FanGraphs Audio

Episode 1015 This week’s episode is a bittersweet one, as your favorite podcast producer (that’s me!) tells his story before saying goodbye. Dialing in from the snowy slopes of France, Ben Clemens interviews me, Dylan Higgins, for the latest edition of FanGraphs Backstories. Ben and I talk about the gateway drug that was Moneyball, how I hopped from internship to internship, and the summer I spent in an office with Branch Rickey III. I also tell Ben about my adventures working in the Australian Baseball League, finding myself in a sticky championship celebration, and eventually finding my people at FanGraphs. To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 51 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 1014 On this week’s show, we discuss the new rules on display in spring training before reacting to Manny Machado’s new extension. Jay Jaffe is joined by Dan Szymborski as they welcome back baseball, now with a pitch clock and bigger bases. The pair discuss the effects of these changes, such as the clock’s impact on relievers vs. starters, as well as the challenges they can create when it comes to projections. Jay and Dan also consider whether Manny Machado has earned being called just “Manny,” and how big of a factor opt-outs played in his 11-year extension with San Diego. Finally, Jay and Dan consider Shohei Ohtani’s future in the context of the Hall of Fame and discuss how much they expect him to be paid in free agency. To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 45 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 1013 It’s Prospect Week at FanGraphs, so our scouting department shares how the prospect list sausage is made before we hear from a fellow ranker who is now on the team side. To start things off, lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen is joined by contributor Tess Taruskin to celebrate making it through Prospect Week and to shine a light on how the Top 100 was made. The duo walk through a ranking exercise, using a group of relief-risk pitchers to show how they would evaluate comparable players. Eric and Tess also discuss some of their favorite players on the list, including Addison Barger and Miguel Bleis, and how nowadays they sometimes have to watch players’ TikTok accounts for the best scouting footage available. [3:44] After that, David Laurila welcomes John Manuel, former editor-in-chief at Baseball America and current scout for the Minnesota Twins. John tells David how different prospect lists look now that he is on the inside of a front office, as well as how much clubs actually pay attention to them. The pair also discuss the origins of prospect lists and how BA founder Allan Simpson deserves credit for originating the exercise many years ago. Finally, John reflects on some of his own evaluations on players such as Félix Hernández, Joe Mauer, Mookie Betts, Justin Verlander, and Freddie Freeman. [43:22] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 1 hour 36 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 1012 On this edition of the pod, we talk to a player/analyst in the Cardinals system before hearing the story of how our RosterResource guru got here. At the top of the show, David Laurila welcomes Ryan Loutus, a 24-year-old right-hander who went undrafted out of a D-III school and now finds himself in the Cardinals’ big league camp. Loutos has impressed on the mound, but he has also been a big contributor off the field, working as an analyst for the club to develop a player-facing app and help convey data to his teammates. David asks Ryan about balancing his focus between his two responsibilities, weighing pitching science vs. pitching feel, his analysis of his own arsenal, and what he might do after his pitching days are over. [3:57] After that, Ben Clemens asks Jason Martinez to share his own FanGraphs Backstory. We hear about wanting to run through a wall thanks to a Bob Gibson biography, working at the YMCA, starting a band, and eventually having the idea to create RosterResource. Jason also tells us how he and RosterResource ended up here at FanGraphs, spending a long time searching for the thing he was destined to do, and seeing Ruppert Jones go deep at his first Padres game. [26:55] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 1 hour 19 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 1011 This week, we sit down with one of the bright baseball minds in Baltimore before getting our lead prospect analyst’s backstory. At the top of the show, David Laurila welcomes Sig Mejdal, vice president and assistant general manager of the Baltimore Orioles. Mejdal tells us about breaking into baseball with the Cardinals, and what his day-to-day with Mike Elias and former podcast guest Eve Rosenbaum is like. Mejdal also shares his thoughts on analytics and data, and what his team of analysts are working on in Baltimore. Finally, David asks about spending a season in the minors, seeing Albert Pujols in his prime, and how difficult it was to trade Trey Mancini. [3:32] After that, Ben Clemens is joined by Eric Longenhagen for the latest edition of FanGraphs Backstories. Eric tells us about interning with his hometown IronPigs, taking up writing because he got mono, working at Baseball Info Solutions, and eventually ending up at FanGraphs. Ben also asks Eric about his favorite baseball memories, which include dressing up as Mark McGwire for Halloween and going to Veterans Stadium for his first major league game. The duo also discuss the Super Bowl being in Arizona and how going to Eagles training camp had an impact on Eric’s path. [24:20] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 1 hour 15 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 1010 On this week’s show, we consider the career of a potential Hall of Famer before getting to know one of our writers better. With Joe Mauer destined for the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame and set to arrive on the Cooperstown ballot for the first time this year as well, Jay Jaffe felt it appropriate to chat with Dan Hayes of The Athletic about the hometown hero. Jay and Dan discuss how stellar Mauer was despite a relatively short resume, and how the brutality of the catcher position combined with the brutality of his concussion symptoms only makes his performance even more impressive. The pair agree Mauer should probably be a slam-dunk pick for the Hall, but they expect some debate about it along the way. [4:02] After that, Ben Clemens is joined by Michael Baumann for the latest edition of FanGraphs Backstories. We get the story of Michael’s sportswriting career before ending up at FanGraphs, including grad school and stops at Crashburn Alley (RIP) and The Ringer. Michael also shares some of his favorite baseball memories from over the years, the most notable of which actually concern college and Little League ball. Finally, Ben and Michael discuss the 2023 SABR Awards (both have nominated pieces) and how their writing styles have adapted to FanGraphs. [27:15] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 65 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 1009 This week, we reflect on the recent Hall of Fame election results before catching up with a top Pirates prospect. First up, Jay Jaffe welcomes Ryan Thibodaux, who leads the team at the Hall of Fame Ballot Tracker, to discuss Scott Rolen’s enshrinement and the wild day leading up to it. Ryan has worked on the Tracker for a decade now, but this is somehow the first time he and Jay have had a non-text conversation. The duo look back on the influence the Tracker has had over the years, what compelled Ryan to work on it, and if he ever hears from any of the candidates. Jay and Ryan also take a look at the many exciting names on next year’s ballot. [3:05] After that, David Laurila welcomes Pirates prospect Quinn Priester to the show. The pair first chatted after Priester was drafted (then again in 2021), and they discuss how he has developed as a pitcher in that time. We hear about training in Arizona this offseason, changing his approach to stay in games longer, comparing curveballs with teammate Mike Burrows, and playing with Henry Davis, who was the first overall