Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a rare prediction by Ben, related to two players who were recently swapped by the Pirates and Royals, Adam Frazier and Cam Devanney. Then (13:52) they mark the podcast’s 13th birthday and launch a “2025 in 2025” plea for Patreon support before (24:19) discussing several of the most intriguing storylines of the rest of the season. After that (1:11:35), they wrap up with listener emails about non-MLB Home Run Derby prospects and the Royals’ perfect pitch-clock management.

Audio intro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Effectively Wild on Patreon
Link to FG on the trade
Link to MLBTR on the trade
Link to Perrotto on Frazier
Link to RoS ZiPS
Link to IL DTs
Link to MLB DTs
Link to Royals depth chart
Link to FG “first half” trends
Link to The Athletic RoS stories
Link to ESPN RoS stories
Link to catcher fatigue research 1
Link to catcher fatigue research 2
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to playoff odds
Link to K%+ leaders
Link to Sam on Hill
Link to violations leaderboard
Link to listener emails database
Link to Effectively Wild on Patreon

 Sponsor Us on Patreon
 Give a Gift Subscription
 Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com
 Effectively Wild Subreddit
 Effectively Wild Wiki
 Apple Podcasts Feed 
 Spotify Feed
 YouTube Playlist
 Facebook Group
 Bluesky Account
 Twitter Account
 Get Our Merch!

Podcast (effectively-wild): Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen discuss the lows and highs of the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game and swing-off, plus banter about beef boys, Blooper, kissing, and the timing of the All-Star break, then (1:03:40) recap the amateur draft, touching on the selection of Eli Willits first overall, first-round risers/fallers, teams that had the best drafts, the latest Holliday (Ethan), the Twins’ extremely tall pitcher Jason Reitz, Boston’s Marcus Phillips pick, and the predictability of the draft vs. international signings.

Audio intro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Derby formats
Link to Derby formats piece
Link to Cal’s plunking
Link to Derby robbery
Link to one-inch difference
Link to Cal/Skubal mic’d up
Link to Schwarbombs
Link to Posnanski on the ASG
Link to Passan on the swing-off
Link to swing-off surprise report
Link to the Miz ASG story
Link to ABS piece 1
Link to ABS piece 2
Link to Scully’s Aaron call
Link to Aaron tribute
Link to Roberts sidestep
Link to beef boy story
Link to Sam on the Dumper
Link to Meg’s Blooper selfie
Link to Mr. Met video
Link to Vinnie/Cags kiss
Link to Sheehan on the ASB
Link to Olympics timing
Link to Eric’s mock
Link to Eric’s ranking
Link to Eric’s recap
Link to Bremner article
Link to Reitz Reddit post
Link to Down on the Farm study

 Sponsor Us on Patreon
 Give a Gift Subscription
 Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com
 Effectively Wild Subreddit
 Effectively Wild Wiki
 Apple Podcasts Feed 
 Spotify Feed
 YouTube Playlist
 Facebook Group
 Bluesky Account
 Twitter Account
 Get Our Merch!

Podcast (effectively-wild): Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Ben Lindbergh and Davy Andrews banter about Meg’s absence, Byron Buxton, Kyle Stowers, and an Orioles/Marlins surprise, the backlash to Jacob Misiorowski’s All-Star selection, the status of the All-Star game and whether All-Star designations need to change, All-Star/Home Run Derby excitement and the merits of several unsung (or undersung) All-Stars and non-All-Stars, a hypothetical about mystery All-Stars, Shohei Ohtani’s pitching progression, and more.

Audio intro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Meg’s Blooper selfie
Link to Passan and Blooper
Link to Vinnie/Cags kiss
Link to Davy on PCA
Link to 5 BB ≥ 100 mph
Link to 5 hits ≥ 100 mph
Link to Miz article 1
Link to Miz article 2
Link to Miz article 3
Link to Miz article 4
Link to BP on All-Stars
Link to All-Star replacements
Link to Neil on the HRD
Link to Neil on All-Stars
Link to Davy on the Derby
Link to NHL ASG policy
Link to Chapman velos
Link to EW Episode 1
Link to listener emails database
Link to pitchers vs. PPP
Link to pitchers vs. non-PPP
Link to rim height story 1
Link to rim height story 2
Link to rim height story 3

 Sponsor Us on Patreon
 Give a Gift Subscription
 Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com
 Effectively Wild Subreddit
 Effectively Wild Wiki
 Apple Podcasts Feed 
 Spotify Feed
 YouTube Playlist
 Facebook Group
 Bluesky Account
 Twitter Account
 Get Our Merch!

Podcast (effectively-wild): Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Blooper, the All-Star-Game-hosting Braves’ flagging fortunes, the pre-deadline trade market, the simultaneous surges of Ceddanne Rafaela and Pete Crow-Armstrong, the performances of old pitchers Charlie Morton, Clayton Kershaw, and Justin Verlander, and the death and legacy of Lee Elia, then (1:01:44) share several Stat Blasts about players who were All-Stars in their worst seasons, teams with reverse records against good/bad opponents, Billy McKinney and serial replacement-level players, and more.

Audio intro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Blooper bio
Link to Blooper origin story
Link to Blooper origin story 2
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to Neil on parity
Link to Passan deadline preview 1
Link to Passan deadline preview 2
Link to WAR leaders since June
Link to Petriello on Rafaela
Link to over-40 pitchers
Link to run support
Link to best ERAs since 2021
Link to Elia obit
Link to Elia retrospective
Link to Elia retrospective 2
Link to Elia retrospective 3
Link Elia recording
Link to bleeped Elia recording
Link to oldest rookie hitter All-Stars
Link to oldest rookie pitcher All-Stars
Link to all-stars in worst season
Link to all-stars in worst full season
Link to Hunter obit
Link to one-run-game data
Link to backward team data
Link to MLBTR on McKinney
Link to replacement-level data
Link to Angels tweet
Link to Stat Blast notes
Link to listener emails database
Link to Kalkman on Clarke
Link to NCAA concussion news
Link to mound-movement math

 Sponsor Us on Patreon
 Give a Gift Subscription
 Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com
 Effectively Wild Subreddit
 Effectively Wild Wiki
 Apple Podcasts Feed 
 Spotify Feed
 YouTube Playlist
 Facebook Group
 Bluesky Account
 Twitter Account
 Get Our Merch!

