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Jim is one of the owners of Baseball Prospectus. Ask him whatever you want!
Jim Walsh: Hello, I am currently looking at black ink of Wade Boggs
Dalton (Queshner): How good is Francisco Lindor? Like, I mean hes really reallllly good, isnt he?
Jim Walsh: I think Lindor is that good. Many that have worked with him have told me he has it all. Mentally, as well as on the field.
BC (Urbandale): Is this Cubs team better than the 2003 or 2007 teams?
Jim Walsh: Definitely. It's apples and oranges. Theo builds a team in a different way.
CharJaco (Ca): Hi Jim, I have a trade that I'm contemplating. It is for my 16 team Dynasty H2H with OBP and TB. We must start 3 RP and have the flexibility of 3 Utl spots. I recently had a hole at 1B and traded Sano for J.D. Martinez and Chris Carter. Carter helped fill the hole at 1B. I have an offer on the table for Jose Abreu and A. Bailey for Strasberg and K-Rod. In my other 2 RP slots I have Jansen and Ramos. Loosing Strasberg would leave me with Corrasco, Maedea, Pomeranz, J. Hammel, Karns, Rubby De La Rosa, Manea, Snell, Minor, and Greene. Should I make the trade? Will my pitching survive? Does Abreu make a significant upgrade in a offense with Posey, Carter, Rendon, Franco, Tulo, Springer, J.D Martinez, Kemp, Choo, M. Upton, and Morales? Thanks for your patience...
Jim Walsh: For the record, I can't help on fantasy trades. My teams are decent, but not great.
CharJaco (Ca): Hi Jim, I have a trade that I'm contemplating. It is for my 16 team Dynasty H2H with OBP and TB. We must start 3 RP and have the flexibility of 3 Utl spots. I recently had a hole at 1B and traded Sano for J.D. Martinez and Chris Carter. Carter helped fill the hole at 1B. I have an offer on the table for Jose Abreu and A. Bailey for Strasberg and K-Rod. In my other 2 RP slots I have Jansen and Ramos. Loosing Strasberg would leave me with Corrasco, Maedea, Pomeranz, J. Hammel, Karns, Rubby De La Rosa, Manea, Snell, Minor, and Greene. Should I make the trade? Will my pitching survive? Does Abreu make a significant upgrade in a offense with Posey, Carter, Rendon, Franco, Tulo, Springer, J.D Martinez, Kemp, Choo, M. Upton, and Morales? Thanks for your patience...
Jim Walsh: For the record, I can't help on fantasy trades. My teams are decent, but not great. I do like Rubby a lot though.
Joel (B Town): Anderson Espinoza - the #1 pitching prospect next season?
Jim Walsh: I would say yes. He has all the tools and is being mentored by the best pitching mind of all time.
Grayson (Nj): How many WAR will conforto be worth, on average, per season for the next 5 or so years?
Jim Walsh: That's pretty much an impossible question to answer, but he has an amazing swing and quick wrists. I really like him as a player.
Mike (San Jose): What's wrong with Sonny Gray? What should the A's do with him?
Jim Walsh: I wish I knew. He's such a fun player to watch. If I were the A's I would hold onto him instead of dealing him when his value is in the basement.
Bobby V (San Diego): Best hitter/ pitcher you've seen in person
Jim Walsh: Barry Bonds and Pedro Martinez. h/t Joe Dolansky
Jake (Kalamazoo): Strictly as an OF, who do you want ROS - Ian Desmond or Adam Jones?
Jim Walsh: Definitely Adam Jones. He's a great bat.
fightingmoose (Manitoba): Do you think Francis Martes of the Astros figures out his control issues and takes a step forward this year?
Jim Walsh: I don't know if he can figure out his control issues, but he has the stuff to strike out major league hitters, which is pretty rare
Greg (NYC): This year's Victor Robles?
Jim Walsh: I honestly don't think enough attention is being paid to this year's Yoan Moncada. He is slashing 318/450/500 with 30 steals in 41 games. That is Rickey Henderson stuff.
fightingmoose (Manitoba): What are the chances Joe Nathan becomes a contributor to the Cubs? Do you think he has a chance to become their closer after the All-Star break?
