Eric Longenhagen Prospects Chat, All the Brewers, all the Angels

Eric A Longenhagen: Howdy, is this thing on?

Eric A Longenhagen: ‘Tis.

Eric A Longenhagen: Let me tweet a link to the started chat and we’ll get rolling.

Eric A Longenhagen: Okay. How are you folks? I am well. Walker Buehler is pitching in the Dodgers big league road game today so if you’ve got MLB.tv and that game is on, you should check that out.

Gary: Are you heading to Florida for camps there at all or just staying in Arizona?

Eric A Longenhagen: Just here, if I do Florida it will be to straddle Extended and the FSL while also hitting draft stuff.

Philip: Michel Baez seems to be getting a good amount of buzz for the Padres, what are you hearing/seeing?

Eric A Longenhagen: He’s huge and throws hard. Has some nascent breaking ball feel but is generally very raw. Just based on my singular look (I have video that needs to be posted but I’m collecting video faster than I can sift through it right now because there’s so much going on ) he looks like a reliever but it’s very early so don’t consider that definitive.

cyclops: haven’t seen bellinger play, but how is his approach the other way? Do teams shift in the minor leagues? Or will MLB be the first time he sees a shift?

Eric A Longenhagen: Nah, he pulls the ball. Yes, he’s possibly a shift candidate but if he’s hitting balls over everyone’s head it won’t matter.

Erik: How closely will Jorge Alfaro‘s statlines resemble Freddy Galvis’s 2016? Sub-.300 OBP, but 20+ HRs and solid defense at a premium position. Should the Phillies be happy if that’s what Alfaro turns out to be?

Eric A Longenhagen: I think, yes, most of the offensive value there will be derived from the power on contact. And yeah, I’d be happy with that.

xavier: Is Isan Diaz moving off SS because of the presence of O Arcia or because he’s not a legit SS?

Eric A Longenhagen: Yes

Cranedio: Thoughts on the never-too-hyped Andrew Toles… I noticed someone on FG had him as their NL ROY in their Top 10 Bold Predictions. Can you see Toles carrying the magic stick (and magic legs) this year?

Eric A Longenhagen: Interesting tools, was out of baseball due to off field stuff for a while which is why he was off prospect radars.

Eric A Longenhagen: Has serious platoon issues.

Eric A Longenhagen: I think he has a chance to be an everyday player, but acknowledge there’s a chance MLB pitching solves him at some point.

harrison-esque: Do LHB who have a great opposite field approach play up in MLB as opposed to someone who is strictly pull? I tend to be higher on Winker & D Smith because of their approach and willingness to hit the other way and think that will play up in MLB, am i wrong to think that?

Eric A Longenhagen: Different strokes for different folks. Some guys make a pull-only approach work because they hit the ball in the air consistently. For others, spray is favorable. Pull-only ground ball hitters aren’t a demographic I’d be investing in, though.

Garrett: Do you foresee the majority of Delvin Perez’s value in his defense or his offense? Can he develop into valuable fantasy player?

Eric A Longenhagen: Probably in the defense but he has the physical tools to do damage with the bat, he just needs significant polish. Like all prospects that age there are several scenarios. One where everything goes bust, one where the defense is good but everything else is marginal and he becomes a glove-only shortstop a la Adeiny Hechevarria, another where he makes a lot of contact of the line drive and ground ball variety too and is a very valuable big leaguer like maybe some of Alcides Escobar’s better years, and a third where there’s power too and he’s a superstar. But the fact that the third scenario even exists at all is rare because, for most shortstop prospects, it doesn’t.

AJ: Do you think that any other Angels prospects crack next year’s top 100 beside Jahmai Jones?

Eric A Longenhagen: Possibly their draft pick or Brandon Marsh if he ever gets healthy.

