Prospects Chat with Kevin Goldstein

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Moderator: Kevin Goldstein will begin taking your questions at 3 p.m. ET

Q:	Mark L. Peel from Arlington Heights, IL asks: KG, Luis Montanez began the year as a yaffer (Yet Another Failed First-Rounder), but has turned it around like he's already sold movie rights to his career: he played in Peoria well enough to earn a replacement spot in the Futures Game, and is off to a solid start in Double A. In the games I've seen, I was impressed with his play in left field. He hits a lot of doubles; a goodly proportion of them go to or off the wall, so some of them may leave the yard as he continues to mature. Assuming his bat holds up in West Tennessee, what do you think the Cubs have in Montanez?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Good afternoon everybody. Being in Chicago, and having the Cubs game on TV, it just seems like a natural to kick off the chat with a Mark Peel question. Montanez has certainly regained prospect status, but just barely. If you take his entire career into consideration, you are talking about a corner outfielder in his SIXTH year of professional baseball who finally reached Double-A. So while he's certainly turned some sort of corner, I'm still a long way away from seeing him as an every day major league player.

Q:	TC from TN asks: Juan Portes has been hitting the ball well for Elizabethton. What's the scouting report on his fielding?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: He has been hitting the ball well, and entering the season, his bat was definitely seen as his best tool. He's been used at second base and left field in the Appy League. He has the athleticism to be a second baseman, but needs to work on his fundamentals there.

Q:	Russ from NY asks: With recent assertions by some writers in the Denver media that Garrett Atkins seems to be the solution at third and Ian Stewart won’t have the job handed to him when he’s ready, doesn’t that seem absurd? Atkins can’t hit on the road, and while Stewart hasn’t appeared in the Majors yet, I would believe Atkins is more than likely to be traded when Stewart’s time comes.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Yes, that seems absurd. Atkins is a nice little hitter and Stewart is one of the elite prospects in the game who has really picked it up after getting off to a slow start because of a hamstring injury.

Q:	Gavin Alexander from Independence, MO asks: Please give me some hope!!! I'm a desperate Royals fan how good are Billy Butler and Alex Gordon going to be? Also what position do you see each ending up at?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I think they'll both be very good. Butler has already moved to left field, and I've heard he's ok there, but might still end up at first base. His bat will play anywhere. In Butler and Gordon, I think you are looking at your Royals corner infielders for opening day 2007 . . . or even earlier.

Q:	Andy from The Windy City asks: How is former Cubs top prospect Justin Jones pitching these days? Is he still on prospect radars?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: He's finally healthy and pitching for the Twins' Florida State League affiliate in Fort Myers. He's 4-1, 3.09 in six starts, and may have done one of the rarest prospect trasformations around -- going from highly regarded to sleeper.

Q:	Donnell Butler from Princeton, NJ asks: The rumors are flying fast and furious that Lastings Milledge and Yusmeiro Petit are on their way to Texas with Cameron in a deal for Soriano and Adrian Gonzalez. Two questions: (1) what do you think, and (2) where would Milledge and Petit end up on Rangers' Top 10 Prospect List and for that matter where would Gonzalez fall on the Mets' Top 10 Prospect List.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: 1. I don't think anything. Every rumor out there I look at as complete and utter (expletive deleted) until the trade actually happens. That said, let's speculate! I'd probably put Milledge at No. 1 and Petit somewhere between 4 and 6. Gonzalez would fit easily into the Mets top 5 with Lastings and Yusmiero gone.

Q:	Larry from Toledo asks: Will Curtis Granderson ever get a shot at playing everyday for Detroit?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Um, he's played every day for them this week . . . so I'll go out on a limb and say yes.

Q:	JP from Durham, NC asks: Brandon Sing of the Southern League Diamond Jaxx is having his second straight great season. First is he a legit prospect? Would you agree he is most likely trade bait with DLee playing for the big club?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Sing is having another good year at Double-A, hitting over .300 with power and a whole lot of walks. However, he's 24 and a first baseman and has a whole lots of strikeouts, so I don't think he's the kind of propsect who is going to be worth a lot on the trade market.

