Klawchat 4/24/25.

Starting at 2 pm ET. I’ve got scouting notebooks up this week on Mets & Orioles prospects and on three of the top HS prospects in this draft class for subscribers to the Athletic. And tomorrow I’ve got an update of my top 50 pizzerias in the U.S. coming here on the dish.

Keith Law: Years gone by, I’d say we’ve kicked some ass. Klawchat.

Aaron C.: Is there a food or cuisine that you’ve made a good faith effort to like, ordered different items or prepared different ways and damn it, it’s just not for you.
Keith Law: Lao & northern Thai cuisine. There’s something about the spices those cuisines use, particularly in seasoning meat, that comes across as very bitter to my palate. I’ve just stopped trying to make myself like it – it’s not for me, and that’s probably my loss in the end.

JJ: PCA playing like a future MVP. What’s a fair contract to get him locked up?
Keith Law: How many future MVPs have 37% chase rates? Dude’s had a good week and a half. He was just as bad the week and a half before that.

Richard: Just saw that the 2025 Hugo finalists are out, and you have read the Kingfisher entry. Have you read any others worth recommending?
Keith Law: Haven’t read any of the others yet. I did really enjoy Kelly Link’s The Book of Love (review coming next week), which was nominated for the Nebula.

Richard: The Astros are talking about Cam Smith playing Centerfield now.  Right field felt like a stretch, but Center seems nuts, right?
Keith Law: I think it’s especially nuts to ask him to learn an even tougher position than his natural one (3b) in the majors. It speaks to the lack of a plan for the player. He’s your best prospect; stop treating him like he’s roster fodder.

John O: Ty Floyd is 4 months shy of 24 and pitching in A. Considering that and no proven pitch beyond his fastball, what should expectations be moving forward…2027+ relief role? found money for any role?
Keith Law: That’s awfully quick for a guy who has made all of four starts since he was drafted. He missed 2024 after shoulder surgery; the fastball appears to be back and he has a functional (but no more than average) changeup. The slider sucks right now, and that’s a real concern, but he’s pitched so little that I doubt anyone has even considered tinkering with his pitch mix.

Aaron C.: Should I be more excited for Nick Kurtz’s debut or terrified that my A’s – already the worst defensive team in baseball! – are accommodating Kurtz by playing Tyler Soderstrom in LF and, like last night, are bringing in SETH BROWN as a defensive replacement?
Keith Law: Yeah I’m thrilled to see Kurtz up, even though he wasn’t great in AAA. There had to be a better way to do that than to put Soderstrom in the outfield, no?

PhillyJake: Off topic, but something I’m wondering about: Do you prefer ops+ or wRC+ ? Both are used by writers in the context of a person with a score of 110 is 10 percent better than average. I know of you’re not liking OPS in general as it takes two distinct stats are treats them equally when they shouldn’t be.  I don’t know enough about wRC that I should probably read more about it.
Keith Law: wRC+. I believe the stat on which it is based is much more accurate.

Andy: Do UCLA and USC still have prestige when it comes to college baseball, or did the move to the Big 10 basically kill any stature that they had?
Keith Law: USC lost its stature a while ago; they’ve been bad for more than a decade. Both schools are now getting beat in their own backyard by SEC and ACC schools. That’s really where it all starts – they have to recruit better, and if that means they need more NIL money, well, get to it.

foolsgold71: are we overevaluating prospects from certain teams like the Dodgers? players like Diego Cartaya and Bobby Miller have been a major disappointment
Keith Law: Cartaya has a serious back problem – chronic for sure, possibly degenerative? Throw that one out the window.

Andy: How is NIL affecting college baseball? Besides obviously giving top talent more reason to do college, is it trickling down to help lower level schools or are there just more kids getting paid to not play for SEC schools?
Keith Law: Right now we’re getting a huge concentration of talent in the SEC/ACC. Tennessee, LSU, Arkansas – these schools are building super-rosters. I don’t think we’ve reached equilibrium, though, because of what you hinted at: it’s often going to be better for real prospects to play somewhere else and get more playing time or a more prominent role than it is to be the Tuesday starter for Clemson.

Andy: Matt Shaw was given almost 20 games, and whilst he didn’t look good, it isn’t like the Cubs seem to be hurting from getting nothing at 3b. With signing retreads or utility guys there, what do they have to lose for him to struggle for a bit until he can figure it out?
Keith Law: No idea why they rushed to demote him. If you’re going to be that quick with the hook, you should never have promoted him in the first place.

