My first mock draft for 2018 is now up for Insiders.
Keith Law: Money only pays the rent. Klawchat.
Tyler: I can only scout the stat line, but I’d guess with 9 BB in 11.1 innings that Josh Staumont still hasn’t figured it out? Career minor leaguer?
Keith Law: He’ll get major league opportunities, but the strike-throwing has always been the problem. The delivery is fine, the stuff is plus, the dude can’t throw it over the pointy white thing.
Chase: Do you think it’s a mistake for the Cardinals to have Jordan Hicks as a reliever before ever giving him a chance to start? Seems like they don’t mention him getting a chance like their other young arms that start in the BP.
Keith Law: On the contrary, I like breaking in starters as relievers. Earl Weaver pioneered this, and I’ve never seen any harm in it other than that teams sometimes shoot themselves in the foot by liking a guy so much in relief they forget to start him.
addoeh: How great would it be for Ichiro to retire after getting a couple of at bats when the Mariners play the A’s in Japan next year?
Keith Law: And an inning. There has to be one more inning on the mound before he goes.
BigPapaChuck: How far out are Kyle Wright and Ian Anderson for Atlanta? Could we see them this summer at all, or is 2019 more realistic?
Keith Law: Ian Anderson has a 5+ ERA through 5 starts in high-A. That’s just not a realistic question. Wright is closer and we have seen plenty of starters go from the SEC to the majors inside of 15 months.
Justin R: Who would say no to a 10-year, $300 million extension for Mookie Betts right now?
Keith Law: I don’t think either side would say no; Dombrowski hardly shies away from super-long extensions.
Ben: When is a middling team like the twins considered “done?” It’s probably different for a stacked underachieving team like the Dodgers, but for a team that needed to exceed expectations to make the playoffs and has struggled mightily, is there a certain point where they should look to sell?
Keith Law: In most cases, I’d say wait till Memorial Day before making any serious decisions like that. I would make an exception for the Orioles on Machado – they are not going anywhere this year, in that division, with that pitching staff, and there’s a clear need for Machado on at least one contender. Trading him now vs. June or July could really boost the return in a material way.
addoeh: On a 20-80 scale, how bad of a travel day was yesterday for you? Wake up in a hotel in one city two hours before the sun rises, fly to different part of the country, drive another two hours to see watch prospects, make the two return trip after the game, and a red eye back home.
Keith Law: So for folks who don’t know what my schedule was, I saw Jarred Kelenic in Kenosha, WI, on Wednesday evening (he was good); drove to Midway to stay that night; woke up at 5:10 am CDT to fly to Atlanta; landed an hour late due to weather; drove two hours to Ringgold, Georgia, to see Cole Wilcox (good) vs Kumar Rocker (not); drove back into Atlanta traffic, so probably spent three hours total on the way down, stopping for dinner (Recess at Krog Street Market, which was fantastic); then had my flight home delayed an hour because some part on the jetbridge shorted out and caught fire. I crawled into bed at 2 am ET. I don’t think this is unusual for scouts, so I’m not doing a “woe is me” thing here, but holy shit am I tired.
Dr. Bob: My kids are geeking out over May the Force Be with You day. Do you follow any sci-fi/fantasy stuff? Star Trek? Star Wars? X-Men? Avengers?
Keith Law: Not any more. Loved Star Wars as a kid. Anyway, Happy Cinco de Cuatro!
Larry: The Gorman-Atlanta connection is interesting. What’s your read on his swing and miss, plus chances he stays at third? Can he play corner OF if not?
Keith Law: Lot of swing and miss, but exacerbated this spring by what I think is a new, pull-conscious approach, when the dude should just worry about hitting. He’ll accidentally drop 30 bombs if he hits at all. Right field most likely, but even though he’s not good at third right now, I’d give him at least two years there. Austin Riley was a below-average defender when Atlanta drafted him, worked on it, got in shape, and now he’s at least a 55 defender there (from a 40), maybe even more.
Bret: If you were in Ross Atkins’ shoes, when does Vlad Guerrero Jr. get his first MLB call-up?