Q:	Chris from Huntsville, AL asks: If you had to make a prediction, in five years, what will the D-backs have done with their middle infielders (Drew, Upton, Santos, etc.)?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I'll predict Jackson at first, Drew at shortstop, Santos at third and Upton in centerfield.

Q:	Jaypers from Springfield, IL asks: Good afternoon, Kevin. Probability of Delmon getting the callup this year?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I think you might see him in September. I think the Devil Rays could be an interesting team next year if they completely clean house and just start from scratch with their young talent. It's still going to take a while, but they could be respectable in a few years.

Q:	Roderic from Bronx, NY asks: Is there any chance that Tyler Clippard could make it onto the back end of The Top 100 this spring?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Top 100 in baseball? No. But he might be in the back end of the Top 10 for the Yankees. I realize his numbers are very good in the Florida State League, but he's still a righthander with a plus breaking pitch, but average velocity. Those types of pitchers have a long track record of big success at the lower levels, but struggling as they move up. He's a good prospect having a good year, but nowhere near the top 100.

Q:	Tom from San Francisco, CA asks: Are there any bats in the Blue Jays system that fans can get excited about? Seems like we have a lot of DHforth outfielders in the pipeline. Thanks...Tim Wilken, you are sorely missed!!
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I agree with you Tom -- I do not see a whole lot of elite bats. It's a weird system. I see a ton of pitchers and a handful of position players who I think can reach the majors, but I see very few with star potential. Good news for Jays fans. Righty Dustin McGowan starts for the big team on Saturday.

Q:	Fabian from Ithaca, NY asks: Matt DeSalvo doesn't seem to get much love from scouts, but the way he is pitching this year, is he starting to change the general scouting opinion of himself?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: See Clippard, Tyler. Again -- a good pitching prospect, but not a great one, and not as good as his stats indicate. He's succeeding on command, but he doesn't have a dominating repitoire. Neither he not Clippard are anywhere near the prospect say Philip Hughes is.

Q:	Mark Riggets from Springfield, MO asks: It seems the Cardinals may be finally turning it around with their farm system. They have quality starters in the high minors with Reyes, Lambert, and Wainwright. Plus McCormick and Webber are off to very encouraging starts. They also drafted some promising position players early this year. Are they out of the basement in the prospect world yet?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Well, there's nowhere to go but up! I think there is some reason to be a little happier with the system if you are a Cards fan. I think they had a very very good 2005 draft, but the system is still almost completely empty when it comes to position prospects.

Q:	Greg Tabeek from Ft Lauderdale asks: Hey just curious as to thoughts as to why Sean Gallagher who has been pitching lights out in the Midwest Lg hasn't been promoted as has some other 19 yr olds. Will he be ranked in next years Top Prospects for the Cubbies...txs
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Well, he's only 19, and there's no need to rush him, so I wouldn't thke any of that as a knock against him. Gallagher started out the year lights out like you say, but he's been scuffling of late, with a 5.84 ERA in his five starts this month.

Q:	Art Lower from Lansing, MI asks: Isn't Stewart ready now? Any chance of a deadline deal involving Atkins, opening the way for Stewart?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: No. He's not ready. He's a 20-year-old with around 1,000 minor league at-bats and he's never played A-ball. Be patient, it's not like the Rockies are going anywhere this year anyway.

Q:	Larry from CT asks: Alex Romero has been quietly having a good year at New Britain. How does he profile as a prospect? Could he be an everyday outfielder, or does he look more like a reserve-type player?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Romero is having a good year at Double-A, and he's been a monster of late, batting .350-8-42 in 55 games since June 1. He's certainly upped his prospect status, but he's kind of a tweener right now, were he doesn't have the speed to play center, but doesn't have the power to play every day in a corner. He's still young (21), so there's a chance he could develop more power, and I do think he's a good to keep an eye on.

Q:	Bob from Altoon asks: Hi Kevin. A guy i hear little about, Javier Guzman. How does he grade? Seems to be putting together a nice season in Altoona.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: After hitting .306 in the Sally League last year, and .324 in the Carolina League this year in the first half of the season, Guzman has hit a bit of a wall since a promotion to Double-A. He got off to a nice start, but his average is down to .263 thanks to a .225 July. He has the ability to be a good defender, but he has to hit .300+ to have any offensive value, because he doesn't draw walks and he's a slap hitter.

