JotCast | Klawchat 4/13/17

Klawchat 4/13/17

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Keith Law

2:32

I wasn't great at tying chapters or sections together. I write such short pieces normally - 2000 words is very long for me at ESPN, and on the dish I doubt I've passed 1500 on anything that wasn't a list or ranking - that it felt unnatural for me to write 5000 word chapters and then have to fit them into the larger work in ways that kept it coherent.

Zach

2:32

Where do you rank Pavin Smith in this year's draft? Do you buy that the Twins may be considering him at #1?

Keith Law

2:33

I do not buy that and do not think he's a top 20 talent in the draft. He's a very good hitter and he's a college 1b, among the worst buckets in the history of the draft to take in the first round.

Jason

2:33

Hey Keith- as a veteran who is really familiar with ordinance on the business end- the MOAB is basically useless in that environment - big boom doesn't cut through MOUNTAINS. This clown is just offensive

Keith Law

2:34

It did get a lot of headlines, though. Walking through the airport all I saw was Mr. Holocaust Center on every TV with a chyron saying it was the biggest non-nuke bomb we've ever dropped. (Yay, America?)

Nick

2:34

Thoughts on Judges approach so far this year? I know SSS but he seems to be making more contact.

Keith Law

2:35

Again, SSS. However, I've said before that Judge's history is that he struggles to control the entire width of the zone each time he's promoted, and each time he's made adjustments after a few months of at bats, learning to control both the outer third and the inner edge. The fact that he's done it before tells me he can do this going forward, although we can't say that he's done it now.

Hinkie

2:36

What is most likely: Bryce Harper hits the open market, Manny Machado hits the open market, both hit the open market, or neither hit the open market ???

Keith Law

2:36

I think both.

Delroy Lindo

2:36

Rank which upcoming albums you are most excited about: Phoenix, LCD Soundsystem & Haim

Keith Law

2:36

Phoenix yes, LCDS maybe, Haim heck no.

Sean

2:36

Is Mark Vientos a first round draft pick?

Keith Law

2:36

Probably yes. Didn't see him while I was in FL because he went to the NHSI.

addoeh

2:36

Is the gap between what advanced statistics fans/media uses to evaluate value and what teams use more incremental or revolutionary? How soon will these stats start to filter down to public use?

Keith Law

2:37

It exists now and is getting wider over time.

Joe

2:37

What's worse? Reyes batting leadoff? Conforto playing CF? Terry Collins still writing the lineup?

Keith Law

2:37

Conforto out of the lineup seemingly every time he has a big day. Collins should be fired if he won't play Conforto every day. This has descended into cheap farce.

addoeh

2:38

Will Smart Baseball introduce us to any new stats?

Keith Law

2:38

If you're here, probably not. That was very clearly outside of the goals we all set out for the book.

Kenny G

2:38

Saw Walker Buehler on Monday. Multiple Front Office members present, and plenty of comments he'll be up with Dodgers by end of this season (not by Front Office personnel). Would you agree with those comments?

Keith Law

2:38

He's going to be on an innings cap of some sort, which will almost certainly preclude a callup.

Jon

2:39

If Gravmens Velocity stays up around 96 or 97 how does that change his outlook? Thanks

Keith Law

2:40

That's not where Statcast had him sitting, but to answer the general question, yes, he's got a much higher upside than he did at least year's velo, when he was basically a fifth starter type. Averaging like 94.5 with that kind of sink would probably make him an above-average starter.

Dallas

2:40

You mentioned Adell as a pitcher; are teams looking that way or is he still being drafted as a hitter

Keith Law

2:40

I think he prefers to hit, which may dictate who drafts him and how much money he gets.

Brian

2:40

Without rushing to judgment, Rhys Hoskins seems to be hitting at yet another level. At what point does his production overwhelm whatever tools seem to be lacking to scouts? Or is he someone who people think the flaws won't show up until major league pitchers exploit them?

Keith Law

2:42

I think there's a flawed assumption here; I've certainly been favorable toward Hoskins the last two years. He's a first baseman with questionable power, which is a real issue at that specific position because the threshold to be a regular at the plate is so high.

Chris (Chicago)

2:42

How long do you think you'd last as a vegetarian?

Keith Law

2:42

I don't think I'd have any problem with this as long as I could manage my blood sugar properly.

Dallas

2:42

Have you heard any draft movement with Sam Carlson? I saw he was 92-96 topping at 97 (rumor of a rogue 99 was probably just that, rumor; or bad gun). Thanks.

Keith Law

2:43

He's only made one start so far, so I don't know if that's where he's going to pitch all year. He's had first-round potential since the summer; if he really does sit 92-96 all spring (by "all spring" I mean the six or seven starts he'll make before the draft) then he'd probably be a top 20 pick.

Ridley Kemp

2:44

It doesn't look like my local bookstore in Austin is going to bring you to town. That being the case, what way of purchasing your book does you the most good? Is amazon better because it benefits your sales ranking, or is there another avenue that is better for you?

Keith Law

2:44

Thank you for asking. All I ask is that you buy it however you like to buy books. Physical copy or ebook, doesn't matter. I want you to buy it, read it, and enjoy it. And no, no bookstore in Austin reached out to Harper Collins that I know of.

Chris

2:44

Any chance Adam Haseley goes top 10 or maybe 11 to chi sox? Seems like he has Benentendi helium..

Keith Law

2:45

He's going top 20, I feel pretty confident of that. I don't think he's Benintendi, not that kind of pop, but one of the best pure hitters in the class, a CF, and has some power at least.

Harry

2:45

Keith, just bought the book and I can't wait for it to arrive. Would like to go to a book signing in San Francisco. Just wondering how many hours a day do you usually sleep. Father, foodie, blogger, traveling for work. You can't sleep that much. I'm guessing 5 hours a day max.

Keith Law

2:45

Oh no, seven hours or I'm a mess, eight when I can.

Eric

2:45

Any word on whom the Braves might target at #5?

Keith Law

2:46

Guys they're not getting. Not sure what the realistic plan will be.

Pat D

2:46

I saw you're coming to Philly for a book-related event on May 8. Any ideas if you might get a little further north to Lehigh Valley at all this year?