Klawchat 9/8/22.

Keith Law: Come let the truth be shared. Klawchat.

Jackie: Paul Goldschmidt, the best player in Delaware’s history.  Future HOFer?
Keith Law: Yes. He could limp through the next few years and still make it. He’s going to clear 65 WAR with no trouble and could end up near 80 – that’s a no-doubter for me.

Kingpin: Nats IF Luis Garcia has 5 BB & 63 K in just under 300 AB. He’s only 22 iirc, so there’s still time for improvement, but his approach gonna hold him back?
Keith Law: Yes. Never been a big believer in that bat – he can put the bat on the ball but without impact or patience. Aggressive promotions when he was just a teenager may not have helped him in the end.

S. Murphy: Hey, Keith. Love the chats. Assuming all three of Peraza, Volpe, and Sweeney make it in the next two years to the majors.  What’s the most logical outcome for all three regarding playing time with the Yankees? I’m guessing Peraza at short, Volpe 2nd, Sweeney third, with DJ at first?
Keith Law: Sweeney isn’t near those other guys – he didn’t produce anywhere near the way a D1 product should in high A. Volpe is a shortstop and the guy you build around.

David (Denver): Given the Rockies’ bizarre management, I guess it makes as much sense as anything else they do or don’t do, but why isn’t a team like this more active on the waiver wire?  They should be claiming anyone with a pulse to maybe get lucky and find some free talent.  They just seem so content with the same underperforming roster year after year, while insisting that it just hasn’t quite reached expectations.  So why the process breakdown?
Keith Law: I agree, but they have a different philosophy than I would have if I ran that org. I’d probably run it like a science lab and just be experimenting constantly while trying to rebuild. They seem almost conservative for their situation.

John: Is there anything more inherently un-American than caring about the Queen of England?
Keith Law: Eh. Is it un-American to care about the Pope? A major world figure, the longest-reigning monarch in human history – yeah, I know about Louis XIV, he was five years old when he became king, he wasn’t actually in charge of anything beyond his own bowel movements – dies, that’s pretty big news.

DD: Are you a proponent of “steel-manning” when debating controversial topics?  Meaning, do you actively attempt to fairly restate the counterparty’s viewpoint and supporting logic/rationale, even if you strongly or vehemently disagree?
Keith Law: I have never heard of this, but it’s quite interesting.

Braves Questions: Was the Brian Bridges firing a result of the Carter Stewart signing issue?  I always liked his draft classes and am a little surprised Atlanta has apparently moved away from scouting to using more models for amateur evals under Brown.
Keith Law: I highly, highly doubt that. The team walked away from Stewart over his post-draft medical. You can’t blame that on the scouting director. And I agree, Bridges’s drafts look very successful in hindsight.

Sedona: Do you think Kerry Carpenter becomes an above avg MLB OF?
Keith Law: I do not.

JJ: Thoughts on Chaim Bloom?  The fanbase/media in Boston is just about ready to kick him to the curb.  Is he qualified to be the GM for the Red Sox?  It seems to me that a management position in Tampa Bay is a completely different animal than that job title with a team with twice the payroll, like the Red Sox or Yankees.
Keith Law: LOL. Yes, he’s qualified. I really don’t give a rat’s ass what the fanbase thinks and neither should anyone in that organization. I have vague memories of fans and media arguing that the Sox were wrong to move John Valentin to third base for an unproven rookie back in 1997.

The Ghost of Bobby Thigpen: Odds that Oscar Colas is the Sox starting RF next season on Opening Day?
Keith Law: They could always go outside the org, but he’s probably on their roster for a good chunk of next year in some role.

Sedona: There are some older MILB players that are showing 4 or more tools and excelling upper levels in the minors.  Some of them have a solid track record:  Vaun Brown, Matt Gorski, Addison Barger, Matt Mervis, and many more.  Do you see any of these guys will become MLB Stars?  If not, any off the radar older prospects you think that will become stars?
Keith Law: Well, Brown did most of that in A-ball at 24. I’ve seen Gorski (extra OF at best) and Barger (chance for a regular, more likely platoon IF). Mervis is 1B only so I’m not sure what the 4 tools would be.

Henry: I totally agree with your assessment that MLB owners will contract minor league teams if unionization goes through. What can the player’s association do to realistically stop that unintended consequence?
Keith Law: That’s a better question for a labor lawyer.