pick in the 2021 draft. Finally, Priester tells us who were the best hitters he faced this year and who he is most looking forward to taking on in the majors one day. [31:40] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 56 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 1008 In this episode, we get insight from a professional run-creator before turning the tables on our favorite interviewer. In the first half, David Laurila welcomes Donnie Ecker, bench coach and offensive coordinator for the Texas Rangers, to the program. Ecker, who David also interviewed last year, shares what it’s like to work with manager Bruce Bochy, associate manager Will Venable, and director of hitting Cody Atkinson as they help the team’s hitters be at their best. We also learn about how important it can be to adapt strategies from other sports and industries, and how studying pitching can help with understanding hitting. Finally, Ecker tells us about working with players like Marcus Semien, Josh Smith, Evan Carter, Josh Jung, Ezequiel Duran, and Nathaniel Lowe. [3:22] After that, Ben Clemens makes David the subject of the interview for FanGraphs Backstories. We hear about David’s pre-baseball life, from his time at the Detroit Institute of Arts to working in the ticket office at the Boston Ballet to moderating a Red Sox message board, and how interviewing baseball players led to a career change that took him to Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus before arriving at FanGraphs. David also talks about the art of the interview and some of his most notable conversations before sharing his favorite baseball memories, including his first major league game and the no-hitter he saw with his daughter. [39:40] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 1 hour 6 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 1007 This week on the pod, we pair a veteran reliever with a young star before interviewing one of our own fresh faces. To start things off, David Laurila welcomes Spencer Strider and Andrew Miller back to the show. Strider and Miller had not officially met before, but they quickly hit it off, discussing growing up as fans of each others’ club, what kind of music they like, and what a good teammate Josh Tomlin is. The duo also talk pitching, as Miller offers insights into his move to the bullpen while the pair ponder how his career might have been different if he had had access to the same information that Strider has at his disposal today. [3:43] In the second half, Ben Clemens welcomes Alex Eisert to the podcast for the latest edition of FanGraphs Backstories. We hear how Alex was inspired by a fateful FanGraphs meetup, and how starting a statistics blog led him to the site. Alex also shares his favorite baseball memories, including some big Johan Santana and Alex Rodriguez moments. Finally, Ben asks Alex about his recent piece on swing mirroring, and how studying philosophy and psychology can go hand-in-hand with researching baseball. [45:57] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 1 hour 16 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 1006 In the first show of 2023, we welcome back a beat writer friend to talk Cardinals before introducing a new series on the podcast. At the top of the program, David Laurila is joined by Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (and The Best Podcast in Baseball), who last appeared on episode 903. The duo discuss whether Nolan Arenado deserves the title of the best all-around player in the National League, while contemplating if Paul Goldschmidt may have claim as the best hitter in the circuit. David and Derrick also talk about players on this year’s Hall of Fame ballot like Bobby Abreu and Gary Sheffield, and how Derrick has been listening to FanGraphs Audio in recent weeks for insight while preparing his own ballot. [4:34] In the second half, Ben Clemens debuts his new series FanGraphs Backstories. Ben will be interviewing FanGraphs staff to discuss how they came to the site and what their favorite baseball memories are, and senior writer Jay Jaffe is first up. Jay shares how he never would have imagined he’d end up at FanGraphs after his early days at Baseball Prospectus, what his time at Sports Illustrated was like, and how truly unforgettable Nolan Ryan was to a young fan. [43:32] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 1 hour 9 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 1005 This episode, we welcome back another old friend who is casting their first Hall of Fame ballot, then talk about the most surprising free agent move in recent memory. We begin with Jay Jaffe and David Laurila continuing their new annual tradition of discussing their Hall of Fame ballots on the podcast, and this time they are joined by Travis Sawchik, baseball author and writer at theScore. Travis is voting for the first time, and he consults with Jay and David about how to navigate issues like PEDs and players whose late-career struggles might tarnish their overall body of work. The trio also ponder the philosophy of a large Hall vs. a small Hall while discussing players like Bobby Abreu, Jeff Kent, Andy Pettitte, and more. [3:00] After that, Dan Szymborski and Michael Baumann get together to talk about the whole Carlos Correa signing with the Mets thing. The news was obviously a huge shock, and Dan and Michael ponder where the San Francisco Giants go from here after a dismal offseason. We also hear about the Mets going in the opposite direction thanks to an owner who is making the other billionaires look bad, how thrilling Correa should be at the hot corner, and what bears really do when they hibernate. [43:33] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 67 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 1004 This week, we talk to the man in charge of an on-the-rise franchise before discussing the international market and a puzzling trade. At the top of the show, David Laurila welcomes Jerry Dipoto, president of baseball operations for the Seattle Mariners. We hear his thoughts on the wild spending going on around the league this offseason, as well some acquisitions Seattle has made recently, including Teoscar Hernández and old friend Dave Cameron. Dipoto also shares insights on Mariners players like Andrés Muñoz, Penn Murfee, Emerson Hancock, and Marco Gonzales, as well as his own pitching career (and his son’s). [4:14] In the second half, Ben Clemens catches up with Eric Longenhagen after missing each other at the Winter Meetings in San Diego. The duo talk a little bit about the World Cup and the World Baseball Classic before discussing the signings of Kodai Senga and Masataka Yoshida, and how they and other international prospects may adapt to the major leagues. Ben and Eric also chat about the puzzling Sean Murphy trade, how much higher the A’s must be on Esteury Ruiz than everyone else does, and what direction Oakland seems to be heading in (if any). [45:26] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 95 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 1003 After a big week in baseball, we bring you two face-to-face conversations from the San Diego Winter Meetings before a chat about outfield defense. First up, David Laurila sits down with Fernando Perez, former major league outfielder and analyst and current coach for the San Francisco Giants. We hear what Fernando was doing at the Winter Meetings and what he and Farhan Zaidi talk about in the suite (it mostly isn’t baseball), as well as what Fernando’s coaching role entails. David and Fernando also talk about soccer and the World Cup, if he would be a good scout, and his relationship with former managers Joe Maddon and Matt Quatraro. [4:35] After that, Jay Jaffe sits down with old friend Eno Sarris of The Athletic, who is excited to be casting his first Hall of Fame ballot this year. The pair go through the list of noteworthy candidates, from Rolen to Wagner to Kent to Sheffield to Beltrán to Jones to Abreu to Helton and more, as Eno looks for some guidance from someone who has done his share of research on the subject. Jay and Eno also discuss the elephant in the room that is PEDs, wishing they’d had the same advanced data back