Aaron C.: Every year, you write up “guys you got wrong” and thoughtfully explain what you got wrong and why. Who are the dudes who were better/worse than you thought where your explanation is essentially the “shrug” emoji?
Keith Law: Austin Wells catching is one. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t wear pinstripes who foresaw him becoming a passable catcher. Even area scouts who loved him as a kid and as a hitter said there was no way he’d catch. I don’t think he’s very good, but he’s adequate.
Keith Law: If Brett Baty never hits in the majors, he’ll be a wtf guy for me. I don’t have a real explanation there. Big strong guy with a good swing who hit pretty much everywhere. Also kind of shocked at how quickly Dylan Carlson stalled. Another one everyone liked who just … stopped hitting.

Corey: How should the Red Sox handle their imminent roster crunch, how long do they keep Mayer + Anthony in AAA ?  Will a rehab stint be enough to build Yoshida’s value for a trade with no slot for him in Boston ?
Keith Law: Yoshida’s dead weight … a platoon DH? maybe a platoon LF in another park? Tough to see them moving him – at the least, don’t make a promotion for Anthony contingent on moving a bad contract.

Corey: Assuming Alcantara returns to normal, what should Boston’s offer be ?  A package starting with Arias + Cespedes ?  Including a pitcher – Valera or Perales ?
Keith Law: Not my strong suit but gut reaction is that seems like a lot to give up for a guy just back from TJ.

Jay: This is probably a more nuanced answer than should be in a chat, but what are some of the things that some org’s are doing to get their batting prospects to hit their upper end projections more consistently? I’m thinking BOS & BAL and why can’t that be replicated for orgs that struggle with that like PIT & COL despite having years of plus draft grades by you and other publications? I’m thinking about the current struggles and or downright misses for guys like Davis, Veen, Gonzalez, Swaggerty, Romo, Montgomery, Beck, and countless others for my two beleaguered teams (PIT fan living in DEN…). Thanks Keith!
Keith Law: I believe we had a story on Boston’s hitter development, and ESPN did as well, and while I don’t think that’s the ONLY way to develop hitters, it’s instructive in the sense that they are doing things other clubs aren’t. The Dodgers are too. It’s fair to point to Pitt and Colorado and ask why they aren’t doing at least some of the same stuff – particularly when we’re talking about modest expenditures on people and technology.

JJ: Top 100 picks for the upcoming draft — how many will you end up seeing in person before the draft?
Keith Law: I’ll be over 50 … some guys won’t sign in the end, but I’ll have 50+ from my own Big Board, at least. Been a good year.

Eric: Does it make sense for Drake Baldwin to play a few times a week in ATL as opposed to every day in Gwinnett?
Keith Law: I don’t hate it for a catcher. I might for any other position.

PJ: The Cubs have played 26 games, and 23 of them were against teams over .500 (the Pirates have played 6 such games). It’s almost shocking they are 16-10.  How aggressive do you think they should be with Cade Horton?  Put up a 1.07 ERA in April
Keith Law: That’s a health question as much as anything else. Not sure how much they want to manage his innings.

Alek: Cj Kayfus hitting the snot outta the ball once again. No clue why he’s repeating AA. But could he have an offensive impact for Cle 2nd half of this summer?
Keith Law: Maybe … I think he’s going to underperform those numbers against better pitching. Solid hitter, not a star.

Ken: Zebby Matthews looks ready. Why do you think Minnesota hasn’t called him up yet?
Keith Law: Honestly that’s a question for Aaron or Dan. I assumed he’d be in their rotation.

OJ: I know it’s early in the minor league season, but some of Atlanta’s position player prospects who are young and raw/toolsy are starting to hit (Isaiah Drake, Ambioris Tavarez, Nick Montgomery, a few more).  Do you think it’s small sample size, or does ATL have something cooking?
Keith Law: Tiny sample.

Ben (MN): Have you ever heard of players trying to manipulate the data other teams have on them? For example, a hitter known as a patient hitter intentionally swinging at the first pitch in blowout games to appear more aggressive. Do players ever try things like that?
Keith Law: Never heard of that. The one thing I’ve heard is teams overpromoting very young players with sort of middling tools to boost them in models that overweight age relative to level.

James: Brandon Pfadt a GUY?
Keith Law: Yes.

James: Had you gotten into bitcoin investing or anything or do you play safe in index funds or s&p 500?
Keith Law: No bitcoin. My money is all in tulips and South Seas shares.

