Klaw

  (1:02 PM)

If you think that a chat is all in the quips, oh well ... then do the twist.

Brad (NJ)

KLAW, what do you think of the Mous, who was just called up to Omaha? Future comp? Longoria? Zimmerman? Alex Gordon?

Klaw

  (1:04 PM)

He can't be the first two because he's never going to be that kind of fielder. If I thought he was going to have Alex Gordon's career to date, though, I wouldn't call him a prospect. Very interested to see if that huge H/R split goes away now that he's out of NW Arkansas - I think much of it will, that he's not strictly a creation of a good home park.

Eric (Atlanta)

Everyone seems to be confident that either the Phillies or the Mets or both will eventually overtake the Braves in the NL East, and Atlanta will not go to the playoffs. What exactly about the Braves has them not feeling any love?

Klaw

  (1:05 PM)

I'm not in that camp - picked them to win the WC - but if I was making an anti-ATL argument I'd pick on their lack of power. It's a very walk-driven lineup that I think can be shut down too easily by command/control pitchers. Certainly not an ideal lineup for October.

Wayne (Toronto)

Heard you say on The Fan yesterday that JP used to use International FA budget money to sign draft picks. Why didn't anyone try to stop him or suggest he ask for a bigger draft budget so he could be active in Latin America.

Klaw

  (1:06 PM)

Probably a better question for him, but while I was there, he had no interest in being active in Latin America. And as the GM that was his prerogative.

JC (Champaign IL)

Shelby Miller an ace to you or No. 2?

Klaw

  (1:06 PM)

Ace.

corey (colorado)

Hey Keith, what's your take on the 2011 all star game?

Klaw

  (1:06 PM)

If a runner steals a base, will the cops charge on the field and ask to see his papers?

Raul (Miami, FL)

Can Logan Morrison be an adequate LF? What does hi bat project like in majors? Thanks.

Klaw

  (1:07 PM)

I think he's a 1B - guys built like him tend to be Klesko-Giambi-esque in LF. But the bat will play - very advanced approach, strong, hard LD to all fields hitter, should hit for high averages and OBPs.

Ryan (NS)

KLaw, how do scouts weigh batting practice performance vs. game performance for young hitters? Does it vary by scout?

Klaw

  (1:09 PM)

BP isn't about performance, but about swing mechanics. In the game, you can look at performance more (as well as eye, approach, etc.) but BP is strictly about getting comfortable with his swing. Essential for me, but I know some scouts who skip it or bear down more in games.

Dan (Tampa)

latest on Rendon?

Klaw

  (1:10 PM)

Team USA should have a statement out any time now - as of about 4 hours ago they couldn't/wouldn't confirm the broken & dislocated ankle rumor. It does sound like Jason Esposito is a leading candidate, if not the leading one, to replace him, which would be an excellent choice.

JJ (Seattle)

Ackley just got called up to AAA, is he getting the call up to the M's?

Klaw

  (1:11 PM)

I doubt it, and I'm a little surprised by it. He didn't exactly dominate AA and his LHP split was pretty substantial.

CJ (Pittsburgh)

Will the Pirates be able to sign both Taillon and Allie by the end of next month?

Klaw

  (1:11 PM)

I'll go with "yes" and "maybe." It should help, in theory, that they have the same adviser.

Mike (Seattle, WA)

Taking health out of the equation...Smoak package or Montero package?

Klaw

  (1:12 PM)

Montero package. Premium guys are a push. Prefer the extra parts from NYY. Bear in mind I would want absolutely no part of Lueke.

Eric (Chicago)

KLaw, Gallardo said that he'd skip the ASG next year if he's voted in because of the new AZ law going into effect, my question, will all Latin players then skip spring training for a month and a half? Yeah, that'll go over well.

Klaw

  (1:13 PM)

The ASG is voluntary, spring training isn't. Not quite the same thing.

Michael (San Jose, CA)

Would you rate Chris Carter's power as a true 80 on the scouting scale? If not, is there anybody in the majors right now with 80 power?

