JotCast | Eric Longenhagen Prospects Chat

Eric Longenhagen Prospects Chat

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Eric A Longenhagen

1:03

Hey everyone, chatting today in lieu of Cameron. I just got back to A from the Area Code games so if you've got questions about prep kids for 2017 Draft I've got answers. Of course, all questions are welcome. Let's begin...

Mike

1:03

Any 1-1 candidates you saw at Area Codes?

Eric A Longenhagen

1:04

If Hunter Greene's slider keeps improving then he has a shot. Was up to 98 with movement, threw strikes, huge, athletic kid.

I love Jo Adell (and we'll talk about him here, too because I see some questions) but probably not enough there for 1-1.

Logan

1:04

Thoughts on Hunter Greene the RHP vs Hunter Greene the SS? Most seem to like him as a RHP first, but would he also be a first round talent at SS?

Eric A Longenhagen

1:05

I like the arm. The kid's actions are good enough for SS (he started a dandy 6-4-3 with Nick Allen on Monday) but I don't buy into the range. He's consistently been 4.5+ down the line for me this summer and that just ins't enough.

1:06

Now if you wanna move him to 3B, fine, he has the power for that, but he missed several hittable pitches at ACs this weekend so I'm not sure how I'd grade the bat just yet.

He'd be a good prospect as a position player, but I'd rather have 95+ with control and athleticism.

Max

1:06

I know they haven't done much in the AC games, but if you had to pick one AZ SS, would it be Hauver, Holmes or Swift?

Eric A Longenhagen

1:07

Bat: Hauver. Kid's barrel is lightning quick into the zone and has feel for all fields contact but he's probably not a SS.
Glove: Swift. Actions, range, arm (future 7 for me) are all there, just needs to polish up his hands.

1:08

That's Trevor Hauver and Drew Swift, btw. Two Arizona prep kids. It's a much better year for the Four Corners than last.

Gordon Cole

1:08

Hey Eric, I'm a big fan of your writing and your appearances on Fangraphs Audio! I am wondering what it is about a young pitcher's arm action/speed that make it likely he will develop a useful change-up, even if his change-up is below-average currently.

Eric A Longenhagen

1:09

I like dudes with quick arms, shorter arm actions. Those guys hide the ball better.

Q-Ball

1:09

If you wanted to see the most prospects possible, where in the country would be the best place to live? Florida? Or maybe Arizona?

Eric A Longenhagen

1:10

I've thought a lot about this because of what I'm hoping to do for a living for a long time. I'd rank them like this:
1. Phoenix Metro Area
2. Raleigh/Durham/CH Area
3. Florida

1:11

And I think SoCal and Eastern PA round out the top 5. You can get to an absurd number of different affiliates within 2 hours from Eastern PA, like 7 or 8 different levels of the minors.

Miguel Sano

1:11

Sporer compared me to a peak Jack Cust and said that was my best-case comp. Do you agree?

Eric A Longenhagen

1:12

Cust was a prospects when I was in 5th or 6th grade so I have no idea.

Lewis Brinson

1:12

Did my prospect shine come back after my great performances after being traded? Wasn't too long back that I was regarded to be better than Mazara and now he is the bee's knees?

Eric A Longenhagen

1:12

It never left. Not for me anyway. A week and a half of performance a prospect does not make.

John

1:13

Is DJ Peterson going to be a regular MLBer soon? Seems to have shook off his 1-year hiatus in 2015 from being an actual prospect...

Eric A Longenhagen

1:13

Nor does a month of hitting in the PCL

Guest

1:13

Amed Rosario has 3 Hrs this year. Is a 10hr guy in the majors?

Eric A Longenhagen

1:14

I think so. Certainly has more raw power than that, might take a little bit but I think it gets there.

Jeet

1:14

Any chance de Leon is better than Tyler Glasnow? Glasnow's control issues really worry me

Eric A Longenhagen

1:15

There's a chance, yes, but I've always been less optimistic about Glasnow's strike throwing ability than others. His stuff is incredible, but my scouting xenophobia was triggered when I body comp'd Glasnow to a pterodactyl.

da yung vis

1:15

Mateo or Gleybar Torres?

Eric A Longenhagen

1:15

Torres

Josh

1:15

Your take on Hunter Renfroe? See an all-star, or a 4th OF'er? Thanks!

Eric A Longenhagen

1:16

Am I forced to choose between one of those two extremes? I think there's easy 6 raw power that will be undermined by a lot of swing and miss. Plays everyday for me, just not a middle of the order beast.

Chad Kuhl

1:16

Can I be a starter in the bigs?

Eric A Longenhagen

1:17

You probably need to add an ingredient or two but Ray Searage is doing the cooking so I think it's possible.

Patrick

1:17

Is Andrew Benintendi's upside higher than the average regular that he was projected as pre-draft? Or is his low risk profile the reason for his prospect pedigree?

Eric A Longenhagen

1:17

I think he's going to be better than that. 40+ doubles annually. He's very good.

1:18

Pre-draft reports weren't hyperbolic because the industry had a shorter history scouting him than is usual. Was a draft eligible soph.

Toki

1:18

What's the book on catching prospect Francisco Meija? Any idea what a typical slash would be for a season?

Eric A Longenhagen

1:19

Incredible athlete for C, very explosive. Swing has some violence and I think he'll swing and miss at upper levels, 7 arm, should be a great all around defender. Cleveland fans should be pleased they didn't part with him. Higher risk, but I think he has more upside than Frazier.

Miketron

1:19

So I hear you are from Catty. You guys suck!

Eric A Longenhagen

1:20

Indeed I am. And I'm pretty sure I can deduce your township of origin based on your almost exclusive use of monosyllabic words.

1:21

(winks and smiles)

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