Kiley McDaniel Prospects Chat – 1/30/15

12:08
Kiley McDaniel: I have the least snappy intros in the prospect chat game and I’m gonna keep it that way

12:08
Comment From Total Clown
Hey Kiley, is that prospect you just wrote about legit?

12:08
Comment From Pale Hose
Is Carson Cistulli legit?

12:08
Comment From RotoLando
Hell yeah, it’s time for the legittest chat on the internet

12:08
Kiley McDaniel: Good to see you guys have your game face on

12:09
Comment From CoolWinnebago
Keith Law’s (Sorry!) top 100. What are your feelings on it? Im no expert but parts of it just seem nonsensical to me. Ex. Joe Ross at #63 and Matt Wisler omitted. Judging from your org write ups your list will have many disagreements with his.
Also, remind me when your list is coming out.

12:11
Kiley McDaniel: Already have some questions about Keith’s list. Keith is a friend and i really respect his prospect stuff. We texted yesterday about how funny it was watching people on twitter try to pit us against each others. He and I clearly have different information and that will lead to different lists and odds are both of us are going to be super wrong all over our top 100.

So, “why did Keith put this guy too high/low, isn’t that crazy?” isn’t going to be answered. “Keith put this guy in x spot, are you higher/lower on the player than him” can be, but I’m not going to guess why he as the player where he does.

12:12
Kiley McDaniel: Also, I’ve been sending around my top 100+ the last week or so, so I have a pretty decent idea where people will end up. You could look at the FVs for each guy I’ve written up and get a good sense where they’ll be, but I’ve shuffled guys since then and I know no one wants to go thru every list. So, I’ll give some hints and teasers based on what I have right now, but obviously won’t be giving away the whole list…or the cool stuff we’re gonna do when we roll out the list.

12:13
Comment From BadNewsJays
If you had to take either Stroman, Sanchez or Norris, who do you take?

12:13
Kiley McDaniel: Stroman, but I’m the high guy on Stroman and probably the low guy on Norris.

12:13
Comment From Guest
Super bowl predictions?

12:14
Kiley McDaniel: I’m leaning Seahawks since I think the 2nd half v GB was more indicative of their talent (since I think Russell Wilson was concussed in teh 1st half). Chancellor v Gronk should be fantastic/terrifying.

12:14
Kiley McDaniel: Question for you people: favorite snack while watching a game? Buffalo wings for me.

12:14
Comment From Vic
How close is Crawford to other SSs Russell and Correa?

12:15
Kiley McDaniel: two 65s and one of the top 60s, same grades as on the lists they appeared on. All comfortably in the top 15 for me.

12:15
Comment From Mike
Kieth Law has Pederson at #28. I expected him to be higher up the list, how about you?

12:15
Kiley McDaniel: I’ll have him higher

12:15
Comment From RotoLando
Have you heard any more scouting opinions on Hector Olivera since the showcase?

12:16
Kiley McDaniel: Talked numbers with a scout yesterday and it seems to be moving north now that people know what they’re looking at. Age and injury history could limit the pool of teams in on him. If I plan my DR trip right (July 2 is the purpose of the trip), I should be seeing him in the coming weeks.

12:16
Comment From Matt
Do you have any thoughts on Jose De Leon? Spectacular 2014, but he is only a year removed from being a 24th rounder and has almost no track record.

12:17
Kiley McDaniel: Just talked to a scout about him yesterday. Blew up last year out of nowhere, may be able to start, power stuff, probably a 45 FV but could move up/down a notch in the 1st half of 2015.

12:17
Comment From Colby
Sign me up for the Albies man love club. Whats a good comp if he reaches his full potential?

12:18
Kiley McDaniel: The two most common ones I got were shorter Lindor and Furcal with less arm. It’s a BA/OBP/SB/defense smallish shorstop.

12:18
Comment From Jake from Farmers Only
Anybody moving up the draft already?

