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Jeff Sullivan FanGraphs Chat -- 3/3/17
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Brett W
9:36
If I learned anything from "Hidden Figures," it's that MLB could use more women to help figure out ideal launch angles. How is it that a guy like David Price can be fine in October but show up injured in February? All he did between was rest.
Jeff Sullivan
9:36
Maybe he wasn't fine in October. But also, sometimes these things happen after one individual pitch. Same deal with Alex Reyes
Schilling and Pence
9:36
Do you see an incremental step forward from Machado as a hitter this year, or is his already-excellent level about where he ends up.
Jeff Sullivan
9:36
I think now that he's established himself as a power hitter, he's going to walk more, just because he'll be pitched to more carefully
Corey
9:37
Possible that assuming Kershaw has a near-100% chance to win Cy Young if healthy is unfair to Syndergaard and his potential?
Jeff Sullivan
9:37
Yes, it would be unfair to assume Clayton Kershaw is just about a Cy Young lock. He is not
Maxamuz
9:37
Keon Broxton or Melky Cabrera?
Jeff Sullivan
9:37
Keon Broxton at the plate, Keon Broxton in the field, Keon Broxton on the bases, Keon Broxton on a skateboard
Ajay
9:37
Are you going to write about Marcus Stroman soon?
Jeff Sullivan
9:37
Feels inevitable
andymcg
9:40
Please refer me to help. Stripe confirms membership payment was received, but I can't log in. andymcglynn@outlook.com
Jeff Sullivan
Jim
9:40
So even though Joc Pederson made huge strides in his contact rate last year, he didn't improve his K% all that much, is that the next step? And would that make him a "star"?
Jeff Sullivan
9:41
Yeah, the contact got a lot better, but he also took more strikes, and fouled off more strikes, so the actual in-play improvement was far smaller. Plenty of room to grow in that regard. And he handled the bat better against southpaws
Elbo
9:41
Jose Uribe was not "built like a gold glove candidate" either. Baseball is funny that way.
Jeff Sullivan
9:41
Neither was Juan Uribe!
Dustin
9:41
Will you please tell Tim for me that yes, he is definitely crazy for liking spring training better than the regular season?
Jeff Sullivan
9:41
Tim, you're definitely crazy
Gord
9:42
Nomar Mazara seems fascinating to me. Really like his swing and I know nothing about swings. Walk rate was low compared to his in the minor leagues. What's a realistic comp for him? Current Cespedes with a higher walk rate?
Jeff Sullivan
9:42
A realistic comp is not a better version of a current superstar
9:43
Mazara does have a very appealing swing, and he has impressive bat-to-ball skills for a 21-year-old. But there's still a ways to go in terms of discerning the right pitches to swing at. That's what he needs to do to maximize his game power
Raindog
9:44
I note that the Depth Charts have Tyler Naquin with a .348 BABIP next season. That seems... crazy? I don't know how to get a leaderboard of such, but spot-checking a few, that's higher than guys like Altuve, Hamilton, Gordon, Villar or Trout, Votto, Miggy, Harper.
Jeff Sullivan
9:44
He has a history of high BABIPs in the minors as well, but, yes, I'm with you in that I'd take the under
Feels like an over-weighting of Naquin's cup of coffee
Bill
9:45
Do you expect regression from Taillon this year?
Jeff Sullivan
9:45
No. I think he's really good
Bill
9:45
Is Tommy Joseph over hyped?
Jeff Sullivan
9:46
I don't know how much he's hyped, but he's not particularly good, if that's what you're asking. He benefits from being a part of a light group of Phillies position players
Phantastic
9:46
How do FOs respond to the news of players like Price going down. Say he needs TJ surgery, is the Red Sox FO fielding calls left and right about potential trade partners from rebuilding clubs?
Jeff Sullivan
9:47
There's nothing frenetic, and mostly it would be the Red Sox reaching out in search of replacements. But every team opens ST with the knowledge that something bad could happen to anyone
Anon
9:47
Is it wrong that I'm still salty my team didn't sign Bonds in 2008?
Jeff Sullivan
9:47
Depends on the magnitude of the feeling, but, no
Bert Campaneris
9:47
This may be a little difficult and lengthy to formulate, but I'll give it a try. Regarding rotation construction (alignment), do/should clubs fear when pitchers share very similar make-ups. For instance, Ian Kennedy and Nathan Karns (Royals fan in me) both have similar arsenal (4-seamer, Knuckle Curve, Chng accdng to Brooks). As a manager, are you aiming at separating them from going on back to back days? Thanks, Jeff. I enjoy all your articles, read them religiously.
Jeff Sullivan
9:48
Yeah, I think you want similar repertoires separated. It would be a small effect, hard to notice, but you want to make sure hitters don't get too comfortable with their looks. I suspect this is part of the reason why the Orioles bullpen has been so good -- every pitcher in there is differently bizarre
Jack
9:48
Do you think Ryan Rua would be starting on most teams?
Jeff Sullivan
9:48
No, but he'd be starting on some bad teams
Hal
9:49
KEON BROXTON CAN'T KICKFLIP, JEFF! I'VE SEEN MELKY VARIAL FLIP WITH MY OWN TWO EYES
Jeff Sullivan
9:49
GIF or it didn't happen
YKnotDisco?!
9:51
In so many words, can you explain the "David Price" rule?
Jeff Sullivan
9:51
No!
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