Q:	KB from NH asks: Delwyn Young 2B for L.A.(AA) consistantly puts up good numbers, but gets very little press. Is he the real deal or a defensive liability?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: To quote Barton Fink: "Both . . . maybe?" I don't think anyone can doubt Delwyn's ability to hit now that he's at Double-A and getting it done, but he's a below-average runner, and few like him at second base. He has a chance at becoming an offense-first second baseman, or a good fourth outfielder. But he CAN hit.

Q:	Andre Dobiey from Cologne, Germany asks: Who is the most likely future 15-20 game winner: Jon Papelbon (BOS), Chad Billingsley (LA) or Hayden Penn (BAL) ? Who will be of most help in 2006 ?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: For the first part of the question, I'll take Billingsley, For the second part of the question, I'll take Papelbon.

Q:	David from Las Vegas, NV asks: What are your thoughts on Ubaldo Jimenez and Juan Morillo? When do you project them reaching the majors, and in what role? I have heard about Morillo being a reliever, but I would think with that fastball, if he can grasp his changeup, which is reportedly outstanding in bullpen sessions, he could be a dominate starter. Thanks.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Pitchers finding a changup is ALWAYS a huge if. Eveyr system has about 20 guys where you could begin a sentence with, "If he could get a changeup. . ." If not sure both don't project as relievers, albeit very good relievers. Jiminez has a dominating two-pitch combination, but violent mechanics.

Q:	Dan Jones from Davenport, Iowa asks: Juan Lucena playing for the swing here is hitting a solid .310 and he never strikes out, but he also has no power and doesn't steal bases. He also won the batting title in the appy league last year, but wasn't a top 20 prospect there. What is his future?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Lucena is very similar to Javier Guzman, who I discussed earlier -- a young, smallish, Latin American shortstop with good fielding skills whose batting average comprises the total sum of his offensive abilities.

Q:	Frankie from NY asks: How good does Jon Poterson have the potential to be?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: He has the potential to be a good power hitter, which is why he was drafted so high. However, he's shown VERY little of that potential this year, completely bombing out in the Sally League. While he's had somewhat of a rebound in the New York Penn League, he's still racking up way too many strikeouts for me to get excited about him.

Q:	Casey from Tupelo, MS asks: What are you thoughts on Rockies prospect Seth Smith?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Smith has had a good season at high Class A Modesto, batting over .300. But he has only six home runs and doesn't draw many walks. The good news is he is among the minor league leaders in doubles with 36, and often doubles turn in to home runs as a player progresses. So I don't think he's really upped his prospect status this year, but I don't think it's down either.

Q:	Donnell from Princeton, NJ asks: All signs point to Ryan Garko being ready for a major league promotion, but he is blocked at catcher by Victor Martinez and his chances for getting a semi-regular platoon role went up in smokes with Jason Dubois being acquired. Will Garko get an opportunity with Cleveland or is he more likly to end up wasting away in AAAA like Roberto Petagine and Michael Restovich?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: There is very little room at the inn for Garko at the big league level. He's not a very good defensive catcher, and his only other position in first base. Also, Garko is having a good season at Buffalo (.295.374.495), but it's not such an overwhelming season that we need to print up some "Free Ryan Garko!" shirts yet.

Q:	Mah Tee from Solana asks: I just traded Sean Marshall, Cory Ramsus and John Drennen in a propsect deal for Robinson Cano. Our league gets to keep 36 minor leaguers indefinitely. Did I trade a world of upside for an average 2B or did I trade a pile of junk for a future All-Star?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: There are fantasy league where people have John Drennen and Colby Rasmus? Good lord. You did trade three players with nice upsides for an average second baseman, but that's the thing about the low levels. There's a whole lot of players there with high upsides, but how many will reach it?

Q:	PBish from Chicago, IL asks: Is Kevin Melillo's power surge for real? Who's a bigger surprise in the A's system - him or Dallas Braden?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Well, I'm Melillo's biggest fan at BA. And probably Braden's too now that I think of it. I think Melillo is very good offensive player, but I think his power ceiling is more 15-20 as opposed to 30+ per annum. He also needs to improve defensively, but he's been great with the bat. I like his future more than I like Braden's. Barden is a strike-throwing machine, but he may lack a true out pitch and the major league level.

