JotCast | Klawchat, 7/7/17.

Klawchat, 7/7/17.

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Keith Law

1:02

Klawchat: One man on a lonely platform.

Eddy

1:02

If we want to say hi during futures game, when would be the best time? And where?

Keith Law

1:03

After BP is done, which is usually about an hour before game time, I'll find a spot on the concourse to meet folks. If anyone has a suggestion for a good location - I've never set foot in Loria's Boondoggle before - I'm all ears.

Jack

1:03

Who among the A’s young position players is likely to see success in the big leagues? Other than Barreto and Chapman, are any of Pinder/Healy/Olson/Brugman/Maxwell likely to be MLB regulars or better?

Keith Law

1:04

I would not bet on any of those five guys, individually, becoming average big leaguers.

Philip

1:04

What have you heard about Logan Allen’s stuff this year? Could he merit offseason top 100 consideration?

Keith Law

1:05

I've heard it's been good like it was last year, but if I say he'll get consideration for the top 100, that's kind of a non-answer because I consider hundreds of players.

Jim

1:05

Is there a way to read your work without receiving gay porn in the mail?

Keith Law

1:06

I don't care for or about the body issue, but characterizing non-explicit photos as "gay porn" is a little dramatic.

Shawn

1:06

Does Forrest Whitley have ace potential? Ken Rosenthal said he's hearing that Whitley is basically untouchable in trade with the Astros.

Keith Law

1:07

He's got pretty high upside, clearly a top 50 guy at this point. Hard to call any teenaged pitcher "untouchable" given how fragile arms are.

Greg

1:07

As a fan following GCL/AZL leagues, I know there's not a ton of value in the stats -- if any at all. Is there anything of value in the numbers of a player in those leagues?

Keith Law

1:09

The problem is the wide variance in levels of competition makes the stats almost impossible to interpret without scouting context. Look at Dante Bichette Jr's GCL line from 2011: he was 18, hit .342/.446/.505 with a strikeout rate around 16%, and has been awful ever since. In 900 PA in AA he's got a .233/.310/.343 line.

Hank

1:09

Max Fried has been horrible this year, and there are reports of the stuff not being as good this season. Have you heard anything?

Keith Law

1:09

I have heard multiple reports that the stuff is every bit as good as it was last year. I have no idea where you're getting that info.

Coolguy

1:09

Thought's on Austin Hays?

Keith Law

1:10

I think average regular, trending upwards as he continues to hit better pitching.

Fred

1:10

Bellinger's HR production has dropped significantly the last couple of weeks. Realistically, the previous pace was not sustainable, and I assume the league has made adjustments, and now its his turn to do same. Given that the overall AB quality looks good, he should start hitting them out again in time, agree? Also, what kind of ceiling for him is realistic?

Keith Law

1:10

I think he's a regular 30-HR guy who'll have a few 40+ seasons, with strong OBPs and ridiculous defense at first. MVP type of player.

Jshep12

1:10

Yankee brass anonymously criticizing Bird for being hurt. Warranted or are they jerks?

Keith Law

1:11

Jerks. Even if it's true, don't slag your players to the press. And put your fucking name on it if you do it, you cowards.

Bill

1:11

Do you believe Maikel Franco will ever be good enough to start on a good team?

Keith Law

1:11

I think he still has the potential but he's shown no adjustments in almost two years now.

Coolguy

1:11

If Carter Kieboom comes back soon and continues to hit could he still make to p100 lists, or has he missed too much time?

Keith Law

1:12

There are a lot of ifs in there that make it hard to answer. Even if he misses the rest of the season, it might be difficult to justify putting him on my top 100, but lack of information isn't the same as negative information. He would still be a good prospect, but I would be working with less evidence (stats and scouting) to justify a high ranking.

Matt

1:12

Does Joe Gray have 1-1 potential

Keith Law

1:13

Yes, from what I've seen/heard.

Esteban

1:13

Is Daniel Brito a riser for you? Is he someone you've gotten any eyes on?

Keith Law

1:13

Yes, I saw him last week. Completely overmatched. Very interesting projection, but he looked like a kid playing grown-ups.

Stomper

1:13

Austin Beck is off to a putrid start in Rookie ball - be concerned? SSS? Other factors like an 18 y/o living on his own? All of the above?

Keith Law

1:15

Just the contact rate - he never faced good pitching as an amateur, missing the 2016 summer due to injury and playing weak competition this spring (I saw his school win a 15-0 game via mercy rule in 3 innings, and he got 4 PA). But he could whiff 40% of the time this summer and still end up a good player - it depends on whether he can make any adjustments to his approach now that he's 1) swinging a wood bat and 2) facing guys with better stuff on a semi-regular basis.

Rob

1:15

Favorite QOTSA album? Era Vulgaris is last, but I can see an argument for every other album of theirs being best.

Keith Law

1:16

I don't know that I've ever loved any of their albums start to finish; I tend to like 3-5 tracks from every record. Era Vulgaris had the most songs that I liked, but I don't know if any song from that record makes my QotSA top five.

AlmostSmartBaseball

1:16

Eloy Jimenez untouchable for you?

Keith Law

1:17

No. If you can get a young, high-end starter with some years of control left, you trade him. And I think Eloy is a future superstar, too.

Mike

1:17

What's been your assessment of Alex Wood? Is he this good or is this not sustainable?

Keith Law

1:17

He's got very little history of health, and is now throwing harder than before, so I think he'll continue to dominate as long as he can stay on the mound but am skeptical that he can do that all year.

Benjamin

1:17

What would you say is Royce Lewis' ceiling?

Keith Law

1:18

A 60 overall player as a CF - a sometime All-Star who adds value on defense, with his bat, and especially on the bases.

James Williams

1:18

Any suggestions you could give to a 23 year old trying to figure out what they want to do in life?

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