Dan Szymborski: Good afternoon!

Dan Szymborski:

Jeff: What do we make of Semien? Same slow start as last year, or something else?

Dan Szymborski: I’m still on slow start.

Ryan: What language do you primarily code in? Does the answer depend on the project? I.e the ZIPS model vs. a random Thursday article research

Dan Szymborski: Depends. I’m not a coder, I’m a math guy who codes a little when he’s stuck doing. I use a combination of Excel with some statistical package third party add-ons and Visual Basic

Jay Jaffe: Good afternoon, folks! Welcome to what is going to be an abbreviated version of the usual festivities, as I have to be out the door at about 3:15 ET.

Jay Jaffe: The quick housekeeping: My week featured pieces on the Hall of Fame’s Era Committee shakeup https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-hall-of-fame-shakes-up-its-era-committ…, Mike Trout’s hot start https://blogs.fangraphs.com/amid-fits-and-starts-mike-trout-might-be-g…, Bryce Harper’s elbow https://blogs.fangraphs.com/checking-in-on-bryce-harper-full-time-desi… and more.

Travis: You buying Kyle Wright? Anyone planning on a Wright article? I’m curious if the changes he made are sustainable.

Jay Jaffe: I haven’t had a chance to lay eyes on Wright but I know people are talking about his hot start. He’s been lit up at the major league level before, but the Braves thought highly enough of him to make him a top-5 pick five years ago. We know pitching development is non-linear, so it shouldn’t be a shock when a guy takes a big leap forward, especially when it comes with a jump in velocity — often suggesting cleaner mechanics and possibly better command as well.  I imagine we’ll have coverage of him soon enough, either from me or someone else

Chip: Should Yankee fans stop whining about their team now? Or is there something else they should be angry about?

Jay Jaffe: They should be comforted by the strong start, but I think they have reason to be concerned about the team’s catching situation, the overreliance upon aging players, and the fact that they didn’t land one of the star shortstops who hit the market. As irate as they were in the spring? No, but I think ownership could be doing more to fortify this team (even given their huge payroll).

BettsBellingerCaruso: East Coasters that send 8AM meeting requests I hope they metaphorically get hit with terrible BABIP luck for the rest of their lives that is all

Dan Szymborski: Good afternoon to people with righteous time zones! Good morning to the rest of you.

Ryan Breynolds: When is it time to start panicking with Nick Gonzales? The K-rate seems to be a real problem.

Dan Szymborski: Nick Martinez?

Dan Szymborski: Certainly more than three games. Especially because his plate discipline numbers suggest a lower walk rate.

Dan Szymborski: I’d actually be more worried that he’s not throwing as hard as he was overseas.

Jay Jaffe: Good afternoon, folks, and welcome to my Friday chat — my first solo chat of the 2022 regular season!

Jay Jaffe: First, some housekeeping: i’ve got a big piece today about this week’s rash of no-hit bids and their connection to the MLB-wide drop in offense. https://blogs.fangraphs.com/welcome-to-hitless-baseball/

Jay Jaffe: Second, the Hall of Fame dropped big news about another Era Committee reorganization right as I was filing that.

Jay Jaffe: I will cover this early next week, but for the moment it’s worth sharing that I confirmed with the Hall that yes, the four candidates who aged off this year’s ballot — Bonds, Clemens, Schilling, and Sosa — will be eligible for the 2023 Contemporary Players ballot.

Jay Jaffe: Finally, I’m going to go see some baseball nerd friends who are in a band — including Mike Petriello and Michael Clair — play a show in Brooklyn tonight. if you’re local, check it out

Jay Jaffe: Ok, on with the show

Dan Szymborski: April.

Nate: I know it’s still early, but are we starting to worry about Jared Kelenic again?

Dan Szymborski: April.

James: Can you give the devil’s advocate explanation for a lineup where Niko Goodrum bats third and Kyle Tucker 6th?

Dan Szymborski: A good one?

Dan Szymborski: No