Q:	David from Las Vegas,NV asks: Where would you rank Chris Iannetta in both the Rockies system and best catching prospects? Is he the Rockies catcher of the future? Average or good big league starter?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Ianetta has had a very very good year. Not only was he good with the bat, but managers in the California League raved about his defensive abilities. I think he's definitely seen as the Rockies catcher of the future, and could be an above-average major leaguer.

Q:	Dusty from Roswell, NM asks: In terms of ceiling only, who would you take; Phil Hughes and Christian Garcia or any 2 of the PapelbonLesterSanchez trio Boston has? Again, disregarding level of polish.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I'd take two of the BoSox guys, because while Philip Hughes is right there with that trio, Christian Garcia being listed with those four has that Sesame Street song "One of these things is not like the other" going thru my head.

Q:	Steve from Philadelphia asks: Thanks for the chat! Chuck James has pitched very well this year. How good a prospect is he? Do you project him as a #3 starter, or something better or worse?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Chuck James has been one of the more dominating pitchers in all of the minor this year, no doubt about it. I think your projection as a No. 3 is accurate.

Q:	John from Irvine, CA asks: Future of the Angels infield: Is it Callaspo-Aybar, Wood-Kendrick or a mixture of the two? Also, what's going on with Edwin Jackson of the Dodgers? Is it just a matter of getting the right mental makeup and experience or is there more to his struggles?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: How bout it? That a great question. For entertainment purposes only, I'll project the infield in three years of Kotchman at 1st, Kendrick at 2nd, Aybar at short and Wood at 3rd. That's a ridiculous group of talent, and no offense meant whatsoever to Callaspo.

Q:	David from Savannah, GA asks: Kevin, did the Indians give up on Corey Smith too soon? I've always been a fan of his...I saw him play in 2001, and fell in love with his bat speed and boulder-like shoulders...call me crazy, but I still think he turns it around and has at least a few productive MLB seasons...have his last 3 games turned any heads over at BA?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: David, Three games does not a prospect make. Despite five homers in his last three games, Smith is still hitting .251-.315-.422 with 107 strikeouts in 97 games and 26 errors. I think you could argue that the player Cleveland recieved for Smith, former 1st rounder Jake Gatreau, is having the bigger bounceback season.

Q:	zach from arizona asks: Is Miguel Montero for real or is what we see an illusion because of the ballpark he was playing in?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: He's for real in the fact that he's definitely a very good catching prospect. But you make a good point, and the season's final month for Montero at Double-A will be very telling.

Q:	Dave from Los Angeles, CA asks: Which of the Dodgers young pitchers do you see in the bigs next year, I'm guessing Broxton and possibly Billingsly.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Broxton could move very fast as a reliever, but I think they'll take it a little slower with Billngley as a starter, with '07 a more realistic expectation. Also do NOT forget about Hong-Chi Kuo.

Q:	Ryan Edwards from Fargo, ND asks: I see where the Twins #1 pick Matt Garza is pitching well for Beloit. Knowing he has a few years of college ball behind will the Twins be more likely to move him up faster then a kid out of high school?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: The track record says yes, as last year's first-round college arm, lefty Glen Perkins, is already in Double-A.

Q:	Chris from New York asks: When is Jeff Keppinger going to get some love?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: He's a lot like the GuzmanLucena duo discussed earlier -- eye-popping batting average, zero secondary skills.

Q:	STEVE from CHICAGO asks: Which outfielder has more updside Chris Young or Brian Anderson?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I could write a book about this question, and it's when of the main things I try to talk about when discussing prospects. I think Young has a slightly (and only slightly) high ceiling, but I think Anderson has a FAR better chance of being an above-average every day player. How a team weighs the difference between the value there is my favorite topic when it comes to the minor leagues.

Q:	Mike from Corpus Christi, Texas asks: Are the Cubs going to give Jermaine Van Buren a shot at the big league bullpen... or is he potentially part of a trade?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Wether they will or not . . . I have no idea. But I certainly think he deserves a look.

