July 6, 2006

Q:  Deywane from Memphis asks:
Joey Votto is having quite a year in AA: 18hr's, 55rbi's, OPS'ing .980, and
he is only 22. Do you think he has a chance to be on the Top 50 or 100
prospect list?

 A:  Chris Kline: Hey everyone . . . and sorry for the delay. Former BA
intern Josh Cooper is in the house.

Chris Kline: Dewayne, I see Votto as a top 100 guy, certainly. He's crushing,
and I'm really looking forward to seeing a show in BP at the Futures Game on
Sunday.

 Q:  Ben from NYC asks:
Hi Chris, Thanks for the chat! Your esteemed colleague Jim Callis has gone on
the record as taking Jon Lester over Phil Hughes (by a hair, to be fair) --
who do you prefer?

 A:  Chris Kline: Well, I'd probably take the lefty too. And Hughes is one of
my favorite pitchers in the minors . . . Both have great poise and makeup,
I'd just favor the lefty over the righthander in this case. By a horse hair.

 Q:  Marty Rafter from Schweinfurt, Germany asks:
Dodgers LHP Scott Elbert has put up some great numbers on what seems to be a
pretty weak Vero Beach team in the High Class A Florida State league, yet he
didn't get selected for the FSL All Star Game, or the Futures Game. Are there
simply that many pitching prospects out there that are better than him, or
has he not been the dominant, ace LHP in person that the numbers on paper
would make it seem? Thanks!!

 A:  Chris Kline: Germany Represent! Sorry about the World Cup, dude. I had
Spain in our in-house bracket--yeah that's right--a World Cup bracket . . .
so I'm out too. Anyway, Marty, setting the Futures Game rosters is a little
tougher than most people probably realize. In Elbert's case, it didn't come
down to him versus other pitching prospects, but other Dodgers. And for me,
there are few arms I'd take over Elbert on the U.S. staff--starting with
Homer Bailey.

 Q:  Fans from Purple Row asks:
Could you argue Chris Iannetta as the Rockies top prospect over Stewart and
Tulowitzki? If not, could you say that Tulowitzki has passed Stewie?

 A:  Chris Kline: I don't think so, though I think Stewart is a little
overrated. Personally, vanity plates on vehicles just plain bother
me--especially when players have them. Stewart's is BIGFLY, and to me, that's
a little creepy. But in reality, I worry more about the wrist problems he's
had since last season--I think that's becoming more and more of a question
mark. For me, Tulo is No. 1 in that org. Big-bodied shortstop with power
who's an above-average defender. Obviously you'd like to see more out of him
in the plate discipline department, especially as a leadoff hitter this
season at Double-A Tulsa. But he's going to be a quality big leaguer for a
long time.

 Q:  Russ from NY asks:
Joe Koshansky has put up some good numbers this year and I might try to argue
that JoKo is better than Shealy at this point. Agree or disagree?

 A:  Chris Kline: Keeping on the Rockies' tip . . . Agreed. Koshansky has
just become a much better overall hitter. He's not that one-dimensional pull
hitter he was last season--he's using the whole field and hitting for average
as well. He's come to the understanding that the power is in there, he just
has to square balls up more regularly and he's done that.

 Q:  Joel from Washington, DC asks:
Chris, Futures Game catcher Neil Walker is down to .256 with no power and no
walks. I want to believe that he is still recovering from the hand injury,
but he really hasn't shown much since returning and, if anything, he has
regressed the last couple weeks. Please tell me that he will be OK, because
the Pirates desperately need him to be an impact player.

 A:  Chris Kline: Joel, it was a wrist injury that required surgery, so
that's sapping a lot of the power and a lot of scouts I talked to--as well as
people in the Pirates front office--say he's still trying to find a comfort
level, both at the plate and behind it. That will come in time, and Walker
has impact potential. I'm just not sure that impact will be felt behind the
plate in the long run.

 Q:  Dustin from Lansing asks:
What is Cameron Maybin's power potential? Could he be a future 3030 guy? And
why isn't Humberto Sanchez cracking your Hottest Prospects list??? He is
killing AAA!!

 A:  Chris Kline: Maybin could be that type of guy. Tremendous power and
speed--and his instincts for the game are off the charts. I just talked to a
scout who graded him out a lot better than Justin Upton, if that's any
indication. Upton, apparently, isn't showing much of anything beyond his OK
numbers in the Midwest League. Sounds like he's on auto-pilot, while Maybin
is pushing himself to get better every day. Re: Humberto--we'll work him
again soon.

 Q:  George Zipp from Dallas, TX asks:
Who will have the better MLB career?: Matt Garza or Nick Adenhart

 A:  Chris Kline: Zipper, I'll go Adenhart, based on age and stuff--both guys
have that kind of moxie you look for, but to me, Adenhart's easy delivery and
that plus changeup set him apart.

 Q:  Dan from Windsor, CT asks:
Is Philip Hughes a legitimate number one starter and ace of a staff, or is he
more of a number two starter? Also, when do you think he will make his big
league debut?

