Prospects Chat: Excerpts from Keith Law Chat

by Ray Guilfoyle on Oct 28, 2011 7:00 AM EDT in Prospects Chats

ESPN's Keith Law held a prospects chat on Thursday and here are some excerpts. i have to say he, alone, is raising the prospect ranking of Robbie Grossman this offseason.

DMT (NYC)

Robbie Grossman's ceiling? Average ML starter?

Klaw
(2:00 PM)

Above.

And THIS:

Steve (boston)

who do you like better between Robbie Grossman and starling marte?

Klaw
(2:03 PM)

Grossman. That's not really close.

I've written about Grossman over at Minor League Ball recently and linked to KLaw's thoughts on him in previous chats here at Fake Teams, but this is the first time he has mentioned Grossman as an above average regular. I wonder if he ranks Grossman in his Top 50 in 2012. Would not surprise me.

More KLaw after the jump:

Tyler (Ann Arbor)

Give me something about Yasmani Grandal. What was he looking like before the injury? Possible September call-up next year?

Klaw
(1:29 PM)

Struggling with receiving. Can throw, can call a game, plenty of stick from the left side, but he's had issues all year (including here) with just catching the ball, especially better velo.

Grandal is having the same issues that Buster Posey had in 2010 and he turned out fine. It will be curious to see how the Reds handle Devin Mesoraco and Grandal in 2012 and beyond.

Jess (Cincinnati)

Do you fully buy into the belief that a starting pitcher HAS to have at least 3 good pitches to be successful? All the talk that Chapman HAS to develop a good changeup seems silly to me when his fastball and slider (when thrown in the zone, obviously) are both easily plus pitches--better actually. All he really needs is a changeup he can throw occasionally near the zone. Yeah? Or am I a simpleton?

Klaw
(1:16 PM)

No, I don't think it's a requirement, but it also looks like Chapman is working on more of a split-change now, which could be pretty vicious.

This bit of info bears watching should Chapman shows he can start in spring training. The Reds are giving Chapman a shot at starting in 2012.

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KLaw on Grossman

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Robbie Grossman is one of the most exciting players here. His tools aren’t as impressive as Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Gose’s, but he has a better approach and ability to square the ball up. Grossman is a switch-hitter with more power hitting from the left side (because he generates more torque with his hips) but an equal ability to make solid contact from both sides, keeping his head steady and taking a direct path to the ball. He’s an average runner with good instincts on the bases who should be above-average defensively in either corner outfield spot, most likely right. And his approach is excellent: He works the count, recognizes pitches and will jump on something he can drive early in the count if he gets it. The lack of any plus tool limits his ceiling somewhat, but I think he can generate OBPs in the high .300s with average power and added value through defense, which would make him a pretty good player overall.

Ray Guilfoyle
www.faketeams.com
www.minorleagueball.com
www.mlbdailydish.com

by Ray Guilfoyle on Oct 28, 2011 5:05 PM EDT reply actions