Eric A Longenhagen: This kid is throwing harder this spring: http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=sa916702&position=P

adam: are there any good comps for Luis Urias

Eric A Longenhagen: Not really, which speaks to Urias’ uniqueness somewhat but more so that comps, in general, are no bueno.

Tim: Favorite under-the-radar Brewers prospect?

Eric A Longenhagen: Depends upon your radar’s depth I guess. Of the guys who didn’t make the main section of the Brewers list I guess I’d say Joantgel Segovia.

Eric A Longenhagen: Here’s the list btw: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/top-25-prospects-milwaukee-brewers/

Ace: What is the strength of this years draft? College hitters? Prep pitchers?

Eric A Longenhagen: College arms but it’s a weird class. The first college arm off the board might be a 6′ righty, or it might be a college arm drafted as a hitter.

Eric A Longenhagen: Also, Southern California is really strong.

Eric A Longenhagen: That’s an evergreen statement but this year it’s especially true, I think.

Tommy N.: You recently uploaded a video of Jordy Barley, his swing seems more aggressive compared to before. Has your opinion on him changed? If so what do you think about him.

Eric A Longenhagen: I think I’ll be looking for power performance in games that I wouldn’t have been looking for had I only seen last year’s approach. I guess I do like him better now than I did last fall, but I’d like to see him get to power in games before tossing him ahead of a bunch of the others guys in the system that he previously had been behind.

OC: You a big believer in the Ramon Laureano breakout?

Eric A Longenhagen: Sure, probably not going to put up the kind of numbers he did last year in the big leagues but I believe in the bat and think he’s going to provide value on defense and on the bases too. Could be a solid everyday guy.

J to the T: Hi Eric, I love your work. What is your feeling on Nonie Williams. I know he is really raw. It looks like he struck out in 25% of his at bats. Do you see anything in him that makes you think he can put the tools to use?

Eric A Longenhagen: Definitely has some tools but you’re right, he’s raw. The Angels believe in the tools enough that he’s getting reps at short in minor league games instead of Julio Garcia, who I think is the better defensive player right now.

Tony Plush: How is Vlad Jr looking at 3rd? Chances he sticks there a few years?

Eric A Longenhagen: Meh. Maybe he stays there for a while but I do think he moves at some point.

Eric A Longenhagen: It shouldn’t matter too much, I think he’s going to hit a ton.

Ron: What can you tell me about Isaac Paredes?

Eric A Longenhagen: Cubs “SS”, still getting reps there right now (I saw him there yesterday) but he’s got a catcher’s body and is probably ticketed for 3B or C at some point. I like the bat, power on contact is good. Multiple teams have asked the Cubs about him in trade discussions and KATOH loves him.

Ghost of Greg Maddux Past: Has Jake Bauers‘ performance in Spring Training changed your view of him at all? He hit .371/.465/.857 in 42 PAs, with 8 XBHs, 4 HRs, a 16% BB rate, and a 9.5% K rate. He also hit two tape measure shots, including a 450-foot bomb off a lefty.

Eric A Longenhagen: Not really. I like him, have questions about how much game power there will be. And it’s not because there’s a lack of raw, it’s because Bauers’ approach has always been more doubles-oriented. And in general, I don’t get caught up in spring performances and would advise you to do the same.

Eric A Longenhagen: He’s #5 on the Rays list, which is in the can but mired in an editorial back log right now.

RotoLando: The Jesus Aguilar Bandwagon is gassing up.

Eric A Longenhagen: Are you using the abandoned vehicle previously occupied by the people on the Mike Olt 2014 Spring Training Bandwagon? Or are you renting the Jordan Danks model? The Michael Choice vehicle is still in my driveway if you need it.

5 Run Homer: This isn’t a prospect question but the Rays just acquired Peter Bourjos… why? They already have too many OFs!

Eric A Longenhagen: Rasmus is dinged up.

Kiermaier’s Piercing Green Eyes: The Cuban national team is doing exhibition games stateside this summer. Are there any names I should look out for if I go?