12:19
Kiley McDaniel: According to our SoCal guy Ron Shah, Peter Lambert is on the radar more now than before and the arm speed is looking good for Jason Nix. Mac Marshall is having his first start of the year as we speak, so I’ll check in with some scouts once we’re done here.

12:19
Comment From Joe
If you’re the Orioles, do you see Christian Walker good enough to plan as your 2016 1B at minimum wage and make competing hard for Chris Davis’s HR/RBI in free agency something to not do next offseason?

12:20
Kiley McDaniel: Sounds like the plan, with some work in 2015 indicating if he’s an everyday guy or more of a platoon part-time guy in 2016. 60 raw and some feel to hit, so gotta take a look at that for the minimum

12:20
Comment From Sir Nerdlinton
When does ‘makeup’ start to counter ceiling? For example, would a 60 FV guy with a 30 Makeup be less desirable than a 50 FV guy with 50 Makeup?

12:21
Kiley McDaniel: 50 FV and 60 FV is a pretty big gap and scouts don’t really score makeup except when it’s 20 or 80. I’d take the 60 guy in your scenario if its immaturity and stuff you can probably grow out of eventually. I’d take the 50 FV if his issues are more like regularly getting arrested, because then he wouldn’t be a 60 FV anymore.

12:22
Comment From NeonDeion
10 place difference in ranking for NYY’s farm between you and Keith Law’s list. any thoughts about it?

12:23
Kiley McDaniel: Sounds like we disagree about a few of their top guys and I wrote a whole article about how many problems there are when trying to rank systems anyway…so it doesn’t surprise/outrage me at all. A top 10 system and $4 can get you a cup of coffee–it’s a totally arbitrary cut-off for ranking something and that’s a big reason why I don’t get all the competition and outrage from these lists.

12:27
Kiley McDaniel: I was talking to a Tigers exec a few days back and we were trying to figure out where I’d rank them if they just kept all the guys they signed. They’ll probably be in my bottom 3-5 systems, but they’ve dumped Jake Thompson, Willy Adames, Devon Travis, Jonathon Crawford, Robbie Ray, Domingo Leyba just in the last few months and that’s just the prospects.

So if they let’s say they’re 28th; does that mean they’re better/worse at anything than some team with the 20th ranked system that is constantly trading for prospects? Nope. That’s why I take these rankings with a grain of salt and part of the presentation is to put this in context, with an intro, MLB under 27 players, mention what they’re good/bad at, Cameron on the MLB team/org as a whole, etc.

12:27
Comment From Louis
Can you give us the exact date Moncada will be cleared?

12:27
Kiley McDaniel: Nope!

12:27
Comment From Pale Hose
How much control do players have over their contact/power mix? Announcers always used to say Ichiro could hit 20 homers if he wanted to. Can players flip a switch like that?

12:28
Kiley McDaniel: Talented players can, but it sometimes takes awhile for the standard 45 or 50 FV type player. Not always as easy as it sounds.

12:28
Comment From SteveV
Who’s a better SS prospect- Brewers Arcia or T.Turner?

12:28
Kiley McDaniel: Both in the top 100 and within about 10 spots of each other right now, so basically the same…but obviously not the same player.

12:28
Comment From j
Just wondering: any reason why Domingo German is listed as a 45 FV on his FG page but is in the 40 FV section on the NYY list?

12:30
Kiley McDaniel: FV is a moving target, particularly for borderline players. When I wrote up the deal or maybe way back when Stoltz wrote him up, I thought German would be a 45 on the list, but he ended up as a 40. When I go in and update the scouting grades on the player pages for the recent lists, German will be a 40. Trust the most recent thing when there’s a discrepancy, b/c the grades will change with new information.

12:30
Comment From Scranton
Is there any realistic chance that Willy Garcia overcomes his plate discipline issue to the extent that would allow him to get to his power in the majors? With his defense, arm and power, he seems like he could bring a lot to the table if he just got his K/BB ratio somewhat acceptable.

