Kevin Goldstein Interview

[Greg Pappas]

http://www.draftamerica.com/spotlight/our-spotlight-interview-with-baseball-prospectus-kevin-goldstein-

He seems like a very nice guy, and an industry giant granting a Q&A to a still-growing site like Draft America feels like a big deal. Forgive my enthusiasm.

[PBR Street Gang]

Nice job Greg, thanks.

[alexei606]

Props for you Greg! This is a coup for your site. Nice read and I will be interested in the Harper piece.

[Greg Pappas]

Thanks all.

alexei606... what 'Harper piece' are you referring to?

[alexei606]

Thanks all.

alexei606... what 'Harper piece' are you referring to?

This tidbit from KG in your interview:

KG… Obviously, the big story is Bryce Harper, but I bet he's not the first pick in the draft. I'll have much more on that down the road over at BP.

Do you have any inkling as to why he states that Harper won't go #1? I reckon it may be related to performance plus money - perhaps Taillon then will go first or may be the Nationals like to have a big college arm that would get there pretty quickly to complement Strasburg. Whatever, should be an interesting story.

[Stotle]

This tidbit from KG in your interview:

Do you have any inkling as to why he states that Harper won't go #1? I reckon it may be related to performance plus money - perhaps Taillon then will go first or may be the Nationals like to have a big college arm that would get there pretty quickly to complement Strasburg. Whatever, should be an interesting story.

If Harper doesn't go 1:1, he will very likely be there for BAL if they want him at 1:3. I seriously doubt PIT invests.

[Greg Pappas]

This tidbit from KG in your interview:

Do you have any inkling as to why he states that Harper won't go #1? I reckon it may be related to performance plus money - perhaps Taillon then will go first or may be the Nationals like to have a big college arm that would get there pretty quickly to complement Strasburg. Whatever, should be an interesting story.

Ah yes. I can't get into specifics, but word is that Harper is only doing "Okay" in pre-spring workouts at CSN, and there is also talk of his being a bit aloof/arrogant. He is awfully young and may yet be incredible at CSN this year, but Jameson Taillon may very well push Harper for the overall #1.

[alexei606]

If Harper doesn't go 1:1, he will very likely be there for BAL if they want him at 1:3. I seriously doubt PIT invests.

Yeah, I don't see Pittsburgh doing that especially now their being one of the teams being sent the message to use the revenue sharing money on the ML team, and not in player development (or like the Union intimated on the Marlins, pocketing the money).

You think that Baltimore would go for him? I can't see them being able to justify what they did with Matzek and Hobgood this year. Just makes it more interesting with Goldstein's comment.

[alexei606]

Ah yes. I can't get into specifics, but word is that Harper is only doing "Okay" in pre-spring workouts at CSN, and there is also talk of his being a bit aloof/arrogant. He is awfully young and may yet be incredible at CSN this year, but Jameson Taillon may very well push Harper for the overall #1.

Thanks for the info.

[Stotle]

Yeah, I don't see Pittsburgh doing that especially now their being one of the teams being sent the message to use the revenue sharing money on the ML team, and not in player development (or like the Union intimated on the Marlins, pocketing the money).

You think that Baltimore would go for him? I can't see them being able to justify what they did with Matzek and Hobgood this year. Just makes it more interesting with Goldstein's comment.

Based on recent history, I have to think Harper drops to KC if WAS doesn't take him. I don't see BAL or PIT spending on him and KC has been pretty aggressive. There will be a very good arm for BAL to take, and that's what I expect them to do (at this point), though Colon could make a ton of sense.

[Stotle]

Ah yes. I can't get into specifics, but word is that Harper is only doing "Okay" in pre-spring workouts at CSN, and there is also talk of his being a bit aloof/arrogant. He is awfully young and may yet be incredible at CSN this year, but Jameson Taillon may very well push Harper for the overall #1.

Interesting. Still, not many prep catchers that can hit 500 foot homeruns and do this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDDgYlvLTWE

[alexei606]

Based on recent history, I have to think Harper drops to KC if WAS doesn't take him. I don't see BAL or PIT spending on him and KC has been pretty aggressive. There will be a very good arm for BAL to take, and that's what I expect them to do (at this point), though Colon could make a ton of sense.

I still think that if Harper plays ok and still shows those big tools that Baltimore should take him and pay the money. I do think KC will take him if both Baltimore and Pittsburgh pass. I think Colon is somewhat of an over draft at this point (it is early, though) and the arm I was hoping for was Taillon. You know if your thoughts on this come true and another arm is taken over Harper, wow, this board (JTrea in particular, but there were quite a few others), will go crazy. The Matusz/Smoak debate will be a pale memory.

[alexei606]

Interesting. Still, not many prep catchers that can hit 500 foot homeruns and do this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDDgYlvLTWE

That was some throw from the knees! I can't see how Baltimore can justify not drafting this guy if he is available. I can see the Nationals only because they spent on Strasburg, and they can get a big arm in Taillon. After that, I don't see Ranaudo, Cole, Whitson, Sale, Pomeranz, Colon, Washington, McGuire, Cox etal being close to him talent wise.

[Stotle]

I still think that if Harper plays ok and still shows those big tools that Baltimore should take him and pay the money. I do think KC will take him if both Baltimore and Pittsburgh pass. I think Colon is somewhat of an over draft at this point (it is early, though) and the arm I was hoping for was Taillon. You know if your thoughts on this come true and another arm is taken over Harper, wow, this board (JTrea in particular, but there were quite a few others), will go crazy. The Matusz/Smoak debate will be a pale memory.

Given all the hints that have been dropped by the "in the know" folks about BAL being frustrated with Rowell's "attitude", I can't imagine them throwing tons of money at Harper if his "attitude" is indeed a problem. Shrug. To be honest, I don't really care what his line looks like at CSN. He's a high school junior playing against kids three years older than he is. Strasburg was a very "safe" pick by most standards and still only netted around 50% more than his nearest comp -- Price. So what if Harper does the same and gets $10M (improving upon Tate's record from last year)? If you believe in the package, I think you pay that.

But I'd also collect mountains of info upon which to base my decision. Coachability would not be a small part of the equation.

[Stotle]

That was some throw from the knees! I can't see how Baltimore can justify not drafting this guy if he is available. I can see the Nationals only because they spent on Strasburg, and they can get a big arm in Taillon. After that, I don't see Ranaudo, Cole, Whitson, Sale, Pomeranz, Colon, Washington, McGuire, Cox etal being close to him talent wise.

Believe it or not, I don't think Taillon comes that much cheaper than Harper when all is said and done (provided no injury or fall-off from either).