Klawchat 9/10/15.

The question is, what kind of chat is it? It’s Klawchat.

Jim: Thoughts on Anderson Espinoza and Francis Martes? I’ve been hearing a lot of high projections of them lately.
Klaw: I think I know more about Espinoza now – a non-Boston exec told me “he might be Pedro” than Martes, but both are pretty clearly top 100, probably top 50 prospects

Andy: How bad do you feel for Eddie Collins? Congrats you have the third best age 22 season of all time. And it’s the second best in the league in 1909, which means you’ll be forgotten by history.
Klaw: I already forgot about him.

Mark Attanasio: Who should be my top 3-5 candidates to be our new GM?
Klaw: It’s a lengthy list, but they have an ideal candidate right there in Ray Montgomery. I did see the Rockies’ Danny Montgomery (no relation) come up in a list of top candidates of color, and I’d love to see him get some more attention; sometimes the best guys don’t get the most press.

Phil: Hi Keith. If the Phillies offered, would you take the GM job? -Thanks!,
Klaw: I can’t even fathom that happening. I’ve been out of a front office for nine years! But I think it’s a very appealing job and can’t imagine any serious candidate turning it down.

Andy: Would Yoenis Cespedes for NL MVP, with a pretty good two months of work, be the worst MVP vote of all time?
Klaw: Yep. This absolutely reeks of a few writers violating the cardinal rule of journalism: Do not make the news, just cover it.

Brian: Once Jackie Bradley Jr cools off, what would you expect is normal level to be? Can he be 75 or 80% of what he’s doing now?
Klaw: I buy the average/contact more than the power.

Kelly: Severino has been great. I know that you loved his stuff, but questioned his durability. Specifically, what are your concerns? Do you think he will struggle to stay healthy for an entire season? Do you think he won’t be able to consistently pitch deep into games? Both?
Klaw: More long-term than individual games. It puts so much stress on your arm – shoulder, elbow, everything – to pitch like that, without generating velocity from your legs. Mind you I’m not rooting against the kid in the least; my job is to give opinions, and guys who pitch like he does, as does Reynaldo Lopez, are generally not able to last as starters.

Joseph K: What percentage of responsibility for the Nats 2015 debacle would you assign to the manager?
Klaw: 30%?

Joe: Any developmental reason why the Nats wouldn’t have put Giolito on their September roster? Innings limit, fatigue, etc? Seems as if all they needed was 5 good innings from him this month to make up for the disastrous Bridge to Nowhere.
Klaw: I know of no fatigue reason, and he was held back in April (as was Lopez) to give him some flexibility for this point in the calendar. I don’t get what they did at all – their gravest need was middle relief, and they had a bunch of candidates sitting right there in their own system to fill that spot!

Bob: I saw a piece recently discussing the advancement of Aaron Nola’s curveball, does this raise his ceiling at all… or just help him reach it?
Klaw: Got a great report on that from the other night, too … if that’s the swing and miss pitch he’s been lacking, then it would raise his ceiling. As a general rule, curveballs don’t have the same potential for improvement as sliders; you might improve your command of a curveball, but its shape is determined so much by your hand and wrist that it’s hard for it to get materially better.

Jon: I must admit, I wasn’t in love with trading Fulmer for 2-months of Cespedes. Still, I was excited to get a power bat in the middle of the line-up. It’s also been pleasantly surprising that a lot of things have gone right of the Mets: d’Arnaud is healthy and mashing, Wright is healthy and hitting, Johnson and Uribe proved to be good pick ups, and Clippard has been effective. This has culminated in a strong run by the Mets. So, what I’m getting at is: At what point do you say, it’s worth it to give up a talent like Fulmer for a short-term rental (even if Cespedes is re-signed, he was a rental)? Just getting to the playoffs? Does winning the World Series trump everything and make Fulmer an afterthought? One World Series victory has to be greater than 6 years of control of a mid-rotation starter. But is there a gray area? It’s a strange predicament.
Klaw: I agree with everything you said – there is a point where you say, screw it, it was worth the cost. I would have bought into this more if the Mets were at the end of a run, if this were the last gasp of a dying contender, rather than an early arrival by a team that looked (really still does look) primed for 4-5 years of strong contention. Their starting pitching depth just took a hit, and you can just ask the Nationals if you can ever have enough starting pitching.

