Eric Longenhagen Prospects Chat: 9/5/25

Eric A Longenhagen: Hey from stormy Tempe, we’ll in all probability have a shorter chat in the present day so I can batten down the hatches earlier than this huge cell hits town.

Eric A Longenhagen: This week I wrote in regards to the protection of extra shortstops

Jeb: Konnor Griffin, whoof. AA doesn’t appear to be phasing him in any respect to this point. As a pirate fan, can he really work out and be nice? What does his ceiling appear like? What can we dream on?

Eric A Longenhagen: Yeah, he’s fairly good. I nonetheless suppose it’s a spherical down hit device to some extent, however the energy/velocity combo is nice. He’s a prime 5 prospect.

Greg: How a lot are you shopping for Hurston Waldrep‘s adjustments? How do you view him now?

Eric A Longenhagen: Something that may assist make his fastball much less susceptible or much less the point of interest of his combine is an efficient change. Whether or not or not he can keep strikes and well being with that supply stays to be seen. He’ll be a superb piece no matter which is true. One end result is he’s a superb mid-rotation starter, one is he’s a superb late-inning reliever. Discovered cash/win for Hurston and PD both means.

Alek: The nats have a surplus of younger outfielders with Crews/Wooden/Lile/Hassell/Younger/Franklin. Do you suppose they need to commerce any of them (possibly one in every of Hassell or Lile) for an arm this offseason?

Eric A Longenhagen: I feel I’d prefer to have a Crews/Wooden on a regular basis setup then platoon Franklin/Lile. I feel Younger has utility as a defender and runner, he’s a fifth OF on a superb crew and somebody would in all probability cough up one thing for him. Hassell IDK what he’d command by way of commerce. It’s a pleasant idea in concept however I’m unsure any deal will get you a needle-moving arm.

Len: I’m completely simply scouting the field rating, however JR Ritchie seems to be to be having an incredible yr and also you guys are the bottom on him. What’s holding him again in your eyes from being one of many prime prospects within the Braves system?

Eric A Longenhagen: Simply me, not a “you guys” state of affairs. I wished him to work a ton of innings to show he can maintain this type of suff and he has, and he’s additionally on the doorstep now. Nonetheless don’t love the command (a few of that was Futures Sport look) however he’s a superb prospect, possible an arrow up man subsequent replace

Idiotic Failson: With each Grisham and Bellinger being free brokers at yr finish do you suppose Spencer Jones makes his means onto the Yankees OD roster?

Eric A Longenhagen: It’s believable, Grisham’s vibes have been so good it’d be powerful for me to let him stroll. However yeah, in the event that they each do you will have an inside possibility, albeit at a high-risk one.

Day Beaut: Which gamers drafted this yr have had the perfect debuts to this point?

Eric A Longenhagen: Solely now have drafted arms actually gotten going right here in camp. Kruz Schoolcraft was 97-99 in his debut, that’s a superb begin. Feels like he’ll be despatched out.

Darren: In the event you’re the Blue Jays, why are you ready to name up Yesavage? Might give such a jolt of vitality to the pen, plus some a lot wanted size and bat lacking capacity.

Eric A Longenhagen: When/if an harm or two occurs this month

Tim: I feel Paul Skenes received the CY Younger final night time. If he stays comparatively wholesome over the subsequent 10-12 years, might he find yourself being one of many, if not the, greatest pitcher of all time?

Eric A Longenhagen: Hey, “tim” I can see your IP handle bud, I respect all of the (many many many) questions but it surely does make me roll my eyes that you just’re making an attempt to place one over on me by altering your identify, as if a 3rd of the questions within the queue are naturally Pirate-related

mike milwaukee: Heaps has to go proper, I do know – however with Made, Pena, Wilken, Adams, and the entire 1B within the Brewers system, does anybody change to the OF with the presence of Turang (and Ortiz?) there already?

Eric A Longenhagen: I feel it’s far too early to think about any of that, however I feel the speed of conversion from dynamic SS to dynamic CF has been excessive sufficient of late to discover CF for one in every of Made/Pena if these guys have been going to kick down the door as hitters. I feel each have work to do as INFs and I wouldn’t wish to rob them of reps in the mean time

Emil Morales: When prospect writers discuss a league being “hitter pleasant” (e.g., the California League), is that this principally about park elements? Or is there a compounding bias at play the place the atmosphere leads groups to maintain higher hitters there longer and restrict pitching prospects’ time?

Eric A Longenhagen: I feel we point out it to assist readers alter their assumptions in regards to the gamers when these assumptions are sometimes pushed by efficiency made much less dependable by the hitting environments.

