Author Archive

Mark Melancon Is Shutting Them Down

Toward the end of April, things weren’t looking so hot for Pirates relief ace Mark Melancon. His velocity was down — way down — and Pirates manager Clint Hurdle was beginning to field questions about Melancon’s job security. Fast forward to September, and it seems like ages ago that we were even discussing this in a serious matter, because Melancon is on the verge of a historic season.

It would have been hard to claim that Melancon would go on to have such a great season back in April. Hurdle’s proclamation that Melancon would remain the closer was met with derision. The Bullpen Report guys moved Melancon and the Pirates closer situation into the red for the first time on April 22. The velocity on his cutter, which in the past had averaged 92 mph or faster, was averaging 88 mph. In the days immediately after April 22, his velocity would dip into the 87 mph range. Hardly big league worthy. At the same time, Arquimedes Caminero was making a name for himself, and it seemed like only a matter of time before the guy who might just be the right-handed Aroldis Chapman would take over as the Pirates closer. Or if not him, then perhaps the dependable Tony Watson. Or maybe Jared Hughes. Either way, it looked like Melancon’s days were numbered.
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FanGraphs After Dark Chat – 9/15/15

4:49
Paul Swydan: Hi everybody!

What do you know, it’s Tuesday again! That happened pretty fast, don’t ya think?

Join Jeff and myself tonight at 9 pm ET for some hot baseball chat action. Until then, polls!

9:04
Paul Swydan: Hi guys, sorry, I was busy making fun of Zach Sanders on Twitter for confusing Ryan Adams and Bryan Adams.

9:04
Paul Swydan: Let’s chat!

9:04
Jeff Zimmerman: OK

9:04
Paul Swydan: Pretty good game going right now in Toronto, FYI.

9:04
Comment From Guesto
I demand a “I have never seen Star Wars” category.

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The Best of FanGraphs: September 14-18, 2015

Each week, we publish north of 100 posts on our various blogs. With this post, we hope to highlight 10 to 15 of them. You can read more on it here. The links below are color coded — green for FanGraphs, brown for RotoGraphs, dark red for The Hardball Times, orange for TechGraphs and blue for Community Research.
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FanGraphs After Dark Chat – 9/15/15

6:18
Paul Swydan: Hi everybody! Jeff and I will be here at 9 pm ET for all of your baseballing questions, including but not limited to just how much Jeff is panicking over the state of Johnny Cueto. See you soon!

9:01
Paul Swydan: OK, let’s do this.

9:01
Comment From Brad
Paul, as a red sox fan, do you have a twinge of disappointment that new Yankees stadium is so dull. It used to be sold out all the time and loud.

9:02
Jeff Zimmerman: and the Yankees were dominant with players every knew and loved.

9:02
Paul Swydan: Well, I take comfort in the fact that when things are really important, the Stadium will be filled. I expect a wild card game there to be absolutely awesome TV.

9:03
Paul Swydan: But yes, it’s a little sad that they can’t fill it up every night. To Jeff’s point, it’s been a little bit since they had that kind of team on the field.

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The Best of FanGraphs: September 8-11, 2015

Each week, we publish north of 100 posts on our various blogs. With this post, we hope to highlight 10 to 15 of them. You can read more on it here. The links below are color coded — green for FanGraphs, brown for RotoGraphs, dark red for The Hardball Times, orange for TechGraphs and blue for Community Research.
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A Look at the Comeback Player of the Year Award

In years past, I’ve looked at players who might win the Comeback Player of the Year Award. I don’t know why, but I just like this award. It sort of gets lost in the shuffle of awards season. It’s usually a feel-good story. I’ve felt like it is interesting to put some statistical context to the award. This year is no different. I never did last year’s post, but I did this in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

The methodology remains the same as it did in previous iterations. From the 2013 post:

Just like last year, the criteria is a player who posted 2.5 WAR or less last year, and has posted at least 1.0 WAR this year. Then I cull the list. The general standard is for a player to have roughly 2.0 more WAR this year than last, but this year I’m making an exception for catchers (roughly 1.5 WAR) and relief pitchers (roughly 1.0 WAR), as WAR may not be as fair to them as it is to others.

From there, we have to decide who is really making a comeback. Sometimes, guys just make the leap, or were never really good to begin with. But first, some honorable mentions.

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FanGraphs After Dark Chat – 9/8/15

4:58
Paul Swydan: Hi everybody! Jeff and I will be here at 9 pm ET to cram some baseball right into your cramholes. Join us then!

9:01
Paul Swydan: Hi everybody! How about that Matt Harvey, eh?

9:01
Comment From Carson "City Nevada" Cistulli
That would be time consuming.

9:02
Jeff Zimmerman: Yes, yes it has been.

9:02
Paul Swydan: I think I was 4 minutes into the Dayn Perry podcast and Carson still wasn’t done reading the ad. God love him. I do actually want to try that product though…

9:02
Comment From Name
Can anyone recommend an alternate MLB news site like HardballTalk? Since their redesign that site is non-functional for me (can’t get the infinite scroll to work to see past a few stories nor the comments).

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The Best of FanGraphs: August 31-September 4, 2015

Each week, we publish north of 100 posts on our various blogs. With this post, we hope to highlight 10 to 15 of them. You can read more on it here. The links below are color coded — green for FanGraphs, brown for RotoGraphs, dark red for The Hardball Times, orange for TechGraphs and blue for Community Research.
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FanGraphs After Dark Chat – 9/1/15

3:39
Paul Swydan: Hi everybody! Jeff and I will be here at 9 pm ET to answer your baseballing question. Feel free to ask me about the giant leap my son’s swing took today. Or you know, pennant races and stuff. It’s all good. See you soon!

9:01
Paul Swydan: Ok, let’s do this.

9:01
Jeff Zimmerman: OK Brave Star

9:01
Paul Swydan: Brave Star?

9:02
9:04
Paul Swydan: Dude, WHAT was that?

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The Best of FanGraphs: August 24-28, 2015

Each week, we publish north of 100 posts on our various blogs. With this post, we hope to highlight 10 to 15 of them. You can read more on it here. The links below are color coded — green for FanGraphs, brown for RotoGraphs, dark red for The Hardball Times, orange for TechGraphs and blue for Community Research.
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