Nick: Jasson Dominguez has played really well since his promotion to high-a. Is he a possible riser on your next top 100?
Keith Law: He was already on my last top 100, and he’ll be on it again.

Casey: Alec Burleson was called up yesterday…do you think he’ll hit enough to be at least an average regular even with the defensive liabilities?
Keith Law: I’m a bit skeptical on the bat. Had him as more of a mistake hitter/power over hit type. He to be more than that to be a regular with the defensive issues you mentioned.

Kingpin: Do you see Jordan Walker creating more loft in his swing without hurting his contact too much?
Keith Law: Does he need to?

romorr: There are a lot of paths available for DL Hall next year, relief, AAA to continue starting, battling it out in ST, which would you like to see with him?
Keith Law: Start him in triple A unless there’s some real evidence between now and OD that he’s going to throw more strikes. I’m fine with him continuing to develop in the majors, but not if he’s going to walk 4 guys every start.

Jason: What’s up with Kahlil Watson, and can he turn things around and get back to where he was in your offseason ranking (obviously he won’t be there next January/February)?
Keith Law: Only 19, still showing tools, nowhere near as advanced a hitter as scouts thought coming out of HS. He’s been better with contact lately and driving the ball more but without enough results on contact.

Brittney: Safe to say the Cardinals were the winners of the 2020 draft? Any chance we see Hence on your Top 100 this winter?
Keith Law: Yes, and yes.

John: Should Andrew painter start next year with the Phillies?
Keith Law: Absolutely not.

Jason: What’s your honest take on the brewers? Seems like their starting pitching regressed. Is their offense that bad?
Keith Law: The offense was always going to be an issue. Their rotation hasn’t been at full strength most of the year, though.

AW: Have you seen enough from Volpe that he could provide a jolt down the stretch this season or does he still need some refinement in AAA?
Keith Law: I would call him up. I think he’ll rise to the occasion.

Robbie: If Harris and Strider were eligible to be on your prospect list today, would they both be top 5?
Keith Law: They’ve both got a year in the majors. That’s just not an apples to apples comparison.

Jobu: Which app would you recommend for learning a language?  I think you were using one to learning Welsh or Italian.
Keith Law: I used Duolingo and completed the Welsh course in it, but they recently changed the app to a very narrow, prescribed approach that stops you from learning at your own pace. I’m hoping they revert, given the negative feedback online, but the CEO/founder made some deeply paternalistic comments that make me think he’s dug in his heels.

Jimmy P: I’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop on Elly ever since he joined High-A. A guy with his plate approach can’t sustain *this* in the majors, can he?
Keith Law: Maybe he can improve his approach? Really young and really talented.

Jeremy: Any thoughts on Tyler Soderstrom? He’s having a heck of a season with the bat but didn’t make your updated top prospects list – I know you’ve had an issue with his lack of a true position, is that what is keeping him off the list? Any other concerns?
Keith Law: That’s his #1 issue, yes.

Blaze Blaskovich: Ryne Nelson looked pretty nice – is that a fluke or does he have some mid rotation potential long term?
Keith Law: I’m in. Maybe an above-average starter.

Lark11: Have you heard any updates on Daniel Espino? Seems incredible that he’s going to miss the vast majority of the season with knee tendonitis and shoulder soreness. Any word on the severity of either? On when he’ll get back to throwing pitches in anger? Thanks!
Keith Law: I don’t think we see him till 2023.

romorr: Joey Ortiz has turned it around in a big way since July. And even his first week in AAA has impressed. Would you say his defense is better than Mateo this year? Shot to start out of ST?
Keith Law: Maybe not a better defender than Mateo but a much better overall player, and should be their OD shortstop next year.

jordan: in retrospect, should the white sox not have constructed their roster entirely with DHs and mediocre relief arms?
Keith Law: Perhaps not the ideal plan.

Guest: Keith is it true that rookie of the year has draft rewards and that’s why Dbacks and Orieloes may sit Carroll Gunner down the stretch some?
Keith Law: True, yes. Will they sit those guys? I don’t think either can lose eligibility even if they play every day.