12:31
Kiley McDaniel: That’s the question and the other tools, performance and age indicate there’s hope, but it’s anyone’s guess. Some guys can make that approach work if the other tools ARE LEGIT (Starling Marte, Alex Rios are in that area), but it’s rare.

12:31
Comment From Guest
Top 5 under the radar prospects i should be looking out for in my dynasty league?

12:32
Kiley McDaniel: Wouldn’t be able to name all the good candidates now, but go check prospects from the lower levels in the 45 FV group of my lists. Reds LHP Amir Garrett and RF Aristedes Aquino were the first to come to mind for this…assuming guys like Amed Rosario and Rafael Devers are already taken, but I guess some leagues are deeper than others.

12:32
Comment From Mark
Are you LEGIT?

12:32
Kiley McDaniel: Thanks for asking.

12:32
Comment From SteveV
Do you like Brewers SS Arcia? Is he a top 100 this year?

12:32
Kiley McDaniel: Yep

12:32
Comment From Bebeto
I see Chipola College is loaded is it worth a trip? Couple of top 3 rounders?

12:33
Kiley McDaniel: Marshall and Gilliam could both go top 50 picks, Cooley is a solid top 5 rounder and I’m told there’s about a dozen draftable guys on the team. Probably the most loaded Juco roster in years. 4 games this weekend in the Tampa area along with some other top Jucos if you’re interested

12:33
Comment From walter
is there any 2014/2015 sleeper international free agents out there and are the Yankees interested in

12:34
Kiley McDaniel: Big names are all gone by now with the Yankees scooping up Bryan Emery. There is a toolsy kid that’s about 20 and coming off a false age suspension in the next few weeks that I’ll ask about when I get down there. He may get solid six figures but I’m not even positive how old he’s supposed to be now.

12:35
Comment From John
Moncada question – some people think he wont be at SS for long… hes 19 and needs some minors… the $30-40 mill is really a bonus, right? the winning team still has to pay him major league salaries and go through arbitration no? so lets say $35 mil for signing, $35 mil penalty, plus another $35-45 mil during his arb years, if hes as good as expected assuming no extension… now we are talking about $100+ for a player who may or may not be playing a premium position during that time. how good does he have to be to be worth that?

12:38
Kiley McDaniel: Seems like a question better suited for Dave Cameron and I’m sure once Moncada signs he’ll break all this down. What we’re seeing is what a 1-1 draft prospect would get on an open market except we’re seeing it with him as the only one on the market and the timing/price controls of the int’l rules. Very unique so hard to really dial in what these specific parameters will drive the price to.

I still think it’s 40+, in part because of the deep pockets of NYY/BOS/LA and the fact that it’s just one player. Being expected to play 2B, 3B or CF obviously hurts his value some but look at Puig’s first two years. 9 wins and still one more year that’s free for the DOdgers, then 3 more at reduced rates. those two seasons are worth over $50M on the open market and probably closer to $75M if teams knew how good Puig would be. Moncada has those tools, so this is what drives the price up.

12:39
Comment From the real brian
Put the new Bjork album on the 20-80 scale. Do it.

12:39
Kiley McDaniel: Absolutely not

12:39
Comment From Botons
If Souza was an international signee and Rusney was just a late bloomer getting playing time, would Souza’s hype/ADP be just as strong? I know that he’s everybody’s favorite sleeper, but he still seems to be overlooked.

12:41
Kiley McDaniel: Souza’s a tough one because he seems to be valued more highly by stat-leaning orgs and as an int’l signee those stats wouldn’t be anywhere near as predictive as AAA/MLB stats. Due to the CF profile, Rusney is still slightly more valuable to me, but both would easily be in the top 100. That said, I decided to leave Rusney/Tomas/Kang off the big list, even tho Rusney was on the Red Sox list.

12:41
Comment From Sir Nerdlinton
Until AA, Baez wasn’t the same prolific whiff machine he has been since (mid 20s). Where do you see his FV / Risk? The only downside of your team overviews is the future growth assets don’t get words with them.

