Eric Longenhagen Prospects Chat: 3/13/26

Eric A Longenhagen: Good morning from Tempe the place the temps are beginning to crank to twenty+ levels above what’s typical for March. I’m positive it’s effective, my dad says that is simply cyclical.

DR: Are the Yankees doing one thing particularly unhealthy with their excessive greenback worldwide expertise?  I do know the fail charge is fairly excessive when contemplating a 14-17 yr outdated inhabitants. Nevertheless it appears (maybe as a result of NYY prospects get extra publicity usually) that they’ve had considerably worse outcomes amongst their excessive greenback guys.

Eric A Longenhagen: Agreeing to offers earlier and earlier opens you as much as extra threat of failure. It’s already a risky market because of the youth of the gamers on signing day, the error bar is greater whenever you’re reaching verbal agreements with 12- and 13-year-olds, to say nothing of the ethics of it.

Seth: In the event you’re Steve Cohen, must you leverage your immense wealth to seek out benefits past the sphere, like constructing {an electrical} substation close to Dodger Stadium?

Eric A Longenhagen: Have a strong scouting workers whilst groups just like the Cubs and Braves hemorrhage scouts. Begin cultivating and/or understanding expertise in locations which are both largely unscouted (like Africa) or locations with a finite quantity of house, like Asia. Clearly, the Dodgers have already manufactured a income and expertise stream from Asia and have a head begin in Africa. Higher get going.

DR: Does Vance “Spring Coaching Babe Ruth” Honeycutt’s absurd ST output allay any fears that got here up throughout his unhealthy 2025?  I do know Aberdeen is a horrible place to hit, however he was unhealthy in all places. I don’t suppose anybody who noticed him in Aberdeen would’ve predicted this many HRs in 2026 as an entire, not to mention ST

Eric A Longenhagen: He struck out SO MUCH final yr, you’ve gotta let it air out over a bigger pattern and see what occurs.

Will: Have you ever realized something eye opening out of your How’s my Driving?

Eric A Longenhagen: Do a greater job figuring out guys with 70-grade command or breaking pitches.

Sidd Finch: Are there any highschool juniors you’re significantly enthusiastic about for the 2027 draft?

Eric A Longenhagen: Carter Hadnot

Baseball learner: Sounds just like the Yankees system is gentle on goal? Just like the technique is “commerce the blokes who most likely gained’t make it slash those we don’t want for giant league gamers we’d want now”? Do you suppose you that they’re working out of what to deal for on

Eric A Longenhagen: I feel there may be an elevated sense of urgency for Cashman to maintain his job, and in addition some “we don’t actually suppose this man goes to hit, let’s commerce him whereas he has worth” to it.

Kelly Clarkson: Any popup prospects piqued your curiosity this spring?

Eric A Longenhagen: Rockies A-ball children not named Ethan Holliday regarded good this week.

Eric A Longenhagen: Brito, Arguelles, Andujar

Erick: if the A’s are frisky, what do you see because the ETA for de vries?

Eric A Longenhagen: Might be this yr if he retains wanting like this

Spring Breakout Video games: What gamers are on the prime of your watch checklist?

Eric A Longenhagen: Anybody who was a Decide to Click on

Dylan: Has your view on any prospects been considerably modified by spring coaching? Do you’re taking spring coaching in any respect critically when taking a look at these guys?

Eric A Longenhagen: Not from a field rating efficiency standpoint. Bodily development throughout the offseason, added velo, new pitches… that stuff I care about.

szakyl: What’s an affordable expectation for DeLauter’s common PA per season?

Eric A Longenhagen: 450

Dorian Soto: When do you get eyes on him?

Eric A Longenhagen: I am going to Pennsylvania April 2-10 after which Ft Myers April 10-??, I have to get my palms on Prolonged ST schedules for Florida.

Erick: I do know he’s a graduated prospect, however will warren’s stuff+ seems to be up considerably this spring. is that this a blip or has he made optimistic modifications?

Eric A Longenhagen: I feel he appears nice however you’re speaking to the man who has traditionally been excessive on Warren.

ZH: Why is MVP Baseball 2005 nonetheless the best recreation ever made?

