JotCast | Kiley McDaniel Chat

Kiley McDaniel Chat - 3/27/19

Kiley McDaniel

12:20

Hello from ATL. Scout it outside running around like a maniac and the house smells like garlic because I've been cooking and I'm a little heavy handed on that front

Lilith

12:20

When can we expect to see a new mock draft?

Kiley McDaniel

12:22

well we haven't done one yet and it's a little silly at this point. we have some concept of the types of players or a couple on the shortlist for clubs in the top 5-10, or maybe clubs lower in the draft that have a very specific type (the Nationals are one) where we can narrow things down pretty well. but at least half of the top 30 picks would be mostly a guess at this point and that's not content that meets our guidelines.

The West is Wild

12:23

Is Geraldo Perdomo the most publicly "under the radar" prospect for the Diamondbacks?

Kiley McDaniel

12:23

Sure, he and Blaze Alexander were the two popup guys in the short minors for Arizona last summer. Both are strong 40s or 40+s at this point. The guys ahead of them that aren't top 132 are mostly high picks, so yeah that would be the top sleeper names for the DBacks

Mark

12:24

Will you guys be releasing more detailed scouting on draft prospects? (by this I mean the scouting grades are great, but the description bubbles are a little light at this point)

Kiley McDaniel

12:26

Yep! We wanted to give you an idea of the type of player (scouting grades, short description) and the stock (up/down) along with the pertinent bio/age stuff. As we get closer, the video and longer reports will get filled out...along with some of the high speed video Eric and I can now take, on display for demo purposes here:

got a fancy new camera and took some high speed of scout. she decided playing with the ball is more fun while loung… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

John in Lima

12:26

How likely is it that Bobby Witt Jr slips past the top 5 because of age, hit tool or signability concerns?

Kiley McDaniel

12:28

maybe 25% at this point? there's been some buzz that Witt is the guy in the top 4 that could be the one to slide, due to hit tool concerns and maybe age would be a tiebreaker with him and Abrams. Still likely he goes in the top 5, but there's some chance he slides a bit. Should not get out of the top 10, regardless. Maybe 15% that Abrams slides out of the top 5?

Snooker

12:28

I tend to get this feeling every year, but it sure seems like next year's draft class is a lot stronger than this year's. Maybe not as many up-the-middle guys, but there's actually pitching in 2020. Grass is greener, or am I onto something?

Kiley McDaniel

12:30

Scouts always do this, because it's easy to knock down a class when you're bearing down on it and easy to build up a class when you just see a guy with tools and aren't bearing down on him yet

12:32

The top 7-10 for 2020 is already pretty strong and we're at about 12-15 on the 2019 class and that with a year of experience on all their peers. So, yes 2020 could be better, but it isn't abundantly clear that it's going to be better

John in Lima

12:32

Outside Rutschman and Vaughn, which college position player has the highest upside? Highest floor?

Kiley McDaniel

12:33

Talked to a couple directors about this specifically the last few weeks. It seems, as our rankings suggest, that the consensus is Rutschman, Vaughn, Abrams and Witt, then lots of college bats. The question is which of the college bats is best and which one could be like Benintendi who is just starting the ascent now and if the draft was a few months later, they'd slide ahead of one or both of the HS bats

12:34

Misner and Bishop are the hot rising names and Stott probably has the most upside since he can stick at short and flashes hit/power. That said, Stott has some offensive questions and Misner has just been okay vs. SEC pitching while Bishop is 6'5 and the list of guys that really hit at that height is pretty short...so there's a reason they're a half step behind

Chris

12:34

What have you seen from RHP Evan McKendry to move him up THE BOARD?

Kiley McDaniel

12:35

Really performs and in a way that is often underrated, the average stuff guy with a plus change and plus command. With TrackMan and clubs like TB that look for this specifically, it's easier to properly identify it and evaluate if it will work

Especially when he's next to third tier toolsy HS types that are an injury away from being a two year rookie ball guy

Dieter

12:36

What is Luis Patino's ceiling and FV? Do you like him more than say, Dustin May?

Kiley McDaniel

12:36

We have May at 21 and Patino at 42: https://www.fangraphs.com/prospects/the-board/2019-prospect-list?sort=...

12:37

ceiling isn't super different, but May is much further along and has a little more command potential than Patino

Colin

12:37

What is the continuum of progress you hope to see from a pitcher returning from TJS? Velo first, then FB command, then feel for offspeed stuff, on and on? Or something else?

Kiley McDaniel

12:38

It doesn't really have a set order, but usually it's velo first, then offspeed then command/consistency

Mark

12:38

Have you heard anything on Ryan Weathers' stuff this spring, any upticks or changes in the scouting report?

Kiley McDaniel

12:38

Early buzz is positive, he'll maintain the 45+ FV grade

Spencer Turnbull needs an Ascot

12:39

Hi Kiley. Wondering if you think either recently announced, patrician-named rookie starter--Spencer Turnbull or Trent Thornton--will be able to hack it in the show this year? Thanks!

Kiley McDaniel

12:39

We like both as at least good relievers with stuff that can go multiples...and possible stick as a traditional starter. Thornton over Turnbull

el Guapo

12:39

Any chance that the Padres are banking on rules changing in a new CBA before Tatis would hit free agency anyway in making their decision? The assumption being if rules change in new CBA then manipulating that last year of control may be irrelevant anyway. Am I just overthinking this and they just want to make a splash

Kiley McDaniel

12:40

No inside knowledge, but it would be easy to send him down for 2 weeks if/when he struggles and I'd bet they've already approached him about an extension. Both would render the OD roster thing moot

brad nj

12:42

Kiley, When do you expect Austin Hays to get called up, will he play CF and is a pro-rated full season .275 25-30HR a reasonable expectation for him?

Kiley McDaniel

12:43

He should play some CF, depends on who else is on the roster. And I'd expect more .260s 20 HR for when things are going well, but there's ceiling for more. He was awful last year, so baby steps.

el Guapo

12:43

Does Corbin Burnes still qualify as a prospect and if so is the 55 FV still what you would have on him (per his page)? Curious on what you see his potential being as a rotation piece.

Kiley McDaniel

12:44

Maybe a 60, but right around there with that group he was in last winter, around all those 55 FV Braves arms that have proven less in the big leagues.

ThisIsFine

12:44

Are concerns about Tatis plate discipline justified or should we all be sipping the kool aid?

Kiley McDaniel

12:44

That's the concern, but he's talented enough he may not be challenged enough to change until he's in the big leagues. And being sent down for a few weeks at some point doesn't seem too far fetched

LudeBurger

12:45

LudeBurger love Kiley <3

Kiley McDaniel

12:45

Thanks, LudeBurger.

James

12:45

MacKenzie Gore touching 98 on multiple occasions this spring. Does that stick?

Kiley McDaniel

12:46

His peak spring velos have been between 96 and 98 the last few years, so sure.