12:42
Kiley McDaniel: True, but I also don’t make calls asking about them, so the comments wouldn’t be long. I’ll get all the MLB players with tools on their pages this season, so this will all be asnwered. I think Baez would be 60-65 FV, 4 risk for me.

12:42
Comment From Jose
I’m sure yours is more legit tho

12:42
Kiley McDaniel: thanks bruh

12:42
Comment From Nelson
how do you compare a pitcher vs a fielder when making rankings ?

12:44
Kiley McDaniel: Generally knock one grade off the pitcher, all things being equal. Reasonable upside to be a 50 FV pitcher and in the lower levels (which means the report will say could be more than 50 FV), means 45 FV. Hitters have less risk so they’re more just realistic outcome and distance to big leagues as a hedge by a half-grade or so.

12:44
Comment From Joshua
Is this the best that the White Sox farm has been in a long time? What did you think of their past couple of July 2nd signing classes?

12:45
Kiley McDaniel: Yep. Zapata is the guy to watch here ($1M+ in 2013 July 2 class). really nice guy, Virgin Islands born, fluent in English and 55-60 tools across the board but horrendous number in rookie ball this year. Word is he’s adjusting to America and pro pitching and blew up in instructs in the fall, where they don’t keep stats publicly. Could turn into a dude.

12:45
Comment From Matt
What are your thoughts on Ketel Marte? He seems to lack really sexy tools, but it appears he can hit. And hitters do hit.

12:46
Kiley McDaniel: Except when they stop. Looking like 50 FV, but lower end of the range.

12:46
Comment From SteveV
Seems Pirates Bell is having trouble adjusting to 1B. Wouldn’t they be better off trading him since there is no OF spots open?

12:46
Kiley McDaniel: Made some Pirates calls and they think he fits best in RF but know he can’t play there for them, so 1B is the only possible fit. Still new to it, so not concerned. If they get an injury and he’s raking, maybe he heads back out to RF.

12:46
Comment From Rolo Tomassi
Zach Lee and Chris Reed – both disappointing first round picks by the Dodgers. Which one do you see as more likely to turn things around and why?

12:47
Kiley McDaniel: I think they’re a back-end starter and 8th inning guy, so two useful big leaguers in the 2nd half of the 1st round isn’t that bad. Some would even say good. I prefer Lee.

12:49
Comment From Botons
Any prospects that should be on the radar as potential closers in the near future, similarly to Betances last year and the emergence of guys like Giles?

12:50
Kiley McDaniel: Those were both big surprises last year because relievers w/some stuff may only need a small tweak to improve breaking ball and small tweak to improve command enough to let it play. This one would be hard to do without going thru each list. Jacob Lindgren comes to mind, tho.

12:50
Comment From Mark
Is JP Crawford essentially Lindor with a little lower batting average and lesser defensive profile?

12:50
Kiley McDaniel: More power, maybe similar batting average, pretty close on defense, more physical projection. I prefer Crawford, but it’s close.

12:51
Comment From JP Lovegood
When are we coming over to christen your new place? Is A-Rod invited?

12:51
Kiley McDaniel: Turns out he was the one that send the edible arrangement yesterday, so he’s getting closer to an invite.

12:51
Comment From Nelson
Daniel Robertson: Future STud hitter, or just average?

12:52
Kiley McDaniel: I’m the low guy on him. I think he’s a 2B that hits with fringy power. Not on the top 100 right now, but close.

12:52
Comment From RotoLando
What do you make of this weird disconnect between OFAC and MLB in regards to Cuban prospects this year?

12:53
Kiley McDaniel: My eyes glaze over that we all have to pay attention to this inane political paperwork garbage. I keep getting questions/statements from agents and scouts and we all just kinda throw up our hands. The solution will apparently come faster now that we’re all talking about it, but it’s out of our hands now. Way above my paygrade. Hard to muster interest in it for me at this point.

