JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 3/20/23

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 3/20/23

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Ben Clemens

2:25

I mean, he doesn't actually hit for that much pop historically

He had two homers in the game against hte US, which I'm sure is what you're referring to... but no other homers in the WBC, and only 8 in 600 PA last year

2:26

I think Arraez is a really fun player, the batting average is real, he hits a ton of line drives

But like... he is what he is, and that's a nice positionless bat

Tremendously fun to watch, to be clear

Wireless Joe Jackson

2:26

Remember when Trea Turner hit that go-ahead grand slam? I bet that was cool to watch. Too bad Fox had cut back to commercial and everyone missed the WHOLE AT-BAT.

Ben Clemens

2:26

Oh really? I somehow was able to watch it

2:27

I wonder if I was on a different broadcast or something

Big Fan

2:27

Any thoughts on Braden Shewmake, dark horse candidate for the Braves SS job?

Sharp

2:27

In a surprising turn in Braves camp, Braden Shewmake is making a strong case to be the opening day SS.

Ben Clemens

2:27

Boy, this specific camp battle has been stressing me out

2:28

I am trying to figure out the Braves blurb at shortstop and it's just so confusing

Morbo

2:28

Follow up to my last question: Why are the Cardinals seemingly incapable of fixing failing hitters, like Matt Carpenter and Paul DeJong, and why doesn't Mozeliak seem incapable admitting his mistakes and moving on from those players (and Dexter Fowler as another example)?

Ben Clemens

2:28

(the previous question was about Paul DeJong)

2:29

I think it's availability heuristic, though. The Cardinals HAVE fixed guys who weren't doing well. Think Kolten Wong and even Tommy Edman. Heck, think Tyler O'Neill

I'll give you the moving on thing, but I think the Cardinals are generally slow-moving in roster decisions as a franchise for better or worse

That's just an organizational thing. I think it might be worth it overall, but it definitely leads to some 'get that bum out of here' moments

bosoxforlife

2:29

The WBC has exceeded my expectations by miles. The passion and excitement of the fans in Japan and the Latin American countries is fun to watch and adds so much excitement. If baseball really wants to grow this should be a biennial event.

Ben Clemens

2:29

Heck yeah, I've loved it

2:30

I didn't know how much I would like it b/c I haven't followed it before, but it's awesome and the combination of single elimination stakes and how much the teams care is amazing

even Mike Trout is going nuts

Sharp

2:30

"In a piece on US-Cuba Passan referred to Japan as "still the favorite" in WBC and it was sort of an aside but--he's wrong, isn't he?" I know it's been popular to pick against the USA, but they've always been the favorites. People just think it's cute to be a contrarian.

Ben Clemens

2:30

the DR was the gambling favorite going into the tourney

trophy

1

Colton

2:30

As a person who thinks Dylan Carlson should probably stop switch hitting. Is there any reason that hasn't been brought up? They've done it with Edman in the past and the splits are not nearly as ghastly for him

Ben Clemens

2:31

b/c I think there's less reason to believe that Carlson's is a true talent issue hitting righties

maybe I'm wrong, I just think it's more fluky than this is who he is

Air Yordan

2:31

Give me 3 guesses on who leads mlb in innings pitched this year

Ben Clemens

2:31

Sandy, Manoah, dark horse Corbin Burnes

Farhandrew Zaidman

2:32

Was Waino's velo down this much last year? Call me skeptical, but I'm not sold on your ability to get MLB dudes out with a sub-87 FB unless your name is Neikro or Moyer.

Ben Clemens

2:32

This much? No

I'm worried!

Dave

2:32

PBRASAP What do you make of Luke Voit pushing his opt out back a week for the Brewers? Is it because he doesn't have any other offers or the Brewers trying to make room for him?

Ben Clemens

2:32

My guess is that it's some of column A, some of column B

2:33

If he had an awesome offer, he'd jump on it. If the Brewers told him it was a complete no-go, I think he'd leave and go hunt for something. He seems to be in the middle, so seems like a reasonable decision to defer that opt out

RTJ

2:33

Do you like old western movies? What's your favorite?

Ben Clemens

2:33

I absolutely loved For a Fistful of Dollars

it's basically an entire movie about vibes, and Clint Eastwood is great at giving off cool guy vibes

Dan

2:34

Which players hit/pitched the best in the WBC so far? I tried to look this up but didn't find a good source of consolidated stats.

Ben Clemens

2:35

It's super annoying, right? On the US side, Turner and Goldschmidt have been standouts, with Realmuto up there as well in part-time play

Other standouts: Edouard Julien was outright ridiculous for Canada, how does a 1.821 OPS sound to you?

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