JotCast | Kiley McDaniel Chat - 9/5/18

Kiley McDaniel Chat - 9/5/18

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Kiley McDaniel

12:18

Sorry for the delay! Was going back and forth with offers/counters on a house, so that took slight precedent over this baseball chat

12:19

So, for those that haven't seen it yet, I posted something today breaking down Dylan Cease (CHW), Matt Manning (DET) and Brendan McKay (TB) and which of those three types of players is normally underrated by list season

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/should-we-adjust-how-we-evaluate-pitch...

Now to your questions

squeeze bunt

12:19

What do you think is the best predictor of a pitcher taking a step forward with command? Do you think there is a correlation between height/length and command?

Kiley McDaniel

12:21

Athleticism is the best single direct comp for command we have, but it's usually a combination of factors. I'd tend to bet on longer-limbed elite athletes that are growing into their frame in the mid-20's to improve, particularly if they aren't a high 90's type that's always trying to throw it through the backstop

Edward

12:21

JB Bukauskus legit starter material?

Kiley McDaniel

12:21

I think he'll be able to start, but his breaking ball heavy approach and hittable fastball could also be a multi inning relief type. I would guess he breaks into the bigs in a relief role since that's pretty easy to see working

Guest

12:22

How can players who have *swing and miss* problems correct them? It is cognitive ability (pitch recognition), hand eye coordination, swing mechanics, or all/none of the above? Why can't a guy like Moncada seem to get over the hump?

Kiley McDaniel

12:23

Like command, it matters why there is an issue. Some teams look for guys that have a tight two-strike zone (capable of being selective) but are free swingers early in the count (choose not to be)

It's different for every guy and sussing out which one is the biggest cause is how you can tell if you'll project improvement or not

mamsk

12:23

What's keeping Bubba Thompson from the top 100 discussion? Seems like his season went about as well as you can hope for a toolshed like him who is still relatively new to this baseball-only life.

Kiley McDaniel

12:23

He may jump into that conversation in our next/last update before the offseason. He's performed really well, especially considering being raw was the only real concern.

austin

12:24

better prospect elehuris montero or vidal brujan?

Kiley McDaniel

12:24

Brujan. He's has some qualities similar to Madrigal/Albies, but is a less explosive version

Jake Junis Priest

12:24

Hi. Was hoping to learn more about Jack Zoellner and why the O's saw fit to spend money on him. Thanks!

Kiley McDaniel

12:25

I actually really liked him as a senior sign out of New Mexico and pushed for him...then he got hurt and fell out of contention for us. It's plus power and some feel to hit, 1B only fit probably

Dustin

12:25

Thoughts on Kyle Wright? Minor league numbers aren't eye-popping, but the Braves also didn't waste much time getting him into the upper levels of their system. I certainly liked what little I saw out of him last night.

Kiley McDaniel

12:26

I know the Trackman stuff for him is a little less than what scouts report, so the swing and miss may never match the 20-80 grades, but at a lower slot with a mid-90's sinker, he can still be a mid rotation guy with 7-8 K/9

barves

12:26

Kiley, how do you project size? Is there more to it than looking at a guy and thinking "Is he gunna grow more?"

Kiley McDaniel

12:28

Scouts typically look at...umm...well they'll call it trunk in polite company, but it's the butt. Typically, players grow to fill our proportionally to match the size of their butt. Calves and shoulders, too. Kinda like a puppy with their paws. Short of drastic weight loss (butt gets smaller), this is pretty accurate for non athletes, too.

Guest

12:28

Do you think Acuna will find a way to keep the strike outs down moving forward, or is that just part of his game?

Kiley McDaniel

12:28

As long as he's hitting pumps, you're gonna get some whiffs

Rockie Dangerfield

12:29

If you were to scout players in other sports with an eye toward trying to convince a team to try to get them into baseball, what sport would you investigate, and what kind of skills in that sport do you think would translate the best to the diamond?

Kiley McDaniel

12:30

If we're talking ideal pitcher's frame, swimming seems like a good place to start. Probably better to go more toward present arm speed than physical size, though. Javelin and cricket both seems promising, especially if you can find a tall guy excelling there

12:31

Hitting is just so unique of an act, I think you have to see someone swing first. I've seen too many elite athletes with ugly swings to think you can pick them out easily. I've seen Calvin Johnson's swing, though, and if he wasn't already set for life and not interested, I'd sign him in a second

Muppet

12:31

Is Hudson Potts overlooked?

Kiley McDaniel

12:31

Still may not be a plus tool, but the age/performance/level is certainly intriguing

hypo

12:31

What exactly is meant by a pitch being "firm" , as in a pitcher having a "firm change"

Kiley McDaniel

12:32

Thrown harder than the ideal velo. For a changeup, that means the velo separation is less than 8-10, usually

from the fastball

Kyle

12:32

A couple of weeks ago, Fangraphs had an article on Vlad's quest for .400 and noted that Steamer projections have him as the 18th best hitter (by wRC+) in all of affiliated baseball RIGHT NOW. He certainly seems ready, but is he really "134 wRC+ out of the gate" ready? Do we need to say a prayer for AFL pitchers in Vlad's first real taste of a favorable hitting environment?

Kiley McDaniel

12:32

I mean Acuna and Soto are seen as comparable talents to him and they've both kinda done that, no? Vlad may have even higher expectations since he may have the least defensive value of the three.

Zock Jr.

12:33

Kiley, I love these chats. All the FG chatters are so smart, entertaining, and patient. But I just started law school, so I keep missing out on chat time! What do I do??

Kiley McDaniel

12:33

duh quit law school

Will

12:33

What are the odds that Bart hits well enough to make the Giants start the Posey to 1B (or other position) move in 2019/20?

Kiley McDaniel

12:33

I wonder if Posey's health forces this earlier than they'd normally plan it to happen

Derek

12:33

Is Amed Rosario finally figuring it out or just noise? (126 WRC+, .817 OPS and 0.9 fWAR over last 30 days)

Kiley McDaniel

12:34

Eric saw him a little while ago and didn't see any huge issues, so I'm inclined to say he might be good

Roger

12:34

Is Wenceel Perez a guy? It is seeming like the Tigers are doing a decent job at developing legit MI players like Isaac Paredes so I am hoping the trend continues with Perez

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