JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 3/9/20

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Reggie

2:59

Miami is going to have a rough year, but they do have some interesting offensive players this year - who are you in on the most? And how much does the fact that they're going to be beaten down by NL East aces on a daily basis factor in?

Ben Clemens

3:00

I have a stupid, irrational love for Miguel Rojas. He's old now and not a breakout candidate or anything, but I just think he should get more love as an excellent defender.

He's been held down by being on bad Marlins teams his whole career.

But he'd be a fan favorite on a good team.

3:01

In terms of players who might break out, I'll take Brian Anderson and Isan Diaz. They're polar opposites in profile but I think both could be good.

Anderson is almost cheating, he's already on the border of all star level, but again- Marlins!

And Diaz has the tools, and so eh, maybe he'll figure it out.

3:02

As to the NL East thing, it matters a little, but not enough to get me out on Anderson.

Dave in London

3:02

I know it's spring training, but do you have any concerns about Colome? Do you think he's be the White Sox closer in August?

Ben Clemens

3:02

I do not think he'll still be the closer.

Bummer.

(will be the closer)

3:05

Sorry guys, I just had a salsa related pause - I have some ghost pepper salsa

And boy was it too hot

3:06

Anyway I think they should have Bummer as closer already

But I think by August it will have happened.

Overbearing Padre

3:06

If the Pads want to add some better offense before the season, where do you think they should look?

Ben Clemens

3:06

Puig.

Not a lot of pre-opening day options honestly

But he's still out there.

I'm not even sure he's *that* much better than Wil Myers

But he's a better defender at least.

Verlander

3:07

Is anyone really sad about the Astros in 2020 though? Especially a normal, not surprising result (older pitcher injury) rather than some "oh the boos got to them" thing that might occur as a dumb narrative.

Ben Clemens

3:07

I mean, I don't want anyone to get injured. I'm sad that I get to see less star players.

As a consumer of baseball, I just want awesome players as much as possible.

But yeah, it's not like this happened to the Brewers or the Padres or some feel-good team

brad penny for your thoughts

3:08

how weird is it that Yairo Munoz went AWOL and just left spring training?

Ben Clemens

3:08

I'm so curious to know what happened, but I don't think we'll ever get the whole story.

If you're interested in a hilariously well-detailed account of the machinations involved, there's this:

https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2020/3/8/21170010/transaction-analysis-3-...

But what a bizarre story. I hope he is doing okay.

Derek

3:09

My suggestion to my friends the other day to stop the spread of coronavirus was to put ghost pepper salsa on everyone's hands so they don't touch their faces!

Ben Clemens

3:09

The face touching thing is weird to me. I apparently don't touch my face that much, because I've been trying to avoid doing it and haven't had much trouble.

My wife touches her face constnatly, it's been a real struggle for her.

And we were on a ski trip with some friends this weekend, and they also varied a lot

3:10

I will say, if this salsa touched my eyes, game over.

DRB

3:10

I'm perplexed by Jose Ramirez's walk rate spike in 2018. Do you have any idea how someone could average 7-9% walk rate then suddenly spike to 15%? Where do you see him this year?

Ben Clemens

3:12

It comes down a little if you exclude IBB's, but it's still crazy.

I would argue that it was largely driven by pitcher behavior.

3:13

He faced a career-low zone rate, and consequently a career-low first strike rate, and he's just not a hacker - he also had a career low chase rate that year, which helps

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