Klaw

  (1:13 PM)

No. Stanton has 80 raw.

Clay (Normal, IL)

Klaw, what is it about guys like Hagadone and Matt Moore that projects them as relievers despite having success as starters in the minors?

Klaw

  (1:14 PM)

Hagadone's injury history, and the feeling from people inside the Cleveland org as recently as this offseason that he couldn't hold up. I haven't said/heard that on Moore, though.

Wes (North CA)

Grant Green is doing pretty well in High A ball. Noticed he was 22 and thinking to myself that might be a little older for high A ball. How is his progress coming along? SS in the long term?

Klaw

  (1:16 PM)

He could go to AA midyear; a half-season in high-A is appropriate for a 21-year-old college player in his first pro experience. I think he'll hit for average, surprised by the high K rate, concerned that he's hitting the ball on the ground so much. He's still a work in progress at SS and I think CF remains a reasonably strong possibility.

Matt (NY)

How does a high schooler get scouts to see them? Is it really true for the northeast that if you're good enough they'll come to the games? Does the word of mouth spread like that even if you're in a college prep school?

Klaw

  (1:31 PM)

I'm back. Lost my connection.

Klaw

  (1:32 PM)

To the last question - Yes. It's really rare that a top-tier HS kid falls through the cracks. I see the money some of these parents spend to get their kids seen, and it bothers me because most of it is unnecessary.

Dan (DC)

Chances Nats sign Harper and Cole?

Klaw

  (1:32 PM)

100%. 50-60%.

Wolverbruin (Seattle, WA)

Keith: With record low ratings, it seems like the MLB all-star weekend is ripe for a change. Any thought to baseball showcasing the Futures Game prior to the HR Derby? Also, isn't it time to get rid of the "winner gets WS home field" fallacy? An exhibition is just an exhibition, who cares if they call it a tie after 10 innings?

Buzzmaster

  (1:33 PM)

Hang on folks. Keith just got booted from his WiFi connection.

Klaw

  (1:33 PM)

A Monday Futures Game would be fine with me, but putting it on in the afternoon probably won't do much for the TV audience. (I guess having it on when kids get home from school might help - get young fans excited about the top prospects in the minors?) I have never liked the WS home field advantage tie-in, and I think it's clear that it has done nothing to stem the decline in TV ratings or fan interest.

tim (bloomington,il)

chat software = fail

Klaw

  (1:34 PM)

This one isn't on the chat software. Blame where it's due.

Grant (Winnipeg)

You commented on Escobar's body changes implying a future position switch. From what you know, are those body changes due to conditioning issues (and therefore perhaps reversible) or biology/genetics?

Klaw

  (1:36 PM)

In the general case, it can be either. Scouts do try to project body types, and the conditioning question is one reason why scouts care about makeup, even though it's absurdly hard to assess. Escobar's not a quick, athletic guy to begin with, and his running speed is already declining, which makes me think that there's at least a large biological (inevitable) component to it.

Matt (Alterra, Milwaukee)

Keith, what's the best pitching performance you've ever witnessed, either in person or on tv? If not THE best, a really amazing one that comes to mind?

Klaw

  (1:36 PM)

Ones I've been at: Jim Abbott's no-hitter was amazing, but I think Halladay's 99-pitch 10-inning CG versus Detroit in 2003 was even better.

Tim (NY)

I guess its somewhat moot now, but is there anything to the notion that Rendon didn't perform up to his normal standard at the trials because he hadn't seen live pitching in a month? Seems as though the top arms there hadn't throw in around a month as well which would only help them perform better. For a hitter, time off would obviously have the opposite effect.

Klaw

  (1:37 PM)

Yes, there's absolutely something to that. And Rendon has a timing element at the plate that may have left him in worse shape than a typical hitter after the layoff. And now he's got another long layoff coming up - USABaseball.com has a statement that he suffered a "a fracture-dislocation of his right ankle" and will head to Houston for surgery.

