JotCast | Kevin Goldstein FanGraphs Chat 5/10/2021

Kevin Goldstein FanGraphs Chat 5/10/2021

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Kevin Goldstein

12:00

Hi everybody, it's Monday. There's baseball, there's minor league baseball, and the May sumo tournament began with all four ozeki winning their first match yesterday. Let's chat!

Kiko

12:01

Do the Brewers have something in Tyrone Taylor, or is it just a SSS hot start?

Kevin Goldstein

12:01

I think there's a real bat in there. I don't think it's a 132 wRC+, but it's a big league bat.

ben

12:01

if you worked at mlb, how would you solve the rising K problems and other on-field issues in the game?

Kevin Goldstein

12:03

I don't have an answer. I don't like the current proposals, and while I'd like to see it change organically, I do think we're on a path of this continuing and five years from now, we'll be looking at 15+ K/9. I think on a PR level (different subject) baseball would be best served by not having broadcasters spend three hours bitching about baseball every time you tune into a game.

Big Fan

12:03

It's really early, but is there anything you can say about how prospect development was impacted for those who were at their Alt Sites last year vs those who weren't?

Kevin Goldstein

12:04

It was definitely impacted, but how much is going to be hard to measure for really a few years, and there will never be a blanket statement to be made because how it impacted each player will be different.

John

12:04

Let's talk Matt Manning and the magic that he will deliver this year. Tiger's have to call him up in May right? They need any excitement they can give their fans, plus he's ready.

Kevin Goldstein

12:04

Dude gave up three home runs in his first AAA start, and he's ready? Calm down.

Brian

12:04

From your time with Houston, what would you say you felt the organization did best in regards to scouting/drafting, and what was an area that needed improvement?

Kevin Goldstein

12:05

Evaluating pitcher's raw stuff via data and video; evaluating pitcher's command via data and video.

Concerned

12:06

Worried about Luciano and/or Torkelson yet? K train has kept on chugging for both from spring into early-season action

Kevin Goldstein

12:06

Not a ton. Calm down.

Frank

12:06

How much does Jairo Solis’s injury scare you off from him, at least in terms of becoming a good SP?

Kevin Goldstein

12:06

I mean . . . if you are going to develop, you need to pitch. It's just so much time lost. Yes, I'm concerned.

Jack

12:07

Luis Medina NYY looks good so far. When do you anticipate him being promoted to AA?

Kevin Goldstein

12:07

It's two starts, his stuff has been very good, his command is still shaky. Calm down.

George

12:07

Do teams care about minor league wins and losses? I know they talk about creating a “winning culture” but if the focus is development how do they balance the two?

Kevin Goldstein

12:08

Player development comes first, second and third. Winning is fourth. If you are trying to develop a guy to hit leadoff and he's hitting .222/.287/.341, he's going to keep hitting leadoff. You don't bench guys to win.

SpikesFan

12:08

Any idea when the MLB Draft League rosters will be announced? Games start on the 24th, seems like it should be soon. Any plans to watch these games?

Kevin Goldstein

12:08

We'll keep an eye on it, but it's looking right now like it will be a league for potential day three guys.

Sharp

12:09

Is there any truth at all to the old mindset that the "last three outs are the hardest to get" and some guys simply don't have what it takes to close a ballgame?

Kevin Goldstein

12:09

Absolutely.

Guest

12:09

What's the biggest misconception people outside the industry have re: pro scouting?

Kevin Goldstein

12:10

That it's a bunch of old guys sitting around chewing tobacco and talking about players' girlfriends. I'm not saying those folks don't exist, but they're a very small minority.

Guest

12:10

What are your thoughts on video scouting vs. in-person looks for scouting both minor league and collegiate prospects?

Kevin Goldstein

12:10

I think you can delivery a very good evaluation if the video and data is good enough. An evaluation that helps with decision making. You also still should have someone(s) see the player in person.

Erik

12:11

Baseball video games typically have a "stamina" metric for pitchers that marks how deep they can pitch in a game. Is that at all reflective of reality? A pitcher's role seems to depend mostly on their control and how many pitches they have. Do guys have any inherent "stamina" or can pretty much any pitcher build up to 100 pitches given enough time?

Kevin Goldstein

12:11

I'm sure it's far from perfect. 100 pitches don't exist in a vacuum. Stress pitching have to be counted. 100 pitches over five innings is far more stressful than 100 over nine.

12:11

Am I correct that manager's job astronomically more difficult than some fans think it is? Managing a pitching staff, making decisions to put players in the best position to succeed. Plus the job of managing a large group of people: coaching staff and players. Motivating everyone and keeping the morale as high as possible. On top of that, you're literally the spokesperson for the team. After the game you're the one getting interviewed having to answer questions about the game.

Kevin Goldstein

12:12

You are absolutely correct. The manager job is incredibly more difficult and impactful than many think it is.

Cody Christie

12:12

Is there any hope for the Twins this year?

Kevin Goldstein

12:12

They have to play .600 ball the rest of the way just to win 90. So they've definitely dug themselves a sizeable hole.

Justin

12:13

Do you think Richard Rodriguez is good enough to bring back a good prospect in a deadline deal?

Kevin Goldstein

12:13

They're going to find out! Depends on how you define good. They're not going to get into a Top 100 or anything.

Joey

12:13

Sam Bachman... more likely to be a reliever or starter in your mind?

Kevin Goldstein

12:14

I would set the odds at 80/20 reliever, but I'm sure he'll likely get sent out as a starter. Also, over the next decade there's a chance we are re-asking the question of what's a starter? Maybe it's someone you just expect 9-15 outs from for the most part . . . .

Defenestrater

12:14

How in the world does Yasmani Grandal have a slash line of .113/.378/.242?!?!

Kevin Goldstein

12:15

.119 BABIP carrying a lot of water.

Jeb

12:16

What are your thoughts on Nick Gonzalez? What is his ultimate upside?

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