Bill: Who would be a good fit for the Tigers’ GM position?
Keith Law: I’ve seen a bunch of good names and some extremely unimaginative ones. Josh Byrnes has been GM twice and succeeded in neither place. For him to get a third shot while qualified candidates, especially POC candidates, like Dana Brown, Jason McLeod, Billy Owens, Carlos Rodriguez, and others get passed over would be a giant fucking embarrassment for the Tigers and MLB.

Billiam: Endy Rodriguez any good?
Keith Law: Really good.

Josh: Strider or Harris for NL ROY?
Keith Law: I have an NL ROY ballot so I can’t answer.

romorr: Is Aberdeens park that bad for HR? Norby, and Cowser both put on a power display in Bowie. Norby especially has shown a little more than previously thought.
Keith Law: Other way around – Bowie is a very good HR park.

Lark11: Any thoughts on Reds shortstop Jose Barrero? It seemed like he things figured out at triple-A in 2021, then he fractures his hamate bone and now all he does is strikeout. Injury-related? Or, something less fixable? Thanks!
Keith Law: Hamate injuries can sap your wrist strength for a year. I’d wait and see.

Aaron C.: Tyler Soderstrom’s 2022 OBP is .319 between high A and AA. Why can’t us A’s fans have nice things?
Keith Law: If he were a catcher, it wouldn’t matter that much. But now, I don’t know what you have in him.

Adam: The Padres are currently still limping their way into the playoffs despite having Bob Melvin and a $200 mil roster. Can this be summed up with “baseball is hard” or is there an underlying cause to the struggles of AJ Preller’s rosters these last few years?
Keith Law: I mean, they have arguably the best player in the NL on their roster and he’s going to have 0 PA for them this year.

CVD: James Wood is a top ____ prospect going in to next season?
Keith Law: He was on my midseason top 50.

Lark11: Broad question, but what do you think of MLB’s recent trend of bringing all baseball-business in under the banner of MLB? I’m thinking of the minor leagues and of Topps. Is it good to acquire such business or better to have independent businesses growing your game for you? Also, is it a shady tactic to basically withhold licensing from Topps (who depends heavily on MLB cards) and then snatch it up for yourself? Or, is that standard business practice? Thanks!
Keith Law: Vertical integration is a mixed bag. In this case, MLB owning the minors might be better for player development, but worse for minor league fans, and maybe it’s just worse period if MLB owners persist in thinking of the minors as a cost center rather than an investment.
Keith Law: I have no idea about cards/licensing.

Pat: Thoughts on democrats’ strategy of helping extremist GOP candidates win their primaries?
Keith Law: It makes me nervous.

Alan: Last year you named Kyle Manzardo the sleeper of the Rays’ draft, which looks like a pretty good call. What do you expect from him — is a starting 1B/DH for a contender?
Keith Law: Starting 1B/DH for someone.

Paul: Hey Keith, I gotta ask you about Spencer Strider. He’s a very fun player to watch and interesting guy to root for. What do you make of his future? Does he need a 3rd pitch? Or is he just funky enough to where this current version of him can succeed for a while?
Keith Law: He gets LHB out right now, despite the lack of a third pitch. Every once in a very blue moon, you get a guy like this. I believe Bartolo Colon was this kind of pitcher when young – he could go through a lineup throwing mostly 4- and 2-seamers. But it’s rare, and one-year platoon splits are volatile enough that I’d like to see Strider do it over another season before buying into the argument that he can be an ace as a 2-pitch guy.

John: How does it effect your process when you see that two of the guys you were way low on (Goldy and Riley) are two of the better hitters in MLB?
Keith Law: Riley revamped his whole approach. Goldschmidt I just missed on, lacking enough looks and frankly overweighting input from scouts who, in hindsight, were disinclined to rate a player like him very highly. Two totally different cases – everything I said on Riley was accurate until he went out and addressed the clear holes in his approach, which is remarkable.

Jake: Does Trump get indicted before midterms, after, or not at all?
Keith Law: My guess, knowing basically nothing, is not at all.

Mike: Thoughts on the Guardians shortstop situation in the coming years? Rosario has been solid the past two years so is it worth keeping him or do you guy with Rocchio?
Keith Law: I think Rocchio’s a star. If Rosario doesn’t take a step forward with the bat next year, you just move him aside. He’s had a solid season but Rocchio will be better.

