Klawchat 5/24/19.

Keith Law: Let the melody shine. It’s Klawchat.

Rob D: Is Adley a better prospect than Posey was in his draft year?
Keith Law: No, not in my opinion. I do think there are scouts/execs who disagree; Posey wasn’t projected to hit for as much power as he did, and Adley is a better defensive catcher right now than Posey was on draft day, but I think Posey was a much better pure hitter at that time.

Mark: Has Anthony Kay pushed into a top 100 guy? Seems like his stuff is back and maybe better than ever.
Keith Law: Stuff is back, healthy, don’t think the stuff is any better but he needed more time to recover his command and be able to hold his stuff deep into games. I’m like a broken record on this but not every guy who has TJ comes back fresh as a daffodil the moment he returns to pro ball. Some guys take way longer, some need a second surgery (Espinoza and Ragans already this year), some just never come back.
Keith Law: Anyway, yeah, Kay’s pretty damn good.

TC: what has been the craziest/most intense high school or college game you have ever scouted at?
Keith Law: I saw Byron Buxton create the tying run in the bottom of the 7th with his speed when I saw him in HS, in Baxley, Georgia, and his team ended up walking it off a few batters later. I think it was an important game for the team and there were far more people there than at almost any other HS game I’ve ever attended.

addoeh: How many Republicans will look the other way when Trump inevitably ignores both the Courts and Congress with regards to investigating his finances?
Keith Law: All of them? All of them. Susan Collins will express her concern, though.

Eric: Barring an unexpected drop by Adley, is Abrams the pick at 3 for the White Sox?
Keith Law: He’s a possible pick. If 1-2 are Adley-Witt, I think the White Sox would choose between Vaughn and Abrams. They’ve been linked to HS guys a few times in recent drafts only to revert to college on draft day.

Justin: A couple of years ago you correctly predicted the twins regression after a hot start to the season, any thoughts on the team this year?
Keith Law: Legit. I said this winter I thought they were a more likely contender than people thought. Granted, I don’t think they hit 400 homers this year or whatever they’re projected to hit, but I do think they are a 90+ win team.

addoeh: Would you ever take your dog to a bark at the baseball park promotional event?
Keith Law: I don’t have a dog but if I did I wouldn’t, mostly because I’d be so focused on the dog that I wouldn’t enjoy the game. I was at a Wilmington game recently and sat next to a very large, sweet-tempered dog … who just didn’t like this one other dog who kept walking past us and so he’d briefly lose his mind.

Phil: Hey Keith. Has Gio Urshela made sustainable changes or is this still small sample size?
Keith Law: Both of these things can be true at the same time.

Jesse B: What are your thoughts on the season Dylan Carlson is having so far?
Keith Law: That kind takes some really exceptional at bats for his age.

Matt B: I know you weren’t a fan of how Jim Penders handled his pitchers, but Anthony Kay and Tim Cate are having darn good years this season. What are you seeing or hearing on them?
Keith Law: Answered a little above, but I think those guys are succeeding in spite of Uconn’s handling of them.

Damien : Has Giolito finally arrived?
Keith Law: I’m in. It’s weird, the guy who kept asking me in chat when I was going to admit that Giolito would never be more than a fifth starter hasn’t asked me that in a long time.

Jeff: Any truth to the underslot deals for Brett Baty in the top 10 that’s going around? He seems to be either be loved or down on the board because of his age.
Keith Law: I never want to say never, but I don’t think he goes that high. If he were 18, then yes, he’d go top ten, we might even talk about him as a top five talent. But analytical models are going to destroy him for his age. Part of me wonders if that’s too extreme because we simply don’t have comparables – when was the last really good HS position player who was 19.5 or more on draft day?

Brian: I know you’ve commented on the Phillies disastrous first round picks in recent weeks. But is it a little early to give up on Moniak at 21? He’s had a very good May after a strong second half last year & his power is up, with it actually being better on the road than at Reading.
Keith Law: Avoid that kind of thin-slicing unless you know of an actual mechanical or physical change to justify it – and there isn’t one here.