12:54
Kiley McDaniel: I was sent Yoan Lopez’s specific license today and I was like “oooh cool” then I read it and it’s super dry and I remembered how stupid this all is.

12:54
Comment From Vslyke
Thanks for the write-up of the Braves, that’s a great resource. Did anyone you talked to mention Bethancourt’s poor framing? Both BP and StatsCorner has him as a far below-average framer in his limited MLB time.

12:55
Kiley McDaniel: Braves said he was run down, which was evident at the plate, so that may be a bad sample.

12:55
Comment From John
Agree that Wilson was concussed, but it’ not really something that gets solved in an hour. If he was concussed, he should still be sitting. That’s a wildly uncomfortable thing to bring up before the Super Bowl, though, so it will never come up.

12:55
Kiley McDaniel: More political garbage…fun!

12:55
Comment From Grand Admiral Braun
KLaw had Schwarber ranked in the 90s; is the catcher-but-probable left fielder ranked a few dozen spots higher for you?

12:55
Kiley McDaniel: lots of dozen spots higher

12:56
Comment From David
Does Lucas Giolito see AA this year? And if so, how fast does he move after that?

12:56
Kiley McDaniel: Kinda answered in my report on him for the Nats list. High-A to start, the if he continues dominating, AA is likely and once he’s at AA, MLB is just a call away. WSH will be cautious, but it could end up going fast.

12:56
Comment From Ryan
Urias or Rodon, who’s got the best future?

12:57
Kiley McDaniel: lean Urias, but just a couple spots ahead of Rodon on the big list.

12:57
Comment From Mike C
Do you and Law ever discuss individual players where your opinions vary wildly. Surprised Severino failed to make his list and I suspect he’ll be top 30 in yours?

12:58
Kiley McDaniel: Not really. I’m sure he’s aware where he relative to other people on these guys. We’d just be saying our reports out loud and not changing our mind….I mean if one of us did then that wouldn’t speak well to our writing. We do talk delicious food and online trolls and my eyes do not glaze over for that.

12:58
Kiley McDaniel: On a similar note, my favorite thing is explaining what Tinder is to older scouts, who get really mad that they’re married for a few minutes. Then they usually go take a nap and forget.

12:59
Comment From Arnie
Hi new to this chat and site. Who do you think has a better year, Mookie Betts or Rusney Castillo

12:59
Kiley McDaniel: I think i would be fired if I didn’t say Mookie. I actually think Mookie will be better, but also this whole site is very pro-Mookie. Mookie.

12:59
Comment From Indiana Bob
Any thoughts on Card’s Aledmys Diaz?

1:00
Kiley McDaniel: Good tools, will be on the list, had some shoulder soreness that kinda made his 2014 a throwaway. Will play SS next year, so could help his value.

1:00
Comment From RotoLando
Pitchers from cold-weather states are typically said to have less experince, but also less mileage on their arms. Does it make much of a difference in their development curve?

1:00
Kiley McDaniel: Yes and for those reasons

1:01
Comment From Santos
When does the top 100 roll out?

1:01
Kiley McDaniel: Week or two. Don’t have a set date yet but may decide that date today, actually.

1:02
Comment From Guest
Last year BA had an article about Kevin Maitan, and said he will the next big ifa, he is 4 years younger than Moncada and had comparison of Miguel Cabrera. Have you seen him and how does he compare to Moncada?

1:02
Kiley McDaniel: Actually I wrote that article: http://www.fangraphs.com/bl…

1:02
Comment From Willis
Loaded potato skins are always a winner. (Good) Nachos also a must.

1:03
Kiley McDaniel: Nachos with that liquid cheese garbage should be shot into space

1:03
Comment From brian strumke
Over/under on how many “Klaw has this guy here and you have them there. He/you are so stupid.” comments in today’s chat? 50? 5,000?

1:03
Kiley McDaniel: Way too many

1:03
Comment From Guest
Were Cistulli’s Minor League WAR listings in line with projections you’ve given prospects? If that makes sense….

