Down On The Farm: Prospect Chat With ESPN's Keith Law

ESPN's Keith Law held a chat on Thursday and here are a few excerpts:

Mike (NYC)

I read somewhere on ESPN that an MLB executive said that if Rendon and Harper were in the same draft, he'd take Rendon because he plays the infield and their skills are comparable. You buying this? Seems like Harper got way more hype.

Klaw

  (12:14 PM)

I'd probably say Rendon as well. Rendon should be in the big leagues in a year, 18 months at the most, and fairly productive out of the chute. Harper has more upside but is a good bit further away from being a productive major league player.

I posted an artilcle over on John Sickels' site Minor League Ball on Thursday with a poll on who you would rather have: Anthony Rendon or Bryce Harper, and the results were pretty close. The Pirates, should they draft Rendon, are going to be an improved team in 2-3 years.

Ed (NY)

Do you see the Yankees signing of Russell Martin a read between the lines 'we don't think Montero can be the everyday catcher' or just 'we don't think Montero can be the everyday catcher right now'. Or does signing Martin mean Montero is on the way out of the organization for a SP since the DH spot will be Arod's in another year or so.

Klaw

  (12:20 PM)

I don't see signing a bad catcher to a one-year deal as the organization's exit strategy from Montero. Martin had a .313 OBP when not hitting 8th (ahead of the pitcher, when he's likely to be pitched around), and he has zero power. It's much more likely he's an insurance policy on Montero, or a way to ease Montero in while also managing Posada's workload.

Interesting take....it will be interesting to see how much time Montero sees at catcher this season.

Tyler (Minneapolis)

When can we expect the Klaw top 100 prospects?

Klaw

  (12:22 PM)

January.

Yes. I am a big fan of his Top 100.

More stuff on Gordon Beckham, Manny Banuelos, Freddie Freeman and Jonathon Singleton after the jump:

darek (chicago)

will g.beckham have a bounce back year ?

Klaw

  (12:34 PM)

He was on a tear before he got hurt - I think he'll have a better overall 2011 but it will line up more with how he was hitting in July/August of 2010 than April/May.

SLEEPER ALERT!! Beckham hit .354-.376-.573 in July and .309-.400-.531 in August in 2010. 

Marc (Lancaster, PA)

What does Banuelos need to work on to solidify himself as a top of the rotation pitcher?

Klaw

  (12:37 PM)

I don't see much left for him to do. Tighten the breaking ball? He's got command. He's got present velocity. He's not projectable. The change is plus. He's pretty damn good right now.

Sounds like KLaw is very high on Banuelos. Wonder how long he will remain a Yankee with their need for a starting pitcher. Could the Yankees deal him this offseason?

Jack (Chicago)

Who do you prefer between Freeman and Casey Kelly? Are both top 20 guys on the top 100? Who has the higher ceiling? Love your work, thanks for all you do.

Klaw

  (12:50 PM)

Kelly is better, higher ceiling, more likely to be top 20 (no way Freeman is top 20 but Kelly might not be either).

Yes, KLaw is one of the prospect experts who are down on Freeman.

Derek (Philly)

Who's the next best OF prospect for the Phillies outside of Dom Brown? I remember them having a glut of CF's.

Klaw

  (1:01 PM)

Singleton, if you count him as a LF.

The Phillies are moving Singleton to LF since he is blocked by Ryan Howard at 1B. This move bares watching in 2011.