G: So..this version of Josh Bell came out of nowhere, huh? I don’t recall ever seeing raw power grades on him equating to the types of bombs he’s hitting lately.
Keith Law: I think he’s always had that kind of power, but didn’t execute in games in a way that would get to it – like many Pirates hitters he was more focused on contact and going the other way until this year.

Matt: How does a guy like Torres hit 10 HR’s vs 1 specific team but 2 vs the rest of MLB? Is it SSS or is he able to see the ball better in Baltimore?
Keith Law: There is no “see the ball better in” park X. The Orioles’ pitching is kind of terrible. I also think Gleyber’s pretty good, BTW.

Jeff: First player to the big leagues from the 2019 draft?
Keith Law: I think Vaughn and Rutschman will move very quickly, or a polished starter like Manoah. I don’t see a reliever who’s going to fly through a system (and half the time that doesn’t work anyway).

Chris: How do you think Kevin Cron will fare in the major leagues?
Keith Law: I think he’s going to strike out way too much. Those 21 HR are a function of real power + Reno’s ridiculous environment + AAA using the silly ball now.

Dylan: Stupid question that likely only I am interested in – any thoughts on which potential top 5 pick has the most fantasy upside?
Keith Law: Abrams, if he goes top 5, has 80 speed and might be a 30-40 stolen base guy. Rutschman I suppose has a lot of value as a catcher who should hit 20-25 HR a year.

Nate: If Bryan reynolds has below average power and can only play left field can he still be a major league starter?
Keith Law: I don’t think either part of your premise is true.

Cw: Who do you think is the ideal fit in the draft for the Phillies system?
Keith Law: The best player available.

Paul: So glad to see your expectations for Devers come true. Approach, conditioning and natural skills all coming together now!
Keith Law: Still young, too. More power to come.

Jeff: Is Bobby Witt’s age any concern too or is he that good where it won’t end up mattering in the top 5?
Keith Law: I think that his age should be a little more of a concern and Baty’s should be a little less, but that neither guy should be eliminated or massively downgraded for it. Witt’s good. Baty’s good. Their age is one variable among many. I also think Witt’s going 2 so it’s probably not affecting him at all.

Bradley: Congratulations on staying aboard the Giolito train. White Sox fans have to be feeling very encouraged after his start to the year and especially last night. Does he still have the TOR potential that was expected of him as a prospect? Ceiling?
Keith Law: I do think he does, especially with that plus changeup he’s using now.

88 Skis: Lots of talk about the Rangers going under-slot at 8, overslot at 41 and/or 50. Assuming they go underslot at 8, who are the names we should be watching for them to go over for with the next two picks?
Keith Law: Yes, I’ve heard this, but then again the advisers of the players they’ve supposedly tried to negotiate deals with already say nothing of the sort has happened. I think this is more Texas casting a wide net, knowing that they may not get anyone they love if 1-7 all go with slot guys.

Kevin: Buxton looks like a bust for former #1 prospect. Why everyone projects he will hit for average and power in the minors?
Keith Law: Buxton has a 111 wRC+ and 1.6 fWAR already this year. Did you type this question in February and only hit send today?

MMitchell: What do you make of teams no longer waiting until the projected Super 2 cutoff to call up premium prospects. Should the Astros move on Yordan Alvarez now?
Keith Law: Where would they play him?

Ker Pal: When you worked for the Jays, were you aware that Victoria Day was a big deal in Canada? The tone deafness of giving your only attraction (Vlad) a routine day off on one of the biggest attendance days of the year was pretty incredible.
Keith Law: I was made aware of it by the Canadian natives in the office, so, yeah, this was a surprising choice by the team.

joe random: have the Giants been linked to any player in particular?
Keith Law: A lot of players, including a couple of HS arms (Allan), and Hunter Bishop if he gets there.

Jeff: 2 former SS to play for us. Who is the more surefire big leaguer? Shewmake or Will Wilson?
Keith Law: Wilson, I think.