Eric A Longenhagen: lol It doesn’t work normally lol

Chase: Hey Eric, thanks for the chat. I used to be questioning if you happen to’ve bought any updates on T.J. Nichols? On the most recent board replace, he’s listed as a 40 FV MIRP. I don’t have the underlying pitch motion knowledge that you just do, however once I take a look at his stats I see a starters load of innings and an incredible Ok-BB%, he did have a very excessive HR/FB% in A+ although. His body looks like one that would fill out, 6’5 189 lbs. The clips I’ve seen look to me like a forty five/45+, what’s preserving him out of this tier for you? Thanks!

Eric A Longenhagen: It’s been an enormous yr for him and we’re on yr two of him enhancing strikes since leaving U of A

Eric A Longenhagen: Extra common to above stuff than plus

Avery: Who would you decide for 2026 rookie of the yr if you happen to needed to make a guess now?

Eric A Longenhagen: I feel I’d take the fellows who’ve been known as up the final two weeks and can retain eligibility into subsequent season. Basallo, McLean, Tolle…that sort of man.

Cool Lester Easy: Is there something stopping McGonigle and Clark from 65 standing, in your subsequent checklist?

Eric A Longenhagen: KMac Protection and Clark energy actualization.

Eric A Longenhagen: They’re each superior

NPB Scout: Hello Eric, do you will have any preliminary ideas on Kota Tatsu of the Nippon-Ham Fighters in NPB? He’s been within the information so much in Japan however wished to know of his majors prospects

Eric A Longenhagen: Fairly projectable 21 yr previous righty sitting 92, throws a ton of strikes, means higher splitter management than is typical, fastball aircraft may be very hittable, greater slot man producing lower than 10% miss with the heater. Positively a man worht following however not a monster proper now

Aviaries: Adam Serwinowski has been on hearth since he bought traded to the Dodgers, top-100 candidate for subsequent replace or is his command nonetheless too uncooked?

Eric A Longenhagen: It’s extra about whether or not he’s discovered a 3rd pitch than the command piece for me, his fastball will play (might be like Tolle’s, truthfully) even when he has meh command

Eric A Longenhagen: however undoubtedly a hondo candidate, sure

Eric A Longenhagen: Could possibly be a 50, I’m rather less inclined to undertaking on his energy (he’s producing above common peak exits proper now) as a result of to me his physique is maxed out and although he’s 20 I’m unsure there’s extra within the tank. It’s like 50 hit 55 energy simply so far as the information is worried, which is unquestionably higher than the 40 I placed on his bat once I did the CLE checklist however not nutty for a 1B/DH solely athlete

Jonathan: What did you consider the Met’s Elian Pena debut within the DSL?

Eric A Longenhagen: Bought higher because the yr performed out, nice debut

Deep Dish: Any perception into cubs outfield prospect Eli Lovich?

Eric A Longenhagen: Tremendous projectable 6-foot-4, lefty-hitting OF, thrilling long run energy projection, Ok’d like a 3rd of the time this yr. Deep projection flier/sleeper sort with excessive danger hit device.

Philly: Jarlin Susana‘s future as a starter taking any hits with the arm points this yr?

Eric A Longenhagen: I’d take into account him extra of a aid danger than an equally proficient man who has by no means been injured, however I nonetheless suppose at his measurement/physicality and together with his chalk roster timeline, you give him each alternative to start out

Eric A Longenhagen: In the event you’d ask anybody about Miz’s RP danger final yr they’d have informed you it was larger than the prospect he’d begin

Eric A Longenhagen: Even me, and I had him one thing like twenty fifth total coming into the yr

Eric A Longenhagen: However like, if a man is gonna be Jhoan Duran or Edwin Diaz, he ought to in all probability be that prime anyway, proper?

Eddie Cheddar: Sam Basallo or Jac Caglianone? Dynasty league…who’s profession would you like extra?  (Jac’s debut was scary…)

Eric A Longenhagen: Basallo

Eric A Longenhagen: not shut

Tully Blanchard: This could be a dumb query, however do groups have vibes / clubhouse presence quantified of their inside fashions? And in that case, what knowledge factors do they use?

Eric A Longenhagen: To not my information

Go Isotopes: In the event you have been a significant league hitter throughout Participant’s weekend, what would you select to do together with your bat wrap and cleats?

Eric A Longenhagen: Most likely one thing shark associated. Possibly some years I’d have just like the MtG mana colours/symbols I prefer to play on there, possibly one thing associated to a band I like.

Eric A Longenhagen: What would you guys placed on there? Throw your tricked out cleat/bat concepts in chat and I’ll publish a bunch

David: Who’s subsequent on the brief cease articles?

