Klaw

  (1:04 PM)

Klawchat: When victory is to survive, and death is defeat.

Mark (Atl GA)

Could Fulmer wind up being the best of the 2011 OK HS big 3?

Klaw

  (1:05 PM)

Not out of the question given Bundy and Bradley's health woes.

Scott (Indiana)

Do you see CJ Edwards as a starter or a reliever when he gets the call up?

Klaw

  (1:05 PM)

Reliever.

Forsyrh [via mobile]

Who impressed you more in their debut, Severino or Owens?

Klaw

  (1:05 PM)

Both looked great. I hate any "impressed" questions (a favorite on radio/TV). Let's take a subjective topic and make it even more subjective!

Nik (Philly)

Nick Williams. You seem the be the low man on him out of the mainstream. You don't buy that he's improved his approach at all?

Klaw

  (1:07 PM)

Not really. He had this one burst of walks in May, but otherwise is still the same impatient hitter he was.

Mike (Philly)

Remember that time you left Nick Williams out of your top 50 prospects?

Klaw

  (1:08 PM)

I love this - did you even know who Williams was eight days ago? Of course you didn't, Mikey Front-Runner.

Paul (Chicago)

The Cubs beat writer for the Chicago Sun-Times had the gall to accuse Starlin Castro of suffering from ADHD (without speaking to any doctors or team officials, no less, not that it would have been right even if he had) and suggesting medication. Am I alone in finding this outrageous and offensive beyond belief?

Klaw

  (1:08 PM)

No, you're not alone. It was unethical and unprofessional, but isn't that the state of our business?

Klaw

  (1:10 PM)

I do - I think there will be more emphasis on the draft, on getting guys with longer-term value for the franchise rather than quickly tradeable assets, and definitely greater use of analytics.

Jeb (Chicago)

Missed your commentary on BBTN - may you please give us a quick recap of your impressions for Severino's 1st game? Pretty sure everyone in here already knows about your long term concerns regarding his delivery.

Klaw

  (1:11 PM)

Saw a 60 fastball, 60 cutter, 60-70 CH, plus control, fringy command. Loved seeing him get that cutter in to lefties and attacking the low/away corner to righties. His delivery makes it hard for him to get the FB to his glove side but the cutter does that naturally.

Sean (Boston)

Have you had a chance to listen to the new Frank Turner? What do you think?

Klaw

  (1:12 PM)

It's in the queue. Loved Wolf Alice. So-so on Tame Impala.

Matt (Chicago)

Keith, we've noticed you tend to side with labor over management. What's your stance on Brady vs NFL?

Klaw

  (1:12 PM)

"We've." OK.

mike (MN)

What position will Max Kepler play in the pros, will his bat be an impact bat? September call up?

Klaw

  (1:13 PM)

I think right field. Talked to a scout who insisted Kepler's instincts make him a viable CF despite average-or-less speed. I'd love to see him get the call now - and I want to see him succeed because I think it'll be huge for the sport to have a bona fide European-born star.

Stu J. (Vineland, NJ)

What is Alex Blandino's potential? Any chance to stick at SS?

Klaw

  (1:14 PM)

I have never seen him at SS, only 3B, and reports I've gotten tend to dismiss him at short because he doesn't fit the profile. Love the bat, loved it in college, lots of hard contact with great approach.

Matt (CA)

What's the more likely arrangement for the Dodgers in 2016: Seager at SS and Peraza at 2B, or Seager at 3B and Peraza at SS? Which would be better for the team and players?

Klaw

  (1:14 PM)

Peraza at SS (if he hasn't lost those skills) and Seager at 3b.

ken (venice, fl)

Don't see write-up of Cespedes trade. What do you think the ceiling on Fulmer is?

Klaw

  (1:16 PM)

Writeup is here: http://klaw.me/1DfHGKi I like Fulmer, top 100 prospect, mid-rotation starter type.

Jack (CA) [via mobile]

Is Franklin Barreto the real deal? Will he stay at short?

Klaw

  (1:19 PM)

Yes, and yes.

Greg (DC)

How is it possible that Matt Williams just keeps getting worse? Last night he let Gio bat for himself with 95 pitches, then pulled him after one batter the next inning. Infuriating!

Klaw

  (1:20 PM)

Williams was *never* good. The team was good last year, so no one noticed (or everyone pretended not to notice). Every BBWAA writer who voted for him for MOY last year should abstain from voting this year in shame.