Beau: Why do you think so many teams/ scouts missed on Franmil. What has he changed?
Keith Law: He changed his approach midyear 2018, after a demotion to AAA. Before then, he was overly aggressive and very vulnerable to breaking stuff. He came back a different guy.
Keith Law: He went from someone I tabbed as a low-OBP fourth OF before 2018 to one of my breakout picks for 2019 (so far, that one looks good).

romorr: Have you heard of any concrete changes to the Orioles pitching philosophy in the minors? Some guys are putting up some huge K numbers than before, and a few control/command guys are walking more.
Keith Law: No and I saw Frederick’s whole rotation but one and I don’t think anything has changed there … they just have some good arms. No bats though.

Jeff: How close was Quin Cotton to the top 100? 4th OF or future starter if it all works out?
Keith Law: Fourth OF most likely. In the next 20-30 names.

Jarred Kelenic: How good will i be and will trading me be one of the Mets’ worst moves ever?
Keith Law: Frequent all-star and yes. Dunn’s good too.

Mike: How can we get legislators to understand that giving huge subsidies (tax breaks, cash incentives and gifted municipal property) is a really, really bad idea that does not pay off economically in any way, shape or form?
Keith Law: Only by voting them out every single time. For now, legislators see it as a way to stay in office.

Eric: Best way to cook a whole chicken?
Keith Law: Spatchcock.

Zac: Has Jake Rogers changed his approach this year or is it a case of SSS?
Keith Law: SSS.

G: Have you watched Fleabag season 2? Easily my favorite show of 2019 so far. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is so talented it makes me angry with myself.
Keith Law: That’s my next binge-watch, actually. She’s amazing. I’m also still working through Doctor Who, of course.

Jordan: Who will win the Indy 500 on Sunday?
Keith Law: It won’t be the measles! http://www.espn.com/racing/indycar/story/_/id/26807623/indy-500-offici…

Ryan: Will Gore be the #1 pitching prospect in baseball at the start of next year?
Keith Law: Probably … depends on whether Whitley turns his season around and gets the call.

Cape Guy: Where do you see Tyler Dyson being drafted? Was impressed with him this summer at Falmouth but looks like there was some regression at UF.
Keith Law: I don’t think he goes in the top three rounds. He could fall to the eleventh if he still wants top 100 kind of money.

Ant T: Who are the Mets most linked to at 12?
Keith Law: College guys, mostly, a bat if one falls, an arm like Manoah or Kirby if not.

romorr: Zac Lowther continues to pitch well, chances he is more than a back end guy? Dreaming of a Hall, Rodriguez, Lowther 1-2-3.
Keith Law: More back-end guy with the marginal stuff but a good/fun one. Some #4/#5 starters are just more fun to watch than others.

Josh: Did Buck’s abuse of Bundy in 2016 contribute to what he is now, or do you think the damage was already done and this is the best version of Bundy that could possibly manifest given his injuries?
Keith Law: I think it is impossible to separate the two. He was overused badly in HS, leading to elbow and shoulder injuries, then came back quickly and was forced into a heavier workload than you’d want for someone with his history.

Josh: Zach Plesac have a chance to be a mid rotation type or more back end?
Keith Law: That sounds like his range of outcomes, barring injury.

mark: If Vaughn is the only “top 6” hitter left at 6 , who do you think the Padres take?
Keith Law: They should take him, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they passed for Lodolo and the Reds took Vaughn.

Hank: Biggio is coming up, and he wasn’t on your top 100. He has good numbers, but I know you say not to scout the stat lines. So what is it about him that you (and others) feel sets him apart from others with similar numbers, and what can we expect in the majors?
Keith Law: I’ve seen him a lot and he has never hit decent quality pitching. It’s dead-pull power, not a good feel to hit, with a passive approach, and he has no real position.

Alex Failla: Has Kevin Newman recaptured the magic he had at the Cape? Bat has looked good this year, and he looks smooth at SS. I know, SSS, but it’s been promising. I feel he’s been overlooked.
Keith Law: I was always a fan, so I’m probably too inclined to say yes … but yes.

Paul Q: It is fairly common in the other Big 3 professional leagues for a college coach to make the leap to the pro’s. Would that ever be feasible in baseball, and if so, who are some of the coaches you think are potentially most capable?
Keith Law: Several college pitching coaches have done so recently and I think that’s the most likely pipeline, rather than head coaches, who make a lot of money at top colleges and may not see the benefit.

TP: Kevin Cron a guy or a GUY?
Keith Law: No, just a guy.