Jim Walsh: Theo loves reclamation projects. Always has. Do I think Nathan can throw 15-20 quality innings out of the bullpen? Yes. Can you count on him being a closer? No.
OddBall Herrera (At a Computer): Re: Moncada. Two things worry me, the 20%+ strikeout rate, and the fact that running wild on the bases is much simpler in A Ball than the majors. Unfair or legit concerns?
Jim Walsh: The K rate definitely concerns me, but he works the plate. As far as running the bases, we haven't seen someone this aggressive on the bases in a while.
fightingmoose (Manitoba): Should we be selling high on Odubel Herrera or is this production sustainable? The dude has had a heck of a year! No jogging to 1st base though Odubel.
Jim Walsh: He is so far below his age level I think it's possible. He is definitely going to struggle at points. But I see no reason it isn't sustainable.
fightingmoose (Manitoba): Should we be selling high on Odubel Herrera or is this production sustainable? The dude has had a heck of a year! No jogging to 1st base though Odubel.
Jim Walsh: He is far below his age level so I think it's possible. He is definitely going to struggle at points, but I see no reason it isn't sustainable.
OddBall Herrera (At a Computer): What are your thoughts on Bergman's sudden power hitting? Something there or Texas league noise?
Jim Walsh: I would honestly have to defer to others at BP that have seen him in person. I know Colin Young covers the Texas League for us quite a bit.
Rick (San Diego): Is it realistic for Nick Williams and Roman Quinn to be starting outfielders for Philadelphia in 2017?
Jim Walsh: The game is trending so young, nothing would surprise me. So I would say yes, it's realistic.
fightingmoose (Manitoba): Curious to know what your thoughts are on Wilmer Difo. He seems to be struggling with the bat this year. Do you think he projects into anything more than an average 2B/INF in the big leagues? Utility guy? The speed seems legit and is an excellent base stealer based on his low CS totals across the minors. We are 300 minor league players deep in our fantasy league. Worthy of keeping?
Jim Walsh: Difo will have a good run as a player, I would bet. If you are that deep, I would keep him. He can get on base and run, that will give him a job for some time.
Ben (Texas): Is victor Robles the top prospect next year?
Jim Walsh: I really think Moncada is the top prospect in baseball, but a lot of baseball still to be played.
JR (Boston): Amed Rosario potential?
Jim Walsh: Tremendous. Less than Addison Russell, but he has all the tools.
Dan (Philly): Worried about JP CRawford? Can he better then Francisco Lindor?
Jim Walsh: Lindor is a special talent. I do not think Crawford will ascend past Bogaerts, Correia, Lindor. But Crawford is going to be a very good player.
fightingmoose (Manitoba): What player(s) has surprised you the most at the 1/4 mark of the season at the MILB levels and the MLB level?
Jim Walsh: Jackie Bradley Jr., Jake Arrieta, Mark Trumbo, and Nick Castellanos
fightingmoose (Manitoba): When do you think the Cubs call up Willson Contreras? It sounds like he's mostly working on the defensive end of his game in AAA like Schwarber was much like last season. Can his receiving ability improve enough that he can be the Cubs every day catcher by next season? With his plus athleticism, do you think he sticks at C or more likely to become trade bait or part of the crowded OF in Chicago?
Jim Walsh: Contreras reminds me a bit of Blake Swihart with the Red Sox. I think one team (or both) is going to make a run at having a player catch 40-50 games and play outfield for 80-100.
Jeff (DC): We have in common a shared enjoyment of Pedro's prime, especially the Boston years. I know nothing compares to that period (he was to us as Koufax was to our fathers' generation), but who are some of today's current players that thrill you *almost* as much as Pedro in his prime?
Jim Walsh: Kershaw and deGrom. For different reasons. Kershaw has the stuff, deGrom has the tenacity.
Hector (New York): Over the next 5 years, who are the best 5 MLB teams? In my opinion, it's the Cubs, Pirates, Rangers, Dodgers, and Red Sox.
Jim Walsh: Cubs are definitely 1. Rangers is the only one I would differ on. I would put the Blue Jays or Astros there.
Jim Walsh: Thanks everyone for coming and talking baseball! I always enjoy it. I am going to go back to looking at Boggs' stats.
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