Chris Kline:
Well, things are ready to roll–and I apologize for being a little
late. The BA Minor League Player of the Year award is one of our
biggest deals every year and believe me, we don’t take the decision
lightly. So considering it’s an award that is given to a Texan, I had
to reprogram my iPod to work my way through your questions. Obviously,
I added some Stevie Ray Vaughan, mainly because his sound exudes the
entire state to me. But this is an all-encompassing BA award, so I had
to add some Will Lingo (Drive By Truckers), John Manuel (U2), Alan
Matthews (Hall & Oates . . . I’m not kidding), Matt Eddy (Ted Leo
& The Pharmacists), Aaron Fitt (Bob Seger . . . again, I’m not
kidding), but couldn’t find room for any Dave Matthews, unfortunately
(Josh Leventhal, Nathan Rode) and I have no idea what Ben Badler’s
into, though I will say he has significant upside as our newest staff
member. Anyway, enough of the sounds being pumped into my house right
now . . . this is, after all, Jay Bruce Day.

Chris Kline:
I wouldn’t gnash teeth, Evan, but at the same time I understand it. The
Reds want Bruce to grab some more ABs with Team USA and it will not
only be a great experience for him, but will also help him heading into
next season. I also don’t think he’s a sure thing to begin in the big
leagues out of spring training next year, but he’ll definitely debut
sometime in 2008. And I really don’t think starting his clock played
into the Reds’ decision.

Chris Kline:
They were in the mix. The same can be said of Steven Pearce (Pirates),
Justin Upton, etc. But really, it didn’t take that much of a long,
drawn out meeting to decide. What Joba and Kennedy did this year
certainly was impressive, but they were both extremely polished
pitchers. As we all know, that doesn’t mean immediate success like the
two Yankees have had–and that is certainly impressive. But Bruce’s
numbers over three levels as a 20-year-old were way too much to ignore.

Chris Kline:
Rowell starts next season in the Carolina League, where he’ll be faced
with a lot of things he’s never seen before. He’s going to have to make
quick adjustments in the eight-team league . . . I think next year
really will serve as a great barometer on what to expect out of Rowell,
as well as what position he winds up playing, as we move forward.

Chris Kline:
Hot Sheet? What’s that? I think we’re comfortable with all our picks in
the top 20–Hellickson was certainly in the mix for a spot, but missed
the cut. It’s rough having only 20 spots. I can think of at least 10
names we left off, but we wanted to take the last Hot Sheet in a
slightly different direction than we had in the past. And I should also
mention Indians first baseman Jordan Brown, who won his second straight
MVP award (Carolina and now Eastern). Talk about unheralded.

Chris Kline: I think he’s there. Nothing left to prove in Triple-A, really.
V. smart player who will make adjustments up there.

Chris Kline: I think he’s there. Nothing left to prove in Louisville.
V. smart player who’ll make the adjustments up there.

Chris Kline:
I love McGee, but he had some blowup games along the way. He was
another guy we considered in the final 20. And yes, I think Bruce
deserves the top spot for 2008. Unless someone decides to hand a bunch
of money to a Japanese team as a posting fee again.

Chris Kline:
Oooooh . . . ‘BS.’ Ross in Boston nearly got flagged. Like I said, and
like Reds GM Wayne Krivsky said when I asked him: “It’s premature to
say that will play out next year.” (That’s Krivsky, but it gives you
the idea). I don’t think Bruce is a shoe-in candidate for next year.
Everybody talks about Bruce replacing Adam Dunn in left field next year
in the big leagues, but the problem with that is Bruce never played LF
as a pro and spent two innings in left as an amateur. I’m not saying a
move like that is really that big a deal, but Bruce really feels like
he has value in center. And so do some scouts I talked to. I think he
has classic RF tools with the bat to back it, but he’s also not nearly
as bad a runner as a lot of people make him out to be–despite the lack
of stolen bags this season.

Chris Kline:
Tough question. I think Martinez’s injury clouds that a bit, and so do
a lot of reports we got on him when he was healthy. Kind of ditto with
Andrus. I love Andrus defensively–he’s just one of those guys you can
tell is different. His actions are smooth; has good arm strength, soft
hands and outstanding range–especially to his left. You just question
how much he’s going to hit. But that said, Andrus has the tools to be a
star. So does Martinez, but I’d like to see a better load and approach
overall at the plate . . . with a little more patience.

Chris Kline:
I like Nelson OK, but Gomez is something else. Huge fan. Great actions
at SS with a good ability to put the barrel on the ball at a low level.
I go Gomez.

Chris Kline:
Depends on the league. Einertson had a nice year this year, but didn’t
come close to the power he showed in the Appy League. I think he’s
battled through some things, and a lot of scouts get down on him about
his size, but he’s improved a bunch defensively and he’s using the
whole field now. Yeah, he bounced back nicely after two years in
Lexington, but the power needs to come back if he wants to get to
Houston.

Chris Kline:
Another tough one, Buckaroo. I go: Upton, Maybin, Bruce, Rasmus,
McCutchen as the top five. But I really kind of feel like Rasmus might
have the most overall value when it’s all said and done. Let’s put it
on the bet board for some ribs. I’ll call you.

Chris Kline:
You’re asking me? Make a decision! Just kidding, Joe. I go Ottavino,
though I’m a big Herron fan. Perez has been outstanding, but Ottavino
and Herron have more value.

Chris Kline:
That’s what I’m talking about . . . nice names to drop (and I’m sure
their agents appreciate it too). I’ll have a final international
signing update soon. As soon as I wrap up the two Top 20 prospects
lists I’m responsible for, that is. Should be up sometime next week.