Q:	Mike Robillard from East Saint Louis asks: Alex Smit in Miracleland K's like 2 hitters per IP in Elizabethton, yet struggles to get outs in Beloit. What the heck is wrong with this Dutchman?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Ok -- we're going into full lightning round here -- because many of the questions are already geared for it. But while it is a lighting round, it looks like it will be a long lightening round -- so keep 'em coming. Smit -- very young, very raw. Lost his confidence in Beloit. Still a prospect.

Q:	zach from arizona asks: do you think the diamondbacks taking jason neighborgall was possibily the dumbest pick of the draft? so far he has yet to go an inning where he didnt walk anyone or give up a run. we keep seeing lines like 1 IP 0 Hits 3 ER...is he the biggest project in the diamondbacks organization? obviously he has potential with his 98 MPH fastball, but do you think this was a case where someone was picked only based on hard of a thrower he was and lack of a pitcher? thanks
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Not a dumb pick at all. Kind of like a 500,000 dollar lottery ticket. He could be a bust, but he ever figures it out, that pick will look like a steal. Chances are thin, but nobody ever got anywhere without taking chances.

Q:	Brian from New York, NY asks: Best future closer, Craig Hansen, Joey Devine, Ryan Wagner, J. Brent Cox, or Jesse Crain?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Hansen

Q:	Jimmy from Trenton, NJ asks: Nice to see Tyler Clippard getting some recognition. Would Mike Mussina be a good comparison for him?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Oh Yankees fans, you make me giggle.

Q:	Jeff Wetter from Minnesota asks: Hey Kevin, do you see Kendry Morales being called up to help the Angels in the stretch run, kind of like what they did with K-Rod?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Yes, I do.

Q:	Barney Gumble from Springfield asks: Hermida or Franceour? And don't say Francoeur.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Francoeur. I just said that to be contrarian. Gimme Hermida.

Q:	shakey from boston asks: Pls put the 3 Red Sox pitchers in long termupside order lester, papelbon, Sanchez
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Sanchez, Papelbon, Lester

Q:	John from Cleveland, TN asks: How good of Prospects would you consider SS's in the Braves system, Elvis Andrus and Yuniel Escobar?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I like them both, but give an edge to Escobar right now.

Q:	Mike Robillard from East Saint Louis asks: I came to this party late, what's goin' on? Is Liriano close enough that the Twins can trade Lohse this season and let Mays walk in the offseason and have Baker and Liriano take their places for 2006?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I don't know about the trades, but I think both could pitch in a rotation in '06.

Q:	John from Cleveland, TN asks: Who would you consider to be the next SUPERSTAR that is currently a Prospect in the Minors?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Delmon is the easy pick, but I think it's also the correct one.

Q:	Ryan Edwards from Fargo, ND asks: Trevor Plouffe still only hitting .224 in Beloit with 27 errors. Is this just growing pains or is he a first round bust for the Twins?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Much more A. than B. I've talked to a pair of scouts who are still high on him.

Q:	David from Las Vegas,NV asks: Four years from now, give me the starting lineup of the Rockies. Eight players, eight positions. Thanks
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Good Lord. C-Ianetta 1B-Helton 2B-Chris Nelson 3B-Stewart SS-Tulowitzki LF-Seth Smith CF-Dexter Fowler RF-Daniel Carte. If I go 4 for 8 there I'm moving to Vegas.

Q:	Frank Pilser from St. Louis, MO asks: Why doesn't Cody Haerther from the Cardinals get more notice as a prospect? He hit very well in the FSL (a pitchers' league) and showed good power. He also hasn't done too bad at Double-A now that he is 100% recovered from his injury.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: We ranked him No. 9 in the Cards system entering the season, so there's been some love there. He did get off to a great start, but his Double-A stint (.257-.282-.398) has been pretty bad.

Q:	Jim from Baltimore asks: What is Nick Markakis' upside? When do you think he will reach the big leagues? Does his development have anything to do with whether the Orioles re-sign Sosa? Thanks!
A:	Kevin Goldstein: From everything I hear -- and not trying to sound too much like Hubie Brown here -- Markakis has tremendous upside. Our Best Tools lists make their debut on Monday, and you'll see just what Carolina League managers think of him.

