You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Klawchat, 5/11/17
powered byJotCast
Keith Law
1:02
Twisting like a cat on a hot tin shine. It's Klawchat.
Greg
1:02
Hey Keith, is it bad that I'm disappointed in your projected Atlanta pick being a guy with an average fastball? Is that really the best pick at 5, or does he make up for it in other ways?
Keith Law
1:03
By all accounts Gore has great secondaries for a HS arm and an advanced feel to pitch. The ball also comes out of his hand really well - I wouldn't be surprised if his release point was especially far towards the batter and if his fastball plays above its velo. I think it's a strong consensus that he's the second best prep arm in the class.
Frank
1:03
What was your reaction to Ronald Acuna being promoted to Double A so quickly?
Keith Law
1:03
I think it's strange. I love the player, but he hadn't dominated high-A - he had two great weeks and still struck out a lot.
kimchidad
1:03
Do you have any interest in doing live scouting in South Korea or Japan to get a better idea of the level of play in those leagues?
Keith Law
1:03
I mean, if you're paying, sure.
Andrew
1:03
Thoughts on Tatis Jr so far this year?
Keith Law
1:04
None. He's 18, in low-A, and it's been a month. Unless he was totally overmatched (he's not) or dominating (he's not), there's nothing here to change my preseason opinion of him.
Burns
1:04
Who has a better chance of becoming more than a backend starter, Beede or Honeywell?
Keith Law
1:04
Beede.
Wayne
1:04
In your top-five scenario, what other player(s) do you think Atlanta would be considering besides Gore?
Keith Law
1:05
I believe they'd kill for Greene or Lewis, but I don't see either of those happening. Bear in mind that last year they weren't really linked to Anderson by anyone until maybe two weeks before the draft.
Wayne
1:05
Through 126 PAs in Double A, Travis Demeritte is walking 11% and striking out 22%. When is it alright to put stock in the decreased K%?
Keith Law
1:06
I think it's probably meaningful now. He had 150 AB after the trade last year, all in high-A, with a 33% K rate. So he moved up and is already making more contact. And bear in mind I think he might be a 7 defender at second.
Scott
1:06
American Gods - Impressed? Disappointed? I think they've been pretty true to the book so far. I've enjoyed the first 2 episodes.
Keith Law
1:07
I haven't watched E2 yet. I thought E1 was compelling and McShane was great but the gore was stupid and undermined the episode.
Paco
1:07
Imagine prime Maddux was a prospect now. Would he be difficult to evaluate? Is it hard to project command/movement guys? I can't imagine there's too many rhp throwing high 80's that are getting much hype.
Keith Law
1:08
Maddux could get into the low 90s, up to 94, in his peak, and he could really sink it with 80 command and a good changeup. He would probably be underrated, because everyone would question his ceiling, but he'd be considered a solid prospect for sure.
Danny
1:08
I'm a big fan of Chase Vallot. Think despite the strikeout issues, he pairs that with being able to walk (career 12% BB% in the minors - 16% this year in Wilmington). Of course the sticking point with him is if he can stay at catcher? Thoughts there? He also clearly has SOME idea of the strikezone given his walk rate, but why are the K's so high?
Keith Law
1:08
Just saw him the other night; don't think he's a catcher, don't agree that he's got much plate discipline either.
Danny P
1:09
Evan White might fit in with the Cubs philosophy of the best college bat, though Rizzo would still be blocking him in a few years, can he be a decent Corner OFer. They also seem to love USA baseball guys. Is it a fit?
Keith Law
1:09
I'd be quite surprised if they took a 1b (who could definitely play the OF) with a career college walk rate of under 8%.
Eli
1:09
Where would Seth Romero rank on talent alone? How far do you see off-field concerns dropping him?
Keith Law
1:10
He would have gone in the first, I would have ranked him more towards the second (it's not a good delivery), and I think he now goes second or third with a significant discount. Getting in a fight with a teammate on top of a mountain of previous incidents tells me either he's got a real mental illness or he's totally irresponsible.
GS (Minneapolis)
1:10
My heart loves Miguel Sano while my head loved Max Kepler. Kepler seems so well-rounded to me and I think his net value is under appreciated by Twins fans. Well he develop 30 hr power?
Keith Law
1:11
Kepler? I'd say 20+, 30 is not impossible but not likely.
Greg
1:11
How much of the rumored desire of Hunter Greene to avoid Cincinnati, should Reds fans be concerned about?
Keith Law
1:11
I'd call that bullshit.
Ryan Philip
1:11
What's your guess on how DD handles Devers down the stretch given their obvious need at 3b and the disaster Moncada was last year? At what point is it ok for them to throw Devers in the fire without sacrificing his development?
Keith Law
1:12
Buster said on the podcast this morning that he's heard they might call Devers up; I said I thought that was aggressive, but that I also think Devers could handle the big jump without getting derailed. He's a special talent at the plate.
David
1:12
Hi Keith,

When you see two-way players with the abilities of McKay and Greene would you push them, by default, to being either a hitter or a pitcher? I understand the need for pitchers, but with the injury risk there might be better value in being a hitter. I'm assuming it is all a case-by-case situation based on the player, but was just curious if you had any thoughts. As a Pirate fan I'm always reminded of John Van Benschoten when I hear about two-way players and wonder if there is an industry consensus on the way to go.
Keith Law
1:12
Case by case for me. I'd put Greene on the mound for sure. McKay I prefer on the mound but there's a better case for him to hit than there is for Greene.
Chris
1:12
I always love your take on books, Keith, and was wondering if you've read The Sellout, by Paul Beatty, which won the Man Booker. I finished it a week or two ago and have never been more conflicted, in a good way, by a novel, especially a comic one. I left it having enjoyed it and its thematic point but feeling totally insecure and out of place, which might've been part of the point. Anyway I was wondering your thoughts. Thanks for all your great work.
guren
1:13
A few weeks ago, SI ran an article where anonymous "scouts" provided comments for each team. A "scout" said that Eric Hosmer is "MVP caliber, a Triple Crown candidate." On a scale of 1 to Tim Tebow playing baseball, how ridiculous is that scout's statement? Also, what is it about Eric Hosmer that causes some scouts to over-rate him?
Keith Law
1:13
Yep, I read it last July (http://klaw.me/2a0WD8u). Very good, but also made me pretty uncomfortable. Only a black author with a confident voice could have written that book.
Although I occasionally quote scouts anonymously, I vet the quotes myself first. That writer did not. Or the scout isn't real.
guren
1:13
Do you happen to know HarperCollins' break-even point in terms of unit sales of your book? If so, is that something that you can share? I am just curious about the economics of the publishing industry.
Keith Law
1:14
I will only share this - the royalty structure in my contract is not linear. The rate for hardcover books is a step function, but it's a straight line for ebooks.
Cedric
1:14
How many names are the Reds truly considering at #2? Anyone beyond Greene or McKay?
Load More Messages
Connecting…