Chris Kline:
Does N.P. stand for Non-Prospect? I have seen Tejeda. Range is
above-average; he’s better to his right than his left. Think he can
stay @ SS. I agree with what you say about the bat, but then again you
have to take into account the age and his experience @ facing decent
breaking balls.

Chris Kline:
He was in the mix, as was Matt Antonelli, Yuma. We turned over every
stone. And every stone led us back to the guy who finished in
Louisville.

Chris Kline:
I think there are still some maturity issues with Gonzalez, though no
one with the White Sox will say so publicly. As far as Niemann and
Longoria go, their development where they are now–in the postseason,
serves them better. Even if you don’t want to believe that, it’s true.
The Rays need to try to breed a winning atmosphere, and unfortunately
the majority of that winning comes at the Triple-A level.

Chris Kline: I’ll go out on a limb and go Hernandez.

Chris Kline: How about Ben Jukich?

Chris Kline:
Agreed. And I hope your son lasts more than three innings when that
happens. Just keep buying him funnel cake if he gets ornery.

Chris Kline:
More of a question for Alan Matthews, but you can James McDonald
pitched his way into that top 10. Or Withrow, who was 92-98 mph in the
GCL championship game.

Chris Kline:
I don’t think he’s forgotten at all. When he’s healthy, he stacks right
up there. I would worry about what kind of condition he’s kept his body
in during rehab, but I think Sanchez became more driven than ever after
he was dealt. It’s just unfortunate he had a blowout. He’s an outsider
looking in bc of the injury, but if he comes back to be what he was
before surgery, look out.

Chris Kline: Favorably, Luke. Use the force.

Chris Kline:
I think right now that would be Trevor Crowe, though I still believe
Crowe will have value. McCutchen, if you’ve ever seen him, has
game-changing ability. He had a rough time in his first year in
Double-A as a 20-year-old this year, but so did Jarrod Saltalamacchia
last year. Let’s not forget about the brutal numbers Salty put up in
Mississippi in 2006 before we judge.

Chris Kline:
I feel you, Trouble. I think it’s too early to tell, and I also think
Boston’s had a hard time at getting a feel for what the talent level is
for players in Lancaster this season–their first in the Cal League.
It’s hard to really evaluate your own players in an environment like
that league, especially when you play half your games in such a
wind-happy park.

Chris Kline: Don’t poo on Bruce. And no doubt, Pearce had an unbelievable year. But he’s also four years older.

Chris Kline:
Tough one, Tucson. Hoey is legit, and commands the zone much better.
Not to mention he’s already used to the relief role. Liz has
outstanding movement on everything with plus velo, I’d just worry about
the command in short spurts. If they’re going to do that, I think we
would have seen Liz move to the pen in Triple-A. He could still move
there, but Hoey is the better short-term option.

Chris Kline: While I get at least one e-mail a week from a reader telling me he’s the next Mark McGwire, no.

Chris Kline: True. Tools are beginning to match performance.

Chris Kline: I’m going way off the board and saying Jennings, Jackson, Gomez.

Chris Kline:
Impressive. He’s had to work through shoulder and finger issues over
the last two years, but he’s always had the potential. After making
some minor adjustments to his delivery this year, he’s really come on.

Chris Kline: Tough to go in that order, but I’d probably go in that order.

Chris Kline: Speed with emerging power and is likely a lock for the Phillies top 10 in the 2008 Prospect Handbook.

Chris Kline:
Commandcontrol righthander with good secondary pitches. He’s going to
have to be virtually flawless in hitting his spots in the big leagues,
but yes, he had a great year.

Chris Kline:
We said that coming into this year, but his defense wasn’t very good
and he essentially hit nothing but fastballs up and away from him in
Double-A. If he comes back from the injury and rakes in Binghamton next
season, no question. Except there are a lot of questions. And by the
way, in terms of talent, the Eastern League wasn’t exactly
scintillating this season.

Chris Kline:
We can? There you go again, Canada, putting words in our mouths. Just
kidding. Kershaw has a chance to be special, but then again, so does
Jake McGee from the left side. Let’s not count him out of the equation.
And I know this is going to cause a feeding frenzy, but I’m still not a
King Felix guy. Why exactly is he the King again?

Chris Kline:
Scouting reports. We talk to people who saw him every day. And it
wasn’t very good. Yeah, he hit .271, but he’s not a CF and didn’t hit
for power. He doesn’t well, so what is he? All I’m saying is there are
a lot of questions about his upside–and there were before the injury.
I know the age in Double-A, but this was a guy who the Mets raved about
his ability to make quick adjustments.

Chris Kline:
Are you omitting Harrisburg? There isn’t a lot; though I like what they
did in the draft this year. A club like Texas, now there’s a team that
have dug their way out of the bottom of our annual talent rankings.

Chris Kline: Mason. Have to stick with the UNC-G johnson.

Chris Kline:
I’m working on it; though there are no guarantees. There is so much to
do, but we should have some kind of combined list from both
leagues–and that’s likely to come after all the top 20s have run.

Chris Kline:
Have to end on a Jay Bruce question. Like scouts, I think he’s Larry
Walker Jr. If he’s going to do that, he’s going to need to run more. I
don’t think he’s far off and I know for a fact not only does he
understand what he needs to improve on, but he also has the tools to do
it. He’s as can’t-miss as it gets right now.

Chris Kline:
Thanks for all the outstanding questions once again. Hope everyone has
a great weekend and I guess I’ll talk to you again in a couple weeks
when we get into Carolina and Gulf Coast League top 20s. Take care, eat
well and hope to be back with you soon. CK