ESPN's prospect expert, Keith Law, held his weekly Thursday afternoon chat yesterday and here are a few excerpts from the chat;
Adam (Minnesota)
Another MN prospect debate. Kyle Gibson or Alex Wimmers? Who has a higher ceiling? Thank You
Klaw
(1:17 PM)Gibson.
Wimmers was drafted in the first round of the 2010 draft and Minnesota started him in High A Fort Myers, where he dominated in 4 starts. In 15.2 innings, he struck out 23 and walked 5 with a 0.57 ERA and 0.702 WHIP. We could see him in AA in 2010.
Matt (No Cal)
Whom do you prefer as a player to build around, Wil Myers or Anthony Rendon?
Klaw
(1:20 PM)Rendon.
Wow. That's saying alot as Rendon is likely to be a top 3-4 pick in the 2011 draft, if not #1, while Myers could be ranked in the top 25 of some prospect lists. Myers hit .315-.429-.516 with 14 HRs, 83 RBIs, 12 SBs and an excellent 94-85 K/BB rate at Low A and High A in 2010.
Steve (NYC)
Is an offer of Kelly, Lars, Doubront and Kalish for Upton good enough? No super-elite guys, but four who are ready or close to it.
Klaw
(1:40 PM)No. Not even close.
This should stir up the Red Sox fans here. I wonder if you substitute Anthony Rizzo in place of Lars Anderson, if that would be enough? Or, do teams looking to deal for Upton need to give up major league talent, rather than prospects.
Frank (CT)
If Montero lives up to the hype. On a career year can you see. 300/380/550 with 35+ homers?
Klaw
(1:56 PM)Sure.
It's ashame he can't stay at catcher, as he could unseat Joe Mauer as the top fantasy catcher real soon.
More after the jump:
ray (burlington, nj)
Keith-thanks for the chat. what should LAD do with Russell Martin-tender, non-tender, trade him?
Klaw
(2:00 PM)If he won't sign for well under his likely arb number, he's a non-tender.
I agree. I have a feeling they will sign him to a deal under his arb number.
spider monkey (trees)
Do you see Matusz making a big step in 2011? He was up and down in 2010, but obviously has the talent to be exceptional.
Klaw
(2:09 PM)Yes, I do. Saw enough this year to make me optimistic about him in 2011-12.
Jason and I both thought Matusz should take a step forward in 2011 in Tuesday night's chat and it appears KLaw agrees.
Craig (Boulder)
What's Tyler Matzek's ceiling and when would you expect to see his debut with the Rockies?
Klaw
(2:13 PM)I still think he's a potential number one starter, but the Rockies tinkered with his mechanics this year, which makes no sense to me at all since his arm worked extremely well in high school. Get him back to how he was pitching in 2009 and he'll be back on track.
Yeah, Matzek had a bad year in 2010, and will be watching how he performs in 2011.