My latest review for PasteMagazine covers Century A New World, the last game in the Century trilogy (Spice Road, Eastern Wonders).
Keith Law: This can’t go on – I must inform the Law. Oh, that’s me. Klawchat.
Craig: Does Corbin Burnes still have a lot of trade value? If you were a seller (i.e. Toronto, Texas, Detroit), would you be willing to accept him as the centerpiece for a Stroman/Minor/Boyd deal?
Keith Law: He was just placed on the IL with a shoulder injury, so I think his value right now is zero until he shows he’s healthy.
Rob: What are your thoughts on Robel Garcia? His path the MLB is quite interesting. Do you thinkk he’s an everyday 2B?
Keith Law: His path is unprecedented. I would guess his high strikeout rate will keep him from being an average regular, but I don’t feel very strongly about that (since we have no history with him), and I’d like to see him prove me wrong.
Matt: Hi Keith, is Nick Economos a legit prospect? He’s been solid in two levels of A-ball this seaon.
Keith Law: He’s also 24 years old and should be at least in double-A. We’ll see if/when he gets there.
Oscar Mercado: Am I an above-average regular / occasional All-Star? Or am I playing a little above my head right now?
Keith Law: You’re not playing above your head, but I don’t think you’re playing at an above-average level yet. I wish Cleveland would give Mercado the CF job full-time; he’s best there of all three positions and his bat there could make him an above-average regular in time.
Inky Dink: Brandon Sproat was the highest draft pick not to sign — did the Rangers screw this up or do you think the player changed his mind (which I’m not criticizing him for if he did — that’s his right)
Keith Law: I don’t know the details and don’t want to speculate, since he is going to college and I don’t want to give anyone cause to question his eligibility.
BushThrushRush: Joe Palumbo has struggled in his brief major league auditions this year. Have you dropped him from his just outside the top 100 status that he held pre-season?
Keith Law: No, that’s not how this works. If anything, he’s moved on to the back of the top 100.
addoeh: Were you able to try any new eats in Cleveland for the Futures Game, despite your illness?
Keith Law: Yes, but I realized afterwards everything tasted flat to me because I was sick. I went to Greenhouse Tavern (best place I ate), Mabel’s, Barrio (worst), Spice Kitchen. Pour Coffee was excellent too. And there’s an ice cream sandwich place right downtown – Cathy’s? – that was outstanding. THAT I could taste.
Rando : I know you’ve said before that you weren’t interested in Game of Thrones but can you just reaffirm that a show that uses the murdering of children and rape as a plot device isn’t interesting or edgy.
Keith Law: That is partly my view, at least. It deters me from watching.
Alex: Re: Cashner trade– Os get 2 DSL guys with decent stats. Do you think that Elias or K Perez targeted these specific guys (i.e., we wanted them while we were at Houston/Cleveland) and/or they figured 2 lottery tickets had higher upside (but greater risk) than an A/AA prospect (see what Royals got for Homer Bailey). Thanks
Keith Law: I’m sure it’s the former.
xxxYYY: How did we get to a point where “socialism” is being defined in this country as things like “public schools” and “universal health care,” rather than “government ownership and management of businesses” and “centralized planning”?
Keith Law: This has been true to some degree since at least the 1980s, when Republicans used “socialism” against Mike Dukakis in the ’88 election. Economics education in this country is bad, so the average American doesn’t know what the term means – I think very few people truly understand what socialism the economic system entails, because how would they learn it if it’s not taught in school and politicians use it incorrectly all the time?
Herten for Sherten: Sherten Apostel was just promoted to high-A despite middling numbers in the Sally League. Is this the Rangers rushing another guy who should be held back?
Keith Law: Uh, no. He slugged .470 in low-A.
Zach: If you’re Atlanta, would you have any prospects that are off-limits in trade talks (Anderson, Pache for example)?
Keith Law: Pache would be untouchable for me.
Salty: Would you start playing Gavin Lux at 2B in anticipation of a mid/late August promotion, or would you let him finish out the year in AAA at SS, then give him some reps at 2B at AFL and/or spring training?
Keith Law: I would only do this if the plan was to play Lux regularly at 2b in September and then have him stay there next spring. AFL starts too early this year so it screws up any plans to have such a player in the majors in September (opening day is 9/17, I think, so dumb).
Christopher: sigh, should the Mets just trade everyone?
Keith Law: I’d say yes, but do you want the guy who traded Kelenic/Dunn for Cano/Diaz really overseeing the fire sale?
