My latest mock for Monday’s MLB draft is up for ESPN+ subscribers.
Keith Law: Head in the clouds, your pockets filled with dreams. It’s Klawchat.
Kevin S.: A couple weeks ago in your chat, you mentioned that you felt the “Yankee voodoo” we joke about is actually something they’re doing developmentally that the rest of the league has not caught onto yet. Is it something specific you’re seeing (and if so, what?), or are you inferring this from their successes with guys like Voit and Urshela?
Keith Law: I’m inferring from their success with several hitters (and their ability to get nice velocity bumps from some young pitchers in the low minors), and from other writers’ coverage of the Yanks’ data-driven development approach. I’ve linked to a few things Lindsey Adler has written for the Athletic about this.
Jeff: Keith – Walker Buehler has been, on the surface, a little disappointing to date, but has an FIP in the mid 3s…assume you believe there’s no reason for concern?
Keith Law: As long as he’s healthy, yes, no reason.
alex: Callis said that Witt is the best SS draft prospect since ARod. Other folks have said Adley R. is the best prospect since Harper. Which is more offbase? I know you would pick Adley R. #1 (and I hope the Os do the same since going underslot may not work with the D-Backs and all their picks).
Keith Law: I don’t agree with either assessment – too many questions about Witt’s hit tool, definitely would put a few guys between Adley and Harper (Cole comes to mind, Buxton had absolutely elite tools). I have no issue with the O’s taking Vaughn, which I’ve heard a few times they are seriously considering, to go over slot at 42/71. There are enough good, tough-sign high school arms in this draft to make that work – especially since teams have a decent idea who other teams are on (e.g., we keep hearing that Arizona is on certain HS arms like Priester and Goss).
Jeff: Keith – Who are the most likely players to start falling that the Dodgers might scoop up as they did with Buehler & Kendall?
Keith Law: I mentioned Misner, who is very Kendall-like in his great tools/high strikeout profile but maybe a better pure athlete, in my mock. I bet they go with a good HS player with one pick (Brooks Lee’s name has come up twice with them since I posted the mock) and then take a guy who ‘fell’ like Misner or Zack Thompson.
Teddy: How fixable is Hunter Bishop’s strikeout issue? Is it a mechanical or pitch recognition problem?
Keith Law: Can it be neither?
Teddy: What percent chance would you give Kyle McCann to stick behind the plate?
Keith Law: Close to zero.
Dana: With Didi coming back and Torres moving to second, are the Yanks better off playing Urshela or LeMahieu at third?
Keith Law: Urshela and let DJLM move around.
Steve: Let’s say the O’s cut a deal with Bleday and Witt goes 2, do the White Sox go Vaughn or Rutschman? How much money would Bleday have to save GM KLaw for you to pass on Vaughn/Rutschman there?
Keith Law: I think White Sox would absolutely take Rutschman, but I hear directly conflicting stories on whether they would take Vaughn (what I put in my mock) or Abrams (which I believe Jim Callis & Jonathan Mayo had in their mocks). I keep hearing Kenny Williams is very involved in their draft room, which I don’t exactly understand, and that he favors Abrams. The last time the White Sox had a top ten pick and used it on a high school position player was … 1985.
Mattey: Kingery is starting in CF for the Phillies again today. Is he good enough of a defender to become the everyday player there?
Keith Law: I’ve never seen him do it – he was a CF until his junior year at Arizona, then moved to 2b, where I think he’s a potential 70 defender – but I believe he has the speed and instincts to do it, just not really the ideal arm.
Kevin : Does Tampa call up McKay?
Keith Law: I believe he’ll be up this summer. It’s time for him to give up hitting.
Bobby W: Any idea what the Padres’ pref list order looks like for Vaughn/Abrams/Bleday/Greene?
Keith Law: I don’t think there’s any way Vaughn or Bleday gets to them. Given the two HS hitters, I think they’d take Greene over Abrams.
Pete: Your reports talked about it and it looks clear seeing him hit — Austin Riley is going to strike out a lot. Once regression hits and he slows down, do you still project him as a regular?
Keith Law: 55 defender with his kind of power is a regular, definitely.