Keith Law: August.
Greg: Is Atlanta a legitimate contender for the division title or a wildcard spot?
Keith Law: Probably not, but I’m enjoying watching them anyway. It will be interesting to see if Anthopoulos trades away any prospect depth in July if they’re still in it. They do have some surplus on the pitching side, and guys who may not make their rotation would have value to other clubs.
Sean: What are your thoughts on Joe Gray, Jr? Is he a top 2 round guy?
Keith Law: That’s how I have him ranked.
PJ in JC: Jalen Beeks. A guy or a GUY?
Keith Law: Just a guy, I’m told. I have not seen him.
Jackstradamus: How good do you think Christian Villanueva actually is?
Keith Law: Everyday player, maybe? Not a .660+ SLG guy.
Brian: Before a couple of years ago I don’t remember any position players having Tommy John surgery. Now I can think of at least 4 (Knapp, Torres, Wieters and now Seager). Has something changed about how position players throw?
Keith Law: Craig Wilson, Todd Hundley, John Baker. I think Rocco Baldelli had it. Kyle Blanks. Shin-Soo Choo, but he pitched some as an amateur and threw hard. I think you don’t remember them because they don’t miss as much time.
Prospect Expansion Pack: Have you seen/ heard anything about Luis Robert or Juan Pablo Martinez this spring?
Keith Law: Neither has played.
Jack: Jeter Downs is playing second with Jose Israel Garcia at SS. If Downs moves to a higher level before Garcia, do you think he moves back to short?
Keith Law: Yes, if only for maintaining some flexibility.
Matthew: What is your take on the Braves calling up Bautista today? I think it’s a good move but Braves twitter is not so sure.
Keith Law: Eh. Worth seeing if there’s anything left.
JT: Do you find it exhausting to constantly have to swat at proliferating hate online? I found an old friend online this week, only to discover that he believes in climate denial, racial essentialism and Jordan Peterson. I’m tired.
Keith Law: Yes, but I feel an obligation. I have a sizable platform. I could just use it to promote myself, but I think I should try to use it to do some good in the world.
leprekhan: You mentioned Nolan Gorman as being connected to the Braves in your mock, are there any other names that they have been connected to? How strong of a possibility is Kumar Rocker at #8?
Keith Law: I don’t think there’s any chance they do Rocker there. He’s not good enough, and yesterday didn’t help his chances.
286: What is DL Hall’s ceiling for the Orioles?
Keith Law: Above-average or better big league starter.
Jack: Is Dennis Santana’s changeup a legit enough third pitch to make him a potential #3?
Keith Law: No. Not a starter’s delivery the last time I saw him, either.
Steve: Is Stanton’a slow start just SSS streakiness, or something mechanical?
Keith Law: Homeboy’s slow start is still a .336 wOBA, so it’s more than he has hit for a month the way he hit all of last year. I’m not concerned.
Chris: What’s the deal with Senzel getting pulled from the game yesterday. I really hope this isn’t the vertigo revisiting.
Keith Law: Dizziness, per C. Trent Rosecrans & Guildenstern, Attorneys at I Don’t Make the Lineup.
Travis: Reports are that Cole Wilcox was amazing last night. How high could he go? Have any teams emerged as likely landing spots?
Keith Law: I was there. He was very good; amazing might be pushing it. I had him in the new mock and believe he goes in the top 20 or so picks.
Garrett: Has Ohtani’s hot start at the dish changed your mind at all? He destroys the baseball almost every time he is up. Or is it still too few PA’s?
Keith Law: It’s 55 AB. And no, he doesn’t destroy the baseball almost every time he is up. Good grief.
Chris: I see Gore hasn’t pitched in full action since his first start. Any cause to worry about an injury?
Keith Law: Blister.
Ben G: Hey Keith,
Do you share Mike Rizzo’s belief that Juan Soto has a similar outlook as a prospect to Robles?
Keith Law: Similar upside, yes. Different player. I’ll see him Monday here in Wilmington along with Kieboom.
