JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 2/8/21

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Ben Clemens

3:04

They really shouldn't be shopping him, it's self-defeating

Even if they're going to trade Lindor

Mr. Fister

3:04

He hit one homer last year, and it surprised even him.

Nicky Lopez that is.

Ben Clemens

3:04

Yeah beware limited looks in scouting

Brose Canseco

3:05

how much importance should be placed on RH/LH balance in lineups (eg are the yankees too RH?) and batting order (i.e. not too many same handed batters in a row) should managers just not worry and try to get as many at bats as possible for their best hitters?

Ben Clemens

3:05

The latter

Lineup balance is a tiebreaker, but too many people think it's a key factor

If that makes sense

Dan

3:05

Having an enforced pitch clock in the minors will speed up the game in the majors because pitchers will be used to pitching faster, right? Or will they quickly slow down if it's never adopted in the majors?

Ben Clemens

3:05

There IS an enforced pitch clock in the minors

And it hasn't had much effect

So I'm going to say not much effect

3:06

How does MLB make the product on the field more appealing? Are there any good ideas to reduce the amount of TTO in today's game?

Ben Clemens

3:06

I am a fan of the deaden the ball/shrink the strike zone combo

I also think they should get rid of the popping off the base rule, but that's neither here nor there

WonTon

3:06

Were you a fan of the 154 game season/expanded playoffs?

Ben Clemens

3:07

I'm not a big expanded playoffs fan, either stylistically or for the long-term health of the game

I'm less confident on the long-term health thing, but I'm generally in agreement with Dan Szymborski there

Basically if you make regular-season wins less valuable (and in general, the more playoff teams the less valuable each win is), players will get less money

Because teams will value their marginal contributions less

Dannypoolbon

3:08

I know some pitchers lick their hand but what about straight spitting on the ball before throwing it. Would that be illegal somehow?

Ben Clemens

3:08

Yeah, spitballs are illegal

bighen

3:08

Albert Almora a legit glove guy in CF or just better than Nimmo/Conforto etc. ?

Ben Clemens

3:09

Way more the second

He's above average but not by a ton, from everything I've seen

Dannypoolbon

3:10

Do you think Bauer/cole ect get called out for the substances they use while they are pitching?

Ben Clemens

3:10

I mean, no?

Basically no

Everyone uses it now

Not now: most everyone has most always used it

Matt (Oceanside)

3:11

Do you think there is actually a good chance that Gavin Lux outperforms Jake Croneworth this year @ 2B?

Ben Clemens

3:11

I do for sure

I was high on Cronenworth as a trade piece, but I don't think his 2020 outcome is anything close to a central case

3:12

They both had similar batting lines in the minors in 2019

I don't see why you should be far from 50/50 in terms of who will be better in 2021

Brose Canseco

3:13

does it seem like there are fewer switch hitters than there used to be? Is it possible that switch hitting is now discouraged at youth and developmental levels?

BarryBondsJuicedForOurSins

3:13

Should I give up the dream of Buxton ever going for the Eric Davis 30/50 special?

Ben Clemens

3:13

Sadly, I think so

I want to be wrong, but 50 steals just feels like a no at this point

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