JotCast | Klawchat 9/8/22

Klawchat 9/8/22

Keith Law

1:31

(Just finishing recording my podcast for next week. I'll be along in a few minutes.)

1:36

Come let the truth be shared. Klawchat.

Jackie

1:36

Paul Goldschmidt, the best player in Delaware's history. Future HOFer?

Keith Law

1:37

Yes. He could limp through the next few years and still make it. He's going to clear 65 WAR with no trouble and could end up near 80 - that's a no-doubter for me.

Kingpin

1:37

Nats IF Luis Garcia has 5 BB & 63 K in just under 300 AB. He's only 22 iirc, so there's still time for improvement, but his approach gonna hold him back?

Keith Law

1:38

Yes. Never been a big believer in that bat - he can put the bat on the ball but without impact or patience. Aggressive promotions when he was just a teenager may not have helped him in the end.

S. Murphy

1:38

Hey, Keith. Love the chats. Assuming all three of Peraza, Volpe, and Sweeney make it in the next two years to the majors. What's the most logical outcome for all three regarding playing time with the Yankees? I'm guessing Peraza at short, Volpe 2nd, Sweeney third, with DJ at first?

Keith Law

1:38

Sweeney isn't near those other guys - he didn't produce anywhere near the way a D1 product should in high A. Volpe is a shortstop and the guy you build around.

David (Denver)

1:38

Given the Rockies' bizarre management, I guess it makes as much sense as anything else they do or don't do, but why isn't a team like this more active on the waiver wire? They should be claiming anyone with a pulse to maybe get lucky and find some free talent. They just seem so content with the same underperforming roster year after year, while insisting that it just hasn't quite reached expectations. So why the process breakdown?

Keith Law

1:39

I agree, but they have a different philosophy than I would have if I ran that org. I'd probably run it like a science lab and just be experimenting constantly while trying to rebuild. They seem almost conservative for their situation.

John

1:39

Is there anything more inherently un-American than caring about the Queen of England?

Keith Law

1:41

Eh. Is it un-American to care about the Pope? A major world figure, the longest-reigning monarch in human history - yeah, I know about Louis XIV, he was five years old when he became king, he wasn't actually in charge of anything beyond his own bowel movements - dies, that's pretty big news.

1:41

Are you a proponent of "steel-manning" when debating controversial topics? Meaning, do you actively attempt to fairly restate the counterparty's viewpoint and supporting logic/rationale, even if you strongly or vehemently disagree?

Keith Law

1:41

I have never heard of this, but it's quite interesting.

Braves Questions

1:41

Was the Brian Bridges firing a result of the Carter Stewart signing issue? I always liked his draft classes and am a little surprised Atlanta has apparently moved away from scouting to using more models for amateur evals under Brown.

Keith Law

1:42

I highly, highly doubt that. The team walked away from Stewart over his post-draft medical. You can't blame that on the scouting director. And I agree, Bridges's drafts look very successful in hindsight.

Sedona

1:42

Do you think Kerry Carpenter becomes an above avg MLB OF?

Keith Law

1:42

I do not.

1:42

Thoughts on Chaim Bloom? The fanbase/media in Boston is just about ready to kick him to the curb. Is he qualified to be the GM for the Red Sox? It seems to me that a management position in Tampa Bay is a completely different animal than that job title with a team with twice the payroll, like the Red Sox or Yankees.

Keith Law

1:43

LOL. Yes, he's qualified. I really don't give a rat's ass what the fanbase thinks and neither should anyone in that organization. I have vague memories of fans and media arguing that the Sox were wrong to move John Valentin to third base for an unproven rookie back in 1997.

The Ghost of Bobby Thigpen

1:43

Odds that Oscar Colas is the Sox starting RF next season on Opening Day?

Keith Law

1:44

They could always go outside the org, but he's probably on their roster for a good chunk of next year in some role.

Sedona

1:44

There are some older MILB players that are showing 4 or more tools and excelling upper levels in the minors. Some of them have a solid track record: Vaun Brown, Matt Gorski, Addison Barger, Matt Mervis, and many more. Do you see any of these guys will become MLB Stars? If not, any off the radar older prospects you think that will become stars?

Keith Law

1:45

Well, Brown did most of that in A-ball at 24. I've seen Gorski (extra OF at best) and Barger (chance for a regular, more likely platoon IF). Mervis is 1B only so I'm not sure what the 4 tools would be.

Henry

1:45

I totally agree with your assessment that MLB owners will contract minor league teams if unionization goes through. What can the player's association do to realistically stop that unintended consequence?

Keith Law

1:46

That's a better question for a labor lawyer.

Nick

1:47

Jasson Dominguez has played really well since his promotion to high-a. Is he a possible riser on your next top 100?

Keith Law

1:47

He was already on my last top 100, and he'll be on it again.

Casey

1:48

Alec Burleson was called up yesterday...do you think he'll hit enough to be at least an average regular even with the defensive liabilities?

Keith Law

1:48

I'm a bit skeptical on the bat. Had him as more of a mistake hitter/power over hit type. He to be more than that to be a regular with the defensive issues you mentioned.

Kingpin

1:48

Do you see Jordan Walker creating more loft in his swing without hurting his contact too much?

Keith Law

1:48

Does he need to?

romorr

1:48

There are a lot of paths available for DL Hall next year, relief, AAA to continue starting, battling it out in ST, which would you like to see with him?

Keith Law

1:49

Start him in triple A unless there's some real evidence between now and OD that he's going to throw more strikes. I'm fine with him continuing to develop in the majors, but not if he's going to walk 4 guys every start.

Jason

1:51

What's up with Kahlil Watson, and can he turn things around and get back to where he was in your offseason ranking (obviously he won't be there next January/February)?

Keith Law

1:51

Only 19, still showing tools, nowhere near as advanced a hitter as scouts thought coming out of HS. He's been better with contact lately and driving the ball more but without enough results on contact.

Brittney

1:51

Safe to say the Cardinals were the winners of the 2020 draft? Any chance we see Hence on your Top 100 this winter?

Keith Law

1:51

Yes, and yes.

John

1:51

Should Andrew painter start next year with the Phillies?

Keith Law

1:51

Absolutely not.