JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 4/13/26

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Ben Clemens

2:22

I get most excited when process stats and results line up, and Walker definitely has that story going for him right now

J Hench

2:23

Follow-on to the Miller trade value question - it possible that Miller’s trade value has gone up since last deadline? If the Padres are out of it, could they get an equivalent or better value than DeVries for him?

Ben Clemens

2:23

definitely possible. I think that he's a few more months of results away from getting unicorn closer status, whereas I feel like last summer there was still at least some concern around 'well he was great in '24 but he's come back to earth a little in '25"

so uh, that was wrong...

Josh

2:23

Are you going to be checking out Noah Schultz’ debut tomorrow? He lost a lot of shine last year while battling knee issues and control problems, but he was unhittable so far in Charlotte with a new cutter and increased velo, seems like there’s a chance he’s closer to the pitcher that was the top lhp prospect in the game going into last year

Ben Clemens

2:24

for sure. love watching debuts

HalosSelfHater

2:24

What are your thoughts on Jose Soriano's start? Obviously some regression given underlying metrics, but is he finally an ace

Laurel and JJ Hardy

2:24

Jose Soriano has got to be the current Cy Young frontrunner in the AL right?

Ben Clemens

2:24

Great news, Michael Baumann just wrote about him!

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/gimme-the-heat-boys-and-free-my-soul-no-on...

didace

2:24

A week ago, James Wood had an OPS of .572 and had 17 SOs in 40 ABs. Some fans were saying he should be sent to AAA to join Crews. Today his OPS is 1.005. I love early swings in stats and fans that live and die by them.

Ben Clemens

2:25

I like that for these chats, too

I get a lot of questions that are like 'explain to me why (insert Yankee here) is now awful and should never play again'

and it's like, well, he went 0-4 yesterday, so I hear where you're coming from....

it's really hard to not overreact to early-season numbers!

I do it too

Farhandrew Zaidman

2:25

What are the Rockies doing right now with their rotation? Dollander's been getting follower/bulk innings, and Lorenzen randomly threw 1 IP in relief on Saturday.

Ben Clemens

2:26

The Dollander thing will never make sense to me

they signed Sugano to move Dollander to the bullpen, it seems like?! LIke, what? And then why is Lorenzen relieving? Who knos

blackjack

2:26

Given the chance, could Alex Call be a decent regular? Or is his ceiling a part time player?

Ben Clemens

2:26

for me, he's an incredible fourth outfielder who would be stretched as an everyday guy

but that's pretty dang good

Dombrowski

2:26

Worse roster construction-Phillies/Red Sox?

Ben Clemens

2:27

huh. I think I'd actually say the Phillies. I know that the Red Sox have famously held on to too many outfielders. And their infield is a weakness. But I like how much depth they've managed to acquire, and I'm not there yet on the Phillies

Farhandrew Zaidman

2:27

Would you pull the rip cord on O'Neil Cruz in CF? Maybe a move to RF? Reps at 3B?

Ben Clemens

2:28

I am so, so glad that I don't have to make this decision

2:29

I would probably just keep running him out there because I don't know what else to do. But I'd be talking to him a lot about it, looking into more metrics than I can get on my couch at home, etc.

it's been so, so ugly so far, though

Craig Stammen

2:29

Thoughts on Tatis playing 2b?

Ben Clemens

2:30

man, I didn't realize this had happened until you said this

I.... I think I like it? It feels like a roster limitation thing, in that I'm looking at their bench and none of those people are legit back up infielders

I am sure they'd prefer not to make a habit of it, but it's nice to have versatile superstars I guess

Guest

2:31

What could MacKenzie Gore do in the first half of this year to give you any confidence he won't just fall off late in the year again?

Ben Clemens

2:31

I think pitching deeper into games, maintaining velo, performing well the third time through the order, things that are procedurally related to stamina, would all increase my confidence

but on the other hand, of course I'm not going to be confident. Regardless of what happens in the first half, the pattern is pretty severe, I am going to have to see it to believe that he's changed

2:32

Like he's been nasty to start the year, no doubt. But he's gone 5.1, 6, 5. And topped out at 90 pitches. He's still pitching like a short-burst dude, scares me for his stamina

Guest

2:32

Which contender's roster do you think is best/worst suited for an improvement at the deadline? Red Sox seem to be poised for an infield add

Ben Clemens

2:33

I wrote a very extensive article about this last week:

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/let-me-upgrade-you-small-improvements-with...

April Showers Bring Mey Flowers

2:33

How much longer do the Reds let Luis Mey fire bullets in AAA when he seems like he could really help their bullpen?

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