Logan (PA)

How good is Anthony Gose as a prospect? I keep seeing/hearing Carl Crawford comps - is that realistic?

Klaw

  (1:39 PM)

In terms of raw ability, yes, but he's got a lot of development ahead of him to get there. I think he'd have a decent amount of trade value, not as a headliner, but to add to a deal for a rental player.

Klaw

  (1:39 PM)

BTW I'm backloading non-baseball questions for the last 5-10 minutes of the chat, but I promise I'm saving some.

matt (ct)

Keith - was reading a story about a 25 yr old pitcher in AA from Europe (I want to say Netherlands, can't remember for sure) who was 7'2"...and was having success. Have you seen him, and is he a prospect?

Klaw

  (1:41 PM)

Loek van Mil? Can't stay healthy. Good stuff, would love to see him but I think he just got back on the mound in the last week or two.

Chet (LA)

Mike Leake or Travis Wood?

Klaw

  (1:41 PM)

Leake.

Jeff (HR CO)

Keith, what do you think of the prospects the Braves got yesterday and what's your opinion on the deal itself?

Klaw

  (1:42 PM)

It's posted on my blog here: http://bit.ly/bgbIzP

Chris (Alabama)

If you were the Braves' GM, would you be willing to trade Mike Minor for a power bat in LF for two months? Would you rather deal Randall Delgado? Would he fetch the same type of player in return?

Klaw

  (1:43 PM)

I'd deal Minor before Delgado, but I'd try to identify a 14-month rental instead of a 2-month one. Teheran should be untouchable, and Vizcaino's hurt, so those are their top two pieces to deal.

Justin (Boulder, CO)

I've always wondered: Does the chat software allow you to mark questions for later retrieval?

Klaw

  (1:44 PM)

Yes. Has to - they come too fast otherwise. I'm at 800 already.

Luke (Saint Paul)

Whats your take on Migual Sano? How high is his upside? He is completely destroying rookie summer leagues at 17years of age(Both DSL and now GCL).

Klaw

  (1:44 PM)

Monster. Now that he's stateside he's a candidate for the next in-season rankings update. How good is that GCL team for prospects, by the way?

Jason (St Louis)

Is this the slow time of year for you now? Draft is done, Futures game is past, a lot of prospects have been promoted. Maybe time for another vacation?

Klaw

  (1:45 PM)

I'm in Hyannis today for Cape stuff. Trying to mix in a few local minor league games. Then trade deadline, Area Code Games, and time to think playoffs. Slow time of year for me is December.

Jake (Toronto)

J.P. Arencibia will be up with the Jays once John Buck likely gets traded. What should we expect out of him?

Klaw

  (1:46 PM)

Low-average guy who makes up for it with power and some patience, although (sorry, broken record here) he is repeating AAA and some of what he's doing there this year is a function of that. As their cheap catcher for three years while they wait on d'Arnaud, though, Arencibia should be a good to great value.

Hugo (Caracas)

Is it possible to scout with your eyes only or do you have to have video to break down swings and pitching deliveries?

Klaw

  (1:46 PM)

I greatly prefer having video. I film constantly. The eye just isn't fast enough, nor does it have the zoom feature.

Corey (Stockton CA)

Could you please give a report and ETA for Brandon Belt?

Klaw

  (1:49 PM)

Haven't seen the new swing yet, but talked to a scout last week who had - got him a lot more upright and stable and it's (obviously) made a huge difference. Could be just a year away, maybe a year and a half. Potential impact bat ... or excellent trade bait this month.

Brett (Boston, MA)

Are you a dog or a cat person?

Klaw

  (1:49 PM)

I'm a people person.

Ben (NJ)

You said that it's very, very rare for a top prep prospect to fall through the cracks, do you have anyone in mind? I mean I don't think Strasburg counts because he wasn't great in high school, but Rendon was a 27th rounder out of HS.

Klaw

  (1:50 PM)

Rice commitment. Lot of guys who fall fell for money and/or college commitment reasons.

