JotCast | Klawchat 7/12/18

Klawchat 7/12/18

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Keith Law

1:25

Don't use wOBA/wRC+ for minor leaguers. Chase Vallot had a 136 wRC+ last year in Wilmington, and then posted a 65 wRC+ this year before he was demoted.

1:26

Guys who can't hit decent pitching - like Vallot - can feast enough on bad pitching to put up what look like good wRC+ numbers, but they don't actually give us the information that they provide on major leaguers.

Alex

1:26

The Tigers trade Fulmer to the Braves for Austin Riley, Drew Waters, and Joey Wentz. Who says no first?

Keith Law

1:26

Why would Atlanta do that

Welcome Back Kapler

1:26

You being high on Kap as a manager was basically the only reason that I gave him a chance after the disastrous first week as a manager. How do you think he has done? Secondly - do you think the Phillies will get him help like Machado or should they stay the course and sign Machado/Harper in the offseason (either one).

Keith Law

1:27

I think he's done extremely well, and I agree with others who've said they're the favorites for Machado, between the front office connections, their financial wherewithal, and the non-development of Franco (although he's had a nice few weeks).

Sugar Shane Delery

1:27

Is there a more frustrating player in baseball than Gregory Polanco? All the tools but highly inconsistent.

Keith Law

1:29

It seems like that's happened a lot with Pirates' hitters, no? Polanco and Bell are underperforming in the majors (relative to tools - Polanco hasn't been bad, but he should be a star). Meadows never developed as expected in the minors, although he was hurt a lot. Newman and Hayes have been OK, but a little below expectations. I don't have a good answer here.

Matt

1:29

Pache is up to 8 HRs on the year, is his body just filling out? It looks sustainable.

Keith Law

1:30

I said over the winter I thought he'd end up a 20+ homer guy. He was just so young for low-A last year, and his body was really slight for his age too.

Nick

1:30

Can you recall the most a consensus top 10 pick dropped in the draft (not counting signability/health concerns).

Keith Law

1:30

It's always signability or health.

Ryan

1:30

Is there anyone in the Mets system that you are high on that other publications or scouts aren't really talking about much?

Keith Law

1:31

I don't know about other publications, but i have certainly boosted Dunn and Peterson, and to a lesser extent Kay.

Robbie

1:31

Garrett Richards seems to need TJ. Is there something about his delivery that's led to so many of his injuries, or is he just unlucky with the way his body has reacted to the workload?

Keith Law

1:31

I think this is largely the same injury, with TJ delayed by stem cell treatment.

Neil

1:31

Optimistic about Dalbec, or does his age and level cancel out most of his progress?

Keith Law

1:32

He is a prospect thanks to his power, but a 30% strikeout rate - for a guy who's long had swing and miss problems - for a 23-year-old in high-A is not good.

Nick

1:32

Ryan McKenna - what do you make of his breakout this year?

Keith Law

1:32

I'm in. Future regular. Late bloomer, not shocking given where he came from.

Anthony

1:33

Beyond Adell, any prospects who have impressed a lot thus far this year? Or will we have to wait for the mid season update next week?

Keith Law

1:33

I'd rather get the list out next week, and then discuss any other names in the chat that afternoon.

Oscar

1:34

Jumping on the Machado trade train. If you're the Dodgers, what would be your final "take it or leave it" offer for Machado?

Keith Law

1:34

I'd put Verdugo and Smith in an offer; I get the sense they're not as high on Verdugo as his performance would imply, and Smith is behind Ruiz. If the O's can do better than that, more power to them.

Zach

1:34

I’m a 30-yr who finally walked away from the GOP in the wake of Trump. Have they always been this nuts or is this a product of post-Obama hysteria?

Keith Law

1:35

I have voted Republican many times in the past, and I think this is a new and very unfortunate phase, one that will almost certainly ensure I never vote for any Republican candidate again.

Aaron

1:35

Your early thoughts on the 2019 Draft, any names to keep an eye on during the early part of the draft process?

Keith Law

1:36

Too early. I'll do some events later this month, including Under Armour, and visit this at the end of August once showcases/the cape are done. I will say scouts' comments on the collegiate national team were fairly negative, with a lot of questions why some players (Logan Davidson comes to mind) weren't even invited, and comments how the freshmen were better prospects than the sophomores.

Harrisburg Hal

1:36

Have you ever made chocolate lava cake? incredibly easy or difficult? I'm not a chocolate person, but thought I'd surprise my wife by baking.

Keith Law

1:37

Incredibly easy. You just have to make sure you pull it out early enough ... and then we really need to have a conversation about bringing back phrasing.

Cletus

1:37

Bundy got crushed again last night. Should O's shut him down, or rest him more?

Keith Law

1:38

I'd like to see them try to use him as an extra-rest starter, the way the Angels tried to do with Ohtani. I don't think Bundy could be a straight reliever, pitching on consecutive days.

Rob k

1:39

Now that Terry and Sandy are gone, I think we’re starting to see how much of the mess in Flushing is due to ownership. How responsible is Selig for propping up the Wilpons when they lost all their money.

Keith Law

1:39

Pushing them to sell the club would be best for the league as a whole.

Michael

1:39

Why wouldn't they move Machado? Has to be better than a draft pick

Keith Law

1:40

My question is whether they can get everyone involved in the decision - and who knows who exactly is involved, beyond Duquette - to agree on anything.

Matt

1:40

Thank you so much for always sticking up for trans right and for standing for equality! We definitely need more public figures like you. How long ago was it that you were a woman?

Keith Law

1:40

Yes, you can only believe in rights for trans people if you are one. It's amazing that there are people this dumb and bigoted in 2018.

Jerome

1:40

What happened with Matt Mclain? Did the Dbacks realize they reached for him and decided not to sign him?

Keith Law

1:40

Teams never do that.

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