Chris: Roch Cholowsky a 1-1 candidate?
Keith Law: I don’t think so. first rounder, thought he was one in HS, don’t think he’s in that 1-1 tier right now.
Keith Law: Justin Lebron is the college name I hear most as a 1-1 guy for next year. Bear in mind that that player was Jace Laviolette this time last year, and he may not go in the top 15.

Chris: You’ve mentioned often, most recently in a scouting notebook, how changes to the Minor Leagues have made developing raw HS players incredibly difficult. Clearly the decision to ditch short-season ball was because of $, but I have no idea why the Complex season now starts earlier. It’s all clearly hurting teams’ ability to develop players. Do you think most MLB owners favor these changes just to cut costs, or is all of this because of a vocal minority of owners who only care about the money instead of player development? And, do you see any hope of this changing, post-Manfred?
Keith Law: I think that this is all about cost-cutting and that everything MLB is doing is aimed at cutting the minors further and farming out player development to colleges. Which would be taking the goose that lays the golden eggs and torturing it to death in the most sadistic way you can imagine.

Guest: I’m going to see the Nashville Sounds vs Durham Bulls minor league game this weekend – anybody promising to be on the field maybe?
Keith Law: Sorry, I don’t have the rosters memorized. For questions like this the best resource I can offer is my top 20s for each team – Rays and Brewers.

James: Any change in your opinion on Jacob Wilson? Small sample size but seems to be hitting at all levels – Luis Arraez 2.0?
Keith Law: Not only am I not changing my opinion on any  player after 90 PA, Wilson has one walk in those 90 PA, and he’s making almost no hard contact.

Paul: If you were Rizzo, would you go Ethan Holliday at 1-1 or would you go another route? He seems to be worthy of that pick in this class based on your personal ranking, just wondering if you’d go EH, arm or a lower ranked college bat?
Keith Law: Slot there is $11 million. Pick your final set of players and offer them each $9 million to see who takes it. I wouldn’t give anyone in this draft full slot.

Garrett: The July draft seems like a disservice to teams for many reasons: No short-season affiliates; Complex leagues end a week later; Upcoming trade deadline.

Now that we’re entering year 5 of it, do you have a sense of how organizations view it? I assume it hasn’t been well received.
Keith Law: Baseball people almost unanimously hate it. These are decisions made by business people who do not understand that players are the product. If you ruin player development, you ruin the product.

Taker55: What is your take on which org is best equipped to take this Jack Bauer kid? 102 from a HS LHP seems unfathomable and the upside seems otherworldly.
Keith Law: I don’t think the upside is “otherworldly.” There’s a whole lot to pitching beyond velocity. Bauer had trouble throwing strikes last summer at 90-91.
Keith Law: He is not a first rounder for me.

Colter Bean Fan: First to worst, please rank: Hess, Cunningham, ERC, Schlittler & (healthy) Hampton?
Keith Law: My Yankees top 20 is here.

Taker55: Did you see Sharon Osbourne going after Kneecap for their political comments during Coachella? War Pigs was ok but stay off Margaret Thatcher apparently.
Keith Law: Seeing some of those ’70s and ’80s rock icons go conservative is depressing, but I guess not that shocking. Then again, I didn’t exactly need Paul Stanley’s thoughts on trans rights.

Colter Bean Fan: I know you’re skeptical of S.Jones (so am I, and the lazy Judge comps drive me mad) but put any stock in his setup/stance modification making any difference? Swing looked good couple days ago vs. Hartford.
Keith Law: Still striking out at an untenable rate.

JJ: It amazes me how many baseball players progress from year 1 to 2 (although so far Chourio is not). What do you think of a sophomore of the year award? Recognizes how hard the game can be. Curious how many ROY’s in the last 10 would win it.
Keith Law: Just not a fan of making more awards. There’s a push for a Reliever of the Year award now. Meh.

Chip: If you could go back in time to say the 70s or 80s with the in game strategies of today but the same rosters, would you have such an advantage that you’d be hard to beat? Or would you just be Earl Weaver 2.0?
Keith Law: Doubt I could do better than Earl did.

Casey: Are you psyched for the new black maps album to drop soonish? Dunno exactly when, but hopefully in May.
Keith Law: I forgot they existed. Will keep an eye out for it.

Colter Bean Fan: Lombard Jr. love his swing. Do you see a Correa comp — just in terms of swing mechs? *NOT re: overall prospect status as CC was obv. an absolute stud coming out of HS where Lombard is not near his level)
Keith Law: I can’t say I’ve seen a similarity there.