Kyle: Lewis Brinson stayed healthy this year and impressed me when I saw him in Frisco. Can he be the 5-tool unicorn, or will he not hit for average?
Klaw: I think given enough time – he may struggle with contact at first – he’s a five-tool player. I have always liked him over Nick Williams even when the latter performed better.

Dale: What are your thoughts on Domingo Acevedo of the Yankees system?
Klaw: I’ve heard a few times that he’s been up to 99 and sitting a lot of mid-90s as a starter, but I’d like to see the delivery in person.

hyshai: Do you think Eovaldi’s new splitter could have caused the elbow issue? Is the split a pitch which is hard on the elbow (Tanaka)?
Klaw: Some pitching coaches/execs think it is. I also think it’s not a coincidence that he hit 101 or 102 the start before his elbow screamed.

Zach: A.J. Reed missed the top 50 prospect list, but where would he rank now that he’s performing at double-A?
Klaw: Top 50 for sure. Might have raised his stock more than any hitting prospect in baseball – him or Wilson Contreras with the Cubs.

Josh: Do you really think Buck Showalter should be fired for the Orioles collapse? You had a tweet that alluded to that potentially.
Klaw: That’s too strong an interpretation. I’m surprised at the lack of ire directed at him, and how much blame seems to be directed at Dan Duquette. Is it a question of personalities? Buck plays well with the media, and Duquette might be the worst of the 30 GMs at dealing with the press.

Rich: Sano’s K rate realistically puts him at about a .270ish hitter long term, yes?
Klaw: Or he drops the K rate. But yes, your point is valid.

JP: On Moncada: Said one scout: “He’s the closest thing to [Mike] Trout I’ve seen.”
Klaw: Crazy talk. But he’s a legit star-caliber prospect. Trout was just otherworldly.

Josh: Do the Giants have any arms in the minors that might make a meaningful contribution to the rotation next year? Or will they need to rebuild the rotation via trades and/or FA?
Klaw: Trades/FA. Some back-end types in the system, but nothing more, even given their #GiantsDevilMagic history.

Jay: I know you dabble in progressive metal. Thoughts on Between the Buried and Me’s new(ish) album?
Klaw: Strong. Maybe a little too prog-rockish for me, but overall very tight and clever.

Patrick: Does Didi still have room to grow or is he about maxed out potential right now? Is he currently a top 10 SS in the game?
Klaw: I think this is about his offensive potential barring a swing change – he loads deep and I think tries to hit for more power than his body will permit. He’s an elite defender though.

Jeff: The Astros have graduated a few of their top prospects, but given the draft haul and pop up guys, how many top 100 players would you estimate them having in your top 100? Bregman, Tucker, Cameron, Martes, Reed must all be top 100 guys, right?
Klaw: Not sure about Cameron; his fame outstrips his reasonable potential, as his scouting report is all 50s and 60s, not 70s and 80s. The others are. Appel (still just 23, inconsistent, but with premium stuff and control) and Feliz are also probably top 100 guys.

Nick: What is a reasonable expectation for Trayce Thompson? Is there a chance he breaks out?
Klaw: Given his plate discipline in the minors and very long swing, I think these 50 major league at bats are giving people false hope. He’s a 70 defender in center with probably 20-25 homer power but I don’t think he’ll hit enough to get to that power upside.

trike mout: Did you ever have any formal culinary training, or just all self-taught? Any resources you recommend?
Klaw: All self-taught, unless you count watching every single episode of Good Eats as formal training. I keep emailing Alton to ask for a diploma but he only sends back videos of farting sock puppets.

jesse: Should I be at all worried about Aaron Judge’s high strikeout numbers in AAA? Just seems like he always whiffs on off-speed stuff
Klaw: I think he’ll always be a high-strikeout guy, 150 or so a year. It’s a huge strike zone to ask anyone to cover. He’s also made a ton of adjustments already and I think the current problem he has, covering soft away, is something he can address with more repetitions/exposure.