Q:	Dan from Chandler AZ asks: Assuming Upton signs, Rank the Dbacks farm system. Top Ten? Thanks!
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I would think top five.

Q:	Mike Robillard from East Saint Louis asks: Casey Kotchman is picking up his game after looking brutal early. And Erstad is proving to be a useless hitter in a post-steroid age. Who do you like better as Erstad's replacement long-term, Kotch or Morales?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Kotchman, with Morales in a corner outfield slot.

Q:	Frank Pilser from St. Louis, MO asks: Which Cardinal shortstop prospect has the highest ceiling: Hector Luna, Brendan Ryan, Juan Lucena, John Nelson, Tyler Greene, or Donovan Solano?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Greene by a pretty wide margin.

Q:	Kendall Machetta from Dallas asks: After having watched Jason Hirsh pitch recently, he looks to me as if he's got #2 or #3 starter written all over him.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: More of a #4 or 5 in my mind.

Q:	TC from MA asks: Zach Greinke or J.P. Howell - which one will have the better career?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Greinke by a wide margin.

Q:	Steve from San Francisco asks: How far away from the big leagues is Matt Cain? Will we see him in September of this year, the beginning of 2006 or 2007?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Permanently by mid-'06 at the latest would be my guess.

Q:	Daryl Percy from Tokyo, Japan asks: Hong-Chih Kuo. Is this kid an elite-level prospect now that he's healthy? Kid can sling.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Kid can. Could end up a dominating reliever.

Q:	Gene from Mobile asks: Obviously the Braves system is still producing talent, and they seem to have as much at all levels as anyone (from Elvis Andrus to Chuck James to Andy Marte), I was wondering if you could touch on a few of the younger prospects or good prospects kind of flying under the radar, so to speak?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: This is the lightning round, so I'll give one name to keep an eye on: Brandon Jones, OF, Rome.

Q:	Cody from Omaha, NE asks: What do you think the Mariners can get for Winn from the Yankees? Duncan or Hughes?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: No -- nothing close to that. More a mid-range guy.

Q:	Joel from Washington, DC asks: The Pirates are rumored to be dealing Daryle Ward, thus giving Brad Eldred the first base job. Can Brad be an effective power source in the majors?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Yes. But don't expect a big average.

Q:	Max from San Diego, CA asks: With Moran having a pretty good year. Do you think he will make your top 100 next year?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Top 100? No. Not even close.

Q:	Cody from Omaha asks: Who from the 2005 draft has been the biggest surprize so far?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: hmmmm. Travis Wood of the Reds?

Q:	Max from Naples, FL asks: Why doesn't Adam Harben get more love? I don't recall hearing anything about him at all so far this season anywhere. He got off to a very bad start at high A, but he's now putting up very good numbers on the year and he is just 21, though not for long.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Baffingly inconsistent, and control problems remain.

Q:	david russell from san antonio asks: What has happened to John Hudgins? Is the league finally figuring him out, or is it a physical or mechanical problem? Do the Rangers still consider him salvageable?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Nothings has really happened to him -- a guy who gets by more on command and moxie than great stuff, and a perfect example of the kind of pitcher I've discussed early who struggles as he moves up. I think he's salvagable, but no more than a No. 4 or 5 starter.

Q:	john from miami asks: What is the deal with Brian Dopirak this year? Is it playing in the FSL or was last season just a fluke?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Maybe a little of both. FAR too early to give up on him.

Q:	Kyle from Ohio asks: Travis Wood has been really impressive. Is he the ace pitcher the Reds need and when will we see him in Cincinnati?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: He's been GREAT. But he's 18 years old, and he's thrown 21 professional innings. Let's allow him to pitch about 10 times that many before we start naming him the savior of the franchise or even worrying about a timetable.

Q:	Mike from LA asks: Will Andy LaRoche be with the Dodgers by September.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Possibly, but not on a permanent basis.

Q:	Chris from Boston, MA asks: Hanley Ramirez ranked at number 10 on last years top 100 prospect list. His numbers this year are pretty average in the EL, although he is still young and has shown some flashes of power and had to deal with his injured back. Do you still see him as a top ten prospect and does your opinion of him change with his average year in the EL? Finally, if you could take Eric Duncan or Hanley, who would you take?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: He's slipped (just a little) in my mind, but I think he's a far better prospect than Duncan.