1:03
Kiley McDaniel: Just talked to him about this yesterday. It should be appearing again.

1:03
Comment From Seymour
Are you as high on Amed Rosario as some others seem to be? TOp 50 prospect a year from now?

1:04
Kiley McDaniel: Might be one right now

1:04
Comment From Moosh
If you had to pick one stat that identifies top prospects, what would that be?

1:04
Kiley McDaniel: my rankings

1:04
Comment From Mike in Buffalo
Obviously “Buffalo Wings” are just “chicken wings” or just “wings” here. What are you people talking about when you say “wings” in places where people say “buffalo wings”?

1:06
Kiley McDaniel: Some people get that honey bbq or teriyaki nonsense on there, so I specify the sauce. I have a friend that makes fun of me every time I say hot wings because he gets the mild asian ones so we make fun of each other it’s fun

1:06
Comment From brian strumke
Following A&M recruiting saw this at the end of a Kyler Murray article yesterday. “Murray is also an accomplished baseball player who is projected to be selected as early as the first round in the 2015 Major League Baseball amateur draft in June.” Is Kyler a legitimate top 50 guy or the standard throwaway for a great athlete who plays baseball in HS?

1:07
Kiley McDaniel: First round talent, but volatile since scouts have seen very very little of him playing baseball. Signability also will be a big factor

Wrote about that at length and ranked him/the whole draft class here: http://www.fangraphs.com/bl…

1:07
Comment From IRWT
It’s funny how we all get wound up about rankings when the important mission for a farm system is to serve the MLB club in the short-, middle- and long-term. If the system is doing that, who cares where it stands in any one individual ranking? WE DO, apparently 🙂

1:07
Kiley McDaniel: UGH YOU PEOPLE

1:07
Comment From PoopyFace
Kiley,

1:07
Kiley McDaniel: Yes?

1:08
Comment From Jack Napier
If Gary Sanchez matures, do you see him being a useful low-end fantasy C in his career?

1:08
Kiley McDaniel: That’s a really big if

1:08
Comment From PoopyFace
Kiley, Ill bet you cant wait for the day that people run to other scouts to complain about your lists. That’s when you know you are the boss.

1:09
Kiley McDaniel: I was told yesterday that a GM referenced my rankings in a press conference but it was more fun when a GM refuted my report of a done deal with a July 2 kid to both beat reporters…then signed him for the exact amount that I reported on july 2nd.

1:09
Comment From Moosh
Was combing over Midwest League stats from last year and stumbled upon Rowdy Tellez. Do you know anything about him?

1:09
Kiley McDaniel: Really big dude, like seriously big, with 60 raw from the left side but concerns on the other stuff. Pretty good swing tho.

1:10
Comment From Pirates Hurdles
Anything on Manuel Joseph, CF DET from Carson’s article today?

1:10
Kiley McDaniel: Hasn’t come up on DET calls

1:10
Comment From Yeast Mode
Why is Mlb dragging their feet with Moncada? seem like the ball is in their court.

1:10
Kiley McDaniel: (eyes glazed over)

1:10
Comment From randplaty
I see a lot of guys moving up due to their performance in the AFL. Is performance in the AFL comparable to AA performance? AAA?

1:11
Kiley McDaniel: Eh, kinda. Very offensive environment, some guys are working on things and some guys are worn down, so I’d trust AA stats more but context is important for both.

1:11
Comment From BassmanUW
There were a few responses and posts earlier on that seemed to get jumbled. Were you saying you’ll have JP Crawford higher than Russell and Correa, or that you’ll have Joc Pederson higher than 28th?

1:11
Kiley McDaniel: Pederson higher than 28th, those three SS’s all in the top 15, Crawford slightly over Lindor, all subject to change but probably won’t change.

1:12
Comment From Phil
Everyone seems to be really worried about Joey Gallos strikeout problems, yet they still seem to keep ranking him higher and higher. Why is this? If this is a huge problem then why doesn’t it show in the rankings.