Keith (Hpme)

Has your view of Randal Grichuk changed with his performance this year? I have heard he has moved into the ROY talk, do you agree?

Klaw

  (1:21 PM)

The more he plays, the more he'll get exposed, and the rates will come down. You see this with rookies every year - there will usually be a couple of guys with less playing time who appear to be better than the guys who've been up all years.

Jeff (Virginia Beach, VA)

With Severino up possibly for good, who do you have as the highest upside Yankee pitching prospect in the minors?

Klaw

  (1:22 PM)

Kaprelian is the top arm in their system IMO. Love Clarkin but he's been out all year.

Nick (NJ)

I'm surprised at how much CF Cespedes has played since the Mets acquired him. He's not good there, right? Will they screw up even more when Cuddyer comes back and give him the starting LF job again. That would be an OF of Cuddyer/Cespedes/Granderson with Lagares and Conforto on the bench/in the minors.

Klaw

  (1:23 PM)

I think Cuddyer will come back to a bench spot. I do worry that half of the added value of Cespedes' power will be canceled out by his glove.

Klaw

  (1:26 PM)

He couldn't have made the case for changing the voting rules any better. Many such voters are hopelessly out of touch with the industry, which has seen a massive revolution in how performance is valued, and refuse to educate themselves. Good riddance - the results should improve right away.

Matt (Denver)

Do you grow any of your own fruit/veggies? I know you're busy, so not sure how you'd have time, but seems like something that might appeal to you.

Klaw

  (1:28 PM)

Some, because my daughter likes to do it with me and will eat vegetables we grow when she might not eat the same ones from the store. We've also had good luck with stuff we didn't plant - we compost a lot, and had pumpkins and grape tomatoes grow this year from seeds we composted last year.

DH (Pittsburgh)

I love the idea of using technology to call ball and strikes. How do you feel about it and do you think it will be adopted in the next 10 years?

Klaw

  (1:29 PM)

I'm all in, even though I know we'd need to improve the technology to get it to where fan expectations are/would be, but even if it's no more accurate htan the umps are it's likely to be less arbitrary and capricious. I think it's inevitable.

Clay (Charlotte) [via mobile]

A lot of Hart apologist are saying Peraza wasn't reallya top prospect. Worries about the bat ever developing made it easy to trade him. That's crap, right?

Klaw

  (1:32 PM)

That's wrong. He was still a top prospect, just not as "top" as he was six months ago. Atlanta devalued him when they moved him off short under Wren.

Michael (MA) [via mobile]

How strange was it that the Tigers let Dombrowski make some of the biggest moves for their future at the trade deadline and then parted ways almost immediately after?

Klaw

  (1:33 PM)

Perhaps that was the plan all along? I'm sure Avila was involved in the deals anyway.

Matt (California)

Chad Pinder's killing it in Double-A this season. How do you project him in the major leagues?

Klaw

  (1:34 PM)

Not a shortstop, lack of patience dating back to college, can hit and has average power. Probably a 2b in the long run, projects as average regular there.

DH (Pittsburgh)

AJ Reed's best 5 years will average .279 29 hr's. Over/under?

Klaw

  (1:35 PM)

I'd bet the under on the AVG but it's 30-HR power.

Lucas (Orlando) [via mobile]

if you were a GM right now, how many shortstops would you rather have on your team than Brandon Crawford?

Klaw

  (1:37 PM)

Depends on whether you think this year's HR spike is sustainable. If so, then probably just Correa and Tulo. If not, then I'd put him in a group with other elite defenders like Andrelton (who doesn't have that kind of bat).

Hek, Wilmington [via mobile]

Matt Moore has had issues since coming back from TJ. Can he still be an Ace in MLB? He was very highly touted before the injury. Everyone pegged him to be the next David Price.

Klaw

  (1:37 PM)

Some guys don't come back 100% right away after TJ, and some guys never get all the way back. Right now he's not close to 100%.

john (sd)

Duffy, Rookie of the year?

Klaw

  (1:38 PM)

Not for me. See the Grichuk answer above.

Matt (aspen, co) [via mobile]

Is bubba starling progressing enough to shed the "disappointment" label that some gave him last year?

Klaw

  (1:40 PM)

He really hasn't played that well in context (NW Arkansas is a good hitters' park). He's played better than he has in any year in pro ball, which is great to see, but he's still got a long way to go to reestablish himself as a top 100 prospect.

