JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 3/2/20

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Ben Clemens

2:42

I'm 100% not sure that's how they do it, to be clear.

2:43

But if I were projecting things, that's where I'd start. It's generally easier to project the context-neutral stuff, and I would start by trying to use that to inform context rather than by trying to build my own games from scratch

Glen Gould baby

2:43

You like Bach??

Ben Clemens

2:44

Yeah a guy I used to work with just listened to the Goldberg variations more or less every day.

And I thought hey, that's weird.

2:45

But then one day I listened to some Gould playing Bach and I found I was very clear-headed while listening to it.

So I just went with it

I played piano a bit growing up, but not seriously. This was way more an adult life acquired taste.

Derek

2:46

What are you most looking forward to this season? (Maybe this needs two divisions: Banging-Related and Non-Banging-Related)

Ben Clemens

2:46

Oh, nah, I don't need two divisions.

I'm looking forward to watching deGrom pitch

That's #1 by far.

2:48

When I lived in NY I got to see him pitch live reasonably often and the thrill never really wore off

So I guess watching Cole will be up there too, but something about deGrom's style agrees with me more.

2:50

Oh, and I suppose also I'm really excited to watch the Angels.

Matt

2:50

Phillies said Seranthony Dominguez's velocity was 94 yesterday. He averaged 97 in 2019, and got up to 100 in 2018 when he was most effective. Is this anything to worry about?

Ben Clemens

2:50

Give it a month, I guess?

Like, it's barely March

Still cold, some guys warm up slowly

But yes, if he's 94 when the season starts, that's not great.

Hot take

2:50

Goldberg Variations are the Mike Trout of piano pieces

2:52

Houser vs Urquidy vs Dobnak

Ben Clemens

2:52

Houser for me. Dobnak is gonna have so much trouble getting PT

I like Urquidy too, just Houser by a hair.

Dogged

2:53

what do you expect from Hoerner and Solak this year? Do either breakout as 1st division starters? I know the Cubs have some other options for PT, but don’t get why the Rangers seem to be squeezing Solak out of PT already.

Ben Clemens

2:54

Hm. I don't think either will truly break out this year, but I agree with you that the Rangers should go wild

With SOlak

Hopeful White Sox Fan

2:55

Luis Robert had a great week - great running catch, sped to a triple, hit a dinger. Loudest set of tools for any prospect?

Ben Clemens

2:55

Oh man, loudest set of tools, that's tough to say.

Oh gosh,r ather

I'm trying to get out of the habit of overusing man and guy

2:56

I don't really think so? Maybe among the major league ready types

But what about Oneill Cruz?

What a monster!

SparkyMcGuffey

2:56

Keepers. Both $5 or less. Soler or Semien?

Ben Clemens

2:56

Gimme Soler. I really believe in the power

2:57

And I'm not yet convinced on Semien. Guess if you're OBP league you can bump Semien up some? I just really think Soler is more sustainable from a fantasy stats perspective

Derek

2:57

I think "Wander Franco" is often just the answer to any question about prospects, similar to "Mike Trout" for major leaguers.

Ben Clemens

2:57

Haha you might be right. To me, Franco's best tool (hit) is the quietest tool

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