JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 4/19/21

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 4/19/21

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Appa Yip Yip

2:16

Are you buying what Steven Matz is selling? Not the 1.6 ERA but the solid mid rotation starter?

Ben Clemens

2:17

Yeah, I think so

2:18

I'm interested in the fact that he's held onto last year's velocity gains, as it was scary to see him throw harder AND perform worse

I'm a little bit worried about the fact that he's still not hitting the zone as much as he did when he was at his most effective

But he SHOULD get grounders, he's a sinker-heavy guy

Seeing him do it again is reassuring

Jacob

2:20

The Jay Bruce career write up was nice. Who decides which players do and which players don't get write ups? I was wondering if we'd get Alex Gordon and Nick Markakis pieces this offseason.

Ben Clemens

2:20

Kinda up to whether someone has something they want to say

2:21

Interestingly, I would have been into writing about Bruce too, though I think Brendan did an awesome job and I'm glad I got to read his

For a guy who didn't quite reach his ceiling, he was a lot of fun

Carlson burner

2:21

How much would production for the cardinals offense change if they bat Carlson 2nd? So far he's top 20 in his chase rate and he made an adjustment in the Washington series that seems to have brought down the whiff and GB rates?

Ben Clemens

2:22

I'm very into Carlson, I picked him for RoY and nothing I've seen so far has changed my feelings about htat

With that said.... it wouldn't make much difference to bat him 2nd

It would help, but like, fractionally

2:23

I dunno, I hvaen't run the numbers, but if it was 5 runs in a year I'd be surprised

Estevão

2:23

it's early in their respective career but so far Will Smith seems like a slightly better version of Pete Alonso. Thought that was interesting

Ben Clemens

2:23

Imagine how hyped people would be if Pete Alonso could catch!

Will Smith is underrated in my opinion

2:25

I got some flack for putting him in a tier with Realmuto, and I'm feeling VERY self-satisfied about it

(feeling self-satisfied is one of my specialties)

Kiermaier's Piercing Green Eyes

2:26

Does Yoshi Tsutsugo have a job once Choi gets healthy? A platoon 1B who doesn't hit is unrosterable. He can't be sent down without his consent and is paid a king's ransom by Stu Sternberg standards, but the Rays can call up any of those middle infielders they have and they'll hit better while playing anywhere on the dirt.

Ben Clemens

2:26

At this point I am worried that he doesn't have a job

2:28

Lot of hedge words there, because I haven't dug down to the studs or anything, but there's not a lot to hang your hat on

2:29

The swinging strike data doesn't look great, the production on contact isn't making up for it, and it's not like there's a huge backlog of major league data to rely on to say this is just a blip

AC/SD

2:30

Pads pitching delivered against LA, but the offense has been spotty. Pham isn't performing and the Pads will need another big bat at some point to compete with LA. Who are the best bats on the trading block? Thanks.

Ben Clemens

2:31

Hm.... J.D. Martinez might technically count, he has an opt out after this year, but with no NL Dh, eh

2:32

Kris Bryant? Not a natural fit but maybe

Trevor Story same deal. If they decide to rest Tatis, maybe, but otherwise you're wasting his value basically

2:33

I think a lot of the Cubs guys could be had, I'm not sure that the Padres would move aggressively for them though

I don't see this as a team that is in dire need of an offensive infusion

Adam H

2:35

Brusdar Graterol was back last night with 101mph bullets, but was as hittable as ever. Why exactly is he so bad at getting whiffs and K’s, and is he doomed for huge regression from his sub-2.00 ERA last year?

Ben Clemens

2:35

It's just the shape of the fastball, basically

2:36

I don't think he's bad or anything

I think he's a nice reliever, though I share the Dodgers' skepticism about him as a starter

Moose_Bolton

2:38

What is your hottest early season take that you actually believe in?

Ben Clemens

2:38

Carson Kelly, All Star

Hotter?

2:39

Corbin Burnes is the second-best pitcher in baseball

Matt Damon

2:39

MATT. DAMON.

Ben Clemens

2:39

Hey friend

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