Eric Longenhagen Prospects Chat: 4/3/2026

Eric A Longenhagen: What’s up hosers? Good afternoon from Catasauqua, PA the place I’m seeing household and baseball (principally Nats associates) via subsequent week.

Visitor: Is it potential that Jefferson Rojas has gotten again on monitor?  True that he’s placed on muscle?

Eric A Longenhagen: We didn’t assume he ever received off monitor a lot as he was a younger participant with an aggressive task final yr. We had him as the highest prospect within the system getting into the yr, fifty fifth general. He completely seems to be stronger, was promoting out for energy a little bit greater than I favored after I noticed him through the spring, although a few of that was in all probability Breakout Recreation urgent.

Lord Thunder: With 17 walks in 15-plus innings together with spring coaching, how lengthy of a leash does Bubba Chandler have earlier than he walks himself again to Triple-A?

Eric A Longenhagen: I want Jared Jones had been going to be able to go prior to mid-to-late Might as a result of there’d be a pleasant, pure swap there if Chandler is that this wild till then. You’re seeing why we had McLean ranked first amongst pitchers and Chandler within the tier behind him. I’m not too anxious about it, long run, athletes with this type of arm pace are inclined to take a minute to reign it in. They might simply let him wrestle and be taught on the fly and I believe it’d be wonderful. Don’t burn an possibility yr until you actually, actually should.

Jim: How briskly ought to Jamie Arnold transfer via the minors?

Eric A Longenhagen: I don’t assume he’s all that polished. Actually struggled to throw strikes together with his fastball all final yr and once more in my 4 seems to be at him this spring. He was the pitcher I noticed most and he principally labored. Good prospect, don’t assume he deserves an arrow up on my 45 FV grade from pre-draft based mostly on his spring look. I’ve him graded the identical (however ranked behind)…

Jim: Can Wei-En Lin add velocity and develop into a mid-rotation starter?

Jim: What do you consider Kade Morris? Only a again of the rotation Paul Blackburn sort with a different arsenal, however nothing that wows you?

Eric A Longenhagen: Lin must refine his command to be a mid-rotation starter. His fastball has the form of experience that can enable it to thrive at 91-94, however he must command it to the highest of the zone higher, and he wants to seek out off-the-plate breaking ball location extra constantly as an alternative of continually in-zone. Morris I actually dig. East/west executor with multi-faceted fastball utility. Dots the slider. Tremendous aggressive man, supply is athletic… he’s a no. 4/5 proper now.

Jubs: Blissful Friday Eric! Up to now this season we’re seeing each some of the spectacular rookie lessons to this point, in addition to a lot of mentioned rookies getting long run extensions, even earlier than they make their Main League debut. Are there any prospects you assume will be a part of this class of nicely paid younger phenoms?

Eric A Longenhagen: Sal Stewart strikes me as a candidate. Caleb Bonemer possibly a yr from now?

War2D2: Eric! Did you get eyes on Wiggins in any respect if you had been scoping the Cubs in Scottsdale? Has his command/management gotten any higher? Additionally the requisite “when’s the Cubs listing hitting” weekly query, sorry to be a pest. Thanks!

Eric A Longenhagen: He was fairly wild in my lone Spring look. James and I are co-bylining Cubs. I’d count on that towards the top of April.

Tony Wroten: It looks as if there’s out of the blue a little bit of a void of faculty arms behind Flora resulting from accidents or underneath efficiency. Anybody rising that’s not presently listed on The Board you have got your eye on that be a primary spherical arm and fill that hole?

Eric A Longenhagen: I noticed the West Virginia an ASU arms final week and assume they’re extra spherical 3 and later. Cole Carlon strikes me as second spherical and had his worst slider of the yr in that recreation. Overbay is nice however in all probability not a primary rounder. LJ Mercurius in highschool, he may need a shot. I have to see Reddeman and the child from Liberty (in all probability after they’re at NM State is my greatest shot) however I’m not likely on Gaeckle or Rugger to that diploma.

Bonnie: How a lot do you count on early seasons accidents to Josuar Gonzalez and Edward Florentino to have an effect on their growth this yr?

Eric A Longenhagen: Josuar in all probability hangs in AZ for many of the yr now, Florentino I’m unsure, hopefully I’ll see him in Florida later this month.

Eric A Longenhagen: Florentino is arguably superior sufficient to go to Fall League in the event that they wanna give him extra reps late

Visitor: Any thought what the Blue Jays will do with the 250k IFA cash they received and do you have got any thought how a lot cash they’ve left?

Eric A Longenhagen: I don’t, lemme see if I can get some dope on that whereas we chat.

Visitor: What’s your ideas on Dub Gleed?

Eric A Longenhagen: 50 hit, 40 energy infielder

Outdated Prospector: Who’re the fellows you might be pushing up ranks after spring?

