JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 3/7/22

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Ben Clemens

2:43

I love how everyone feels that way

Rutherford Ke' Hayes

2:43

Succession took me a full season to get into, but it's worth keeping after it. To your point though, I couldn't get over the fact that there wasn't a single, likeable character at the beginning.

Jeff

2:44

fellow cardinals fan here, and I sold a pair of Jordans to Jon Jay and also got a game used bat from him

Ben Clemens

2:44

Uh, amazing

Guest

2:44

I live in a midsize city with a AA league team within walking distance. Cheap tickets, fun environment, if very low-stakes. Only recently have I gotten really into following the game at a major league level, and I'm finding my loyalties divided between the MLB affiliate of my local club (who, while I could develop stronger attachments to the players, are located on the opposite coast), and the nearest MLB team, who are ~ 3.5 hours away and I could likely see in person no more than twice a year. To which should I devote my allegiance if I'm trying to derive the most enjoyment (knowing that I'll be going to AA games all the while regardless)

Ben Clemens

2:45

I can help with this a lot actually!

I grew up in a similar situation

And I found that I loved minor league baseball without needing to be attached to the related big league club

2:46

The K-Jays (and later Smokies) were a Blue Jays affiliate when I was growing up, and Toronto is not near Tennessee

But I just basically followed any players I'd seen who made the majors and otherwise rooted for the team I more naturally followed

(Cards for me, but I had plenty of friends who were Braves fans)

Appa Yip Yip

2:46

Guest should just cheer for the Blue Jays tbh it's not really close

Ben Clemens

2:47

Oof, bad news that my example was specifically about not rooting for the Jays :(

Quarantino Martinez

2:47

Is Square Pie Guys good? I'm also recently moved to SF and finding my way around.

Ben Clemens

2:47

It's quite good. Their toppings can be hit or miss, they try to get a little too fancy sometimes. But the pizza itself is excellent, it's the best Detroit-style pizza in the Bay imo

I also like Little Star quite a bit, totally different style but delicious

Lorenzo

2:48

Regarding the proposed pitch clock, is it designed to mainly prevent batters from stepping out of the box for long periods? That seems to be the issue regarding length of PAs.

Ben Clemens

2:48

I think it's a little of keeping batters from stepping out and a little of stopping pitchers from just holding the ball

Greg from Toronto

2:48

any thoughts on Eli Montero from Colorado?

Ben Clemens

2:49

Loved Elehuris when he was a Cards prospect, and he didn't do anything to change my mind this year

It's a great sign that his injury-sapped 2019 was just that, an injury messing with ihs power

2:50

I dunno if he can handle third but I'd love to see the Rockies find out. I have few worries that the bat will play

Quarantino Martinez

2:50

As an O's Fan, should I be more worried about Grayson Rodriguez because 1) of the strict pitch limits in the minors making him less able to go deep as a pro or 2) my general irrational terror at the O's pitcher development issues?

Ben Clemens

2:50

Definitely 2

Rutherford Ke' Hayes

2:51

Big fan of the prospect piece, and like when you and Eric wade into eachother's respective parts of the pool. That in mind, what do those smarter than I think of Jesus Luzardo these days? Esp. considering the fact that he landed with the Marlins (who seem to be able to work some magic with pitchers), the guy's got filthy stuff, and looks like he is one mechanical tweak from being outstanding.

Ben Clemens

2:51

Thank you!

And, I can't speak for those smarter than you, but as for me, I'm still in on Luzardo

The secondary stuff is just so excellent that I have faith something will click

Matt

2:52

Any thoughts on whats going to happen to Scott Kingery? Will he most likely just work out the rest of his contract and then be out of baseball?

Ben Clemens

2:52

I really have no idea

What a strange trajectory for him

2:53

I think he's pretty likely to get minor league playing time this year assuming the lockout ends, and that the Phillies will kind of figure it out from there?

What a star-crossed career

Sirras

2:54

A friend of mine described skyline chili as "good but an acquired taste." I know this is typically more Dan S.'s realm but how quickly should I terminate this friendship?

Ben Clemens

2:54

I think that in these situations, experts suggest walking away slowly while maintaining eye contact

Then running once you reach a safe distance

Greene

2:54

Freddie to the Rays?

That's based off of a MLBTR report

Ben Clemens

2:55

Yeah, Jon Heyman reported that the Rays made him an offer

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