JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 5/15/23

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 5/15/23

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New UK fan

2:09

Why don't teams just consistently piggyback starters for 3-4IP each? (Yes I know this is an old SBF take) Seems an obvious way to balance having your best pitchers throwing the most innings vs the TTO penalty

Ben Clemens

2:09

I think the real argument against this is that it's hard to get the personnel

Yes, it would mitigate the times through the order penalty

2:10

But if you go down to your 8th starter or whatever, that guy is a lot worse than your first starter

I'd rather have, say, Spencer Strider go as long as he can

than piggyback him with, say, Jared Schuster

Shuster*

TooDamnTall

2:11

When does an (undesirable) fastball with cut become a (desirable) cut fastball?

Ben Clemens

2:11

I've thought about this one a lot over the years thanks to Corbin Burnes

What I think you want to avoid is being in between

So if you have a fastball that is purely four-seam, let's say it has 10" of ride and moves armside by 3"

2:12

now if you cut it a little.... 8" of ride, 1" armside

now it's just straighter

cut it a lot, 6" ride, 1" gloveside

now it's nowhere near where the other one was

basically a little bit of cut often just means a pitch moves less like it should

but a lot of cut means it moves liek a different pitch

I'm not sure where the cutoff is, but that's how I think about it

Mike M

2:12

Does the Dodgers taking 5 of 6 from San Diego these past two weekends change your views about the NL West?

Ben Clemens

2:13

No, but I had the Dodgers winning the west before the year, so

Oaktown Blues

2:13

Should I be worried about Shea Langeliers' defense? He's rated as one of the worst catchers in baseball so far, despite most of the scouting reports describing him as a strong defender. What gives?

Ben Clemens

2:14

I wouldn't worry about it too much, at least aside from framing. Defense is noisy on a seasonal level, let alone on a one-month level. As to the framing, uh, yeah I don't know what to say

It seems bad!

I haven't watched enough to have a stronger take than that

2:15

The good thing is, the A's are going to give him all the time in the world to figure it out

Chip

2:15

I know you're a Cardinals guy and I find myself watching them quite a bit this year despite (because of?) the ineptitude. Question: Do you dislike Jim Edmonds' commentary as much as I do? He comes across like a regional Smoltz to me.

Ben Clemens

2:15

I wouldn't go that far, but I tire of him quickly

I like the text message bit, I guess

Winker, Taylor, Soler, Spy

2:15

Just lost Puk to IL, Chafin has been bad and is maybe losing his edge in the AZ bullpen, and Iglesias has been poor since returning from the IL. How would you rank these guys for the next 1-2 weeks: Chafin, Kimbrel, Castro, Graveman

Ben Clemens

2:15

Okay, I threw this question up here entirely because of the username

Now let's read it!

2:17

Uh, I think I'd go Kimbrel, Castro, Graveman, Chafin? I'm worried about Chafin for sure

Esteury Ruiz Has Wheels

2:17

Is Esteury Ruiz having the breakout we were all hoping for? His plate discipline is terrible, but he's got enough bat-to-ball skills and is so fast that, does it even matter? Can he steal 100?

Ben Clemens

2:17

Yeah!

This isn't bad, right?

2:18

The absolute lack of power is exaxcxtly as advertised

But I think that this is the path forward for him. Walk into the very occasional home run, use your speed to beat out infield hits and turn singles into doubles, and don't strike out much

We Appreciate The Chats

2:18

The interaction with you and your colleagues (JJ, DSzym) through chats, quick hits to supplement the deep dives of the articles, is a highlight of this site for some of us. Thank you.

cool

5

Ben Clemens

2:18

Thanks

Hunter

2:18

I didn't mean to send something that was more of a comment then a question. Tigers questions! (I know it's early for this one) Where are best fits for E-Rod the Ace? What would a good return be?

Is there a better Mustache in Baseball than Jake Rogers?

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