Eddy: If your mock had Jackson Rutledge off the board at 9, who would you have given to Atlanta?
Keith Law: Bishop. Texas is the only team ahead of Atlanta I could see taking Rutledge.
Danfromman: It seems that teams put quite a bit of importance on recent performance when evaluating their potential draft picks. Is this not a risk for SSS bias.
Keith Law: Maybe, but the flip side is that players that young tend to change rather significantly even year to year, and underweighting recent performance (and looks) risks missing players who’ve reached a new level of physical or emotional maturity or just learned something new.
Kyle KS: Parks and Rec question, my wife says the episodes with Louis CK are now ruined for her even though the one with Leslie preparing for the date is one of her favorites. She won’t watch those now. I’ll watch them based in the hope they didn’t know about his behavior. I’m not sure if you rewatch shows like this but how would you treat those episodes?
Keith Law: I almost never rewatch shows. I’d be more comfortable watching something from before a creep was outed than watching anything from afterwards. Like, Roman Polanski is terrible, but Chinatown was before he was convicted?
Eddy: What am I missing on Brennan Malone not being higher? Lot of athleticism, velocity, good breaking ball and changeup seems positive. Is he not higher simply because he’s a high school RHP or is there another concern?
Keith Law: HS RHP with good breaking ball, velocity but not life or high spin, not super projectable. I think he’s in the right spot.
Mark: I really do not think there is any reasonable argument to be made for not extending the netting in MLB parks. If it saves 1 life or prevents 1 traumatic injury it is worth it. Where do you think Rutchman, Vaughn, Witt, etc., rank compared to your preseason top 100 minor leaguers?
Keith Law: Rutschman and Vaughn would be top 25 prospects, the next tier (including Witt) might not be top 50. We’ve had a lot of graduations already this year, though, so if I redid a top 100 next Wednesday it would look very different than January’s.
Kyle: Hard Yordan Alvarez moved into your Top 100 yet?
Keith Law: Good example of someone who’d be on it now. So would Balazovic, who was on my ‘just missed’ list in January.
Rick Sanchez: Do you buy Luis Urias’ recent power surge at all, or is it just a product of SSS in a hitter’s environment with a juiced ball?
Keith Law: Power surge, no. High average/OBP, yes, I buy those.
Frank Viola: Wander Franco has been hitting out of his mind recently. How does Franco compare to Vlad when he was same age/level?
Keith Law: Pretty close overall but Franco offers more value beyond the batter’s box while Vlad Jr had (has) the exceptional power.
Moe Mentum: What was your primary motivation to stop eating beef? Also, were there any noticeable acclimatization phases (good or bad) when you first made this dietary change – e.g. fitness level, weight gain/loss, digestion, general health, food budget, shopping habits, etc.?
Keith Law: My daughter and I have an inborn error of metabolism that (boring biochemistry stuff) makes it harder for us to digest red meat. I realize now in hindsight that I felt really crappy after eating beef in particular.
Marshall MN: Are there any “obvious” sign under slot guys that you could see shaking up the top 10? I know you mentioned a couple as it related to the Orioles first pick, but I was just curious if there were any others?
Keith Law: Jung may not be very under-slot but he was the one I had in the mock who’s not top ten talent etc. but could go up there. I think the top ten go pretty chalk, but around the Phillies at 14 the potential for deals opens up a lot.
Marc: Should Pelosi move to impeach Trump and who should the Mets pick at 12? Also, can we get Kelenic back?
Keith Law: Yes, Manoah if he gets there (and he might), and sorry, no refunds.
Chuck: Mr. Klaw, your thoughts on the Carter Stewart news? Is MLB going to have to wake up and pay prospects what they’re worth?
Keith Law: I don’t think this moves the needle at all.
Shawn: Drew Rasmussen is flying up the Brewers system. Is he a top 100 prospect in the next re-tank and do you think he Starts long term or ends up in the bullpen (pen maybe this year?!)
Keith Law: Very few guys have two TJs and stay starters.
Pat: What has Matthew Boyd changed to all of a sudden become so good? Also, if you wereDetroit would you trade him ? 3 1/2 yrs of control left, good fit for SD with that park?
