JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 4/21/25

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Cal Raleigh HR hitter

2:48

Am I an MVP canidate?

Ben Clemens

2:48

Probably not, because it's just hard to win MVP as a catcher. But I'll point out that Eric Longenhagen (I think?) had his bold prediction as a catcher winning MVP this year

Fredbird

2:48

When Masyn Winn comes off the IL tomorrow(?) who are you sending down?

Ben Clemens

2:49

I think I'd send down Gorman, quite frankly

2:50

I think they'll probably send down Saggese

but that feels wrong to me

I think it needs to be an infielder, though. And I doubt they'll send down Luken Baker, another option I'd be fine with

given that they seem to like the team having extra 1b-ish options

Dirk

2:50

Am I correct in assuming there isn't a database that links games with the jerseys worn by the teams playing in them? I'd love to know how many games in MLB history had both teams wearing vest-style jerseys but from some digging it doesn't seem like there is one.

Ben Clemens

2:51

Haha, sadly I don't know of one

Rosen

2:51

In the Soto article, Rosen casually said Judge was the best hitter since integration (which is not IRRELEVANT for, you know, him). You can quibble with "is Williams before or after since he's both" and of course The Bonds Thing, but at his very best offensively, is it crazy for that to be possibly true?

Ben Clemens

2:51

Yeah I think it's Bonds

I do not think it's possibly true because of Bonds. But I think he's one of the top 3 post-integration hitters for sure

Okra

2:51

what do the A's need to give the Nats for Jacob Young?

Ben Clemens

2:52

This trade has come up in this chat before (perhaps even by you?). I love it. Trade them Bleday! I'm sure the Nats would love a tooled up former top prospect, it's their whole vibe

Mickey Mantle BUNTED

2:52

Thoughts on Emmanuel Clase?

Ben Clemens

2:52

Still good imo

Bosoxforlife

2:52

Yogi Berra and Roy Campanella, each with 3 MVP's, would like to have a word with you.

Ben Clemens

2:52

Sure, but you know, that was a long time ago

modern catching workloads are not the same

Pasquatch

2:52

My EV, max EV, and hard hit % are all down, LA way up, whiffing a lot more, making way less contact, and when I do make contact it's much weaker. Am I hurt or just bad now?

Ben Clemens

2:53

I'm leaning hurt

but like.... just leaning

Matt Holliday

2:54

Do you believe in Jackson any more today than at this point last year? I'd love to see the kid inch up towards .275 BA.

Ben Clemens

2:54

I have to ask, where is the hellacious bat speed we were all promised from Holliday?

like we had 60 raw 60 game power on this guy, and I think we might have been the low outlet on his power potential

2:55

and he's just like.... cruising along below league average swing speed, not much thunder

very strange

I think I am higher on his odds of being at least a capable major leaguer but lower on his odds of being a star

Frankie

2:55

Which NY team are you buying more to keep the early season success pace?

Ben Clemens

2:56

I think the Yankees. I'm skeptical of the Mets' ability to keep ahead of the pitching injury eight ball

but.... they might hit enough that it doesn't matter

DeeBo

2:56

Matt Chapman HoF odds? 38 WAR thru age 32 season and if the defensive ability holds up, he could have a few big WAR years left in him. Either way, odds certainly look at least as high as someone like Marcus Semien right now

Re: Chapman, I meant thru age 31* season

Ben Clemens

2:56

yeah if he is close to his 2024 form in the next two years, then his peak is starting to look both lengthy and good

2:58

It's a bit awkward b/c his down phase was right in the middle of two peaks, which means that the seven-year standard doesn't really pop for him

but if he ends up in the 55-60 WAR area, which is unlikely but certainly possible given his age and recent pedigree, I think you'd have to put him in for the generational defense

2:59

to be clear, to get to 55-60 WAR he'll have to rack up more defensive accolades

Ham Fighter

2:59

Thanks for writing that article about the Brewers ugly start, got them right back on track.

Ben Clemens

2:59

any time

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