JotCast | Klawchat 9/3/21

Klawchat 9/3/21

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Keith Law

1:39

That has been rumored for as long as I've been in the industry and it still hasn't happened. In Kelenic's case, he had a real reason to do so - his HS season was so short that it would have been hard for teams to scout him. You'll always see a few cold-weather kids just do travel teams, and some will move south (like to IMG). But for most, the path of least resistance is to play for your high school.

Danny

1:39

Any notable observations of 2021 draftees in their first couple weeks of games?

Keith Law

1:39

That's all SSS stuff. Just be careful.

Skippy

1:40

I asked in spring training and you were still skeptical so I was hoping to see what you think now, is Tyler O’Neill improvement at the plate real? He’s dropped his pull% about 5% while adding it to his center%. Still a high K guy but he’s held it steady at 31% and a 7%BB rate. .343 OBP and Slugging .503, is it real? Or just a talented guy who’s had a good season but still maybe isn’t sustainable longer term?

Keith Law

1:40

I'm taking the under on this.

addoeh

1:40

Patrick Wisdom is a great story but he strikes out a ton and he’s hit a lot of home runs (25) but not a lot of doubles (8). It just seems like he’ll be the opening day 3B, because the Cubs have a ton of areas to address, but by June that might look like a mistake. Am I way off base here?

Keith Law

1:40

Nope, I would say exactly the same thing.

Leites

1:40

Hi Keith! Thanks for doing these as often as you do. Any reason for optimism for Bo Naylor's hit tool? or Jeter Down's?

Keith Law

1:42

I really think the Guardians erred by bumping Naylor up two levels this year. Still a believer in both players, but they've been disappointing nonetheless.

Mac

1:42

Termarr Johnson is the best High School hitter since?

Keith Law

1:43

Depends on who you ask. One scout told me it's the best HS hit tool he's seen in maybe a decade; another said he thinks the way Johnson's swing works will cause a lot of trouble when he gets to see better pitching.

Sean

1:43

Is Casas ready for opening day next year? I know dalbec has shown some signs of life but it’s hard to see him ever being more than a fringe MLBer.

Keith Law

1:45

Dalbec is below replacement level. I don't get why people keep trying to make him a thing - if he had a few more PA to qualify, he'd have the second-worst K% of any hitter this year. I think Casas is more of a second half callup.

Noah

1:47

Also, sorry, this is a second question from me and I don't want to inundate you with too much, but as a Mets fan I have to ask: shouldn't job one be to fire Sandy Alderson? The guy has presided over an organization that has had multiple sexual harassers/abusers, an acting GM with a DUI, and men who have committed domestic violence. I am really shocked that he has so far skated.

Keith Law

1:48

I can't imagine he is still there by November. Whether he's fired, resigns, or is just pushed aside, he's been the one overseeing the mess you described. It's not even about the team on the field.

Mike

1:48

Isn't it horrific that the worst part of Trump's "legacy" is his ability to turn SCOTUS into an extension of the Catholic Church that has obliterated the separation of church and state?

Keith Law

1:49

Yep. Also, I can't believe Democrats still don't get that a huge part of the GOP strategy is to put younger judges on the court so that they hold those seats forever.

Matt

1:49

I have a really hard time believing Bauer won't pitch again. He may be suspended for all of next year and by 2023, I could certainly see some team hoping the public won't remember what he did and take a chance on him because of the talent. If he was a lesser player, his career would be over, but I have to think some team will think it's worth whatever PR hit they take.

Keith Law

1:49

I don't think so.

1:50

He's always been a headache. Now he's a headache who has admitted in court to violent behavior towards women.

Nick

1:50

Guessing Greensboro is a pretty good hitters park but So it would it be better for Pirates to move up Nick Gonzalez and Peugero to get a better indication of progress ?

Keith Law

1:50

Agreed - and yes, it's a great hitters park.

Todd Boss

1:51

Cade Cavalli now in AAA: based on your scouting reports earlier this seems kind of surprising perhaps? Or is the promotion evidence of the team making him face guys who can actually hit 100 and force him to work on command?

Keith Law

1:52

Yes, I would bet that's exactly their belief - and I agree with it. He did get hit around in his first AAA outing, and now he gets to make some adjustments.

PJ (Jersey City)

1:52

Rosario has been good in Cleveland, Gimenez has….not. Is he just a 4A guy at this point? Or is he still too young to give up on?

Keith Law

1:53

More than a 4A guy but never that good a prospect for me. Classic case of a team promoting a guy who'd be young for his levels and look good for teams that rely heavily on models that take that into account. But I think he can be a good utility guy or maybe have a long career as a regular SS on teams that don't have a better option around.

Buck

1:53

Aaron Ashby back of rotation type?

Keith Law

1:53

Really think he's a reliever. Delivery and command point there.

Mrs. Webber

1:53

"2001" was so pointlessly boring -- nothing happens for three excruciating hours. But I thought Stanley Kubrick was incredibly overrated; he ruined both "The Shining" and "A Clockwork Orange" by straying too far from the books.

Keith Law

1:54

I didn't find 2001 boring, but I also didn't like how far it strayed from its source book. I still have actually never seen The Shining, though.

Brett

1:54

Vinnie Pasquantino is 23 years old in AA FYI

Keith Law

1:54

I am aware of that, thank you. He'll be 24 in a few weeks.

Bort

1:54

Do you prefer Frelick over Mitchell?

Keith Law

1:54

Frelick has the higher floor, and yes, in this case I would take him over Mitchell.

Max

1:54

Is Matt Brash on the verge of surpassing Hancock and Kirby in the Mariners stable of young arms?

Keith Law

1:55

No, definitely not. A prospect, yes, but not better than those guys.

Dan

1:55

Just scouting the box scores, Bryson Stott has had a really impressive year. Have you heard or seen anything that suggests that his major league outlook has improved?

Keith Law

1:55

Actually have heard the opposite from scouts this year.

Mac

1:55

Can Andrew Vaughn be anything more than a mistake hitter?

Keith Law

1:55

Yes. Isn't he already more than that?

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