Keith Law: Added a cutter and uses it a lot – as he should as his fastball was unplayable. Martin Perez has done the same this year. Add a pitch and, assuming it’s good, you can become a totally different guy. Boyd wasn’t even a fifth starter for me with his previous repertoire. Now he’s a legit mid-rotation guy (and, apparently, a great, generous person, too).
Eric: did anyone project this kind of power from yelich? i’m a marlins fan, and his skillset was always pure hitting, but always felt he’d be capped at around 20HRs. this is incredible.
Keith Law: I think I’d projected 25+ from him when he was younger but I’m not totally sure. Of course everyone’s hitting more HR now because of the juiced ball.
Tom: Have you seen or heard anything on Forrest Whitley to change your outlook on him? When healthy, could the Astros promote him to see what getting him out of that envirnoment does?
Keith Law: He’s on the IL with a sore shoulder.
Ben: Any new articles can we expect to see from you these next couple days leading up to the draft? Thx
Keith Law: Next mock is Monday. If there’s sufficient news before then, I’ll write, but I’d rather hold smaller news back for the mock.
chauncey: what are your feelings on Andruw Vaughn?
Keith Law: I’m imagining this as Vaughn’s bat and Andruw Jones’ glove and that’s like Mike Trout without the speed.
Jake: Do you see Witt Jr. as a no doubt SS or could he be moved around the diamond based on his athleticism? CF?
Keith Law: He’s a shortstop, that’s no doubt.
Scott: Do you think there is a problem with the offensive explosion in the minor leagues, particularly the PCL? Can a team like Arizona accurately evaluate their players in Reno?
Keith Law: Yes, using the juiced ball in AAA has been a big mistake.
Harper’s Socks: How likely is it that one of the big 6 hitters (Rutschman, Vaughn, Witt, Abrams, Greene, Bleday) is available for the Reds at 7? Who would be most likely to fall and why?
Keith Law: I think those guys go 1-6 in some order and the Reds take Lodolo or, failing that, Kirby.
Eric: have you read michael lewis’ “the new risk?” even knowing that the government agencies under trump were bad, the amount of negligence to vital needs is still jarring.
Keith Law: No, because I think it’s going to just make me more angry at the low-key damage being done to our society and economy in ways that don’t make headlines.
ATL: You gotten any like at Dylan Carlson? Has he made any adjustments that could vault him into the top 100?
Keith Law: I’m a believer. I’d guess he’d make a revised top 100.
jeff: so i realize this injury is sort of murky for Correa, but is it fair to say injuries/durability are a real concern with him at this point?
Keith Law: He needs to come up with better injury excuses. Like, ‘my fiancee and i were trying out the new trapeze in the bedroom and the rope snapped, i’ll secure it better next time.’
Zac: On your prospect big board, there was a comment about Alex Manoah had no flaws in his delivery except he pitches out of the stretch every time, is that a knock against him for he doesn’t have a wind up so you don’t know if there are flaws?
Keith Law: It’s a knock because it’s atypical, but I don’t see why it’s actually bad.
Doug: Kimbrels market is going to explode once he loses the draft pick right?
Keith Law: I don’t think so.
Kevinkyle: Keith, love your work, thanks for all you do. I always find something interesting in your music recs. Have you ever spent any time listening to jazz or blues music? I grew up on hard rock and metal and somehow ended up enjoying a lot of jazz. Thanks again
Keith Law: I like it but don’t really know it well.
WhiteSoxAndy: Is Lucas Giolito for real? I want to believe. The truth is out there.
Keith Law: Yes. New changeup, tweaked delivery, better focus too. Gave up a 3R bomb in the first the other day and bore down afterwards to dominate.
CD: Based on your mock and Top 100, it appears Oakland would be reaching a bit on Greg Jones. Are you hearing them on any other guys closer to your draft rankings?
Keith Law: Yes – some will be gone, like Will Wilson or Busch, and some would be good value but higher-risk like Goss. They’re on all of them and Logan Davidson too. I just think Jones has a real hit tool question and can’t stay at short.