then that they do now, aiming for logical consistency, and who Eno was most looking forward to voting for with his first ballot. [29:39] Finally, Davy Andrews welcomes fellow contributor Alex Eisert for his FanGraphs Audio debut. Both Davy and Alex have been writing about outfield defense at the site recently, so they get together to dig into OAA and their theories about the effects of player handedness. We also get the story on how Alex came to write at FanGraphs, the need for more psychology in baseball, how good Daulton Varsho is at learning skills, and the process of intentionally (or unintentionally) adding jokes to their articles. [1:08:44] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 104 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 1002 This week on the show, we welcome a long-time major leaguer to chat about the World Cup before going over some recent moves and looking ahead to the Winter Meetings. At the top of the show, David Laurila welcomes Brad Miller, a 10-year major league veteran and a big soccer fan. The pair talk about the World Cup games that have gotten them the most excited so far, the players and countries they find themselves rooting for, and which teammate is the best to kick the ball around with. We also hear about being drafted by and debuting with the Mariners, being mentored by players such as Raul Ibanez, Willie Bloomquist, and Robinson Canó, and cheering for the Seattle club that broke its long playoff drought this season. Finally, we get some insight on playing with Logan Morrison and Chris Young (now the boss in Texas), and an anecdote about how Canó believed in Miller’s power potential before Miller himself did. [4:00] After that, Ben Clemens and Jason Martinez get together to chat about this week’s transactions. The defending World Champions signed José Abreu, which seems to make plenty of sense, but Ben is even more excited about the rebuilding Washington Nationals rolling the dice on Jeimer Candelario. Ben and Jason also consider how the Dodgers’ signing of Shelby Miller looks like another of the team’s remarkable reclamation projects, even if they are still a little skeptical. Finally, the duo revisit their fun Cardinals predictions from episode 976 and get excited to hang out with each other and the rest of the FanGraphs staff at the Winter Meetings in San Diego next week. [28:20] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 56 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 1001 Hot Stove season is upon us and we are ready to start picking apart transactions, but not before we talk about the Kansas City Royals. To kick things off, David Laurila welcomes Joel Goldberg, broadcaster and reporter for the Royals. David didn’t put Bobby Witt Jr. on his AL Rookie of the Year ballot this year, but he and Joel discuss how the best is certainly yet to come for the young phenom. The pair also talk about the underrated Scott Barlow, top prospect Maikel Garcia, the promise of a new ballpark, and how Kansas City was Salvador Perez’s town before it belonged to Patrick Mahomes. We also get insight into Dayton Moore’s legacy now that he has left the organization and J.J. Picollo has become the new president of baseball ops. [3:53] In the second half, Ben Clemens is joined by Eric Longenhagen to talk about the early roster moving and shaking. The duo discuss glove-first center fielders who can’t hit enough for the majors, the Marlins struggling to develop players with a good approach at the plate, and Ben’s recent article about what would happen if pitching were a carnival game. Eric and Ben also banter about backstops, wonder how catchers who are good at framing will be valued going forward, framing vs. blocking, and if pop time is more important than accuracy when throwing to second base. [37:56] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 88 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 1000 That’s right, we have reached our four-digit milestone. Look back through the years with us before we look to the future (or at least this upcoming offseason). It would be impossible to fully encapsulate all 1,000 episodes of FanGraphs Audio, but this producer put together 22 minutes of great memories. Going all the way back to the very first episode (published February 8, 2010), we hear plenty of former long-time host Carson Cistulli as well as appearances from podcast friends such as Dave Cameron, Rob Neyer, Eno Sarris, David Appelman, David Laurila, Dayn Perry, Grant Brisbee, Kiley McDaniel, Jeff Sullivan, Eric Longenhagen, Nate Freiman, Dan Szymborski, Jay Jaffe, Meg Rowley, Sam Miller, Ben Clemens, and even Carson’s 91-year-old grandfather. [2:36] After that bit of history, Ben and Dan look to the offseason and discuss our Top 50 Free Agents list. They talk about Edwin Díaz‘s surprisingly big contract with the Mets, how wild Aaron Judge‘s upcoming deal this winter could be, what the Red Sox might or maybe should do, and how they feel they have underrated Brandon Nimmo. Ben and Dan also look at Craig Kimbrel’s spot at No. 50 on the list and who else might have fit there. [25:59] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 58-minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 999 This week on the pod, the most Philadelphia pairing we have on staff comes together to break down the World Series so far. Michael Baumann is fresh off covering Games 3 and 4 of the World Series in person, and he welcomes lead prospect analyst and old Crashburn Alley pal Eric Longenhagen to discuss what it was like to see the Phillies get no-hit on the largest stage. The pair have mostly grown out of their fandom as they have matured into sports professionals, but they share how the fan feeling has crept back in a little bit this October. We also hear about rooting for Corinne Landrey to be the first FanGraphs alum to win a championship ring, rooting for your own prospect evaluations to come true, the difference in attitude between the Houston and Philadelphia clubhouses, and a digression about high school drum major camp. To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 50 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 998 Just in time for the World Series, we welcome back an author who recently wrote a book on the subject before talking to a prospect in the Arizona Fall League. To start the show, Jay Jaffe welcomes Tyler Kepner, baseball writer at The New York Times and author of The Grandest Stage: A History of the World Series, back to the show. The pair discuss what inspired the book, the hundreds of interviews that went into it, and how Tyler has been preparing to write it his whole life. We hear about picking MVPs for the Fall Classic before they started officially doing so in 1955, and Jay’s fond memories of the 1988 championship. The duo also talk about how un-fun it is to cover Yankees eliminations, how players handle pressure on the game’s biggest stage, and what they are looking forward to in the Astros/Phillies World Series. [3:26] After that, David Laurila welcomes Justyn-Henry Malloy, a prospect in the Braves system whose excellent 2022 campaign has culminated in playing for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the AFL. We hear what a day in the life of a Fall League player is like, and how much fun it has been to play with players like Cade Bunnell, Cal Conley, Heston Kjerstad, and Vaughn Grissom. Malloy also tells us about how he strives for consistency as a hitter while aiming to command the zone, as well as his adventures in battling the Arizona sun while playing the outfield. [33:21] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 55 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 997 With four teams remaining in the postseason, this week we put our fan hats on before meeting a talented new FanGraphs contributor. In the first segment, resident Phillies fan Michael Baumann is joined by site Padres fan Jason Martinez to discuss the NLCS. Jason was at the first two games in San Diego, while Michael will be at each of the next three in Philly; neither expected their team to get this far. We hear about Jason working as a field timing coordinator, Michael being more scared of Manny Machado than Juan