Brandon J: Hey Keith, Josiah Gray recently got promoted to AA and has had a phenomenal year, do you think this is a sign of things to come and would he be approaching your top 100?
Keith Law: He shouldn’t have been in low-A to start the year. Double-A is a much better test for him.
Christopher: If I don’t agree with our Dear Leader have I passed the statute of limitations where I can’t be sent back? I think my ancestors on both sides have been around for a few generations. I’m safe, right?
Keith Law: I’m only a second-generation American if you go through my maternal grandfather. I assume i’ll be deported to Italy shortly, which … okay, that might be okay.
Kevin: Think a team gives into Tigers high demand for Matt Boyd? Or do Tigers blink and lower asking price a bit? Or neither?
Keith Law: Probably will have to lower the price because there seem to be a few other SP on the market right now. But I’d be inclined to take the best offer now rather than hold him (assuming they get an offer worth considering … that assumption is always built in) to the winter and risk injury.
Ryan (NY): KLaw, thanks for the chat! As a Mets’ fan, trying to keep the faith. Looking to next year, is it possible that Rosario could transition to CF with Gimenez or Guillorme taking over at SS? I want to believe he could stay at SS but it seems that the instincts are lacking there. Additionally, could Kay and/or Peterson slot into next year’s rotation with Vargas, Wheeler probably gone? There seems to be talent in A Ball, so trying to be patient until 2021-2022.
Keith Law: Mauricio is the long term SS there, so they could slot in Guillorme for his defense, taking the offensive hit, and moving Rosario to CF where they’ve had a defensive black hole since Lagares got hurt. That said, who’s the last Mets player to actually get better on defense in the majors?
Aaron C.: Do you do any in-person scouting for the short-season leagues and/or the 2019 draft class or are you off the road until Arizona in October?
Keith Law: Yes, I was actually in Aberdeen last night but got rained out. Will try again next week, by which point Rutschman should be there.
Steve: Does Wander Franco stay at shortstop, or will he end up at 3rd or 2nd?
Keith Law: 50/50 he stays at short.
Andrew: Would you evaluate pitchers at AA or below differently with the new ball implemented in AAA?
Keith Law: I’m probably going to skip AAA entirely this year.
Keith Law: There’s no point – you can’t evaluate players in that environment, with more AAA homers hit by the All-Star Break this year than there were in AAA in *all* of 2018 – and it’s just shitty baseball now.
Yuri: Even though none of them made your top-50, fair to say that this is the most excited Giants’ fans should be about their system in a while? Bart, Ramos, Luciano, Canario, Bishop is probably more position player pure talent than they’ve had in a loooong time.
Keith Law: That’s probably fair. Best position player crop since the Posey/Crawford years.
Aaron C.: You: “If Nick Allen (current OBP: .363) can get on base, the A’s might have something.” I know you’re waiting until next year (AA) to see if it’s real, but I can only save this seat on the bandwagon for a little while longer, Klaw.
Keith Law: I’m in. Can really play short and he’s also making a good bit more hard contact than scouts in general expected (given his size).
Derek: If your the Pirates, what kind of return are you holding out for with Vazquez?
Keith Law: I read they wanted two of the Dodgers’ top four prospects, which is entirely their right to demand, but there is no way on earth I’m giving that up (two top 50 overall prospects?) for any closer. As for what I’m holding out for, it’s really about getting the best offer you can and taking it, since relievers go poof! all the time.
Ker Pal: Vlad’s hitting a whole bunch of ground balls. I know he’s 20. No real cause for concern…is there?
Keith Law: No.
Larry: When O’Neil Cruz makes his MLB debut, it will be at what position?
Keith Law: Third base, or the outfield.
Kyle KS: What happened to keeping one foot in the box for hitters from a few years ago? It’s not a huge time saver but it did seem to help the feel of pace of play.
Keith Law: Never truly enforced in my experience.
Leroy : Does James Marvel have any big league potential?
Keith Law: Possibly. Not a high likelihood.
Kevin: Is this what you expected from Devers, or do you think there is still a lot of room for growth for the 22 year old?
Keith Law: This is what I expected, but I think he’ll grow into even more power.
Joe B: How did Razza match up against the other places you’ve been to?
Keith Law: It’s top 20 for me for sure, bordering on top 10. I will probably update that ranking this winter – I’ve been to at least eight places worthy of adding (Razza, Pequod, Backspace, Bruno, 2 Amy’s, Pizza Rock, Settebello, Apizza Scholls) and am hoping to hit Beddia in the fall.
