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Prospect Chats: Excerpts from Keith Law

By Jason Hunt
March 20, 2012; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (61) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE
March 20, 2012; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (61) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

Keith Law held his scheduled chat over at ESPN.com on Thursday, and as usual was good for some interesting tidbits about prospects.

Jeff (Baltimore): Duquette hinted that Schoop and Machado would start at different levels so both can play SS (makes sense). Does this mean Machado starts at AA (makes less sense)?

Klaw (1:11 PM): I think Machado could handle AA. He's ridiculously good. But I don't think there's any chance Schoop stays at SS, so I'm not sure what the point of leaving him there is.

Klaw raved about Machado in his post on Friday, and the idea of having him start the season (as a 19 year old) at AA makes me actually think he might be right that Machado will be in Baltimore by September. I tend to agree that unless they are planning on showcasing Schoop to trade him, there's no real reason not to move him from SS now and let him get as much time at the position he will play in the bigs.

Tyler (Seattle): If Bauer is better than Hultzen and they both appear close to MLB ready, then what was Seattle thinking last year?


Klaw (1:25 PM): They preferred Hultzen's arm action/delivery. I did too, but Bauer does have much better raw stuff.

Personally, I'm a HUGE fan of Bauer's, and think he might be the best of that top group of 3 pitchers, both now and in the future. I honestly think Bauer will be in Arizona no later than June to stay.

Matt (VA): Where do you think Dylan Bundy starts the season? Do you think he is in Double A by the end of the year?
Klaw (1:38 PM): I thought I read he was starting in low-A, but that's crazy. He should at least start in high-A for a month, if not right in AA.

This seems completely insane to me, but the reports I keep reading about Bundy seem to indicate that he is about as advanced of a high school draftee as they come. I would absolutely love to see him get to AA this year, but I'm not sold that it happens.

Jason (Muskegon, MI): Despite never playing AA...can Nolan Arenado end up in Colorado in the second half of the season if he is mashing?


Klaw (1:39 PM): Yes, although I'm not sure he'd truly be ready at that point.

Another of my favorite prospects, Arenado was only sent down a few days prior. He'll likely start the season in AA, and if the group they're going to run out at 3B struggles, I wonder if he honestly will get the call by the All-Star break.