Episode 946

This week we welcome another major league pitcher before discussing a baseball icon who happens to be managing in the World Series.

• To start the show, David Laurila welcomes Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic. The pair reviews Bubic’s pitch mix, in particular his changeup. Bubic also shares what it’s like playing with teammates like Danny Duffy, Jackson Kowar, and Scott Barlow, as well as what he might look to do after his playing days are over. [2:15]
• Then in the second half, it’s Jay Jaffe and Kevin Goldstein on the legend of Dusty Baker. Jay recently wrote about Baker’s career and Hall of Fame chances, and Kevin recalls the manager’s hiring during a particularly weird time for the Astros. The duo discuss Baker’s evolution as a manager, what he seems to bring to a clubhouse, and what the rest of the World Series might have in store. [22:23]

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Episode 945

On this episode, we welcome back a major leaguer, dork out about prospects and fantasy baseball, and dive into weird October starting pitcher usage.

• To kick things off, David Laurila is joined by Andrew Miller, who last appeared in episode 891. They discuss postseason start times, relievers pacing themselves vs. throwing max effort, and how the new CBA could potentially address robot umpires. Miller also shares what it has been like to play with some of the best managers and coaches of this generation during his 16-year major league career. [2:59]
• After that, Eric Longenhagen and Paul Sporer catch up about First Pitch Arizona, which they both recently attended. The duo discuss the intersection of the prospect and fantasy baseball communities, and go over some of the players who are currently popular with both. All eyes might be on Adley Rutschman, but Paul is starting a Spencer Torkelson fan club and he can’t wait to tell you about it. [26:08]
• Finally, Ben Clemens and Jay Jaffe discuss the incredible shrinking postseason starter. Pitcher usage has been especially strange this October and the pair offer a number of reasons why, including (and most notably) the uptick in pitcher workloads after the shortened 2020 season. Ben and Jay also talk about using starters on their throw days and the concerns they have for overworked pitchers going forward. [58:34]

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Episode 944

This week on FanGraphs Audio, we go over the first round of the playoffs before looking ahead to both Championship Series.

• To begin the program, David Laurila welcomes Bill Koch of The Providence Journal to talk about Boston’s ALDS win over the Rays. Not many expected the team’s season to go this way, but the return of Chris Sale and a continually impressive Garrett Whitlock have the Fenway faithful loud and ready for more October baseball. David and Bill talk about that weird off-the-wall play in Game 4, the effects of baseball’s competitive balance on October, and how the Red Sox will match up against a perennially competitive Houston club in the ALCS. [2:23]
• After that, Ben Clemens and Dan Szymborski get together to banter about the other playoff matchups. We’ve seen some intense rivalries play out in exciting ways so far, while other so-called feuds seem weirdly one-sided or manufactured. Ben and Dan discuss the Brewers’ offensive woes (and who their main rival is), the news of Lance McCullers Jr.’s questionable availability for the ALCS, Dan being ejected as a mouthy little-leaguer, and more. [29:23]

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Episode 943

We’re as excited about the postseason as you are, and this week we share some Wild Card reactions before looking ahead to the rest of October.

• In our first segment, David Laurila welcomes the Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes, who was in attendance for both of the Wild Card games this week. David and Chelsea discuss the exciting atmospheres in Boston and Los Angeles before turning their attention to how the Giants won 107 games and how veteran catchers like Buster Posey and Salvador Perez impressed this season after a year off from the demanding job. Finally, Chelsea shares why Trea Turner is her pick in the tight NL MVP race. [2:36]
• After that, Eric Longenhagen is joined by Jason Martinez to talk about the start of the playoffs and catch up on how their respective baseball jobs’ schedules change in October. Eric shares some of the prospects he has been keeping an eye on, while Jason lets his inner Padres fan speak up about the team’s rough second half. Finally, the duo go over some of the big 40-man roster crunch situations teams will face this winter. [26:37]

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Episode 942

This week on FanGraphs Audio, we talk to the author of one of our favorite baseball books before welcoming a big-league arm.

• At the top of the program, Jay Jaffe sits down with Fred C. Harris, co-author of The Great American Baseball Card Flipping, Trading And Bubblegum Book, first published in 1973. Like many, Jay loved this book in his formative years, and he shares some of his favorite passages and cards. Meanwhile, Fred reflects on how the book came to be and the numerous versions that have been published over the years, many of which Jay has on his shelf. Finally, Jay shares his ode to Rocky Bridges, and we hear an anecdote about Jim Bouton’s reaction to being in the book. [2:35]
• After that, David Laurila is joined by Cole Sulser, right-hander for the Baltimore Orioles. Sulser talks about going from playing at Dartmouth with Kyle Hendricks to a pair of Tommy John surgeries to his unforgettable major league debut at age 29. David asks Sulser about playing in the Ivy League with players like Matt Bowman and Mike Ford and the Dominican Winter League with players like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Néstor Cortes Jr. Finally, we hear about Sulser’s favorite ballparks and his brother in the Pirates system. [34:10]

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Episode 941

On this edition of the podcast, David Laurila offers a pair of interviews with some insightful pitching minds.