Michael: So the Cubs had a player debut the other day who did great. Looked him up and he’s a right wing nut. Is that just part of being a fan of a baseball team? On the one hand he’s a 20 something who’s probably not been exposed to alternative viewpoints. On the other hand yuck
Keith Law: For me, it would depend on his views. If he’s openly homophobic or transphobic or racist, I couldn’t root for him under any circumstances.

Jason: Re: John and the Queen of England, obviously the break in 1776 was a pretty big deal (and 1812, and supporting the Confederacy), but taking a broader view, we have a lot of shared history. We grew out of the British Empire, maintained their common-law legal system, have identified the “Special Relationship,” etc.
Keith Law: They have long been our greatest ally, and we have mostly been theirs.

Nick: Do you think Oswaldo Cabrera can hit enough at the mlb level to be a regular or is he more of a really good defensive utility player?
Keith Law: Utility guy.

Tim: Do you think Justin Steele could have a Jon Lester like career or is that asking too much?
Keith Law: I don’t see it. More like a fifth starter, of which the Cubs have a lot.

James: Will you be out at Arizona Fall League ? Hopefully rosters get announced any day
Keith Law: Yes, haven’t missed it since 2005.

Chris: Will Ceddanne Rafaela’s K rate keep him from becoming an MLB regular?
Keith Law: His K rate is fine. 20% or so.

Jon: How did teaching at Lincoln go? Are you going to do that again?
Keith Law: One of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. They invited me back but it was so much work and I needed to dedicate time to some other things, so I said no.

canada: Joey Meneses– real deal everyday player for the next few years, or just a flukey feelgood story that the Nats fans sorely need?
Keith Law: Flukey feel-good story.

Aaron: Last year you put Austin Riley’s WAR O/U at 5.5 and he currently sits at 5.4 on Fangraphs…

Has your projection of Spencer Strider at all changed based on what you’ve seen? I know it’s still a small sample but…..mighty impressive stuff so far.
Keith Law: Yes, for sure. The fastball is elite.

Heather: Huge difference between the Queen of England and the Bishop of Rome, as far as eighty million Americans are concerned.
Keith Law: We are not a Catholic nation. We were founded as a secular one.

PJ: Any thoughts on Wesneski’s debut for the Cubs?  I know it was against the Reds, but I’ve never seen a crowd as electric as that for two bottom-rung teams as they were watching Wesneski dominate that lineup
Keith Law: I think he’s sneaky good. Maybe just a reliever in the end but I’d start him first.

Guest: Thoughts on David Calabrese? You had him ranked fairly high in advance of the 2020 draft but then covid seemingly has impacted his development not unlike a lot of prospects from that draft.  He seems to be improving as of late.
Keith Law: He also got with a private hitting coach in the last year or so who screwed him up, but reverted back to his old swing in mid-July and you can see the results now. Probably shaking off a lot of rust too, since he’s Canadian and was stuck home during the pandemic.

Jeffrey: Why is Rougned Odor occupying a starting spot?  Anything besides “veteran presents”?
Keith Law: I have absolutely no idea.

David: Keith, re: Bloom. I think the biggest issue the fanbase has is that Bloom is the face of an organization that seems to be low-balling Devers, and after trading away Betts, losing Devers would cause a huge disconnect with fans. Think that’s a realistic possibility?
Keith Law: Yeah, but that’s not Bloom’s call, is it? That sounds entirely like ownership.

James: Who have you heard looks the best of all the new drafted guys so far in milb ? Small-ish sample
Keith Law: Very small sample and a lot of 21-year-olds mashing in low A, which they should do out of D1 schools.

Kevin: I think stealing classified nuclear documents and probably selling them off to Russia and saudi Arabia is more unamerican than caring about the queen.
Keith Law: As is defending the guy who did it.

Codey: do you think a team like az will trade some of these young outfielders? Carrol, Thomas, Varsho, McCarthy, Garrett seems like a lot
Keith Law: Carroll is a star and the guy you build around. Garrett is a great story but he’s the most expendable of the group. Thomas might be the best guy to trade because he could play CF for someone, just not for Arizona.

Tom: Any concern over Kiebert Ruiz’s meh offensive season?
Keith Law: No, and also I see a huge contact rate that I believe will turn into much more production next year.

Harris: How do you feel
Keith Law: to treat you like I do?

