Down On The Farm: ESPN Chat With Keith Law

Here are a few excerpts from Thursday's ESPN prospect chat with Keith Law:

Dan (Des Moines)

Wil Myers or Bryce Harper? How about if Myers is a C and Harper an OF?

Klaw

  (1:07 PM)

Harper. Harper.

Yeah. Harper could be the #1 prospect next year. Or 1A to Mike Trout.

Jonathan (New York)

Hi Keith. Is Jeremy Hellickson already the Rays second-best starter? Or, if not quite yet, will he be in 2011? Thanks.

Klaw

  (1:08 PM)

Unless you're assuming Garza's gone, I can't see how you'd argue that for 2011.

I agree. Price and Garza are a nice 1-2, and they are young. Hellickson may have something to say about that in 2011, though.

Jon (Jacksonville, Florida)

Keith, Simon Castro or Tillman?

Klaw

  (1:30 PM)

Tillman.

I own Castro in the UBA NL-only league, and he has been pitching well of late, with more strikeouts. I guess he has gotten over the Futures game blowup.

Dave (Tor)

Lorenzo Cain - starting CF for Milwaukee in 2011?

Klaw

  (1:51 PM)

I hope so. Chance to hit and be an above-average glove in CF.

For those of you in keeper leagues, Cain stole 26 bases in 29 attempts in AA/AAA this season, and knows how to take a walk. Is he the Brewers leadoff hitter in 2011?

More about Jarrod Parker, Jesus Montero and Julio Teheran after the jump:

Andy (CT) What abour Jarrod Parker. Did have surgery, but was still in your pre-season top 50. Does Arodys garner the same optimism?

Klaw

  (1:55 PM)

Parker had better stuff pre-surgery.

Parker could be up in the big leagues in 2011 depending upon how well he pitches in 2011. But, 2012 is more likely, and he has ace potential.

Peter (Seattle)

Which current hitter would you compare Jesus Montero to? If he goes to a different team any chance he stays behind the plate?

Klaw

  (1:57 PM)

Physically and in his swing, he reminds me of Frank Thomas. And I know that's an insane comp to put on a guy, but I don't think that's out of the question as an optimistic long-term projection.

And why does Brian Cashman want to deal him again?

Cory (Columbus)

With Teheran's monster year, he's a top 10 overall prospect next year right? and could he be making a minor-like appearance this time next year, or is it still too soon?

Klaw

  (2:01 PM)

Yes, and yes.

He has a 138-33 K/BB rate at 3 levels this season.