Chris, Larchmont: Who is most at fault in this Matt Harvey situation? I begrudgingly have to say Sandy shouldve knows this was coming!
Klaw: Here’s who I think is least at fault: Matt Harvey. He has the most to lose from misuse or overuse and had nothing to gain by this becoming public.

James: Harper should be unanimous, But who’s second for MVP in NL? I might go Arrenado, you?
Klaw: Goldschmidt, probably.

Jonathan: Thank you Klaw! Your chats are a big reason I pay (paid?) for Insider. I really appreciate you finding another venue.
Klaw: You’re welcome. Readers have asked about helping defray the cost for the software. As far as I’m concerned, if you all keep reading them over here, it’s money well spent.

Justin: Any chance we see Baez make a big jump next year? K% seemed to be down a bit, but it’s still absurd.
Klaw: Killing the leg kick should help, but there’s a big mental adjustment to be made too and I don’t see evidence that’s happened yet.

Steve: What happened to the periscope chats? Loved that format. Much more interactive
Klaw: Nothing – I did one yesterday.

Justin: Hi Keith, what site do you host this blog on? Super cool that you’ve got the chat going on over here.
Klaw: The software is from Dilmot, and the chat appears on their site too, I believe.

JR: Glad to have klaw chat back. We need a location option though – I’ve been hoping to use “Straight Outta Klawmpton” as a location for over a month now.
Klaw: Well I can at least take the question so you can get your pun in.

Ciscoskid: I find it sad that there are writers advocating that Harper shouldnt be punished for the Nationals collapse in the MVP race, which I agree with. These are also the same writers who said the Triple Crown, and that Miggy was on a playoff team made him a more viable candidate that Trout. Just sad.
Klaw: There is always a strong anti-intellectual streak in these arguments. Writers who long held the exclusive right to tell you what players were good have lost that podium with the explosion of statistics and of independent writers who have greater insight on the question, so their way to rage against the dying of the light is to deny the facts.

Tim: If the Phil’s were going to fire RA, why not do it before he is makes a trade that is going to shape the future of the franchise for the next 5 years?
Klaw: I thought he did a really nice job with the rebuild, actually. Not enough to keep him – that whole department needs new blood, and people didn’t like working for Amaro anyway – but I don’t want that to be forgotten as we shovel dirt on the grave of his tenure.

Louis: Will Cory Seager play a pivotal role in the playoffs for the Dodgers this year? Can he stick at SS?
Klaw: This year he’s probably a bench bat or not on the playoff roster. Long term he doesn’t have the range he’ll need for shortstop.

AJ: Clayton Blackburn finished the season strong in the PCL. Is he a fringe prospect or more? What’s his projection?
Klaw: It’s fringe stuff with major-league command. I think he can be a big-league starter, probably a fourth or fifth guy, just without upside because he’s not going to miss a ton of bats. He’s better than Eric Surkamp.

Chris: Between Gselman, Ynoa and Pill among others, are any of the Mets minor league arms close to filling the void created by fulmer and meisner departures, or are those guys more back end types?
Klaw: Back end types. Nice to have, but if the Mets have a bad rash of injuries to their major-league rotation – again, not rooting for that in the least – they are going to sorely miss what they just dealt.

Louis: Whats Blake Rutherfords ceiling? is he in line for 1-1 this draft?
Klaw: I don’t think anyone is in line for 1-1 right now. He’s one of a half-dozen likely lads for that spot – Corey Ray, Alec Hansen, Jason Groome, maybe AJ Puk. Someone brought up Avery Tuck for that the other day – I think he’s too raw right now, but if he blows up in the spring don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Doug: Hello Keith! Is Max Kepler’s breakout year this season legit? When should we expect him full time with the Twins. Also heard some questions about his defense in the outfield prior to this year, has he improved in that aspect? Thanks!
Klaw: Totally legit. I think the biggest thing is that he got healthy, and now he’s moving so well he might even be able to handle center, not that the Twins need that.

Tim: How good do you think Christian arroyo is going to be and where does he play considering the one thing the Giants are not lacking is young middle infielders?
Klaw: Has to play second – can’t play short. Legit shot at a 70 hit tool, so a frequent .300+ hitter in the majors.