Eric A Longenhagen: Wholesome DeLauter seems to be like he must be larger. Brody Hopkins was nails this spring, Yorger Bautista blew me away in an abbreviated look, Justin Campbell isn’t out of the blue gonna be on the highest 100 or something however I noticed him pitch for the primary time for the reason that Tucson Regional and he’s an actual prospect once more. Sirota possibly, wanna see how the contact fee developments.

JacobM: Excited to see the minor league season getting underway.  Thanks in your prospects protection.  How lengthy does it usually take earlier than we will inform when prospects have made significant sufficient progress to be checked out in a extra constructive/adverse gentle?  I think about it’s simpler taking a look at pitchers wrt stuff.

Eric A Longenhagen: Pitchers you may see adjustments fairly rapidly, it’s only a matter of whether or not they’ll maintain them for 130+ innings. If a man is up 3 ticks I believe that’s sufficient to conclude at the least a few of it would stick. Hitters you need a month or two of information earlier than you say “hey, this man’s contact fee held after promotion to double-a, or his exhausting hit fee is up, his swing has modified and the batted ball profile now seems to be like ____”. I might side-eye anybody who’s already like “Participant X has an in-zone contact fee of 93% now!” even when they sofa it in Small Pattern caveat. Like, proper. It’s a small pattern. Please cease making us dumber.

Outdated Prospector: Ideas on Jose Fernandez after his large debut? Will he be a dependable MLB piece this yr?

Eric A Longenhagen: I believe so, we’re re-evaluating. Brendan and I had fairly totally different opinions about his protection already. He’s the form of athlete/physique who would possibly break late he’s yoked and will out of the blue find yourself with large league energy and play a plus or higher 3B. There’s a shot he finally ends up changing Arenado as the complete time 3B there in some unspecified time in the future, however he additionally would possibly Okay a ton. Contact and energy had been near large league common final yr.

JD: Any information on Thomas White or cause to fret? The unique report was 3-4 weeks’ restoration, however that was >4 weeks and no updates…

Eric A Longenhagen: I don’t assume I’d “fear” in a long run sense, however it might be a bummer if he missed the entire yr.

Visitor: Who would you say are probably the most proficient groups in milb this yesr

Eric A Longenhagen: Cubs A ball, Pirates Excessive-A, Guardians A, Rockies A….these are off the highest, I’m certain I’m lacking an Orioles and Rays affiliate that’s loaded.

Magic Morten: which of the large rookies to this point is impressing you probably the most?

Eric A Longenhagen: Stewart (completely remade his physique) and McGonigle (seems to be like a duck in water at 3B)

Sean: Dylan Jordan was reportedly sittin mid 90s the opposite night time. Does that change his profile if that sticks?

Eric A Longenhagen: YEs

Sean: Is Cam Schlittler an ace? Or will the bully strategy finally cease working?

Eric A Longenhagen: You guys know I’m like Scrooge with the “ace” label, however that’s one the place I believe he really has a shot. I wished to select a novel AL Cy Younger man for our workers predictions and I used to be deciding between him and Stop.

RAH: Not on the lookout for this to be posted, however you and BG have mentioned these notes are appreciated – I admire you! And these chats! I at all times sit up for them, and love getting your perception into gamers and league developments and whatnot. I really like your podcast appearances too. Your love of speaking ball comes through for certain.

Eric A Longenhagen: Thanks, as we proceed to get traction as a duo there shall be extra.

Sonny: Do you assume NIL cash in school baseball is or shall be a sufficiently big draw to lure late 1st up the center gamers to campus? That is form of a ‘is my bias in opposition to school SS as professional prospects dated now?’ Query

Eric A Longenhagen: There have been a pair circumstances the place the NIL cash has pulled third spherical prospects *again* to highschool, and yearly there is likely to be a Chris Levonas who turns down like $3 mil to go to highschool, however that just about at all times has extra to do with the cash the household already has quite than what’s on the desk for them in school. I believe the reply to this query would possibly change relying on the construction of the brand new CBA.

Jim: When ought to the A’s promote LDV? Is his timetable to the majors extra 2026 or 2027?

Eric A Longenhagen: Let him crush Double-A, second half promotion to Vegas, late-August/September call-up to the large membership so he retains rookie eligibility subsequent yr.

Insert Witty Identify Right here: Stat line apart, what did you see (in the event you watched) Painter’s first begin?

Eric A Longenhagen: Commanded the entire combine. Fastball form isn’t again. The Child Verlander look of that fastball appears gone however he’s nonetheless gonna be good. Changeup seems to be higher, tailing it again over the zone is a brand new trick for him. He’s prepared to assist them now, undoubtedly one among their greatest 5 guys.

