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We aren't anywhere close to cancelling the full season. We're definitely going to have an abbreviated season (maybe ~120 games?) in MLB. The NBA season might be over and they go straight into the playoffs when they resume playing. I'm positive Rob Manfred will wait as long as possible before cancelling an entire MLB season. What would be weird about a shortened season is the possible scheduling disparities as far as SoS. Probably not as big of a deal in NBA where so many teams make the POs anyways and winning your division gives pretty modest advantages. Much bigger deal in MLB where the WCs are at a severe disadvantage. Rescheduling the entire season would seem like a nightmare, but the longer this goes, at least the more feasible it becomes that they could just reschedule everything in a shortened format (less games and more time to coordinate) I haven't really given it that much thought (rescheduling the season), but it could definitely pose some problems. Some writer or baseball pundit said the thought of a baseball season being under 130 games was repulsive (or something like that). He was saying or arguing that's what makes baseball so unique from the other sports. I would prefer the regular season being slightly shorter with more off days, but so many other things need to be fixed first in MLB. Another problem is players needing almost another spring or maybe summer training(?) before the season starts to properly ramp up for real games. Pitchers especially after so much time off.

We aren't anywhere close to cancelling the full season. We're definitely going to have an abbreviated season (maybe ~120 games?) in MLB. The NBA season might be over and they go straight into the playoffs when they resume playing. I'm positive Rob Manfred will wait as long as possible before cancelling an entire MLB season. I think I need to see public knowledge of how this hopefully works get better before I agree. People are going to see the numbers exploding and are going to freak out. Games were canceled when there were 1300 cases...in a couple weeks, optimistically, there's going to be tens, maybe hundreds of thousands. Ideally the curve flattens, but I don't know how you message going back to large group gatherings when the numbers get up to that point. Going back to big crowds again may be a problem... They can always play in empty stadiums and use that as a last resort option or contingency. People would still be able to watch the games on TV or over the internet. That's a far more palatable option over cancelling an entire season for owners, the players and MLB.

We aren't anywhere close to cancelling the full season. We're definitely going to have an abbreviated season (maybe ~120 games?) in MLB. The NBA season might be over and they go straight into the playoffs when they resume playing. I'm positive Rob Manfred will wait as long as possible before cancelling an entire MLB season.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/keithlaw/status/1238143623956434945[/tweet] Lol

I'm just objectively mentioning facts from the MLB Pipeline tweet for people unaware of farm system rankings of the past few years. Some of you guys here are so damn quick to counter any praise of rival teams, especially the Dodgers. Again, it's kinda sad and pathetic. You won't be banished from Cubs' fandom for saying something nice (or true) about a rival team. It was a joke. Lighten up, francis.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/jtylerconway/status/1238121975534534658[/tweet]

You know what else the Dodgers and Braves have in common in that timeframe? Lol I'm just objectively mentioning facts from the MLB Pipeline tweet for people unaware of farm system rankings of the past few years. Some of you guys here are so damn quick to counter any praise of rival teams, especially the Dodgers. Again, it's kinda sad and pathetic. You won't be banished from Cubs' fandom for saying something nice (or true) about a rival team.

[tweet] [/tweet]Definitely doesn't get enough appreciation for just how special a talent he is. He's horsefeathering amazing.

[tweet] [/tweet]LAD only team to make every column. The Braves almost did it as well.

By MLB.com, I think you're referring to MLB Pipeline, which is run by Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Mike Rosenbaum. Those 3 are the ones in charge and come up with the lists. The sources they talk to and scouts and stuff behind-the-scenes might change. Jordan Shusterman (Cespedes Family BBQ) hosts the MLB Pipeline podcast, but doesn't take part in compiling the lists. He's pretty knowledgable and very funny (great host). Yeah, I like the new format as well.

[tweet] [/tweet]Good stuff.

That's pretty mean lol.

I'm amazed by how freaking talented he is, with a surprisingly soft touch around the hoop. Like he has a decent amount of finesse and skill to his game. He's going to be one of the top 5 players in the NBA in a very short while... Obviously, this clip is just pure hops, going-up-and-throwin'-down lol. Please stay healthy.

Great Q&A session with Jim Callis a couple days ago: [tweet] [/tweet]

I'm not a big fan of Aramis Ademan and the Cubs probably pushed him too fast...

[tweet] [/tweet][tweet] [/tweet][tweet] [/tweet]

Speaking of Kiley McDaniel: [tweet] [/tweet]It'll be interesting to compare the Top 100 list on Fangraphs against Kiley's list on ESPN. They seem pretty similar at the top of the lists, but vary towards the bottom. I think I prefer Kiley's list the best? Nico Hoerner, Miguel Amaya and Brennen Davis all made his list.

I think Eric Longenhagen and Kiley McDaniel are better evaluators of talent and actual scouts so I wouldn't say he's the best at this lol. Jim Callis is very good and has good sources and I trust him, but Eric and Kiley are better... MLB's list is very good and I agree with most of it.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/keithlaw/status/1235198941274218496[/tweet] The list is weird with some big omissions like Kevin Made and Ronnier Quintero. I know he's ranked 20th on his list, but people inside (and outside) the Cubs organization are not that high on Oscar De La Cruz. That was a dumb choice and I would've place DJ Herz on the list somewhere.

Not much later... They weren't going to give Mike Olt a super long leash and some in the organization (not Theo or Jed) wanted him to break camp with the big league team. They thought it was a certainty that the Cubs and KB would eventually work out an extension so why delay it? Not that it matters anymore, but they called up Addison Russell way too soon that year. He needed more time to improve and work on his approach in the minors. No doubt Theo rushed that in my mind.

Yeah, it's weird he has the Yankees' system so high. I knew the Cubs' system would rank pretty low on his list, but not quite this low and I disagree with that ranking. I would place it around 20th or maybe a little back of there... We know he's down on Nico Hoerner and Miguel Amaya, and doesn't have them on his Top 100 prospect list. The second episode of his podcast is out and he discusses his farm system rankings (I haven't listened to it yet). The NL Central lists comes out on Wednesday so we'll get to see his thoughts on the Cubs prospects pretty soon. EDIT: Yeah, so Keith Law doesn't actually discuss his farm system rankings in the second episode of his podcast lol. Mainly just talks about the #1 farm system (TB Rays) on his list and answers some questions at the end.

I'm not a professional pitcher obviously, but I've never gained control by lowering my arm slot, I had to be over the top on delivery to be effective at all. So I ask: is this witchcraft? Some pitchers do develop better control by throwing from a lower arm slot. A big part of it (throwing motion) is just what feels comfortable, and more importantly, what allows you to repeat your mechanics and motion over and over again. I don't like throwing sidearm or throwing from a lower arm slot, but it definitely improves movement on the ball (running action). I'm trying to find a gif from @PitchingNinja, but I think you guys understand it. Throwing overhand or from a high vertical slot allows you to get more on top of the ball, and is better for throwing breaking balls (curveballs) from what I've been told.

[tweet] [/tweet] =D>

[tweet]https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1232773318429888515[/tweet] [tweet] [/tweet]Just sign him to an extension already.

[tweet] [/tweet][tweet] [/tweet]He's starting to release his prospect lists for each team. We might get the Cubs prospect list for Fangraphs and The Athletic around the same time.