Eric Longenhagen On the Verge Podcast

[Jammer7]

This is from last week, and I thought it was an hour well spent. Longenhagen talks a lot about his Fangraphs prospect list. 

[wildcard]

Points that Longenhagen made about the Orioles:

1) Elias has improved the O's development

2) Gunner Henderson is a 3B.

3) Likes that Elias gets multiple prospects in trades

4) Likes the emphasis on depth which is a strength of the O's minors

5)  Likes the Kjerstad, Mayo, Baumler draft

6)  Calls Jahmai Jones and Nevin role players

7) Does not like the cut in the scouting staff

8.  High on Adley and thinks he should be promoted to the majors this season.

9)  Thinks Vavra, Westburg and Servideo are multi positional players that will hit for average.  Likes guys with feel for contact.

10) Thinks there is a good integration of scouting and development which benefits the development of prospects

11)  Thinks that if most teams uses analytics and backspin as how to development, over time hitters will adjust  and be able to hit those kind of pitches

12)  Thinks the O's have to vary the kind of pitchers the O's develop.

13) Stalling has pitchability  and possibly can improve velo

14) Jones swing has been messed with which has hurt his development.  Found right swing in 2019. Will hit for power but does not have good hands on defense.

15) McKenna,  roles player, plays multi positions.  Sneaky power.  4th OFer

16) Diaz - has power but injuries has limited him. But he does not believe in Diaz.  Strikes out too much. 

17) Loves Akins left-handed stuff.  Thinks he can stick in rotation. 

18) Hanifee frame and athletic. but he is starting to fade as a prospect 

19) Blaine Knight - bullpen guy, can't hold his stuff through a game to be a starter

20) Tyler Nevin - Rockies want him to use the whole field.  O's trying to find more power by pulling the ball.

21) Kyle Stowers - Athletic swing, long stride, has power

22) Westburg has better chance than Henderson to stay at SS. but thinks Westburg is a 2B/LF player.

23) Grayson will be a dude.  DL Hall a reliever or only a 5 inning starter.   O's may have to trade for two starters on next contending team.

24)  Thinks that Elias may do the same thing as last year and go under slot with #5 pick.

 

 

[interloper]

I keep waiting for Nevin to do anything fun in ST, but the guy just keeps hitting weak grounders. He certainly looks like he can mash a baseball. Maybe needs some swing work? 

[Jammer7]

12 hours ago, interloper said:

I keep waiting for Nevin to do anything fun in ST, but the guy just keeps hitting weak grounders. He certainly looks like he can mash a baseball. Maybe needs some swing work? 

Longenhagen talked about Nevin. He had some comments about the Rockies being “a weird organization” and telling Nevin to not pull the ball, and to use the entire field. Said he was told the Orioles want to see him get to the pull side power more. 

[Jammer7]

23 hours ago, RZNJ said:

Using the whole field as a hitter doesn't seem weird on the surface, especially in Coors field.

Yeah, I agree. I think Longenhagen was referring to the fact that they discouraged pulling the ball at all. At least, that was what he said, IIRC. Generally, I would want someone who plays a power position, such as 3B/1B/LF, to be able to get to his pull side power. Not all players have much opposite field power, even at Coors. 

When I coach kids, I teach a gap to gap approach in general. But I do encourage them to go out and get the pitch middle-in to do damage. You want to be able to attack that pitch, especially if you’re ahead in a fastball count.