JP: why wasn’t Luciano on the top 50? doesn’t he have as much upside as anyone in the minors?
Keith Law: I don’t agree with the upside claim, but more importantly, the top 50 is not strictly a list of the players with the most upside. He’s a good prospect; he’s not top 50 good yet.
Jake: Thanks as always for the chat! Who do you believe has the higher ceiling between Kowar and Lynch and who has the higher probability of reaching it?
Keith Law: Lynch to both, assuming he’s healthy.
Jason: What’s keston Hiuras ceiling?
Keith Law: Above-average regular, bordering on star because he hits for high average, held back by defense.
Zihuatanejo: Hi Keith — IIRC you’ve mentioned that you rarely or never drink alcohol. Any beverage recommendations for the newly sober who are accustomed to wine and such with their meals?
Keith Law: That’s not accurate – I’m a moderate drinker – but when I don’t want to drink, I’ll do soda water with lime, or soda water with bitters (“bits and bubs”).
Pedro: How good can Jake Fraley be?
Keith Law: Extra OF for me.
Brandon Warne: Fast forward one year — Royce Lewis and Alex Kirilloff have hypothetically exhausted their prospect status.
Who do you think would be No. 1 on your Twins prospect list?
Keith Law: Balazovic, probably. Cavaco and Larnach would be possibilities; need to see Larnach show some power now that he’s out of the FSL.
JR: Tarik Skubal having a great year. Is he apart of the future for the Tigers?
Keith Law: Yes, but in what role I don’t know yet.
Brendan: If you’re Neal Huntington – full on rebuild, or sell off veteran pieces? I think a lot of Pirate fans feel like we’re stuck in 78-83 win purgatory.
Keith Law: Seemed like they were trying to win this year and they’re not exactly out of it, but maybe not quite good enough to make it? Hard to advocate selling given that they’re only 6 out in the loss column but that is what I would do in their situation.
Rybo: Longtime fan, Keith. Just wanted to say thank you for your recommendation of “The Happiest Baby on the Block” – it’s been an absolute game changer for my wife and I with our newborn
Keith Law: That’s great to hear – I’m glad you found it as useful as I did.
Pat: Thoughts on Alex Wells? I know I’m scouting the stat line, but he just keeps on keeping on. 1.95 ERA, 2.63 FIP at AA. Can a guy with that limited velocity be a GUY?
Keith Law: I think there’s a chance he’s a back-end starter – a very small chance, but I wouldn’t say zero.
Brandon Warne: With regards to depression/anxiety — how much tweaking did your prescriptions need before you felt “normal” again. Did you ever?
Keith Law: Normal is always a relative term to me. I felt different on each medication I tried, and differently on 10 mg of escitalopram (current dose) vs 20 mg (previous dose, stronger benefit, worse side effects). It is worth tweaking the meds and doses to find a combination that makes you feel the best you can.
Drew: Is Michael Baumann a legit prospect, or was his no-no in Bowie a fluke?
Keith Law: Relief prospect.
Dylan Carlson: I had a big game last night, 2 HR, what do you think my future is? (Ceiling, eta, comparison)
Keith Law: See my top 50 from last week.
Epsthoyer: Thanks for doing this, Klaw. Long time first time.. Will Roederer & Davis be 2/3 of our OF in 2021?
Keith Law: I would guess that if both continue to develop one ends up traded for major-league help before then.
Realist: % Chance a Dem or Reporter is seriously injured in the lead up to the election this time around because of Trump’s rhetoric?
Keith Law: Over 50%.
Noah: Have you been to Yountville for the restaurants and wine? Any favorites (other than French laundry)
Keith Law: Never. I think there’s a pizza place out there on my to-try list too.
Micah: Knowing the year to year volatility of relievers, would you ever trade a top prospect for said reliever?
Keith Law: Nope.
Lyle: Cal Raleigh! How fast can he move up the system?
Keith Law: Should spend the rest of this year in AA. Did okay in high-A, but he’s a D1 product and he should have done well there.
Chris: Syndergaard and Wheeler for Patino, Morejon, Baez, Weathers. Who says no?
Keith Law: The Padres, with howls of derisive laughter.