Jeff: Do you think rushing a guy like Ryan Wagner to the bigs hurt his career or it was bound to happen? Thank you!
Keith Law: He was a blowout risk from the start, so moving him quickly was a good idea, but he had about 9 minor league innings before he reached the majors – because the GM at the time was trying to not get fired – and that part did hurt him.

Timothy: Sorry if I missed it but did you give your thoughts on Stewart going to Japan?
Keith Law: Yes, on Buster’s podcast. Until Stewart signs a contract, this is all hypothetical – and could be posturing. I want to see the draft abolished, but I don’t think this is the right test case, and I believe Stewart is walking away from a non-guaranteed but potentially much higher payday in the US. He would benefit far more from going into an MLB farm system and getting the coaching he needs – he regressed badly this spring, in part a function of going to a JC without any track record of developing players because he could stay at home, and a pro system would likely straighten him out (literally!) in short order.

Alan: Any chance Mets could go underslot at 12 and float Leiter to round 2?
Keith Law: If the rumored ask for Leiter is true, then no. I’ve heard he might only consider the Yanks or Mets, or that he wants a top 5 bonus, or that he’s unsignable at any price.

Chad: I remember you not being high on Ryu when he first came over. Was that a miss or has something changed that has allowed him to pitch like an ace since coming back from injury last year?
Keith Law: He’s thrown a lot harder here (when healthy) than he did there or even when I saw him that first spring training, when he was working 87-90.
Keith Law: Didn’t one of the other Dodgers pitchers also teach him a curveball? I have a vague recollection of that. He was a big changeup guy in Korea.

Matt: Since reaction time slows when you age, do you think the day is coming where it will be rare to see a player over 30? At some point, pitchers are throwing too hard for the hitter to react in time.
Keith Law: It’s already starting to happen. Rare might overstate it, but this is becoming more and more a young hitter’s game.

Eric: Man, Keith, you totally got got by that guy trying to Old Takes Expose you by saying [checks notes] … Gleyber Torres was the second-best prospect in all of baseball when he was 20?
Keith Law: That was a strange one. Don’t people know Fred (the guy behind OTE) is pretty sharp, and tries to highlight the most egregious takes?

BigDaddeh: Is this version of Joey Gallo real?
Keith Law: The .400+ BABIP won’t last but as an above-average to star-level offensive player, yeah, I’m in.

Tone Deaf: How about the Cubs starting Addison Russell on Women’s Empowerment Night.
Keith Law: The most tone-deaf of all.

Josh: Thank you for never sticking to sports
Keith Law: You’re welcome. It sort of amazes me when (a small fraction of) people think you can separate sports from the rest of the world. Sports encompasses politics, race, gender, economics, even a little science. There are no silos any more.
Keith Law: Maybe there never were.

Blake F: Usually in the draft, the Nationals like to go for players who have dropped a little due to injury and chase their ceiling. But I can’t see an obvious candidate for that at #17, so where do you see them going in round one?
Keith Law: Next mock will be Tuesday but I think there will be enough famous, higher-ceiling guys around for that pick that they’ll get a typical Nats guy.

Brian: The Phillies system seems to be off to a rough start. But are there any players who you have heard good things about in the first two months?
Keith Law: Unfortunately the answer was Spencer Howard but he’s still on the IL.

AJ: Which 2nd base prospect do you think will stick this year – Biggio or Urias?
Keith Law: Biggio isn’t a 2b.

BigDaddeh: What’s the deal with this Callihan that the Yankees are connected to? Seems like a stocky LH hitter with no real defensive position?
Keith Law: One of the best pure hit tools in the class. Stocky might be misleading – he’s strong, and not fat or heavy or anything.

paul q: Niche request, but who are some of the top prospects coming out of the AAC this year and what are their landing spots?
Keith Law: Hoese could get into the first round, very likely top 40. Brickhouse and Feoli should go in rounds 3-4.
Keith Law: (I had to look at the list of AAC schools. I’ll never keep that conference straight.)

Paul: On the earlier question about Vlad, would the front office ever relay to a manager not to bench a certain player – or advise them to bench that player on the road?
Keith Law: Of course. All the time.