Will R.: Keith, per your recent mock draft it looks like you have Chicago kid Quinn Preister slipping a bit. His draft stock take a hit lately due to performance?
Keith Law: Not at all. Just that the industry doesn’t love HS RHP.
Michael: Can you explain Bellinger’s success? He hit one HR as a senior in high school. How does he go from that to perhaps the best power hitter in the league in such a short time. Is this projectable for anyone in this year’s draft class?
Keith Law: Swing changed a lot in pro ball. Also I think everyone missed what a great defender he was at 1b and that he could play at least average defense in CF (a really rare combination).
Adam D.: I’m not overly enthusiastic about Bryson Stott to the Giants. Seems like a high floor, low ceiling pick. Would you agree with that, or does he have a chance to be more than an average regular?
Keith Law: I had them taking Bishop, not Stott. I don’t think there’s a scenario where they end up with Stott, because one of Bishop or Manoah probably gets to them. If Bishop goes 9, I’d give the Giants Manoah and the Blue Jays Rutledge, and then Stott still gets to 13.
Aaron C.: What’s the plan for “Klaw-smas Day” (draft day)? TV hits? Running blog-like commentary/diary? Or, should I mind my own damn business?
Keith Law: Doing some TV hits on Baseball Tonight Sunday, then I don’t know about Monday yet. I’ll chat in the afternoon, for sure, and probably live-tweet that evening? I’ll file a day one recap that night for sure and do a second chat Tuesday afternoon after the third round.
Pete: Should the Mets just keep playing Dom Smith in LF until Nimmo returns so he gets regular reps for the time being or is it not worth the defensive hit the team would take?
Keith Law: They’re not going to the playoffs this year so I’d play him – and tell him his defense doesn’t matter, just worry about hitting – and let him get more at bats.
James: Is Dustin May a future #1? Separately, can he be useful in relief for LA later this year?
Keith Law: I feel like more #2 than #1 due to delivery but I wouldn’t be shocked if he turned into an ace in time. Great athlete with ridiculous shit.
Tom: Any scuttlebutt on who the Red Sox may their eye on at #43?
Keith Law: Very little, but I did hear them connected to the two hitters at U of Arizona, Quintana and Cannon. They’re just so far down that I don’t hear much gossip about them.
Dan: Hey Keith, thanks as always for the chats! I know we’ve established that ‘clutchiness’ doesn’t exist but what about the really extreme hot streaks? I’m talking about Arietta’s 2015 second half (0.75 ERA/0.727 WHIP in 107 IP) or Yelich’s 2018 second half (.367/.449/.770, 25 HR in 65 games). Are these guys just seeing the ball exceptionally well or have perfect arm action for months at a time? Or is this a mix of talent and a lot of luck in not having a bad stretch of games? I guess what I’m getting at here is if you’re up against one of those guys when they’re on a roll like that, is their recent hot performance a predictor of future performance?
Keith Law: The smaller the time period, the more frequent extreme performances will be.
Mark: do you have more faith in the Giants talent evaluation this draft than you have in the past?
Keith Law: Did I ever say I didn’t like their evaluations? I may not have loved some of their high picks but I don’t remember ever questioning their scouting staff.
Jordan: Will JJ Bleday be an above average regular in the MLB?
Keith Law: I think so. He might have the strongest hands/wrists in the draft. Even with that hitch in his swing, he can drive the ball to all fields like it’s nothing.
Teddy: Can you expand on your response to the Hunter Bishop strikeout question? Are you saying you don’t think he has a strikeout issue, or it’s not clear what the cause is?
Keith Law: I don’t think it’s mechanical or some kind of lack of pitch recognition.
Jonathan: Cameron Cannon has hit very well in college in this year. Thoughts on where he might go in the draft and is the knock on him his defense?
Keith Law: Specifically that he has no position, but he can hit.
Jeff: Do you agree that it’s best to combat anti-vaxxers with debate and not censorship? I ask because the refusal to debate/ growing push to censor them seems to empower them and even give credence to their ridiculous claims among those who are on the fence, at least in my small sample.
Keith Law: The best way to combat them is to ban nonmedical exemptions, and then educate the few people who fight it.
