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Klawchat 4/9/21
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Keith Law
1:10
A thousand times I've seen this road. Klawchat.
Richard
1:10
Early in their respective careers, you thought Correa and Bregman should probably switch defensive positions to highlight their respective strengths.  Now it seems like Correa is likely to be paid as a top-flight SS...has he worked to improve his defense that much over the last 3 seasons?
Keith Law
1:12
He might be paid as one, but he's not a top-flight defender at short; he's probably a 45 defender who's helped by shifting/positioning. I'm still going to rank him very highly as a free agent but with some expectation that he'll move off SS over the course of a long-term deal.
Tom
1:12
If Tanner Houck's increased velocity is sustainable, does that change your expectations for him, or is that more contingent on developing a change up to counter lefties?
Keith Law
1:12
The latter.
Moe Mentum
1:12
What improvements do the Phillies need to see from Scott Kingery at the plate to bring him back to the majors? Technical adjustments? Mental reset? And are you still a believer?
Keith Law
1:13
It's a swing adjustment IMO. And maybe a mental reset but I can't really speak to that from here - I do know his swing degraded first and the approach second. I am still a believer.
addoeh
1:13
So you recently tried Burmese cuisine.  What cuisine do you plan to try next or is the biggest missing cuisine in your culinary passport?
Keith Law
1:14
I've tried to work in one of the two (I think) Ghanaian places I've heard good things about in the Phoenix area on some trips out that way, but it's never worked out for timing, and one of the places had a lot of beef on their menu that limited my options, but that springs to mind as something I've never had that would also probably open my mind to some new flavors.
Hinkie
1:14
Hello, Keith.  Looking forward to an updated draft prospect list.  Since your initial rankings, what players have done the most for their draft stock and what guys are going in the wrong direction (other than Jaden Hill)?
Keith Law
1:16
Next week will be the new list, probably 50 names this time. I wrote in this week's draft notebook that Frelick and Henry Davis are probably top 5 picks now. Andrew Painter has picked it up after two really awful starts to open the year. Jud Fabian continues to flounder - I said he couldn't hit the slider and opposing teams appear to have heard the same thing. James Wood might end up at Mississippi State at this point; I heard he was hitting just a shade above .200. Also something is clearly amiss with Dick Fitts. He's gone from first-round starter to a reliever who can't get anyone out.
Ben (MN)
1:17
Have you heard anything in the industry along the lines of the "Paul Molitor and Co. stunted Buxton's development" narrative? I always wondered at the time because Buxton seemed to go up swinging at absolutely everything in his early days with the Twins (even though he walked a lot in A Ball), but nobody in MN wanted to criticize Molitor, the local legend. Now, even the Twins tv announcers are saying that Molitor's insistence that Buxton be aggressive and hit the ball on the ground stymied his development.
Keith Law
1:17
I haven't heard that myself but it seems plausible, at least.
Michael
1:17
My favorite team/player had a great first week! Ha! I knew you were wrong with your opinions based on "data" and "scouting".  I am vindicated! (By the way, I sometimes see the initials "SSS" in your chats - what does this mean?)
Keith Law
1:17
Joking aside, someone tried to tell me I was wrong about Ryan Mountcastle's likely regression after Mountcastle got one hit on Opening Day. That's a new record, I think.
Deke
1:18
How do you approach someone who is genuinely well-meaning but just patently wrong? Not in a Matt Walshian, bad-faith sense. Like today, the Senior Bowl’s Jim Nagy was pretty dismissive of the concept of racial bias in scouting QBs because NFL front offices only want to win, so they wouldn’t downgrade a guy just because he’s black, which is absurd on the face of it. How would you approach that without immediately putting him on the defensive?
Keith Law
1:18
I'm not sure you can do that without putting him on the defensive, but in my view the best response to that is data. Put him in a position where he has to say that he doesn't believe the evidence in front of him.
Todd Boss
1:19
Kopech pitching in relief; would you have believed that the CWS wouldn't have room for a 100-mph throwing strikeout machine starter?
Keith Law
1:19
I believe this is really a development strategy, both to build him back up to eventually start and help him build confidence as he continues to return after two years of not pitching.
Tom
1:19
Tyler Matzek for Atlanta. Failed starter but can he be a backend relief pitcher now?
Keith Law
1:20
Hasn't he been that? Great story, too. I wonder how different his whole career might have been had another team taken him - getting more money in the draft came from high bonus demands that may have deterred teams from drafting him in the top ten.
Tom
1:20
Jon Grays fastball averaged about 92 last start. Any concern there?
Keith Law
1:20
I'd say I want to see at least 2 starts of reduced velocity before I'd be concerned, 3 before I panic.
Tom
1:21
Call Your Mother, my favorite dc breakfast place. glad you enjoyed it. If you like Georgian food, theres a place right across the street from CYM called Tabla. Highly recommend!
Keith Law
1:21
We went to a location of CYM in the suburbs but I can say I have never had Georgian food (assuming you mean the democracy-challenged country in the Caucusus, not the democracy-challenged US state in the Jim Crow belt).
JT
1:21
Long term, do you see too much swing and miss in Kjerstad's complicated approach?
Keith Law
1:22
Without any adjustments, yes. I assume the Orioles will try at some point to make adjustments with him.
Jesse B
1:22
Is there something there with Yermin Mercedes?
Keith Law
1:22
A hell of a story.
Pat
1:22
So, about 2-3 weeks ago I was able to get the COVID vaccine even though technically not eligible. (Rural areas have too much supply, so I was able to finagle an appointment thru a contact). I felt guilty like I was "jumping the line". Is that right or should it just be everyone get vaccinated as quickly as possible?
Keith Law
1:22
At this point, yes, everyone should get vaccinated as soon as they can.
HomerSomethingSomething
1:23
Do you think Garret Whitlock can stick in the Majors all year so he doesn't have to be offered back to the Yankees? He's looked good in Spring and in SSS this season.
Keith Law
1:23
Sure, as a two-pitch reliever with AA experience already, it's not surprising he'd be MLB ready.
Pat
1:24
BTW, the joyous reaction of Akil Baddoo's parents to his HR last weekend was one of the joys I've gotten so far this season. To watch your kid work for years & year (& for the parents to spend the $$ & drive him to all the practices/games/showcases) & get the payoff of him hitting a HR in his 1st MLB AB. It's a lot of work & a long road, but, seeing your child succeed at the highest level in his chosen field has to be such an experience.
Keith Law
1:24
Especially in his case, where he hasn't played since elbow surgery in May 2019.
Justin Y
1:24
Corbin Burnes has given up 2 hits in two starts, that cutter is devastating. He’s gonna be in the CY Young conversation isn’t he?
Keith Law
1:26
I said in September he might have been the best pitcher in the NL had he spent the whole year in the rotation and avoided the oblique strain he suffered, which cost him the innings he needed to make a real argument for the CYA. He's a stud. Former #24 overall prospect in my rankings.
Mudville Nine
1:26
Hey Keith, really enjoyed Inside Game! I'm curious to know your thoughts on Russ Atkins 5 years extension with the Blue Jays. Obviously, Rogers ownership is happy with how Shapiro and Adkins manage their budgets but what do you think this tandem getting a guaranteed 5 years commitment to continue teambuilding?
Keith Law
1:27
Ehhh ... I don't think I have a strong feeling either way on this. This front office built a very strong farm system - about two years after they said they did - and that's worthy of praise, but I also would like to see more on-field results in the majors.
HomerSomethingSomething
1:27
Mountcastle looked absolutely horrific on defense yesterday - probably cost the O's 3 runs alone in that game. But hey, he hit a home run so that's good, right?
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