JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 6/28/21

Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page

Ben Clemens

3:19

I agree with you that he has a skillset that looks likely to age well, but there are injury and keratoconus (degenerative eye disease) concerns

If he gets, say, 2/25 with a third year team optoin for 15

I think that'd be reasonable

3:20

And I think the team would get good value in exchange for taking a bit of injury risk

Padres458

3:20

Anything specific that is resulting in Grisham's defense not being as good as last years?

Ben Clemens

3:20

I hadn't noticed that it was worse

Went to look, and I'm not convinced that it is

3:21

DRS thinks he's slightly worse per inning, UZR thinks he's way worse, OAA thinks he's about the same

(he's definitely above average, whatever you think)

KCBbq

3:21

Where are you on the concern level with the drop in spin rates for pitchers such as Cole? He's been hit harder and given up more runs at a higher rate since June 3rd.

Ben Clemens

3:22

Let's say Yellow Alert, to use the Star Trek alert system arbitrarily

It's going to be more of an adjustment for pitchers who were, shall we say, habitual tackers

But I wouldn't bet against Gerrit Cole making that adjustment

3:23

His talent level is absolutely not a question. I do worry that he can't go to the 'just use more sinkers' plan as much as everyone else, but his stuff is still elite even with less psin

spin*

Eva

3:23

Thanks for the great chat/responses. Follow-up (if this isn't too much Carlson for one chat): am I overreacting to think that Carlson's been too passive? The plate discipline has been nice to see, but it feels like he's not capitalizing on the opportunities he DOES get, or maybe that he isn't hitting the ball hard enough. Is that just normal rookie growing pains and I should calm down?

Ben Clemens

3:24

I'd say basically yes. There will always be growing pains for a young switch hitter, and I agree with you that he's letting drivable pitches go by

I'd rather have that, though, than the reverse, and there's no reason to question his raw power -- it's not going to be elite, but that's not really the kind of player he is

Padres458

3:24

To me he has looked great, I asked because his defensive WAR is significantly lower.

Ben Clemens

3:25

Ah yeah, totally makes sense

We use UZR to feed our defensive WAR and it thinks the worst of him

But eh, watch this space, I'll just say

KCBbq

3:25

Is Trammell the most likely odd man out when Kelenic returns?

Ben Clemens

3:25

Yes, I think so

Raw deal for him, but someone has to go

3:26

He's been good this time up

But I don' think they're sending Shed Long down, so I guess it's him or Jake Fraley?

And I think they'd rather have Trammell get everyday reps

Even if it's in AAA

Guest

3:27

is it possible for a player to buy into a team philosophy too much? What if a team is wrong? For example, a bunch of Yankees walking way more this year, but it's like the only good thing they're doing. Everything else is cratering.

Ben Clemens

3:27

Yes, for sure

Not just what if the team is wrong, but what if that philosophy just doesn't work for that kind of player

If you want a lazy example, read anything ever written about Pirates pitchers

3:28

But generally speaking, it's possible to buy in too much, b/c some philosophies are too cookie-cutter

I can't say whether NYY's is -- in fact, I doubt it

But figuring out the right teahcing style for a given player is not always easy

Or the cues that will help them play best

Brian

3:29