Soto, the experience of facing (and watching) Blake Snell, their shared adoration for Jorge Alfaro and Jake Cronenworth, and Jason almost having to help Ralph Sampson to break up a stadium fight. [2:56] After that, Dan Szymborski welcomes Davy Andrews for his podcast debut. Davy recently joined the site as a contributor. We hear how he found himself at FanGraphs before learning more about his musical projects. The duo also discuss Jose Altuve’s recent struggles and future Hall of Fame chances, the playoffs being a bit of a crapshoot, what the Dodgers should do in the offseason, being fun uncles, and their strong opinions about baking and cookies. [45:07] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 72 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 996 We bring you a trio of AL East-flavored interviews this week as we find ourselves in the middle of the divisional playoff round. At the top of the show, David Laurila welcomes Eve Rosenbaum, assistant general manager for the Baltimore Orioles. The former director of baseball development, Rosenbaum shares how her responsibilities have changed in her new role as she puts much more focus on the major league club. We also hear about the Orioles’ player development machine, the details of how waiver wires and DFAs work, how the team is making pitchers better after acquiring them, what they saw in Jorge Mateo, and insight as to why they made so many transactions during this encouraging season. [5:30] After that, Jay Jaffe welcomes David Cone in his return to the podcast. The pair were both in attendance at Yankees-Guardians Game 1 on Tuesday night, and they discuss Gerrit Cole’s impressive performance and playoff legacy. Cole recently said being the ace of the Yankees is “the hardest job in the league,” and Cone offers his insight, adding that it can also be the most rewarding. The pair also discuss Cone’s own career (and Hall of Fame chances), and how things like pitch counts have changed the game over time. [31:24] Finally, David Laurila returns in the third act with Julian McWilliams, reporter for The Boston Globe. We get the story behind McWilliams’ Baseball-Reference page and short indy ball career, including how long it took him to realize he was joining a team in Las Vegas, New Mexico. The duo also talk about Xander Bogaerts‘ importance to Boston, the comparison between Rafael Devers and Matt Olson, making a comparison between Olson and Triston Casas, being in awe of Yordan Alvarez, and the difference in consistency versus championship success between the Yankees and Red Sox in recent years. [56:51] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 78-minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 995 With the playoff matchups set, we welcome one half of Céspedes Family BBQ to the show as we look ahead to the newly expanded postseason. First, Michael Baumann welcomes Jake Mintz, one half of Céspedes Family BBQ, writer at Fox Sports, and co-host of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast on SiriusXM, to the show. The pair begin by talking about their passion for competitive cycling, but quickly move on to October baseball. The Mariners and Phillies have ended their droughts, but Philadelphia manager Rob “Thomper” Thomson is still getting his name mispronounced. We hear the duo’s thoughts on that, Aaron Judge‘s quest for 62, the red-hot Braves passing the Mets down the stretch, Charlie Morton’s inability to retire, the politics of steroids, and returning to the world of podcasting. [3:58] After that, Ben Clemens and Dan Szymborski get together to discuss Baumann’s proposal for league expansion as well as the legend of Joey Meneses, who might already be the Nationals’ best player. We also get the pair’s thoughts on whether the Tigers will be ready to compete before the Royals, whether the Marlins will be back in the playoffs before the Nationals, and how the effects of the balanced schedule and division rivalries compare to getting bored of The Borg. [37:07] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 61 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 994 This week on the show, Eric Longenhagen welcomes Sports Illustrated staff writer Emma Baccellieri for an extended conversation about what she’s been working on and what she’s been watching lately. We hear about Emma’s upcoming piece on Austin Riley and get insight into her interview and transcription process, as well as the nitty gritty when it comes to sitting down to write. The duo then discuss Emma’s recent article on the unionization of the minor leagues, and what led to that effort coming together much more quickly than most expected. We also hear about how fun it is to talk to Ron Washington, being glued to Aaron Judge’s plate appearances, some playoff predictions, and who they are excited to see next season. Finally, Eric introduces the concept of “showmakase” and asks Emma to share a curated list of episodes from one of her favorite television shows, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 63 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 993 On this episode of the podcast, we sit down with a veteran major league manager before considering the latest Triple Crown chase. To kick things off, David Laurila welcomes A.J. Hinch, former catcher and current manager of the Detroit Tigers. Hinch recently passed Rogers Hornsby on the all-time managerial wins list, and he isn’t upset to hear the comparison. We learn what it is like to work with pitching coach Chris Fetter and vice president of player development Ryan Garko as they lead this group of young Tigers and try to prepare the team’s next competitive core. We also get insight into Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, Alex Faedo, Beau Brieske, Joey Wentz, Matt Manning, and more. And although this segment was recorded just before the Tigers announced their new president of baseball operations, we hear why Hinch wasn’t interested in the role and instead has his focus on the field. Hinch also shares his thoughts on how important it is for pitchers to get strikeouts, the fences moving at Comerica Park and elsewhere, bench coach George Lombard’s potential future in managing, and the rule changes that will limit defensive shifting starting in 2023. [4:40] In the second half, Ben Clemens is joined by Dan Szymborski to banter about the latest baseball happenings, highlighted by the possibility of a Triple Crown-winning hitter. Aaron Judge is within reach of the goal, and while Paul Goldschmidt is unlikely to nab it in the National League, he does find himself in an MVP race with teammate Nolan Arenado. Ben and Dan discuss the top-heavy Yankees and Cardinals, the rebuilding and still-intriguing Detroit Tigers, J.P. Feyreisen’s under-the-radar achievement, and why it is really difficult to believe reports out of front offices. Finally, Dan shares why he enjoys (playfully) misleading his friends and family, and why he has ended up with more snacks than he needs. [34:42] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 74 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 992 This week on the show, we welcome one of the biggest names in baseball writing to talk about a court case with big implications for the sport before our newest full-time hire makes his podcast debut. To begin, Eric Longenhagen is joined by Jeff Passan, ESPN writer and author of The Arm, to discuss the pair of teenage prospects who have sued the Los Angeles Angeles in a Dominican Republic court, alleging that the organization reneged on verbal agreements to sign them. Eric and Jeff are familiar with how flawed the current international amateur system can be, and they consider what kinds of sweeping changes and regulations could arrive as the result of the case. We also hear about censoring yourself on-air, the potentially playoff-bound Seattle Mariners, minor league unionization, baseball’s new rule changes, and teams that seem to be especially focused on making contact at the plate. [4:42] After that, Ben Clemens welcomes Michael Baumann to the website and to the podcast. Michael wastes no time sharing why he thinks college baseball is worth your time, offering a rant about the evils of