Eric A Longenhagen: We won’t know until rosters are released but if Yoelkis Cespedes or Victor Mesa is on there, definitely those two.

Eric A Longenhagen: And I still dig Livan Moinello, even if his upside is realistically a 5th starter or changeup/command reliever.

Eric A Longenhagen: But I’d encourage you to go regardless, you never know what you might see.

Smokey: How optimistic should we be about the Phillies’ future? Even though there’s depth, they only have 3 prospects above 50 FV, which does not seem impressive at all, especially relative to the Braves

Eric A Longenhagen: Right but as those low-level arms like Sixto and Medina track through the minors and the risk aspect of their profiles start to go away, those FV grades should tick up. It’s a fun time to be a prospect-aware Phillies fan, in my opinion.

Old timer: Obviously prospect lists, while highly entertaining, are nothing more than informed opinion snapshots. If you were taking that informed opinion snapshot today, is there any particular prospect who would make a significant leap up your list? Thanks.

Eric A Longenhagen: Probably the guys who have shown up throwing really hard like Jordan Hicks, Mitch White, Jake Jewell (who I still get to write up), etc. But you could argue that it makes sense to wait and see if, once these guys are throwing every fifth day, that sort of velo holds.

HeaterRicky: Appreciate your work Eric. Could you rank the following on offensive upside:Jesus Sanchez, Josh Lowe, Bobby Dalbec and E Florial

Eric A Longenhagen: Just on offense I’d probably move Dalbec in front of Lowe but otherwise the order looks right. Sanchez looks like he might hit and hit for power. The other three are power-fist guys with Dalbec having the most raw of the three. I like Lowe more as a prospec because the defensive profile in CF is better.

Old timer: A J Puk; command was the problem. Athleticsfarm.com interviewed Grady Fuson and he, possibly cheerleading, downplayed the command issue. What are you hearing about Puk’s command issues? thanks.

Eric A Longenhagen: His body is better this spring than it was at Florida and based on what I’ve seen and scouts I’ve talked to who have that club right now, it looks better than it did last year. But nobody thinks Puk is ever going to be a surgeon, just that he’ll throw enough strikes to start and get a lot out of his stuff.

Recent Takes: Who impressed and disappointed you most that you saw this spring?

Eric A Longenhagen: I’ve seen Riley Pint and Marcos Diplan struggle but it was one look and I heard Pint was much better his next time out.

Eric A Longenhagen: Adrian Morejon was very impressive.

Eric A Longenhagen: There are lots of guys on both sides of the coin but those are the first names that came to mind.

Outta my way, Gyorkass: Ooh, you’re focusing on the Brewers today? Nice!

Lucas Erceg – am I setting myself up for disappointment here by hoping an above average major league 3B in 2020/beyond? I’d think so by looking at KATOH predicting 3.1 WAR in his first 6 years, but is this just inherent risk of being fairly far from the majors being baked in? He’s looked awfully good this spring, but I know…spring training.

Eric A Longenhagen: Not focusing on the Brewers per se, just saw most of that system yesterday because they had 3 games going on the backfields at once in the afternoon and then an advanced prospect night game in Tempe. So I saw four of the minor league rosters in a span of 8 hours.

Eric A Longenhagen: I like Erceg a lot. KATOH’s projections are limited there because he only has half a year of pro ball under his belt. Huge talent, fell in the draft due to off field stuff.

SC: Do you think the public will ever be able to get its hands on numbers from fall instructs or extended spring training? I know such information has extremely limited value (if any), but it seems so weird in this age that all this baseball goes on without any information leaking out beyond occasional vague reports about guys who are “impressing.”

Eric A Longenhagen: I doubt it. EXT and Insturx innings often don’t end with a third out, they just get “rolled” for time/pitch counts. Stats there are probably too noisy to mean anything. I’d like exit velos and modern metrics like that if I could get them but I can’t envision a scenario where I do.

