Eric Longenhangman’s Spooky Prospect Chat: 10/31

Eric A Longenhagen: BWAH HA HA HA HA! Soar Scare!

Eric A Longenhagen: It’s Halloween, and what meaning; operating again to the shop when you notice the quantity of sweet you’ve eaten necessitates one other bag. Bah haaaa haaaa!

Eric A Longenhagen: James and my write-up on Asian execs will likely be stay momentarily, although all of the stories are already obtainable on The Board.

Eric A Longenhagen: Okay, let’s hit your questions.

Insert Witty Title Right here: Gotta ask the apparent: what’s the 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, and 20 grade halloween sweet?

Eric A Longenhagen: I’ve a 70 on Reese’s and Almond Pleasure, a 60 on Equipment Kat, Twix, Reese’s Pumpkins and Snickers, 50 on Hershey’s something, 40 and beneath on all fruit-related candies

e: Did you get any seems to be at Parks Harber within the AFL? Do you assume his swing will play towards highest stage pitching

Eric A Longenhagen: I’ve seen him 4 instances in AFL and a few times throughout instructs previous to. He has actual physicality and energy, his swing does play just like the “inside out” selection which could make him weak to massive league velocity, however that hasn’t manifested but. He runs effectively for his measurement… there’s one thing there.

Jackson: The place do the Phillies put Crawford in 2026? Possibly in LF and so they signal a CF? Hopefully Crawford will break the Phillies outfield curse

Eric A Longenhagen: See who you signal first, then resolve tips on how to combine Crawford’s time. He ought to preserve taking part in CF (for developmental causes) a variety of the time.

Michael McDermott: Ought to I be involved about Jansel Luis’ Arizona Fall League efficiency? He’s hit a variety of floor balls, particularly to the best facet and has struggled to drive something to his pull area from the left facet of the plate.

Eric A Longenhagen: He’s undoubtedly blended into the background right here, my notes on him have been blasé, however I nonetheless like how explosive his palms are.

Greg: I used to be intrigued by your Sinnard write up. Is he in dialogue in your high 100? Is he a few #3 ceiling?

Greg: One Sinnard observe up – I noticed some notes about how his spin charges have elevated considerably due to some changes by AFL coaches. As a Braves fan, my first thought was questioning why the Braves employees wasn’t capable of unlock that. How typically does an AFL employees discover one thing new, or am I overreacting with my frustrations in regards to the Braves pitching dev groups?

Eric A Longenhagen: He’s within the high 100 combine, I’d say, extra like a no. 4. On the spin price factor: lemme cross reference his in-season information with an AFL sport actual fast.

Eric A Longenhagen: These are up 200-300 rpm in comparison with common season

beanbong: Gotten any probabilities to see Nacho Alvarez within the AFL? Does he present any hope of meaningfully enhancing his incapability to lift-and-pull to the purpose he’s a serious league common or is the concrete dry there?

Eric A Longenhagen: 4 seems to be, some doubles harm however not massive juice. Not a giant long run piece for them, I don’t assume. Cherished how he caught up for Sam Antonacci final night time, although, was jawing with your complete Scottsdale dugout.

Jeremy: How are you liking the WS?

Eric A Longenhagen: (thumbs up) Recreation 3 alone makes this a fairly good 12 months.

Lars: How would you rank the 5 instruments when it comes to what groups covet most —> least? Is that in step with all entrance workplaces or would some have vastly completely different preferences?

Eric A Longenhagen: Energy, Contact, Protection, Velocity, Arm

Eric A Longenhagen: Some FOs (and even particular person individuals) may put contact first as a result of it’s wanted to unlock energy.

Eric A Longenhagen: At a sure level it’s, anyway.