Brian: You didn’t seem particularly impressed with Mickey Moniak. And yet, in May he hit .290 with a .755 OPS, in June it was .294 w/an .872 OPS and a big spike in walks & in July it’s been .320 with an .850 OPS. That sounds a lot like the Steve Finley type player discussed when the Phillies drafted him. What are you seeing and hearing from scouts that the stat line isn’t showing?
Keith Law: OPS sucks for individual players, more so for trying to evaluate prospects. It’s not a good swing at all, not going to generate power, and his approach isn’t good. He’s also probably not a CF long term.
Johnny: Which catcher has a better chance of being an all-star Sean Murphy or Keibert Ruiz?
Keith Law: Keibert.
Danny: Can Deivi Garcia be an option for the Yankees in September or the playoffs? Either as a starter or out of the pen?
Keith Law: Yes. Either but not sure I’d push him into a playoff rotation right out of AAA.
Chris: Logan Gilbert thoughts?
Keith Law: Mid-rotation starter? Sounds like he’s got all his 2017 velocity back and the other elements were already in place.
Chris: Justice Sheffield struggled with control and the ball in triple A and has since crushed double A. He’s only 23. Why did he fall in the rankings if triple A performance is so unscoutable for pitchers?
Keith Law: Because his velocity dropped.
Aaron: Hi Keith, thanks for sharing your views on health and science in addition to your baseball opinions. My 12 year old daughter suffers from anxiety. Her mom (my ex wife) strongly believe that abstinence from gluten and sugars are scientifically shown to lower anxiety. One can find studies & ‘proofs’ to pretty much anything on the internet. I have no idea how to
Keith Law: Yeah, that’s pseudoscience. There’s no effect, and your daughter is just going to be miserable because she can’t have Oreos. Eat the sugar and the flour and use actual, evidence-based treatments, like meditation, medication, exercise, and therapy.
Financial Flexibility: What should the Braves do with Austin Riley the next 2.5 months? He’s slumped terribly since his hot start, but sending him to AAA seems silly. Do you just keep sending him back out there to LF everyday or put him in some sort of platoon/rotation with Ender Inciarte?
Keith Law: If he’s up, he plays. Platooning him is probably the worst idea (he’d never get at bats, and thus have little chance to develop).
Rob: You mentioned last week that the new baseball “may” be affecting the quality of Syndergaard’s off speed stuff. Do you think this may be a factor in Aaron Sanchez’ struggles as well? (along with the tighter seams possibly affecting his finger)
Keith Law: Yes, plausible.
J.T.: Are you buying Barreto as a regular 2b?
Keith Law: No.
Aiden: What do you think about all the people complaining that the left “demonizes” Trump supporters and then the reality that they chant things like “send her back” at his rallies?
Keith Law: I was going to say that Trump supporters demonize themselves with their words and actions (and hats).
Brian: Can you clarify something in your top 50 about Spencer Howard: you mentioned the shoulder injury, but he’s been dynamite since he came back. Just too much risk for reinjury with a shoulder?
Keith Law: It’s two starts. (One came after the top 50 was posted.) Shoulder injuries are much worse for a player’s value than elbow.
Los Hermanos Waner: You could eat all the oreos you want (for free) with no negative effects for the rest of your life OR wipe the memory of the last 2 seasons of Orioles baseball from the collective minds of the people of Baltimore. Would you be so altruistic?
Keith Law: LOL no
Chris: Have you had a chance to scout julio Rodriguez. He’s fun
Keith Law: Unfortunately he was hurt when WV came to Lakewood. Been good since he came back.
Benji: Do you think there’s any way the Rays would offer up both Sanchez & Brujan in a Boyd deal?
Keith Law: Doubt it.
Rob: Chance Seth Beer makes the top 100 if he can play serviceable defense at first?
Keith Law: No shot. Platoon guy right now, until he shows he can hit LHB even passably.
Brett V: Any hope for Royals prospects Pratto or Matias or at this point do you start to write them off as ever developing into MLB regulars
Keith Law: I do not project either as a regular. I’m not sure Pratto is a big leaguer at the moment.
Steve: How did you maintain your reading habits/schedule with a newborn?
Keith Law: I read less that year than in any other year in the last ~15. It wasn’t until she started sleeping through the night that I got back to my regular reading habits (because I was sleeping more).
El Perezoso: Best pizza you’ve ever had?
Keith Law: Pizzeria Bianco in Arizona. Keste in NYC is second. Of course I’ve had great pizza around Italy in places I couldn’t name, too.
Jason: Is Brandon woodruff for real?
Keith Law: Yes.