Erik: Which borderline contender has the best chance of competing a year early if their AA/AAA prospects play well enough to force an early promotion?

Eric A Longenhagen: Good question. Milwaukee or Cincy next year? This year maybe Colorado and Tampa.

Sonny: What, if anything, in Mitch Haniger’s 1.000 ops in Reno should carry more weight than the normal ‘that’s just the PCL’ shrug? Really a potential 3 win player this year?

Eric A Longenhagen: He made what I consider to be substantive mechanical changes that have unlocked some of his plus raw power. I think he’s a big leaguer of some kind but 3 WAR would blow me away.

JB: Comparing Giolito’s vs. Kopech’s scouting grades, I am led to believe that Kopech is the superior prospect. Obviously scouting is not just a science but also an art. Can you please elaborate of why Giolito is the superior prospect? Or is this one of those, “I went with my gut, but it can go either way” type of deals. Thanks!

Eric A Longenhagen: Kopech has what I’d consider more visible reliever risk because of the effort in his delivery and the issues with walk he’s had in the past. Giolito’s issues (he has essentially gone backwards velo-wise) can be explained away by arguably sub-optimal mechanical changes made by WAS coaches last year. That’s all subjective and you can choose not to look at it that way if you don’t want to, it’s just how I’ve seen it.

Eric A Longenhagen: And for the record, I think Kopech is a stud. Just a somewhat risky one.

Eric: Do you think Torres makes an appearance for the Yankees this year? How about Frazier?

Eric A Longenhagen: No (unless someone’s job is riding on it), yes.

Josh Hader: What are the chances I stick as a starter?

Eric A Longenhagen: >50%

Dave Mc: Cedric Mullins is getting a lot of buzz among Orioles writers for his big spring. Is there more there than write ups have suggested?

Eric A Longenhagen: Not to me, because it’s my writeup.

Eric A Longenhagen: But I like him and think he has a chance to be a big leaguer of some kind, probably a bench OF, which is a great outcome for the player and where he was drafted.

Zihuatenejo: The top prospects in the Dodgers’ farm system are all pretty well known at this point. Who are some lesser-known or further-away guys that we should keep an eye on?

Eric A Longenhagen: Keibert Ruiz, Oneil Cruz, Mitch White, etc, etc.

Eric A Longenhagen: Here’s their list. It’s a fun, deep system. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/top-21-prospects-los-angeles-dodgers/

Alan: Random question about handling of a J2 class. Seems like most reports say the Braves signed a lot of shortstops with different likelihood to stay at the position — Maitan, Severino, Soto, Pena, Vasquez among others. Obviously there’s no need to move any of them right now, and im sure the Braves want them all at SS as long as possible. But With only the GCL and DSL available, how do they make that happen with such a talented J2 class?

Eric A Longenhagen: Good question, and this applies to any team that has had huge J2 classes. Teams like the Yankees have added an affiliate to deal with the playing time crunch. The Padres are adding a second AZL team this year. The more advanced guys will come to the states for Extended and then the GCL while others will stay in the Domincan for the DSL and then come to the states for instructs in the fall.

Brian: What are your thoughts on Yoan Moncada’s eating habits? The reports on his consumption of twinkies are staggering. Could be very risky for his future health and fitness.

Eric A Longenhagen: Yeah I thought that was weird, too.

Eric A Longenhagen: Yoan, if you’re reading this, don’t keep doing that.

Eric A Longenhagen: Stuff like that is always a risk for prospects who go from living in a country stricken with poverty to suddenly having money and a McDonalds within walking distance from every minor league park they visit in their new country of residence.

Claudio: which one of the Braves top arms make it to the MLB rotation first (not counting Folty of course)? My money are on Fried, yours?

Eric A Longenhagen: That’s probably a sound bet because he’s older, has had injury stuff in the past that might incline me to push him before he breaks again. But if I had to pick one to start a big league game tomorrow? Soroka.

