JotCast | Klawchat 9/14/17

Klawchat 9/14/17

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Keith Law

1:22

In starts where he's on the 1b side of the rubber, he's been generally outstanding. Just leave him the hell alone already.

Leo

1:22

My early view of the 2018 draft is that it has a lot of depth but not much up top. A lot of HSers that project to be ok and high-floor college arms. Thoughts?

Keith Law

1:23

Don't agree. Better HS crop than that, worse college arm crop. No Bryce Harper types at the top but good talent in the top ten overall.

1:23

Is Pache a borderline top 100 guy? How much power does he have to hit for to be a top guy?

Keith Law

1:24

I think he'll end up a future top 100 guy. The power is in there, but he's shown none, obviously, so it'll be hard to justify (to myself, even) ranking him above players with a little less ceiling but more production closer to the majors.

Esq

1:25

Sorry cut off earlier. Early reports on manning were that stuff was down. He looked dominant later in season. Has he returned to his top ten pick form?

Keith Law

1:25

Stuff was down pretty much all summer. At least he started throwing more strikes after he looked like he might have the yips in spring training.

Alyssa

1:25

Is AJ Reed a prime trade candidate? Seems hard for HOU to find him AB's at the big league level but had another monster year in Fresno. He just has to play, right?

Keith Law

1:25

Agreed.

Leo

1:25

Nick Williams hasn't really slowed down. He's running a high BABIP though in a small sample...is his season encorauging at least?

Keith Law

1:25

Not to me - same poor pitch recognition as ever.

Brad

1:25

Hey Keith! It really looks like Giolito had turned the corner. I don't know if he will ever be a true ace but I think there is a good chance he is at least a solid #2 or a really good #3. Do you think this is another on the list of Don Cooper doing his magic or where his issues only minor mechanical ones?

Keith Law

1:26

Cooper and others deserve credit for restoring Giolito's old mechanics. It's still not 100% - he didn't look like himself yesterday after a couple of starts where he really did look like the pre-2016 version - but I'm fine projecting him as a 2 or better.

1:26

Can Yu Cheng Chang become an everyday SS or does he need a trade for that to happen?

Keith Law

1:27

Don't think so. Not sure he's going to hit enough for that - it's not a great swing and he lacks the hand strength for it just now.

Ron

1:27

Is this Michael Taylor putting everything together and is it sustainable? Numbers are substantially better than his first few seasons. Were improvements made or is it a flash in the pan?

Keith Law

1:31

It's not entirely sustainable, but he's a plus defender with pop. I doubt he's a .364 BABIP guy (or close to it) going forward but he does enough else to stay a regular for someone.

Hinkie

1:31

Can you please explain what MLB means when it says it "intends to be vigilant in enforcing the rules and will scrutinize any efforts to skirt them" when it comes to the Shohei Otani Sweepstakes. Is this even serious or will some team still have an "under the table" long term arrangement with Otani ?

Keith Law

1:31

No idea how MLB can stop anyone who doesn't explicitly violate the CBA.

1:31

Is Rogelio Armenteros more than a back end starter?

Keith Law

1:31

Probably not, but given how little it cost to sign him, that would be an incredible outcome.

Jordan

1:32

Is Jordan Hicks a starter or reliever? Are this season's stats cause for optimism?

Keith Law

1:32

Starter for me, with some performance risk. Huge upside.

Ethan

1:32

Hi Keith, I really appreciate these chats, as they are a highlight for me each week. I am a huge Padres fan and am excited about the future but am also assessing a couple of glaring holes with position players. Does Franchy Cordero have chance to be an everyday LF on a good team or more of a 4th OF? And who would you prefer more at 2B - Luis Urias, Asuaje or Spangenberg? Thanks again!

Keith Law

1:33

Urias has the best potential to be a regular at 2b, but needs to find more power than he's ever shown. Cordero chance for a regular, more likely an extra guy, but young enough that there's a wide range of outcomes.

Denis

1:33

Will Mitch White crack the top 100 prospects next year?

Keith Law

1:33

He made my top 50 in April and wasn't far off the midseason list (which included recently signed draftees).

Pat

1:33

The Orioles' approach to Austin Hays this month is obviously strange. But that aside, how likely is he to be an acceptable everyday RF on Opening Day 2018? Because I think that's where it's headed.

Keith Law

1:34

It's not just strange - it's ridiculous. Don't add a guy to the 40-man two years early if you're not going to play him. I do think he's a regular for them at some point next year.

Ted

1:34

Given some of the technical flaws you've noted on Moncada's swing, would he be better off focusing on hitting from one side of the plate? Any word on whether the White Sox will look for him to pick righty or lefty?

Keith Law

1:35

Too inexperienced to give up on him switch-hitting just now. It's like the starter/reliever question earlier - my job is to forecast what I think a player will do or become, whereas the team has more incentive to play it out and see if the improbable outcome ends up occurring.

Blank

1:35

What's your opinion on the Jemele Hill situation?

Keith Law

1:36

I stand with Jemele unequivocally. I particularly support her right to say what she did. And I find the very White House trying to silence a smart black woman of color very disturbing.

Tony P (@disguyyy)

1:36

I'll try not to hit enter (again) and end up just saying "Hi". I'm sure you are getting a ton of these today, but hopefully I can ask in an original manner. Do you feel pressure, whether it be from yourself, co-workers or those of us who are fans of your willingness to speak truth or even opinion (gasp!) in an environment that does not encourage it, to defend people who even though they may have a higher profile in that environment, historically could benefit greatly from your verbal support? How do you determine when to speak up and when to let the situation settle itself? Thanks, as always.

Keith Law

1:38

I'm just going to be me. If I think I need to say something, I'll say it. Evolution is real, vaccines are safe and effective, climate change is real and caused by man, chemtrails aren't a thing, the earth is round, we did go to the moon, and open borders are good for the economy.

Paul

1:38

Hey Keith - I enjoyed your Dunkirk review and agreed with it across the board. One thing you didn't mention that really jumped out to me - I thought the sound throughout the movie was amazing. Kept me on the edge of my seat - a euphemism that in this case was literally true - for 90 minutes straight.

Keith Law

1:39

I thought it was mixed too loud, at least where I saw it; I found some of the battle noise distracting to the point where I wasn't paying enough attention to the on-screen action. But that could just be me.

Mike

1:39

Disappointing years for Jays pitching prospects: which of Greene, Harris and SRF are most likely to rebound?

Keith Law

1:39

I hear the best comments on Greene and the least favorable on Harris. I didn't get to see any this year, unfortunately.

Andy

1:40

Would you rather have rhys hoskins or yoan moncada?

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