JotCast | Klawchat 8/16/18

Klawchat 8/16/18

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Rick

2:35

Are Eloy and Vlad Jr, both going to be held down until mid-April 2019 at this point? What other reason is there for them not to be up right now?

Keith Law

2:35

No real reason other than service time.

Brett

2:35

Are there any issues with Kirilloffs approach at the plate? It seems like he swings at everything (but also hits everything).

Keith Law

2:35

No. An aggressive approach is only an issue when you don't hit.

Devon

2:36

Keith, has Will Smith passed Keibert Ruiz?

Keith Law

2:36

Ruiz is 19. Really?

Ryan

2:36

If Brice Turang never develops more than some modest gap power, what is his ceiling as a player overall? Is there enough else there to sustain a 4-win player?

Keith Law

2:36

I question whether he'll hit enough to be a 4-win player.

Dan

2:36

What do you think the ceiling is for Brusdar Graterol?

Keith Law

2:37

If you think he can start, he's a 2/3. Command will hold him back from more. Scouts I have asked about him think there's a lot of closer to him, reflecting the stuff, the style of pitching, and the lack of present command.

WarBiscuit

2:37

Does the minor league lifestyle play a deterrent role in parents sending their kids to college ball, particularly if they don't get a good draft selection or offer? Obviously I still think the Brady Aikens, Carter Stewart and JT Ginn's of the world should take the money and run. As a student of a major DI baseball school, the college does provide free food that's actually nutritious to the baseball players and can at least sleep in comfortable beds, where as the lack of pay can prevent a nutritious diet and and can cut into your signing bonus which can turn into 5 figures after taxes. It may be better on a baseball development perspective depending on the coach for those reasons. Obviously if it's Rice/UVA/Stanford it is not as good, but if it's Florida/Vandy, it may be better. I think MLB teams should pay minimum wage for the season's length or at least provide better diets to the minor league grinders. I'm sure you have more to say on this.

Keith Law

2:39

I do hear this occasionally from parents and often from college coaches and even players who went to college - the minor league life ain't fun, but college ball can be. I get that. If college coaches as a whole did a better job of developing players - using pitchers responsibly, teaching hitters to hit instead of fucking bunting in the motherfucking first inning i'm not angry - I'd be more of an advocate for college. Some schools, like the ones you named (Florida, Vandy), do a better job than others. I think the individual school matters tremendously. And MLB doing an end run around the courts to avoid paying a living wage to minor leaguers was a disgrace.

Junior

2:39

Billy Eppler has completely change the Angels farm system to a top ten system. Do you agree?

Keith Law

2:39

He's changed it to an above-average system.

Kwame

2:39

Who (in an ideal/optimized world) plays first base for the Mets next year. Also can you post the link you used to put on twitter that outlines fallacies?

Keith Law

2:39

Smith should probably play every day from here on out, with the plan to transition to Alonso at some point next spring ... if Alonso's defense is good enough. I don't think it is right now. Yourlogicalfallacyis.com is the site you want.

Larry

2:40

Madrigal slugging .340 in the low minors. Please tell me the 4th pick in the country has more than 30 power.

Keith Law

2:40

I thought he had 35 power so ... yes?

Zac

2:40

Please tell me the Jays will call up Vlad Jr when rosters expand?

Keith Law

2:40

I don't think they will.

2:40

is there no worthy pizza in Boston? Regina's?

Keith Law

2:41

Overrated. Never had Santarpios, which gets some raves, and which many locals will tell you is good if you're drunk and it's 2 am.

Zach D

2:41

Ever have your child throw a board game at you cause you beat her? I mean, that’s how you make your competition feel uncomfortable or something

Keith Law

2:41

We just rapid-fire meeples at each other.

andy

2:41

OK. I get it. Small sample size. But should I be encouraged by Grant Lavigne's performance in the Pioneer League (a hitter's league, for sure). I know you wrote that he might have had a higher pre-draft grade if he were from a warm weather state. Has his performance backed that up further?

Keith Law

2:42

Go look at past seasons for the Grand Junction club, and how many hitters have gone bananas there, even at young ages, but never panned out. I wouldn't really alter my view on Lavigne until he's at sea level.

Nick

2:42

Garver Alston said that he could see Dakota Chalmers being an “organization changer.” Is there any reason to believe there could be any truth to that or is that just him blowing smoke?

Keith Law

2:42

I strongly disagree with that assessment. Also he's out with TJ so he's not changing anything just yet.

Kingpin

2:42

And a follow up...should Lulen Baker be at a higher level considering he is a college hitter in Low-A?

Keith Law

2:42

He's in the Appy, no? Gorman belongs there, Baker I'd have moved up by now.

Josh

2:43

Taylor Ward seemed to come out of nowhere, wasn't on any top 100 lists yet the buzz appears to be high on him.... Your thoughts?

Keith Law

2:43

Didn't belong on top 100 lists. Was old for AA, raked in a hitter's park in AAA. Has power, fair hit tool, unclear position.

Adam

2:44

Have you come around on Camargo's bat at all? If he is this player is he a regular?

Keith Law

2:44

He isn't this player.

Adam

2:44

I had never seen Touki pitch before his debut. How on earth does that curve break that way from that arm slot?!?!

Keith Law

2:44

He's always had an insanely loose arm, and great arm speed. He's among the most fun pitching prospects to watch because he can do so many things so easily.

Chuck

2:44

Was David Bote on any scouts radar as any kind of a prospect? Sure, it's a SSS, but you have to love how he plays the game and what he brings offensively and defensively. I guess he's a reminder that scouting isn't an exact science.

Keith Law

2:45

He was #12 on my Cubs ranking preseason, so I guess he's a reminder that you should read the stuff I write?

Tracy

2:45

Have you read any Philip K Dick books? I don’t recall any mentions of his works from you.

Keith Law

2:45

I've read sixteen of his novels.

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