The Sloth: How was the Phish show? Which night of Camden did you go to?
Keith Law: One and two (not three). Both were fun. Can’t say I knew more than 3-4 songs each night. It was the company that made it fun for me, though.
Alex: >OPS sucks for individual players
Pardon my ignorance but I hadn’t heard this before. What circumstances is OPS useful for then- just evaluating team performance, or entire careers vs. individual seasons?
Keith Law: OPS underweights OBP severely. Don’t use it for hitters. It correlates well with run-scoring at the team level, so it’s okay to use for that, I guess, although I find that a little unsatisfying anyway because I know it’s a kludge.
Mike: Why do people (including people in positions of real authority, like ahem….) insist on dismissing scientific evidence for things like climate change, vaccinations/autism, etc?
Keith Law: There’s a lot of psychological research on the subject. Cognitive dissonance is a powerful thing.
Adam: Another recent report has Allard at 91-93 again. Can you substantiate that?
Keith Law: No.
ugotwilcoxed: Thoughts on Jackson Rutledge? Seems these big kids need a lot of work to standardize their mechanics.
Keith Law: Yeah, his delivery needs work, for consistency and maybe for long-term health. I think he’ll need help throwing strikes the way he throws now.
Scott: Thanks for all your hard work and these chats! Now that Dom Smith is playing up to his potential, do you see any team giving the Mets close to what his value is? If not, how do they keep even one of his and JD Davis’ bats in the lineup without compounding their defensive problems?
Keith Law: I feel like Smith won’t return full value because teams know he’s blocked by Alonso (and Davis and McNeil to a lesser degree), and Smith hasn’t quite held his great start with inconsistent playing time, which may also hurt.
Beth: Mike Soroka or Chris Paddack long term
Keith Law: Paddack. Soroka has great shit but he’s had some real injury scares and I prefer Paddack’s delivery.
Joe: Keith, I live just outside of DC. What is the quality of baseball in the Cal Ripken league?
Keith Law: I’ve been to a game in that league, and it’s lower than the Cape or Team USA, but it was comparable to a decent college game. Definitely worth going just to watch.
Nate: You have always been skeptical of Madrigal’s ability to drive the ball enough to be an above average regular. Does his defense project plus to you to offset some of the value lost in lack of power?
Keith Law: No, it doesn’t.
Rob: Any chance for George Valera to make the top 100?
Keith Law: A full, healthy summer would make that possible.
Steve : Hi Keith, Joey Cantillo in San Diego is busting out, does he have a chance to be a GUY?
Keith Law: Big leaguer, yes, not sure he’s a GUY.
JG: An ESPN analyst “suggested” the Twins try to acquire Syndergaard and offered Lewis or Kirilloff and Graterol or Balazovic. Does that get it done and would you do it?
Keith Law: That’s a strange proposal because Lewis’s value is down a bit and Graterol’s been on the shelf with a shoulder injury for two months.
Kyle: Preference of region in Italy, north or south?
Keith Law: North, primarily for food, but really you could send me anywhere in Italy and I’d be happy.
Randy: How do you rate/rank a player like Brendan Rodgers following the season ending surgery?
Keith Law: No change unless someone tells me there’s a reason this injury/surgery might affect him long-term – for example, if he has to move to second base, as seems possible, that hurts his long-term outlook
Pete: Are you going to the Cape this year?
Keith Law: No. Under Armour for me, then lots of minor league scouting around here, then Gen Con.
Dr. Bob: Is there a concern about Vlad Jr.’s weight going forward? Guys like Ryan Howard and Prince Fielder didn’t age well, in part, because of their weight.
Keith Law: Yes. That was one of the reasons why I ranked him #2 behind Tatis Jr.
Steve: Kirsten Gillibrand has a “little girl” voice. Do you think such things matter in terms of elect-ability? How about height?
Keith Law: There is verified research that the timber of a candidate’s voice and a candidate’s height have a significant effect on their appeal to voters. Taller men are also more likely to believe in their own leadership abilities and to pursue such positions.
Rick: KLaw, you’ve spoken often about the insanely low wages paid to MiLB players (1st year players make a max monthly amount of $1,075) and how owners needed specific legislation passed which exempted minor league players from federal labor law. What do you think is the best way for the industry, and for the average fan to address this situation?
Keith Law: The best way was to call your representatives in Congress before the GOP tax law passed. I’m not sure there’s a good way for fans to express that interest now, at least not until the players themselves take action.
