JotCast | Klawchat 7/11/24

Klawchat 7/11/24

Keith Law

1:02

I can't stay too long. Klawchat.

Scott

1:02

You released an updated ranking earlier this week. I’m curious what you are hearing or seeing at this point that is causing the rankings to change.

Keith Law

1:02

Teams had players in for workouts, interviewed guys at the combine, full-season data is now available, more video from end of year/summer stuff... a lot has changed since my last update.

Lynn

1:02

Keith - I know that it’s still a relatively small sample size and questions remain about how hard he makes contact, and where he plays but has your assessment of Jacob Wilson changed at all?

Keith Law

1:04

No, he's played in two insanely good hitters environments and still doesn't make enough hard contact.

Tristan

1:04

With no rookie-level ball in spring (thanks again, MLB!), it was pretty clear Arjun Nimmala was overmatched with the Dunedin assignment to start the year. After a reset, he’s come back looking much better based on the stat line. I read up until recently he hadn’t faced a pitcher older than him all year. Green light from you that he remains on track? Start him in High-A in ‘25 or hold off?

Keith Law

1:05

We have more than two months left to this season, so any talk of where he should start 2025 is premature. I said before the year he should start in extended/the complex and that turned out to be an accurate assessment.

Turner

1:05

Wanted to thank you because I read my first Ann Patchett novel (Bel Canto) last week based on your praise for her work and loved it.

Sorry, my question is if any of her novels would crack your top 100 list if updated today? Probably not important but I do love a top 100 list!

Keith Law

1:05

Bel Canto remains a top 50 all-time novel for me. I've loved all of her work except Run, but Bel Canto is her masterpiece.

davealden53

1:05

Will Bednar has been promoted twice this year despite pitching less than 30 innings. The strikeout numbers are great but the walks are concerning. Any reports on whether he's still shaking off rust from the back injuries or will control be an on-going issue?

Keith Law

1:06

He's walked 11 guys in 8 innings in AA. I'm not hearing reports on him because that's non-prospect territory.

davealden53

1:06

Even adjusting for the PCL, Drew Romo's offense seems potentially worthy of an ML roster spot. But how does is his catching progressing?

Keith Law

1:07

He's always been a strong defender, but I disagree on his offense. He's walked 8 times in 66 games playing in maybe the best hitter's park in professional baseball, at a mile above sea level, so pitches don't move as much. What on earth will that look like in the majors?

Gurnam

1:07

Big fan of your work going back over a decade. What’s the likelihood that Oakland takes Wetherholt if he’s there at #4? More or less than 30%? Would you take Wetherholt at #4 if you were running their draft? Thanks.

Keith Law

1:07

Way less than 30%; I have heard it's more likely Montgomery or Kurtz. I'd take Wetherholt over either but bear in mind I don't see medicals or get a doctor's opinion on them like teams do.

1:07

Garrett Crochet -- should the White Sox build around him, or trade him before his next arm injury? Or should they just save us all the grief, and fold the franchise?

Keith Law

1:08

Trade him but maybe this winter since his likely output the rest of 2024 is limited by workload considerations.

Jackie

1:08

WAG time -- who is the top ranked prospect that gets traded this month?

Keith Law

1:08

Someone in Baltimore's system.

Heather

1:08

Would we be better off if we junked our whole system of government, and replaced it with a parliamentary system?

Keith Law

1:08

I mean, Italy changes governments every time someone sneezes, so I'm not sure that's a solution.

addoeh

1:09

In the mock, you talked about how the Brewers will pick whoever falls to them that was ranked much higher. Are they just really neutral on the draft model they subscribe to that they can pursue this philosophy?

Keith Law

1:10

No, I think it's that their draft model is very down-the-middle - and that's a good thing. They've drafted well for a long time. Only Eric Brown Jr stands out as a miss, a guy who was an overdraft on the day he was taken and has proven to be so.

Jimmy

1:10

Which of the lsu arms goes first you think? Gage jump or holman?

Keith Law

1:10

They both go in the same range, I think. Second round.

David

1:10

Any chance Smith or Burns fall out of the top 10?

Keith Law

1:10

Unless there's a medical I don't know about, zero.

Mike G

1:10

Saw your comments about Ben Hess yesterday, do you think it’s possible he makes it to 50 for the Red Sox?

Keith Law

1:10

I'd be floored.

Jimmy

1:10

Is sloan a safe bet for top 30 pick at this point?

Keith Law

1:10

No.

Dana

1:10

Can Ben Rice be the Yankees' long-term answer at first base?

Keith Law

1:11

Maybe as a platoon piece.

mike

1:11

What a day for Bluejay pitching prospects yesterday - both Tiedemann and Macko leave starts with forearm tightness. Manoah, Barriera and Maroudis already have had TJ this year. this is bad luck and not a systemic issue with the Jay right??

Keith Law

1:11

Tiedeman's had arm trouble - and delivery questions - for a long time now. And Macko's had arm trouble going back at least two years.

So I don't think it's systemic.

Matt

1:12

Why do some players like Gary Sanchez fall off a cliff at an early age and others like Beltre seem to thrive as they get older?

Keith Law

1:12

Beltre was a way better athlete than Sanchez.

Don't know if that's the answer, but it might be.

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