Matt Klentak: Keith, My track record in the draft is below-average. Who should I draft at 14?
Keith Law: I’ve heard them with all manner of players – I think my last list for them had a college bat, a HS bat, a college arm, and a HS arm. I’d like to see them not play it safe because that hasn’t worked well for them.
Alex: You mention the Nats routinely take “famous” players. Any reason or method to that for them?
Keith Law: It’s worked kind of well for them. Their record with first and supplemental-round picks is quite good.
Ed: Please tell me the Padres aren’t going with another arm in round 1
Keith Law: I only listed them with bats in my mock.
Rick Hahn: Coming into today’s game Zach Collins is hitting .248/.375/.522, which is very similar to Adam Dunn’s line with the Reds .247/.380.520. Is Dunn a good hitting comp for Collins, who looks to be a 3 true outcomes type of hitter.
Keith Law: I don’t think they’re close.
Mok: Do I have this right according to the party of science: misgendering someone or even being slightly skeptical of vaccines is literal violence, but killing an unborn child is “reproductive rights”?
Keith Law: No, you don’t have it right. And I don’t think it matters to you that you’re wrong.
JP: The Rays struggling to break 6,000 fans while playing .640+ ball is probably a harbinger of the future of baseball in St Petersburg, right?
Keith Law: Agreed. I’d really like to see them moved to another market at this point. Everyone says Portland but I keep banging the drum for Austin.
Brian: Keith, I understand that Wilmington is a tough park for hitters but the lack of contact by the Royals hitting prospects is alarming. When watching their games does something stand out why the contact rate is so poor among all their hitters?
Keith Law: Each is swinging and missing in a different way. Matias is the most alarming because he just swings really hard without any sign that he’s distinguishing pitch type or location.
JP: Klaw you’ve mentioned that you are in the final year of your current contract. Do you have an idea when we might know more? Not sure when my Insider/+ subscription expires but my decision to renew will basically be contingent on your status.
Keith Law: I don’t think I can answer that publicly, but thank you very much for the kind words.
Matt: Can you believe Trump is this petty and childish? Even though you hate *my favorite team* even I know you would never ask them to cover the name when you go to a game.
Keith Law: The next team to go to the White House after winning some championship should all show up in jerseys that say “MCCAIN.”
Michael: If someone had picked Trout top 5, how much grief would they have gotten?
Keith Law: I think a lot, between Billy Rowell (9th pick in 2006 from south Jersey, total bust) and Trout’s profile (white-right-right high school outfielder from the northeast, hits a lot of old scouting stereotypes).
Brian: Sorry if this is a dumb question but when you review board games do you play with other people or ride solo?
Keith Law: Not dumb at all! I play everything with at least one other person unless it’s a true solo game. Usually I try to play anything that plays 3+ with at least three people.
Gerald: Sports talk radio here in Arizona is so old fashioned and bad – also the main guy here ‘gambo’ says “wow NO WAY the Dbacks should have to eat Grienke salary in a trade” what he doesn’t realize is we would get better prospects in return, right ? And with this many high draft
Keith Law: He’s not good. I won’t go on their station because he slandered me on air. Your take is correct: if they pay more of the salary, they’ll get a better return.
James: Your tweets suggest that anyone who doesn’t want nets around the field has no feeling. I attend many games with my children, whom I generally like and desire to keep safe. And yet I hate the idea of nets from pole to pole. You cannot regulate away every risk, and the incidents of injury like we saw last night are extremely low. More people get hurt walking around the park than by batted balls. The nets would have a significant effect on the feel of the game and my enjoyment of it. It’s not cold-hearted to think that.
Keith Law: I sit behind nets all the time and I don’t notice them any more at all. Your brain will learn quickly to filter it out.
Steve: It feels like Anthony Volpe is destined to be a great player that is drafted too low, doesn’t it?
Keith Law: I do not get that feeling, no. I think he’s a fine prospect who’ll be a great college player, but his tools are limited. You have to absolutely believe he’s going to hit to feel as you do.
J: I know we’re mostly on the draft tip today, but thoughts on Devin Smeltzer and Zack Plesac moving forward this season?