Eric A Longenhagen: Let’s get individuals concerned in that, too. Arjun Nimmala will likely be for certain as a result of he completed second in final week’s ballot…

Eric A Longenhagen:

blackjack: Do you suppose Charlie Condon has redeemed himself?  There have been many questions on him coming into this yr.  He appears to be hitting in Double A.  Is he an elite prospect?

Eric A Longenhagen: “redeemed” is intense, I feel within the eyes of the oldsters who have been much less skeptical than I’ve been you may justify stuffing him. He does have ridiculous energy. I’m nonetheless gonna take the beneath on “elite” although, by so much.

Eric A Longenhagen: The factor that’s hardest to impress upon readers, I’ve discovered, is how good massive leaguers are and the way laborious it’s to hit at that stage.

Eric A Longenhagen: And the way any little flaw evident within the minors might be an enormous gap within the bigs

Nervous Flyball Pitcher: One thing appears to have clicked for Baltimore’s Luis De Leon previous to promotion (though by broadcast he’s nonetheless solely sitting 93-95) – is he nonetheless a forty five FV for you?

Eric A Longenhagen: Possibly a forty five+ this offseason, nonetheless an enormous time grade

Phil: I’ve appreciated your write-ups of Franklin Arias. Is he shut sufficient and ok to have an effect on how the crew is considering Story? I wouldn’t be shocked if the latter opts in simply because he likes it right here, but it surely looks like the subsequent man could be fairly shut?

Eric A Longenhagen: Story has been so good that you just journey him. Arias must get stronger, I’d let him barbecue some.

Eric A Longenhagen: He may come to camp subsequent spring with a brand new physique, although.

Sanford: Any new observations from McLean’s MLB pattern?

Eric A Longenhagen: He’s nasty, love the sink/slider motion cut up, he’s poised and aggressive and appears to fulfill the second. studly

E. Sheehan: My buddy and I have been discussing Kendall George‘s 70 velocity grade in affiliation together with his not too long ago breaking the 100 SB milestone (albeit in single-A).

He argued that writers could be cautious about giving out 80 grades for concern that handing out too many may undermine the author’s credibility. I countered that concern of objectivity was a slippery slope whereby 70 primarily turns into the brand new 80.

Does concern of over-hyping a participant or ability set ever issue into your last evaluation? And, within the case of George, what elements may separate a 70 grade from an 80?

Eric A Longenhagen: Does concern of over-hyping a participant or ability set ever issue into your last evaluation? Sure, for numerous causes.

Eric A Longenhagen: And, within the case of George, what elements may separate a 70 grade from an 80?
It’s all about my stopwatch, principally. In the event you’re a lefty hitter and I’ve bought you within the 4.1 space, you’re a 70 and never an 80

Lark: Dylan Jordan has been getting some buzz this yr, and Gregory-Alford appears to be enhancing too. Is Angels pitching dev lastly enhancing?

Eric A Longenhagen: I feel so

Eric A Longenhagen: Jordan is extra attention-grabbing than he’s a possible meteoric riser for me, TGA is a stud and potential offseason prime 100 man if you happen to wanna be aggro about inserting him. He’s at the least going to be a Choose to Click on for me

Lord Thunder: Is Troy Melton‘s success within the bullpen jeopardizing his long-term prospects as a starter?

Eric A Longenhagen: IDK, Detroit has been fairly deft about shifting gus from one to the opposite, bear in mind when Mize was within the ‘pen for a second? I feel the depth wanted on the place means they’ll stretch him again out, however I suppose Briske is an instance of them chopping bait and being pleased with an influence ‘pen arm.

BTinVT: Ideas on Jonathan Lengthy? Thanks

Eric A Longenhagen: Good nook piece, good half time participant with actual energy, lack of athleticism and oppo tendency scares me. Not a complete mirage like Mervis turned out to be imo.

Emil Morales: Thanks for selecting my query… however that wasn’t actually a direct reply. Is the offensive atmosphere dictated by park elements principally / OR by the gamers groups select to ship there?

Eric A Longenhagen: It’s dictated some by “park issue” components like altitude and the gap of the fences however in some leagues, particularly the smaller ones just like the Cal League, if you happen to’re gauging “common” park issue based mostly on the opposite stadiums within the league however all of the parks play small, then “park elements” within the truest sense aren’t actually helpful or telling. There’s some year-to-year PF variance that’s in all probability based mostly on the yr’s expertise pool, and there’s in all probability a post-COVID hole/change in the best way we must always give it some thought due to the best way roster limits modified the character of expertise distro within the sport

Bob: Can Jacob Misiorowski overcome his current struggles and solidify his function within the Brewers’ beginning rotation as they push for a World Sequence run?