EricVA: Justus Sheffield to AAA. Can he help the Yankees this year or not until next year?
Keith Law: This year if needed. Wouldn’t object to a relief role to start for him.
Ron Shelton: I think the real-life Nuke LaLoosh has finally arrived and his name is Matt Manning.
Keith Law: Where are the Tigers fans who were extremely mad online when I didn’t rank Manning in my top 100?
Keith Law: FTR, I don’t think the book is closed on Manning, but he had serious control problems last year and didn’t show the same velocity he had in HS.
Todd: Who has a better major league career, Michael Gettys or Buddy Reed?
Keith Law: Neither.
286: Dylan Bundy has had two rough starts in a row. Is that a byproduct of the calcification in his shoulder? How long can he hold up?
Keith Law: No healthy pitcher has ever had two rough starts in a row. I’m so glad you brought this to our attention.
JT: Have you heard of the QAnon nonsense on Twitter and Facebook? Is there any way for those platforms to rid themselves of such obvious misinformation?
Keith Law: Those platforms just don’t do enough to rid themselves of trolls, bots, etc. There’s a Twitter account with a decent following whose profile quotes the Turner Diaries (a notorious anti-Semitic, racist trash novel revered by neo-Nazis). I reported it. They said “no violation.”
Marissa: Hi Keith. I am wondering how much you think Mets fans should buy into Alonso’s numbers and if you think he will/has passed Dom in terms of how highly the Mets look into him as the future 1B.
Keith Law: I answered this last week. I’m a believer.
Adam D.: With the full understanding that it’s way too early to be sure about anything, what level of confidence do you have that Singer is the pick for the Giants at #2? I am not enthusiastic about it, as you might have noticed.
Keith Law: I have heard them with four players; he and Bart are the two most likely, again, given what I’ve heard from #sources.
Keith Law: I share your lack of enthusiasm. I have never understood the fascination with Singer. There are guys with better stuff, and better deliveries, and better command in this draft.
Joe: What makes Lucchesi’s two pitch mix effective (where other starters can’t survive with just two) and do you think he can have long term success with just two pitches?
Keith Law: Hitters do not pick up pitches well at all from him. His release point is extremely consistent.
Jack: What were your grades on Nomar Mazara’s raw and game power as a prospect? The guy looks like he should be hitting 35 a year and he doesn’t hit any cheap bombs, but his overall approach doesn’t always get to the pop.
Keith Law: I don’t do grades any more – people would focus way too much on the numbers and not on the words, and I am not fucking interested in arguing if a player has 60 speed or 65 speed, sorry – but I always thought he’d be a 30-homer guy. He did have plus raw even when young.
Joe: You mocked Gorman to the Braves at 8. Do you think n he is the highest upside power hsbat in draft? And would you take him that high?
Keith Law: He has the most raw power in the draft, period. I would not take him there, because the hit tool really worries me, but that’s not to say this is a bad pick.
1904 MDB: Fernando Tatis JR. starting to catch fire, where does he end the year?
Keith Law: Probably triple-A.
Didier: Do you ever read comics or graphic novels? Any favorites?
Keith Law: No, not a fan.
Dave: Is Bobby Witt Jr someone who could end up being the next “super prospect”, like Harper or Griffey?
Keith Law: I don’t think so. Good prospect, but also just the name you know because of his bloodlines.
Mike: Assuming Josh can play third base, no way the Jays can call up Vlad and stick him at DH……right?
Keith Law: Why not? Vlad was rough at third the last game I saw him, and his bat is clearly going to be ready before his glove.
Roger: If I, a regular old fan, wanted to find out information about a minor leaguer I’m interested in, what’s the best way to find out if he’s a GUY or just a guy? Scouting the stat line is only so helpful.
Keith Law: I write about a few hundred guys every January in the prospect package and then write about more every week, here and on Insider posts.
Jack: I just gave up on Corey Ray. Am I dumb?
Keith Law: Too soon. Plus, you hurt his feelings.
