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August Fagerstrom FanGraphs Chat -- 9/13/16
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august fagerstrom
1:34
choice cut:
Maverik312
1:35
Re: Cubs BABIP suppression

Don't they just have elite defense? What team has better defense? Wouldn't you expect the best defensive team to have the best BABIP suppression skills?
august fagerstrom
1:35
yeah, but there have been elite defenses before that didn't break the all-time BABIP suppression record
It's elite defense + great soft contact skills + some luck + probably some external factors we aren't considering
egg
1:35
well the Cubs defense has got to be one of the best ever right? Why shift when your infield has that much range
august fagerstrom
1:36
you can still improve greatness
if Kershaw finally added a truly plus changeup, it wouldn't make him worse
1:37
not quite the same thing, but I mean, shifting objectively seems to be a smart thing that creates more outs when batters have extreme tendencies
so I can't see how taking advantage of those tendencies could hurt, even if you do have less incentive to do so due to the nature of your defense
1:38
it seems like maybe they're just shifting on a micro-level
smaller, more subtle shifts for every batter rather than the generalized overshift
Scott
1:38
80 grade minor tool: Freddie Freeman's stretch. Dude is 6'5'' and does a split to the ground with ease.
august fagerstrom
1:38
this is a good one. think I've noticed this with him before. maybe Hosmer, too?
Billy Heywood
1:39
Not sure if it qualifies as 80 grade or a minor skill, but I've noticed Jason Heyward is impossibly good at preventing in between balls from getting past him. That short hop is so difficult when running full speed, but he fields it cleanly every time
august fagerstrom
1:39
"outfielders taking direct routes to ground balls" is a favorite minor skill of mine to watch
was my favorite Juan Lagares thing when Juan Lagares was still a thing
love when the outfielder cuts the rolling ball off in the gap before it gets to the track and saves a base
Britt
1:39
Is Chisenhall an extension candidate? I saw a columnist write that and I am not so sure on Chisenhall. I find it hard to trust him.
august fagerstrom
1:39
seems pretty easily replaceable
robstl
1:40
Isn't Baez already getting credit from advanced defensive stats for his tagging ability? He makes a tag no one else would make, even if there isn't "bonus points" he still gets credit for his involvement in the out, no?
august fagerstrom
1:40
on a stolen base attempt, no, I don't believe so. that goes to pitcher/catcher exclusively I believe
2-D
1:40
80-grade minor skills- Lindor's headfirst sliding.
august fagerstrom
1:40
of which I made note in yesterday's post!
he is a fantastic slider
EvanC
1:40
Does Yadier Molina's defense merit HOF induction despite only 32 career WAR? In other words, should best defensive catcher ever make it despite only being 29th in JAWS Catcher rankings?
august fagerstrom
1:41
I'm pro-Yadi Hall of Fame, and that's going to be maybe the most interesting discussion ever when it happens 10 years from now
most interesting Hall of Fame-related baseball discussion, I mean
there have so many more interesting discussions than that, generally spekaing
A. Reitz
1:41
can we stop asking questions about the Cubs BABIP every chat? Jesus.
august fagerstrom
1:41
can you stop complaining about what we're talking about in the chat every chat? Jesus.
1:42
every week I get precisely one complaint about what we're talking about, and every week I look up and the commenter is A. Reitz
Jaff
1:43
What are your go to podcasts August?
august fagerstrom
1:44
Sports: Effectively Wild, FG Audio, Jonah Keri, Bill Simmons/Ringer, Sportswriters Blues (though the faux-contention between Andy and Pedro can sometimes grate on me)

Non-sports: WTF (the GOAT), Monday Morning with Bill Burr, Radiolab, Nerdist, Fresh Air, occasionally This American Life
suppose the dig on Sportswriters Blues was unncessary
1:45
it's highly entertaining. It just sometimes gives me anxiety
that's probably more about me than the product itself
Slamboni
1:45
Carlos Gomez says "his eyes have been opened" by Texas' hitting coaches. Buying or selling?
august fagerstrom
1:45
Astros probably should've realized he was playing with his eyes closed before they cut him
The Mitt
1:46
Other 80-grade minor skill: Ellsbury's catcher-interference swing.
august fagerstrom
1:46
this is a good one!
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