JotCast | Klawchat 6/2/17

Klawchat 6/2/17

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Keith Law

4:05

Not at 27.

Dan

4:05

Have you seen any of Severino's starts this year? Has he changes his mechanics at all that you think might lead to sustained success as a starter?

Keith Law

4:05

I have seen him, but can't tell from the CF camera if the delivery is different. He did bulk up a ton, though. I saw him once on a TV screen at an airport and thought at first that was Pineda.

MikeM

4:06

Rumors are that the Yankees want Gleyber Torres to take over at 3B this year. Do you think the jump from AA to MLB will be too much for him?

Keith Law

4:06

I don't, but what a waste of a glove to move him off short.

4:06

I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to reading mystery books and looking to include some in my summer reading. Any recommendations?

Keith Law

4:07

I think Agatha Christie is considered the best for good reason: her prose is smart but very readable, her two detective characters are wonderful, and her mysteries are well-crafted. I have grown to enjoy Dorothy Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey novels too, although the first one (Whose Body?) is the worst.

ScottyD in Downingtown

4:07

The Philadelphia sports pundits continue to defend the lackluster play of Cameron Rupp and Tommy Joseph. They say that both will be solid major leaguers and Hoskins & Alfaro just aren't ready yet. Do you concur?

Keith Law

4:08

I would give Hoskins a chance. Alfaro is more of a black box in that his game-calling and receiving needed work, which isn't going to be evidence unless you go watch him a lot, but that job should be his by the summer too.

Cardinals

4:08

How would you approach the draft if you ran the Cardinals? One or two high profile talents and then go underslot with all the 5-10 round guys, or go for depth throughout 3-10?

Keith Law

4:08

They don't have the money to do that. Just take best players available.

Chris

4:08

Doesn't the white sox Jaren Kendall pick just scream Jared Mitchell?

Keith Law

4:09

Not in the least. Is that a racial comp I'm not getting? They are totally dissimilar players.

Chris

4:09

Speaking of Twitter, I'm surprised you kept at it that long with lawn guy, his "logic" was making my head hurt.

Keith Law

4:09

I was truly enjoying myself. I don't normally take any pleasure in deliberately annoying people, but that was fun.

Bosa

4:09

Do you think Paul DeJong could be above average second baseman at ML level

Keith Law

4:10

I'd say average, but what I saw of his defense on the left side in the fall didn't match reports I had from the summer.

Zihuatenejo

4:10

In this era of instant analysis how many years should a fair-minded person wait to judge a draft? Relatedly, if the 2013 draft were re-held today, how many players other than Bryant and Crawford would be taken before Aaron Judge?

Keith Law

4:10

Too soon, because the high school guys are just reaching the majors now. I don't like even discussing a draft inside of five years, or truly evaluating one until about ten. But I will pat myself on the back for ranking Judge well above where he was drafted!

addoeh

4:10

Please rank the four main regional styles of BBQ; Carolinas, Memphis, Kansas City, and Texas.

Keith Law

4:11

Texas, KC, Memphis. We won't even discuss that vinegary shit.

Mike

4:11

Are you still watching Orphan Black?

Keith Law

4:11

Yep, returns June 10th. I have to finish S4 though.

Amru

4:11

Were Braves doing due diligence by hosting Austin Beck for a private workout, or is there a better than average chance they take him at 5?

Keith Law

4:12

When you hear about these workouts, again, bear in mind they are totally normal. We had lots of players at workouts in Toronto - including, in 2002, a Canadian kid named Joey Votto - but it never even meant they were on our shortlists.

Papi

4:13

At the beginning of the year i traded Buxton for Dansby and Trent Clark in my dynasty league... who would have thought Clark would be the most successful piece to date

Keith Law

4:13

Buxton hit .254/.321/.380 in May. If he just does that, with his defense and speed, he'll be a hell of a player. And I think that he's going to be more than that.

George

4:13

How do you find all of the news stories that you post every week?

Keith Law

4:14

I read a lot. I also see lots of stuff on Twitter - I try to follow a broad mix of people from outside of baseball. I follow a few people just for science. I follow way more women on Twitter than a baseball-only feed would have. And I get some email digests from aggregators that help.

Mattey

4:14

The Mackanin extension seemed odd at the time, and looks worse now, only a month outDo you have insight on why the Phillies extended him when they did, and do think they're regretting it by now?

Keith Law

4:16

They love him as a person, but to be honest I am not sure I'd say this year makes it look any better or worse. The team isn't good and that's not his fault. My issue is this: You're hired as CEO. You walk into the office building. Sitting in the CFO's chair is a guy in a suit. You don't simply assume that, because he's in that seat, that he's the best guy for the job - or even qualified for it.

Tim From Philly

4:16

Desperate and way too early question but...any favorites yet to be 1/1 in 2018 draft? Only name that seems to get attention besides Seth Beer is Kumar Rocker. Hoping you have heard more than a future 1B and high school right-hander.

Keith Law

4:16

I saw Beer last week. That's not what 1-1 looks like. I haven't seen Rocker or done any work on 2018 really.

Pramit Bose

4:16

Do you think Vlad Guerrero and Bo Bichette will get promoted if they keep performing as they have? Or are there flaws in their game that don't show up in their stat lines that need correcting before going to high A or double A?

Keith Law

4:17

I think it's more age - they're so young that there's no rush, and I would probably at least let them face some opponents twice to see if anyone makes adjustments. But I'm very high on both guys.

Travis

4:17

What is it about the Shane Baz delivery that concerns you?

Keith Law

4:18

It's that he lacks deception and I've had scouts say they have seen hitters square him up in the mid 90s. But I had another scout say the other day it's a 7 fastball, 6 curve, 6 slider, and how do you say no to that? (He makes a valid point.)

Joe

4:18

What is your take on Mr. Met flipping a fan off?

Keith Law

4:18

Non-troversy. As opposed to, say, Kathy Griffin's act, which I thought was tasteless and way out of line.

Travis

4:18

What grade would you put on Mackenzie Gore's fastball?

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