Joe: Martin Pérez? Real or fake?
Keith Law: I think the breakout is real. Using that cutter like a third of the time (HT to Aaron Gleeman for tweeting that stat) and it’s a legit weapon for him – especially since his lack of a real average breaker was always a problem.

Eric: If you were Rick Hahn/Nick Hostetler and Adley and Witt were off the board, who would you select?
Keith Law: Vaughn. Big gap between him and next best available player.

Dylan: Does Gilolito getting it back together cement your status as not just a genius but certainly a very stable genius at that?
Keith Law: I’m very calm. Aren’t I calm? Dylan, tell them I was calm.

Rick: I’m having my “no more kids” surgery next week and figured that weekend would be a good time to start getting back into reading. What are a couple of good, immersive/enthralling books you’ve read over a few-day span recently that you’d recommend?
Keith Law: Shame Alex Speier’s book Homegrown isn’t out yet – I just tore through it in about 36 hours. Lisa Halliday’s Asymmetry and John Carreyrou’s Bad Blood are two of the best books I’ve read this year.

Adam: We got Pandemic, got Catan, got Ticket to Ride – family loves all of them. What’s the next family game to get?
Keith Law: Splendor, Azul, Stone Age (longer playing time), 7 Wonders (I think you need kids to be at least 10 to grasp it).

Joe: Too early to give up on Austin Hays?
Keith Law: I don’t want to, but he looked terrible rehabbing here with Frederick.

jbar: Higher upisde, Michael Busch or Logan Davidson?
Keith Law: Davidson has more upside but I would pick Busch.

Eric: Bundy’s high school coach is who should be to blame, right?
Keith Law: Yes, but his father has to take some of that too – especially when, at the time, he would talk openly about how durable Dylan was.

Ridley Kemp: ’bout time The Verve got some love (and money).

As an unabashed fan of Good Omens, I have to ask: Did you laugh when you got to the bit about the four other bikers of the apocalypse? That one gives me the giggles every time.
Keith Law: Yep, that was a bit of genius. The book is a little uneven, unsurprising with two authors and a bit of a slapdash premise, but there are some parts that are really brilliant.

RJ: In the scenario where Vaughn falls to Detroit, I assume you’d take him over Greene?
Keith Law: Yes. I would probably take Adley 1, and then if he’s gone, Vaughn would be the next name I’d take over anyone. When I posted my top 100 this Tuesday, that is my best approximation of what my board might look like if I ran a draft room (bearing in mind that an actual scouting director would have seen all of the candidates for his first pick, and has an entire team of scouts plus an R&D department to help build that board, not just me playing pretend).

Ryan: Has Biggio changed something this year to lower his k%? Is it real?
Keith Law: Yeah, he got to AAA where the ball is different and lots of not very good hitters are going off.

Dave: If you could un-do one prospect injury from the last 10 years and see how the player would have turned out, which would it be?
Keith Law: I will always wonder what Fernando Martinez’s career would have looked like without the leg injury/issue that more or less ended his career.

HankQQ: Braves at 9. If not hunter bishop, who do you think they would take?
Keith Law: Corbin Carroll. Could be a wild-card third name in there, I’ll hold that till Tuesday because I’m not that certain.

Michael: Could you explain the logic behind why you would want to bat your best hitter at #2? I get that it is the most optimal, but is it just because it maximizes the number of plate appearances as well as having runners on base for them to drive in?
Keith Law: That’s quite a good summary.

jay_B: Albert Almora seems to be swinging for the fences a lot more this season. Think he can be a league average bat to go with his solid CF glove, maybe a 3 win player?
Keith Law: Yes, that’s the logic I had in mind when putting him on my breakout list. His breakout has really just been a few weeks, though, so I don’t want to get too confident.

Jack: Has Owen Miller in the Padres system registered anywhere on your radar? All the kid does is hit wherever he goes. I know many of his tools seem average, but it feels like he could be a solid utility player at the next level.
Keith Law: Yes, he was on my Padres’ farm report in January.

Andrew: I know you don’t eat beef anymore Keith but what’s the best way to cook beef or pork ribs?
Keith Law: Smoke.

