represent a weak draft class for prep bats?

4:01

Have you heard of Berrios doing anything differently this year?

Dave

4:05

Hi Keith,

4:06

With pace of play in mind, what's the chances that MLB ends up restricting the number of bullpen guys a team can have active? Really low? Any more likely that MLB makes rule on number of pitching changes allowed?

Andrew

4:11

Thoughts on Reggie Lawson's hot start in the CAL? What kind of ceiling does he have if everything clicks? I remember he was highly regarded in HS before getting hurt.

Andrew

4:12

I guess Luis Urias is human? I never thought I would see the day where he's hitting below .300 at any level

Brian

4:13

Keith, while I realize he has consistently been ranked in numerous top 100 lists, does Leody Taveras project to be an impact player or just a regular guy?

Bored Lawyer, Esq.

4:13

Was talking about this with a scout friend: is it possible to command super plus stuff (98-101 FB, high 80s offspeed)? Who would you say has elite command of top end stuff? Related question: is there a point at which control is enough and command doesn’t matter (Alroldis, Thor)?

Brian

4:13

Keith,

Brian

4:14

Keith, I am headed to Flagstaff and Sedona next week. Any restaurant recommendations?

Nelson

4:17

Do you bone, or do you debone a chicken/fish etc.

Rob

4:19

Has Berrios shown you anything different in his starts this year that backs up his relative dominance early on?

Rob

4:21

Safe to say you are on the Dozier side of buntgate?

Chris

4:23

How would you proceed with Mets rotation when Vargas is deemed ready? I'd take two of Matz, Harvey or Wheeler and have them swing start (4-5 IP) every fifth day. None of the three are ever able to keep pitch counts down so swing em!

Chris

4:26

I'm firmly in the play Nido every day camp. Nice glove, miiiiight hit a little, but why not give the guy a chance to win the job? Lobaton is a known backup.

Dana

4:27

I don't know if you heard, but Giancarlo Stanton is bad now, actually.

Claude Robichaux

4:29

Who is Ezequiel Duran and should I even care?

Bucs666

4:32

Mr. Law, how signable is Kumar Rocker? With

JIMBO

4:34

Keith - thanks for doing these chats. A question that has occurred to me every off season that I would like your take on: Don't high profile agents have (potential) conflicts of interest when they are representing different players? For instance, teams may only need one starting pitcher - or, regardless of positional need, has limited budgets. I understand players have a right to their own choice of representation - but how does the industry avoid such conflicts? Do they? Or am I overstating the (non) problem?

Chris

4:38

Are the Mets smoke and mirrors? Agreed (before you even say anything), they are not 76% winning percentage good but are they first place in the NL East good?

Chris

4:44

Hi Keith, Sam Hentges in CLE system looks to be having a bounceback year in HiA. Is he a potential breakout guy if he stays healthy?

Andy

4:52

A far more interesting (and less brain hurty) question, Betts or Harper? While Harper undoubtedly has higher upside, Betts is a better fielder and seems like he can stay healthy better.

Archie

4:52

Do you think Mac Williamson's remade swing makes him a viable big leaguer? If so, what do the Giants have to lose by giving him the at bats they are throwing away on Pence?

Tyler Y.

4:54

Any reason to suspect Matt Chapman's good start (lower K rate, higher walk rate) is the result of an adjustment/something sustainable? Or just SSS?

Scott

4:56

Why in the world would Assad use chemical weapons when he's so close to victory? Why would he give his enemies the perfect excuse to go in and drop bombs? Or are we supposed to believe he's just a "butcher" who doesn't operate logically and truly enjoys mass murder? It blows my mind people can believe such obvious regime change propaganda.

Marti

4:57

Why did Leonard Pozner drop his SLAPP suit against former State Trooper, Vice Principal, and School Safety Expert Wolfgang Halbig? This was his chance to expose this crazy conspiracy theorist! I know you'll probably go with an easy cop out about Pozner having to relive a tragedy and whatnot, but why even file the suit then? Seems rather fishy...

Mike F

4:58

Thoughts on Chris Stratton? SSS or a real chance to break out? Thanks for the chats and columns!