Don in Port Chester [via mobile]

What is your tale on Greg Bird. His upside.

Klaw

  (1:41 PM)

Ideally, low-AVG 25-30 HR first baseman. But the defense is poor and he has to work to improve it.

Mike (CA)

Last night on BBTN you joked that the Giants could get the peanut vendor to play well as a middle infielder. Is there really something that they are doing better with middle infield prospects or do you think this is just a run of good luck with middle infielders who were projected as fringe players actually making significant contributions on the major league level? Thanks.

Klaw

  (1:43 PM)

I think their major-league coaching staff develops players as well as any in baseball. They've had quite a few guys outperform expectations (not just mine) after reaching the majors. I'd love to see what that staff can do with Mac Williamson.

Tim (KC)

Hey Klaw... can you explain the trade deadline story/joke about Kimbrel for Goldschmidt? I seemed to missed out on a story making fun of Dave Stewart.

Klaw

  (1:45 PM)

Padres brought up Goldschmidt's name entirely in jest. Stewart decided to throw Preller under the bus by implying it was serious. More unprofessional behavior from Stewart, who's already made several gaffes such as not knowing some basic rules.

Michael (Austin)

How good can Correa be? The guy is only 20 years old and plays ridiculous defense with a near perfect swing.

Steve (California)

Disregarding the return itself, if you were the Mets which package had more value, and by how much: Wheeler and Flores, or Fulmer and Cessa?

Klaw

  (1:47 PM)

Correa: Future MVP.

Klaw

  (1:48 PM)

Mets' packages: You can't separate them from the return. The first deal was for a guy under control for 2016 who plays plus defense in CF; the second was for a rental who's best suited to a corner.

Chris (NY)

Just wanted to send a big thank you for the heads up on the board game sale at Amazon.

Klaw

  (1:48 PM)

You're welcome. Just spreading the gospel.

Tim (Maine)

A. Aquino (Reds) has started playing well again after a long stretch with an injury. You were high on him in the offseason, do you remain so? Any changes in the projection for him?

Klaw

  (1:50 PM)

Love the tools, not sure about the approach and wish he was a year younger or further up the ladder.

Andrew (Houston)

Any insight into why Lunhow failed to protect Deshields? I know you can't keep everyone, but given the state of the franchise, why did he give up on a young, athletic player with a productive track record so quickly...while protecting guys like Grossman, Dominguez, etc?

Klaw

  (1:51 PM)

Non-performance and real questions about the work ethic. He was also running closer to average than the 70 or 80 speed he had in high school.

Steve (California)

Which is a bigger problem for the Mets right now - general lack of high OBP hitters, or that bullpen?

Klaw

  (1:51 PM)

OBP.

Seth (AZ)

Can you explain why the Dbacks were so heavily invested in trying to acquire Chapman at the deadline? I am at a loss why a team with so many holes would even consider giving up any young controllable talent for a guy who while very good at what he does, only pitches about 75 innings a year.

Klaw

  (1:51 PM)

No, I can't.

Mike (South Jersey)

You mentioned Clarkin. What exactly is wrong with him ? Has he had surgery ?

Brett (Wisconsin)

Buxton continues to show issues with durability. Is it still to early to state he has durability issues, or have we reached that territory?

Klaw

  (1:52 PM)

Clarkin: We'll find out in five years when someone puts it on WikiLeaks.

Klaw

  (1:52 PM)

Buxton: It's a valid concern.

Yamani (San Diego)

Do you think Joc Pederson will be able to correct the flaws in his swing enough to stick in the big leagues?

Klaw

  (1:52 PM)

He has flaws in his swing? This is news to me. I just thought he struck out a lot.

Alex (OH)

Do any of the arms the Reds have in the rotation now or in the minors project to be more than a third starter? I worry that they have a bunch of 3-5 guys even with what they acquired from KC and SF.

Klaw

  (1:53 PM)

Stephenson could be a 1 or a 2 in an ideal (90%+) outcome. Reed could maybe end up a 2 if you squint real hard. Garrett is a huge wild card, crazy athlete with great stuff and limited pitching experience.

Sam (TX)

Curious as to your thoughts on how the package the Rangers gave up to get Hammels compared to the package the Blue Jays gave up to get Tulo? Considering the are both at or near the top of their position with similar contracts and controllable for basically the same amount of time going forward wanted to know your thoughts on whether the packages were comparable.

