ESPN's Keith Law published his Top 100 prospects on Thursday and chatted about the list. Here are some excerpts:
Anthony (Philadelphia)
Can you briefly explain why you think the Phils have the #5 farm so Met fans stop crying? Thanks
Klaw
(1:38 PM)Like I told TheGoodPhight on Twitter last night, did they want me to ignore Lakewood? I like ceiling, and that club had potential all over the place, and not just raw tools goofs. Guys like Valle and Rodriguez and maybe Jiwan James and Santana ... there will be some big leaguers from that club who didn't make my top 100. It's a really strong system, and just because they're not hyped right now doesn't make it less strong.
Phils GM Ruben Amaro has traded away prospects to get Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee and still has a very strong farm system. Impressive.
Jerry Sands (somewhere)
Am I close to top 100?
Klaw
(1:39 PM)LF/1B with questions about the hit tool against better-quality stuff. I don't love the swing either.
Not sure what Sands has to do to impress the experts and I said as much in my article over on Minor League Ball here.
More excerpts after the jump:
Mark (Madison, WI)
Around where would Rendon slot into this year's list?
Klaw
(1:40 PM)Top 10. 6-8 range, maybe.
I hope the Pirates take Anthony Rendon first in the 2011 Rule 4 draft.
JP (Columbus, OH)
Klaw, could you briefly explain why you have Mesoraco ahead of Grandal? I only ask based on things you've written in the past about Mesoraco's defense (or lack thereof)...didn't think you'd have him rated that highly. Seems like Grandal is more polished defensively and could be a legit switch hitter with power.
Klaw
(1:50 PM)Talked to guys who saw Mesoraco earlier than I did and they were bullish on the glove - and I learned about the bruised finger that gave him trouble in Fall League. Hand/wrist/finger injuries don't get the same publicity as a blown elbow or torn ACL, but they strongly impact performance.
He ranked Mesoraco ahead of Derek Norris and he loves Norris, which says alot.
Travis (Boston)
Best potential as a power hitter: Wil Myers (KC); Brandon Belt (SF); Lonnie Chisenhall (CLE)
Klaw
(2:16 PM)Power only? Belt.
Belt is a must draft in keeper leagues this year. I wonder if he was drafted in any dynasty leagues before the 2010 season.
Scott (Milwaukee)
Who do you think has the best chance to be an ace in this group: Cosart, Matias, Drake Britton?
Klaw
(2:19 PM)Cosart edges Matias. Britton's not an ace.
Oriole fans will beg to differ, I think. Interesting nonetheless.
I posted two articles with excerpts from his chat and I only got through about half of the chat. Lots of interesting nuggets.