JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 6/3/22

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Ben Clemens

1:06

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/lets-look-ahead-to-the-trade-deadline/

I could see Benintendi working out okay, they really could just use more bats of any stripe

Hunter Jesus

1:07

Will Brujan hit enough to stay up and hold down a job?

Ben Clemens

1:07

Ooh, good question

I'm skeptical that he's going to be a plus hitter, but I think the speed and versatility play enough that he'll get plenty of chances to develop

Eric

1:08

Is Jackson Chourio actually the next top prospect in the minors? Seeing a lot of hype that he’s the future number 1 overall prospect in the MLB

Ben Clemens

1:08

I'll be honest: I've seen the same hype and I really don't know

The error bands on guys his age are so wide

Wander Walls by Margotasis

1:08

When does Aranda get a look, because Walls and Brujan aren't cutting it.

Ben Clemens

1:08

I think Walls is pretty locked in

1:09

They like his defense more than they dislike his offense

I'd like to see Aranda get some run, though, there's just not that much more for him to prove in the minors

BettsBellingerCaruso

1:09

How great was that Pham-Pederson story? I haven't laughed at a headline like that in a while.

Ben Clemens

1:09

It is the best story we've had in baseball all year

1:10

It made me like both Joc and Pham more

The delightful interview where Joc was just showing his phone to reporters, A+

1:11

Pham saying he owed Joc a slap for disrespecting the Padres and then doing it six months later, I don't condone slapping, but if you're going to do it, doing that and then being done with it is also hilarious

Them both agreeing that Trout was maybe not the best commissioner, and then Trout having to decline comment on whether he'd step down as commissioner? I mean, you can't make this stuff up

BettsBellingerCaruso

1:11

Re:Pham-Joc. I wish The League was still on to cover this beef

Ben Clemens

1:11

It would have been an excellent episode theme

Guest

1:11

What do you make of Anthony Volpe's struggles in AA? Adjustment period or too high expectations after last season?

Ben Clemens

1:12

A little from column A, a little from column B

Prospects don't usually overwhelm every level they play in forever

Blake

1:12

Odds Jose Altuve tops his career high in wRC+ this year? At 159 now, vs 160 his MVP year in 2017.

Ben Clemens

1:12

I'll make it 15%

To top your career wRC+ when it's something that high, you want to be well ahead of the pace at this point in the year

Wander Walls by Margotasis

1:13

That MTV claymation death match show would make baseball mainstream again with the Pham slap.

Hunter Jesus

1:13

Vinnie P or Casas long term? I feel like the team context will hold Vinnie down, even though its possible he's the superior overall hitter.

Ben Clemens

1:13

Gimme Casas, I feel like his natural power is going to lead to a lot of oppo homers and doubles in Fenway

chilly

1:14

who would you have as the early roy in each league based on performance up to this point? pena and morel? both look legit to my untrained eye but id like to hear your take

Ben Clemens

1:14

Pena and TBD in the NL

just no one really impressing me so far

calbert

1:15

Do the Cubs extend or trade Willy? If they trade him, what is a realistic return? Would the Mets consider giving up one of their top prospects for another Cub rental?

Ben Clemens

1:16

I don't know but I hope they extend him

Like I said, it'd be weird to have no Cubs left over from that team so soon

The Real Ben Clemens

1:16

hot take: trading Soto would be bad for baseball if it happened

Ben Clemens

1:16

Is that a hot take?

Maybe Ben Clemens

1:17