Ryan: While totally aware that Albies can’t sustain this HR pace, is it safe to expect some legit power out of him going further without sacrificing average and OBP?
Keith Law: I guess it depends on “legit;” 20 homers/year? Sure. I’ll buy that.
Archie: I see a lot of Joe Panik in Madrigal, albeit from the other side of the plate and with more speed. Is that a fair comp?
Keith Law: I like Madrigal’s bat a lot more than I liked Panik’s at the same age.
Lilith: What would it realistically take to get MLB to place a 3rd team in the New York area? (either Brooklyn or Newark)
Keith Law: Revoking MLB’s antitrust exemption. I don’t expect that to happen in my lifetime.
Tyler: Hi Keith. Do you think Sonny Gray can get back to his A’s form?
Keith Law: Yes, but they’ll have to change his pitch mix and get him to try to work four-seamers up again.
Satya: How does Casey Mize compare to Kyle Wright as a draft prospect?
Keith Law: Mize is way better.
Keith Law: Wright had size. Mize has better stuff, better command/control.
Moltar: Thanks for chatting, Keith. Your info is always solid so I’m sure it’s motivated, but India to the Mets at 6 was very surprising. Most reports I saw on him had him more sandwich round than top 10. Was this more a function of Bart, Bohm and Madrigal being off the board in your mock? If the Mets are intent on a college bat, do they clearly prefer India to, say, Swaggerty?
Keith Law: Again, this is all based on what I’ve heard from sources in the industry. Nobody in the industry thinks India is a sandwich pick. Swaggerty is barely hitting above .300 in a bad conference where he’s faced almost no quality pitching. I like the profile – CF with some pop, good eye, plus speed – but he has to actually hit, and his swing has slipped a little bit this spring.
Pat D: I just heard Harold Reynolds on WFAN and he said, and I am quoting, “The more pitches you take, the less chance you’re going to walk.” Now, he was trying to say that young guys who are struggling have to prove they can hit because otherwise pitchers will eventually just throw strikes by them. But, much more importantly, COME ON, am I right?
Keith Law: You made several mistakes there, starting with listening to Harold Reynolds on WFAN.
Phillip : Is bringing up Jose Bautista before seeing what you really have in Camargo a mistake?
Keith Law: Camargo isn’t a long-term piece.
John: What’s Fernando Romero’s upside, Wed he was throwing hard and it looked like both the FB and the slider had decent movement.
Keith Law: Top 100 guy for me the last two years. I think mid-rotation starter.
PJ in JC: Follow up on Beeks: does his ability to miss bats suggest he could at least be a weapon in the bullpen?
Keith Law: Yes.
Edward: Tyler Mahle has been striking out hitters at a higher rate in the bigs than any stop before in his career. Has he found another gear or pitch? Or just another sample size situation?
Keith Law: Aren’t strikeouts higher in general in the majors?
Rendall: I’m glad that Facebook has made eliminating fake profiles and fake news part of their new marketing campaign. Meanwhile, my feed continues to be full of it…
Keith Law: Yep. All talk, no action.
Darren: YOu mentioned Jordan Hicks so I’m curious, what would you do with Hader if you were GM? Have him start when Knebel gets back and ramp up his innings to be able to go 6 in the playoffs? If they make it.
Keith Law: I have always had a hard time seeing Hader starting with that arm action. He may truly have more value in this role than he could in 170 innings starting.
Dave in Delaware: Hi, Keith! Are there any players (HS or college) worthy of scouting time or attention in Delaware this year? If so, have you seen them?
Keith Law: I saw one kid, UVA commit, nice player but should go to school. I won’t see the three at Cape Henlopen, just due to distance and that they’re not top 100 guys, but all are d1 commits (UNC, UVA, Liberty) and could be top 100 types in three years.
Jacob: How close is the talent gap between Jarred Kelenic and Connor Scott? Is the difference the lengthy track record that Kelenic possess?
Keith Law: I think Kelenic has shown a lot more at the plate, hitting and especially power.
