JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 4/3/23

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 4/3/23

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Ben Clemens

3:22

Someone's gotta figure out how to make these hats stay on!

Shane

3:22

Since 1950, 3 of the top 4 seasons by ERA- are the 2020-2022 Dodgers. Is this perhaps the greatest three season pitching stretch in baseball history (albeit with 2020 being abbreviated)? Do we appreciate how significant of an accomplishment this is and just how good this pitching staff has been?

Ben Clemens

3:23

It's really remarkable. Their BABIP allowed was just insanity

They just turned batted balls into outs at an unprecedented rate

We'll see if they can keep that going but it's truly a dominant stretch

RTJ

3:23

Is it bad for me to assume that by Memorial day, we'll be down to so few pitch clock violations as everyone continues to adapt, that we'll not need these nuanced tinkerings

Ben Clemens

3:24

Nah, completely reasonable assumption. I hope that the league has a plan in place in case that doesn't turn out to be true, but 'hey they'll figure it out' is a great baseline assumption imo

party

2

Yeah Well Hiura Towel

3:24

Anyone else think there were too many stolen bases over the weekend? Maybe I just need time to adjust.

Guest

3:24

How many steals would be too many for you? Personally I think this style of play is just so fun

Ben Clemens

3:25

Everyone has their own views on this

I love steals, I'm pretty happy with the changes

TurangSZN

3:25

Brice Turang has been electric for the Brewers on offense and defense so far. Do you foresee a potential ROTY campaign?

Ben Clemens

3:25

I'd say it's a liiiiiittle early but I'm excited

3:26

I have loved Turang a disproportionate amount ever since I did the crowdsourced Brewers OOTP series in 2020 and rushed him to the majors

3:27

Okay, gonna do a quick lightning round and then call it a day. I've tried to run the whole chat quickly because you've had some excellent questions today, but this will be REALLY fast

Jimmy5

3:27

AJ Puk, Evan Phillips, A. Minter. Who do you prefer ROS?

Ben Clemens

3:27

Phillips

Flip

3:27

Joc gonna hit 40 bombs this year?

Ben Clemens

3:27

36

Yeah Well Hiura Towel

3:27

If the overall rate of steals is THIS successful, it's not really "stealing" is it? It's taking an extra base and only if you kinda suck do you get thrown out

Ben Clemens

3:27

I cannot discern the difference between 83% (this year's stolen base rate) and 75.5% (last year's)

Tstats

3:27

do you think we get a whiff distance stats soon?

Ben Clemens

3:28

This year is my guess

bosoxforlife

3:28

I am looking forward to seeing the effects of the rule changes on pull side batting average. I couldn't handle, despised, hated watching balls that had been base hits since I first went to Fenway in 1948 being gobbled up by the Industrial League slow-pitch softball short-fielder.

Ben Clemens

3:28

Haha short fielder

It's true!

Eh?

3:28

I've really enjoyed the pitch clock so far, but one thing I don't like is the effect it will have on stats like "X pitcher has a .540 OPS against when he starts a batter with a strike/ball". For example, in the Jays game on opening day, Manoah was penalized with a ball to start off an at-bat because Alejandro Kirk wasn't ready or something.

Ben Clemens

3:28

It's not gonna happen often enough to matter

Plus, it is probably still measuring what you want to measure

the big effect of getting to a count is not how you got there, it's the fact that both pitcher and batter approach change

trophy

2

B'ryce Szymbobski

3:29

Not to totally hijack this thread, but uh... why are you down on Olson?

Ben Clemens

3:29

Just think that if his power ticks down a tad, like it did last year, the carrying tool isn't quite so clear to me

tongue

1

A Boy Named Yu

3:29

Marcus Stroman enjoys the fact he was the first pitcher ever penalized in a real game. Good trivia fact to know.

Guest

3:29

Well, the difference between 83 and 75 is big since 83 is the benchmark for "do it always"

Ben Clemens

3:30

Oh sure. I'm just saying I don't notice runners getting thrown out at a different clip

Teams will probably steal more, and get thrown out more, as time goes on.

Alright, with that let's call it a day, have a great one everyone and I'll talk to you again this time next week

Baseball!

party

1

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