JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 4/21/25

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 4/21/25

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Jim

2:37

Just about everything game I see on TV has a bunch of empty seats behind home plate. I know a lot of those are likely corporate season ticket holders or belong to the owner. But shouldn't MLB do something so it doesn't look like nobody wants to go to games?

Ben Clemens

2:37

I totally agree

I remark on it quite a lot

Red

2:37

What is Trent Grisham doing differently? Do we think hes different or just hot?

Ben Clemens

2:37

I think it's a bit of both

2:38

or like... I think that Grisham is a lot better than he showed last year

and I also concur with the Yankees broadcast that some of that is probably because he's used to playing every day

2:39

I don't think he's as good as he's been in 2025, but I do think he's more a 100-110 wRC+ guy than a below average hitter

I love that he's tapping into his pull side power and he's always had a good eye

Guy who has only seen the 2024 Blue Jays

2:40

Getting a lot of 2024 Blue Jays vibes from the 2025 Orioles

Ben Clemens

2:40

amazing username

Greg

2:40

Team more likely to make the playoffs in the next 5 years: White Sox or Pirates?

Ben Clemens

2:40

Oh wow. I think I'll say Pirates but with very little confidence

Andrew

2:40

Long term outlook for Ben Rice?

Ben Clemens

2:41

first division first baseman, not an MVP candidate but occasional all star games

Robbie Boyfred

2:41

Nolan Arenado and Lara Nootbar for a package built around Bobby Miller and Andy Pages. Who says no?

Ben Clemens

2:41

oh man, getting the SoCal kids back to SoCal

2:42

I think the Dodgers would probably say no, depending on how Arenado's contract gets handled, but I could see the Cardinals being unwilling to move Nootbaar given that he's one of their best few players and they want to compete again soon

2:43

I think the value is at least in the ballpark of right, and probably I'd prefer the Miller/Pages side in a vacuum, so it'd just be about the contract and whether St. Louis is okay trading away more outfielders with huge potential. Their previous outfielder trades have gone mostly badly

Bullock

2:43

Worry level on Tanner Bibee? 4.6 K-BB% seems worrisome

Ben Clemens

2:43

Yeah, I'm up to an 8/10 on the worry scale

He is just not fooling anyone right now

2:44

incredibly low chase rates, not missing bats, it's ugly

2:45

I don't think it's a coincidence that every pitching model says his fastball has no juice this year

Bosoxforlife

2:45

I misspoke about Anthony earlier. He throws right but hits left. Does the 1st base penalty only apply to right-right which seems foolish because what difference does it make which side of the plate a player hits from?

Ben Clemens

2:45

In my opinion, it's because lefties have more paths to usefulness as platoon bats even if they only play first

a lefty-hitting first baseman who can't hit lefties? You can work with that

2:46

A righty-hitting first baseman who can't hit righties? Hard to keep on your roster for that role only, he better be able to help out elsewhere too

Judge

2:46

So like he's just gonna Be This Hitter now?

Ben Clemens

2:46

I mean.... yes?

Seems like this is just who he is

Mr red legs

2:46

Last year you analyzed April stolen base rates vs 2023. Have you looked at 2025?

Ben Clemens

2:46

no, but that sounds like a fun article

Rick Danger

2:47

Who is most responsible for the Mets pitching success? Stearns for finding the guys, Hefner for coaching them up, or Uncle Stevie for upgrading the whole player development/coaching apparatus? And is it sustainable?

Ben Clemens

2:47

I think I'd go Hefner first, then Stearns, then Cohen, but with good credit to all

upgrading the whole apparatus was necessary

cool

1

and what the Mets have done with it has looked good so far

Ghost of Wade Boggs

2:47

What are your thoughts on Jacob Young - is he part of the Nat's long term plans or is he most likely trade piece for them?

Ben Clemens

2:47

I think the most likely outcome is a trade piece because the optimal version of this nats team has Crews in center

2:48

that said, he's a really good trade piece in my opinion. He's a truly elite CF defender

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