JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 3/2/20

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Ben Clemens

2:30

I think that it's one of these situations where, like you said, trades need to work for both teams, and the pieces don't match up.

Now, would the mets be interested in actual Kevin Kiermaier if Arozarena/Margot is enough for the Rays? That seems interesting.

Guest

2:31

Hey do you happen to know when FG will publish player caps for this year? Fantasy drafts are right around the corner!

Ben Clemens

2:31

I'm not sure, but I've written a few this year.

Like 20 or 30, I forget the exact number.

It's a crazy grind that the Roto guys do to get these out, there are just so many players.

2:32

Lending a hand for a few really emphasized to me how much work they do.

Guest

2:32

Ben, loved your article on exit velocity vs wOBA. Quick question though, how did you generate that data (Exit Venmo vs wOBA) Couldn’t figure it out on baseball savant. Do you have another source? Thanks

Ben Clemens

2:32

Hm, I"m not 100% sure which article you're referring to, but if it's this one:

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/a-sweet-spot-by-any-other-definition/

2:33

Then I took everything from Savant

And I'll say generally that I rely heavily on Savant data, either just taken directly from there or manipulated slightly.

Guest

2:33

Thanks! It was that article, I’ll have to look again to see what I was missing (also Exit Venmo whoops)

Ben Clemens

2:34

Okay cool

I can quickly explain what I did.

Basically there are filters called 'metric range' that let you put things in

like launch angle or exit velocity

So you can compound two of those

To look for, say, balls hit 95mph+ with an exit velocity between -8 and -7 degrees inclusive.

2:35

Alternately, you could just download every hit

Then do some countif/sumif/other filters in excel or a computer programming language of your choice

every batted ball rather

Derek

2:35

Exit Venmo is what all of my money does.

Ben Clemens

2:35

Hey-o

Derek

2:35

Do you listen to music while you work? If so, what music?

Ben Clemens

2:36

I do pretty frequently. I like a mixture of more chill electronic music and classical music.

2:37

Two work favorites are Tobu (for the electronic side) and Glenn Gould (if I want some nice piano music)

I'd throw Blackmill on there as well.

And then once in a while if I'm having writer's block I'll throw on 1989 by Taylor Swift

Love that album

2:38

Because it gets me in the mood to work hard, which can be a problem when you're stuck on something.

2-D

2:38

Do you watch Real Sports on HBO? Did you see the segment about Trevor Bauer?

Ben Clemens

2:38

I've seen the transcripts of his interview

And, in fact, Meg linked to one in my article today:

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/trevor-bauer-might-have-conducted-another-...

2:40

I tend to agree with him that everyone is doing it. I also don't think it's particularly crazy to say that Bauer himself is using pine tar sometimes too

I'd generally be in favor of legalizing and regulating it.

As a Californian, that's my stance on a lot of things :)

yabbadabba

2:41

Hey, do you know how the projections do stats like R and RBI? Do they know something about the players' teammates?

Ben Clemens

2:42

Yeah, they for sure do. I'm guessing here, but I think you could fit a regression without too much trouble between OBP/SLG around you and RBI/runs

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