bmags

That's exactly what I thought of. And honestly I'm fine with it if MLB just instead says "we're fine with pitchers using pine tar to increase grip" as they do with resin. But if it turns out it was way more effective than they realized for all pitches, then they should make an actual choice there. Not the current "it's illegal to use substances on the ball but also we don't care"

fangraphs chat crashes my browser every time.

I'll just leave a scouting report quote on Madrigal: And the failure of imagination with finding playing time with depth is amazing to me considering how teams like the cubs and dodgers have operated. He has a 55 arm and quick hands. I heard for years that Sanchez couldn't play SS or 3b because his arm was too weak. That's why his baseball instincts being so good is helpful. He's not a type that you worry about "ruining" by asking him to move around the field.

I agree to an extent (I would like Adam Eaton level power at least), but I mainly care about making sure his defensive versatility exists. It appears it does, with the possibility of him being a plus to elite defender at 2b. His arm will be difficult in OF, but if not full time it can be mitigated. Like Albies, he gets a lot of the remarks about how they are just a great baseball player that will just find a way to make it work. I love those descriptions.

Have we noted yet that the last 2b this board was worried about their size limiting their power ceiling has 9 home runs in a month and like a .340 ISO?

I don't mind higher upside HS players in 11+ range. But I just do not want a HS pitcher this high. If they were getting "best pitching prospect ever!" stuff obviously you work through it. But safest pitching prospect? heard that about Aiken. I think the guy I liked most was Hunter Greene, and obviously AJ Puk became a star and then we'll see. I know I'm not playing the percentages with a 5'7 primary 2b with little power but am with HS pitching, but meh. That said the one "there is consensus" thing that I think is off is I just feel like this swaggarty top 5 stuff is gonna end up being wrong.

Pitchers have always used a lot of things, lotion, resin, yes. The article talks about how pitchers feel pine tar specifically is leading to a measurably increased spin rate on 4seam fastballs. And with the obsession with spin rate in the league right now, that may be leading to exploitation. The use is obviously a "against the rules, but rarely enforced" part of the game. But if pine tar specifically helps increase spin rate and spin rate has shown to make pitchers more effective, I think it needs to be regulated above board (either say it's good to use or not good to use). But it's not actually known yet whether that is true. All of the claims are by bauer and he himself may be trying to prove it. Other pitchers that aren't crazy wouldn't really make this fight. But Bauer is crazy.

I'm positive on him. He was moved up despite not dominating low-A at all, and the early returns show he is making good contact. He's at less than 100 PAs still and power can be streaky. Adjustments can be made. Fully expect Sheets to hit for more power but at this point he has not, but I don't see the handwringing over him yet.

Yes 100% It was a flyer he could translate his power and that trait was certainly one of the most interesting ones left. But he’s a flyer that needs to overcome a lot of swing and miss. But if he does, (see power above)

7th round pick a “wasted pick” and less than a year into their career. Never change soxtalk.

A truly fascinating article from Eno Sarris. It breaks down allegations from Trevor Bauer that a player like Gerrit Cole is using something like pine tar to increase spin rate (and alleges Bauer himself may have used it to prove it)

that does sound like good news but man Roberts recovery for that seems so excessive.

Ideally two would go up, frankly. Basabe/Rutherford/Robert with no available DH should be it. Maybe they could try Booker at 2b or something. Call is someone, like Fisher, that I don't mind pushing. I have low expectations and don't mind seeing if they can handle it and being pleasantly surprised.

So I was listening to this. It doesn’t sound like it was a trade discussion, more that Licht called him to let him know Bills moved up because they are friendly

The veteran catchers that get a reputation like perez and molina have become insufferable. Basically are the hallway monitors of the league. They can cause fights and shove umpires without punishment, and yet get to act like they are the epitome of baseball.

For example check out the KCR writeup https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/top-24-prospects-kansas-city-royals/

The one thing that has calmed me down with Collins is as opposed to someone like Rutherford, in-person reports on his hitting have been pretty good. Not Jimenez stuff, but of the "he's working through some stuff, still believe in the power and the approach". Baseball's hard. He's in an advanced level. Until he completely craters losing patience or sox move him to 1b, I'm just gonna let the process play out.

I agree with Soxbadger from a high level but actually like the Miller trade a lot and am kinda surprised how little the Patriots got back. I think what has always annoyed me, and I've repeated myself on it, but for a guy that says he believes in building through the draft and not free agency he sure sets himself back by trading away a lot of picks. And this is especially annoying when you think about how little they've tried to go for it the last few years. Prime opportunities to take advantage of others urgency. And to me it all goes back to the Kevin White draft. He hadn't set up his team yet. He had a top ten pick. I think there were two optimal scenarios there: - Go big and trade up and get Mariota (was rumored) - Trade down consistently, and with an eye on collecting future picks That said, the specific 2nd swap I don't have a problem with because we did acquire a high pick this year with it where we otherwise did not have one. It wasn't a trade up. Overall, we may see Pace operate differently when this team gets in the mid-teens in drafts instead of top ten. I think he may be pulled with the idea that if they are going to be top ten, get the guy you want and will be impactful. But his actions 2nd round and later have been more in the vein of pick collection. But I want more 1-3 round picks. 4s are nice but 5-7 are crap. Happy to use those to just move around 1-3 and rely on undrafteds after 4.

If you compare these ratings to what Longenhagen typically gives it will make a little more sense. MLB Pipeline gives out 45 FVs like candy so it kind of makes everyone else look harsh. Both Adolfo and Cease would be high upside 45s but I think for now its right. They both have a lot to prove in health and approach before you can elevate them. And as interesting as I find our approach to relief pitching, I'm not sure how any of our arms look compared to others aside from Burdi. Vieira's velo has been down and control is an issue. Hamilton, Burr, Morrison, etc are all promising but still at low levels. Overall I think some performances already this year have been promising to get some more 40s than this list and a few 40s to 45s.

I just think like I’m one of the modern, successful mlb franchises like the Astros and think would they avoid drafting a complete baseball player with a great hitting profile, one that avoids ks, because they have a redundancy? No, I think they would just make him versatile, find them both spots to play consistently and use their depth to outlast and outplay others over a 162 game season without the luxury.

Oh that’s great.

I’m worried that the plan is just shut down Adolfo, move up booker and rotate DH/OF with Robert, basabe, Blake, Call. Worried just cause I want this Adolfo train to keep developing.

I’d want more like a 2nd and future 3rd. Knowing they want a qb, even two thirds isn’t enough (for me). I like Roquan a lot, but yeah getting 2 3s and James could have been nice. Still think Smith is going to be a monster. Safeties have been so hit or miss recently.

Hard to keep up. Missed the draft and will miss tonight’s and tomorrow’s, terrible timing for a friends wedding the tampa trade illustrates why I was upset a few weeks back on how bears always seem one pick back of the “fulcrum” pick. The bills clearly were going to move up but 8 was likely too late. They miss on getting to 5, Indy decides to stay, then Tampa got the spoils. but the az trade was less enticing. Likely not available to bears as the price should have been steeper and AZ may not have paid. A 3rd and 5th for 7 spots and likely a much lesser talent not worth it. i love getting Roquan Smith. He was amazing every game I saw him, then I bought into the “shed blocks” thing, the. I realized that was all about 1/2 of a game, then bought in again. i also said bears may go Landry, so I know nothing. His medical may be way worse than fans knew. Love what’s on board in 2nd, if we get Hernandez or Iowa C I’m happy, but feel weak can recoup some 4ths and still get a target.

I find it odd that people read this as “he can only play 2nd”