Codey: Has Brandon Pfafft of Dbacks farm raised his stock in your eyes?
Keith Law: No, he was already on my top 100 last winter.

Harris: How do you feel about the Harris extension?  I think it broke while you were on vacation.
Keith Law: Likely to pay off for the team, great for the player, more risk for the team than I think the general reaction would indicate.

Guest: Any notable 2022 draft debuts yet? Spencer Jones is performing really well in Tampa but he should be dominating in Low-A right?
Keith Law: Exactly. Rushing too. Props to Baltimore for pushing Dylan Beavers to high A, even just for two weeks.

Tim: Besides an injury is there anyway Andrew Painter’s not a top half of the rotation guy?
Keith Law: Sure, but I would not take that bet. I think he’s at least an above-average starter.

Aaron C.: The Oakland A’s have the worst OBP in MLB and have sacrifice bunted the third most times. Is intentionally giving up outs (on top of all the outs you’re ALREADY making) the new market inefficiency?
Keith Law: Imagine if I’d told you in 2004 that the 2022 A’s would be third in the AL in sac bunts. You would have asked me if Billy Beane was dead.

Jesse: Should Mets have known sproat wouldn’t sign? What exactly is going on there with him?
Keith Law: Why would they have known? My understanding is that the number he asked for after the draft differed from what he asked for before the draft. I have heard that he did something similar with Texas in 2019. At some point, you have to just accept that this is how the industry values you.

Robbie: This time next year – who will be the #1 prospect in baseball
Keith Law: Right now I’d guess Chourio.

Leites: Hi Keith!  Who would you rather have at this point – Bo Naylor or Ivan Herrera?  Which do you think has a better shot at becoming an average or above average MLB hitter?
Keith Law: I was a big Naylor guy in the draft, just sort of threw my hands up with his miserable 2021. Couldn’t be happier to see him develop into the player I thought he’d be. Athletic, quick-twitch, with feel to hit and more power at his age than I anticipated.

Jake: Any thoughts on Nick Yorke? Can you chalk this year up to injuries or are there deeper issues from what you’ve seen/heard?
Keith Law: Not giving up on him but he does highlight the risk of players whose value is entirely in their hit tool. He’s looked more like a regular this year than an above-average or better one.

Nick: Is Spencer Jones a top 100 candidate? He’s had a pretty hot start to his career and apparently the exit velo number are off the charts.
Keith Law: My top 100 is most definitely not a ranking of exit velos.

Tre: If you were running the Orioles, who would you target this offseason?
Keith Law: Every starting pitcher with a pulse.

Dave: Have you read anything else by Emily St. John Mandel besides Station Eleven?  I have The Glass Hotel and Sea of Tranquility on my shelf; was curious if you’d cracked either open.
Keith Law: Glass Hotel is beautifully written but Mandel didn’t stick the landing.

ZIrinsky: Would you sign Judge to a long-term (8+ years) contract or reallocate that money under the assumption that he’s probably already played his best baseball?
Keith Law: Unfortunately, the latter. His age, body, injury history point to an 8-year deal ending very poorly. Love the player, would try to go for a market-topping 4-5 year deal.

Codey: Do you believe the DBacks trade Gallen this off season? Also the cardinals trading him in the Ozuna trade feels like one of most lopsided in years yeah?
Keith Law: Yikes, I wouldn’t counsel that – he’s your ace next year, Kelly and Nelson behind him, hopefully Pfaadt gets there, try to get to 85 wins.

Leites: Who do think is a better bet at this point to develop a workable hit tool – Josh Lowe or Jarred Kelenic?
Keith Law: Not giving up on either player, although I wonder if Kelenic is just way too hard on himself, and might be better off in another place where he’s not dealing with the same expectations. I rarely say that about players but he looks like a different guy in the majors.

Tommy: What is Garrett Whitlock, long term?  A starter?  A closer?  A multi-inning reliever?  I suppose it’s OK that I’m not sure what he is, but I get the feeling the Red Sox aren’t sure, either.
Keith Law: Multi-inning reliever works for me. Don’t think he’s a starter.

Adam: If Busch stadium is not selling a confection called the Noot Bar, I will be severely disappointed.
Keith Law: It’s just Noot very good!