John (NYC)

Hi Keith. Is there any valid reason for over slot teams/players not signing until minutes/hours prior to the deadline to sign? Why not set an earlier "deadline" to give them a chance to get acclimated to professional baseball earlier?

Klaw

  (1:51 PM)

Many of those deals are done weeks in advance, but MLB either waits to approve them or asks the teams to hold off of announcing them until close to the deadline under the theory that it prevents other agents from using those over-slot figures as leverage in later negotiations. I think that's overblown, since lots of the deals leak out anyway. Just sign them and let the kids play. Stop worrying about a few hundred grand here or there and worry about developing more exciting players.

Ben (NJ)

Do you prefer scouting pitchers or hitters?

Klaw

  (1:52 PM)

Pitchers = less work. But really, I just like seeing great players. I love watching young players with great ability, doesn't matter which way they play.

Steve (mystiqueandaura.com)

When a 17 year old is destroying the GCL, at what point do you really consider his major league potential? by 19? by AA?

Klaw

  (1:53 PM)

You can talk about it now, if the tools are there. If you're talking about Sanchez, yeah, that's legit.

Pranav (Potomac, MD)

Do you see Domonic Brown contributing to the Phillies in the second half, especially if Werth is traded? Are you concerned that the Phils line up gets more leftsided with a Werth trade? Thanks!

Klaw

  (1:53 PM)

Yes. Yes. I'd just promote Brown and put Ibanez on the bench. That would be some defensive OF, not to mention a better lineup.

Rich (Long Island)

I just read a story that Ryan Westmoreland is hitting off a tee and has begun throwing again. I know that he years away from a possible comeback, but he vows to return to normal baseball activities within a year. What is your opinion?

Klaw

  (1:54 PM)

I am unabashedly rooting for him. I don't care if that makes me biased (it does, actually).

Matt (Alterra)

Going to hit up the Brazilian Grille?

Klaw

  (1:55 PM)

Did yesterday. Little disappointed with all the non-Brazilian food at the buffet, yet no maduros.

Erich (CT)

With Toronto acquiring Escobar, does this mean they haven't been satisfied with Hecheverria's development?

Klaw

  (1:55 PM)

No, I think it means they're realistic about Hechevarria.

Jason (St Louis)

I asked this earlier but it may have been lost during the outage. Does it take more than Shelby Miller money to sign Cox? Could he possibly be the steal of the draft at that spot?

Klaw

  (1:56 PM)

Shouldn't, and yes he could be.

Chris (Chicago)

Keith,How can you accurately get a feel when scouting one player if you only see 3 at bats? What do you look for to know whether he can succeed or not?

Klaw

  (1:56 PM)

Can't just go on performance - looking at swing mechanics, pitch selection, signs he did/didn't recognize pitches, etc.

Jon (Jacksonville)

Keith, do you see Scheppers as being RP or SP for his career and what do you think his upside is please? Same for Simon Castro? Thanks.

Klaw

  (1:57 PM)

Scheppers has the stuff and build to start, but for all we know the guy has ground beef in his shoulder. I'd stick him back in the pen for the rest of the year and reassess in the offseason. Castro couldn't have made a worse impression at the Futures Game; lot of scouts are questioning the hype on him now. Based on that single look, I'd say reliever, but I know he's been better than that.

Eric (Chicago)

Is there a good reason why Chris Sale is already in AAA Charlotte?

Klaw

  (1:58 PM)

As a LH specialist he could pitch in the majors this year. Makes sense to try to get some value out of him right away - it's not like he's a big projection guy.

Michael (Washington, DC)

Would Mike Minor for Willingham get done?

Klaw

  (1:59 PM)

I know the Nationals were heavily considering Minor at 10 last year, so I'm guessing they'd still have interest.

Ben (NJ)

You said that you're not really a fan of any team, but did you pull for any as a kid?

Klaw

  (1:59 PM)

Yankees. Family (both sides) still all Yankee fans.

Jacques (NOLA)

And Devin Mesoraco keeps hitting. And throwing runners out. Does it continue? If so, ETA/ceiling?