1:12
Kiley McDaniel: He’s gotta prove he can hit but he keeps hitting and older guys graduate the lists…so he kinda has to move up even if we’re suspicious. I just hope Chris Berman retires before Gallo gets in a HR Derby.

1:12
Comment From GG
Have you heard from Yankees people that they will be all in on Moncada or is it more speculation at this point?

1:13
Kiley McDaniel: It isn’t speculation. I’ve been reporting NYY/BOS are legitimately in on Moncada at the highest level since the beginning, then LA recently entered at that level as well, it appears.

1:13
Comment From Jim
Are you planning on writing a paragraph for each player on your top 100?

1:13
Kiley McDaniel: More an adapted version of what I already wrote, but yes there will be comments

1:14
Comment From Mike C
What is Alex Jackson’t ETA?

1:14
Kiley McDaniel: Low-A in ’15 and will have to rake like crazy to move fast…but he might. A little early to have his whole path figured out.

1:14
Comment From randplaty
Who is a major league comp for Hector Olivera?

1:15
Kiley McDaniel: 50+ bat and power at 2B or 3B. Haven’t been looking for comps on him yet but I’m sure you guys can figure one out for me. Right?

1:15
Comment From Rickolas
Any chance that Hunter harvey could see the majors in 2016?

1:15
Kiley McDaniel: There’s a chance, but I need to see him come out of ST and prove he’s healthy before I’d get too crazy on that.

1:16
Comment From Mike C
If Moncada were draft eligible for 2015 would he go first overall?

1:16
Kiley McDaniel: I think so, but definitely top 3. It’s a weak top of the draft class right now, as I detailed at the link a few questions back

1:16
Comment From DogBone
Thoughts on Pittsburgh’s 2014 1st round pick Cole Tucker? Haven’t heard much about him. Still too young too tell? Was it a reach for Pittsburgh?

1:17
Kiley McDaniel: Sounds like a bit of a reach but can’t trade picks and he’d be gone by their next pick. Some teams had him 25-50 on their board and others (including me) has him 2nd-3rd round. He’s 6’5 and skinny and young for the class and switch hits and makes contact and plays a solid SS….but little power and if he grows into that, he slides over the 3B, but he looks skinny and will prob stay that way. He’s a tough one to nail down right now.

1:18
Comment From Joe
is ian happ from Cincinnati a top pick this year?

1:19
Kiley McDaniel: Depends on what you mean by top pick, but I wrote like 1000 words about him yesterday, with a cool video: http://www.fangraphs.com/bl…

1:19
Comment From j
Thoughts on pitcher Alexander Vargas of the Yankees? Saw you had a video of him on the Youtube FG page

1:20
Kiley McDaniel: Lower bonus pitcher that projectable I’ve seen hit 90, but still super early to know what he’ll be.

1:20
Comment From Kevin Byler
Could you give us a rough timetable for when the Evaluating the Prospects series will be complete? Obviously no rush and loving the lists, just wondering if it will be in time for a few dynasty drafts I have scheduled.

1:20
Kiley McDaniel: Top 100 in a week or two, and lists will keep going a little after that

1:20
Comment From DogBone
BTW love the podcasts. A big fan. First thought u were too annoying…well still sorta do… But I’ve grown and learned to love yah! Thank for making my jogs informative and entertaining!

1:20
Kiley McDaniel: Thanks?

1:21
Comment From RotoLando
Where can I get a good cuban sandiwch in Tampa tonight?

1:21
Kiley McDaniel: Couple good spots just south of the Bucs stadium/Yankees complex. La Teresita is the most popular one.

1:21
Comment From Taylor
The latest on Brady Aiken?

1:21
Kiley McDaniel: Probably going to IMG in Florida with Nix, but nothing is done yet.

