Im new to this, so I do not know if you have answered this before; but with John Coppolella and his endless pursuit of pitching, in your opinion what is the chance the braves end up going Groome or Pint?

Hi Keith, thanks for the chats.

Does Harrison Bader's performance in Double A, coupled with last year's performance in A ball, earn him a spot in top 100 lists if they were rewritten today?

Seth Beer slashed .372/.532/.686 with 16 bombs. More importantly, he struck out 24 times compared to 57 walks. Is he a (very) early 1-1 candidate for 2018?

I know you have mocked a HS for the Jays in some of your mocks but there seems to be a sense that Shapiro wants to go the "safe" college route? Have you heard the Jays prefer college guys over HS guys and does this follow a typical Shapiro draft strategy?

Haven't heard much about Anfernee Grier but he's been projected to be at least a sandwich round pick for months. Seems toolsy & hit well at Auburn. What do you have on him?

Beede a 1-hitter yesterday. Any change in your evaluation or does he still have FB command issues

Hey Keith - is this what you thought Brandon Belt would eventually become? He seems to have really changed his approach this year. Strikeouts are way down, walks are way up. Maybe he's not eating at Olive Garden as much...

I seem to recall you had good things to say about Austin Slater at the time of the draft. He's splitting time at LF and CF. What's his MLB outlook? The stats look good, but he also wasn't young for AA.

Keith, What are your thoughts on taking TJ patients in early rounds (1-3)? Someone like Kyle Serrano could be an upside play for a team with multiple picks searching for a slight injury discount

If vaccines don't cause injuries, why is there a vaccine court?

In regards to Jeff Bannister's refusal to play Joey Gallo over Prince Fielder last week and his apparent determination to ride his best 4 bullpen arms into the ground before the All-Star break, are we watching Ron Washington 2.0 (i.e. I don't care what the stats say, those are my guys).

For lunch today I'm having grilled cheese (American cheese on white bread) and Oreos all in your honor. #culinartist

Should I have any confidence that the Phillies will get an overslot-ish type of guy at #42? I wasn't convinced the last regime really understood the system.

More difficult read: Gravity's Rainbow or Infinite Jest?

With the seeming ability of certain pitching coaches to consistently restore pitcher value, why wouldn't a big market team just steal a Ray Searage or Don Cooper away with a big $$ contract? With even mediocre starters requiring $10 million+ a year, it seems the value of a top pitching coach could be $5-10 million a year or more. Add in that the pitching coach salary doesn't count against the luxury tax& it seems like a team like Detroit that is constantly looking/signing big $$ pitchers (& failing) would use a different approach.

Can Jorge Mateo hit 20 HRs in New York?

Which player would you be least surprised falls more than expected due to bonus demands and eventually doesn't sign? Appel and Bickford come to mind as two past examples.

What are the odds Rutherford is available at 42? Saw this mentioned as a possibility in your mock.

Hey, I know you've been paying more attention to the draft, but since last Tuesday, Prince Fielder is 4 for 32 with 2 walks and 1 XBH, while starting every game at DH. Meanwhile, Joey Gallo has equaled those numbers in the last 3 days in Round Rock. Oh, and Profar will likely go back to the minors when Odor's suspension is done. If they end up losing the division by a couple games, I'm sure no one will correlate any of these things.

What happened to Nolan Jones? From 12 to out of the first round? If it's not an oversight, would the Rangers be interested in him at 30? They love HS guys with a bunch of potential.

Have you seen or heard many reports about Matt Cleveland from Windsor, CT? I coach in the same high school conference. I know he's highly regarded by some, but it sounded like his performance was very up and down this year. Thanks!

I've heard people throw around Kyle Schwarber comps for Zack Collins. Lazy comparison since they are both high quality college hitters with little to chance to stick behind the plate, or is there something to it?

KLaw - as always, thanks for all the great draft coverage and chats. I have a feeling you'll get this question from more than just me, since we Braves fans have really shifted our focus from the big league club to prospects and the draft. Have you heard specific names the Braves are linked to at 40 and 44? My personal dream scenario is Corey Ray, Joey Wentz, and Will Benson.

What are your thoughts on Alex Speas? His potential seems super intriguing - think there's any shot the Mets pop him at 31?

Is "league-average starter" a realistic upside for A's AAA farmhand Daniel Mengden?

Keith, With the Tigers just having the one pick in the first 3 rounds are you sensing that they're being conservative with that pick? Picking Hudson there seems to point that way. I am interested in seeing the new regime in action

I know Devers is young compared to his competition, but at what point do his struggles concern you?

Is Soroka on a top 100 list right now?

How many acts of God really need to happen for Moniak to really slide to #12?

My biggest pet peeve is when a broadcaster says Guy with highest batting average is leading the league in HITTING. No question, just wanted to tell someone.

What's your feeling on over working a high school or college pitcher who is a non-prospect? If a pitcher has no professional future and wants to "gut it out" do you give him (and his coach) a pass?

Why doesn't the NCAA institute mandatory pitch count restrictions?

Have you heard anything about Allard with the braves? Is he still in extended spring? I thought he was going to be called up to A ball in May

How strongly can recency bias impact where someone gets drafted? Do the last few looks a scout gets at someone carry a lot of weight?

Any thoughts on Ron Fowler's tirade? Seems rather silly to blame the players and not the suits.

Would you rather go Groome @ 3 and hope a prep bat like Rutherford or Benson falls to 40, or go Ray/Lewis @ 3 and get prep arm at 40?

Hi Keith ... Phillies fan here. Have you any knowledge of the difference in signing demands between Puk at 1.1 and Moniak at 1.1 ?

You mentioned Wentz and Nolan Jones as dropping due to asking price. Do you have a ballpark as to what they may be asking?

Thought on Max Povse? Doing really well in A+, is this a case of an older guy carving up hitters or does he have MOR upside?

Would you go over slot for Matt Manning?

if Groome and lewis are available do the braves go bat? I don't see how the could pass on groome, and find they value pint more seems off

Is DJ Lemahieu now a legit MLB player or a product of the thin air in CO? The Cubs gave him away for nothing.

In general, how much do teams put stock in Cape league? I'm sure it differs from team but I'm curious with someone like Lewis who performs well but faces less competition in his division.

The local sport radio blog suggested the Red Sox taking Burdi at #12 with the hope he could help out the struggling bullpen this year instead of going the trade route. Do you think this is a realistic option?

What are the chances UVA's top pitching commits will ever get to learn "the squat"? They usually get their guys on campus

Do you think Will Craig stick at 3B for 3-5 years?

Eloy Jimenez or Victor Robles ?

Is it more realistic to think Rutherford (as you mentioned today) slides to the Phillies at #42 or one of the HS arms? If it's an arm, could Ian Anderson or even Riley Pint be the guy ?

It has always been Ray Montgomery's MO to draft the best available player. So if they were to pick Lowe with that pick wouldn't that be somewhat odd for him?

Two A's prospects lighting it up this year are Daniel Gossett and Ryon Healy. Either one of them project as anything special at the MLB level?