Mike: Is there one thing about guys like Johnathan Rodriguez which you could take a look at and peg them as by no means going to have the ability to make it within the majors even with good AAA numbers over a number of seasons? (Or Ryan Ward, although really no thought if he counts, I simply assume the Dodgers know what they’re doing)

Eric A Longenhagen: Triple-A slash traces are inflated by the hitting atmosphere so that you’re actually simply trying on the underlying information (which everybody has entry to now) and the visible eval of protection and the swing (for probably deadly flaws and holes). Rodriguez it was swing size and due to this fact vulnerability to MLB velo.

J: Any up to date ideas on Pedro Ramirez? He had a torrid spring and has carried that over to AAA. The underlying numbers look fairly stable too. Most relevantly, the dearth of energy talked about in his most up-to-date writeup appears to have improved drastically.

Eric A Longenhagen: Good half time 2B/3B, ought to play fairly constantly because of the switch-hitting, barely a platoon cut up. Physique does look a little bit totally different, leaner and meaner than earlier than. Nonetheless don’t assume the overt bodily instruments to be an on a regular basis participant are there. 45 sort, good participant.

Alex B: Do you favor Kruz Schoolcraft or Kash Mayfield?

Eric A Longenhagen: Kruz

Sporter: It appears we’re spoiled by the superior crop of younger MLB expertise lately.

Eric A Longenhagen: The median baseball participant is nearly as good as ever.

Sporter: It appears we’re spoiled by the crop of younger MLB expertise latest years. How would you contexualize Griffin’s debut, how particular would possibly he be?

Eric A Longenhagen: I believe he’s going to be among the best handful of gamers within the league as soon as he learns to diagnose large league sliders.

Oaktown Blues: The apparent knock on Joshua Kuroda-Grauer is a scarcity of slugging. Do you assume he has the construct/instruments to develop some energy? He appeared stronger than I anticipated in spring

Eric A Longenhagen: Positively seems to be stronger, I used to be writing his blurb as chat started.

Miles Mikolas: A whole lot of Ryan Sloan hype this spring, are you all in as nicely?

Eric A Longenhagen: We had him ranked twentieth getting into the season. Nonetheless in to that diploma.

ptkirk: Have been you capable of catch Josuar or Luis at spring coaching? Will they’re writeups replace when the SF listing drops

Eric A Longenhagen: Extra Luis Hernandez than Josuar resulting from his damage, in all probability two Josuar video games and like 5 Hernandez. Luis is little however tremendous expert. I’m inclined to depart my pre-signing grade on him, Brendan I believe desires to juice it. We’ll struggle about it this month and allow you to know. Good participant, although. Good signing.

Jim: Will Junior Perez hit sufficient to be a stable 4th outfielder?

Eric A Longenhagen: I believe he’ll hit for sufficient energy and play adequate protection to be that form of piece, sure.

Eric A Longenhagen: Like him greater than Bolte.

Sir Nerdlington: Thanks for all you do, Eric.

Eric A Longenhagen: Welcome, I at all times really feel prefer it could possibly be extra. Thanks for placing up with my schedule the final two weeks as I crammed in as a lot baseball and chatted on Opening Day quite than my common Friday.

Lord Thunder: Put up-prospect Noelvi Marte has had some stable stretches during the last a number of years, however his inventory looks as if it’s down this spring with the Reds. Something nonetheless there?

Eric A Longenhagen: I’m nonetheless in, actually proficient contact hitter with particular physicality. Did some good stuff on protection final yr despite the fact that he was early phases of OF combine. Cincy is crowded, I believe he’ll be find yourself being a pleasant long-term piece for them.

Sir Nerdlington: I’m certain it’s not value your time, however do you retain tabs on any DII or DIII guys?

Eric A Longenhagen: Bro, there are gamers down there. Caleb Durbin! The related DII and III guys are inclined to develop into identified to me after they’re drafted, after which I’ll crash course on them. There have been circumstances previously after I’ve run right into a Joey Wendle on the subject and been correctly on them. The Cespedes BBQ boys are inclined to alert me of DIIIs after they pop up since their fingers are on the heartbeat of that stage.

Jim: When ought to the A’s prospect listing be posted?

Eric A Longenhagen: Subsequent week.

Eric A Longenhagen: Most likely Tuesday or Wednesday, I’ve quite a lot of household stuff lined up this weekend and won’t end writing it till Monday.

Arcadian: How exhausting is it to vary your angles as a hitter? Griffin seemingly did it in lower than a yr. Questioning how simple will probably be for Kilby to take action

Eric A Longenhagen: I believe it depends upon the man and the way nutty his present swing is. Some guys it’s simply so dangerous after they enter professional ball that correcting it’s long-hanging fruit they usually get to a viable place fairly rapidly. Some guys simply can’t change (Ke’Bryan Hayes as an illustration)

Insert Witty Identify Right here: “Lemme see if I can get some dope” – Properly, Eric simply received suspended for 80 chats.