Also, is Smeltzer-Plesac an 80’s jazz fusion band, or a chemical company?
Keith Law: I’m in on Plesac – had him 14th in Cleveland’s system last year, talked him up as a possible starter – less so on Smeltzer, who seems like a reliever to me.
Andrew: Difference between Nate Pearson his draft year and Jackson Rutledge this year?
Keith Law: Pearson was (is) a better athlete with a better delivery, I think. Rutledge is fortunate to come out in a way weaker draft and probably benefits from how good Pearson’s been.
Brian: Will you be Periscoping the draft again this year? If so, what will be your drink of choice?
Keith Law: If there’s demand, then yes, I’ll do that
Sue: Corbin Burnes has really struggled for the Brewers. They say they will still give him the chance to be a starter. Do you still believe he has a high ceiling as a starter?
Keith Law: I do, completely. Some absurdly bad luck, and very poor location on four-seamers. The former will work out in time; the latter is entirely fixable.
Andrew: Is there precedent/comp to J.J. Bleday’s swing? You mentioned he looks like he’s swinging an axe in your top 100 big board which scares me and that was enough for me to put Hunter Bishop ahead of him.
Keith Law: Hunter Pence’s hitch was worse, as I recall it from when he first came up.
Keith Law: He worked out OK.
Jerry Dybzinski: Are you related to Vance Law?
Keith Law: No, but Ty Law is my first cousin.
Chris: What’s the knock on Goss in the draft ?
Keith Law: None beyond that he’s a high school right-hander.
Andrew: Thoughts on high school prospect Jason Hodges?
Keith Law: If he’s signable, I think he’s a third-fifth round talent.
Austin: Have you seen any improvements with Adam Haseley or is this just Reading at it’s finest?
Keith Law: I haven’t seen Reading, but I have not heard about any positive changes to his swing that would make me think this is real.
Eric: What is considered success for an organization for a top-10 (or first-round) pick? Make it to the majors? Be a regular? Be an all-star?
Keith Law: If you get a regular position player or mid-rotation starter at picks 2-10, you did well. At 1, you should shoot for a star.
Chris P: Where does Leiter need to be taken to pry him away from Vandy? I’m assuming he’s not good enough to go top 15, so he’s off to school.
Keith Law: The consistent rumor is that he’d sign with the Yanks or Mets but no one else. What that might cost, I don’t know. I don’t even know if that’s accurate, but I keep hearing it.
MJ: Alek Thomas on course for the next 100?
Keith Law: Yes. I had him as a first-round talent last June and so far he looks like he was one.
Greg: Now that it looks like Pedroia is done…Do Utley, Pedroia, and Cano all go to the HOF? Does Utley benefit the most from retiring first?
Keith Law: I’m going to guess none of the three get in. Utley may have the best case.
Eric: Byron Buxton is fun and awesome. No question, just wanted to remind everyone.
Keith Law: I agree. One of the most exciting players to watch today.
Keith Law: Hell, the Twins are *fun* as a whole.
Jeff: If the padres wind up with Vaughn would it be to eventually trade him? Hope for the DH in the NL?
Keith Law: Or to think they can dump Hosmer at some point?
Brother: Deivi Garcia: how short is too short? What chance does he have of actually starting in MLB?
Keith Law: Not too short. He’s like 6′. He might be too slight, but that’s another question.
Sean: Please start promoting Dr. Gunter’s upcoming book, already have one pre-ordered.
Keith Law: I have a copy but haven’t read it yet.
Lobster Klaws: Sorry if this has been asked, but have you tried the Impossible Burger? I want to try it, but fear that by the time they get it into supermarkets, the price will be too high. Same reason I don’t buy bison (which is better than regular ground beef in some regards).
Keith Law: Yep, it’s really good.
HugoZ: Seriously, you think Polanski suddenly became a pervert in 1977?
Keith Law: No, I think that’s when he got caught. (I’ve actually seen The Pianist, which came out way after 1977, but the idea of considering the sins of the artist when choosing what art to consume hadn’t even occurred to me yet. I do still struggle with those decisions, especially when it comes to works of art that are acknowledged classics and highly influential, meaning that you have a hard time talking about contemporary works without knowing what came before.)
