JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 7/20/20

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Ben Clemens

3:20

I would like to think they will, but I just don't think that's ognna be done

I think the opposing players will be chirpy though

Adam

3:20

Which happens first this year, a position player pitches or a pitcher bats?

Ben Clemens

3:20

Position player pitches

For sure

Teams are gonna be very interested in conserving pitching

Isolated Thinker

3:20

Could we see SP come in to close games on their throw days, especially for day games, and especially for teams with shaky closer situations? Each win is almost as important as a playoff win.

Ben Clemens

3:20

Maybe toward the end of the year

3:21

Early on, I think teams are terrified of hurting their starters

Adam

3:21

Even with 30 man rosters for the first two weeks?

Ben Clemens

3:21

Hm.... I think even then

for a pitcher to bat you need to exhaust all your pinch hitters with no pinch hitting for a pitcher

Which is really hard

Rodrigo

3:21

Since Stearns arrived Brewers rotations have been projected by FG at 26th, 25th, 19th & 24th from 2016-19 with them actually finishing 23rd, 10th, 15th & 15th by runs allowed WAR in those seasons. HOW THEY DO THAT?

Ben Clemens

3:21

I dunno, they appear to be partially magical

3:22

It's really cool to see though

To be clear it's totally in range to just be noise

But I hope it isn't

And I do love their emphasis on getting relievers with unique release points

3:22

I am reaching to take Degrom at 1.5? If Cole is such a no-brainer this high, why not Degrom (other than the back scare which he should have put to rest yesterday)? He is scheduled for the Marlins with 2 out of his first 6 starts.

Ben Clemens

3:22

So, I have not drafted any fantasy teams for the short season

After all my old ones got canceled and I was going to be busy with season preview stuff I just said nah

3:23

But it makes sense to me!

Mike Hawk

3:23

What's your most and least favorite part of these chats?

Ben Clemens

3:24

My favorite part of it is that I often think you know what? I'd like to answer more questions but with less though

Legitimately, no foolies

thought*

I think that I'm at my best when I'm free associating (on a relative basis)

Like I'm not as confident in my ability to go deep as some other baseball researchers

3:25

But I feel pretty good about my ability to go fast

Worst part is that there are usually a lot of good questions I don't answer and some good questions I do answer but poorly

My Name

3:25

Serious question: if Wilson Ramos has a 5 game hitting streak going, batting .500+ with 5+ HR in those games, but needs a day off behind the plate, and the DH options are struggling, there is no excuse to DH Ramos? Alternate scenario: Alonso needs a day off, and Cespedes is moving well- DH McNeil to give him a break, play Smith at 1B, Ces in LF, Davis at 3B- completely undefensible?

Ben Clemens

3:26

As to the first one, I can see them doing it

But I do not think it makes sense

Actually I'm not even sure I could see that happening

5 HR in 5 games for Wilson Ramos? Unlikely!

3:27

But 5 games doesn't make Wilson Ramos a better hitter than J.D. Davis

As to the second, I can see that one more

3:28

TO be clear I'm not counting playing Smith at 1B as a bad defensive choice if Alonso needs a break

Only in LF