Eric A Longenhagen: lmao right here as I name Onterrio Smith for some assist passing the check

Sir Nerdlington: Except for Trajekt, what progress has been made on the hitting growth aspect?

Eric A Longenhagen: What bat size/weight/form works greatest for you? Watch the gear that the fellows the Brewers purchase on the margins are utilizing pre- and post-acquisition.

Tacoby Bellsbury: If you’re again residence with the household, what’s the must-have meal for you?

Eric A Longenhagen: Italian Hoagie from Mario’s close to the Coplay/Northampton bridge. Had one final night time. Don’t order their pizza, although, it’s an above floor pool of cheese.

Large Buckston: I attempted to ask this to Brendan the opposite day, however he mentioned it might be higher to ask you. Connor Prielipp didn’t make the highest 100 this yr. Any particular cause for the dropoff? He put up a profession excessive in innings in 2025 with stable efficiency.

Eric A Longenhagen: Wrote his blurb whereas we labored on the 100 despite the fact that he was a lower. Right here is the unedited model: As a wild freshman at Alabama, Prielipp had the stuff — an upper-90s fastball and devastating slider — of an eventual prime 5 choose, however he handled a durations of damage culminating in a Tommy John surgical procedure that saved him out for his draft spring, save for pre-draft bullpens for scouts. Although Prielipp’s slider was arguably the most effective pitch in the complete 2022 draft, he got here with extra reduction threat than many of the different school pitchers projected to go within the first two rounds, and he in the end went within the second. He blew out once more after simply 6.2 professional innings in 2023 and had the interior brace fashion elbow surgical procedure in the midst of that yr.

Eric A Longenhagen: When he returned in 2024, Prielipp was nasty once more and struck out 45% of opponents throughout simply 23.1 innings of labor. In 2025, with a couple of shutdown durations resulting from a blister and to handle his workload, Prielipp carried a 4.03 ERA (his FIP and xFIP a half run higher) throughout 82.2 innings at Double- and Triple-A.

Eric A Longenhagen: rielipp has a nasty, late-moving slider within the 85-89 mph vary that fully freezes lefties when Prielipp desires to make use of it within the zone. It spins at roughly 3,100 rpm and generated plus-plus miss and swinging strike charges in 2025. His changeup has improved fairly a bit since Prielipp’s arm motion was shortened upon return from his first surgical procedure. It lacks large motion, nevertheless it has sufficient velo separation from his fastball (86-88) to maintain hitters off stability, and it’s ending in a very good location increasingly more typically. Prielipp has uncommon lefty velo however his heater performs down for a few causes, together with its motion, angle, and since Prielipp’s lack of extension deducts almost two ticks of perceived velo from it. He has 95-97 when he desires it, however that pitch solely generated a mean swinging strike fee in 2025.

Eric A Longenhagen: Prielipp’s command isn’t sharp sufficient to mitigate these different points, and we nonetheless don’t have a terrific thought how he’ll look piching a full season underneath a starter’s workload. Right here, Prielipp is evaluated as a very good five-and-dive no. 4/5 starter, with one superior pitch and a positive projection for the standard of his changeup.

Mike Lommler: Foolish thought train: what number of consecutive video games would Delauter have wanted to homer in to begin the season so that you can assume, “f— it, he’s an 80 now”

Eric A Longenhagen: Like 15?

Darren: Any studies on TCU’s Sawyer Strosnider?   The numbers look good.  Can he deal with CF?

Eric A Longenhagen: Have him in RF, he struggled at ASU (in opposition to Carlon who’s principally precisely proper for coping with him) in entrance of quite a lot of choice makers. Assume he’s choose 17-25 or so.

Key Jangler: Any large movers within the draft to this point?

Eric A Longenhagen: I believe the highest handful is crystalizing as Roch, Lebron, Emerson, Lackey, Flora. Eric Sales space is gonna go prime ten or so and he’s the man who I used to be lowest on pre-season (I hated his swing) who I’ve now come round on as a result of the suggestions is so constructive. Kiley noticed Bolemon just lately and instructed me it wasn’t nice, he would possibly find yourself in school.

Eric A Longenhagen: Okay guys, there are nonetheless a ton of nice questions within the queue however I’ve been bogarting this desk at Blocker’s for like two hours and have to go do some stuff round my grandmother’s home for her. I’m fairly certain I’m good to speak subsequent Friday despite the fact that the time zone change has me a little bit on tilt with drive/flight instances. I’ll submit on Twitter and Bluesky if I’ve to reschedule. Benefit from the first full weekend of minor league stuff, discuss quickly