Pat: If you had to handicap it, what are the chances the O’s take Adley? 85%? Worse?
Keith Law: 50/50.
Mike: How big of a mistake/reach would it be in your opinion if the White Sox take Abrams?
Keith Law: Since Vaughn will be on the board in that scenario, then yes, it’s a significant mistake. And I don’t say that very often in the draft. They’d just be passing on a much better player to take someone who is very risky, and their history with players like Abrams (prep kids with a couple of plus-plus tools but questions about their ability to hit) isn’t as good as it is with college players.
Teddy: We’re seeing young player after young player get to Atlanta. Why did Anthopoulos fire the guy responsible for picking those players in Bridges?
Keith Law: He didn’t fire him, and I do not believe AA would say anything negative at all about Bridges’ drafts (which, as you say, were good at the time and look even better now).
PhillyJake: As the parent of a high school student, I’ve read lots recently about adjusting the start time of the school day. Minor league baseball has lots of kids just post high school in America, and high school aged in the DSL (and others, I’d bet) Is there word they’ve seen these studies and have adjusted their schedules for these kids?
Keith Law: I know several teams that have tried to teach prospects more about the importance of sufficient, high-quality sleep. Unfortunately games that run to 10:30 or later aren’t conducive to maintaining good sleep hygiene.
NHSI Guy: Hi Keith. No question. I’m the guy you spent like 20 minutes talking with as we walked out of the NHSI together in April. Because of work, I’m rarely available to read your chats live, so this is my first chance to say I enjoyed our chat and thanks for your generosity.
Keith Law: You’re quite welcome. I enjoyed our chat!
Pat: Have you heard any concerns about Rutschman’s shoulder? I’ve read that he had to stop playing quarterback in HS as a result, but I don’t know if that’s a nothingburger or not. Do teams have access to medicals before the draft?
Keith Law: I’ve heard that there is a medical report on him teams will see, but whether it’s a real issue, I don’t know and likely wouldn’t say unless folks like Callis/Mayo discuss it first (since they’re affiliated with MLB). I am very uncomfortable discussing non-public medical reports prior to the draft.
Joshua: How quick do you think Shea Langeliers could move up and play in the majors? Thanks Keith
Keith Law: I think his defense would be ready quickly, but his bat may be 2-3 years away.
Jack: How quickly does Rutschman reach the majors?
Keith Law: He should be up by the end of 2020.
Mose Allison Brie Larson: RE: netting from foul pole to foul pole – in Japan, where baseball is nearly a religion, they employ such a set-up. No one minds any all, and having attended games there, I can opine that it takes nothing away from the in-person experince.
Keith Law: It’s the most specious of complaints, and the benefit is reduced injuries.
Sam: What’s the highest spot you see Keoni Cavaco going?
Keith Law: I could see him going in the 25-35 range. Maybe the Dodgers or Cubs.
Adam D.: This is a bit of a crazy idea, but given how loaded the 2020 class is, would it make any sense at all for a team picking in the top-10 or so to pick one of the likely un-signable kids safe in the knowledge that not signing them means multiple first round picks next year?
Keith Law: No. People suggest that frequently in drafts that seem down, but 1) next year’s draft could always turn out to be worse than we think 2) a player today is worth a lot more than a player a year from now and 3) the GM/director in question could always lose their job before they get that extra pick.
Joe Don: In Mock 2.0 you report hearing that Texas could be changing from its long-standing preference for high-ceiling draftees. How come? The game is changing (TTO)? Disappointment with past results (Dillon Tate)? Something else?
Keith Law: They haven’t had great results with players like Jenkins or Thompson in recent drafts … maybe they’d take those players with lower picks, and try to lock in value with safer guys when drafting this high?
Joules: Draft periscope please!
Keith Law: Well, I guess that settles it. I’ll do a Periscope Monday, depending on whether TV needs me at all.
Keith Law: That’s all for this week – I’ll be back to chat again Monday afternoon after my final mock is posted. I’ll also be offline for a bit this weekend (longtime readers know why), so I may be less visible here or on social media. Thanks as always for all of your questions!