 A:  Chris Kline: He's a front-of-the-rotation guy and I think he could make
his debut this season. The question is for what club? We're likely to find
out after the 31st.

 Q:  George from Paterson,NJ asks:
Which one is better?Phillip Hughes or Mike Pelfrey?And why

 A:  Chris Kline: Interesting question, and I'm likely to go high school over
college . . . So I'll go Hughes. Both have a chance to be dominant
front-of-the-rotation guys, but Hughes might be my No. 1 pitcher in the
minors right now.

 Q:  Kevin from Florida asks:
What do you think of Jose Garcia SP Florida. He seemed to come out of nowhere
but has shown some great stuff , whats his ceiling and is he climbing the
charts quickly.

 A:  Chris Kline: Garcia just got called up to Triple-A Albuquerque a couple
hours ago, so yes, he's obviously climbing fast after starting the year in
the Florida State League. He has great stuff, but also has the tendency to
let his emotions get the better of him. He buzzed a guy last week after he
gave up a bomb against Tennessee, then hit him in the back. He's fiery and
attacks when he's on the mound--he just needs to keep that stuff under
control more. The PCL will be an interesting challenge and he'll have to
become more of a pitcher in that league--no doubt.

 Q:  Mac from Baton Rouge asks:
Please discuss prospects S. Drew and T. Tulowitzki and which player projects
as the better offensive player.

 A:  Chris Kline: As we did in the comp on these guys last week, it all comes
down to personal preference. Drew will hit for a better average, both have
comparable power and Tulo is slightly better defensively. For me, it comes
down to do you want a guy who's going to play hard all the time or a guy who
takes days off? Tulo is much more likely to reach his ultimate ceiling--I
don't think there's any question how big Drew's toolbag is--it's just a
matter of how much does he want to break them out and use them?

 Q:  Wally from Atlanta asks:
With chuck james now in the majors and lerew struggling who would you list as
the braves top 3 SP prospects ? thanks in advance for the info.

 A:  Chris Kline: I go Matt Harrison, Beau Jones and Jake Stevens--though
Stevens has certainly scuffled this year. Right now, it's Harrison that has
separated himself from the rest of the pack.

 Q:  Fabian from Bronx, NY asks:
Jose Tabata, if I remember correctly, has now taken the title of youngest
player to play in the Futures Game. How good of a prospect is he and what
types of things are being said about him?

 A:  Chris Kline: He is, and he has plus tools across the board. The biggest
thing to me is how much his strike zone discipline has improved. In April it
was a 20-2 K-BB ratio. Now it's 56-26. He's making adjustments at that age in
low Class A, which is impressive to see. Tabata has plus-plus bat speed,
which usually projects big time power as he fills out . . . stay tuned.

 Q:  Charles Berg from Houston, Texas asks:
Jose Arredondo had a great AA start last night. What are your thoughts on his
season so far? Is he the best Angels pitching prospect? Is he an elite arm?

 A:  Chris Kline: Arrendondo also had the best fastball in the Cal-Carolina
all-star game, touching 97 several times in his one inning of work. The
fastball has a tendency to flatten out at times, which leads to guys turning
that around on him. I don't know if I'd say elite arm just yet, but he's been
impressive. I'd just like to see more out of his offspeed stuff. Adenhart is
the Angels best pitching prospect.

 Q:  Charles Berg from Houston, Texas asks:
Early Top 5 to watch for the minor league player of the year award?

 A:  Chris Kline: Berg-Piece, Wow. Good question, even though it's not early.
We start tracking players for our minor league POY watch as camp breaks.
Right now I'll go with Jay Bruce, Alex Gordon, Chuck Lofgren, Yovani Gallardo
and Homer Bailey.

 Q:  Charles Berg from Houston, Texas asks:
Is Jay Bruce as good as the numbers indicate?

 A:  Chris Kline: I'll give you guys a little preview of a scout's view on
Bruce that I actually got this morning . . . "Bruce is the best hitter in the
league--period. He's a right fielder who's going to hit for a high average
with plus power production. He's an above-average outfielder with plus
instincts. I known people are going to mention Larry Walker as a guy he could
be like. Jay Bruce is going to be a special player." I think that says an
awful lot.

 Q:  Hap Goyter from Krispy, NC asks:
Has Kevin Kouzmanoff improved his standing among scouts with his
mind-boggling .432 average this year?

 A:  Chris Kline: Krispy, NC? Must be West Coast, yo. Kouzmanoff has inflated
his value through performance this season--seriously. His problem in the past
has always been being a little old for his leagues--no fault of his own. The
guy just rakes. But I worry about two things: 1) medical. He missed two
months last year with back problems, then had back and hamstring issues this
year. 2) the possibility of moving him off 3B. He plays a solid
third--nothing pretty, but he maes all the plays. With Andy Marte in the
system ahead of him, and given his performance, what do you do? Move him to
first? That doesn't make much sense. It's just a very intriguing situation
and he needs to stay healthy--bottom line.