Q:	evan from Cinti asks: Hi, Kevin. Thanks for chatting. I read an A.L. East Top 10 prospect list this week that excluded B.J. Upton. Is it feasible that he actually has fallen out of the top ten or is this a rash assessment by the author. The same writer proposed Hanley Ramirez as a utility IF rather than a surefire star. Are Ramirez's pedestrian numbers a wake-up call or has his time lost to inj this season masked his powerspeed package?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: No idea who that writer is, but I'll simply say I strong disagree with him or her.

Q:	Scott from Victoria, BC asks: Vince Perkins, David Purcey, and Francisco Rosario, future starters or relievers? All seem to have great stuff, and have two great pitches, but seem to lack a consistent 3rd pitch as of yet.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Perkins - reliever. Purcey - solid starter. Rosario - potentially a very good starter.

Q:	Mike from Virginia asks: Just how good is brandon wood? Can he be a Top 25 prospect in the next book?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: He's VERY good. EASY Top 25 with top 10 not out of the question.

Q:	Bart from Tampa asks: Aren't the Devil Rays concerned with the errors BJ Upton is putting up? 37 this year already. Kind of reminds me of Corey Smith only difference is Upton has a bat.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I'm sure they are concerned. I think everyone is. The difference is (and the source of the frustration is) that Upton is at times spectacular at shortstop. So the ability is there, but the consistency is non-existant.

Q:	Matt from CA asks: Whats wrong with Andy LaRoche?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Um . . . nothing?

Q:	Jacob from Ft Worth asks: How are the DVD (Diamond, Volquez, and Danks) gang in Frisco progressing? Would any of them have a shot at the rotation next spring?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I can see all of them competing for a back of the rotation slot in spring training.

Q:	Bob from Charlotte, NC asks: What ever happened to Landon Powell?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Knee injury in spring training. Out for the year.

Q:	Cody from Omaha, NE asks: How close is Cameron Maybin (My pick as the next big thing in the Majors without a doubt) signing with Detroit?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Not very.

Q:	Jamie from Chicago, IL asks: Does Matt Murton project to hit homers at all or is he going to be mainly a hitter for average?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: More of an average hitter to me, but there is some juice in his bat.

Q:	Trey from North Shore asks: Yuniesky Betancourt-Perez got the call last night, with Jose Lopez going back down. Thoughts?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Ok hitter with tremendous defensive skills. Could win some Gold Gloves before it's all over.

Q:	Gary from Marietta, OH asks: What happened to Diamondbacks prospects D'Antonia and Zeringue?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Two of the more dissaponting performances in the system this year. Luckily they have more than enough talent elsewhere to make up for it.

Q:	Andrew Beynen from Des Moines, Iowa asks: Please tell me that the Red sox are not going to part with Annibal Sanchez
A:	Kevin Goldstein: The Red Sox are not going to part with Anibal Sanchez. I really have no idea if they will or not, I'm just trying to be nice.

Q:	William Barrett from Houston asks: The Twins seem to be loaded with young arms throughout their system - which ones jump out at you as having the most Major League potential?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Swarzak and Liriano.

Q:	sally from new jersey asks: Why are you making fun of tyler clippard??
A:	Kevin Goldstein: How am I making fun of him? I'm just giving you and honest (and I think) educated assessment of him. I was making fun of somebody comparing him to a 211 game winner in Mike Mussina. Can somebody explain that certain group of Yankees fans to me? 26 World Series titles, and yet so defensive.

Q:	Scott Edwards from Etown PA asks: Armando Galarraga, Darrel Rasner, Collin Balester, or Daryl Thompson? Higher Upside with the better chance to reach his upside.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I really really like Balester, and so do the Nats.

Q:	A.J. Anido from Washington DC asks: Jeff Bianchi promotion sometime soon?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: He has a very minor back injury right now, but again, this is a guy who's pro experience is measured in days. No need to rush him.

Q:	evan from Midland TX asks: Jeremy Brown ... will he ever be anything more than a bad-body catcher that can't hit or play defense?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I don't think he will be.

