Its the classic example of not being able to admit you are wrong. He made an off hand remark. Evidence was presented that showed he was wrong. Could have ended it with a simple, "you're right, Lockridge isn't any better, but my point stands, I dont think Lara will ever hit for enough power". That would have been reasonable, But it also would have admitted an error. Instead of admitting said error, the response becomes "but in Spring training...."
Edit: And just as I finish typing, Lara lines one off the wall. Obviously someone with more power, like Lockridge, would have hit that out.