Brian: Thanks for the chat – really appreciate the time you dedicate to this. I’m always curious about player development. I think you’ve indicated (apologies if I’ve got it wrong) that Bichette can’t stay at shortstop. Why would the Jays keep developing him in Triple A at a position he won’t play in the majors? Wouldn’t it be better to get reps (lots of them) at 2B?
Keith Law: They think he can stay at shortstop. They also insisted Vlad Jr. could play third and Tellez could play first, so perhaps they skew in a different direction.
Matt: Is there any chance the White Sox will push Vaughn to High A before the end of the year? Low A doesn’t appear to be giving him much of a challenge thus far, and his bat has universally been praised as “advanced.”
Keith Law: Yes, they did so with Madrigal last year.
Gerald: Poorly phrased, in your years in baseball, is there one draft pick that caught your attention as player not worthy of the draft slot.
Keith Law: Hayden Simpson is the most obvious choice. Kevin Matthews comes to mind too.
Lee: Do you agree with Pelosi’s strategy of avoiding impeachment at all costs? I understand her thinking in that it will unify the GOP around Trump in an election season and I agree to an extent because it’s very important he’s out of office ASAP. But not impeaching him for political reasons sends a really horrible precedent for all future presidents. That you can commit as many crimes as you like as long as your party controls one house of congress. Dark times.
Keith Law: No, I would support impeachment, even knowing it will fail in the Senate.
JR: Riley Greene killing it thus far. When does he get called up to A ball?
Keith Law: That’s who I was trying to see last night. I’m guessing he starts next year in low-A. You want him to stay in one spot long enough to face a team or two twice, so maybe they adjust to him.
Sanjay: Are teams required to obtain MLB approval to install netting around the field of play or can they move forward on their own? If the latter, why haven’t more teams installed it already?
Keith Law: They either don’t need approval or MLB is granting it to everyone who asks, so in practical terms, they’re good to go.
Keith Law: Why not? Inertia, I guess?
Draftnik: Not going to argue with you about Moniak’s swing — I’m certainly no expert — but he has a wRC+ of 137 since May 1st. That’s over 250 plate appearances, and that is as a barely 21-year-old in AA. You don’t see him as a first-division regular in, say, 3 or 4 years?
Keith Law: No I don’t see him as that, and that’s still a small sample – and wRC+ is not useful for prospects. Chase Vallot had a 136 wRC+ in a full season in high-A as a 20-year-old, and he’s a non-prospect.
Keith Law: Stop scouting the stat line.
Robert: How excited should Padres fans be for Munoz? Can you reasonably project him to be a high leverage reliever or is the command and slider worrisome?
Keith Law: High-leverage reliever with high bust/blowout risk.
Mickey Callaway: I think you deserve a victory lap for Tatis over Vlad, but people praising you miss the point that the difference was one spot and both should be excellent.
Keith Law: The people who missed the point were those angry I had Tatis over Vlad in January. I never said Vlad wasn’t good.
Robert: At this point is Michael Gettys an org guy?
Keith Law: In pragmatic terms, no, he’ll probably get a cup of coffee, but I do not project him to have any positive major league value.
Aaron: If the Phillies set their defensive requirements at 3B at Maikel Franco, is Alec Bohm good enough to play 3B for them?
Keith Law: I made that argument with someone at the Futures Game – if you’re willing to tolerate Franco, you can tolerate Bohm, at least in the short term. And I think Bohm’s going to hit for more average at the very least.
Jason: An Atlanta beat writer has a top 4 he would make untouchable: Pache, Waters, Anderson, and Muller. Was Muller near your consideration for the top 50?
Keith Law: No, and I would only have Pache untouchable out of that group.
Brandon Warne: When is your next reason to visit Minneapolis?
Keith Law: Probably visiting friends rather than coming for any baseball reason.
Adam: Thoughts on Makhi Backstrom?
Keith Law: He was in my draft recap for Atlanta.
Randy: What is it you enjoy so much about Italy (haven’t been but my fathers side if from there)? Obviously the food. But, culture?
Keith Law: Culture, history, and most importantly their way of life.
Eric: Please end the chat on this: VACCINATE YOUR DAMN CHILDREN
Keith Law: You got it.
Keith Law: Thanks as always for all the questions. I’ll be back next week for a chat, and then probably skipping the following week between the trade deadline and Gen Con. I’ll be at Under Armour on Monday, barring another family emergency (!), and will have a writeup afterwards.