James: Ethan Salas’ glove is so advanced for his age but do you think that SD is hurting his long term hitting development by being so aggressive with his assignments/promotions or do you think it’s not a big deal in the end?
Keith Law: He shouldn’t be in AA. He’s not ready.

Dan: Has Spencer Torkelson shown enough change this year, to show that he is a ML starting caliber First Baseman? Or is this just a hot start to a season?
Keith Law: Anything is just a hot/cold start at this point. I know people love to claim that certain stats “stabilize” by X at bats … because they don’t understand how stats work. Really. It’s like hearing Trump voters talk about tariff policy.

BK: Does Garrett Mitchell have too much swing and miss to ever be a consistent hitter?
Keith Law: I worry he does.

BK: Thoughts on Augustin Ramirez hit tool. Will he stay at catcher?
Keith Law: Can hit. Not a catcher. Worse than Wells ever was.

BK: Thanks for your monthly music lists – you have helped me discover a lot of new music. What are your thoughts on the band Almost Monday?
Keith Law: Don’t know them. Are they better than ‘Til Tuesday?

Sam: What’s the most random/unexpected great meal you’ve ever had?
Keith Law: What a great question. I remember one in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, where it was basically a little family restaurant and I had the best fried rice dish I’ve ever had in my life – and it was several meals’ worth for a few dollars. I had a stuffed Egyptian flatbread (very much like naan) at a counter-service spot in Monaco, of all places, that was out of this world. Maybe a decade ago I went to this tiny restaurant in Stanton, VA, that some newspaper (the Washington Post, maybe?) said was the best restaurant in the country – and it was amazing, even though the place was nothing to look at. I’ve had great szechuan duck in Charlottesville that melted my face off. Even just recently, I had outstanding Neapolitan pizza in Sarasota at Atmosphere.

Mike: Sean Linan has posted some wild numbers so far, with massive swing and miss in a small sample. What can you tell us about him and what he might turn into?
Keith Law: He had a pretty high whiff rate last year too – it’s a plus changeup, a weird one with high spin (that pitch usually has very low spin), and his slider is probably average. It might be a 45 fastball and he’s pretty maxed out physically. I’d like to see him at a higher level since he’s repeating low A.

Jay: What is your long term projection for MacKenzie Gore? Seems like the control has been better this year. Can he be an ace still or is he more likely a #2 or #3?
Keith Law: As much as I would love to see him become an ace, I worry that the four-seamer is too straight … it got crushed last year, hasn’t so much this year in a small sample but as far as I can tell it’s the same pitch.

Zack: Antwone Kelly has reportedly been touching 100 MPH this year. Is someone with the potential to be a big riser this year, and can he stick as a starter being sub 6-foot (if listed data is right)?
Keith Law: I’m assuming you mean the Pirates prospect … is he really 5’10”? I just pulled up video and he looks bigger than that. Might be out of date. Anyway he hit 99 last year. Good arm all around, might have the mix to start.

James: With NIL has your stance changed on staying in school vs draft?
Keith Law: Not really – still has to do with how advanced and mature you are out of HS, and whether you’re better served in a pro development system or at college.

Matt: Your offseason write-up of Nestor German seemed more exciting than what you wrote a few days ago. Has he lost any luster based off one look that you had?
Keith Law: The arm slot is higher than what I thought I saw on video – a good argument for seeing guys live vs just video scouting. It’s tough to stick as a starter from up there because you can’t work laterally. He does have the pitch mix to start, and he throws strikes, but yes I like him a little less after seeing his Iron Mike act.

JG: Astros fans (at least in the fan groups I’m part of) seem to have it out for Dana Brown.  I think he’s doing the best he can trying to clean up the mess created by the owner and his minions after they fired Click and hired Brown.  What do you think?
Keith Law: I think he’s been put in an impossible spot.

Chris: I know you like to have something tangible to change your opinion on a guy, does Ben Rice adding strength count?
Keith Law: Adding strength counts, but in his case it doesn’t address the actual concerns about his game (swing & decisions).

CVD: Mitchell Parker is leading the NL in WAR, and sporting a 1.39 ERA.   Time to believe??
Keith Law: No.
Keith Law: It’s April 24th. Everything is a small sample right now.

Ben: James Wood- appears to be on his way to stardom.   What changed from him falling into the 2nd round in the 2021 draft?
Keith Law: He had a terrible spring at IMG – striking out at a very high rate, scouts thought he wanted to go to school – and since he got into pro ball he’s worked really hard at controlling his large strike zone. It’s a lot to ask any player but he’s so athletic he might be able to pull it off even at 6’7″.