David: Who has the higher ceiling — JBJ or Mookie?
Klaw: Mookie.

Jay: Keith, your thoughts on Stephen Piscotty long term – can he maintain contact rate and add power as he matures?
Klaw: There’s 20-25 homer power in there, but I think Stanford worked so hard to force him and all thier other guys to go the other way that he’s still not totally comfortable dropping the bat head and pulling the ball.

Greyson: How much seasoning does Fulmer need before he’s ready to start in Detroit next season? The tigers seem to have two holes in next year’s rotation (Verlander, Norris, Sanchez, ?, ?) and it sure would be nice if he could fill one…
Klaw: I bet he makes 20+ starts for them next year, if healthy, which he wasn’t in 2014.

Cw: After yourself… What are some names MacPhail should look deeper into to fill the GM role?
Klaw: I mentioned Ray Montgomery above. Ben Cherington would be an outstanding fit. John Coppolella has to be on everyone’s list at this point given what he’s managed to do with Atlanta. Jason McLeod should too – if the Brewers decide to go outside, he should be on their short list as he’s also a minority candidate. Mike Elias is getting a lot of buzz within the industry because he’s been so successful in Houston and his staff speaks very highly of him.

Paul Furlong: Carl Edwards (Formally CJ) Is he a closer? MR? Would you put him in high stress situations now?
Klaw: He’s a reliever, not sure if that’s the seventh inning or the ninth. Just don’t think he can start.

Ananth: Is this a realistic path to contention for the M’s in the next 2 years. Management refusing to rebuild has to scare of a lot of candidates right?
Klaw: I think you can patch that major-league roster in a weak division, but whoever comes in has to fix what might be the majors’ worst farm system. Their drafts haven’t been productive, their international efforts haven’t been much better, and the handful of decent prospects who’ve come into the system have regressed.

Joe: What is the rule about eligibility for the postseason? Wouldn’t Stroman have had to been made active before September to be eligible?
Klaw: No, just had to be in the organization on 8/31.

USMNT’S BRAK SHEA: Guess this answers my question from the other day on whether Klawchat would continue now that ESPN is killing their chats (and I presume you are pleased to be free of their chat software/interface?)
Klaw: This seems less buggy, at least. But ESPN’s was free and this will be a tiny bit more work for me. Reader Patrick threw together a Python script I can use to try to turn this into a straight HTML transcript when we’re done.

Brad: I know you get tons of questions each chat, do you have any issue with submitting a question 2-3 times? Or should we take you not responding after the first ask as an indication that you don’t find it to be an interesting question/answer?
Klaw: Just don’t go too crazy. Two or three times is fine. Ten is annoying. I’m getting a ton here which is fantastic but of course i can’t get to all of them.

Mikeleelop: Any thoughts on Tulo’s struggles with the Jays? it seems as if his pitch recognition is struggling
Klaw: I think a lot of it is small sample size noise … but there’s something to a hitter leaving 81 games a year in Colorado and, whoa, hey, why is that fastball moving all of a sudden?

CJM: Read someone say that in a 2015 re-draft Verdugo might go first round, do you agree?
Klaw: No. He didn’t go first round in large part because of serious concerns about his makeup, not his ability.

Jack: Off Topic – Just wanted to thank you for the board game recommendations you gave me on Twitter last month. Very happy with Ticket to Ride and Dominion Intrigue
Klaw: Awesome, glad they worked out. We don’t play Dominion enough in my house … too much time spent trying out new games to review.

NMN: Thank you for ignoring the Cespedes for MVP complete and utter NONSENSE in this forum.
Klaw: I am allergic to bullshit.

V: Giolito was named the top RHP on Insider today. Is he the top prospect heading into 2016
Klaw: Top pitching prospect, yes.

Josh: With so many top-100 graduations, is Chance Sisco a top-100 candidate for you this off-season? Still a chance (pun intended) to stick at C?
Klaw: I get mixed reviews, but I think he’s going to be a catcher, and that makes him a top 100 guy. Kid can rake.

Jeff: Is a package headlined by Javier Guerra and Manuel Margot good enough to land a top of the rotation pitcher or does Devers need to be involved
Klaw: That should get you any starter who’s on the market. This would be my fear if I were a Red Sox fan – you have to give up some value to get the pitching you need, but strip-mining the majors’ best farm system isn’t ideal.

