You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
August Fagerstrom FanGraphs Chat -- 4/12/16
powered byJotCast
View Full Chat Next Page
august fagerstrom
11:49
Hello!
11:50
Quick programming note: I'm in the process of moving, and very shortly someone is coming to my apartment to buy my dining room table and chairs. Due to that, we may get this thing going a few minutes late today. Apologies
11:51
In the meantime, listen to MF DOOM:
12:28
OK!
Table: sold
Will chat for an hour starting now
Proswagonist
12:28
august fagerstrom
12:28
oh.
Slothrop
12:28
Early thoughts on this season's run environment, compared to last year? Has the so called "year of the pitcher" passed us by?
august fagerstrom
12:29
Yeah, and it may have started in the second half last year. The sudden and yet-unexplained uptick in home runs is really fascinating. And enjoyable.
Big Joe Monferrant
12:29
What early season success story do you believe in the most?
august fagerstrom
12:29
Raisel Iglesias?
Otis
12:30
Why are the twins wasting Kepler away for late game defensive replacements?
august fagerstrom
12:30
I don't think they believe in Rosario or, to a lesser extent, maybe even Buxton -- yet. Between those two's struggles and Sano being in the OF, it's not hard to imagine Kepler getting more playing time than they've suggested and sticking
Rosario in particular frightens me
12:31
His strike zone control was borderline unacceptable last season and so far this year, it's been even worse
Otis
12:31
Also, does mother nature hate the Indians, how many PPDs can they be a part of?
august fagerstrom
12:31
none for the next few days! Dome in Tampa Bay!
If they get postponed in Tampa Bay then something is up
The Dude of NY
12:32
Is Brad's chat a response to your refusal to answer fantasy questions?
august fagerstrom
12:32
Reminder: if you want fantasy answers, go to Brad Johnson's RotoGraphs chat later today!
Erik
12:32
Are Nola and Velasquez a future 1-2 punch? Or more like a future 3-4?
august fagerstrom
12:33
I think more like a 2-3. I like Nola, but it's tough to be an ace without overpowering, dominant stuff unless you've got David Price or Cliff Lee's command, and those guys are freaks
Velasquez might actually have more "ace" potential just because of his raw stuff, but he's not nearly as refined a pitcher
Like both arms quite a bit. Not gonna put a soon-to-be ace label on either one, though
spookie
12:33
based on your statement 'TPAB is like mad socially important, yo' I relistened to everything he's put out. still find everything but GKMC solidly 'meh.'
august fagerstrom
12:33
The great thing about musical opinions is that everyone is always right
JDogg
12:34
If Verlander turns out to be what he seems ... a declining SP with a 4.5 ERA and 14 wins .. should we be shopping Kinsler and JD Martinez to further bolster the farm?
august fagerstrom
12:34
Not sure I agree with your conclusion that Verlander seems like a 4.5 ERA guy
12:35
He had an awesome second half last year, his fastball still has tons of life on it, even if the velo is declining, and the guy knows how to pitch. Too early to write off JV
Erik
12:35
Are Herrera and Hernandez starters on the next good Phillies team? Or are they bench pieces who only look decent compared to their peers?
august fagerstrom
12:35
Closer to the latter than the former
The Average Sports Fan
12:35
For shorthand purposes is it fair to say getting league average players helps win regular season games while getting stars is what it takes to win postseason games?
august fagerstrom
12:36
Sure. I think one critical mistake casual baseball fans make in roster evaluation is the importance of having average players
Black holes can sink teams in a hurry. See: White Sox, Chicago, circa 2015
Erik
12:36
Fun Trevor Story fact: despite all the success he's had so far, his BABIP is only .167.
august fagerstrom
12:36
Makes sense when you consider how many fly balls he hits, and how many of those fly balls have left the yard
Jeff
12:37
Assuming both stay healthy, who has a higher ceiling, and whom is more likely to reach that ceiling between Noah Syndergaard and Jose Fernandez?
august fagerstrom
12:37
Still probably say Fernandez but I'd also say that those are probably my second- and third-highest ceilings for a pitcher in baseball right now
The Man with the Plan
12:37
Lets say Dylan Bundy makes it through a healthy ~60-70 IPs this year mainly out of the bullpen but with a couple starts. What are his chances of finally fulfilling his destiny and reaching his former "Ace" potential?
Connecting…