JotCast | Klawchat 4/19/18

Klawchat 4/19/18

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Gregg

2:02

Heyman floated the idea of a Conforto for Realmuto trade today. Does that make any sense? If not, what’s a realistic Realmuto-Mets trade look like? Thanks!

Keith Law

2:03

That would not make sense for the Mets.

Drew

2:03

I am curious as to why Hoskins didn't really appear on any top 100 lists during his time in the minors. What did scouts miss with him?

Keith Law

2:03

First baseman who was held back in low-A his first year, and played in a very favorable HR park in AA. I liked him, thought he could be Goldschmidt Lite.

2:04

Just want to say thanks for your weekly “Stick to Baseball” links. They’re always informative, and even clued me in to the Fireball Island Kickstarter. I played that with my brothers all the time as a kid and recently backed them. I can’t wait to play the new version with them.

Keith Law

2:04

I don't remember that game at all, but I did play Stop Thief, one of Restoration Games' earlier re-Issues, all the time.

Zac

2:04

Is the service time manipulation unfixable or will the owners use this as the ultimate bargaining chip to screw over the MLBPA is the next labor bargaining?

Keith Law

2:04

Whatever rules the CBA sets, teams will quickly find the best way to take advantage of them.

Gilbert

2:05

Greyson Jenista did not make you updated top 50. What do you see that is keeping him from making that list?

Keith Law

2:05

He's not very good.

David

2:05

Does Peter Alonso overtake Dom Smith as the Mets future at 1B ? Or are they both trade bait for a catcher?

Keith Law

2:06

If I'm Smith, I'm showing up early every damn day, because Alonso is legit. He can really hit and he's showing more power than he did as an underclassman.

Jason

2:06

Thanks for the chat. I've seen Kelenic mentioned as a possibility for the Tigers first overall. How bad would Mize's medical have to be for the Tigers to turn in another direction?

Keith Law

2:06

A cold weather HS bat first overall, a kid who'll play just a handful of games outside all spring ... I can't say it's wrong, because maybe Kelenic is the next coming of Mike Trout, but whoa boy is that a risk I could not stomach.

2:07

take on the Pitching Ninja .gif controversy? MLB has been overly protective of their media rights forever, but in their defense they built up a huge media business by being that way.

Keith Law

2:07

Would love to see them work more with people like Rob on GIFs, which I don't think negatively impact the market for MLB's product *or* damage the MLB brand in any way at all, while continuing to enforce their rights on longer videos of game action, which do.

Justin R

2:08

How do you find new, good books to read? Best seller lists tend to be a lot of airplane-read potboilers.

Keith Law

2:08

Lot of reader & friend recommendations, bookstore browsing, often asking (indie) bookstore employees what they've liked. Sometimes I just pick up a book because the cover speaks to me and the description sounds interesting.

Dave

2:08

Dont know if you caught the articke about Armor Field in Chicago, but when will MLB teams realize smaller stadiums may be the way to go?

Keith Law

2:08

That was in my Saturday links post. Great work by Dayn there. Smaller parks don't bring in more revenue.

Archie

2:08

Is your ranking of Madrigal a reflection of his potential to be a solid big leaguer, or because so many of the other top guys have gone backward?

Keith Law

2:09

More the latter. He's still a tiny college 2b who'll probably never have power.

Chris

2:09

Did you like Soundgarden at all?

Keith Law

2:09

Loved them.

Daniel

2:09

Is Acuńa ready ? Was he ready in Spring Training ?

Keith Law

2:10

He was ready, but like I said above, he's trying to hit everything 500 feet right now.

Jeff

2:10

Likelihood that Lucchesi has a better MLB career than Quantrill?

Keith Law

2:10

Not crazy. Might be 40%.

Peter

2:10

Worried at all about Marcus Stroman? I know SSS, but concern is always there for me with a guy with that small of a frame.

Keith Law

2:10

He's short but he ain't small.

Peter

2:10

Is Zack Godley for real?

Keith Law

2:11

That CB is a knockout. As long as he has that, he's for real.

2:13

OK, that's all for this week. Thanks for all of the questions, as always, and for reading. I'll have a draft post up in the next few days on Cole Wilcox (who was excellent on Tuesday night) and Carter Stewart (whose stuff was down last night, although the CB is still ridiculous) and a few more day one names. Enjoy your weekends!

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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