DTH: Spring stats mean nothing caveat, but has Happ surprised you with how advanced he’s looked? He seemed to struggle a little in AA last year, I didn’t expect this kind of showing against MLB competition, especially the power output

Eric A Longenhagen: Not really, Happ has been a cheeseball of mine since college.

mat : what are your thoughts on Jordan Montgomery?What’s his ceiling?

Eric A Longenhagen: I like him, he’s a huge victory for Yankees PD. Wrote him up here:

Eric A Longenhagen: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/top-33-prospects-new-york-yankees/

Terry’s Sarape: Which current MLB players have (close to) 80 bat speed?

Eric A Longenhagen: There might be an objective answer to that but based on my eyes I’d say Javy Baez, Corey Seager, Cano, Mookie. Segura and Anthony Rendon are close for me, too. There are probably more but not that I can think of off the top of my head.

Mark: Jahmai Jones… I’ve seen him sporadically on a few top 100 lists this year. What’s your take on him? He’s still raw, but do you think s bat play at the mlb level?

Eric A Longenhagen: I really like him. Good athlete, great makeup, watched him have a few tough at-bats yesterday but he has a quick bat, good approach, tracks pitches well. I think he’s a plus hitter who stays in CF.

Tom: It seems pretty clear that Luke Weaver will be the first one called up for the Cards in the event of an injury. Anybody in spring training that impressed you that could be a surprisingly solid #7 option?

Eric A Longenhagen: I think Alcantara’s stuff is good enough to merit consideration but the weirdo name I’ll throw out there is Daniel Poncedeleon.

Bubba: You buying that Shelby Miller is good again?

Eric A Longenhagen: I’m buying that 97+ is harder than he threw last year.

Mark: Matt Thaiss looked solid this spring with his approach. Again, long way to go, but how do the tools jump out at you? Do you predict his body will fill out anymore and thus more power? Or has he maxed out?

Eric A Longenhagen: The tools do not, his ability to avoid striking out does.

DTH: are you more on Jamai Jones or Thaiss as the Angels top prospect? and the cupboard is pretty bare there, do you see a productive Angels farm in the next 2-3 years without a Trout trade?

Eric A Longenhagen: I’m on Jahmai and, on tools, Brandon Marsh more than Thaiss. But Marsh is riskier due to injury (I still haven’t seen him this spring and only saw him take BP last fall because of a back injury). There are some young Latin American arms at the lower levels that are worth monitoring. Hopefully most of them are here for the AZL.

Harry: Dylan Cease’s curveball getting Justin Verlander comps some places and below average others. How good is his stuff?

Eric A Longenhagen: It’s a 50 curveball for me. Thought I saw a true mid-80s slider last week, too.

Matt: Have you seen enough from Buehler this spring to bump him up to a 55 already? Or do you want to see him do this over several months first?

Eric A Longenhagen: The latter, especially because his workload is probably going to be a topic of discussion in general.

Terry’s Sarape: What is the biggest factor in prospect failure? pre-existing conditions/weaknesses, coaching, mental limitations, mis-diagnosed scouting reports, other?

Eric A Longenhagen: There are countless variables. Me being wrong, scouts I talked to being wrong, injuries, poor organizational infrastructure as far as skill development is concerned, poor org process for cultural assimilation, bad coaching, poor org communication between dev personnel, makeup, randomness…

Ryan: You tweeted out video of Jordy Barley the other day. Can you expand on the tools he shows?

Eric A Longenhagen: 70 run, potentially viable D at SS.

mat : Best under the radar Yankees prospect? And who’s your breakout candidate?

Eric A Longenhagen: Again, depends on your radar. You could throw a dart at the 2014 J2 class and pick a name like Juan De Leon. Or a strike thrower like Yefry Ramirez who could move quickly.

Nolan: It seems like Kendall is slipping a little in the draft class. As a Padre fan, should I be happy if they took him at 3?