Zach: I recall you weren’t too high on Nick Lodolo when he came up, but he’s had an impressive rookie season despite another dumpster fire of a year from the Reds. Any change in his outlook from your perspective? Thanks.
Keith Law: He hasn’t, though – he’s been on the IL yet again, and has a huge platoon split, as predicted.

James: Have you heard anything about GCU shortstop Jacob Wilson for the 2023 draft ?
Keith Law: Saw him and wrote a little about him in March. Potential first-rounder, more like a clear day-one guy.

JL: I can’t recall if you’ve stated here or elsewhere before your stance on some of the new CBA items. But what is your stance on the shift being banned and pitch clocks?I vaguely remember  Would you consider a piece before next year on the various new rules?
Keith Law: Don’t like banning the shift. That’s just stupid. The pitch clocks in the minors have been a huge help for game times, though.

Sean: With Griffin McGarry at LHV as reliever do you forsee him being the first to see Philly out him Painter and Abel with Painter having the largest upside?
Keith Law: Yes. Even money they call McGarry up as a reliever this month.

addoeh: What would your entrance song from the bullpen be?  Think I’d go with Pink Floyd’s One of These Days.
Keith Law: Butthole Surfers’ “Who Was in My Room Last Night?” Tell me that guitar riff wouldn’t get the crowd going.

James: Keith what ever happened with Scott Kingery ?? He looked promising as a prospect and I know you liked him – just get a bag of money and stop caring ?
Keith Law: Jeez, that’s an uncharitable assumption. They messed with his swing. He’s never recovered from it.

Jason: Can Matt Brash be an effective starter?
Keith Law: I don’t believe so.

Tom: What do you think Pfaadt’s ceiling is? He’s been mowing ’em down in Reno
Keith Law: More like a solid-average starter, less ceiling than Nelson/Jameson but very predictable.

Chris: I always struggle looking at players with big AA/AAA stats who never show up on prospect lists. What are typically the flaws in those players that you notice? Example- Andres Chaparro. 23 with a 922 OPS at AA. Not on NYY top 30. Is he a non-prospect?
Keith Law: He’s not a prospect. I’ve seen him a bunch. Bad body guy and power over hit. OPS isn’t a great stat for evaluating players but especially not prospects.

addoeh: Nico Hoerner.  About what you expected at SS or a bit better?
Keith Law: Much better defensively than I expected. Will be curious to see if that holds up.

Lark11: If you were starting a baseball team and had the power to pick the position at which your best/star/leader player would play, what position would you pick? Starting pitcher? Catcher? Shortstop? Somewhere else?
Keith Law: Shortstop.

JC: What is going on with Kyren Paris and his recent ’76 Joe Morgan impersonation? Is he just on a SSS lucky streak or has he tapped into something?
Keith Law: Bit of both. Very young when drafted, like Calabrese. Needed to gain a lot of strength.

romorr: Kyle Bradish has shown flashes this year, but has he shown enough to start in the rotation next year? I’ll throw Kremer in there as well as a bit of a question mark.
Keith Law: Kremer can start, Bradish is a reliever for me with that delivery.

Mike: Do you think KeBryan Hayes can revamp his swing?  Seems to hit the ball hard when he makes contact, but mostly on the ground.
Keith Law: I think he could, and he’d be a 20-25 homer guy if he did.

JL: Pardon the ignorant question, but could you explain why a changeup is more affective to a batter of opposite handedness?
Keith Law: If you’re a RHP, your breaking pitches will break in to lefties, and thus right into their bat paths. If you leave those pitches up at all, even if they’d be good strikes against RHB, lefties can and should hit them. Without a change/split, opposing-side batters just have to decide “fastball or breaking ball,” and if they get that right, they have a great chance to make contact.
Keith Law: I’m a strong advocate of the splitter for any pitcher who can’t figure out a good CH, which can be an issue for guys who throw everything hard.

stixx23: There’s another Yankees single-season record in jeopardy this year. Cole is only 30K behind Guidry’s 248 in 1978. Do you find this list as strange as I did? Eight different pitchers (it was nine before last night) on the list as opposed to one dominating.
Keith Law: That Guidry year was something else, too. I wish I remembered it – I was five, probably saw a bunch of his starts but at that age would have had no real concept.

stixx23: Sorry, didn’t know return key would send message. Here’s the Yankees top 10 K in a season list:
1.Ron Guidry•1978 248
2.Gerrit Cole•2021 243
3.Jack Chesbro•1904 239
4.CC Sabathia•2011 230
Luis Severino•2017 230
6.David Cone•1997 222
7.Luis Severino•2018 220
8.Gerrit Cole•2022 218
Melido Perez•1992 218
10.Al Downing•1964 217
Keith Law: MELIDO PEREZ?

