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Craig Edwards FanGraphs Chat--9/10/2020
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Craig Edwards
2:44
I think you can be pretty excited. He hits the ball hard. He runs fast. I'm not sure about center field long term so he needs to do well on offense. That could prevent him from being all-star caliber but should be a regular.
Jkim
2:45
Dodger fan here, but am actually kind of worried that their record is a bit inflated w/ the really low ERA compared to FIP, also evidenced by the huge xwOBA-wOBA gap in the pitching. Especially in a short series I do think the pitching will be a problem if Buehler's blister issues continue.
Craig Edwards
2:47
In a short series anything could be a problem and losing a team's best pitcher hurts anybody. Even by FIP, though the Dodgers are the eighth-best pitching team in baseball so far.
Mize
2:47
Can Trout still lead the majors in WAR?
Craig Edwards
2:49
I'm not going to put anything past Mike Trout, but a one-win gap in just over two weeks is going be pretty tough. It would take a slump by Tatis Jr. where he wasn't actually adding value while Trout just put up another two weeks like the last two weeks. The AL is still very much in his grasp, however.
FunFella13
2:49
You can still wear white shirts, Craig.  Just not white pants.
Craig Edwards
2:49
I will keep that in mind.
Guest
2:50
Thoughts on the Cardinals outfield moving forward, this year and next?
Craig Edwards
2:53
The shortened season isn't doing the team any favors. Fowler will be on the last year of his deal next year so will still pay at least some. Carlson should be an everyday guy. Bader and O'Neill have looked good in spurts and should still be fighting for time. There really isn't an easy answer. Edman should be on the infield. I think they continue to mix and match this year, and might end up doing the same next.
Guest
2:54
Will Corbin Burnes or Brandon Woodruf be better in 2021?
Craig Edwards
2:54
Good question. I'd lean Woodruff, but you've got to be pretty happy with how the rotation is setting up this year and in the future.
Big Fan
2:55
Craig, Austin Riley seems to have turned it around over the last month.  Any insight into whether he's made adjustments and figured things out?  He's still striking out a lot, but the results overall are really good.
Craig Edwards
2:56
He's actually striking out much less, which is a very good sign going forward though I haven't take a closer look.
Scuffy Mcgee
2:56
Do the Rays have enough offense this year to really contend for a championship?
Craig Edwards
2:58
There's still not a lot there offensively, but a team doesn't have to be a dynamo on offense to win it all. The Royals are the most recent example, and the Rays are better than them. Their wRC+ at the moment is even with the Nationals last year.
BarryBondsJuicedForOurSins
3:00
Javy Baez....what up with that?
Craig Edwards
3:01
He partly faults video. His strikeouts are up for the second straight year after his 2018 breakout. He isn't hitting the ball as hard when he makes contact. We are also dealing with just 40 games and Baez's game could be prone to fluctuations like that over a short amount of time.
Jimmy
3:02
Fewer games and poor defense, but will 200+ wRC+ gett Juan Soto any MVP votes?
Craig Edwards
3:03
First place votes? I don't see that happening. I'm not sure it won't be unanimous, though maybe Betts gets a few.
BarryBondsJuicedForOurSins
3:04
Outside of Wander, which prospects (that haven't been called up) do you miss this season?
Craig Edwards
3:05
I'm not sure there really are any. Look at the current level up on the board. There's a ton of MLB. https://www.fangraphs.com/prospects/the-board/2020-in-season-prospect-...
There are some guys where it is about genuine curiousity, but not where the game is missing out on seeing guys.
Childish Giambino
3:06
Piggyback to Scuffy Mcgee's question, if the Rays have enough offense to contend for a championship, do the Indians?
Craig Edwards
3:06
It asks a lot from the pitching staff, but it is certainly possible.
Appa Yip Yip
3:07
How sad would Dodgers fans be if a Ryu led Jays team beat them in the WS?
Craig Edwards
3:08
I really doubt the opponent would really matter in this case.
Gunther Centralperk
3:08
Do you think the Dodgers can/will (two questions) keep all of Bellinger, Buehler and Seager for the “long term”?
Craig Edwards
3:09
I think Seager would be the least likely of those three, but if they want to, they can.
Jimmy
3:09
On Soto: Not first place votes, but will he get recognition?
Craig Edwards
3:10
If he finishes the season strong, he will get some downballot votes, but not a top-five finish or anything.
Bill
3:11
What is the longer term outlook on Nick Madrigal? What type of player is he in a couple years?
Craig Edwards
3:13
same player he is now, roughly. Second baseman who makes a ton of contact, hits for a high enough average to get on base a decent amount. Should be a better baserunner than his numbers say in this small sample.
Morbo
3:13
Craig, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I read in one of your articles or a chat that in a former life you were an attorney. Do you have any advice for someone who is also trying to become a former lawyer?
Craig Edwards
3:15
Find something you love doing enough that you are willing to spend a ton of your spare time on it so that you can hopefully make a smooth transition to whatever it is you dream of doing. It's not easy, but worth it if you are unhappy. Always try for happiness.
That's all I've got time for today. Thanks for all the questions.
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