Josh: What are your thoughts on Matt Klentak? It seems like he’s really struggled with his first two drafts
Keith Law: He doesn’t run the draft; that’s Johnny Almaraz, their scouting director. This is a bit like that tweet I responded to a week ago, where Frank Wren was trying to take credit for Ronald Acuña – no GM sees the $100K kid his international director signs in Venezuela. That’s absurd. I think the Phils’ rebuild is very much on track, and I think it’s fair to say the Phillies have struggled badly with their last few first round picks, even predating Klentak – Cornelius Randolph doesn’t appear like he’ll ever justify going 10th overall, and Moniak and Haseley have been an unnatural disaster in Clearwater (Moniak .218/.231/.257, Haseley .271/.284/.355, a combined 4 walks and 46 K for the two of them).
Gary: Team needs or drafting philosophies notwithstanding, would it be a bad choice to take Madrigal 2nd after Mize? Reading through your mock, it seems like he has the best chance to be a productive big leaguer from the rest of the pool.
Keith Law: I think that’s a high floor and very limited ceiling pick. If you do that, you had better save enough to go well over slot in the second round.
Dave: What position do you think Mountcastle ends up at for Baltimore?
Keith Law: Most likely left field, but I’d keep trying to work on the throwing motion and see if he can stay at third. Dude’s gonna hit, though.
RSO: Is it possible for pitchers to boost their spin rate as much as some of the Astros starters have since coming to Houston, or do you think there is something fishy going on as Trevor Bauer alluded to?
Keith Law: I didn’t like when Bauer appeared to be accusing the Astros without directly saying so. His longer comments – no character limits! – were excellent, though: It is true that adhering something like pine tar to the ball can raise its spin rate, and that it is technically prohibited but scarcely if ever enforced. My understanding is that there are players doing this stuff now, but I don’t know anything at all about team-wide efforts like he implied.
Jax : Has Norris reached the point when a conversion to the bullpen needs to be discussed? Poor guy cannot stay healthy.
Keith Law: Almost none of this has been related to his arm.
Nick: Jonathan India has put up some sexy numbers this season. I’m intrigued by him after you mocked him to the Mets at 6. Do you think that would be a solid pick at 6 and what type of player do you see him becoming?
Keith Law: Very solid pick. Everyday player. I’d send him out as a shortstop, knowing you could always restore him to third or slide him to second.
Jax : I don’t expect Basabe to continue to put up these massive numbers but do you think he’s doing so because he’s repeating High-A? Or because he’s fully healthy now? Or a bit of both?
Keith Law: Almost certainly both.
Matt: Patrick Corbin’s fastball was down 3 MPH last night from his season average. He and Lovullo brushed it off as nothing, but that’s concerning right? How often does a guy lose velocity like that so dramatically and bounce right back to where he was? I honestly don’t know if this is something that happens or if this is an imminent sign of injury.
Keith Law: It’s concerning because it’s happened before. Corbin looks like a #2 at times, but has he ever held that for a full season?
Joe : Hey Keith, love the chats. If you could choose to have the Chapman or Andrew Miller return that the Yanks got back which would you take moving forward?
Keith Law: I think at the time I said I preferred the Miller return. That’s probably still true, but less clear.
Jax : Eric Longenhagen said that Christian Arroyo could possibly have a Solarte type of role and play all over the diamond while hitting fairly well? Would you agree with that assessment?
Keith Law: I’m not sure he’s going to be as good defensively anywhere, but that seems more likely an outcome to me than everyday player at one spot.
Dan: Walker Buehler seemingly has a rotation spot that’s his to lose with the Ryu injury. How has Buehler looked so far this season? Where do you think they’ll cap his innings if he’s pitching well and the team is contending?
Keith Law: Didn’t they give a number before the season, as a rough target? I may be misremembering. Anyway, I would expect them to have him skip a start here or there because he’s never really had a full, healthy season.
Chaya: I know he’s young and it’s still early, but are you concerned at all about Heliot Ramos?
