JotCast | Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat

Ben Clemens FanGraphs Chat - 8/30/21

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Ben Clemens

2:26

I'm not sure if more goofy things happen to them, but they certianly make the 'most' of them

Jeff

2:27

Do you see Ty France as a 1B long term? Or can he improve his defense enough to stick at second?

Ben Clemens

2:27

I can see him being what Eric would call a 'shift-enabled' second baseman

I don't think he's ever going to be average there, but I think he can be good enough that teams can put him out there

Matt

2:28

What happened to José Iglesias? -20 DRS this season for a guy who has been regarded as a good defender

Ben Clemens

2:28

I think that's a good way to make you question the magnitude of DRS

2:29

OAA and UZR agree he's been a somewhat bad defender

And they'd both say he hasn't changed a ton, just gotten worse

DRS thinks he's suddenly one of the worst shortstops in years

I'm skeptical!

Tommy

2:29

Do you think Kelenic can make a sophomore leap next season given how he has improved over the course of this season?

Ben Clemens

2:30

Yes

Michael

2:30

Mitch Haniger for Elieser Hernandez, who says no?

Ben Clemens

2:30

The Mariners, I think?

2:32

Like, I get that Hernandez is hyped these days, but he's been basically just okay in his career, and a better changeup is only going to make me buy in so much. Meanwhile Haniger has injury issues but has always performed when healthy

Guest

2:32

Can Ke’Bryan up his launch rate or is this who he is?

Ben Clemens

2:33

He can, for sure. I'm not saying he will, because that's a hard prediction to make, but look no further than Vlad for someone who put the ball in the air more frequently after years of not

Joe

2:34

How frequently can players starting hitting the ball harder. Once someone makes the majors is hard hit % likely somewhat locked in? Im thinking Victor Robles problems. Thanks.

Ben Clemens

2:34

This feels more locked in

not to say it can't change, but particularly if you're adjusting for angle (either the DHH style thing or for spray angle), power seems somewhat consistent

Guest

2:34

Among qualified National Leaguers, Corbin Burnes is leading in strikeout rate, walk rate, and home run rate. Basically the sabermetric pitching equivalent of the Triple Crown -- and unlike Miggy Cabrera's Triple Crown a decade ago, this is a Triple Crown that has never been achieved previously by anybody. (The Big Train led in K and BB rates, but not HR, back in 1913. Jim Whitney, the same, in 1883. And that's the closest anyone else has ever come.) Corbin Burnes' terrible BABIP numbers shouldn't keep him from winning the Cy Young -- and being an MVP contender. He is tied for the N.L. fWAR lead!

Ben Clemens

2:34

Burnes would get my Cy Young vote

2:35

But I do think that runs allowed is kind of important for the Cy Young race (bold take!)

2:36

Given that he has a 2.30 ERA, it's not like he's chopped liver, but you can't just ignore what happens when the ball is put in play

Guest

2:36

Is Austin Adam's 18 HBP in 45 innings some kind of record or what? On that note why aren't HBP counted in Whip stats? ADAMS Has a 1.13 whip but if the 18 were added he would have a much worse Stat?

Ben Clemens

2:37

You'd have to ask the guy who created WHIP, I have no idea. It should clearly be included. I think that walk rate should actually be non-intentional walk + HBP rate, too

Is it some kind of record? Here's an article from MLB.com about it

https://www.mlb.com/news/austin-adams-most-hit-batters-in-mlb-in-2021

Lash

2:38

Hey when! Thoughts on Báez? Am I wrong to feel like I just can’t root for him? Am I wrong to be let down in Lindor as well? But mainly Báez, he seems like an imperious cancer. Tell me I’m wrong!

Ben Clemens

2:38

I mean, I think you're probably wrong

He's been on some very successful teams with fans and players who liked him quite a bit

2:39

Does he not mesh with New York's style of fandom? Perhaps not

I found NY sports fans over-sensitive when I lived there, really quick to say their players were terrible, and I can imagine that not everyone loves th at

But hey, if you don't want to root for him, don't

2:40

That's part of what's neat about baseball. you can root for whoever you want

Grant

2:40

My two cents on Cy Young: if Buehler ends up with an ERA around or below 2.00, and has 35+ innings on Burnes, that'll be tough to beat, even if his K and BB rates are inferior.

Ben Clemens

2:41

Hard to argue with Buehler as a choice, I think he'll definitely win. I am partial to Burnes's sheer dominance but I obviously won't judge anyone for voting Buehler

Steven

2:41

You ranked Trent Grisham a the 34th best trade value player in the league. Since he returned from injury 6/12 he is a 96 wRC+ hitter. I get that he looks cool playing baseball, but he hasn't been... good at it.

Ben Clemens

2:41

You're right friend!

I only ranked him 34th-best player because he looks cool

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