golf, and issuing a challenge to Eric to meet him in The Octagon. The duo also chat about how it can be a little intimidating to write for the FanGraphs readership compared to a single-team site. Finally, the pair discuss Christian Walker, who Ben recently wrote about and who Michael shares an alma mater with. The Diamondbacks first baseman is quietly having a great season thanks to strong defense and his ability to hit the ball pretty darn hard. [1:01:46] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 90 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 991 On this edition of the podcast, we welcome a former big-league catcher who knows a lot about the position before some banter about an awards race between two unicorns. To kick things off, David Laurila welcomes Bobby Wilson, veteran of 10 major league seasons and current catching coach for the Texas Rangers. Wilson has gone from being drafted in the 48th round in 2002, to playing for seven clubs (including alongside Jeff Mathis and Mike Napoli in Anaheim), to now finding himself teaching young catchers everything he knows. We get insight into how important the pitcher/catcher relationship is, how analytics and technology have changed the game since Wilson’s playing days, what it was like to catch Ervin Santana’s no-hitter, the one-knee approach to catching, and how vital it is to continue learning as the game evolves. [3:13] In the second segment, Dan Szymborski is joined by Jay Jaffe for some banter about the American League MVP race. Aaron Judge has been record-setting levels of incredible, while Shohei Ohtani continues to do things that have simply never been done by anyone else. Jay and Dan discuss the fascinating (but complicated) nuances involved with comparing this apple and orange, and how there doesn’t seem to be an airtight case for either player just yet. After that, the duo talk about Zac Gallen’s remarkable scoreless innings streak, which has prompted an Orel Hershiser comparison that Jay has some opinions about. Finally, the pair muse on how they don’t make them like Justin Verlander anymore, as well as Jay’s developing S-JAWS system. [35:05] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 56 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 990 On this week’s episode, Eric Longenhagen welcomes our friend and yours, Mike Ferrin of MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM, to look ahead to next summer’s draft class before casting an eye toward the playoff race and stretch run. Eric and Mike discuss the abundance of amateur talent in the 2023 class. We hear about intriguing young players such as Max Clark, Arjun Nimmala, Alfonso Rosario, Kevin McGonigle, and more. After that, the duo take a look at how the expanded playoffs have affected the big league playoff landscape. Squads like the Brewers, Padres, and White Sox seem to be struggling at a bad time, while the Cardinals may somehow be underrated when compared to the game’s elite teams. We also hear how the Orioles are ahead of schedule and playing with house money, while the Seattle Mariners look good to go and ready to break their playoff drought. To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 56 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 989 This week on the show, we hear great stories from a veteran minor league broadcaster and discuss those darn Yankees, but not before talking about the new FanGraphs app! In the first segment, David Laurila welcomes Tim Hagerty, broadcaster for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas. We learn about a number of interesting Padres prospects playing for El Paso, including Jay Groome, Luis Campusano, and Ryan Weathers, before hearing about Tim’s upcoming book, Tales from the Dugout: 1,001 Humorous, Inspirational & Wild Anecdotes from Minor League Baseball. Tim tells us about the PA announcer who got tossed by an umpire, the minor league team that spent a night in jail, the team that set its field on fire on purpose, the pitcher who got locked in a bathroom, and many more fun tales from his research. [6:50] After that, Ben Clemens and Jay Jaffe get together to talk about the New York Yankees, who dominated the first half of the season but have found themselves in a skid since the trade deadline. Jordan Montgomery has been superlative since his trade to the Cardinals, while Frankie Montas has been inconsistent with New York, and the combination isn’t helping the mood among Yankees fans. The duo discuss those deals as well as the Yankees having their eye on October, how hard it is to catch a home run on video at the ballpark, and how it seems like everyone in the Yankees lineup (apart from Aaron Judge) has struggled. [28:59] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 59 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 988 On this episode of FanGraphs Audio, we have a conversation with a pitching great before discussing our disappointment in a current face of baseball. To begin the show, David Laurila welcomes David Cone, five-time All-Star pitcher, podcaster, and current broadcaster for the Yankees and ESPN Sunday Night Baseball. We hear about how Cone modeled his game and style off Luis Tiant, as well as which current players may have been inspired a bit by Cone. The duo also discuss the impact of seam-shifted wake and pitching science and how the Yankees have deployed both so effectively. Finally, Cone shares stories about players like John Smoltz, Dennis Eckersley, and David Wells, as well as the magical 1998 Yankees season. [4:06] After that, Dan Szymborski chats with Jay Jaffe, who is calling in from his vacation in San Diego. As a parent himself, Jay understands the frustrated Padres, who again find themselves disappointed following the news of Fernando Tatis Jr.’s PED suspension. The pair discuss how this affects San Diego’s playoff chances and Tatis’ potential Hall of Fame case many years from now. We also hear about how this compares to Ryan Braun’s suspension and tarnished legacy, the Dodgers not getting Walker Buehler back this season, and the Rockies once again doing something a little encouraging. [20:59] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 50 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 987 This week on the program, we get into some Blue Jays banter before looking at how some other squads are faring after the trade deadline. In the first half, David Laurila welcomes Kaitlyn McGrath, a writer and podcaster for The Athletic focused on the Toronto Blue Jays. They talk about the surprisingly competitive Baltimore Orioles, compare Kevin Gausman and Alek Manoah’s great seasons, consider the concerning campaigns of Yusei Kikuchi and José Berríos, and discuss the interesting acquisitions of Jackie Bradley Jr. and Whit Merrifield. We also hear how fans wish the club was a bit more aggressive even as the front office often leans in a more practical direction. [3:02] In the second half, Ben Clemens and Dan Szymborski convene to chat about the landscape of both Central divisions and their respective races. The White Sox just lost Tim Anderson at a terrible time, while the Cardinals are surging following some successful deadline deals. The pair talk about the Harrison Bader/Jordan Montgomery trade, how Milwaukee was too passive at the deadline, Jed Lowrie being DFA’d, Chris Sale’s latest unfortunate injury, and Dan’s own history of embarrassing accidents. Finally, they give the Rockies some credit after they claimed Dinelson Lamet off waivers. [36:53] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 73 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 986 On this week’s show, we welcome a major league veteran and Phillies broadcaster for a chat before reacting to an overwhelming week of trade deadline moves, as well as the loss of a broadcasting legend. To kick things off, David Laurila welcomes Chad Durbin, a TV analyst for the Philadelphia Phillies with 14 years of major league pitching on his resume. The pair discuss the Phillies’ moves at the deadline and how new faces like Noah Syndergaard, Brandon Marsh, and old pal David Robertson could help the squad down the stretch. They also discuss the Juan Soto trade, and how he stacks up compared