Klaw

  (2:00 PM)

I can't give you a reason it wouldn't. His defense was much improved this spring when I saw him. ETA is probably still 1.5-2 years.

Mark (Taiwan)

Which Bloomsbury 100 have you been using as a reading guide? "Classic novels"? Looking forward to the klaw 102 book list...

Klaw

  (2:02 PM)

100 Must-Read Classic Novels. It's someone else's take on a Klaw 100, limited to books published before 1950. Very Brit lit-focused, and I've noticed it tends toward darker, more depressing novels.

Tom Tuttle (Tacoma)

Book question: since I know you're a big fan of Strange and Norrell, have you read Lev Grossman's The Magicians yet? Thumbs up from me!

Klaw

  (2:02 PM)

Yes, loved it.

Tim (STL)

Bear Klaw,Have you seen Jon Jay this year? I know he is probably just off to a fast start, but he at least looks to be a solid fill in until Ludwick comes back, as well as a good piece off the bench later.

Klaw

  (2:02 PM)

Yes, that's what I think he is too.

Ben (NJ)

Is this the real Hughes? If so, do you see a Cy Young or at least a top three finish for him sometime in the future?

Klaw

  (2:03 PM)

I don't think I'd go that high, but I feel like he's going to develop into a top 10 starter in the league.

Kirby (NY)

How are you liking Midnight's Children? I think it's overrated, myself. Could be about 200 pages shorter.

Klaw

  (2:04 PM)

Liked it (review: http://bit.ly/b8Mxj3+) but not as much as the comparable 100 Years of Solitude.

mike (williamsburg, va)

My family has game players ranging from barely interested to super-competitive and so it is difficult to get them all at the table. We have found one game that does just that - Castle Panic - an intriguing take on cooperation and winning. If you haven't tried it, you should IMO

Klaw

  (2:05 PM)

I'll check it out. Comparable to Pandemic? I just got (but haven't opened) Small World, a game many of you suggested.

John (LA)

How does a regular baseball fan learn about swing or pitching mechanics well enough to analzye like you do?

Klaw

  (2:05 PM)

I learned from people I worked with in Toronto, and after seven years of seeing players I am still learning. Has to be the hardest thing I've ever tried to do.

Taylor (Pennsville, NJ)

In all seriousness though, had Oritz been asking for an extension before the All-Star weekend or did he think winning the HR Derby would bowl the Red-Sox brass over and neglect the fact that he is fat and 35 and give him an extension anyway? It is not like Rueben Amaro is running the Sox.

Klaw

  (2:06 PM)

I laughed. And yeah, I bet Theo did too.

Joe (Mass.)

Keith, If you could be GM for any team at all, which would you choose and why? Curious if you'd pick a big money,middle class or economy payroll team. thanks.

Klaw

  (2:07 PM)

I think it'd be more fun to rebuild a bad team, at least for a first GM job. But that's probably a function of me spending so much of my time thinking about the draft and the minors.

john (toronto)

Did the Mariners receive better players from Texas than what they gave up to the Phillies for Cliff Lee?

Klaw

  (2:07 PM)

I think so.

Jon (Ithaca)

Best book that you can sit down and read all the way through on a relatively short flight?

Klaw

  (2:07 PM)

Really short? Grab something like The Maltese Falcon (practically a novella).

Eric (Chicago)

Give Ortiz an extension when he doesn't get thrown out at 2nd base on a hit to right field. NEXT!

Klaw

  (2:08 PM)

QFT

TFierst (MN)

What do you think of Hughes' development path? Was it just being patient and giving him time to develop, or was he going to flame out until he started throwing a cutter?

Klaw

  (2:08 PM)

I think the cutter is the majority of the reason he's gotten back on the front-line starter path. He had a straight fastball and hitters could square it up too easily; now they have to think twice about it.

Klaw

  (2:09 PM)

OK, sorry for the abbreviated chat today but I have to get to a game. Thanks for all the questions. I'll be back next week.