Skenes / Langford Watch (and other 2023 draftees)

[imref]

Dollander allowed just one hit in 6 IP last night - a 2R HR to Langford in a battle of the 2023 draftees. Rockies lose 2-1.

Paul Skenes had another solid start last night against the Mets: 6IP, 6H, 1ER, 3BB, 6Ks. ERA down to 2.63.  Pirates lose 4-3.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I'm beginning to think that the incentives for full-season call-ups for highly-rated prospects are having a perverse effect on development. I mention Merrill and Chourio having problems for 2 months at the start of last year. I guess it worked out well for them. For others like Jackson Holliday it really was rushed. Rutschman and Henderson had better paths. Being held back didn't hurt Skenes. Dollander looks like he could have used more time in the minors.

Paging RD!

[imref]

I'm beginning to think that the incentives for full-season call-ups for highly-rated prospects are having a perverse effect on development. I mention Merrill and Chourio having problems for 2 months at the start of last year. I guess it worked out well for them. For others like Jackson Holliday it really was rushed. Rutschman and Henderson had better paths. Being held back didn't hurt Skenes. Dollander looks like he could have used more time in the minors.

Paging RD!

Holliday is finding his groove as of late. .304 /  .842 OPS in his last 15, season OPS is up to .745

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Holliday is finding his groove as of late. .304 /  .842 OPS in his last 15, season OPS is up to .745

which gets to my point about his initial call up being premature. 

[imref]

which gets to my point about his initial call up being premature. 

or, it just takes top prospects some time to get comfortable in the majors.

[varoadking]

Skenes has opted-in to the 2026 WBC...

[Slateman]

Skenes has opted-in to the 2026 WBC...

Probably the only meaningful baseball he will play for the next 6 years

[imref]

Probably the only meaningful baseball he will play for the next 6 years

harsh but true.

[imref]

Langford's last 15: .182 BA / .679 OPS

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

Are the pirates seriously talking about trading Skenes? Thank you Manfred for screwing us with your stupid draft lottery and rewarding one of the worst owners in baseball.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

do we need to start talking about Jacob Wilson in this "draft picks who might have been better than Crews" discussion?

I'm still good with Crews, the thought process, and the results I anticipate, especially if Skenes is removed from the discussion. I'm just really disappointed with Crews's oblique. Still top rookie in steals, second to Simpson in steals. Baldwin may walk away with RotY, but other than that, Crews I think had 4 months of just hitting his x stats to be the top guy in the NL. 20/20 and .240 would be enough.

[IanRubbish]

do we need to start talking about Jacob Wilson in this "draft picks who might have been better than Crews" discussion?

Rizzo would never get a man crush on him, not especially tall and limited power.  Wilson did have absurdly low K rates in college which have continued into his pro and MLB careers, and will likely continue to support a high OBP.  Somewhat of a creative pick, so no chance he would have ended up a Nat even if we were picking lower down in the 1st round.

[imref]

Langford’s last 30 games: .175 / .595 OPS

[Natsinpwc]

Langford’s last 30 games: .175 / .595 OPS

Coles would have fixed that.

[Kevrock]

do we need to start talking about Jacob Wilson in this "draft picks who might have been better than Crews" discussion?

I'm still good with Crews, the thought process, and the results I anticipate, especially if Skenes is removed from the discussion. I'm just really disappointed with Crews's oblique. Still top rookie in steals, second to Simpson in steals. Baldwin may walk away with RotY, but other than that, Crews I think had 4 months of just hitting his x stats to be the top guy in the NL. 20/20 and .240 would be enough.

Wilson was the best contact hitter in the draft but was never projected top 3 I don’t think. Langford was the only other realistic pick at this slot. Bringing up Wilson is like 20 teams blaming their GMs for not drafting Trout.

[Slateman]

Wilson was the best contact hitter in the draft but was never projected top 3 I don’t think. Langford was the only other realistic pick at this slot. Bringing up Wilson is like 20 teams blaming their GMs for not drafting Trout.

Agreed. If Rizzo had taken Wilson over Crews, we would have rioted. And then we would be begging for a Rizzo extension.

Langford over Crews was a legit conversation. Anyone else was not.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Wilson was the best contact hitter in the draft but was never projected top 3 I don’t think. Langford was the only other realistic pick at this slot. Bringing up Wilson is like 20 teams blaming their GMs for not drafting Trout.

Agreed. If Rizzo had taken Wilson over Crews, we would have rioted. And then we would be begging for a Rizzo extension.

Langford over Crews was a legit conversation. Anyone else was not.

Agree in terms of the pick and the thought process. It really was Crews vs Langford once Skenes was off the board, and Langford really was the minority choice. Wilson is like "you could have had Trout." That said, he showing signs of maybe having the best immediate positional-career out of a great draft.