Keith Law: Not just young – he’s 18, younger than some guys in this draft class, and in full-season ball. I didn’t think the huge summer was indicative of stardom, but I also am not jumping off the Golden Gate now after a bad month. This is a big leap for a kid that young who was already a little raw at the plate.
Brett: What do you see as Yordan Alvarez’s ceiling? Does he have all-star upside?
Keith Law: Above-average regular.
Jax : Your Astros sleeper Arauz has more walks than Ks and is hitting for far more power than he ever has while being a teenager in full season ball. Trajectory is certainly pointing way up, no?
Keith Law: Yes it is … as long as he stays off the juice.
Gray: Still no Juan Soto questions? Has Cooperstown started working on his plaque yet? Kid rakes.
Keith Law: Answered a half hour ago. Scroll back.
nelson: What do you think about other sports’ draft coverage? For me, I find stuff like NFL draft coverage to be extremely dull, full of “woo”, and totally mindless. Enjoy your coverage bc it’s based on knowledge you glean from conversations and not just 40 times.
Keith Law: I can’t imagine covering a draft with 15 minutes between picks. I do love that they have trades – our draft would be so much better with that. The NBA’s draft is the best on TV, IMO, because it’s only a few minutes between picks, the players are all there (in their sartorial splendor), and there can still be trades.
RSO: If Gleyber Torres was still in the Cubs organization would Addison Russell or Javier Baez be in danger of losing their jobs?
Keith Law: Yes, Russell more so. He seems to have stalled at the plate.
Keith Law: I’m most concerned with how he isn’t making hard contact like he used to.
Luke (Statesboro, Ga.): Is this the year Jorge Soler figures it out?
Keith Law: It sure looks like he has. He lost a lot of time to injuries, and although I always rated him highly I don’t think I ever projected him to be an OBP monster.
Pat: Hypothetical- If something happened to Mize (injury, bad medicals, whatever), who do you think Detroit would go with at 1-1.
Keith Law: Entirely fair question. My guess is they would shop a deal to 3-4 players, probably including Stewart, Singer, Bart, maybe Liberatore. Most folks I asked for that mock just assumed they’d take Mize, so I’m a little light on other info there.
Sean: How has Cal Quantrill looked so far this season?
Keith Law: What I’ve heard has been good – lot of 92-95, still working on better strikes, has really had just one bat outing out of six.
Ryan: Thanks for chatting Keith. If you are placing the top draft prospects into tiered buckets, at what slots do they move from Tier I to Tier II, Tier II to Tier III, etc?
Keith Law: Mize is in his own tier. I’d reorder that last top 50, with Winn, Bart, and India sliding up and Rocker, Vasil, McClanahan sliding down, and I’d put a line between those groups.
Keith Law: No more word on Vasil’s injury; he may throw a pen this week. It was irresponsible to have him throw an unscheduled relief inning that Saturday, two days before a scheduled start. Scouts were there Monday for the start, not Saturday.
Jim: You were high on Bryse Wilson – think you ranked him Top 60ish in your Top 100 – he’s been great this year. Assuming still a SP prospect for you?
Keith Law: Yep, all signs pointing up.
Craig: Are you doing the usual prospect update in May? Is Yordan Alvarez going to be one of the big risers
Keith Law: 1b only limits his ceiling. My May updates are cursory and usually only include 25 names, with just brief updates on injuries/promotions; I doubt he’d jump that far.
John: How do you think the Nats will approach the draft?
Keith Law: Same as always. They’ll take well-known guys with big upsides. Maybe an injured pitcher who fell.
Keith Law: Hell, it’s worked for them in the past.
JR: Kentucky Derby – interested or hard pass? Personally, I’ve never understood the appeal of horse racing.
Keith Law: I’ll watch. I don’t bet, and I don’t follow the sport. It’s a fun two minutes, though.
Walker: What happened to Jordan Swaggerty?
Keith Law: One g. Blew out and never really made it back.
Keith Law: Threw 26 innings total after TJ, missing all of 2012 and 2014.
