JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 3/5/24

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KC Pain

12:34

I know many are expecting vladdy bounceback....where is his ceiling/peak? I know expectations+ scouting reports were absurd. I ask because trying to snag in league, and the price was basically 3 top players (D. Williams, Steele, and Machado) and 3 prospects (Mayo, Skenes, Dominguez). Of that bunch what do you think is "reasonable" *ps i will of course show this to league mate and say seeeeee what the experts said!*

Ben Clemens

12:34

I mean, his peak is outrageous for sure

But I am just not a buyer at this point

12:35

He needs to slug a TON to get to his peak

like 2021, sure, he slugged a ton

but I think that's just really tough to reach consistently

12:36

I would sell him averaging better than a 135 or so wRC+ going forward and that's just not enough at first base

Jed

12:36

I keep reading Hunter Brown is poised to take a step forward this season. His 2nd half of 2023 gives me pause. Where do you stand on Hunter Brown for 2024?

Ben Clemens

12:36

buyer

Idiotic Failson

12:36

You taking the Yankees or the field when it comes to signing Soto next year?

Ben Clemens

12:36

Sigh, Yankees

I want Soto to be a Cardinal or Giant

because those are the teams I watch the most

KC Pain

12:37

Is there a reason everyone is down on Soderstrom? Guy progressed through all those levels and made it to the bigs at 20 (21?). I cant find him on anyones list anymore and im curious if there is data/concern on his hitting or is it just "he didnt do well"?

Ben Clemens

12:37

Eric likes him

here's his graduation report:

Graduation TLDR: Soderstrom projects as a middle-of-the-order force despite his rough rookie season.

sounds good to me!

12:38

that said, models hate him

b/c he hit sooooo badly

Tacoby Bellsbury

12:38

Post-pandemic, my life has gotten way busier and board games are falling out of my rotation of recreational activities. How are you making time for them?

Ben Clemens

12:38

Honestly, I'm not as much as I used to

12:39

the thing that has gotten me back into them more so is that my friend is designing a baseball game that looks awesome to me

but I'm definitely playing less than in 2021

Zombie One-Legged Bill Veeck

12:39

Are the O's going to regret prioritizing giving Ryan O'Hearn at bats over Cowser or Kjerstad (or Mayo, or Norby, or...)

Ben Clemens

12:39

Yeah......

I think so

12:40

Very impressive group of prospects, and I love what the O's are doing in terms of finding good major leaguers who other teams doubt, but....

don't let that get in the way of trying to win now

Captain ACAB

12:40

Why are the Yankees able to add velo to their minor league arms? Do they just have a higher risk tolerance for injuries and tell their young guys to throw harder or do they do something else to add mph?

Ben Clemens

12:40

I don't know the entirety of it but tolerance is a LOT

12:41

they're just willing to let those guys go more, and I think that players are pretty clearly on board

CMA

12:41

Misiorowski crystal ball: starter or closer?

Ben Clemens

12:41

Starter

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