JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 6/14/21

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Joe

2:13

12 teamer got an empty roster spot looking to add a bat, position doesn’t really matter, Fraley or Bobby Bradley?

Ben Clemens

2:14

Bobby Bradley but without a ton of confidence

Jacques Pederson

2:14

Cardinals are making me sad again

Ben Clemens

2:14

I'm not going to lie, it's been a rough week

2:14

I've seen people mention certain pitchers with spin rates dropping 100-150 RPM for a given pitch. Is that considered a significant decrease in spin rate?

Ben Clemens

2:14

Yes and no?

Pitchers have variation in spin from game to game for lots of reasons

Change in velo, change in weather, just feeling off that day, whatever

2:15

The longer it persists, the more likely it is that it's real

And the bigger the change

Derek

2:16

I find it extremely ironic that MLB is the American sport most outwardly concerned with pace of play being too slow when, in my opinion, NFL and (especially) NBA games are the most bogged down by endless replays in what should be the most exciting and tense parts of the game. Is it MLB's fault for needlessly making such a big deal out of the pace of play stuff?

Ben Clemens

2:16

I think it's a little bit of both. They both have a lot of replays in exciting parts of the game, but they do have a higher action per minute level

2:17

I don't think Manfred's endless whining about it is helping by any means

But baseball is a naturally slower game

Moonlight Graham

2:17

Is there a fringe all star or under appreciated player you really hope makes the ASG? In a similar fashion Cedric Mullins will definitely be on the roster, but I hope he starts.

Ben Clemens

2:17

Yes, for sure

2:18

Mullins is a good choice. I think it'd be cool for Kiner-Falefa to make it and I think he's likely to as the Rangers' representative

Unless Adolis Garcia is the representative, also cool!

2:19

I'm not sure Carlos Rodon still counts as under-appreciated but him too

And Pablo Lopez is just good

He'd be a cool all star

The Mook

2:19

Are Mookie Betts best days behind him? He seems to have dropped from challenging Trout to merely pretty good.

Ben Clemens

2:20

I mean, if you're asking whether I think he'll outdo his 2018 season, I'll say no

If you're asking whether I think he's still a 5-6 WAR player, I think yes

When he signed his extension, ZiPS had him in the top 10 for projected WAR over the next 3 years, 4th or 5th I think?

And I'd guess he's still right around there

2:21

I do not think he has that extra gear, but he only really had one year where he was TRULY Trout-tier

Like, 2016 was a great year too but that was more high-volume than high rate

great rate, but also 730 PA

In five years..

2:21

...are these the five best players in baseball, in order? 1. Tatis Jr, 2. Acuna Jr, 3. Vlad Jr, 4. Juan Soto, 5. Wander Franco (with Trout still handing out there, Federer-style)

Ben Clemens

2:22

Those are all good guesses, I'd lay good odds that the list isn't right though

Because that's just not how predicting the future works

Fan who likes graphs

2:22

Any hope for the Nats?

Ben Clemens

2:22

It's getting late

2:23

I'm just gonna say no for this year, unfortunately. The pitching situation is too dire

Joey

2:23

Does Correa to the Tigers seem too obvious to happen? Obviously due to the Hinch connection and lack of immediate and long-term SS in waiting for the Tigers. Plus would you be surprised if the Tigers "bought" at the deadline as in players with multiple years of control still?

Ben Clemens

2:23

Given that I hadn't really considered it, I don't think it's too obvious to happen

I don' particularly get the feeling that the Tigers are one hitter away

2:24

I would absolutely be surprised if the Tigers bought at the deadline

They're 26-39!

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