Q:	brian wencelblat from colorado springs , colorado asks: what numbers is Ian Stewart capable of putting up in the majors and was this years performance a fluke based on injury or were last years number the fluke in just making him seem overrated? thanks.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Last year was not a fluke. He is an elite prospect.

Q:	Ron from Phoenix asks: Any arms in the Diamondbacks system to speak of? What's the word on Dustin Nippert's recovery from TJ surgery? Thanks.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Far more position players of note in the system, but Nippert has been fantastic in his return, and they got a few nice arms in this year's draft.

Q:	Daryl Percy from Tokyo, Japan asks: Boss Hogg, Cletus, or Flash?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I saw Boss Hogg at the Double Door here in Chicago, and they were pretty awful -- I haven't seen the other two bands.

Q:	Jesse Alson-Milkman from Brooklyn, NY asks: Any word on when Mike Pelfrey might sign? Please say sooner than Jered Weaver did.
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Will sign sooner than Jered Weaver, but probably will not pitch this year.

Q:	jack black from TX asks: Danks, Volquez, or Diamond? in order?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Diamond, Volquez, Danks.

Q:	Kris from Dallas asks: How can BA not have the perfect game thrown last night by the Frisco pitchers not in the Fridays daily dish???????
A:	Kevin Goldstein: It's the first dish piece! I wrote it! It's there!

Q:	Mike G from Boston, MA asks: Come on Kev, no love for the hulking sluggers? Talk to me about Ryan Shealy. I've heard him described as a right-handed Travis Hafner. Scary. Is he ready to contribute at the major league level yet?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: I love all hulking sluggers! Shealy is completely blocked obviously, but I think he's pretty much what he's going to be, as he's almost 26, so there is very little room for growth. He's nowhere near Travis Hafner.

Q:	eric from san diego asks: A's 1b-dh combo in 2007 from this choose:Swisher-Johnson-Barton-Powell-Putnam?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Swisher and Barton

Q:	mark from seattle asks: A's future cf: herrera or robnett??
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Herrera

Q:	bill anderson from norwood ma asks: Does any team have a better foursome than Papelbon,Lester,Snachez, and Hanson?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: The Dodgers

Q:	Johnny from Tulsa asks: Joquain Arias? A prospect that has a bright future or a nice athlete the can hit the baseball?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Definitely a prospect.

Q:	Bobby O'Shea from a wedding asks: With Joe Jr going to MLB, any recommendations for next D-Backs GM?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Mike Rizzo -- by a mile.

Q:	Dr. Disney from Buffalo asks: How about the O's prospects, how would they collectively rate, middle of the road?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Not middle of the road yet. Better than it was a few years ago, but still in the bottom ten.

Q:	Toby from Baba Booey Land asks: Adam LaRoche could be best described as the next ........?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Scott Rolen minus the defensive skills?

Q:	jerry narron from dallas asks: will Jason Botts have a career anything close to Travis Hafner?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: No.

Q:	Terry from Orlando asks: Is Carlos Gonzales a top 100 prospect after this season? Where would he be on the Dbacks' top 10?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: He's worked his way in the discussion for the fringes of the top 100. I'm guessing he'll be between 4 and 8 on the Arizona Top 10.

Q:	Henry from Tiburon,CA asks: Please answer one of my questions
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Done.

Q:	John Sneed from Tennessee asks: Chicken Fries or Chicken Nuggets?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Seriously. What's up with that? I saw an ad for these chicken fries but I wasn't really paying attention and I looked at the box and I thought they were like mozeralla sticks or something and then they said, "Chicken Fries" and I was just extremely confused by the mere concept of the "Chicken Fry", and this is an extremely running-on sentence that makes me feel like Jack Kerouac.

Q:	Henry from Tiburon,CA asks: Whats Thomas Diamonds upside 1-2 starter?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: More of a 2 or 3 -- I know more than one person who thinks he could be an elite closer.

Q:	nate purcell from orange county asks: Do the dodgers have the best collection of arms in baseball?
A:	Kevin Goldstein: Definitely.

Kevin Goldstein: Well, that's all folks. Thanks for all the questions. Best . . . lightning . . . round . . . ever.