Alex: The NBA announced Wednesday it would seed its playoffs by record. Do you believe MLB will follow suit? (Asked as a Cubs fan both hopeful and heartbroken over the 1-game wild card.)
Klaw: No. MLB is still too hidebound by tradition. I’d rather just eliminate the three-division format and drop it to two. That won’t happen.

Jason: Is a cowbell actually a good prescription for a fever?
Klaw: I’m not into alternative medicine.

Chris: Braden Shipley struggled in the first half of the season but was much better in the second half after improved control. Do you still see him as a above-average starter down the road?
Klaw: Yes.

Ands: Clint Frazier a top 50 prospect after cutting the strikeout rate?
Klaw: No.

Gavin: any idea why the DC media refuses to criticize Matt Williams, or Rizzo for that matter? Since Rizzo has refused to criticize MW himself, do you anticipate the Lerners will force Rizzo to fire him or be fired himself?
Klaw: DC media has not impressed over the last few years. Remember when a certain writer called Harper the seventh-best player on the team? As for Rizzo, I’ll say this: Any ownership would demand answers on how the team ended up with such an incompetent manager when there were many more qualified candidates available at the time of the hire.

Kevin, Manhattan: What happened to the chats at over on the WWL?
Klaw: Dead. Deceased. Not resting, not pining for the fjords. Dead.

Josh: Is Dylan Bundy a lost cause? Or is there still hope?
Klaw: Ask me when he’s healthy again. I really don’t know. I’ve heard he and Hunter Harvey are throwing again and will pitch in instructs.

JD: First Periscope, now a meadowparty chat. How long before we’re chatting with you on Twitch while you play Carcassonne?
Klaw: I have a hard time understanding the appeal of Twitch. I like games, including some video games, but to watch someone else play them?

Josh: How do you like Django Django’s second album?
Klaw: Good, not great. Probably top 20 or so for the year, but I wish there were more standout tracks besides “Shake and Tremble” and “4000 Years.”

Brad: I know its a stretch to ask since you haven’t seen either at the position, but do you think its possible Castro or Baez could play average CF next year?
Klaw: Neither.

Connor: Is Alex Bregman beating expectations by a little bit or is he really just this advanced? In high-A already and doing bad (given it’s a hitters park) & striking out under 10% of the time.
Klaw: He’s really advanced, and incredibly bright, and as hard a worker as you’ll come across.

Brian: Do you know of any other team that has a position like what the Red Sox just created for Brian Bannister?
Klaw: No, but I think this is a rapidly spreading trend. Good front offices are just grabbing all the smart people they can and figuring out roles for them later – like the Cubs adding Jared Porter but keeping Joe Bohringer. I think this can also help some execs maintain some work/life balance in an industry that typically has been murder on families.

Tim: Thoughts on Braves draft class? Austin Riley?
Klaw: Got such middling reports before the draft and such good ones afterwards. Seems like a great call by their staff – kid can hit, good athlete, more advanced than most prep bats from Mississippi.

Matt: What city would you pick to host top chef that has not yet done so?
Klaw: Nashville. Or Philly, but that’s just me being selfish.

Wes: Does Blake Snell deserve a spot in the Rays’ 2016 rotation after tearing up three different levels this season?
Klaw: Yes, but they’ll hold him back till July for money reasons.

Patrick: Got a Super Bowl prediction?
Klaw: Sure, here you go: I predict I won’t care.

Robert: Do you see Newcomb developing into a #2? Seems like the control is the only obstacle. Raw stuff and delivery is all there
Klaw: Yes to all three.

Nick: I have a weekly game night with some friends. Historically is has been Catan night, but based on some of you reccommendations I have been able to introduce Carcassone, Splendor and the current favorite, Ticket to Ride, into the mix. Any suggestions for another good game for 4 people?
Klaw: Dominion, 7 Wonders, Samurai, Castles of Burgundy. Lot of great options these days.

