JotCast | Kevin Goldstein FanGraphs Chat

Kevin Goldstein FanGraphs Chat - 6/21/2021

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Kevin Goldstein

12:59

Continuing on an earlier theme, I'm just not a fan of this kind of defeatist thinking. You say everyone is going to get hurt and then say I told you so when they do. Accomplishes nada.

Harrison

1:00

What are some of the easier things to teach prospects coming up into the league, and what are some of the tougher ones? Would you guys ever draft guys you felt had the harder tools locked up where you could project on the others? Would you ever take guys vice versa who you felt had a limited ceiling but would perform well in the minors and be trade throw-ins?

Kevin Goldstein

1:00

I think teaching a hitting approach remains a massive challenge.

Chamaco

1:01

Is Joe Gray Jr a GUY or a guy?

Kevin Goldstein

1:01

A guy.

Broken bat

1:02

Bobby Bradley has struck out 10 of last 18 at bats. The pitching formula has been implemented. Do you see a .250 hitter in his arsenal.

Kevin Goldstein

1:02

I do not.

Brad LIpton

1:02

Kevin. I find the emphasis on strike zone judgement for certain hitters has negatively impacted their overall productivity since it takes away impactful aggression. The goal is to get pitches to hit in the location where you like to hit it so that you can do damage (hit it hard somewhere). I feel that, for certain players, this has not become the priority (unfortunately). On the other hand, Marcus Semien is doing a great job of mixing in patience with aggression and has been able to be extremely productive. What are your thoughts on this?

Kevin Goldstein

1:03

Hitters are mostly taught to be aggressive. If you get a pitch you can drive, drive it. If that happens 0-0, great, swing at it.

baseballenjoyer

1:03

Is Chas McCormick an everyday player for some team?

Kevin Goldstein

1:03

Maybe in a second-division starter kind of way.

Peter

1:04

Hey KG - recently joined FG as a member in large part to you coming back on board and would encourage everyone else to do the same! As a Rays fan I'm excited about our prospects close to the majors but couldn't help but notice Curtis Mead's development in Charleston. Any chance he moves up the Rays list soon? Thanks again.

Kevin Goldstein

1:05

Thanks for supporting FanGraphs. Everyone should do so. Mead is off to a great start, but there are question marks on the power ceiling, approach and where he ends up defensively.

Dan

1:05

Could MLB make every pitcher throw a bullpen session where they know the balls have no sticky stuff and then if their spin rate jumps by say 400 rpm from that baseline automatically collect their belt uniform hat etc to check for foreign substances as they leave the game?

Kevin Goldstein

1:05

Nope.

Chester Arthur

1:06

Do you think that the sticky stuff is going to be more difficult than other issues for the union to negotiate on? Seems unique in the sense that you’ve got outspoken hitters on one side of things, and outspoken pitchers taking a different angle

Kevin Goldstein

1:06

Both sides have much bigger things to worry about.

hbar

1:06

Can you and your colleagues explain why the Giants are good? Exasperated fans of other NL West teams need an explanation, or is the explanation that it is a chaotic & cruel world

Kevin Goldstein

1:07

Good starting pitching, good bullpen, outstanding lineup creation on a daily basis to maximize performance.

Bryan

1:07

Do teams give scouts archetypes to look for position by position? Or is that too specific?

Kevin Goldstein

1:07

Nah. Just find good players. They come in all shapes, sizes and ability sets.

Dalton Wilcox

1:08

How much do teams value non-Cape Cod summer leagues?

Kevin Goldstein

1:08

Not nearly as much as the Cape, but they are watched.

Kevin

1:09

Did we learn anything about the Astros during their clinical four game sweep of the White Sox that we didn't know before? Quite a statement series.

Kevin Goldstein

1:09

Just that their offense is relentless and easily the best in baseball, but you should have already known that.

Big League Choo

1:09

In a recent interview former NFLer Terry Crews claimed 70% of the players in the NFL hated playing, but did it because it was their "way out." Now baseball isn't going to break your brain like football does, but if you had to guess, what % of players in MLB don't love their job?

Kevin Goldstein

1:10

I think most baseball players really like being baseball players. There are certainly more than a few who are simply good at it and don't really love it, but they are a small minority of the player pool.

Brian

1:10

Will any free agents sign between the end of the World Series and the expiration of the CBA?

Kevin Goldstein

1:11

It's hard to say. I wonder if the quiet period will be busier. Still a lot of unknowns.

Mark

1:11

If you’re a team like the Twins this year (maybe Sox last year?) where you expect to be in the middle of your competitive window but turn out to suck that year, how do you reevaluate? Trade expiring guys?

Kevin Goldstein

1:11

Exactly. I think it's fair to say this year isn't going to work out, but we still believe in the core, so just get rid of rentals and start over for 22. No player signed after 2021 is available.

Matt

1:12

If you have seen Ted Lasso, would you compare Teoscar Hernandez's vibe to Dani Rojas?

Kevin Goldstein

1:12

YES.

Italian beef w/ giardiniera

1:12

Little Miss Sunshine opinion?

Kevin Goldstein

1:12

Good movie.

Andrew

1:12

The Padres substantially drained their top level talent outside of a few elite guys. Now in third place, do you think they'll continue to take big swings?

Kevin Goldstein

1:12

I don't think A.J. Preller knows how to take little swings . . .

Chris

1:13

Any chance Eric, Keith law (you seem to get athletic writers regularly) or even Kiley to talk draft on the pod this week or next?

Kevin Goldstein

1:13

Message received....

Jonathan

1:13

Given your background, this might be an appropriate question: What do pro scouts/any in-office personnel do in the offseason?