Jon: Could vaccine hoaxers actually be harming efforts to find a cause/cure for autism? With so many studies focused on disproving the link between the two, doesn’t that take away from funding and studies that could be used to find a cause/cure?
Keith Law: I think they’re harming societal acceptance of autistic people, who are still more often lumped in with people who have mental disabilities rather than being classed as neurodiverse, as many autistic advocates would like to be.
Nick: What is Trent Grisham at this point? Can he still be an everyday player or better?
Keith Law: He’s on the DL with an ankle sprain right now, so let’s give him some time back at AA.
Jack: Have you watched Matt Boyd at all this year? Thoughts? I vaguely remember you being a fan through his struggles past couple years
Keith Law: Not a fan at all – thought he’d be excessively homer-prone, and he was. This year looks like a stone fluke – his FIP is over 4 and that’s even with a lower than normal HR/9.
JR: Is it time for Lauren Mayberry to thank the other members of Chvrches for the memories and great times and head out on her own? The new record is blah. Feel like she’s peaked with them and it’s time for her to go solo.
Keith Law: I completely agree on this. She has untapped upside. This album is kind of embarrassingly bad – not just blah, but a big step down in lyrical and musical quality.
Ian: So, is Junot Diaz now canceled?
Keith Law: Apparently so.
Ted: I know it’s early but Micker Adolfo off to a great start. He isn’t typically discussed as a top WS prospect but is he making a leap?
Keith Law: I’ve talked him up in their org reports for at least two years – enormous physical tools, but could barely play the sport when he signed. (That’s not an exaggeration.) He might not be a solid big leaguer till he’s 25 but the upside is really huge.
Jeremy: At the same time that Alonso is killing it, has Dom Smith’s stock fallen?
Keith Law: No, but he’s also not helping anyone, himself included, back in triple-A.
Adam: As the young talent on the Padres collectively struggle at the major league level, how many more years does Andy Green get before his seat starts getting warm?
Keith Law: That roster doesn’t have much of that system’s young talent at all.
Joe: What are your thoughts on Sean Reid-Foley?
Keith Law: Saw him two weeks ago. 92-95, but hitters seemed to be on it. Slider was often plus, but it merged with his curveball at lower velocities. Didn’t see a changeup. Off one look, I’d say he needs some third pitch to start – something for lefties, and just to keep righties from sitting on the fastball.
Gil: We can live with a persistent high K rate for Moncada with these types of slugging and wRC+ numbers, right? He seems to be coming into his own.
Keith Law: He has a .414 BABIP. Sure, you could live with that, but has any hitter in history sustained it?
Andy: Re Ghost: They seem to be dropping more of the Satanic things, and just going with a kind of Medieval theme. Also, they are no longer putting as much on the anonymity as Tobias Forge has done interviews out of character about the “band.”
Keith Law: Which is so much better. This is good, fun, throwback metal. Let that speak for itself. The black-metal stuff is at best tired, at worst really offensive (given the church burnings and ties to anti-semitism/xenophobic movements).
Rick: Mets have fallen back to earth. Adrian Gonzalez is still getting at bats. Nimmo can’t get at bats. Is it Callaway or Alderson?
Keith Law: Alderson has the hammer on that.
Dave: Keith, starting see a lot of connections between the A’s and Swaggerty, including your mock draft. Is this more a case of the A’s liking Swaggerty in particular, or the A’s liking a college bat and Swaggerty seems the most likey to fall to #9?
Keith Law: Good college bat who was previously projected to go much higher. There’s a value play in that.
Dave: Keith, do you think Joey Bart can be a middle of the order bat in the majors?
Keith Law: Yes, but in the 4-5-6 sense, not a 2 hitter. High power, low average guy.
Don: Better lawyer, Lionel Hutz or Rudy Giuliani?
Keith Law: Rudy Giuliani is such a bad lawyer, he would have lost a false advertising suit against The Neverending Story.
Keith Law: That’s all for this week – got some life stuff to catch up on before the school day ends. Thank you all for your questions this week and for reading. I expect to be back next Thursday for another chat. Enjoy your weekends and #fyeahbaseball!