to another former National great: Bryce Harper. Durbin also offers insights into clubhouse leadership and chemistry, what it was like to play with Pedro Martinez, and why he could not get Magglio Ordóñez out. [4:37] After that, Eric Longenhagen is joined by Jay Jaffe and Jason Martinez for an extended conversation about Tuesday’s trade deadline. The trio discuss Soto’s historical significance, the haul he was traded for, and the King Kong vs. Godzilla battle that is the Dodgers vs. the Padres. They also break down playing for 162 vs. playing for the playoffs, which teams should have done more, and which clubs now find themselves out of the race, as well as the intriguing prospects who now find themselves with new homes. Finally, the group laments the passing of Vin Scully, one of the most beloved icons in the sport. We hear about how Scully had an impact on anyone who heard or was lucky enough to meet him, and how the baseball world stopped to remember him. [33:23] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 91 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 985 On this edition of FanGraphs Audio, Ben Clemens is joined by Eric Longenhagen for an extended conversation about this week’s Trade Value Series, next week’s trade deadline, and more. Eric tells us about his trip to Los Angeles, including seeing the All-Star Game, the Futures Game, and the amateur draft, before Ben shares what it was like to do the Trade Value Series on his own for the first time. We hear how difficult the apples-to-oranges rankings can be, especially when you have players like Oneil Cruz with unpredictable futures or guys who are true unicorns like Shohei Ohtani. The duo also discuss surplus value, Sandy Alcantara growing into his amazing control, Ketel Marte getting too strong for his hamstrings, Mookie Betts’ specific form of athleticism (and contract structure), how modern Shane Bieber looks on the mound vs. his results, how teams with looming 40-man crunch might approach the deadline, and much more. To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 63 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 984 This week on the show, David Laurila welcomes Ellen Adair, actor, MLB Network analyst, host of multiple podcasts and, perhaps most importantly, diehard Philadelphia Phillies fan. David and Ellen begin by discussing the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby, the controversial uniformity of the uniforms, mic’d up pitchers, and which Phillies were missing from the festivities. We also hear about Dick Allen’s absence from the Hall of Fame, how the Phillies have changed course following the firing of Joe Girardi, and the inner conflict associated with still rooting for a player that has been traded away. Finally, the duo opens a fresh pack of baseball cards and discusses players such as Darick Hall, Bryce Harper, Matt Vierling, and “Big Ed” Delahanty. To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 39 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 983 On this episode, we discuss the surging underdogs of the AL East before a chat about finishing up prospect lists in time for one of the most eventful weeks on the baseball calendar. At the top of the show, David Laurila welcomes Geoff Arnold, broadcaster for the Baltimore Orioles. We hear about the club’s recent win streak, exceeding expectations in a very challenging division, and how doing so has made for an entirely different environment at the ballpark. Arnold tells us how stoked the team is for All-Star Jorge López, and how Tyler Wells deserved a nod as well. We also hear about the team’s strong farm system, why Brandon Hyde deserves consideration for Manager of the Year, how the team might handle the trade deadline, and who the O’s might take first overall in the upcoming amateur draft. [3:22] In the second segment, lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen and managing editor Meg Rowley discuss the herculean task that was finishing the 2022 prospect lists. We hear about how the sausage is made when it comes to this annual feat, including how the process has changed over the years. The duo also look ahead to the crowded field of All-Star events, including the Futures Game and the amateur draft, and discuss what they are excited about while also lamenting the week’s imperfect scheduling. Finally, we hear suggestions for how the draft and Futures Game could be marketed differently at a time when fans seem more interested than ever in prospects. [34:34] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 91 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 982 On this week’s episode of FanGraphs Audio, Ben Clemens and Dan Szymborski banter about recent baseball happenings before coming up with a new way to quantify how compelling players are to watch. Dan recently ran his ZiPS midseason update for each league, inspiring him and Ben to talk about the Astros and red-hot Yankees having a chance to break the single-season win record, and contemplate how the rebuilding Tigers have been a disappointment even by their standards. The pair also discusses how ZiPS feels about a few intriguing players, including Isaac Paredes, Luis Arraez, Julio Rodríguez, and the ever-incredible Yordan Alvarez. On the subject of Alvarez, the duo spontaneously create the Science vs. Romance stat, which helps to identify batters who are especially fun to watch at the plate. Finally, we hear about Ben’s trip to an amusingly named wine country, which he is happy to recommend. To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 52 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 981 This week, we talk to a reporter covering the St. Louis Cardinals before meeting the author of a book about the unique Cleveland team that won it all in 1948. In the first half, David Laurila welcomes Katie Woo, beat writer covering the Cardinals for The Athletic. The pair begin by discussing Woo’s favorite baseball memories generally as well as a few that have come from covering the St. Louis club so far, including the team’s 17-game win streak in 2021 and Miles Mikolas’ recent near-no-hitter. Woo also describes the experience of not only witnessing history, but sharing it with others. We also get insight into some players’ behavior during what has been a fun season, including Mikolas’ brunch opinions, Adam Wainwright’s “day-after-pitching old man walks,” and Albert Pujols leaning into a mentorship role. [3:27] After that, Jay Jaffe welcomes Luke Epplin, author of Our Team: The Epic Story of Four Men and the World Series that Changed Baseball. Jay recently read the book, which is about Larry Doby, Bill Veeck, Bob Feller, and Satchel Paige, and their World Series championship together. Veeck was known for his front office antics, Feller was a national sensation, and Paige was a walking legend, but all eyes were on Doby as he broke the American League color barrier in 1947. Epplin shares how Doby differed from the other stars on the team, how varied his relationships with some teammates were, and how his experience differed from that of Jackie Robinson. [28:53] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 65 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 980 This episode, we sit down with the head honcho of the Red Sox before an old friend comes by to talk about the state of the amateur draft landscape. At the top of the show, David Laurila welcomes Chaim Bloom, chief baseball officer for the Boston Red Sox. Bloom shares his journey from a Latin Classics degree at Yale to contributing at Baseball Prospectus to an internship with the Rays in 2005 to eventually being in charge of a major league front office. The duo also talk about the past and future of knuckleballers in the game, the significance of starting pitchers going the distance, the Andrew Benintendi trade, Jackie Bradley Jr. moving off of center field, and how the club has improved at developing pitchers. [3:45] In the second half, Eric Longenhagen is joined by Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline. The pair were both just at the MLB Draft Combine in San Diego and discuss the event they have dubbed the Winter Meetings of the draft. They also talk about