JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 4/12/21

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 4/12/21

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Ben Clemens

2:35

I'm down on Hiura, and think that the Brewers should be considering Big Dan over him against righties

There's definitely hope for him, he produces really loud contact when he hits the ball

2:36

But the whiff rate is just totally unsustainable

You can't be an average hitter when you miss that often

I dunno what they need to do to get him right again, but there's a reason I predicted Wong to out-wRC+ him

Kiermaier's Piercing Green Eyes

2:36

Hot take: crowd noises are bad, being able to hear the players yell and the sounds of the game is better. No woos, no boos, let alone the wave or heckling. Advantage amateur, minor league, and low-turnout MLB games. I'll allow playoff crowd noises for atmosphere, but peak baseball is quiet summer evenings where the only loud noises are the crack of the bat and the PA system operated by some guy whose been doing it since before you were born.

Ben Clemens

2:37

Hm, I don't really agree with that

I do love hearing the players yell, but I also love the reaction of the crowd, and I enjoy the occasional heckle

Harper correcting a heckler's pronunciation was awesome, for example

That said, I really like the crack of the bat and hearing players talk

T

2:38

Let’s get the obvious question out if the way, what the hell was that safe call at home last night?

Scott

2:38

I'd love the MLB replay guy in NY to explain exactly when Bohm touched home plate in the 9th inning last night. It's mind blowing that they got it so wrong. Shouldn't the Braves protest the game?

Ben Clemens

2:38

Better calls have been made

2:39

I see why they had trouble overturning the call on the field, b/c every angle had a different problem with it

It was like 5 angles that were each 95% conclusive, or whatever

But yes, clearly the wrong call, and if replay isn't for handling situations like that, maybe we should have less replay

Moose_Bolton

2:40

Any of the early season player developments you're buying? I think J.D. Martinez is going to actually bounce back, and I'm also buying the Vlad Jr. breakout. Obviously both not to this extent necessarily, but in general.

Ben Clemens

2:40

In on Martinez, last year was a weird short blip and while he's aging, he's still a great hitter

As for Vlad

Moonlight Graham

2:40

Both Vladdy's launch angle and walk rate numbers are up to start the season. Which do you think he's more likely to sustain over a whole season and which would you prefer he maintains?

Ben Clemens

2:41

I think he's more likely to sustain the walk rate, but I'd be more encouraged if he holds the angle

If he sustains the high launch angle, he'll draw the walks by himself

Roger

2:42

I wooed my then-girlfriend, now-wife, at a Braves game and we ended up on kiss cam. no regrets. I see no reason to discourage wooing at games as long as it remains PG.

Ben Clemens

2:42

Haha that style of wooing is fine

Bucfan

2:42

Cubs starting pitching is dreadful. I don't think they have a starter that deals above 90 mph, and their last two starts, their pitchers gave up 15 runs - TO THE PIRATES. Chances that Bryant is with the team in four months?

Ben Clemens

2:42

It's low. Their pitching outside of Hendricks feels rickety

2:43

I'll put the odds at 35%. The rest of the Central is also trash, which is their best hope

FK

2:43

Someone in my Ottoneu league just cut Javier Baez at $19. I already have Lindor as my primary SS but lack some MI depth and could afford him. Is he worth it? (Sorry for change of topic)

Ben Clemens

2:43

I'd like to know this too. I kind of think no? I own him at about the same price

2:44

Can't bring myself to cut bait, though

Cambodian Creamsicle

2:44

We're at that point of the season where fantasy owners are having to decide between Jed Lowrie and Donovan Solano. All is right in the world.

Ben Clemens

2:44

That eternal rite of spring

Matt Damon

2:44

MATT. DAMON.

Ben Clemens

2:44

Ah, regular season form

I consider you to have made at least one great movie

love

3

Micah

2:44

Red Sox-Twins today postponed?

Ben Clemens

2:44

Sounds that way

BringBackDeSpanielHair

2:45

Excited to see what Robby Ray can do with some extra velo (and apparently decent command this spring)

Ben Clemens

2:45

I am feeling good about Ray this year

In looking back at our offseason coverage, I wrote about him a lot -- SP rankings, his signing with the Jays, and the top 50 free agents post

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