Kelly: Should Judge and Bird both start the season with the Yankees next year? If the Yankees keep one (or both) down in favor of Beltran, A-Rod, and Teixeira, will it hurt their development?
Klaw: Given how Judge finished in AAA, planning to return him there in the spring isn’t a bad idea. I’d rather see him close up that hole on the outer edge there before coming to the big leagues.

Bob: In your opinion who will have a better career, JP Crawford or Corey Seager
Klaw: Seager over Crawford primarily due to offense, but I think both guys are longtime stars.

Chris: Favorite Saturday Night Live alum (if you watch/watched the show)?
Klaw: Phil Hartman. There’s actually no other correct answer to this.

Gregg: Any thoughts on recent Red Sox front office changes. Is Wren a given or does Hazen have a shot.
Klaw: Wren would be the worst imaginable choice; he was awful in Atlanta, ran off a lot of good people, and alienated a number of other execs around the league. The Red Sox need to hire someone who works well with people and who will retain the strong front office staff they already have.

Marc: Hey Keith, could you talk a little about AJ Pollock? I remember him being thought of as a 4th OFer and now he’s a star. What changed?
Klaw: Defense improved substantially, which is sustainable, and he’s suddenly become a .340 BABIP guy, which may not be.

Brian Milford, CT: Keith, Peter Gammons just made a great point about this ridiculous MVP discussion. If Harper wasn’t have the season he is, Cespedes would still be in Detroit.
Klaw: I like that. On the other hand, given what has happened since 7/31, would the Mets be any worse off if, say, they hadn’t traded for Clippard, Uribe, and Johnson? Or if they’d made no moves at all? They’re so far ahead of the Nats now that even deleting those four players’ contributions wouldn’t (on paper) push them back to second place.

Joe: Do you think Alderson took into consideration that Fullmer already had elbow issues when dealing him? And in a more general sense, do you think it would be smart for GM’s to trade young pitchers who have had minor arm issues since that would seem to indicate something bigger could be coming down the line?
Klaw: Here’s the thing: You have to operate as if they’re all going to get hurt, which gives you incentive to trade them all, but if you do that, then you have no pitching, so you have to keep a bunch of them, even though you think they’ll probably get hurt.

Cubbie: Is Addison Russell a super hero? Some of his plays on defense and the sweet beauty of his wrists turning on a ball make me think so…
Klaw: I’ve had him stuffed in my rankings since he was drafted – and some of you might remember how I got ripped for ranking him so high that first year – but I’ve always believed his hands were special, that he’d be both a plus fielder and a plus hitter because of them.

RJ: You don’t seem as high on Nick Williams as others. Do you still feel that way even after his great season, and crazy bat speed?
Klaw: I don’t know or care what “others” say about a player. I’m only concerned with my own evaluation of him. His plate discipline is poor, as are his instincts. He’s got great hand-eye coordination (but not “crazy” bat speed – he’s not Baez or Frazier) and power, and it looks like that will play even if he lacks the less tangible tools.

GT: Throwback Thursday to the guy who said you should have to disclose that you’re not a doctor when talking about anxiety
Klaw: good Lord I forgot about that one

Lyle: Is there any reason to still think of Luiz Gohara as a legitimate prospect other than his age?
Klaw: Age and stuff, but some performance would be nice.

chad: Can Jake Arrieta sustain this amount of success through the next few years?
Klaw: Yes. Why isn’t his trouble in Baltimore ever connected to the coaching staff? The Cubs made minor adjustments – gave him a cutter, slowed his tempo – and made him an ace.

Linus Chan: What would be your prediction on how the use of relievers will develop- are we heading even more to hyperspecialization, or will there be some pushback (whether for pace of play reasons or others)
Klaw: If I were a GM, I’d be trying to change that whole paradigm to stop using relievers so often on back-to-back or, worse, three consecutive days. It can’t help their arms.

Michael: You don’t particularly seem to follow or like any other sports. What is it about baseball that you enjoy so much? What do the other sports (basketball, football, hockey, soccer, etc.) lack?
Klaw: So much of it comes down to my parents. My dad didn’t like basketball at all, so that was out. My mom only liked baseball, but she and her mother (who lived near us and just passed away last year at 100) were rabid Yankee fans. So it was always baseball in our house, and I was obsessed from a young age with everything about it – watching it, playing in the yard, collecting cards, reading stats, keeping track of trades and signings. No other sport had all of that going for it.