Eric A Longenhagen: Go away him within the rotation with a brief leash. I don’t need him having to completely change how he will get prepared to return right into a recreation at this late a stage.

Arcadian: Murakami’s insane tempo rn has me questioning if the most important factor for him coming over is hitting velocity and enhancing Z contact?

Nervous Flyball Pitcher: Munetaka Murakami has posted mid-60s contact charges the final 3 years – do you suppose he’s a median massive leaguer with out a swing change?

Eric A Longenhagen: His transition will likely be dictated by adjustment to secondary stuff. 50% miss versus all offspeed varieties proper now

Eric A Longenhagen: I’d be scared to guess massive on him if I’m an MLB crew

Michioku Kaku: I’ve all the time questioned….how do groups really talk and make trades? Is it the GM’s actually calling one another, as portrayed? I discover this tough to imagine. MLB Discord or Groups channels? Textual content?

Eric A Longenhagen: Typically at first it may be any of some members of the org, normally higher stage execs speaking to at least one one other in cases the place they’ve a pre-existing relationship. At a sure level, let’s name it a sure stage of seriousness, the one or two individuals who’d you’d suppose could be negotiating could be who’s on the telephone.

Alec: It seems to be like their prospect rankings are fairly comparable, so with each debuting this yr do you will have larger confidence in Luis Mey or Edgardo Henriquez establishing themselves as a reliable bullpen menace?

Eric A Longenhagen: Edgardo’s strikes have been semi higher currently whereas Mey’s have backed up (and imo his conditioning has slipped)

Jim: Miguel Bleis has had tough month in AA. Do you suppose he’ll be protected/chosen within the Rule 5 draft this winter?

Kevin: What are you aware or imagine groups with the perfect participant improvement packages are doing with synthetic intelligence instruments?

Eric A Longenhagen: AI has been in baseball for some time now, it was an enormous a part of the pitch tipping/signal stealing stuff

Eric A Longenhagen: Mechanical nuances which can be powerful to detect visually may be polished utilizing AI instruments, I’m certain there are various extra potential makes use of than I learn about or may even conceive

Eric A Longenhagen: Kinda as a result of he additionally wasn’t nice from a pure efficiency standpoint on the showcase circuit.

2131/1213: On the purpose of brief stops, would you take into account including in comparisons to comparable gamers who’ve graduated in recent times (even when pulled from earlier years iterations of this)? A minimum of for me, it might add some good context as to what these evals have tended to imply as soon as guys attain the bigs

Eric A Longenhagen: Yeah I considered doing this however marvel if I’d be working afoul of broadcasting rights stuff. I can at the least ask David if he’d be okay with it.

Transmission: Apologies if it’s off-topic or too insider-knowledge, however I’m curious what number of credible purposes you count on to get for the FT Prospect Author place.  From very outsider eyes, it’s such an intensive and particular set of {qualifications} which can be obligatory to have the ability to do the job properly!

Eric A Longenhagen: The timing of the posting is such that scouts whose contracts come up can apply for precisely this cause. It’s a loopy job by itself, and my/our requirements we set for ourselves on the website are super-duper excessive from a depth/high quality standpoint.

Eric A Longenhagen: No shock with our ballot outcomes in any way.

The Prospector: Fangraphs is hiring a brand new full time prospect author?  That’s massive information proper?  That doesn’t imply you’re leaving, proper?  Riiiiight?

Eric A Longenhagen: IDK does it?

Eric A Longenhagen: There’s undoubtedly a means so that you can know…

JK: Something in regards to the Josuar de Jesus Gonzalez reviews that jumps out at you particularly, good or dangerous?

Eric A Longenhagen: He’s actually proficient and is now right here in AZ

Eric A Longenhagen: Information breaking bits earlier than I’m going:
I’m not leaving, it says so within the first sentence of the posting. I find it irresistible right here and it’d take a godfather supply from a crew or totally different media entity for me to bail.
I discussed Schoolcraft’s velo earlier and that Josuar has joined Giants camp in Scottsdale. A supply additionally informed me Michael King was 91-94 rehabbing yesterday morning in Peoria (although, I wouldn’t fret about that proper now).

Eric A Longenhagen: And with that, the clouds have begun to converge on the FanGraphs Desert Vista Compound and I must get the animals safely inside and tie down stuff within the yard. Thanks for coming once more this week, you guys are the perfect. Subsequent week’s chat is in jeopardy as a result of I must see an off-the-schedule LAD/MIL camp recreation that can supposedly function a ton of Brewers draft picks.

Eric A Longenhagen: and if that begins at 10am my time it’ll be powerful to do that

Eric A Longenhagen: okay, bye bye