Eric A Longenhagen: I imply, Breath of the Wild is fairly rad.

doughboy: after the smoke has cleared after the 2025 season, how will we make sense of Jackson Jobe‘s FV? His stuff+ on all pitches have been league common to plus; however he wasn’t lacking as many bats as you’d hope. There was some speak about his restricted arm extension and fastball being too true. What do you anticipate from him in 2027?

Eric A Longenhagen: I suppose we’ll see, however I feel all of the tinkering that was happening over the past couple of years was perhaps an indication the Tigers didn’t suppose issues would work as constituted.

Oaktown Blues: If a prospect who beforehand was within the DSL will get some Spring Coaching ABs in AZ, is {that a} good indicator that the staff plans to deliver them stateside to start out the yr?

Eric A Longenhagen: If a man is up right here he’s virtually actually going to stay up right here.

Eric A Longenhagen: Rayner Arias is the one one I can recall who went again for a bit.

Kate: Did one thing change with Tornes’ profile that moved him from a forty five+ to a straight 45?  Or was this simply sort of re-calibrating the right way to worth these sorts of far off guys with a number of inquiries to reply?

Eric A Longenhagen: 71% contact charge within the DSL is slightly bit scary, seemingly nook man. Nonetheless appears like a primary spherical HS bat however most likely extra towards the again half than inside the highest 10, which is extra what a forty five+ is.

Kate: Is there something we are able to search for in smaller guys with meh pop popping out of the draft to guess at who will really develop significant affect?  Enthusiastic about a man like McGonigle.  I are likely to miss on this profile of smaller, good hit instrument guys who find yourself creating pop nobody noticed coming.  Like taking a look at a man like Gavin Kilen and questioning if one thing like that is likely to be in there?

Eric A Longenhagen: Hip/hand separation, perhaps an uptick in measured bat pace if we’ve entry to the newbie quantity from showcase/school match stuff.

Wooden: Do you will have any up to date notes on two Nats prospects Luke Dickerson and Marconi German?

Eric A Longenhagen: Nats are on deck for mid-April replace, I’ll see three of their associates in PA and perhaps their Prolonged group if Miami brings sufficient arms up from the D.R. for me to drive throughout the state for a couple of days.

Eric A Longenhagen: So for now I’m effective sticking to what I wrote final checklist cycle.

Erick: BG mentioned this in his chat, so determine i’ll get your view on it too: Painter’s fastball form seems to not have returned but even after phillies stated he spent the offseason working to get again to his pre-injury arm slot. In the event you knew – with certainty – that painter’s pre damage fastball form and velo aren’t returning would he nonetheless be 55? a 50?

Eric A Longenhagen: Form AND velo? 50

Baseball learner: Odds Lagrange is the Yankees setup man come September?

Eric A Longenhagen: That’s slightly too particular. Odds he’s a significant a part of their bullpen? 25%? He’s a postseason 40-man add so if he’s one in all their finest 12 arms finish of yr he needs to be up (until they’re not contending)

Oaktown Blues: I feel I bear in mind you saying a bit again that the A’s prospect checklist was ticketed for late Spring, after you bought appears at a number of the guys – is that also on course?

Eric A Longenhagen: Yep, they’ve been my focus this week. Astros publish subsequent, I do know Meg and gonna be swamped with modifying preseason content material and checklist publication will take a again seat whereas that stuff rolls out however I’m formally engaged on A’s, Cubs, Rockies (BG and I each), SFG (ditto).

Bernie: Eric!  I’m in a deep dynasty league and your work has all the time been extremely useful — thanks!  Are there any latest draft picks/IFAs attracting buzz on the backfields past the marquee guys (in my draft, prime 2 rounds of MLB draft and prime 10ish DSL guys already gone)?

Eric A Longenhagen: Properly the Rangers two-way child from Korea pitches and leads off as we speak so perhaps we’ll get some dope there. We’ve solely had two or three days of minor league video games to this point…

Kate: What do you make of the brand new Zac Veen?

Eric A Longenhagen: Don’t suppose it made a distinction in how shortly his palms get going.

Surplus Valuez = Stolen Wages: Does Vahn Lackey find yourself a primary rounder?

Eric A Longenhagen: Severe query, as a result of I’m curious: Are you Allan Eric Carlson?

