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Klawchat 5/2/24
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Keith Law
1:28
I don't agree with that premise, and I think "can't hit" is too strong. He hits the ball extremely hard, and he makes plenty of contact on pitches in the zone. I think there are some minor swing decision issues, and he hit the ball on the ground too often in the majors this year, but man, give the guy more than a month. It feels like they're scrambling.
Aaron C.
1:28
It's been 30 days. Small sample size caveats duly noted. Have you heard any indication that Jacob Wilson has been eating his Wheaties or hitting the weight room or otherwise gotten stronger? Am I trying to read too much into his hot start at Midland? WHO CAN SAY
Keith Law
1:29
Haha. I will say he's doing all the damage at Midland, a crazy hitter's park.
Jake
1:29
Surprised by the amazing start by Imonaga?
Keith Law
1:29
No. He's a good pitcher doing really well in a small sample. I would be surprised if he did this all year, yes.
Jake
1:29
Any thoughts on Sasaki as a prospect or is it too soon?
Keith Law
1:29
No idea. He's too far off the radar for me to worry about.
Louise
1:30
I re-read your piece on the Cubs signing Imanaga. Would you say you are feeling better about this concern?

"My main concern is that he cuts himself off in his landing and spins off his front heel, giving right-handed hitters too good of a look at the ball, which is how they tagged him for 13 of the 17 homers he allowed last season in NPB. Getting him even slightly more online plus using the splitter more to right-handers could be a remedy if that turns out to be an issue for him against MLB hitters."
https://theathletic.com/5191790/2024/01/10/shota-imanaga-chicago-cubs-...
Keith Law
1:31
No, because we're still looking at a tiny sample, and if you think he's going to maintain a sub-5% HR/flyball rate or a 90% strand rate, well, good luck. He's a solid major-league starter. When the weather warms up, will all those flyballs stay in the park?
Aaron C.
1:31
There's a popular prompt that asks which pro athlete would you wish had a 100% healthy career. The best answer is usually Bo Jackson, of course. Since you've started scouting who is the guy(s) you most wish had been blessed with better health?
Keith Law
1:31
How about Byron Buxton?
Aaron C.
1:31
Whatcha got in the current weeknight dinner rotation? Looking to appease my beloved, but often ungrateful family.
Keith Law
1:33
Spring means more salads, for sure. My wife and I split cooking duties, so I cook about half of the nights, and I try to do at least one pasta dish a week. Sometimes it's pasta alla vodka, sometimes pasta with fresh pesto (it's warm enough now for the basil plants to survive outdoors), sometimes a pasta dish I made up with sun-dried tomatoes, white beans, and parmiggiano broth.
oh and pizza - once my travel dies down in 2-3 weeks I'll get the Ooni rocking again.
mike
1:33
Do the BlueJays move on from Bo and Vladdy?? Right now their value is very low but Something sure isn't working with both guys - and they have looked ordinary for quite some time.
Keith Law
1:33
I wouldn't sell low, if that's your question.
Ian
1:33
What are your thoughts on Marcelo Mayer's start to the season? It looks like he is healthy and mashing. It felt like a bit of his shine wore off last year with the injuries.
Keith Law
1:35
I agree with your last two sentences. I think there was an overreaction to him not performing when he wasn't 100% healthy. That said, in a limited sample, he's doing all of his damage off fastballs, and he's struggling against breaking stuff, especially sliders. Worth monitoring, although I am not backing off my top-10 overall ranking for him.
The Master Without Margarita
1:35
Roddery Munoz is obviously not this good, but can he be actually decent?
Keith Law
1:36
He walked a man an inning in AAA before they called him up. He walked 15% of guys last year across the Nats' system. I do not believe he has suddenly found the strike zone on the bus from Jacksonville to Miami.
Tim
1:37
Tyler Freeman looks good under the hood - strong plate skills, good contact rates, consistently hitting the ball hard - but the results are dreadful to this point. Do you think the results eventually catch up to the process?
Keith Law
1:37
Until this year it's been all groundballs - I mean, you can see a parallel to Walker, until you look at the two players' bodies. If Freeman is actually lifting the ball more, he can probably end up an average regular somewhere. I have my doubts that this is really him.
Tim
1:38
Is Zac Veen back? Still a chance of an above-average regular here?
Keith Law
1:38
This is now his third partial year in AA. I wouldn't get overly excited about a hot four weeks in a level where he played in 2023 and 2022.
Oscar W
1:39
Yoelqui “would be ranked lower as ‘bagodonuts” Céspedes is now playing independent baseball in Fargo ND. Surprised he’s out of affiliate baseball so quick? A lot of Cuban prospects are older but why such a high bust rate (Tomas, Rusney, Yoan L, etc). Even the successes are not as bright Yoenis/Moncada.
Keith Law
1:39
I give the White Sox a ton of credit for just moving on. He wasn't happening, ever, so why waste the time and roster spot on him?
Sean
1:39
Have heard some buzz on low-A arms Santiago Suarez and Charlee Soto as early season breakouts. Do you see both as long-term starters? Either with mid or top of rotation potential?
Keith Law
1:39
Both have TOR potential, with low probability. Suarez > Soto, I think.
harry coffeeboat
1:39
keith - huge fan! what do you know about that palmquist guy from colorado? is it possible he finally becomes a legit rockies starter?
Keith Law
1:40
I think that's a no-doubt reliever with his arm slot.
Mart
1:40
How was your trip to Pittsburgh to see WVU dominate the panthers
Keith Law
1:41
Great! Caught up with three of my old classmates from Tepper, and we got an absolutely perfect day for baseball. Plus I had a great lunch at Areppita's downtown - I stayed right near there so I walked everywhere, including to/from PNC.
Guest
1:41
Thoughts on loperfido as a prospect?
Keith Law
Guest
1:42
Do you consider cam fisher a legit prospect?
Keith Law
1:42
He's 23 and striking out over a third of the time in the hitter's paradise of Asheville. It's power without hit.
Andy
1:42
How do you feel about Iowa's strategy on high school baseball, with it not starting until May. It means you're more likely to get more of the season in, but does it hurt when it comes to recruiting/scouting?
Keith Law
1:43
The real prospects end up playing for local travel teams or in the league Perfect Game runs out there, so they get seen anyway. I have mixed feelings; if the real purpose is to benefit the players, then starting later is clearly better, because you can't bank on decent weather there until about now and you don't want kids playing in cold and/or damp conditions.
Sedona
1:43
Have you watched Ranger Suarez's starts this year?  Do you think he's turned the corner and perhaps the best 3 in the game or better?
Keith Law
1:44
He's a 2 on just about any team.
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