JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 2/24/2020

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Ben Clemens

3:18

We're back!

And Soroka

3:19

I like Lamet quite a bit but I think Soroka's command and stuff combine to make a very high-floor pitcher

And I don't really trust Lamet's breaking ball as much as I should given how good it's been.

3:20

Something just seems a little weird about it to me.

devin has cheeto lips

3:21

What do you make of Mountcastle? Can he force his way into a position with his bat and the liklihood of that happening?

Ben Clemens

3:21

Ugh, so working out what these value-minded front offices with terrible teams will do with PT is tough

Will they try to squeeze more future eligibility and therefore value out of keeping him in the minors even if he rakes?

I haven't read anything specific about their handling of him yet.

3:22

The old Astros playbook, though, was to use the majors for more castoff types and keep the primo pieces int he minors when possible.

At 23, I kind of think they'll go this route? But I have very low confidence in my call here.

3:23

I'm basing it on the way the Astros behaved with Mejdal, but we don't know if it was his call and we don't know if his views have changed.

Kurupt FM

3:23

Did Joey Gallo unlock something last year or will he fall back into his previous norms this upcoming season?

Ben Clemens

3:23

I'm all in on Gallo. I think the plate discipline changes were a really big deal

3:24

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/joey-gallo-swung-less-except-when-it-was-g...

That's a cheesy title, but I really think he found a way to make his particular style work better

3:25

Within the confines of the game -- you can't just totally stop picking the wrong pitch to swing at, but I think his new approach maximizes his skills really well.

Dave

3:25

I understand why the commissioner couldn’t punish the Astros players directly but could he have imposed something like a 2 year ban on post-season appearances on the team? That would have been a clear signal to prevent teams from trying something similar. Could he then block trades of some of the offenders (best interest of baseball)?

Ben Clemens

3:26

I actually don't know

I'd find that reallllly weird

Postseason ban? It would create really bizarre incentives

But maybe?

Joseph

3:27

What's your feel for Brandon Marsh in LA?

Ben Clemens

3:28

I don't think he's really a this-year concern, but having him 36th in our top 100 should tell you what we think.

Do find it funny that he's projected as a center fielder, b/c i mean

Kurupt FM

3:28

Is there a player that from afar you're a fan of, statistics wise or just theoretically, but don't actually enjoy watching play baseball?

Ben Clemens

3:28

Anthony Rizzo, easy

Ugh, when I'm watching him I just get so annoyed

His stance is angle shooting

3:29

He's relying on the kindness of umpires and strangers to protect him

But then I love the fact that we have a guy who derives so much value from HBP

Derek

3:29

I was just looking at MVP betting odds... Trout is +150 followed by Judge/Bregman/Lindor at +1200. That's... Insane. But also probably close to accurate!

Ben Clemens

3:29

I was half-considering writing an AL MVP contenders article

We've got a lot of space to fill in the offseason!

3:30

And then I ran into the same problem.

Trout is really good!

And the second tier is just so clearly second tier.

Alright everyone, I need to head out in around five minutes, calling it a short one today.

So I'll try to answer a few quetsions quickly lightning round style before I head out.

Tony Disco

3:30