the College World Series, the ironically named Kumar Rocker rule, how new technology and data is continuing to influence amateur scouting, and how their mock drafts are going so far. Finally, Jim shares an anecdote about the Kyler Murray pick. [32:30] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 85 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 979 This week on the show, we welcome a reliever in the middle of a breakout campaign before our Freaky Friday dynamic duo returns for some more banter. To kick things off, David Laurila is joined by Red Sox left-hander Austin Davis. Davis describes his journey from being traded by the Pirates to buying his own TrackMan unit and learning to alter his grip — and how that has changed his game entirely. We also hear about playing under Gabe Kapler and with Rhys Hoskins, getting advice from Brad Lidge, and that time Joe West infamously confiscated his scouting cheatsheet on the mound. [3:47] In the second half, Dan Szymborski and Ben Clemens are back to chat about the red-hot Yankees, the scorching Braves, and how the Blue Jays are in a crucial spot and need to consider trading for a starter. We also hear about the latest zStats update, questionable baserunning blunders, Miles Mikolas’s near-no-hitter, the Cardinals’ grim catching situation, and the bummer that is injury news. Finally, Dan and Ben speculate about the slowest Eephus possible and muse over how we sometimes choose to ignore concerning signs of regression when we want to believe in a fun player, such as Nestor Cortes. [27:02] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 62 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 978 On this edition of FanGraphs Audio, we talk to another major league general manager before some banter about recent writing on the site. At the top of the show, David Laurila welcomes Nick Krall, GM of the Cincinnati Reds. Krall has been with the club for about two decades, and offers insights into the team’s past and future. We hear about working with Dick Williams and former podcast guests Kyle Boddy and Katie Krall (no relation), how Krall feels about the idea that Joey Votto “walks too much,” and the team’s tough April. We also hear about how the front office has advanced its use of analytics over the years, as well as some prospects who the Reds are excited about, including Elly De La Cruz, Brandon Williamson, Connor Phillips, and Chase Petty. [3:35] After that, Ben Clemens and Dan Szymborski get together for a little Freaky Friday to discuss recent baseball happenings and their own recent work. They chat about the always interesting Blue Jays and the inscrutable Adam Cimber, whose wild delivery can be difficult to find comparisons for. The duo also discuss the firing of Joe Maddon (and how we all know he isn’t to blame for the Angels’ struggles), the underrated Yordan Alvarez (and his extension), the Giants’ strange bunting patterns, Luis Arraez’s nutty season, and the rules for giving yourself a nickname. [23:30] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 62 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 977 This week, we remember a legend of baseball writing before a discussion about the Seattle Mariners (and our new merch). To begin the show, Jay Jaffe welcomes Jayson Stark of The Athletic in his return to the pod as they discuss Roger Angell, who recently passed away at age 101. The Hall of Fame writer had a huge impact on so many baseball writers, including Jay and Jayson, and they discuss how he affected their work and their lives. The duo also share some of their favorite Angell pieces, including when he wrote about Dan Quisenberry and Steve Blass, and how his style was so different and inspiring, and also unrepeatable. [3:40] In the second half, David Laurila welcomes Aaron Goldsmith, broadcaster for the Seattle Mariners. We hear about his journey to calling major league games on the radio and the unforgettable stops he made along the way. We also hear about how Aaron tries to utilize advanced stats in his broadcasts, as well as his insights on young talents like Jarred Kelenic, George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, and Julio Rodríguez. [34:17] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 79 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 976 This week on the show, Ben Clemens and Jason Martinez reconvene after having previously discussed the young baseball season last month. Offense hasn’t been as quiet as it was in April, and bullpens have gotten a bit shaky — even before being forced to shrink (though it was announced after recording that the pitcher roster limit deadline will be pushed back a bit). Ben and Jason discuss these trends, as well as just how fun the sport has been, including Ben’s early pick for game of the year. The duo also talk about the St. Louis Cardinals, who are having fun and running wild on the basepaths while once again featuring a crop of promising rookie talent. We hear about players like Juan Yepez, Nolan Gorman, and Brendan Donovan, before yours truly asks Ben and Jason to make some fun predictions about rest of the team’s season. To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 55 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 975 On this episode, we chat about the AL West-leading Astros before getting help from an astrophysicist as we try to understand why the baseball continues to act so strangely. To start the show, David Laurila welcomes Julia Morales, reporter for AT&T SportsNet Southwest and the Houston Astros. Morales has been covering the team for a decade and shares what it was like to go through the lean years as well as the championship run, and how the rise of analytics has changed her job as a broadcaster. We also hear about going inside the Green Monster and stories involving Jose Altuve, Zack Greinke, Jeremy Peña, A.J. Hinch, Dusty Baker, and more. [2:44] After that, Dan Szymborski and Ben Clemens welcome Dr. Meredith Wills, who first appeared on episode 909, back to the show. Dr. Wills has continued her research into what is going on with the baseball and shares her findings on what she is calling an “unforced error.” We learn how humidors can affect baseballs differently — with the help of a leftover food analogy — and what could be causing dents in the ball. Finally, Ben and Dan ask the good doctor what she would do to fix the league’s equipment issues if she were given total control. [34:47] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 71 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 974 On this week’s FanGraphs Audio, David Laurila talks to a major league general manager before introducing one of the game’s new radio voices. In the first half, David welcomes Ben Cherington, general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates. We hear about how the Pirates are focusing on building instead of rebuilding, including how they are willing to innovate and try things while also studying other successful clubs. We also get insight on players like Daniel Vogelbach, David Bednar, Henry Davis, and Oneil Cruz, and manager Derek Shelton. Cherington also reflects on his Red Sox years, including when he and David spoke a decade ago, as well as some of the trades he made and challenges he faced. [2:42] In the second segment, David welcomes Jake Eisenberg, radio voice for the Triple-A Omaha Stormchasers, who has also called games for the Mets and Royals this season. We hear about his fast-moving career and the opportunities he has felt lucky enough to seize, as well as some of his adventures along the way. Eisenberg tells us about players like Brady Singer, Nick Pratto, and Vinnie Pasquantino before sharing stories about covering the Mets/Cardinals drama and getting lost at his own major league debut. [29:59] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 57 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 973 On this episode, Eric Longenhagen welcomes old friend Keith Law of The Athletic back to the show to chat about the draft landscape. Eric recently returned from a trip to Florida, and the duo discuss how challenging travel logistics continue to be while trying to see amateur players. We hear about