Ben: If Judge passes 61 dingers, do you consider him the “rightful” single season HR leader?
Keith Law: No, because I live in the real world.

Harrisburg Hal: when playing a new game, do you start with written instructions or online videos?
Keith Law: Depends on the game & its complexity level. Online videos can be great.

Punk in Drublic: Little off topic but do you have a link to a page where you have recommendations for different kitchen items (cutlery, sous vide, cast iron pan, etc). Just bought a home and need to outfit my 1st decent kitchen.
Keith Law: Yep, last time I updated it was 2019 but it all still holds: https://klaw.me/2DB4rf5

Jason S: A lot of teams are going to regret drafting Cam Collier, agree?
Keith Law: Not drafting him – yes, I think they are going to regret it.

Nick: So no? I mean exit velo is  predictive of success at the major league level. Teams use it in the minors for a reason. Seems pompous to dismiss it.
Keith Law: In isolation, it doesn’t tell us a whole lot, no, and that is all you offered. I mean, ONeil Cruz hits the ball as hard as anyone, ever, and he’s struggling at the moment. As for “teams use it in the minors,” they track it, but they do not “use it” as the sole measure of a player.

Ken: Why is there still a Royal family in 2022?
Keith Law: Cause tourists are money.

JT: Corbin Carroll’s swing (shut off stance) and body type (midget/anorexic) look exactly like Mike Fontenot’s. How can be possibly be a #1 overall prospect
Keith Law: I debated not posting this, but I wanted to tell you how incredibly offensive your language is. Grow up.

Walt: Way early to think about the 2023 Draft I’m sure, but do you have any early thoughts on the chances Chase Dollander going 1-1?
Keith Law: I’ll take the field right now.
Keith Law: There is no clear 1-1 candidate for next year, not right now.

Lark11: Regarding Elly De La Cruz, how exactly do you go about developing a “plate approach” when the player has such absurd tools? Do you keep advancing him until he *has* to get a better approach to succeed? Do you instruct him to take until he gets to a certain count? Do you teach him how to look for certain pitchers in certain counts? How do you develop/improve a plate approach with a sublimely gifted athlete?
Keith Law: Yes – you push him. He’s going to outathlete his level for a while. Make him struggle and hope he’s up to the challenge, mentally and intellectually.

James: Did you see Bill Simmons had your book Smart Baseball on his shelf behind him in recent tik tok ?
Keith Law: I didn’t but that’s great to hear.

Bo: Will KC ever move on from Sal Perez, and give the Catching job to MJ Melendez
Keith Law: They need to, yes.

Nick: I didn’t say exit velo would be the only reason. I said is he in consideration for the top 100 considering he’s off to a hot start and the exit velo has been good. As a first round pick I thought it was a legitimate question. Most top prospects coming up now have elite exit velo numbers.
Keith Law: He shouldn’t have been a first round pick, and you’re affirming the consequent here: Most top prospects coming up have elite exit velo numbers, but that doesn’t mean that most players with elite exit velo numbers are top prospects.
Keith Law: Jones has big power. He’s 6’7″ with a below-average approach and the history of position players his size is not good at all.

James: Do you still play Catan ?
Keith Law: Almost never. Too long, requires 3 players minimum, lots of other games I prefer.

JR: Does an author’s public views ever sour your perception of their body of work, and make you refuse to read their future work, even if it’s enjoyable? I’m currently reading the new Cormoran Strike book because I’m a fan of the series, but feel a little guilty about it.
Keith Law: Yes, in some cases. I would have a hard time reading her new work, at least.

Guest: Carson Whisenhunt looks like an absolute steal for the Giants. Do you think we could see him in SF in 2023?
Keith Law: 2024 is much more likely. I agree that pick was great value.
Keith Law: That’s all for this week – thanks for joining me and for your patience while I was on vacation etc. during August. Scouting blog & several new columns coming soon! Stay safe and go get that booster.