JotCast | Kevin Goldstein FanGraphs Chat 5/17/2021

Kevin Goldstein FanGraphs Chat 5/17/2021

Kevin Goldstein

12:01

Hi everyone. Welcome to the working week. I know it don't thrill you, I hope it don't kill you. Let's start it right with a fun chat. It's fun god dammit.

Drew Haugen

12:01

Best Jeremy Pena comp?

Kevin Goldstein

12:01

Edgar Renteria.

MLB The Shohei

12:01

I enjoyed the twitch stream that you did with Eric last week, thanks

Kevin Goldstein

12:02

Thanks for watching with us! It's was an experiment and so I'm glad you liked it. We'll do more. We have fun with them. and you always get to see Eric's hair, which is glorious.

Mike

12:02

I know you said last week that you liked Ynoa a lot and tried to trade for him with Houston. I'm curious what you think about him now. Can he survive as a starter with just a fastball and the slider -- even if they're both great?

Kevin Goldstein

12:02

I think so. Defining a pitcher as a starter or reliever comes down much more to stamina and pitch efficiency as opposed to depth of arsenal. At least for me personally.

Bryant

12:03

How would you compare Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter as far as upside and floor?

Kevin Goldstein

12:03

I think I'd give Leiter a higher floor and Rocker a higher ceiling, but I don't think either preference has a big gap.

Ben Cherington

12:03

To those asking movie questions you need to understand that Kevin subscribes to Chapo Movie Mindset. Ask him what he thinks of Den of Thieves, Gotti or 1986's Cobra.

Kevin Goldstein

12:03

None are great. Just when you think you have me nailed....

Insert Clever Name Here

12:03

Orlando Arcia has been doing great in the minors to start off the year. Is there enough in that and his 2020 performance to make him worth the Braves bringing him back up?

Kevin Goldstein

12:04

I understand the desire, but where is he going to play?

Muffin Button

12:04

More "are these movies top 100 movies" for you. I appreciate your opinions on this topic even if I don't always agree (but I often do). The Godfather Part 2. Irreversible. Moonlight. Empire Strikes Back. There Will Be Blood.

Kevin Goldstein

12:04

Yes, no, no, no, YES. No Star Wars movie is great [ducks].

Baseballz

12:04

Heriberto Hernandez stealing bases?!? might his 30 grade speed be too low? He's now stolen 14 bases in about 120 career minor league games. Also overall how do you see him projecting? Seems like he has massive hit/power upside. Thanks!

Kevin Goldstein

12:05

I think this is one of the best young bats in the minors. Just adore the hit and the power. I wouldn't spend a lot of time expecting the SB to show up in the majors...

YardGoat

12:05

Has anything popped up in the first couple of weeks of the minor league ball that's answered questions on how the lost 2020 season would impact specific players? Or is too early to tell at this point?

Kevin Goldstein

12:06

I think it's important to avoid any kind of blanket conclusions. Each player was impacted differently. Some a ton, some very little.

Luke

12:06

Hi Kevin, appreciate the chat. How do minor league teams deal with starting pitching injuries in terms of their rotation? Do they have larger staffs to draw from to cover for a missed turn or two through the rotation? Do they call someone up a level to fill in? Bullpen games and hope the next starter doesn't get lit up early?

Kevin Goldstein

12:06

All of the above, really.

Terunofuji

12:06

I'm looking pretty good so far. Am I the next Yokozuna? And if not, who?

Kevin Goldstein

12:08

MORE SUMO QUESTIONS. Terunofuji looks amazing in the May tournament. 8-0 so far and really hasn't even been challenged yet. Two tourney wins in a row as an Ozeki is a tough ask, but he might be on his way. I'm a Takekeisho fan, and I'm glad to see him doing well (7-1), as well as starting to pull a bit in addition to the constant thrusting attacks.

BringBackDeSpanielHair

12:08

Kevin, what's up with Mr. Castillo? His stuff looks good, except that it's getting pounded... I hear talk of pitch tipping, but I'm not good enough at video analysis to see if that's a thing.

Kevin Goldstein

12:09

I assume you me Luis, and I would disagree on the stuff, it's down across the board...

Guest

12:09

Would you say any of these directors have a “great” movie: Woody Allen, Guy Ritchie, Linklater ?

Kevin Goldstein

12:09

Yes, almost, yes.

Dan

12:09

How soon do you think Keibert Ruiz could be getting 300 PAs in the majors? Would that require a trade or might the Dodgers move on from Austin Barnes?

Kevin Goldstein

12:09

Yeah, it feel like if it's going to happen see, it's not going to happen in LA. Might be a really nice trade chip in a couple of months.

Rob

12:10

The Padres, outside Darvish, Musgrove and Snell have been pretty mix and match for the other two turns in the rotation. I kind of... like it? 3 Innings of Weathers, 3 innings of Lamet etc. Do you see this as A) sustainable for the season and B) a good plan to bring along all the young arms?

Kevin Goldstein

12:11

I don't think they WANT to be doing it this way, but yes, it's working and they're doing the best they can considering the situation. Making it last for an entire year is one of the big concerns of doing this in general.

ImEatingNachos

12:11

Is there anything to Torkelson's struggles so far? There has been a lot of swing and miss

Kevin Goldstein

12:11

Not concerned yet, but maybe potentially concerned is the best way to put it. It's worth keeping an eye on.

Ricky

12:11

Seems like Francisco Alvarez and Ronny Mauricio are off to positive starts. What do each of them need to do to raise their FVs?

Kevin Goldstein

12:12

Just more of the same really. I'm a huge Alvarez fan and would raise his FV right now.

Jason Shure (Tigerfan in NYC)

12:12

There have been some recent articles criticizing the pace/success of the Tigers rebuild. They cite a range of poor outcomes in things like late-round drafting, player development, lack of free agent signings, poor trades (or missed opps). Does one of those stand out to you as the biggest problem area? My 86 year old mom is cursing with impatience.

Kevin Goldstein

12:12

I think there was a lot of stagnation that is worth criticism, but I do think things are moving in the right direction now. Say hi to Mom!

Pat

12:13

What is your personal outlook on AJ Puk?

Kevin Goldstein

12:13

I would just put him in a pen role and cross my fingers.

anthony

12:13

is hunter green actually looking good or is a boddy pump?