Marc Hulet: sorry guys, we had some tech issues on this end and apparently you didn’t see my responses… can you please resubmitted your earlier questions…

Comment From Patrick
Maikel Franco is making quite an impression on Double-A ball. Has his stocked reached Sano’s level, and when does he debut in Philly?

Marc Hulet: I don’t think he’s reached Sano’s level but he’s quite an impressive prospect and his value is up by a significant amount… I would see him being ready to take over the Phillies’ third base job by mid to late 2014.

Comment From Mr. Wrestling IV
How about Brad Miller? Can we expect a .350 OBP in the majors?

Marc Hulet: A .350 OBP might be a little high but he swings a mean stick and the adjustments he’s made have really paid off from an offensive standpoint… It will be interesting to see how Franklin and Miller end up sharing the middle infield from a long-term perspective.

Comment From Timmy
What do you think of Byron Buxton? Too soon to call him the best player in the minor leagues?

Eno Sarris: I’m sure my thumb will be fine in 15 minutes. *cuts thumb off* See you soon!

Eno Sarris: These are probably super easy, but lyrics of the day are injury-themed, appropriately:

I wear this crown of thorns
Upon my liar’s chair
Full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair

Comment From V
Just wanted to say thanks for doing this chat every week. It’s both highly informative and extremely fun at the same time.

Eno Sarris: AND I”M DOING IT IN PAIN

Comment From Richard III
My kingdom for a thumb.

Comment From JEB
pain in thumb whilst typing might be the biggest first world problem ever

Dave Cameron: You know the drill. Queue is now open, and we’ll get started in 15 minutes or so.

Comment From AJT
How much faith do you have in the Pirates?

Dave Cameron: A good amount. This is a pretty decent team with some good players. They might be closer to a .500 team than a .600 team, but they’ve already got a 47-30 record, and there’s no reason to expect them to fall apart. At this point, they have to be a favorite for one of the two wild card spots.

Comment From Barack Obama
How did fangraphs get started?

Dave Cameron: David Appelman got bored and decided to build a site that would help him keep track of numbers he cared about for his fantasy team. Seriously.

Comment From Guest
Is domonic brown for real, or is he gonna fall off like crazy in the second half?

Paul Swydan: Hi everybody!

Join me, and possibly Chris and Jeff, tonight. The Rockies are in town, but Will Middlebrooks is not. Other things are happening too. Maybe Ricky Nolasco will be on the move tonight. Who knows.

Come back and join me tonight at 9 pm ET and we’ll find out together. Until then, get in your questions, and I’ll get up some polls! (see polls at bottom of transcript)

Paul Swydan: Let’s light this candle!

Comment From Sam
Obviously he is considered a great player but do you think David Wright is underdiscussed for a player that was 5th in fWAR last year and is top 10 this year (3rd in rWAR)?

Paul Swydan: I think it’s pretty rare for a NY-based player to be under-talked about, and I don’t think that David Wright qualifies. Sorry, Sam.

Jeff Zimmerman: Possibly, it would help if the Mets were winning.

Comment From Electric
Currently have Gyorko, Kemp, Reyes, & Bucholz on the DL. These guys should all be back fairly soon and I have some tough decisions. Will need to drop two of the following: MMontero Grandal Andrus Profar(in a keeper league) Lester or Leake. Gracias!

Jeff Sullivan: Hey guys, late as usual, this time for traveling reasons. We’ll get started as soon as I put in my contacts!

Jeff Sullivan: They are in another room!

Jeff Sullivan: All right, no better time than the present for sports.

Comment From BILL
do you see Bruce Rondon getting chance to close in Detroit this year?

Jeff Sullivan: Not for very long

Comment From AJT
A bit late, so right on time!

Dan Szymborski: Let’s get this party started, slightly late!

Dan Szymborski: I’d like to say that I was busy gallivanting around Europe like the stunning handsome playboy that I am, but in fact, I was playing with the tenor recorder I acquired last week.

Comment From mix
Hi Dan! Thanks for having another chat. I was just offered Wainwright for my Jose Bautista in a keeper league, straight-up. It would mean that Rizzo can join the line-up in my Utility slot, so I’m looking favorably on this offer. Snap keep or do I have room for asking for more to balance it? Thanks.

Dan Szymborski: I’d do it, unless Bautista has positional considerations that have value to you (like 3B)

Comment From Bret
How do you see the AL East race shaking out?

Dan Szymborski: It’s going to be pretty close. The Blue Jays are now close enough that they’re suddnely dangerous again. I think all 5 teams have non-zero shots again, but I suspect Boston can hang on.

Marc Hulet: Hi all… we’ll start in 10-15 minutes… feel free to get your prospect questions in now… lot’s of promotions, breakouts and other things to discuss!

Comment From Guest
soonest you can see Buxton and Sano in the majors?

Marc Hulet: Sano should reach the majors more quickly but Buxton looks intend on not being too far behind. Sano probably by mid-2014 and Buxton sometime in early to mid 2015

Comment From johnny stash
Offered Lindor and Fister for T. Walker. I’m competing for this year, and Fister is a big help. Is Lindor worth the step down in fantasy value?

Marc Hulet: Depends on what stats your league uses… One of Lindor’s strengths is defense which won’t help you in fantasy… Baez is more fantasy worth in terms of young shortstop prospects

Comment From Asking for a Friend
Luis Sardinas has produced relatively well. Has he improved enough to be considered a top 50 prospect next year?

Eno Sarris: see you in 15!

Eno Sarris: Lyrics of the day! Was down yesterday, feeling more up today. Might be a hint…

Off with your head
Dance ’til you’re dead

(yes that’s it, but for someone here, it’ll be easy)

Comment From Marty
Ladies & Gentlemen: Eno Sarris! PARASITE FREE FOR 4 DAYS!

Eno Sarris: Maybe that’s why I’m feeling better.

Comment From Dr. Met
Umami burger coming to new york to compete against shake shack. Awesome!

Eno Sarris: They okay. Really expensive. We actually have one in Palo Alto.

Dave Cameron: 15 minutes til the chat starts, so go ahead and get your questions in now.

Comment From JP
I’ve seen some Detroit sources saying that Detroit may need Castellanos to come up to boost that offense and get them into the playoffs. Are the Tigers actually going to call him up sooner rather than later?

Dave Cameron: I’m not sure Castellanos would actually provide an offensive boost. His contact rate in Triple-A is not very good, and he’s not a huge power guy. He might eventually be a good MLB hitter, but I think it’s unlikely that he’s one right now.

Comment From Crusty
Have the Jays climbed back into it? It seems taking 6 of 7 from the Rangers is sort of a statement.

Dave Cameron: Yeah, they’re at least in the wild card conversation again. They’ll have to keep playing well to dig out of their big hole, but Reyes coming back should help, and if Dickey gets healthy, this is still a team that could make a run.

Comment From lowercase jeff
in your opinion, which player of the last 10-15 years defines replacement level?

Paul Swydan: Hi everybody!

Join us tonight at 9 pm ET for lots of hot baseball action, served up hot!

I’ll get some polls up in the meantime. Or you can suggest some polls. Or you can put in questions. Or you can make fun of my appearance. Or you can be a fairy. Or a queen. It’s wiiiiiiide open.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vay4uTJ2a50

Paul Swydan: Just in case you don’t know who Hugo is.

http://simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/Hugo_Simpson_II

Paul Swydan: Alright, let’s light this candle!

Chris Cwik: Woo hoo!

Comment From zorzo
matt harvey matt harvey matt harvey matt harvey? matt harvey? matt harvey matt harvey?

Paul Swydan: I concur.