1:22
Comment From bob
kind of a silly hypothetical but what do the braves do with albies if simmons is still playing as well as he is now when albies is major league ready? I assume you dont move a plus defender at shortstop away from shortstop?

1:22
Kiley McDaniel: Well Albies will start in Low-A this year at age 18, so the odds that there’s a legit problem when he’s ready should solve itself.

1:22
Comment From Joe The Canada
Who do you feel will have the better overall hitting numbers in 20 years Alex Jackson or Bradley Zimmer?

1:22
Kiley McDaniel: Jackson but I’m the high guy on Zimmer so don’t sleep on him

1:22
Comment From BirdBrain
What are your feelings towards Andy Ibanez?

1:22
Kiley McDaniel: Platonic

1:23
Comment From Jordan Miller
Tyrell Jenkins & Manny Banuelos – Interesting pickups by the Braves this offseason. Do you see either returning to pre-injury form?

1:23
Kiley McDaniel: Sure, wrote a bunch about the whole ATL system here http://www.fangraphs.com/bl…

1:24
Comment From BirdBrain
Is Marcos Molina a guy to dream on? Does his stuff allow you to believe he can keep dominating in full-season ball?

1:24
Kiley McDaniel: Yes, stuff is legit: http://www.fangraphs.com/bl…

1:24
Comment From Mike C
Frank Montas as a closer candidate?

1:24
Kiley McDaniel: Probably ends up there. 80 fastball, 60 slider when he’s right.

1:24
Comment From joe
best current big league comp for moncada?

1:24
Kiley McDaniel: lefty Puig with more defensive value is the one people keep saying

1:25
Comment From Jay
Just moved to Austin. Who at U-T should I be following as potential MLB prospects this spring?

1:28
Kiley McDaniel: C.J. Hinojosa, Ben Johnson, Parker French and Tres Barrera are the best eligible guys. Andy McGuire, Josh Sawyer, Bret Boswell are solid 2016s. I really liked FR Travis Jones out of HS: big upside if he hits. FR Michael Cantu has plus power, FR Tyler Schimpf is good projection type.

1:28
Comment From mtsw
You obviously spend a lot of time visiting minor league/HS/college ballparks. Do you end up eating a lot of ballpark food or do you try to avoid it due to its presumed overpriced/low quality/unnutritious factors?

1:28
Kiley McDaniel: Eat or prepare at home and take it with me. Some funky smells in my car but worth it.

1:28
Comment From The Oberamtmann
Isn’t it a little weird that you hate “legit” but you’ll say a prospect could “turn into a dude”? Aren’t they all dudes already?

1:29
Kiley McDaniel: Dude.

1:29
Comment From RotoLando
What kind of glaze do you prefer for eyeballs? An Asian-y plum sauce glaze? A bourbon-y BBQ glaze?

1:29
Kiley McDaniel: MMMMM bourbon

1:29
Comment From James Bond
Ceiling comp for Cardinals Magneuris Sierra?

1:30
Kiley McDaniel: We’ll end on this one. Talked to an STL source that said if you love him, you see some Carlos Gonzalez.





Kiley McDaniel has worked as an executive and scout, most recently for the Atlanta Braves, also for the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates. He's written for ESPN, Fox Sports and Baseball Prospectus. Follow him on twitter.

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Wobatus
9 years ago

I noticed that Law has Dominic Smith still in the 60s and Dilson Herrera apparently just outside, and no Matz. Gee what team do I root for? You guys both add distinct voices to prospecting that sometimes cut against consensus, which i appreciate. Although I gotta say I get James Loney vibes as a good outcome for Smith. You guys are more optimistic on his power potential.

Wobatus
9 years ago
Reply to  Wobatus

Damn, I usually never make this mistake, that guy that puts his chat in the comment section.

Vince
9 years ago
Reply to  Wobatus

I never got the impression that Law puts much effort into it. As a matter of fact, I am sure he doesn’t.

Vince
9 years ago
Reply to  Wobatus

I can’t imagine Smith matching Loney’s success.