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Klawchat 4/26/18
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JJ
1:32
I'm assuming this is Jackie Bradley (Junior!)'s last year in Boston -- great glove, but he's a mediocre bat, and about to make the big bucks in arbitration.  Who's better suited for center field in 2019:  Benintendi or Betts?
Keith Law
1:32
Both can play it. I would guess Betts.
Tommy
1:33
Taillon ever be consistent enough to be a true #2 starter?
Keith Law
1:33
Yes. Also, is consistency required to be a #2? I'll take 22 great starts and 8 bad ones.
Tom
1:33
When will we be able to gauge the effect of the humidor in Arizona?
Keith Law
1:34
Better question for guys who really work directly with the data, but I'd guess two years?
MikeM
1:34
Has Jawuan Harris of Rutgers come up in any of your draft scouting?  If so what round in the draft is he likely to go in?
Keith Law
1:34
He has not.
Matt
1:34
I’ve recently started playing Ticket to Ride. Is there enough variation in game play between the editions (Europe/Africa/etc) to warrant purchasing a new one beyond the NA version?
Keith Law
1:35
Europe adds three important rule changes (ferries, stations, and tunnels) without changing the core game. Beyond that, you either get significant rules changes (UK, France, Pennsylvania), or just weird boards (Nordics, Switzerland).
Holy crap Albies just homered again.
1:36
Albies had 22 homers in pro ball before this year and has 8 in four weeks.
Chris
1:36
Do you think Sheldon Neuse has the athleticism and arm to be a average defensive corner outfielder?
Keith Law
1:36
I would not move him off the infield. It would reduce his value too much.
Matt
1:36
Wife and I are headed to Houston for the 1st time. Any restaurant recommendations?
Keith Law
1:36
Been a few years for me. I liked Underbelly a lot. Oxheart shows up on a lot of best of the US lists, but you have to get a reservation well in advance.
Tommy
1:36
Chances Julio Urias ever becomes a relevant starting pitcher?
Keith Law
1:37
I don't think any pitcher has come all the way back from that surgery. It's usually a career-ender.
Kevin
1:37
Would Matz be better served as a long reliever? Stuff is there but not for long...
Keith Law
1:38
I'd like to see him in a swing role. Shoot for 120 or so innings a year. That role needs to come back, for every team, or we're going to end up with nine-man bullpens.
Thomas
1:38
You mentioned in a recent draft blog that there just aren't many players as small as Madrigal in the majors. Just curious - how does he compare to Nick Allen, who was thought as a first round talent but slipped due to concerns about his size? Do they have comparable skill sets?
Keith Law
1:39
Allen can play shortstop, and well, and I think he's a better runner than Madrigal. Madrigal plays second, even now, but I know several directors & cross-checkers who think he has the best hit tool in this draft.
Mat Ji
1:39
Do you have a favorite quick weeknight dinner that you find yourself making often?
Keith Law
1:40
A few. There's a pad thai recipe in Isa Does It!, a vegan cookbook, that I like to make because it comes together fast ... but I usually add egg and/or chicken. I'll eat tofu, but my daughter, who is an adventurous eater in general, doesn't care for it.
Chris
1:40
How should the Cards handle Kelly and Knizner?
Keith Law
1:41
Knizner is another reason Kelly needs to play regularly - or be traded in a big package for someone else. Buster threw out the idea, which has a negative percent change of happening, that the Giants should deal Bumgarner. If that were to come true, the Cards should call and offer Kelly and one of their young SP prospects and at least one of their top OF prospects.
And that's probably not enough but it would fit for both teams.
Adam
1:42
Buxton finished really strong last year yet started this year still in the 8 hole. When healthy will he be given teh chance to put that speed to work near the top of the lineup?
Keith Law
1:42
I assume 1) when he's off the DL and 2) starts hitting well, he'll move up. I doubt this is permanent.
Len
1:42
With Atlanta not having a 3rd round pick, how would that impact their approach to their first two picks, if at all?
Keith Law
1:43
Shaves some $ off their draft pool and makes it harder for them to target an over-slot guy in the third round anyway. I doubt it'll be noticeable to the average Braves fan, but it might mean missing out on a prep arm they liked in that 3rd-4th round range.
Mike
1:43
I could be wrong but I don't remember you writing up Franchy Cordero in the past as his recent promotion didn't ring a bell. What do you think his future holds?
Keith Law
1:44
I've written him up a few times. Power and athleticism with a poor approach, especially breaking ball recognition. Maybe a great fourth OF type if the approach doesn't improve. I'm glad he's at least getting some AB now, though. El Paso wouldn't prove much for him.
Steve K
1:44
Colton Welker the real deal?
Keith Law
1:45
I think he can hit some, but Lancaster is an insane hitter's park and he's been atrocious on the road this year, so I think the answer, if you're looking just at his stat line, is no.
This is a Rockies problem - Asheville (low-A), Lancaster (high-A), and Albuquerque (AAA) are all great hitters' parks. Tough to tell what's real for hitters and which pitchers are developing despite their environments.
Sean
1:45
How much additional noise do you think the bad early season weather has added to the usual small sample size randomness?
Keith Law
1:46
I think it's affected a lot of players, hitters and pitchers, majors and minors. I've talked to players and coaches who at least believe it has affected them or their charges. Hard to, say, throw a plus breaking ball if you're struggling to feel your fingertips.
Matt
1:46
Hi Keith, anything you notice on film as a cause for Taillon’s recent struggles? Velocity and strike rate seem fine — is he living in the zone *too much*, possibly?
Keith Law
1:47
Three great outings, two bad ones. I don't see that as any particular cause for concern.
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