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Eric Longenhagen Prospects Chat
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Eric A Longenhagen
12:02
Howdy, everyone. Let's just dive right in.
Greg
12:02
Do you think Alex Jackson will atleast be a MLB back up type, 4th OFer/3rd catcher type, power off bench?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:04
I think there's enough going on that he has some kind of big league role, yes. And I don't rule him out as a regular just yet. I've probably said this before, but evaluating catcher defense in the AFL is really tough. Guys are ground down from a long season and also suddenly catching an entirely new staff. I've had many scouts warn me of mistakes they've made by weighing AFL looks at catchers too heavily.
Dan
12:04
In curious if you could provide some semi historical context for the relative wave of “meh” reviews we are getting on Maitan. In terms of other top international amateurs, I have to imagine many struggle as 17 year olds, and many have body concerns. Does this feel more noteworthy just because of the “generational talent” hype?  Is this a relatively normal level of struggle?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:08
Sure. Yes, 17-year olds who come here and are asked to rapidly assimilate to our culture (which includes access to a lot of food that isn't good for you which, at age 17, I l consumed frequently) often struggle to do so. And that combined with the difficulty of being a pro baseball player often leads to some unflattering growing pains. So, while I'd rather have scouts telling me he looks amazing, this isn't something to lose sleep over just yet. At least I don't think so.
Hooha
12:08
Who are you most interested to see in Arizona?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:08
Robles, now that he has arrived.
SAL fan
12:08
I know you are no fan of comps, but if Acuña ends up having Adam Jones levels of production, that’s a great outcome, right?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:09
Yes
Josh Nelson
12:09
What are your thoughts about Seby Zavala? Is his offensive profile good? Can he stick as a catcher?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:11
First saw Seby at San Diego St where he was part of one of the more fun college teams I've scouted. His profile has some holes but he has power, arm strength and leadership qualities. I've always thought he would end up being a 2nd or 3rd catcher. Haven't seen him in AFL just yet due to the way catcher playing time gets spread out.
Erix
12:11
Jays fans haven't gotten to see much of TJ Zeuch to get them excited, but the results have been great in Fall League. So, *extremely Seinfeld voice* Whaaaaat's the deal with TJ Zeuch?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:12
I like him. Very loose and repeats well for a guy his size. Stuff is not dominant but sinker 90-94, slider, curveball, changeup with solid average command. I think he could be a #4.
Jack
12:12
Thoughts on Sheldon Neuse? Strikeouts + defense seem like they could be issues, but the bat is impressive
Eric A Longenhagen
12:13
I think he'll be fine at third base (his arm will help mask a lack of great range) and that the combination of power and patience is enough for him to be a regular.
Anthony
12:15
If Justus Sheffield reaches his ceiling,  are we looking at a front end starter or more or a good number 2/3?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:16
More of a 2/3. Mid-90s, plus slider, non-traditional (but still effective) changeup from the left side.
Waltharius
12:16
Who in the padres organization has a potential of cracking the top 100 next year? Are there any power bats outside of Tatis that we the fans should be hopeful for?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:17
Any of the young infielders could get there. Power bats? Ona, Barley and Franmil Reyes have pop but I don't think Reyes is a top 100 candidate.
Bored Lawyer, Esq
12:18
What have you seen from Daniel Johnson and Moutcastle in the AFL. I always though Mounty has too much of a guess fastball approach (a lot of sharp foul balls into third base dugouts). Does Johnson profile as a regular for you?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:19
Johnson has been okay, not as twitchy as he was when I saw him in college but that could just be due to fatigue.  Mountcastle has been fine, not as hitterish as other bat-only infielders from recent years (like Castellanos) but the feel to hit is there. And he has viable arm strength, just a weird arm stroke that impacts throw quality and accuracy.
Tim
12:20
Where would you take this prospect? 5'11" 210 right handed pitcher from cold weather state not much good competition  experience. 93-97 FB, 60 curve, 60 slider, 60 changeup. violent delivery but good athlete.
Eric A Longenhagen
12:21
I'd have to see the delivery but that's a top 5 guy. Four plus pitches right now? Gerrit Cole had three coming out of UCLA.
Ray Liotta as Shoeless Joe
12:21
You've mentioned in past chats that you played MLB Showdown and loved the 2001 sets. I have been revisiting the 2001 set (partial to 2000, personally). What was going on with the 1-8 pop outs for Travis Harper?!
http://www.showdowncards.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=1473...
Eric A Longenhagen
12:22
As weird as the random Doug Glanville OF+3 rating and this Juan Guzman point misprint. http://www.showdowncards.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=683&...
12:23
(A player's point value was essentially his salary and, when building a team, you had a 5000 pt cap. Guzman was basically a #2 starter in the game with a lousy bench player's salary)
Ralph L
12:23
Which player that you've observed in instructs or AFL (not named Acuna) has the best chance at an MLB impact next year?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:24
So far it's Acuna. He's clearly the most dynamic talent in the AFL.
Mac
12:24
Have you ever seen the movie "Trouble with the Curve" and if so what do you think of its depiction of what life is like for a scout?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:25
Yes. Let's just say Summer Catch is the second worst baseball movie Matthew Lillard has been in.
Bobopedia
12:25
Do you think Mitch White is a back end top 100 prospect?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:26
I don't. Was 90-92 for me during instructs and has had multiple injury issues dating back to college. He's a good prospect, but probably a half grade beneath top 100 consideration.
Waltharius
12:26
I heard that 2018 draft will be comparable to 2011 draft with the amount of talent. I know it's early but how many players do you think have a chance to crack the top 100 at this moment?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:29
I think next year's draft is DEEP, like you might get a 2nd round guy in the back of the 3rd round and a 3rd round guy in the 5th. Typically a draft has 6-10 guys who crack the top 100, I think this year might be more like 8-12.
Giants Fan
12:29
Are there any pitchers in the Giants system who you think has a realistic shot at breaking into the Giants Rotation in the future
Eric A Longenhagen
12:32
Haven't seen Beede yet (I heard he tuned up with the Giants instrux group last week as they wrapped) but I think he, Suarez and Gregorio could all be backend rotation guys. Garrett Williams is a sleeper, too. Has great stuff, just didn't pitch much in college because of command issues.
Trixie
12:32
In retrospect, do you think the Padres made a smart move in carrying those three Rule 5 players?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:33
Yeah, I don't think there was much downside to rostering those three. Opportunity cost was probably just extra reps for guys like Asuaje who ended up getting plenty of them anyway.
Dylan
12:33
Bellinger, Judge, and Hoskins all put up historic power displays this year. Obviously it's impossible to predict, but which rookie has the best chance to do something similar in 2018?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:33
Eloy has that kind of power if he gets there. Willie Calhoun and Acuna.
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