Baseball Prospectus - Chat with Jeffrey Paternostro

Chat: Jeffrey Paternostro

Welcome to Baseball Prospectus' Wednesday August 26, 2020 1:00 PM ET chat session with Jeffrey Paternostro.

Jeffrey Paternostro is the Lead Prospect Writer at Baseball Prospectus and co-host of the Three-Quarters Delivery podcast.

Jeffrey Paternostro: I'm your regularly scheduled Craig this week. Cregularly scheduled

Chino5 (Capital City): We want Gavin Lux! We want Gavin Lux! Oh, wait. This is supposed to be a question. Where is Gavin Lux and can we please have him?

Jeffrey Paternostro: Now that Hernandez has come back to earth I'm a little surprised he isn't back up for a look see. Not that it's going to matter to the Dodgers this year I guess and they will do little a bit of service time manipulation, as a treat

Carl (Sweden): Have you had a chance to watch Devin Williams in action yet this year? That changeup is disgusting, and I love the confidence he has in it to throw it in any (or every, in some cases, count). Has to be one of the best changeups in the majors, right?

Jeffrey Paternostro: I've seen a lot of Devin Williams, mind you that is mostly from Craig sending me GIFs of his changeups in gchat after every outing. But yes, it's one of the better cambios in the game.

John (Illinois): Do you think MLB teams have specific, measurable methods for evaluating their scouts and development staffs? Or is it more likely a subjective process for evaluating their work?

Jeffrey Paternostro: It is going to vary by organization, but in a lot of ways working for a major league team isn't all that dissimilar from any corporate job (especially more true in recent years I'd think). You are going to get evaluated by your manager on a variety of criteria, how statistically rigorous it is verus soft skill stuff is going to vary, and baseball has the particular issue of more frequent top level turnover, so you can sign Mike Trout and still get turfed by the new GM who wants his guys. I will say that merely applying a formula to a scout's evaluation versus outcome or how a player does under your tutelage is probably not the best metric for figuring out who is "good" at their jobs

meswan (Texas): Hi Jeff, thank you for taking my question. I look forward to these chat sessions. What are your thoughts on Brayan Rocchio, MI, Cleveland? Does he have the hit tool to stick as a long term starter? He appears to have some speed but wondered more about the bat at the Major League level. Thanks again, Mike!

Jeffrey Paternostro: Short answer: Yes Long answer: Well as sure as we can be about an 18-year old in the Penn League. He doesn't have to hit a lot because the glove is good, and it may not be an impact offensive profile overall, but there should be enough stick to be an everyday shortstop.

darielsantana (Santo Domingo): Early thoughts on Alec Bohm? Top 5 3B potencial?

Jeffrey Paternostro: Yeah, although I don't know if he sticks at third even in the medium term and third base is pretty loaded. I was the low man on staff here for the most part, but Jarrett and company won out for the most part for ranking purposes. The bat has translated against MLB pitching quicker than I expected.

Moira (Schmidt's Creek): Free Clarke Schmidt! When can we expect him and just wondering what should we expect from him in a full season?

Jeffrey Paternostro: I suppose it could be as soon as one of the doubleheaders this weekend against the Mets. We were low on him this offseason and the slider might be present MLB plus at minimum. The Yankees don't always thrust these guys right into the rotation though and I could see him as more of a back and forth role similar to how they have used Loaisiga the last couple seasons. Similar durability concerns too I suppose.

Jonah (Acme): He did so well in LIDOM and now the Marlins are starting him, do you think there's another level to Lewin Diaz?

Jeffrey Paternostro: Maybe if the power really plays, and who can say what the state of the ball is week to week, but he strikes me still as a solid, but unspectacular regular.

Jeffrey Paternostro: Short one this week, back to crying baby and brewing cofee