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Klawchat 4/24/25
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James
2:26
Ethan Salas’ glove is so advanced for his age but do you think that SD is hurting his long term hitting development by being so aggressive with his assignments/promotions or do you think it’s not a big deal in the end?
Keith Law
2:26
He shouldn't be in AA. He's not ready.
Dan
2:26
Has Spencer Torkelson shown enough change this year, to show that he is a ML starting caliber First Baseman? Or is this just a hot start to a season?
Keith Law
2:27
Anything is just a hot/cold start at this point. I know people love to claim that certain stats "stabilize" by X at bats ... because they don't understand how stats work. Really. It's like hearing Trump voters talk about tariff policy.
BK
2:27
Does Garrett Mitchell have too much swing and miss to ever be a consistent hitter?
Keith Law
2:27
I worry he does.
BK
2:27
Thoughts on Augustin Ramirez hit tool. Will he stay at catcher?
Keith Law
2:27
Can hit. Not a catcher. Worse than Wells ever was.
BK
2:27
Thanks for your monthly music lists - you have helped me discover a lot of new music. What are your thoughts on the band Almost Monday?
Keith Law
2:27
Don't know them. Are they better than 'Til Tuesday?
Sam
2:29
What's the most random/unexpected great meal you've ever had?
Keith Law
2:32
What a great question. I remember one in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, where it was basically a little family restaurant and I had the best fried rice dish I've ever had in my life - and it was several meals' worth for a few dollars. I had a stuffed Egyptian flatbread (very much like naan) at a counter-service spot in Monaco, of all places, that was out of this world. Maybe a decade ago I went to this tiny restaurant in Stanton, VA, that some newspaper (the Washington Post, maybe?) said was the best restaurant in the country - and it was amazing, even though the place was nothing to look at. I've had great szechuan duck in Charlottesville that melted my face off. Even just recently, I had outstanding Neapolitan pizza in Sarasota at Atmosphere.
Mike
2:34
Sean Linan has posted some wild numbers so far, with massive swing and miss in a small sample. What can you tell us about him and what he might turn into?
Keith Law
2:35
He had a pretty high whiff rate last year too - it's a plus changeup, a weird one with high spin (that pitch usually has very low spin), and his slider is probably average. It might be a 45 fastball and he's pretty maxed out physically. I'd like to see him at a higher level since he's repeating low A.
Jay
2:35
What is your long term projection for MacKenzie Gore? Seems like the control has been better this year. Can he be an ace still or is he more likely a #2 or #3?
Keith Law
2:36
As much as I would love to see him become an ace, I worry that the four-seamer is too straight ... it got crushed last year, hasn't so much this year in a small sample but as far as I can tell it's the same pitch.
Zack
2:38
Antwone Kelly has reportedly been touching 100 MPH this year. Is someone with the potential to be a big riser this year, and can he stick as a starter being sub 6-foot (if listed data is right)?
Keith Law
2:40
I'm assuming you mean the Pirates prospect ... is he really 5'10"? I just pulled up video and he looks bigger than that. Might be out of date. Anyway he hit 99 last year. Good arm all around, might have the mix to start.
James
2:40
With NIL has your stance changed on staying in school vs draft?
Keith Law
2:40
Not really - still has to do with how advanced and mature you are out of HS, and whether you're better served in a pro development system or at college.
Matt
2:40
Your offseason write-up of Nestor German seemed more exciting than what you wrote a few days ago. Has he lost any luster based off one look that you had?
Keith Law
2:41
The arm slot is higher than what I thought I saw on video - a good argument for seeing guys live vs just video scouting. It's tough to stick as a starter from up there because you can't work laterally. He does have the pitch mix to start, and he throws strikes, but yes I like him a little less after seeing his Iron Mike act.
JG
2:41
Astros fans (at least in the fan groups I'm part of) seem to have it out for Dana Brown.  I think he's doing the best he can trying to clean up the mess created by the owner and his minions after they fired Click and hired Brown.  What do you think?
Keith Law
2:41
I think he's been put in an impossible spot.
Chris
2:41
I know you like to have something tangible to change your opinion on a guy, does Ben Rice adding strength count?
Keith Law
2:42
Adding strength counts, but in his case it doesn't address the actual concerns about his game (swing & decisions).
CVD
2:42
Mitchell Parker is leading the NL in WAR, and sporting a 1.39 ERA.   Time to believe??
Keith Law
2:42
No.
It's April 24th. Everything is a small sample right now.
Ben
2:43
James Wood- appears to be on his way to stardom.   What changed from him falling into the 2nd round in the 2021 draft?
Keith Law
2:43
He had a terrible spring at IMG - striking out at a very high rate, scouts thought he wanted to go to school - and since he got into pro ball he's worked really hard at controlling his large strike zone. It's a lot to ask any player but he's so athletic he might be able to pull it off even at 6'7".
Craig
2:43
Are Xavier Neyens and Mason Pike (WA high school prospects) first rounders this year?
Keith Law
2:44
Maybe and no.
Jimmy
2:44
going to be in Chattanooga over the weekend should we pick the game that Chase Burns is going to start?
Keith Law
2:44
Absolutely.
Jay
2:44
Could Espino still make it  for CLE or has he lost too much development time to injury the past 2+ years?
Keith Law
2:44
I'll be surprised if he ever pitches again. It's been three years since his last game.
Matt
2:44
After the Cam Smith-to-CF announcement, I happened to check his Statcast page and was shocked by the 95th percentile Sprint Speed (which I imagine is part of this CF decision?)! I don't remember seeing plus speed as a tool for him in anyone's scouting reports, so I guess I'm wondering where this came from? Of all the tools, that seems like the one that would've been easiest to notice!
Keith Law
2:45
Sprint speed <> run tool. It's a snapshot over a very small distance, and that's not really what speed is - you can have a very high sprint speed but be closer to average over 90 feet.
Brian
2:46
Does The Athletic have a stick to sports policy? I remember you being more outspoken in the past.
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