Tina

4:59

Hey Keith. Who've been some of the friendliest MLB players you've interacted with over the years? Least friendly?

Brett

4:59

Eloy Jimenez seems to have minor injuries at a decent clip. So far this year, he has had knee and pectoral issues. Last year, he had shoulder issues. At what point do you start worrying about durability with some players?

Jones

4:59

God, Matheny is the worst. I know he hasn't had a head coaching position since the Penn League, but what do I have to do to get Oquendo in there?

Tyler Y.

5:00

Any chance Jed Lowrie will have any value at the trade deadline or before? Seems like the A's have been trying to trade him for over a year.

Shuck Bowalter

5:01

ETA on a Gleyber promotion?

Brad

5:02

Apparently, Mookie Betts is the best player in baseball.

A big dumb idiot

5:02

While not likely it's certainly possible that Vlad and Bo are the top 2 prospects in baseball going into next season. Is there any precedence for one team having the top 2?

Jeremy

5:02

Jose Suarez has 27 K in 12 IP, 9 of those in his 3.2 IP debut at Double-A last night. Can he overcome his frame and turn into something useful?

5:02

Chris Stratton looked alright last night before Bochy left him in two batters too many. Can he be a solid rotation piece going forward?

Guest

5:02

If you were the Mets, would you trade for Realmuto this season. And if yes who would you give up

Lilith

5:03

What teams have been focusing more on Kelenic than others?

Jonathan

5:03

What's the value of Acuna being at AAA for the next few weeks to "small sample size" get hot? Wouldn't those at bats be just as valuable or more against MLB pitching?

Scott

5:03

Who is a better draft prospect: Bohm this year or Senzel when he was drafted?

Scott P.

5:03

Is it wrong to say Khalil Lee is 80% of Estevan Florial?

Kevin

5:03

What '80' tools are available in this year's draft?

Marissa

5:03

Who would you trade for Realmuto (if you would) if you were the Mets?

Greg

5:03

Better prospect in the Nationals system: Soto or Robles?

Andy

5:03

Joey Votto is tied with Eugenio Suarez for walks and has as many extra base hits as Luis Castillo. The 13 (?!) pitchers currently on the roster have a 4.34 ERA. It's mid April. What exactly were the Reds looking for? They weren't competing for the playoffs anyway.

John

5:03

Is Tyler O'Neill a regular in the longrun or just a 4th OF with power?

Jake

5:03

Thoughts on Shane Bieber?

Trudy

5:03

Do you think Mac williamson has the potential to be a 3 win player? His stints in the bigs have been underwhelming but he allegedly changed his swing and is now crushing AAA.

Jay

5:03

Thoughts on the Braves hot start? Are they a sustainable .500 team?

Terminator

5:03

In a recent Fangraphs article, a writer claimed that Jen Ramos had done research that shows that women should be playing professional baseball. They have yet to release that research but do you think it's possible that her research could be true? Thanks Keith.

Dave

5:03

How do you evaluate Jarred Kelenic for this years draft? Just go on what you saw from mostly last summer?

Shuck Bowalter

5:04

Do you think it's stupid that the Rays have their top talent in the upper minors, yet continue to play guys like Rob Refsnyder and Brandon Snyder?

Kwame

5:04

Mets just brought up Gerson Bautista, is he more than just a hard thrower?

Tim

5:04

The usual small sample size applies, but anything to be excited about with Daulton Varsho?

Brad

5:04

Who has the higher ceiling in the Brewers farm: Peralta or Burnes?

Derek

5:04

Who is the best historical comp for Heyward's regression? It's hard to find a decline like this in prime years with no known injury.

Joey

5:04

Keith can nimmo be a future all star? Seems to be at least average in every category. Great eye, speed, obp ... Him and conforto should be staple for mets going forward right ?

5:04

How do you feel about Ethan Hankins after this spring?

Mike (CT)

5:04

Admitted Mets homer here so trying to see the type of package to get Realmuto. Would Alonso, Nimmo and Kay be enough?

Scott

5:04

Stratton has been pretty good so far. Do you see him as a #3 starter going forward, or more of a back of the rotation type?