Brandon Warne: What is this amazing software, and were you able to use it for free? (or at least a reasonable price?)
Klaw: It’s $50/month.

@Jaypers413: Mayo answered your hot dog question in his Inbox today. Just figured you’d want to know.
Klaw: Fantastic. He said he might and I told him to go right ahead.

Jay: Bregman serviceable at 3B for the Astros? Or will he end up as trade bait?
Klaw: Arm doesn’t look like it’ll play at third.

Todd Boss: Stephen Strasburg has 13 Ks through 7 innings and is on 103 pitches. Is this the right time to bring in a guy who walked 3 straight batters the previous night and who gave up the back-breaking bases-clearing double to the same batter (Yoenis Cespedes) that he was set to face. Matt Williams: 2014 Manager of the Year!
Klaw: The part I hated was bringing back Storen, who looked like an absolute mess the night before. Physical, mental, whatever – is THAT the well you want to drink from?

Brian Milford, CT: Excited for Top Chef to return? Will you writing recaps?
Klaw: Yes and hell yes.

Aaron: Are you concerned at all about the lack of power from Dominic Smith this year?
Klaw: No – led FSL in doubles and that’s a terrible park and league for power. Now if he hits 5 HR in AA in 2016 I’ll be worried and kind of annoyed.

Fresh: Victor Robles – how high does he go on the Nats prospect list for you next year?
Klaw: He’s a stud. Margot with power.

AJ: Mac Williamson had somewhat of a disappointing season. Was that due to coming off TJ surgery? Or was he overmatched in AAA? Do you see him being a solid big leaguer?
Klaw: I don’t think it was a bad season after he missed a whole year; he had a .368 OBP across AA and AAA, after never playing above high-A before he got hurt.

Chad: Football has concussion issues. What issue do you see baseball long term having to fix that they’ve completely ignored that could have long term effects on the game?
Klaw: The increasing cost to play youth baseball in the US. It is a major cause of the whitening of the sport.

Danny: What do you think happens to Jagielo?
Klaw: I don’t see where he fits, because he’s not a 3b.

dcell: Is it possible to have the chat go from top to bottom to it’s easier to scroll through? Sometimes there will be things referenced from earlier in the chat and it’s hard catching up when going in reverse and new questions push things down. Saw that you mentioned an HTML possibility post-chat though, good idea. Thanks!
Klaw: Yes, and I think we’ll get that resolved in the transcripts.

Matt: You had Benitendi fairly low in your draft rankings. Has anything changed your mind since then, even with an extremely small sample?
Klaw: Yes, a lot, including his performance in pro ball, which gave us some wood bat data we didn’t have before, and a few scouts saying to me post-draft that was their “guy” going into the draft.

TedT: Are your ESPN chats done forever? One of the reasons to pay to be an “Insider” is gone
Klaw: They are gone forever, but the chats were free, weren’t they?

AJ: Fellow pizza lover and connoisseur. What is your go-to pizza order?
Klaw: If I am at a place for the first time, I like to get a margherita just to taste the basics – the crust, the sauce, the cheese. But I am a sucker for homemade sausage or for arugula and some kind of cured pork.

BC: Is Gregory Polanco still gonna be a star?
Klaw: Yes, absolutely.

Lyle: Does Drew Jackson have a major league future? Or is he just an org guy/utility man?
Klaw: I think he’s an org guy. Don’t believe he’ll hit.

Matt: Do you see Kris Bryant lowering his K rate going forward or is he going to settle in as a Chris Davis type? Valuable but top 5 in strikeouts every year
Klaw: His plate discipline is excellent – I think he’ll bring the K rate down.

Adam: ESPN chats were free.
Klaw: I thought so. These chats will be free too … but this one is over. I can’t thank all of you enough for your patience the last few weeks and for following me over here to keep the chats rolling. I do lots of fun non-baseball writing here too, so if any of you are new to this site, please poke around. There’s probably something here you’ll like. I’ll get back to doing this weekly now, so look for another Klawchat next Thursday. Thanks!