impressive prospects like Jordan Beck, Drew Gilbert, Trey Lipscomb, and Sonny DiChiara, as well as how strong Tennessee looks and how Vanderbilt has been a surprising disappointment. Keith also talks about working on his Draft Top 100 list and reaching episode No. 100 of his own podcast. To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 27 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 972 This week on the show, we check in on the always-interesting Colorado Rockies, who have been exceeding expectations in the early going, before getting into recent beanball drama and more. To begin the episode, David Laurila welcomes Thomas Harding of MLB.com, who has covered the Rockies for decades. The pair talk about the odd team’s odd history, what is different this year, and why there are reasons to be excited going forward. We also get insight on players like Connor Joe, Brendan Rodgers, C.J. Cron, Ezequiel Tovar, and Chad Kuhl, as well as the influence Bud Black and Kris Bryant have had on the club. [3:06] After that, Ben Clemens catches up with Dan Szymborski, freshly returned from vacation. The duo gives the Rockies their due before discussing the Mets/Cardinals rivalry and the recent flare up of the unwritten rules. Ben wants to know exactly what a bench warning is, while Dan is concerned about some ethical loopholes. They also contemplate whether “Aaron Brooks” is the best-performing name across pro sports and the difficulties of projecting players coming from foreign leagues, as well as if we should buy into Nelson Cruz’s potential decline, Ben having his identity harmlessly stolen, and Dan responding to emails not meant for him. [25:10] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 63 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 971 On this week’s show, we welcome a club’s president of baseball operations to talk about his team’s inner workings before we react to the exciting first few weeks of the season. At the top of the program, David Laurila welcomes Derek Falvey, president of baseball operations for the Minnesota Twins. Falvey gives us insight into the José Berríos trade, how much autonomy they give manager Rocco Baldelli, and whether it is easier or harder to trade with general managers you count as friends (such as former podcast guest Ross Atkins). We also hear about players like Simeon Woods Richardson, Jhoan Duran, Joe Smith, and Dylan Bundy, as well as the team hiring Kevin Goldstein away from FanGraphs. [2:46] In the second half, Ben Clemens and Jason Martinez get together to chat about the young baseball season. The pair discuss the recent Luke Voit/Tommy Pham drama, and talk about the sometimes-double-edged sword of playing with a chip on your shoulder. The duo also discuss some disappointing clubs (the D-backs) and some pleasant surprises (the Rockies), as well as the game’s overall lack of offense. Finally, Ben is cautiously intrigued by the Baltimore Orioles’ pitching strategy and its early dividends, highlighted by Keegan Akin. [25:36] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 64 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 970 This week we meet a player development coach before reuniting with an old friend who has plenty of thoughts on developing players. To kick things off, David Laurila welcomes Katie Krall, development coach for the Boston Red Sox. Krall has an impressive resume, having already worked in the commissioner’s office and as a baseball operations analyst for the Cincinnati Reds, and she shares what her path to her current role was like. She also offers some insight on Red Sox prospects like Dylan Spacke and Brandon Walter, what it was like to work with players like Amir Garrett and Joey Votto in Cincinnati, and where she hopes her bright career will go one day. [2:54] After that, Eric Longenhagen welcomes old friend Kiley McDaniel back to the show. The duo begin by catching up on Kiley’s good deeds in puppy fostering, then discuss how they each handle the long drives involved in scouting road trips. Then, Eric wants to know what’s making some SEC teams so remarkable compared to recent memory, while Kiley shares some thoughts on the National High School Invitational. Finally, the pair look back on some high school pitchers who went early in the draft in recent years and try to categorize them with the benefit of hindsight to see what we can learn. [27:21] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 78 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 969 FanGraphs Audio is here a day early this week in celebration of Opening Day, and we have a pair of great interviews to ring in the season. At the top of the show, David Laurila welcomes Matt Bowman, a former Cardinals and Reds pitcher who is now in the Yankees system. The pair first talked years ago, and the right-hander shares how he has evolved both as a pitcher and as a student of pitching in the time since. Bowman also discusses his first Opening Day on a major league roster, talking to Amir Garrett about his slider, recovering from Tommy John surgery, and how impressed he is by Yankees pitching development. [2:59] In the second half, Jay Jaffe welcomes long-time baseball writer and friend Craig Calcaterra, who recently published his book Rethinking Fandom: How to Beat the Sports-Industrial Complex at Its Own Game. He and Jay talk about how the challenges of authoring a book compare to daily writing, as well as how the book came to be. The pair also discuss how our fandom changes as we grow as people, the inherent conflict of criticizing an industry you work in, and the occasional value of embracing being a fair-weather fan. [31:38] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 62 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 968 This week on the podcast, Dan Szymborski and Ben Clemens go over their work on the 2022 positional power rankings. Dan wrote about the league’s catchers, so the duo discuss Will Smith’s sneaky stardom, Yasmani Grandal’s wild 2021 stat line, and how the importance of framing makes Salvador Perez a controversial backstop. Meanwhile, Ben covered second and third base, so we also hear about where Luis Arraez fits in for the Twins (and their curious situation at third), the career arc of Gleyber Torres, and whether Ben thinks he would give Jose Altuve a Hall of Fame vote when the time comes. Finally, Ben shares his favorite video game of the year so far, and it probably isn’t the one you think. To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 50 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 967 On this week’s show, David Laurila welcomes Alex Coffey, a sportswriter for The Philadelphia Inquirer covering the Philadelphia Phillies. David and Alex both attended Nick Castellanos’ signing press conference in Florida, and discuss how the outfielder is going to fit on a team that may already struggle defensively. Alex also shares what it’s like to watch Bryce Harper take batting practice and lead a team, and how great it has been to interview Phillies like Rhys Hoskins and Kyle Gibson now that clubhouse access has been restored. We also hear about the team’s center field position battle and how Matt Vierling could potentially impress in the role. To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 26 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Episode 966 On this edition of FanGraphs Audio, our own Eric Longenhagen and Ben Clemens discuss some of the numerous signings and trades of the past week. Eric and Ben talk about the first sunburn of the season, Cristian Pache’s upside, Sean Murphy’s hamates and trade value, and the arrival of Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa on the Yankees — and how weird the latter’s defensive metrics can be. The pair also discuss Oakland and Cincinnati seemingly tearing it all down, and how important it is to consider which choices are made by the front office and which are dictated by ownership. Eric and Ben also react to the reactions to the Rockies signing Kris Bryant with some thoughts about how and why we root for players to get paid. To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 50 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source