Noah D: What do the Brewers do with Huira when Shaw comes back from the DL?
Keith Law: I’d rather play Hiura ROS than Shaw.

Ryan: Soooo are you still worried about Austin Riley’s bat speed? Or has your opinion changed at all?
Keith Law: Soooo are you saying a week of games should change my opinion? People who rush to gotcha anyone over this tiny a sample must have just started watching baseball in the last few days. Junior Lake had a pretty good first week too, as I recall. (Austin Riley is a real prospect; Lake wasn’t. Riley was on my top 100 this winter and Lake might not have made a top 500.)

Andrew: Do you buy guys that are older ages in high school tend to bust more?
Keith Law: If they bust more, the difference in bust frequency is small, and you risk missing some pretty good players if you just dispense with all 19+ high schoolers.

Andrew: I have an anxiety disorder since my diagnosis of bipolar disorder and with my main medication, I’ve been given an anti-anxiety medication to help me not feel anxious all the time. The only problem is that they make me drowsy and I haven’t taken it in years. Should I stop tryna find ways to deal with my anxiety head on (Toastmasters/cold showers) or take the anti-anxiety medication daily?
Keith Law: That’s really a question for your doctor and/or psychiatrist. I do take anti-anxiety medication and tried several, including varying doses, until I got to a combination of efficacy and minimum side effects that I could live with.

Noah D: Can Jung from Tech rise up much more than in the 20s and teens where he is currently projected?
Keith Law: Don’t think so.

Bill: Love your stuff. Rhulman 20 recommendation was a game changer. My question is: why are there any yankee fans who dislike Cashman? He rarely gets burned in trades and he seems to repeatedly discover cast offs.
Keith Law: I’m not sure. Don’t you also have to credit their R&D strength and the player development machine that takes those castoffs and some unconventional-looking prospects and turns them into valuable big leageurs or trade pieces to him? He oversaw the construction of this organization.

Mike: How soon after the end of the draft can the remaining free agents be signed by teams without giving up draft compensation? Like, immediately after the last pick or midnight, the next business day, etc?
Keith Law: I think after the draft ends on the 5th.
Keith Law: I’m not totally sure.

Warren G: In a previous article you mentioned that Corbin Carroll’s arm doesn’t project to average, but Perfect Game has him recorded as having hit 91 from the OF. This is not intended to be a gotcha question, but I’m curious what about his throwing has led you to believe that it will not reach average. Is it lack of carry? Velocity? Accuracy? Thanks for all your draft work.
Keith Law: I didn’t say that. Sorry.

Paul: You weren’t as high on Andres Gimenez as others, but do you think he’s better than what he is currently showing?
Keith Law: He’s only 20 in AA – can’t give up on him yet. The slow start shows a tiny bit of my concern about his lack of ceiling, but it’s also less than two months and he’s so young.

Alex: Let’s take the prospect injury question and expand it to any player, any era of baseball. Who do you wish had stayed healthy? I’d have loved to have seen Eric Davis meet his potential.
Keith Law: Brien Taylor.

Michael: Hey Keith- What should the Phillies do with Nick Williams? Does he have any trade value whatsoever at this point?
Keith Law: Almost no trade value there.

Seth: If Bart were in this draft where would you have him ranked?
Keith Law: Somewhere in the 6-10 range, as opposed to around 12 where I believe i had him last year.

Nate in Seattle: Wondering your take on Corbin Burnes struggles. Knowing your success rate with breakout guys, Will he start the 2020 all star game?
Keith Law: Heh. Giolito was a breakout pick for me in 2018, so maybe?

Jay: On Busters’ podcast, you mentioned that scouts don’t like dealing with Vanderbilt. Why is that?
Keith Law: They complain they have a hard time getting access to players (which is part of the scouts’ jobs) and that seating behind the plate for scouts is very limited (true, although the park is small). I will say that they have always treated me very well, going back over a decade now. This is the first time in ages I didn’t go to Nashville to see them at home – I saw Bleday on the road, along with Austin Martin, who looks like a top ten pick for next year.

Soto: As great as Paddack has been in 2019…..Can he continue to succeed with only a fastball and a changeup?

