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Eric Longenhagen Chat
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Eric A Longenhagen
12:32
Good morning, chat. Busy day on the site for a Friday. Go peep the Mets list. Cardinals and Braves run next week (non-zero chance we rope Detroit in with Atlanta) before we move on to the Northwest Valley cluster (TEX, SEA, KCR, SDP)
And now, i shall take your questions with gusto
Adam
12:33
Do major league teams ever sign veteran players to minor league deals thinking “if we ever have to call this guy up, we’re screwed?”
Eric A Longenhagen
12:35
I'm sure if you're Anaheim and sign an minor league free agent CF youh're probably thinking that, but generally teams are enthused about the players they're signing, even when those signigns are just for emergency depth or a shot their player dev can make a relevant change to create viable depth
Trumbo No. 5
12:36
Where is in-person scouting most valuable still? At the amateur/HS level? More rural/cold-weather areas without easy showcase access? Where would you aim as a young scout looking to cover under-tread territory?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:38
Wherever the data and video are least present (you nailed the general settings) as well as where context is important. The lower you go, the less technological infrastructure there is, the more important scouts are. Unless you have some visual machine learning concept that can identify mechanical inefficiencies, you need an eyeball scout to unearth that stuff, too.
CC
12:38
Does the Encarnacion signing make a Vaughn debut u likely this year?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:38
I think so, unless Edwin is clearly washed.
Sigh
12:38
Thoughts on Kevin Alcantara as a possible 50 by this offseason? Had a really solid year in the GCL as a 16 year old
Eric A Longenhagen
12:39
He's on the 45+/50 line as we circulate the early version of the 100. I'd say Alexander Vargas is more likely to be a 50.
Adam
12:40
I imagine most players don’t even consider who their GM is most of the time since there isn’t a ton of daily interaction, but are there GM’s with good reputations among players in the league?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:41
That's a good question and I don't have an answer because I purposefully avoid the kind of interaction with players that would lead them to divulge that sort of thing.
BeefLoaf108
12:42
What under 21 year old White Sox prospects need to have a good year to buoy their farm system after a few big names graduate in 2020?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:44
Benyamin Bailey, DJ Gladney, Yolbert Sanchez is 22 but it'd be nice if he performed, the two prep arms they drafted early in 2019
12:45
I'm also a big Codi Heuer fan but that's more a relief look than a cornerstone who bolsters your farm ranking
David
12:45
Any thoughts on the pieces returning in the Astros - Rays trade for Pruitt?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:47
Yeah, Rays needed to make a 40-man move after the Arozarena deal so rather than lose Pruitt for nothing they moved him for two fliers. Stevenson's control of the strike zone is great, he was hurt in college which is part of why he fell to where he did. He's relativley  positionless and I wish he'd get pushed to an age-appropriate level but he has a shot to be something because of the stick.
12:48
Battenfield I have 90-93, touch 94, has that 12:30ish spin axis I'm sure you're all sick of me talking about, plus vertical movement on the heater so it might play even though it's got 40/45 velo
My Man
12:48
Is Sheldon Neuse Opening day 2B for the Athletics?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:49
Perhaps, someone is going to have to emerge from that group (Mateo, Barreto) and take the job. I think Barreto would get the longest look
Tony the Cameraman
12:49
Does your office have a sufficiently large enough nut spoon?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:51
No and it is infuriating. We try to keep things hygenic around here and the nuts just end up getting pushed all over the table because the spoon sucks.
Beetlejuice
12:52
Hey Eric. What is a good result for Hunter Greene this year? Full year in High-A and just getting his arm strength back? Anything more a bonus?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:55
I'd say the velo coming back and him staying healthy is the median outcome, showing good command, as well, would be plus. And showing an improved breaking ball too would be as much as I could possibly hope for.
Jabroni
12:55
Trevor Larnach or Nick Madrigal?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:55
Magic, but not for your dynasty league
Derek Smalls
12:56
Hey Eric! This is second year in a row FanGraphs has mentioned Toro is "divisive". Do you think he could fake 2nd base, and in the process be somewhat Marwin Gonzalez v. 2.0, minus the SS ability? Would someone on the high end on him think this (besides me!)? Thanks!
Eric A Longenhagen
12:57
Remember to take that cucumber out before you hit TSA. I'm not on Toro at 2B. The Muncy types who are playing there now have good hands/actions and limited range, and I wouldn't characterize Toro in that way. I'd guess Myles Straw would get an opportunity on the middle infield if something happened to Correa or Altuve.
Fangraphs reader
12:57
Looking at his age/stats, it certainly seems like Vallente Bellozo belongs on the Astros' list.  What's keeping him from making it?
Eric A Longenhagen
12:58
another 12:00ish spin axis guy. 89-93, though.
just not enough juice to put on a list unless he's proved it for several years and against upper level hitting.
Matt
12:59
I think people are overrating the likelihood Puk can be stretched out as a reliable starting pitcher next season. This seems like something that'll take more time to develop, whereas a guy like Luzardo is clearly more polished. What do you think of this? Is it more likely the A's use him in some creative relief role down the stretch?
Eric A Longenhagen
1:00
I disagree. As long as Puk's control is what is has been in pro ball (he was a little wild at Florida) I think he's a lock to start. Four pitches, several of them plus. Any shift to a relief role for either of them is probably in service of load management, not a lack of talent.
Jabroni
1:00
Do you know why the Rays gave up on Liberatore so quickly?
Eric A Longenhagen
1:01
They're just pushing chips in to stack the big club, don't think they gave up on him. They most certainly like him, just clearly valuing big league help more than long term prospects right now.
Steve
1:01
Randy Arozarena.......Andrew McCutchen light?
Eric A Longenhagen
1:01
too beaucoup
1:02
but he is a top 100 candidate
Beetlejuice
1:02
Does Tyler Stephenson have more then avg. regular upside? Hit tool seems to be on par but I've not heard a lot about defensive/receiving improvements.
Eric A Longenhagen
1:03
Has that kind of ceiling because of the raw power. We have him stuffed. It's a contact-oriented approach right now, but I thought he had the second best BPs in Fall League after Royce Lewis. The defense is fine. Takes him a little to get out of his crouch sometimes because he's freaking huge, but the raw arm strength makes up for some of that.
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