 Q:  Benji Worthen from Breyer's Tower, Mass asks:
What is the current view of Boston's Jacoby Ellsbury? Is he shooting up the
charts?

 A:  Chris Kline: Ellsbury is the best OF in the Carolina League. He just
lost a lot of development time with the hamstring problem earlier this
season. To his credit, when he came back from a stint in extended, he was
awesome--stole something like seven bags in his first 10 games. For what it's
worth, between Ellsbury and Indians first-rounder last year Trevor Crowe,
most scouts I've talked to take Ellsbury, who is a burner and a plus defender
who has the ability to hit for some pop.

 Q:  Mark from Boston asks:
I know Justin Upton hasn't proven anything yet in the minors, but considering
the Futures Game is more about prospects than it is about performance,
shouldn't Upton be there?

 A:  Chris Kline: Mark, That was a tough call--believe me. But consider the
other two Diamondbacks going--the World needs Miguel Montero to catch (and he
deserves to go) and Drew is one of the top SS in the minors. How do you leave
either of those guys off? Rememeber--no more than two players from every org.
In the end, Upton will have other opportunities to go. Or at least one, next
year.

 Q:  Chris from St. Louis asks:
What's the deal with Terry Evans? He's a career .239 hitter going into the
season and then all of the sudden he's a stud. I've read today's daily dish
about him, but want to know if his success is likely to continue or is going
to go back to hitting .239?

 A:  Chris Kline: Your guess is as good as mine--truthfully. Is it possible
that Evans just found his stroke? I find it a little hard to believe that
nothing changed mechanically in his swing, but whatever it is, a lot of
players probably wish they could find that "inner peace" Evans described.

 Q:  Charles Berg from Houston, Texas asks:
AAA pitchers. Edison Volquez, Jason Hirsh and Ubaldo Jimenez? Who do you like
most of out those 3.

 A:  Chris Kline: I'll go Jimenez, Hirsh, Volquez. And as I just wrote that,
I was considering flip-flopping the top two. I'm just not a big Volquez
believer.

 Q:  Steve from St. Louis asks:
How can you leave Colby Rasmus off the U.S. squad?

 A:  Chris Kline: Steve, Clubs are usually a little wary of giving us their
low Class A guys, and there's no doubt he deserved to go. But I mean, just
look at the guys ahead of him. Like Upton--and jay Bruce for that
matter--Rasmus will be a Futures Gamer down the road. It just didn't work out
that way this year.

 Q:  Pender Lee from Paris Lick, TX asks:
What's the ceiling on Trevor Crowe? He's having a great year at Kinston for
the Indians.

 A:  Chris Kline: Provided he doesn't move to 2B down the road, Crowe becomes
a solid defender in left with enough power to stay at that position.
Personally, I hope he moves to second--and I think he has the aptitude to
handle that move. He certainly has the athleticism. He's moving up to Akron
tomorrow, by the way.

 Q:  ben from dc asks:
It seems the Nats are doing a lot. How is their farm system shaping up?

 A:  Chris Kline: Define "doing a lot." Their system is definitely not top 10
and lacks real impact players in my opinion. I like Frank Diaz OK, but is he
anything more than an average big leaguer? I like what Casto's done with the
bat considering everything he's been asked to do position-wise, but what is
his ultimate ceiling as a left fielder? I'm just not on the Nats right now.

 Q:  Ted from MN asks:
Now that Drabek signed is he instantly one of the Phillies' top prospects
because of his amazing stuff and there weak farm system? Where would he rank
in the Phillies top 30?

 A:  Chris Kline: I say he ranks No. 1--little question of that given Gio
Gonzalez's struggles and Scott Mathieson's graduation.

 Q:  Henry Thompson from Tiburon, Ca asks:
Wheres PAT NESHEK!

 A:  Chris Kline: In Rochester I guess. Hopefully he'll join us for some
fine, fine Indian cuisine at Dale's when the Red Wings land in Durham at the
end of the month.

 Q:  Henry Thompson from Tiburon, Ca asks:
Besides Homer Baily does Nick Adenhart have the most potential on the US
staff?

 A:  Chris Kline: I like Eric Hurley OK, but Hughes is more in the league
you're talking about here.




 Q:  Cody Pancake from C-ville, VA asks:
What can you tell us about Tampa's Jason McGee? Some say he has outpitched
Wade Davis to become one of Tampa's top pitching prospects.

 A:  Chris Kline: I just got a Jeff Suppan comp on Wade Davis today, but
glowing reports on McGee. McGee has a plus slider, plus changeup and good
life on his fastball, which is 94-96.

 Q:  J Ellis from Winston-Salem asks:
Is Nolan Reimold the real deal?

 A:  Chris Kline: I think he is, though I have some doubts about the
five-tool tag that's been thrown on him. He runs OK now, but I see him
slowing down as he gets older--but plus raw power with above-average arm
strength. Just classic right field tools.