House Case: Gmornin Sir! Unusual query possibly, however I used to be questioning if any cactus league groups, or ACL, AFL and so on have radio broadcasts? I used to be eager about pursuing a job down there for the spring every year. Cheers

Eric A Longenhagen: A few of the cactus league video games have a radio broadcasts however they’re normally the crew’s dwelling radio sales space. Many AFL video games are broadcast (go to the MLB App or AFL web site at the moment at 1:30 PT, you’ll see them) nevertheless it tends to be AFL staff and possibly some up-and-comers who MLB needs to listen to name video games (not your boy, although). Advanced stage is just not broadcast.

Cubs fan: Hey Eric, assuming the Cubs don’t resign Kyle Tucker, who do you see taking up for him in RF? If that particular person is Owen Caissie, how would you are expecting his season to go?

Eric A Longenhagen: I don’t know how they’re going to maneuver their expertise round however they in all probability should do a few of it, proper? The present set-up is Happ, PCA, Suzuki beginning OF, Caissie and Alcantara as bench. It’s not a good way to develop the younger expertise to do it like that. They’ve tried Triantos within the OF, too. Must make a transfer, I believe Alcantara is the likeliest to commerce as it should in all probability take him a while to regulate to massive league velo anyway.

Eric A Longenhagen: Caissie I like because the sturdy facet of a platoon, he’ll mash and be good if put in favorable positions versus righties typically sufficient.

E: Ideas on Carter Jensen? Appeared just like the bat carried out above expectations within the majors and was principally backed up by statcast ev and plate self-discipline.

Eric A Longenhagen: He’s been on the hondo for a pair years, has major catcher projection for me. Actual lefty energy.

Lars: The place would Yesavage have been drafted if not for the medical issues?

Eric A Longenhagen: He was cleared sufficient to journey within the lead as much as the draft, I don’t assume it had a significant influence on his inventory. There was some extent the place he couldn’t journey as a result of lung, however by the Mix he was cleared and folks felt snug with it so far as I knew.

George: Hey Eric! Are you as fascinated by the Butera rent as I’m? I do know he has minor league managing expertise, nevertheless it does look like Toboni is basically leaning into the participant dev focus.

Eric A Longenhagen: I principally shrug at managerial hires. I believe the way in which they’re leaning arduous into nearly completely younger individuals is the fascinating factor about what’s occurring there.

Justin: Biased dynasty fantasy proprietor right here. Why can’t Trey Yesavage be a high 30 pitcher in 2026?

Eric A Longenhagen: As a result of he randomly will get harm? As a result of he’s drained coming off the longest season of his life? Simply the chaos of being a pitcher? He’s nice. I don’t know what you’re angling at right here. It is best to preserve him or draft him or no matter.

Eric A Longenhagen: Individuals who assume he’s some christlike perennial cy younger contender ought to ask themselves how they felt about Evan Carter two years in the past.

Jeremy: Which prospect has the spookiest identify?

Justin: The Dodgers have the most effective set of outfield prospects in baseball. However it is going to be arduous to crack their loaded lineup. Do you assume any of De Paula, Quintero, Hope or Sirota make the present in 26?

NFP: What caveats ought to we placed on AFL performances? My impression is that the altitude juices distances however not EVs. Does it mess with motion like Coors? It looks as if groups additionally typically attempt to match the extent of high quality (higher guys up entrance like spring coaching).

Eric A Longenhagen: Pitching right here has turn out to be extra wild and fewer nasty for the reason that center of week two. It’s typically not a really proficient group, and whereas this 12 months I believe is definitely higher than the imply from a stuff standpoint, guys can’t throw strikes. You shouldn’t take any hitter’s efficiency at face worth based mostly on their stats. Their look is far more vital.

Visitor: My league swims on the excessive finish of the minors.  Are both Jesus Made or Emmanuel Rodriguez with the large membership from the soar?

Eric A Longenhagen: Emmanuel Rodriguez is likely to be if he’s wholesome and so they lean arduous into rebuilding. Made is extra a September risk as we sit right here proper now.

Unhappy Mariners fan: What do you concentrate on Cole Younger for subsequent season?

Eric A Longenhagen: On a regular basis MIF

Ryan: What do you make of Jordan Lawlar taking part in centerfield in winter ball? Was his infield protection actually trying THAT unhealthy?