Eric A Longenhagen: (and sure, I like Lackey and suppose he goes inside the highest 10)

Eric A Longenhagen: As a result of your IP tackle positive places it in play, could be a blast from the Crashburn Alley previous so that you can be in right here.

ZH: Random 40+ or under hitter or pitcher that makes the leap to a 55 by finish of the season? Is usually a Decide to Click on however the ones you simply have essentially the most intestine really feel for.

Eric A Longenhagen: Yairo Padilla. Bodily, switch-hitting MIF? Signal me up.

War2D2: Eriiiiic! Simply my weekly nag asking when the Cubs checklist will probably be launched. Can we anticipate any pop-up expertise that was off the radar final time by means of? Thanks!

Eric A Longenhagen: They’ll most likely transfer up the queue right here as a result of I’ve been instructed they’re not taking part in any Prolonged Spring video games. Gotta get in what I can throughout minor lg ST.

jk: Who’re your favourite 2026 affect pitching prospects who haven’t debuted but?

Eric A Longenhagen: I’ll say Gage Soar, suppose the A’s are motivated to maneuver their pitching shortly.

Rickey: what do you see holding Luis Morales again (past the ballpark). Appeared to have loads of stuff arising, and did effective as soon as within the majors final yr. Many appear down on his possibilities of being a No 3-4, however what do you see as the restrictions on him?

Eric A Longenhagen: I actually like him, he’s crude however I purchase that the stuff and athleticism will permit him to flourish over time. Simply not essentially the most polished/poised man but.

Oaktown Blues: I do know that in an effort to succeed with a <70% contact charge, it’s important to hit the ball actually onerous. This Spring, Henry Bolte has a median EV of 96.5 and a 59% onerous hit charge. Is that sufficient oomph to make up for his 68% contact charge?

Eric A Longenhagen: I’ve seen video games and he’s regarded fairly good, is he on time sufficient to raise the ball slightly extra? -1 diploma avg launch final yr…

Crabcakes: Did 2025 change your opinion on Nate George in any respect?  I feel you have been skeptical of his means to hit, after which he hit one thing like .330 throughout a pair ranges final yr.  Did he fulfill your issues, or is gonna get uncovered in opposition to higher pitching?

Eric A Longenhagen: I’m snug taking the below in comparison with what Chat appears to suppose. Excessive oppo spray, I fear how he’ll deal with precise MLB high quality fastballs.

Eric A Longenhagen: Toolsy child, although. Simply copying and pasting my Aidan Smith takes from final offseason.

War2D2: I’m going to be in Scottsdale for my yearly journey to spring coaching subsequent week. I’m going a pair weeks later than I normally do due to household commitments. Was actually excited to see that as a substitute of the 80° climate I’m used to it’ll be 110°. Yessir, reeeeaaaally excited.

Eric A Longenhagen: Our common temps are 80 this time of the yr, actually a terrifying signal of issues to return. MLB ought to begin making ready to combat with golf programs for water right here.

Sandwich: Which orgs do you suppose do the perfect job of spreading out their threat within the IFA market whereas nonetheless discovering upside?

Eric A Longenhagen: Milwaukee

Buff: Plenty of buzz about Roldy Brito. Have you ever seen or heard something about him that will transfer him up on the Board?

Eric A Longenhagen: He’s on our prime 100. Skillful child, like him in CF and at 2B, grinds out robust at-bats. Beeg thinks he has a Zobrist really feel to him, I dig that.

Opifijikl: You talked about final yr that you simply thought the Purple Sox have been telling their guys to swing much less, or that they’d premeditated swings and misses. I consider a Laurila interview w/BOS participant growth refuted that. The information appeared to match what you have been saying although, so do you will have any guesses about what’s occurring there?

Eric A Longenhagen: I feel it’s completely true for Anthony and Campbell

Steve O: Why’s Franklin Arias rated so extremely? He doesn’t appear to be he’ll hit a lot and he doesn’t stroll. It’s onerous for me to purpose that he’s the 14th finest prospect when he doesn’t hit and he’s not quick. I’d suppose if any staff rated him that extremely the Purple Sox ought to’ve commerce him yesterday.

Eric A Longenhagen: Plus shortstop defender with plus (perhaps higher) bat to ball ability.

Tony Graffinino: Favourite persona or funniest prospect you will have scouted extensively?