Jacob

5:05

Outside of Madrigal and Bohm, what infielder in the draft has the highest offensive floor and highest offensive ceiling?

Cash

5:05

What #s do you see for Miguel Andujar this year? Cheers

joe

5:05

Does bat size and dimensions matter at all when evaluating a player? For example, would a player who is using an undersized bat seem to have better bat speed? Could a bat that is too heavy lead to a longer swing? Bat dimensions don't seem to be covered much so maybe it doesn't really matter?

Mike

5:05

Which Cubs prospect or prospect(s) are you most excited to see this year? (Either in person or how they perform from a far).

Adam

5:05

AJ Preller’s done a great job of rebuilding the Padres farm system, but has he been competent enough constructing his major league rosters during the last few years for Padres fans to have faith in his leadership next time the team has a chance to be successful?

Jesse

5:05

Is the mets best plan to hold tight for plawecki to return? Give up a big haul for realmuto get a good to fringe catcher?

Soxtober2020

5:05

Winston-Salem seems to have a pretty stacked outfield, and they don't even have Robert yet. How many of these guys do you think turn into solid or better mlb players?

Adam

5:05

At what point is it decided that a player is a platoon-only fit? Should a guy like Hunter Renfroe, who is 26, still be given time to figure things out or is this pretty much who he is?

Chase

5:06

Hey Keith, given the Yankees injuries in the infield to Brandon Drury and general ineffectiveness of Tyler Wade and Miguel Andujar, how soon is until you think that we see Glyber Torres in New York?

Dave

5:06

Reds fired Price today, and have said they will search for non-interim replacement later this year. Girardi, Larkin, Farrell all rumored on short list. With Reds hoping to contend with youth next year, which of those three fits best?

Pete

5:06

Do you think Tyler Beede's stuff could play up in relief? I still want to believe in him, but that control is maddening.

Adam

5:06

Is Austin Hedges so valuable defensively that he can remain a starter even if the bat never comes around?

David

5:06

If the Mets were willing to eat most of Wilson Ramos contract, could they acquire him for a Gavin Cecchini-level prospect?

Justin

5:06

Who should the Pirates target at #10?

Adam

5:06

How do teams run by Alex Anthopolis draft compared to what the Braves have done before his arrival? Should we expect to see a philosophical change between the two?

Josh

5:06

Ceiling on Peter Alsonso?

Slick Rick Hahn

5:06

IF the Sox really wanted to get Alek Thomas to them in round 2 (obvious connection there) and decided to go underslot at 4, any idea on a target? Burger was a bit underslot last year but would imagine it would need to be more severe this time around. Thanks!

Chris

5:06

Im not concerned on Amed Rosario, but more curious on your thoughts on what he needs to work on outside of plate discipline?

Jeb

5:06

What are some names that Pirate fans should be ecstatic with at #10 if they are picked?

Tim

5:06

Who are a couple of the currently in Ext Spring players that you are most looking forward to in Short Season ball?

Margot

5:06

Is Jon Lester a HOFer for you?

Adam

5:07

What is the most interesting trade idea you’ve heard about that fell through at the last minute?

5:07

Is this Gerrit Cole sustainable for an entire season?

Steve

5:07

For lottery ticket guys like Jorge Ona, what would a good season look like for him?

Vin

5:07

Do you buy the swing changes that Mac Williamson has made?

Kevin

5:07

What is Mitch Keller's upside? Could he be another Jameson Taillon?

Adam

5:07

Now that Chief Wahoo is gone, can we shift our attention back to the Braves and start asking questions about the appropriateness of the Padres nickname as well?

Jason

5:07

The Tigers are . . . fun to watch?

Dr. Bob

5:07

Cinci firing Price reminds me of a line from Ball Four. Bouton was ruminating on who should take the fall for the woeful Pilots. He concluded, "Can the manager fire the general manager? No."

Chase

5:07

Keith, just finished your book and loved it, especially the section on the Baseball Hall of Fame. Who do you think is the most deserving player that will get shut out of Cooperstown in the coming years?

Chris

5:07

On a scale of 'Matt Adams in LF' to 'raging tire pyre', how bad is the Braves' idea to sign Bautista to play 3B?

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