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Keith Law
1:15
Would guess the latter. Also it's a tiny sample.
Alek
1:15
A month after your first rankings, Still have Doyle at number 1? Any other big movers lately?
Keith Law
1:16
I haven't re-ranked anyone yet ... I've started working on the top 50, of course, but it's preliminary.
Jeremy
1:16
Nick Gonzalez has a fractured ankle. Adam Frazier is now essentially the starting second baseman and is batting lead off today while Nick Horne is in AAA Indianapolis. That is insane, right?
Keith Law
1:16
Yeah, I don't get it. Perfect opportunity to bring Yorke back to the majors.
JTW
1:16
Do you still vote for the Hall of Fame?  Just curious.  When I look at guys like Billy Wagner, Dave Parker, Dick Allen, and Harold Baines going in these days, I'm assuming the requirements have changed, and that everyone who actually plays ten full seasons is now guaranteed eventual enshrinement.  Wait by your phone, Matt Stairs!
Keith Law
1:17
I do. I don't think I've moved the bar as much as those ridiculous committees, where people just vote for their friends.
J-Train
1:17
Would you ever consider annualizing a player's 2020 stats to make a HOF argument?
Keith Law
1:17
Absolutely not.
Sean M.
1:17
Now that the universe has given them what they deserve with a pick at 7 instead of 1, what is the best case scenario for the Marlins at that pick?
Keith Law
1:17
Way too soon to answer that. There are plenty of good players for the 7th pick.
Eric
1:17
The Blue Jays have started Will Wagner, 5 of the first 6 games. Are you as optimistic about his future as productive player as they seem to be?
Keith Law
1:17
I don't think he's a long-term regular.
Martin
1:17
Do you think this idea is or could be true?: "Clutchness" in the sense of "avoiding performance degradation under pressure" is an actual skill, but it's not a real-world differentiator between MLB players because essentially everyone in MLB has it. If you can't handle pressure, you likely wouldn't make it to MLB.
Keith Law
1:18
This has been my argument for forever. Same with lineup protection: I'm sure it exists in high school; it may exist in college or the low minors; we know it doesn't exist in the majors (or its effect is too small to capture).
Bobby Digital
1:18
Did you ever think you'd see a petty, perpetually aggrieved billionaire literally handing out giant checks in the hopes that people would a) like him and b) vote in a way that makes it easier for him to game the system?
Keith Law
1:18
I did not. Looking back, I've been too naive about just how harmful Citizens United has been. It's destroyed our democracy in ways that I don't think can be repaired.
JR
1:18
I'm not as fast of a reader as you, but often take down suggestions from you and read books in order of my list. Meaning, this year I've read both Minotaur takes a cigarette break and smoke. Both have had sequels come out since you reviewed them, lol. Any plans to read? Assuming you were aware sequels existed?
Keith Law
1:20
I was not! Will definitely read the Minotaur sequel.
Paul
1:20
Have you had a chance to check out "The Studio"? I liked the first two eps.
Keith Law
1:20
No, other than Adolescence I've been all movies this month. Was going to watch White Lotus next, but after reading how they cut a reference to Carrie Coon's character having a trans or NB child after Trump was elected, I lost interest. Straight-up obeying in advance there.
Ben
1:21
Nominating JB Pritzker for closest FDR analogue.  Very rich, a surprisingly compelling speaker, and a former governor who both seems to have fun with politics and be good at the management aspect.  Illinois loves its big boy governor.
Keith Law
1:21
And he's been pretty fearless so far about speaking his mind and speaking out against the Administration. Assuming we're allowed to vote for anything in 2028, the best candidate will be someone who never bent the knee.
Henry
1:21
Can we just indoctrinate small sample size for everything in MLB until at least June, and encourage folks to read Smart Baseball?
Keith Law
1:22
I'm on board with that. Was hoping Cory Booker would start reading from it during his speech to fill some time.
Guest
1:22
Do you think we'll see Nick Kurtz called up by the All-Star break?
Keith Law
1:22
Honestly don't know the answer to that. This year, sure.
Lark11
1:22
Have you read any books by Lauren Groff? I was pretty damn impressed by The Vaster Wilds
Keith Law
1:22
Fates & Furies and Florida. That might be it?
Liked both, though.
Lark11
1:23
Has Ben Rice taken a legitimate step forward? Can he be a full-time starter in MLB? A true impact hitter? Thanks!!
Keith Law
1:23
No.
How is it done
1:23
You do a lot of board game reviews- how many hours a week would you say you spend on playing/writing about games? How about how many hours on watching/writing/analyzing baseball?
Keith Law
1:23
That answer would vary widely based on time of year. I've barely done anything game-related in the last month because I've been traveling so much. The two reviews I posted at Paste were written before March even began, because I knew what was coming.
Ice
1:24
I did a Val Kilmer search on your site this morning and saw the only movie review where he was mentioned was for KKBB. Any other of his films that you liked/didn't like?
Keith Law
1:25
Top Secret is an all-time favorite. It doesn't hold up that well today overall, but there are some timeless jokes in there.
As soon as I saw he'd died, "Skeet Surfin'" popped into my head.
Jim Walewander
1:25
For decades, the Tigers did not prioritize the minor leagues or the international market.

Now, seemingly overnight, everything this front office and coaching staff touches turns to gold.

How much credit goes to Scott Harris & Co., versus Hinch, Fetter and the coaching staff?
Keith Law
1:28
I think you can spread the credit around. They've drafted substantially better since Mark Conner took over as Scouting Director, and I had a pro scout who's covered them for a while tell me this winter that they have made a 180 in terms of developing players - it went from guys failing to develop at all or up to their potential to guys developing beyond expectations all over the place. Kevin McGonigle might be the best example right now.
Chris
1:28
Keith, if you were the GM, how would you solve the Red Sox' looming need to get Roman Anthony at bats in the big leagues? Should they trade Abreu or move Duran to CF and Rafaela to the bench?
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