Eric A Longenhagen: Jake Burger. Hilarious man. Lawrence Butler additionally looks like a blast. I additionally discover the uncontainable elements of Abner Uribe’s on-field antics to be humorous however he’s not *attempting* to be humorous.

Matt: Is Misiorowski the dream for Carlos Lagrange? Lagrange appears to be in a really comparable place now to the place Miz was two years in the past. Looks like you’re already marginally extra bullish about his means to start out than you have been a month in the past?

Eric A Longenhagen: Deliveries and fastball angles are completely totally different so I might say they aren’t nice comps past the velo. Lagrange’s changeup appears prefer it’s going to get to a greater place than Miz.

Eric A Longenhagen: Would agree that Lagrange’s mechanical consistency is healthier (or at the very least my evaluation of it’s certainly extra bullish)

flightsongs: Which prospect identify have you ever chosen to have rattling round in your mind as like a fork in a rubbish disposal as you someday shuffle off this mortal coil? Mine’s “Ibandel Isabel“.

Eric A Longenhagen: Franklin De La Paz

Eric A Longenhagen: Ibandel Isabel has a musicality to it that completely prompted it to pop into my mind at random, too. It’s actually wonderful you’re on the identical wavelength.

Eric A Longenhagen: And in my head I’m saying the “b” kinda like a “v”

Surplus Valuez = Stolen Wages: Given all of the Epstein stuff, the reside streamed holocaust of Palestinian youngsters, the state of youth right here happening 3-4 generations…apart from being outdated and more and more senile within the suburbs, what makes it potential for sports activities shoppers to disregard the economics anymore? IFA bonuses, draft bonuses, caps on each, wage caps/“luxurious tax”, choices, later debuts, service manipulation normalized, and so on and so on

Eric A Longenhagen: ^For this reason I used to be questioning in the event you’re AEC as a result of despite the fact that your worldviews don’t appear to align you do submit a ton of stuff like this in chat. Like loads. It’s a great query, although. I feel a number of us are made numb by how pleasurably distracting our leisure choices are, and it’s robust to mobilize your self (not to mention sufficient individuals that will really facilitate change) once we’re sitting round watching sports activities, or marvel motion pictures, or actuality TV or no matter it’s. I’m as responsible as anybody.

Eric A Longenhagen: Yay!

Eric A Longenhagen: Couple extra, then I’ve gotta deal with some automobile stuff (lock housing busted on the GTI) earlier than I am going to the sphere

Genghis Khan II: I simply can’t get down with the Dax Kilby hype given the SSS. He is likely to be A-Rod, however 18 video games with a .431 BABIP in A ball? 18 video games! This appears and smells like stereotypical Yankees prospect hype.

Eric A Longenhagen: I agree let’s not go loopy placing a 70 on his hit instrument or something for the explanations you stated, however I had that man stuffed pre-draft and thought he regarded fairly good taking part in SS in professional ball. That’s what moved the needle for me was the protection.

Jace, The Thoughts Sculptor: Have you ever ever executed a “how’s my driving” in your projected pitcher roles?

Eric A Longenhagen: No, I’d love to do this and analyze everybody’s efficiency on the staff lists as a substitute of simply the 100s

Crabcakes: I’ve a frequent debate with my SO about professional athletes and psychological well being.  I say guys who battle below strain get weeded out lengthy earlier than they make the very best stage as a result of there’s all the time strain in sports activities.  My SO factors out that we recurrently see guys seem to choke.  Add some perspective for us please, do you see prospects both fail to advance or advance regardless of struggles with the strain to carry out?

Eric A Longenhagen: I feel it is dependent upon the particular person. I agree that there’s all the time a component of strain and a number of the very fragile of us get weeded out at a sure stage. However I additionally suppose notion impacts how anybody handles a given second. Like if in case you have worry of flying, it’s arguably irrational based mostly on the precise charge of lethal crashes in comparison with driving, however numerous individuals nonetheless worry it and I’m not skeptical that they worry it regardless of its irrationality. I feel that may apply to sports activities.

Eric A Longenhagen: Like Jorge Lopez, I fear about that man. He made it right here however nonetheless appears to soften.

Eric A Longenhagen: Okay buddies, time for me to go. Nice chat this week, let’s have one other subsequent Friday!