Eric A Longenhagen: It’s a terrific experiment, although I haven’t pulled the tape on him on the market but, and doubtless received’t till he’s had some extra reps. Sure, it was that unhealthy.

Lord Thunder: Who has seen their inventory dinged probably the most on the fall league?

Eric A Longenhagen: Morlando

Jim: Tommy White. Will he hit? Likelihood he learns to play cromulent 3B protection?

Eric A Longenhagen: Assume he may very well be Ty France. Plus 1B D, don’t assume his bat is on time to do a ton of harm, too lengthy into the zone. 40

Mike: Type of a prospect query…. Ought to Twins followers be involved nobody developed with Pittsburgh below Shelton? How a lot distinction does a supervisor make?

Eric A Longenhagen: The supervisor doesn’t have a ton to do with participant dev till the large league stage.

Pat: Eric- Thanks for all of the arduous work, actually take pleasure in it! What do make of Max Anderson’s AFL? Does he appear to be might play 2B/3B for Detroit subsequent 12 months?

Eric A Longenhagen: He swings at every thing however remains to be expert and robust sufficient to make plenty of arduous contact, he’s been higher timing and spraying obtained all fields than a number of the different guys out right here (although Morabito turned on a cutter final night time, which was good to see). I don’t know the place Anderson performs protection and he may have to go to LF, however he’s loopy sturdy and has some really feel, so I believe he’ll be one thing.

Eric A Longenhagen: Final night time whereas he was within the on deck circle you might hear the barrel whistle by means of the air simply as he was taking warmup hacks.

TheDodger: is Denzel Clarke gonna hit sufficient to remain an everyday for the A’s?

Eric A Longenhagen: He may need a great peak season or two, however he’ll play a long run position due to the protection

Kelly Yost: Has Josh Adamczewski regarded able to being an OF at fall league? good to see some energy he trending up as a prospect?

Eric A Longenhagen: Tremendous restricted seems to be on the market, he’s performed some 2B after I’ve caught Shock. Appears like Corey Dickerson to me.

Donowiecz: Is Tyson Lewis’ method as unhealthy because it seems to be on the statline?  Is there a motive to assume he can enhance different than simply being younger?

Eric A Longenhagen: His underlying information is regarding in some methods (contact, chase) and knock your socks off thrilling in others (energy)

Donowiecz: Do you assume LuJames Groover has a job in Arizona or is he going to want a commerce?

Eric A Longenhagen: Let’s see what they do at 1B ths offseason.

Visitor: This query’s in all probability 5 years too late, however I’ve to ask: was Daulton Varsho ever actually a official catching prospect? Or was it form of a “eh, he’s formed like a catcher so he’s a catcher” form of scenario?

Eric A Longenhagen: There was some extent when he was first drafted that it was price making an attempt however his arm energy was such that it was at all times unlikely. As soon as his bat was clearly going to profile within the OF it was effective to maneuver on, the truth that he’s so good on the market was a pleasing long run shock.

ABS system earlier than leg day: What have we discovered from the change in minor leaguer’s listed heights to sport the ABS system? Why received’t it occur in MLB?

Eric A Longenhagen: Everybody’s heights are up to date from what I can inform, massive leaguers too.

Eric A Longenhagen: There’s nonetheless some effective tuning that should happen, from me eavesdropping across the ABS of us coaching right here in AFL there’s nonetheless this complete factor they’re making an attempt to do with the batter’s stance quite than simply their uncooked top that I’d disagree with if I knew extra about it.

Aldo Rayne: Is it off base to assume that Okamoto will likely be higher in MLB than Murakami given the latter’s contact points?

Eric A Longenhagen: Under no circumstances. For those who instructed me each gamers would carry out as is for the subsequent three years, I’d quite have Okamoto.

Eric A Longenhagen: You possibly can learn the Murakami report right here, it explains why….

