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Klawchat 4/6/17
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Keith Law
2:44
No. His bat is way overhyped.
Scott
2:44
Braves were really aggressive by promoting Allard and Soroka to AA. Seems like they’re rushing them a bit, no?
Keith Law
2:45
It's aggressive. I think Allard can handle it, might even need it so he's not just getting by on that curveball. Soroka surprised me more, but they have so many starters they needed to bump someone up to make room.
Josh
2:45
Cedric Mullins: is he a prospect worth watching, and what are your thoughts on the Orioles starting him in Bowie? Seems uncharacteristically aggressive.
Keith Law
2:45
He's a good little player, made the end of my O's org report based primarily on one good scouting report on him. I saw him homer in a big league game last week - good athlete, can run, little dude but strong hands.
Nelson
2:45
How's your dog doing?
Keith Law
2:46
She's insane. Although right now she's sleeping because I ran her ragged earlier.
Snitker
2:46
Will Ronald Acuna be in AAA by the end of the year?
Keith Law
2:46
I don't understand why Atlanta fans all want to rush Acuna. Look at how little he's played anywhere above short-season.
forever it
2:46
How much does MLB bloodlines factor into prospect evaluations? For instance, every item I read on Vlad Jr. mentions his dad's approach and body type, but I've never once seen someone note a guy's non-MLB dad is, say, morbidly obese or something and say he may have weight concerns later on. Do teams overvalue this, dreaming on a Bonds or Griffey, even though they're more likely to get a Gwynn Jr.?
Keith Law
2:47
Non-MLB dads and even moms can be considerations in the draft. I remember seeing one first-rounder's parents, who probably combined to weigh about seven bills, and factored that into where I ranked him. (He didn't pan out, but I don't want to shame the kid's parents here.) Scouts absolutely look at that stuff.
Matt
2:47
Huge fan of yours. I wondered if you ever read books along the lines of "I'm just reading this to learn something" as opposed to fiction/nonfiction books. They're not the greatest examples, but the first that come to mind; books like Blink or Tipping Point. If so, do you have recommendations for any books that aren't novels that will open windows into some new learning views?
Keith Law
2:48
Yes - if you search the dish you'll find reviews for books like Thinking Fast and Slow, The Invisible Gorilla, Predictably Irrational, and Superforecasting, which would all fit what you're looking for.
Jeff
2:48
A NYT story this week suggested the showcase circuit has destroyed fundamentals, down to the ability for college prospects to play catch. Is this an actual thing?
Keith Law
2:48
That's a histrionic take on a real issue. Kids are absolutely taught to show off for the scouts at those events rather than to play real games and thus develop greater feel.
Tu PAC
2:49
The buzz at the back fields in Surprise for the Rangers was Leody Taveras, which was to be expected, but also Cole Ragans. Did you get a chance to see Ragans this spring, and is he someone who could shoot up the prospect lists this summer?
Keith Law
2:49
I didn't, because they only played one game while I was there (I think). I have heard good things, mostly because he has uncommon feel for pitching for his age. It's not a huge fastball.
Jack
2:49
Which Phillies prospect are you most interested in seeing?
Keith Law
2:49
The whole Lakewood rotation, really.
Kendall
2:49
As someone who suffers from anxiety, I second Keith's comments. Therapy, once I finally went, helped me understand what was happening, and was immensely helpful.
Keith Law
2:49
Just passing this along.
Tevin
2:49
If you’re the Twins, how do you pass on Hunter Greene? 102 at 17 y/o? Lord. They need pitching, but he gives you two potential players in one to bank on. Also, Falvey known for developing pitchers in CLE – great match. Kid seems like he “gets it” too.
Keith Law
2:50
I think you take him, you send him out this summer as a shortstop, with the plan to pitch him in 2018. Maybe he does something either way as a hitter in the GCL to change your mind or reinforce it.
Jeffrey
2:50
Any plans to go to the Pacific NW and check out the #1 rated Oregon St. team?
Keith Law
2:50
No. Good college team doesn't necessarily mean good draft prospects.
T
2:51
Kaprielian headed for an MRI. On a 1-10 how despondent should I be?
Keith Law
2:51
Start at 4, but keep your hand on the dial. Soon as you hear it, pump up the volume.
TJ
2:51
Saw former Tiger prospect Kevin Ziomwek retired after not being able to come back from thoracic outlet surgery. What sort of prospect did you see him as?
Keith Law
2:51
Probably a reliever in the long run. I guess the stuff never came back.
Jim
2:51
Travis Blankenhorn look like the future 3B of the Twins?
Keith Law
2:52
You know, I saw him last week in Fort Myers, and 1) oh my god is he huge and 2) he actually wasn't that bad at third for a guy his size. Maybe he's a 2b instead, but he can scorch the ball.
Rod
2:52
Does Hader get called up before Martes?
Keith Law
2:52
Hoy es jueves, entonces creo que no los vemos antes de martes.
Scott
2:53
Hi Keith. What would your best advice be to a father of 10-year-old daughter who wants to know why she only has the option of playing softball while boys get to play baseball (which is what she wants to play, although not with boys)
Keith Law
2:53
Ah, that's a tough one. She should be allowed to play with boys (except in Iowa or Arkansas, where they have yet to turn the clocks to 1950 yet). But your question is a tougher one, the kind of thing that book Delusions of Gender gets at - girls do less because we condition them to do less, not because there's anything different about their brains.
Sterling Mallory Chris Archer
2:54
So I've been reading your chats every week since you started on ESPN, but I'm curious, what more would you like to accomplish professionally?
Keith Law
2:54
Another book, not about baseball. Then we'll see.
Skippy
2:54
Currently watching the Cardinals game and cubs abnouncer is making a big deal about Matt Carpenter being a coaches child and about how important that can be. I'm sure it has its positives if your dads a good coach but does it really make THAT much difference like so many announcers seem to believe? I hear it pretty often about certain players. It kinda feels like the same thing as when we refer to small framed white players as "scrappy" to me
Keith Law
2:55
I think that can go both ways. I've met players who were sons of big leaguers and showed shockingly little feel for the game. A couple were even to the point where I'd call them entitled.
Chris
2:55
What are you expecting from Zach Wheeler this year?
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