Only throwing his curve 7-8 times a game.
Keith Law: I think so. 7 change, 7 command, 6 fastball, just a show-me breaker. Rare package, but it works.

Jake Lawson: The Rangers should be looking to move Minor at the deadline, right? What sort of return do you think Daniels should be looking for?
Keith Law: I say yes. Could get two prospects for him, right?

Michael: Do you have any thoughts on the use of cbd to treat anxiety?
Keith Law: If you believe it works, go for it. Clinical evidence is lacking.

FunInTheSun: Best sophomore or 2020 draft eligible player in college baseball?
Keith Law: Lot of candidates. Two named Martin – Austin I mentioned, Robby at Florida State (whoops, see below). Torkelson. Wilcox and Hancock at Georgia, Wilcox better for me right now. Saw Mitch Abel at the Future Stars event in Arizona over Labor Day and he’s a GUY. So is Zac Veen. JT Ginn is draft-eligible next year. I’m probably missing ten guys, too, since I don’t typically look a year ahead – those are mostly guys I’ve seen myself plus a few I’ve heard about from scouts. It looks *loaded*.

Steve: “Gotcha” people might be the worst. I feel like they are very unhappy in their lives.
Keith Law: It’s one of the worst parts of Twitter for me personally, although as a straight, white, cis male, I don’t get a fraction of the abuse some other folks get. But still, if that’s your instinct, to come be obnoxious to me because i didn’t sufficiently praise your favorite team’s prospect, save your breath.

Ricky Dempsey: My brother is very liberal and is all about letting his child make its own decisions (he gives the child clothes and toys targeted to both genders to play with). He wants to give his child the choice of whether he should be vaccinated. The child is almost 2 now. What is do you think is the best way to talk to discuss vaccination this with him without being offputting and infringing upon the child?
Keith Law: Point out to your brother that the child can only make that choice later if he’s not dead.
Keith Law: Also, it’s the fucking responsibility of a parent to make that choice.

Jessica: Robby Martin is a freshman at FSU and not draft eligible until 2021
Keith Law: Yep, you’re right, thanks. De Sedas too. Had Robby on the brain because I just edited the video I shot of him an hour ago. He can hit.

Ken (Cleveland): Very strange question but it is an issue I am thumbing through in my head. I consider myself somewhat of a blend between a conservative and liberal whatever that really means today. I believe in fiscal responsibility but I believe in investing in long term social programs that work to help those who need assistance. I am pro-choice and believe governments shouldn’t own our bodies. However, in a certain sense, they do. Prostitution is illegal. Ingestion of certain drugs is illegal. Mostly suicide and assisted suicide is illegal. Selling a kidney to pay for a surgery to save your child’s life is illegal. Literally, the government (if they brought back the draft) could force you to fight and die for your country or otherwise jail you. To me, the government clearly owns our bodies. Based on that, although again I am very pro-choice for an individual even if my own personal choice is pro-life, why should abortion be legal when these other things aren’t from an owning your body perspective.
Keith Law: The things you cite as illegal aren’t signs that the government “owns our bodies” but that we have a 250-year history of legislating morality. Why shouldn’t sex work be legal, as long as all parties are consenting? If we took the resources spent on arresting, trying, and imprisoning sex workers, and put that towards stopping sex trafficking, who would be worse off?

Gus (Portland, ME): I read at the beginning of the season about Trejyn Fletcher maybe being a 1st rounder. Now I see he’s maybe at the bottom of a top 100, if ranked at all. Did his move back to Maine cause the drop or something else?
Keith Law: He was never that kind of prospect. Not sure where that sort of hype started. Anyway, I think he ends up at school.

Tom: Does ASU have any legitimate MLB prospects on its roster besides Bishop?
Keith Law: Torkelson for next year. Marsh should go rounds 3-5 this year.
Keith Law: Time to wrap this up to write some things and also go out to dinner with my daughter – we are celebrating both of our birthdays tonight, since mine falls right before the draft (thanks, MLB) and hers was the night before my last trip and a crack-of-dawn flight. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. Please don’t drive if you drink, and if you drive, be extra careful on the roads. I’ll be back with a mock draft Tuesday and another chat on Thursday. Thank you as always for reading.