Eric A Longenhagen: There are probably more than 3 arms ahead of him right now.

Ryan: Am I crazy to think Monte Harrison will be a breakout guy this year?

Eric A Longenhagen: Not crazy, he has ridiculous tools but needs to stay healthy.

Goose: What were your thought on Thor 3 years ago?

Eric A Longenhagen: Saw him 97-100 in an Eastern League playoff start with Binghamton when he had a curveball as the primary breaking ball instead of that slider. Would’ve put a 60 on him I think? Which was probably a little light.

Eric A Longenhagen: There may be twitter evidence of more than that.

Matt: Will we have MLB draft rankings from you?

Eric A Longenhagen: Yes. Need to get lists done, then I’ll be taking a short vacation so Jill and I can make eye contact for the first time in months and then it’s primarily draft stuff (with pro and J2 stuff sprinkled in) until June.

Joe: Does anyone really know what this kid Morejon will be?

Eric A Longenhagen: No, but that’s because we don’t really “know” anything. But here’s what I see:

Eric A Longenhagen: 93-96, mature, squat body so there’s probably not more coming. He commands it and attacks, let me emphasize ATTACKS hitter. He was going right after other Padres prospects in a sim game I saw last week, with authority. Changeup flashing above average, slider flsahing above average. The kid has barely thrown and is already showing mature sequencing and command of everything. I think he’s going to move quickly. Stuff more or less is what it is, maybe the secondaries will tighten up with reps. He’s very good.

Jim: I keep reading about Andres Gimenez, yet no one talks about his skills/tools or what he can/could be? Any insight?

Eric A Longenhagen: Full report is here: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/top-20-prospects-new-york-mets/

Eric A Longenhagen: He’s advanced. Mautre approach and feel to hit, less physical projection than the usual teenage shortstop but his actions, range and arm are all fine there.

Eric A Longenhagen: The tools aren’t crazy, but the same has been said for shortstops near the top of prospect lists in recent year. Swanson, Profar, Crawford….

David: How do you find out about minor league spring games and scrimmages? Are these posted somewhere?

Eric A Longenhagen: Some clubs have schedules made public. The Brewers have a Player Dev twitter account that has been tweeting lineups every day, which I think is great. Others you can walk into the offices at the ST complex and get rosters and schedules. Mine come from either team sources or scout/media contacts here in AZ with whom I share that kind of info constantly.

Luminus: Can you give some thoughts on Garrett Stubbs and why he’s rarely if ever listed among the top catching prospects?

Eric A Longenhagen: He’s outlierishly small. Nobody knows if he can catch an entire season of games because nobody has ever seen someone this size do it before.

Jack: Keith Law got a recent look at Mitchell White about a week back and came away really impressed. Have you gotten a chance to see him at all this spring? Any chance he will be a fast climber?

Eric A Longenhagen: We were both there that day. He’s good regardless of whether or not the velo spike holds but if it sticks obviously the ceiling is higher.

bader mader: who’s the best defensive prospect you ever seen? in each the OF, INF, and C

Eric A Longenhagen: C – Jake Rogers, INF- Freddy Galvis and Jose Iglesias, OF – Byron Buxton

Colby: Did you see Devin Williams as a middle of the rotation arm before the injury? After?

Eric A Longenhagen: Not quite. I’ve only seen him struggle. 90-94, some curveball feel but poor command.

Dan P: Hi Eric, can you tell me a little about Fernando Romero? What’s the ceiling and your thoughts on him?

Eric A Longenhagen: Bid-bodied sinker/slider guy. Hard, mid-90s with a short, upper-80s slider. Has already had a TJ and some scouts don’t like the delivery so there’s some relief risk.

Guest: What are your thoughts on Jamie Schultz long term? I have seen him a few times and he has BIG time stuff but struggles with command. His fastball and curve look plus to me but I know his height and command makes him a logical choice to move into a RP role.

