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Jeff Sullivan FanGraphs Chat -- 4/8/16
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dgrussel
9:27
Joey Rickard got a curtain call last night. I blame you, Jeff for this ridiculousness.
Jeff Sullivan
9:28
I didn't start this. I wrote about him when he was already on the rise. And I sure as shit didn't call him hitting a home run
mtsw
9:28
Rockies home opener today. Haven't seen much discussion of changes to the fences in Coors Field. Some of the fences are growing 8 feet higher. Presumably this will lead to fewer HR and more extra base hits. Will that help or hurt the Rockies given how their roster is constructed?
Jeff Sullivan
9:29
It's barely going to make a difference
Matt
9:29
Obviously Story won't hit 200+ HRs, but is that power for real? Was he thought of as a power guy?
Jeff Sullivan
9:30
He's been thought of as a guy with power, not as a power guy. He needs that power given how often he puts the ball in the air. I'll be real interested to see where he tops out in terms of batted-ball speed -- so far he's peaked at 112, in spring training. With how high he hits the ball, anything at 100+ gives him a shot to go over the fence
9:31
If Story has improved his strength/bat speed by, say, 5%, that's huge. Then he'd hit 30 homers every season
He'll be a lower-BABIP guy (adjusted for Coors), but he'll hit his dingers
Josh
9:33
Better chance to reach 30 HR this year: Randal Grichuk, Byung Ho Park, or Jonathan Schoop?
Jeff Sullivan
9:33
I'll say Grichuk by a hair over Park
I don't doubt Park's power but I doubt Grichuk's power even less
Guest
9:34
how much investing to you do? does fangraphs have a 401k for you guys or do you set up your own IRA? do you just pad savings with spare money? i ask because i find you intelligent and respect your opinion on life decisions
Jeff Sullivan
9:35
Going to do more investing but I've had a Roth IRA for a while. FG doesn't have a 401k. Vox Media didn't either when I worked there but they did provide stock options. Dave is much more financially responsible. One day I'll be better about listening to him
Vasil v
9:36
I'm trying to decide between zack cosart and Chris couglan for my middle infield. Who do you see having a better year. on base, ops league.
Jeff Sullivan
9:36
I can't believe I'm actually answering a fantasy question but Coghlan
Brian
9:36
does alex wood last the year in the Dodger's rotation?
Jeff Sullivan
9:37
The fact that he was on the outside looking in in early spring training doesn't bode well. At some point they're going to have a lot of healthy pitchers. But I figure he'll make 20+ starts. On just about any other team, he'd be a lock
Astros Fan
9:39
Should Astros fans be worried about Giles? He got shelled all spring and hes looked really bad now in 2 real games. Slider velocity is down as well.
Jeff Sullivan
9:39
I'm not worried yet. Conditions haven't been very good in New York in the early going and the Teixeira home run was a joke
9:40
Give him a month and re-evaluate
Erik
9:41
What's the point of Charlie Morton? Isn't the best case scenario that he does well enough to be flipped for a low-level lottery ticket who isn't likely to be better than a fifth starter? But given that the Phillies already gave up a prospect like that to get him, and that he's blocking a player of that level at AAA from getting a shot, how could the Phillies possibly come out ahead?
Jeff Sullivan
9:42
The Phillies need people to pitch. Their pitching is terrible. You might've noticed Jeremy Hellickson starting on opening day. Good pitchers will develop in time, but pitchers need to be available to take the mound now, and the best-case scenario is that Morton does well enough to move in July. Then the Phillies can get a prospect or two, after having gotten three or four months of half-decent pitching. Maybe it doesn't work, but they're unlikely to miss David Whitehead
Guest
9:42
Do you enjoy Las Vegas?
Jeff Sullivan
9:42
No
9:43
but I enjoy Red Rocks
JCNY
9:43
ROS: Story or Russell?
Jeff Sullivan
9:43
Russell by a little, because of his defense
Kvn
9:44
They're chanting Joey Rickard's name during almost every PA in Baltimore. If he keeps hitting he might reach messianic levels of hometown support.
Jeff Sullivan
9:44
All those dinger-hitters in the order and the crowd goes crazy for the slap-hitting Rule 5er. It's so sports
Burts_beads
9:45
Do you think we're at a point where sabermetrics is popular/well-known enough that many players are starting to take metrics into account and adjusting their approach based on them?
Jeff Sullivan
9:46
Some of them. Some of them directly, and some of them through coaches/advisors. One real benefit is that right now players can get direct and immediate feedback. Like, a pitcher can throw a start and then quickly go check out his PITCHf/x afterward. Couldn't do that before. So it helps. Many players still prefer to go about their business without cluttering their minds, but for those who are inquisitive and adaptable, the information is out there
Gary Gorr
9:47
Welcome to Canada. How did you enjoy Pitch Talks
Jeff Sullivan
9:47
I'm...not...part of that?
Guest
9:47
I know you live in Portland but do you know Seattle well enough to give me suggestions of things for my wife and i to do on a trip there? The stuff listed on TripAdvisor seems.... underwhelming
Jeff Sullivan
9:47
I just want to tell you to get out of the city and visit Mt Rainier. Go to Mt Rainier!
9:48
The honest answer is no, I don't know Seattle well enough. But you should definitely consider a ballgame. Safeco is wonderful. Also, Mt Rainier
Zorak
9:48
The most fascinating part of the 2016 season will be the great Socrates vs Adonis vs Arquimedes debate.
Jeff Sullivan
9:48
#ImWithSocrates
Gary Gorr
9:48
Opps, wrong guy
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