Klaw

  (1:53 PM)

Not comparable. Tulo's under control for longer, I think, and his team was more keen to move the contract.

Gus (Boston)

Harvey, Thor and DeGrom all put up good numbers in the minors, however, once they got to the bigs they've been dominating. Is it a case of better coaching, maturity or something else that's helped them take the next step?

Klaw

  (1:54 PM)

Didn't Harvey credit a AAA pitching coach for helping him develop that wipeout slider? That's the first place I'd look to answer that question (as I don't know a specific answer for you).

Klaw

  (1:54 PM)

BTW, speaking of Thor's maturity ... boy, that stupid story died a quick death, didn't it?

Danny Abriano (Brooklyn, NY)

Thoughts on Noah Syndergaard as a ROY candidate? He seems to be getting lost in the shuffle while most are favoring Bryant or Pederson -- which seems to be hype over performance considering how they've played after hot starts.

Klaw

  (1:56 PM)

I don't think anyone's favoring any particular players - I don't even know on what award I'm voting this year, so I haven't given any of this a moment's thought, and I won't sit down to consider my actual ballot until the last week of the season.

Matty (New Jersey)

Who are you most excited to hear in the Republican Debate tonight?

Klaw

  (1:56 PM)

This I will not be watching.

Alex [via mobile]

Prospectus did a "what scouts are saying" piece yesterday, and the scout was pretty blunt on Mark Appel. "We passed on him because he doesn't compete and he never has." Thoughts?

Klaw

  (1:57 PM)

Total nonsense. He's hypercompetitive. I don't see any value in that feature, and that's a good (if solitary) example of why.

Dan (West Sacramento, CA)

Will Christian Arroyo get any Top 100 consideration this offseason? What's his ultimate position?

Klaw

  (1:57 PM)

Yes. Can really hit. Really, really hit. Second base.

Kevin (SF Bay Area)

Thoughts on the Bill Baer/Dave Flemming back and forth?

Klaw

  (1:58 PM)

I'll answer this: I don't think we have any evidence to say that Bumgarner's tiffs with players have any underlying racial motivation, but I also think he needs to stop playing baseball etiquette cop. If someone shows him up, he can just strike the guy out (or, I guess, brush him back) in the next AB.

Shawn (MN)

Taylor Jungmann, is he for real or just playing way above his pay grade right now?

Klaw

  (2:00 PM)

Not 2.26 ERA good long-term, but a mid-rotation starter or a little better. Finally got away from the Brewers' player development staff, which has a dismal track record, and is now pitchinig more the way he did in college.

Dallas (Chicago)

Are you going to Chicago or San Diego for the dueling HS Classics?

Klaw

  (2:00 PM)

Both.

Steve (California)

Harvey credited Dan Warthen with teaching him that slider; I believe Familia and now deGrom are also throwing it. Thor also credits him with teaching him a 2 seamer. If that's all true....that seems like a nice resume for a pitching coach.

Klaw

  (2:01 PM)

If that's all true, Warthen is underpaid by a factor of ten, so the Wilpons should give him a raihahahaha oh my God sorry I wasn't thinking.

Ken (Santa Clara, CA)

Keith, two things. 1) What is the ceiling for the Blue Jays this year, and 2) How much are you looking forward to the new Chvrches record in September? Can't wait myself

Klaw

  (2:01 PM)

I think they can win the division, and "Leave a Trace" is my favorite song of 2015 so far.

Dan (Cambridge, MD)

Is Karn's success so far SSS, or TB limiting him to two times through a lineup?

Klaw

  (2:02 PM)

The latter. Not a bad strategy for certain starters.

Steve (California)

Not jut Baumgarner, but can *everyone* stop playing baseball etiquette cop? It's OK to have fun...

Klaw

  (2:02 PM)

I agree. Save the cop act for when the guy mother-f's you on his way to first base. Then you can get mad.

Kevin (NYC)

What are your thoughts on Josh Smoker? Reports say that he touched 100 mph the other night. 1.50 ERA in AA

Klaw

  (2:04 PM)

Don't buy that but he's been 96-97. I liked him in HS but back then he was more 90-92 with sink. Would certainly give him a shot this year given his age and history of injuries (first rounder by the Nats in 2007, got hurt almost immediately).