• In the podcast’s first segment, David is joined by Collin McHugh. The Rays right-hander (and occasional podcast host) talks about what it is like to be a major league veteran in a game that is getting younger, how he feels about converting to relief, and the best season of his career. McHugh also shares his thoughts on pitcher wins, striking out the side, and the extra-innings runner, before he tells David about getting his first hit off of Clayton Kershaw and trying to strike out Prince Fielder. [2:39]
• After that, David welcomes Kyle Boddy, founder and owner of Driveline Baseball. Kyle talks about his recent departure from the Reds, as well as the great progress he and his team were able to make while working there. Kyle also shares his thoughts on a number of exciting Cincinnati prospects, including Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Stevie Branche, Lyon Richardson, and Graham Ashcraft. [29:33]

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Episode 940

This week on FanGraphs Audio, we sit down with The Cobra before welcoming back a friend for a prospect chat.

• At the top of the show, David Laurila is joined by 19-year major league veteran Dave Parker, as well as his co-author Dave Jordan, to talk about their book, Cobra: A Life of Baseball and Brotherhood. Parker tells a number of tales from the book and shares what it was like to be teammates with players like Dock Ellis, Willie Stargell, Pete Rose, and more. Meanwhile, Jordan explains how he came to help The Cobra write his memoir and how it got its title. The trio also discuss the Dave Parker 39 Foundation and its fight against Parkinson’s disease. [2:54]
• In our second segment, Eric Longenhagen catches up with The Athletic’s Keith Law on music and social media before diving into the 2021 season. The duo agree that minor league performances have been subpar in general, but also that there are a number of prospects rising up their rankings. Eric and Keith reconsider Anthony Volpe and Nick Yorke, and talk about players such as Elly De La Cruz, who offer a frightening range of potential futures. Finally, they discuss some players they hope to see in the Arizona Fall League this year. [28:37]

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Episode 939

On this week’s episode, we talk to one of the radio voices for Cleveland before a conversation about the Dominican Winter League and its recent draft.

• To start us off, David Laurila welcomes Jim Rosenhaus, radio broadcaster for the soon-to-be Guardians. David and Jim discuss the club’s name change and the work that went into it, as well as the vast amount of work still to do. The pair also talk about Jim’s path to a major league microphone, including a number of impressive teams and players he covered along the way. We also hear about Cleveland’s World Series appearance in 2016, Terry Francona’s potential future in Cleveland and the Hall of Fame, and what it’s like to share a booth with Tom Hamilton. [2:52]
• After that, Eric Longenhagen is joined by Brendan Gawlowski to review the results of the LIDOM draft that occurred on Wednesday. The duo explain how the league and its draft work before detailing how each of the six clubs did and the impressive prospects who could see some playing time this winter. Eric and Brendan also rave about the league’s improved streaming access in recent years, as well as the many memorable players who can be seen playing there. [27:46]

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Episode 938

This week on the show, we welcome the new president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame before a discussion about the New York clubs going in opposite directions.

• In the first half, David Laurila talks to Josh Rawitch about his new role as they discuss his vision for the Hall of Fame, the most popular features and plaques in the museum, and how much “fame” itself weighs into player voting. They also talk about David insightfully writing back in April that Josh should get the role, and what that was like to read that suggestion from the other end. [2:21]
• After that, Dan Szymborski is joined by Jay Jaffe to talk about the Yankees and the Mets. Jay recently wrote on “Nasty Néstor” Cortes, who’s came out of nowhere to help to the thriving Yankees rotation. Meanwhile, the Mets are spiraling in the other direction and out of the playoff hunt, and the duo react to the latest bad front office news that arrives live in the middle of recording. [23:29]

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Episode 937

FanGraphs Audio is here a bit early this week, featuring a combined interview with a surging Rays prospect and his own radio broadcaster.

David Laurila welcomes Taj Bradley, a 20-year-old right-hander whose strong year saw him promoted to High-A, and Shawn Murnin, the voice of the Bowling Green Hot Rods. The trio discuss things like famous baseball alumni from their former clubs, staying in shape with no minor league season last year, and learning Australian slang from teammate Curtis Mead. Bradley also shares how he learned to pitch relatively late, and Shawn tells us about getting to travel with the team again and what it was like to cover Wander Franco.

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