Craig: Are Xavier Neyens and Mason Pike (WA high school prospects) first rounders this year?
Keith Law: Maybe and no.

Jimmy: going to be in Chattanooga over the weekend should we pick the game that Chase Burns is going to start?
Keith Law: Absolutely.

Jay: Could Espino still make it  for CLE or has he lost too much development time to injury the past 2+ years?
Keith Law: I’ll be surprised if he ever pitches again. It’s been three years since his last game.

Matt: After the Cam Smith-to-CF announcement, I happened to check his Statcast page and was shocked by the 95th percentile Sprint Speed (which I imagine is part of this CF decision?)! I don’t remember seeing plus speed as a tool for him in anyone’s scouting reports, so I guess I’m wondering where this came from? Of all the tools, that seems like the one that would’ve been easiest to notice!
Keith Law: Sprint speed <> run tool. It’s a snapshot over a very small distance, and that’s not really what speed is – you can have a very high sprint speed but be closer to average over 90 feet.

Brian: Does The Athletic have a stick to sports policy? I remember you being more outspoken in the past.
Keith Law: I would suggest you check out my weekly link roundups on Saturdays.

Matt: Obviously the sample is tiny, but Alfredo Duno has thus far drastically cut down his K% and swstr%. If that guy can really keep his K% under 20%, how high is the ceiling there?
Keith Law: I think the bat might be elite. Just do not see that large body sticking at catcher.

Jay: Will the ability to frame/receive diminish with an ABS challenge system? Wouldn’t that help guys like Ramirez stick behind the plate or is the ability to control a run game with success rates near 90% still too much a factor?
Keith Law: Framing will diminish and thank god, what a stupid skill that is. Receiving isn’t about stealing strikes, though. That’s different.

Guest: If you were the president and say, hypothetically speaking, you were in the pocket of a foreign adversary, would you be doing anything differently than the current administration is doing?
Keith Law: Hypothetically, no, this hypothetically looks a lot like the hypothetical situation you described.

Brandon Hyde: What went wrong for the Orioles, and can they fix it this season?
Keith Law: Pitching. They needed to replace or re-sign Burnes, and they didn’t. Now they have a logjam of hitters, some of whom are losing trade value, and not enough starters. Joe Sheehan wrote in his newsletter today that it’s the worst rotation in baseball by performance so far. SSS, yes, but also, they didn’t do anything to address it this winter.

JJ: Is Shane Smith a mirage or is it sustainable?
Keith Law: I believe he’s a big-league starter. Might have a mediocre year this year given the jump, but I think he’ll end up a good #5 or even a #4 in time.

Taker55: Do you keep playing Cagliaone at 1st base or do you see what he looks in the outfield?
Keith Law: Outfield.

Andy: It’s NFL draft week and as an aside in one of the draft previews, there a mention that teams monitor the mock drafts. Not necessarily for who they are taking, but for the general level where people are being valued. Does that line up with how baseball people think of mock drafts?
Keith Law: Yes.

JJ: I get we can’t trust SSS in the majors/minors, but does that explain in part why drafting is such a crap shoot since we are mostly judging off of recent performances?
Keith Law: We’re not judging that much off recent performances, though. It’s recent looks, but there’s a lot of consideration to whether a spring performance might be skewed by randomness or bad luck – that’s where Trackman data can really help teams.

Chaim Bloom: Should I buy on Victor Scott II?
Chaim Bloom: Matthew Liberatore looks much better this year. Think he’s finally reach some of the potential or SSS?
Keith Law: I’m all in on Scott. If Liberatore is going to keep a walk rate of 2% all year, yes, great, but you can guess whether I believe that.

Andy: How does it feel that you went to a “Anti-Semitic, Far Left institution,” like *checks notes* Harvard?
Keith Law: I’m so glad Harvard finally decided to fight back. I do not often say I’m proud of my alma mater for anything, but I am right now. “Far left” is fucking hilarious, btw. Wasn’t true when I was there and I don’t believe for a second it’s true now.

Staunton Va: You went to The Shack in Staunton! It did get big media coverage.
Keith Law: that’s it!

LW: How did Mize get his groove back?
Keith Law: More splitters (best pitch in college), improved slider and more of it, cut back on the 4-seam, so he’s giving up a lot less hard contact. This I think is sustainable because it all makes sense together – he’s reduced his use of the pitch that got hit the hardest, he’s amped up the use of his best swing-and-miss pitch, and he improved a third pitch that I actually liked in college but that didn’t play that way in the majors.
Keith Law: The story all fits together.

