JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 8/18/25

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Ben Clemens

2:42

but yeah, our projections have definitely consistently been low on them

Doctor, doctor

2:42

Will the Astros be able to fix Jésus Sanchez? Isn't Sanchez supposed to be a contact guy?

Ben Clemens

2:43

I mean, I dno't think he's THIS bad

but he has a career 26% strikeout rate, he's not a slap hitter or anything. His big standout tool was power

Lowe Distribution System

2:43

Did you see Jesus Sanchez rob a grand slam AND a three-run homer in the same game? And that the Astros still gave up 12 runs??

Ben Clemens

2:44

I did not... but that's kind of amazing

Opifijikl

2:44

If you were the Red Sox, would you call up Tolle or some other prospect to help with their relief pitching down the stretch? Am I overreacting to Campbell (the pitcher)'s bad performance? Trade deadline's over so don't say you'd have done more then!

Ben Clemens

2:44

Oh yeah, haha, the deadline has passed and I didn't hate their decision-making in terms of relievers then, so I'll leave that out of my response

but yes, I would

2:45

I think that throwing a bunch of high-variance spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks is ag reat idea

I see that Red Sox fans have already gone through the Jordan Hicks fandom arc, which I've seen firsthand as a Cards fan living in SF

'oooh, shiny velocity! let's make him our closer'
'wait where are the striekouts?'
'this is bad'
(one good appearance) 'oh my god, he coudl be so good'

2:46

and like, sometimes he is!

but yeah, he's a known quantity at this point, try some new stuff and try to build a great playoff bullpen

I'd try Kyle Harrison in relief too, unless they have specific starting plans for him that preclude that. He looked way better in relief on teh Giants

Uninvited Guest

2:46

I come here for the writing first and the math second…the writing is so good!!

Ben Clemens

2:46

well, thank you very much for that, then

we obviously think it's good too

2:47

and I think that hiring guys like Baumann has upped our literary cred for sure

Alby

2:47

At that point in his career, Barry Bonds wasn't Barry Bonds either.

Ben Clemens

2:47

no, but he had a 124 wRC+ and an incredible approach at the plate (re Oneil Cruz)

2:48

also he was 23, Cruz is 26, and Bonds accrued more WAR in his first two seasons than Cruz has in his career

Guest

2:48

I'm here for that sweet shade of blue when your question gets answered.

Ben Clemens

2:48

I didn't even know that existed

but here

DBRuns

2:49

Any chance Devers gets 3B eligibility for Ottoneau (5 GS or 10 GP)?

Ben Clemens

2:49

I don't think so, sadly

I think it's smart to let him stay at first and learn there. Chapman's gonna be around for a while

Guest

2:49

*was* goldy a good move? surely they knew he didn't hit rhp last year, and well that definitely didn't change this season

Ben Clemens

2:49

I think it was a neutral one

2:50

like, it was fine. it's been fine. the cost wasn't awful, they didn't have any obviously better options

i thought the Devin Williams move was actively good even though it hasn't worked out

d'Rake Baldwin

2:50

Depending on what you read, it's either me or Isaac Collins for NL ROY. Which way do you think it goes?

Ben Clemens

2:50

I think it goes to Collins because voters will want to recognize the Brewers for such a great season in award voting

Taeko Okajima

2:51

As a NPB and MLB fan, it will be bittersweet to see Munetaka Murakami move from my hometown Swallows to the MLB soon. What teams does he seem like a good fit for?

Ben Clemens

2:51

All of them

2:52

everyone should want him; translating NPB performance to MLB is never an exact science but I don't know how you look at his performance and see anything other than 'potentially spectacular hitter'

2:54

I guess maybe you can say that parks with short porches in right are slihgtly better because he's a lefty, but he has such huge raw power that I doubt it matters all that much

I think Eric has him down as sticking at third base, so maybe a team that can let him play third...

oh god, it's the Dodgers

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