Eric A Longenhagen: Totally agree with you. Think he’s a solid two-pitch reliever.

Dan: Is Crusito Mieses still a guy for the Angels? Saw his name pop up a couple of years ago as a kid to watch but not much since. Thanks!

Eric A Longenhagen: Have seen him around the complex but never on the mound. Was throwing hard…in 2013 or ’14? But I saw him once after that and he was 88-91 I think?

Old timer: Looking forward to the A’s list snapshot. Heath Fillmyer’s name has been popping up in some of the A’s sources I read. Your thoughts? Likely starter? Thanks.

Eric A Longenhagen: Yup. low-to mid-90s with a mid-80s, hybrid breaking ball. He’s maybe a little undersized but that isn’t really a concern of mine (or Oakland, based on their recent history of starters) because he’s a good athlete. Two-way, small college player from the northeast so lots of late-bloomer traits here.

Yoan Moncada’s Stomach: I like the twinkies

Eric A Longenhagen: Stop it, Yoan. Just stop. Please.

Kretin: Why don’t teams invest more in keeping their prospects actively training during the off-season with provided meals and fitness programs?

Eric A Longenhagen: $

Eric A Longenhagen: But some teams are better at it than others and, ultimately, teams can’t hover over these kids 24 hours a day so if I want a pint of High Road at 1am I can go get it.

YKnotDisco?!: Dwight Howard had a similar habit to Moncada’s. Started to lose the feeling in his limbs.

Eric A Longenhagen: Seriously? I’m not going to claim to have a metabolism anything like either Moncada or Howard but if I have two donuts (free plug for Bosa donuts in Tempe here) I feel like my heart is going to burst.

Bob: How high are you on Lewis Brinson?

Eric A Longenhagen: Really high. Power/speed/good D in CF.

Eric A Longenhagen: He hit a ball over the batter’s eye in Tempe last night.

ctw: i feel like mccutchen had 80 bat speed, maybe not anymore

Eric A Longenhagen: I agree. Rickie Weeks, too.

Matt: Who has a better chance of being the Pirates future 3B, or an MLB regular, KeBryan Hayes or Will Craig? Who would you expect to see in Pittsburgh first?

Eric A Longenhagen: Hayes is the better prospect but Craig could move more quickly.

AA: Do most of the Cuban/J2 signees start in extended spring training? Just wondering if I’m going to get much information on Maitan and Yunior Severino this spring.

Eric A Longenhagen: Correct. Maitan isn’t playing until extended, nor are most of Oakland’s J2 guys from last year like Norge Ruiz, Yerdel Vargas, Marcos Brito. Lazarito is here, though.

Erik: What athlete in another sport do you think could transition to baseball and make the majors after a year or so? In other words, who could pull a Tebow better than Tebow?

Eric A Longenhagen: Do I get to cheat and say Pat Connaughton?

Eric A Longenhagen: I like this question but it requires more thought and time than I have right now. I’d probably start by sifting through point guards and mobile quarterbacks.

Big Joe Mufferaw: What would you make of a prospect with a Gary Sheffield like Pre swing hitch?

Eric A Longenhagen: If he has Gary Sheffield’s bat speed I care not.

Bert Campaneris: What’s the scouting report on Eno Sarris?

Eric A Longenhagen: Plus on-field makeup, plus hair, plus sandwich making skills, off-field concerns about the beer consumption, 20 runner.

Kev: Odds we ever see a Greene-like player truly developed as a two way player? If Otani/Betancourt make it work, could it happen?

Eric A Longenhagen: Requires a very specific skill set as well as a specific quality of skills. Like with Otani and Greene, I’m not developing them as two-way guys. No way. Not risking the development of their arms because it’s fun to watch Greene take BP and infield.

Dave: Just wanted to say thanks for always giving us great chats.

Eric A Longenhagen: You are welcome, David. This one is concluding. See you all next Tuesday.