Joe Nathan: James Tibbs and Cam Smith went 13 & 14th in the draft last year, both played together at Florida State as well. Not even a year later Smith is in the majors, and Tibbs is in high A. On the surface, Tibbs had better numbers than Smith in college last year, so how did we arrive here today? Is there something that the Cubs and/or Astros saw that made Smith the type of player that could be pushed, or is there some other explanation that you are aware of? To me it’s super fun and interesting, and Smith also moved from 3B to RF and looks like he belongs (and maybe will see time in CF now?!?).
Keith Law: It’s a great question – Tibbs could probably be in AA, for what that’s worth, but your point still holds. I don’t think Tibbs is ready for the majors. I didn’t think Smith was either, though!

Thatssotaguchi: Moved family to Italy two years ago under the assumption (gestures vaguely) all of this would be happening. MAGA in-laws are visiting for two weeks in May. How do I not kill them?
Keith Law: Wine?

Colter Bean Fan: Is there a dish you’ve made that sticks out in your mind b/c it seemed a bit of a pain in the arse to make but incredibly good/satisfying upon tasting? Mine would be red beans and rice (soaking the beans 24 hours and then cooking for hours while smashing the means to promote creaminess.. all well worth it)
Keith Law: Tiramisu. Made it once from scratch. Biggest mess I’ve ever made in the kitchen. But it was delicious.

Joe Nathan: No question, just wanted to say thanks for the Shades of Gray recommendation, loved it & Red Side Story. Hopefully it won’t take nearly as long for another sequel!
Keith Law: Pretty sure Fforde said he’s working on the third book already.
Keith Law: His stuff is almost all great, btw. The Constant Rabbit is a one-off that’s funny and a pretty obvious satire; Early Riser is more dramatic than most of his works, still really good; and the first quartet of Thursday Next novels are all awesome.

Frank: What do the Pirates do with Henry Davis?  Seems like he needs extended time in the big leagues to show if he can do it because the bouncing back and forth between AAA where he has had success and the Majors where he has not is not working.
Keith Law: He needs to be in the majors, in the lineup every day. Catch some, DH some, fine, but never the outfield.

Paul: Any concerts coming up?
Keith Law: TBD – just need to get through draft travel.

Patrick: What round do you see Eli Pitts getting picked?
Keith Law: Day two, if signable (I have no idea what anyone wants for $ at this point).

Kelly: What became of former Rays 2-way draft pick, Brandon McKay?   Could he still have a career as a position player?
Keith Law: Blew out, shoulder and elbow. Re-injured the UCL last year. He might be done, unfortunately; he hasn’t had an at bat since 2021.

Paul: Piggybacking on my concert question, I was disappointed with the limited touring of Sam Fender here in the states. It feels like he is someone that should be a lot bigger than he is. But then again I’m middle aged.
Keith Law: I worry we’re going to see fewer dates from any artists not born in the US because of the sudden turn in how we treat anyone coming into the country. I didn’t know until just recently that our Fourth Amendment protection from unlawful searches doesn’t apply within 100 miles of our borders (per a SCOTUS ruling) … not that that’s the biggest priority right now, but a rational Congress should fix that.

Jakob: You vote on awards – can you explain why writers vote on just one award, versus all of them?
Keith Law: It’s two votes per team, so 30 per league for each award.

Brent: I have 4 and 6 year old girls who want to play board games with mom and dad. Do you have any game recs? Candyland hurts my soul, memory match games are blah, and one can only play Yahtzee so many times. Thanks.
Keith Law: Dragomino, Outfoxed, Ticket to Ride First Journey.

Ryan: Miguel Vargas homered today – what ever happened there? Is he still a salvageable big leaguer?
Keith Law: I would like to think so but he stopped hitting the ball hard in the majors.

Jesse B: Luis Peña, Braylon Payne, and Jesus Made similar to the RedSox Big 3 in a few years, what do you think?
Keith Law: I think that Carolina team has an OBP of .420 as an entire roster. You can’t get a better example of the problem of small samples than that.
Keith Law: That’s all for this week – thank you all for reading, as always. I’ll have at least one more scouting notebook up next week, possibly two, depending on some weather & personal commitments. In May I’ll have a top 100 Big Board for the draft and my first mock, probably both around the middle of the month. Take care & be safe out there.