Mike (South Jersey)

Andrew Knapp is healthy and is tearing it up in AA. Who is more likely to be moved from catcher ... Knapp or Alfaro ? And where would they be moved to ?

Klaw

  (2:05 PM)

Didn't tear it up in Clearwater so I don't want to overrate the guy ... Reading's a good place to hit for power, too. But I liked Knapp's defense a lot in college and I think he can hit for some average if not pop. He's much further along than Alfaro is, plus Alfaro wont be back until at least the AFL, so Knapp can start 2016 in AAA and Alfaro can return to AA.

matt [via mobile]

Nats send Barrett back to minors and call back up Treinen. Shouldn't they at least consider looking at Lopez?

Klaw

  (2:06 PM)

I would. He's another guy with an unbelievably loose, quick arm, but who doesn't use his lower half to generate that power. He has more velo than Severino but inferior secondary stuff overall.

Tim (AZ)

DBacks have lot of holes? What are they doing with Chapman? Get real. Over 500 when they werent given a chance to do much of anything. They are building a contender very soon

Klaw

  (2:07 PM)

Oh, okay then.

John (Toronto)

Where would you rank Anthony Alford in your top 100?

Klaw

  (2:07 PM)

He's in the top 50 already... http://klaw.me/1I5Co5N

Matt (DC)

I know you discussed Victor Robles some in your Nats' top 10 writeup, but did you see this type of production coming so quickly? Is he a lock for your Top 100?

Klaw

  (2:09 PM)

Not a lock at all, but a very high upside guy who's moved faster than I would have guessed (so far).

Rob (Lime Rock, CT)

Joe Sheehan recently wrote a piece about "stealth trade candidates". One being Jose Abreu. Do you think it would be in their best interest to trade him and Quintana multiple assets?

Klaw

  (2:09 PM)

Can't see them trading Abreu, but Quintana would be a good one to shop.

Josh (San Diego)

Can you explain what the Padres are doing with Austin Hedges? He had a good start in AAA, but then they brought him up to sit on the bench and get a few ABs a week. Now Federowicz is healthy, but they still haven't sent him back down for regular ABs.

Klaw

  (2:10 PM)

No, I can't explain it at all.

Todd (Philly)

Are you looking forward to seeing "Straight Outta Compton"?

Klaw

  (2:10 PM)

Yes.

David (Oakland, CA)

Do the A's move Reddick and Chavez this offseason? How about Vogt?

Klaw

  (2:12 PM)

I think at least the first two. I would have shopped all three last week, and would do the same in the offseason. Chavez is 31 and still hasn't thrown 150 innings in a season. Vogt is 30 and since June 1st is hitting .210/.277/.306 - the fluke start was just that. And Reddick is a FA after next season, so now is the right time to trade him.

Randy (STL)

Law, I've been teaching baseball at various levels my entire life. One of my areas of expertise is catching. I cannot agree more with you that this Schawber kid the Cubs have is NOT a catcher. As a Cards fan I get to see the best in the game every night. Are the Cubs really that obsessed with shiny objects that they allow this guy to catch?

Klaw

  (2:13 PM)

I think they see the potential value of even a slightly below-average defensive catcher who hits like Johnny Bench. I get that too, but I would want that bat in the lineup every night, not 125 games a year.

Steve (California)

What's your take on why the Mets/Gomez deal fell apart? Gomez's medicals, or did someone else *cough* *cough* Wilpons *cough* jump in at the last minute??

Klaw

  (2:13 PM)

As much as the Wilpons deserve all the opprobrium we can send their way, I won't go that far. I was told it was Gomez's medicals and I'm not questioning that.

Lisa (Chicago)

Can you see Kyle Hendricks continuing to pitch strong enough to warrant a fifth (if not fourth) spot in the Cubs' rotation during his years of being cost-controlled?

Klaw

  (2:14 PM)

Yes.

Tim (KC)

Hey Keith... I enjoyed the periscope chat you did a little while back. Any chance you might do one again?

Klaw

  (2:14 PM)

Yes to Hendricks.

Klaw

  (2:14 PM)

Periscope: How about tomorrow night after the 5 pm BBTN?

Klaw

  (2:15 PM)

That's all for me this week. I'll be on the seamhead BBTN tonight at 10 pm ET and the midnight show too, and again on three shows tomorrow night. Thank you as always for all of the questions!