Eric A Longenhagen: click on the clipboard

Lowe Distribution System: I believe some prospect instruments might be taught (swing airplane, pitch grips), some might be educated (energy, pace), however is bat-to-ball contact means simply innate to the participant?

Eric A Longenhagen: I believe it’s much less teachable, yeah. Possibly not completely innate, although.

Eric A Longenhagen: Like in case your swing is *so* tousled that I can repair this or that and get you in higher place to hit.

spin price queen: Why don’t reliever to SP conversion candidates like Mason Morris and Mike Lombardi find yourself pitching in affiliated ball their draft 12 months. Wouldn’t or not it’s ideally suited to stretch them out as a substitute of shut them down?

Eric A Longenhagen: The method of getting guys throwing once more after they’ve been shut down since he finish of the faculty season takes longer than you may assume. Lombardi I noticed throw in tutorial league. Morris I didn’t see however I’m fairly certain he threw. So some growth is happening, simply not in an area that generates a field rating we will entry at any time.

Harm dope: Seeking to hear discover out why each Ryan Forcucci and Justin Campbell didn’t pitch all 12 months after they had been anticipated to return by midseason

Eric A Longenhagen: Good query, lemme ship a pair texts out actual fast…

Jim: Please right me if I’m mistaken, however I don’t assume we’ve ever seen a catcher come over from Japan. Would it not be a considerably larger transition than different positions?

Eric A Longenhagen: Sure, due to the language barrier.

Eric A Longenhagen: BTW….

Eric A Longenhagen: unreal

Bumpin Ugglas: The place does Seth Hernandez rank (at draft time) amongst latest prep arms? On par with Jobe/Painter?

Eric A Longenhagen: Higher than these two on the time, I assumed. In Hunter Greene territory.

Gegenpress: Placing Yesavage apart, Cijntje, Soar, Tolle, Stephen, Eagen, Sinnard. The widespread denominator I’m seeing in all of the arrow up faculty arms 2024 class is all of them had extra developmental meat on the bone for a school arm. You possibly can even arguably put Benge and Cags on this class due to their 2 method faculty careers. And Dohm may very well be subsequent to start out shoving. So how will we scout for that transferring ahead?

Eric A Longenhagen: Paradoxically, give attention to age-old issues like athleticism, capability for motion, uncooked stuff, aptitude. A few of that may be quantified now, clearly.

Visitor: It appears like Janek has executed effectively within the AFL. What ought to Astros followers anticipate from him subsequent 12 months?

Eric A Longenhagen: Wants to enhance as a receiver and ball blocker. He’s a good-looking child, which I do know from him continually operating to the backstop along with his masks off.

Lowe Distribution System: Kenji Johjima was one of many earlier Japanese gamers to come back over and was fairly good for a pair years

Eric A Longenhagen: Oh yeah, that’s a great one.

Insert Witty Title Right here: How good of a pitcher might Victor Wembanyama be with that sort of extension?

Eric A Longenhagen: I wager if he dropped every thing and began coaching to be a pitcher proper now, inside three years he’d be one thing.

Visitor: esmerlyn afl

Eric A Longenhagen: The factor that’s caught out to me most is his vivaciousness. He’s a terrific teammate; he’s taking part in his ass off. Being courted by brokers, btw. Boras individuals sitting out within the solar in RF to ensure he sees them there.

Holliday was out: To place it in perspective, how would you now examine Yesavage to Schlittler transferring ahead? Clearly a giant age distinction, however who’s extra useful of their 6 years of management?

Eric A Longenhagen: I believe I’d take Yesavage due to the splitter high quality.

Nick: What are your ideas on Kevin Alvarez. Assume he could be a high 50 man by 12 months’s finish?

Eric A Longenhagen: One of many few guys that younger who’ve a shot

Eric A Longenhagen: Okay, time for me to depart. Thanks for coming once more this week. Subsequent’s weeks chat goes to be banged as a result of I’ve to talk at First Pitch Arizona on Frida morning. See you in two Fridays, buds.