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Klawchat 6/5/25
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Keith Law
2:39
After their 2024 draft, which looks really bad right now - Honeycutt was a foreseeable disaster, but even Griff O'Ferrall, probably the most advanced hitter of the group, isn't hitting - I would hope they'd at least open up their approach and consider other sorts of players.
Will they take a pitcher? I'm not betting my 401k on it.
Guest
2:40
What are your thoughts on the recent moves of sending Colson Montgomery and Elijah Green to the complex to work on their swing mechanics? Should more teams be doing this? Seems like every org has guys who would benefit more from a month or so of supervised development instead of trying to stay afloat at an affiliate?
Keith Law
2:41
Right move for Montgomery even if it hasn't helped. Green's issue isn't his swing, but that he can't hit a lick. It is 20 everything - pitch recognition, swing decisions. I want him to go play in Australia or the Netherlands or somewhere else where he can go be anonymous and try to rebuild his confidence at the plate.
Jonathan
2:42
Matthew Liberatore has been really good to start the year. I know it’s a small sample but I’m curious if you’ve heard anything about a change he has made like a new pitch or different pitch selection that would make you think this could be real?
Keith Law
2:42
The part I do understand is that he's finally become the plus command guy he looked like he'd be in HS. The part I don't understand is how his four-seam fastball seems to be basically the same pitch, but now it's much more effective than ever. I had resigned myself to him being a reliever or swingman because the fastball just wouldn't play.
Brian in NoVA
2:42
Obviously, Harris has his own timeline but is this the time for Detroit to trade some of their mid to low level prospects to help them this year given the depth of the farm system?
Keith Law
2:43
Yes. Keep Clark and McGonigle. Anyone else is available in the right deal.
JR
2:43
In your recent newsletter, you noted that you'll eat at Panera on occasion. Usually out of necessity as it's the best available option. What's your go to order? I think their salads are fine, it's what I get. Do you ever go to Chipotle over Panera, or is that on the banned list?
Keith Law
2:43
Panera is for salads. Sometimes I just need to eat vegetables. I have no objection to Chipotle but their food has never really agreed with me (especially when we talk about swing decisions).
Matt
2:44
Any info on Jaxon Wiggins of the Cubs? Seems to be taking a step forward, though walks are still a little high and may be a bullpen arm. Wondering if there might be another step towards a starter projection. Thanks!
Keith Law
2:45
He has a good enough delivery to start, but it's below-average command and he barely has a third pitch.
JR
2:45
How did the Rockies get soooo bad? I finally watched them last weekend. McMahon is pretty smooth at 3rd. There CF is good on defense, but they're like a AAAA team. How do you get bad and have no young, exciting players to watch?
Keith Law
2:45
They lagged behind other front offices in so many ways that they're still catching up ... the result is a lot of good players didn't develop as they might have, pitching and hitting.
J
2:46
I'm almost scared to ask, but what the heck is up with Brayden Taylor?
Keith Law
2:46
Wrote about him in the piece I linked up top.
Jonathan
2:46
Was Brendan Donovan ever a top prospect or someone with much hype? I don’t remember ever hearing much about him coming up but all he’s done since is get on base and play good defense all over the field.
Keith Law
2:46
Never. I'm not even sure I laid eyes on him in the minors.
Michael
2:46
I know it's only 2 starts. Very small sample size and whatnot. But any thoughts on Mick Abel? He certainly passes the eye test (to my non-scout eyes at least).
Keith Law
2:47
Hasn't looked anything like that in AAA, unfortunately. Stuff is above-average. I can't believe that two big league starts outweigh 34 minor-league ones.
J
2:47
Leaving aside how badly the Angels screwed the pooch on him last year, any feelings about Nelson Rada/steps forward?
Keith Law
2:47
I think he's going to survive this and end up a good player, maybe an everyday guy.
Chris P
2:47
I know you've said you're not a huge fan of Gage Jump's mechanics, so would it make sense for the A's to fast track him as much as possible before he blows out?
Keith Law
2:47
Already blew out once, so yes.
Kevin
2:48
Thoughts on the password? Good potential trade chip for the Red Sox since they have no where to play him, or a guy you wouldn't sell high on?
Keith Law
2:48
He's on the top 50, linked above.
Chris
2:48
Kristian Campbell was awful in May, but seems to have possibly had bad BABIP luck. He's also showing how much harder MLB is than AAA. Would you just leave him in the big leagues to figure it out all year or send him down?
Keith Law
2:49
I answered some of this above, but you make a good point: Hitting MLB pitching is really, really hard. We have to stop expecting prospects who raked in AA/AAA to just keep rolling in the majors. Lots of great prospects struggled in their debuts, and I think that's happening even more now because MLB pitching is better than ever.
Chuck
2:49
Good call out a while back on Elbow's "Audio Vertigo" album. They're touring the U.S. this fall. Great live band if you get a chance.
Keith Law
2:49
I'll check that out. Their new EP sounds great so far.
JJ
2:49
So, what's your prediction on Shoeless Joe?  Does he ever go into the HOF?   Considering everyone who ever met him died off 50+ years ago, who would be there for the photo op in Cooperstown?
Keith Law
2:50
I think people who watched the dumb movie  will put him in. He broke the cardinal rule. And he's dead. What on earth is the point of putting him in now?
Will
2:50
Re: the airport dining question. SLC has great, local options. And they’re required to charge the same price at the airport as they do at their regular restaurants. Not sure how likely it is you’d ever get there for scouting, but the new airport is great.
Keith Law
2:50
I actually haven't been to SLC for baseball. Went there once for a job interview in the 1990s, and been to southern Utah for work, but that's it.
Eric
2:50
Keith, given the somewhat recent uptick in 2 player only board game releases, any plans to do a top 10 ranking for those types of games?
Keith Law
2:51
I've done a few such rankings over the years, including one this March on the best Duel games (spinoffs of larger games).
MikeM
2:51
Carlos Lagrange recently got promoted to AA.  He has really cut his walk rate so far this year.  Have you heard anything about the changes he has made?  Has he meaningfully improved his outlook?
Keith Law
2:52
He hasn't changed so much as stayed healthy.
He's pretty good, I'd take him over ERC, behind Cunningham and Hess though.
Geoff
2:52
Any thoughts on Ryan Ritter in ABQ? I never had much hope for him but maybe he's made some adjustments that could be sustainable?  I get he's playing on the surface of the moon and it's small sample size but us Rockies fans need something to be excited about....
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