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Klawchat 5/16/19
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Keith Law
1:00
(Brief delay - I'm just finishing up a call with a scout)
1:08
And when I die, put a soundsystem in my hearse. It's Klawchat.
Joe
1:09
"Josh Bell can’t play. He’s not a good defender. He’s a big lump. He has bad agility, bad footwork. He can’t run. Supposedly he’s a big power threat, but he hit 12 home runs at first base. This is not a kid! This is his third year in the big leagues! I don’t think he’s got the ability to get better." - Anonymous Scout, SI

Has any ever been owned harder?
Keith Law
1:09
I've said this on twitter - if that scout was real, he should not have a job any more. His evaluations were poor, but worse, he was borderline racist.
Sean
1:10
Keith, I have two questions regarding Matt McLain: 1) How far has he fallen as a draft prospect this year? 2) Do you think the Dbacks intentionally drafted him and undercut his asking price to either get him cheaper or not sign him, giving them an extra first round pick in this draft knowing they'd have a huge bonus pool?
Keith Law
1:10
He's not in this draft, so I don't think it's fair to assess his draft stock now, when he's got 25 months until he's back in the draft. As for 2, no, that is absolutely, 100% inaccurate. They wanted to sign him.
Zach
1:10
The Pirates have had a suspect recent history in developing raw power prospects, so I remain cautious of Josh Bell. Should I drop the skepticism? I was burned by Pedro Alvarez!
Keith Law
1:11
No, you should buy in - I wrote in March that I thought they could have one or more breakout hitters thanks to the new coach/change in approach, and I think I mentioned Polanco specifically.
PhillyJake
1:11
As someone who's given up red meat, are you a fan of either Impossible or Beyond?
Keith Law
1:11
Yes to both.
Bobby
1:11
When scouting a prospect, do you change seats between innings to view at bats or pitches from different angles, or is there one "best" angle from which to see everything? Thanks, klaw!
Keith Law
1:12
For a pitcher, I try to watch at least two innings behind the plate and at least one up the line from his open side. For a hitter, I just want to go up the line to watch his hands.
BigDaddeh
1:12
Are there certain orgs/GMs that get attached to prospect pedigree well after the shine has worn off? It seems like when there is a former top 10 draft pick who washes out and is a minor league FA, the same two or three teams have to take one last look at him.
Keith Law
1:12
It's a good question without a firm answer. You might also say that former top 10 picks were often top 10 picks because of fundamental physical attributes that may still be present when they wash out.
Kevin
1:12
Do you think Jarren Duran has the potential to be an everyday player on a 1st division team?
Keith Law
1:13
Potential everyday player, yes. I don't know how to answer that more specifically yet.
Mike G
1:13
Should we expect Jordan Balazovic to recieve helium during the midseason reranks?  Numbers aside, his stuff looks very impressive.
Keith Law
1:14
He barely missed my top 100 this winter, so I think I had him in the right range then. He'll move up due to so many graduations ahead of him. He could move up more now that he's pitching at a higher level.
adrags
1:15
If one was to scout a stat line they may look at what Nate Pearson is doing and consider him one of the top pitching prospects in the game. In reality, what have you been hearing, and what do you think he is? Can he be an ace at the next level? His per inning numbers this year are off the charts, even when factoring in the level he is pitching at.
Keith Law
1:16
Two-time top 100 guy - he already was one of the top pitching prospects in the game, certainly. On the right night you will see two pitches that are 70s. But he's also being used judiciously, to manage his innings, and that may skew the results too - he threw just two innings his last outing, a planned short start, and so he's not taking on the same workload (or pacing himself, or turning lineups over three times) that most starter prospects would. Doesn't make him a worse prospect in any way, just a factor to consider when watching his line scores.
Eduardo
1:17
Looking at your 2009 recaps, how surprised are you that Tim Wheeler never got a chance with the Rockies, or anyone for that matter?
Keith Law
1:17
If I had had more time, I would have looked into that one. It doesn't make any sense to me.
Mike
1:17
What is Griffin Canning’s perceived ceiling, floor? Is he anything other than a potential mid rotation guy?
Keith Law
1:17
Potential #2 if healthy.
Blueberry Johnson
1:17
Hey KLaw, you going to be at PAX this year?  I'm designing a board game that I hope to have ready by then... Would love to meet you and maybe get your thoughts??
Keith Law
1:17
PAX Unplugged, yes. Actually going to Origins for two days, Gen Con, and PAXU.
Ameen
1:17
Keith - you mentioned that your contract is soon up for renewal and I wanted to let you know that you’re the sole reason why I pay for the ESPN subscription. Hope that you will be justly rewarded soon. SSS aside, how do you assess Nick Allen’s current standing/future outlook? Could he be one of those prospects who somewhat flies under the radar and ends up being an average major leaguer? Is his ceiling of an average major leaguer a reasonable outlook at this point?
Keith Law
1:19
I like that kid quite a bit despite his size. He can run, he can really play short, and when I saw him in March I thought he had enough hand strength to hit for average without power, even as the pitching gets better. He'll always be dinged for his height and concerns about future strength - the difference between him at the plate and Nick Madrigal is small.
Joe
1:19
Which bat profiles better: Riley, Huira, Rodgers?
Keith Law
1:19
Hiura.
Greg
1:19
Any belief that Austin Riley can handle LF this season?
Keith Law
1:19
Don't see why not but I'd rather see him get more reps at 3b.
Mason
1:20
I think we made a mistake by forgetting about Aramis Ademan after last year
Keith Law
1:21
He's hitting .255 (with a lot of BB) while repeating the level, and it's still a lot of weak groundouts. He's only 20 so I am in no way burying him, but you're getting way ahead of yourself.
Jon
1:21
When you do your re-draft, are you going straight best (in hindsight) player available?  Eg/ would the Braves have taken Brandon Belt with Freeman already in the system?
Keith Law
1:21
I don't consider the teams drafting at all for that.
Amed Rosario
1:21
What do you think of me? Seems like the bat is coming around but now defense has been iffy
Keith Law
1:22
Cautiously optimistic - early days, small sample, but he's young and showing real across the board progress. No idea what's going on with his defense.
Ralph
1:22
Do any of the Yankee fill-ins- Urshela, Tauchman, Thairo- project as a MLB regulars or at least solid bench contributors?
Keith Law
1:22
The Yankees seem to have some sort of woo with these hitting castoffs they find, but I will say I liked Estrada as a prospect before he got shot, and Urshuela was a prospect once upon a time.
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