Podcast (effectively-wild): Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Rich Hill–Dallas Keuchel competition for the Royals rotation and give José Ramírez his due, then (17:45) answer listener emails about when to fire a GM, an all-star spot for elite defenders, teams composed of clones of Aaron Judge, Daulton Varsho, or Zack Wheeler, moving the mound back unnoticeably, a rule-changing MLB concussion protocol, whether WAR is a counting stat, and unsuccessful surgeries, plus Stat Blasts (1:24:05) about four-team trades, lefty position-player pitchers, homer flubs, bases-loaded walks, and the cost of throwing a ball on purpose, plus (1:47:30) a cat PSA.

Audio intro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Horny)”

Link to Keuchel signing
Link to Hill game log
Link to on-pace projections
Link to ASG WAR research
Link to Judge pitching stats
Link to Ben on PPP vs. pitcher hitters
Link to Derby participants
Link to 2024 CF arm strength
Link to 2025 RF arm strength
Link to Reds mound story 1
Link to Reds mound story 2
Link to Ben on moving the mound
Link to MLB courtesy runner
Link to concurrent surgery
Link to Jenks surgery
Link to Reimold story
Link to Segedin story
Link to 1991 death
Link to 2021 death
Link to % LH non-PPP
Link to % LH PPP
Link to LH PPP wOBA
Link to RH PPP wOBA
Link to Durant trade
Link to five blades satire
Link to Varsho play 1
Link to Varsho play 2
Link to two Tylers play
Link to Levine on Ortiz
Link to Ortiz ball rate
Link to strike/ball value
Link to FA $/WAR
Link to listener emails database
Link to Mains data
Link to HR thief story
Link to HR thief jersey

 Sponsor Us on Patreon
 Give a Gift Subscription
 Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com
 Effectively Wild Subreddit
 Effectively Wild Wiki
 Apple Podcasts Feed 
 Spotify Feed
 YouTube Playlist
 Facebook Group
 Bluesky Account
 Twitter Account
 Get Our Merch!

Podcast (effectively-wild): Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Brandon Woodruff and the minor medical miracle of players returning from significant injuries to be big leaguers again, the likelihood of players becoming or repeating as all-stars, Clayton Kershaw as an honorary all-star, the end (for now) of the Pete Alonso Home Run Derby era and the Derby’s new blood, the Nationals firing their POBO and manager a week before picking first in the draft, new Statcast catcher-stance data, and the Blue Jays unseating the Yankees in the AL East, plus (1:29:38) postscript updates.

Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”
Audio outro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Woodruff’s return
Link to Neil’s new ASG research
Link to Neil’s old ASG research
Link to Alonso news
Link to Derby participants
Link to Smith Rule 5 story
Link to Kershaw selection
Link to Rizzo text
Link to Nats WAR leaders
Link to Nats prospect list
Link to FG on the Nats
Link to catcher stance data
Link to Petriello on stances
Link to Trueblood on stances
Link to Trueblood on throwing
Link to Swanson on EW
Link to FG on the Yankees
Link to BaseRuns standings
Link to Kay kerfuffle 1
Link to Kay kerfuffle 2
Link to playoff odds changes
Link to team pitching clutch
Link to team pitching clutch
Link to batter tOPS+ w/RISP
Link to batter tOPS+ w/high lev
Link to pitcher tOPS+ w/RISP
Link to pitcher tOPS+ w/high lev
Link to Kaline book
Link to Scherzer on effort
Link to Opta Pirates stat
Link to Langs Pirates stat
Link to Stark on shutouts
Link to Mains on scoring
Link to EW YouTube playlist

 Sponsor Us on Patreon
 Give a Gift Subscription
 Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com
 Effectively Wild Subreddit
 Effectively Wild Wiki
 Apple Podcasts Feed 
 Spotify Feed
 YouTube Playlist
 Facebook Group
 Bluesky Account
 Twitter Account
 Get Our Merch!

Podcast (effectively-wild): Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Paul Skenes’s new interest, Clayton Kershaw and the evolution of 3,000-strikeout celebrations, and the deepening deadball era in Japan. After that (24:37), frequent Stat Blast Correspondent Ryan Nelson joins to discuss why there have been so many team shutouts this season and then deliver several Stat Blasts, followed (1:02:56) by postscript updates.

Audio intro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Hiles tweet
Link to Reddit joke
Link to pitcher run support
Link to Kershaw’s 3000th K
Link to FG post on Kershaw
Link to Scherzer’s 3000th K
Link to 3000th-K montage
Link to 3000-K club wiki
Link to Facebook post
Link to 2025 Pacific League
Link to 2025 Central League
Link to team shutouts count
Link to shutout-rate data
Link to Posnanski on shutouts
Link to BP on blowouts
Link to 50-gun salute
Link to SP matchups data
Link to SP matchups leaders
Link to homer-matching data
Link to Roberts confession
Link to FG Parker obit
Link to Parker shirt info
Link to Parker smoking photo
Link to last-shutout data
Link to most younger PA list
Link to most younger BF list
Link to Woo tweet
Link to listener emails database
Link to EW YouTube playlist
Link to Pujols/Cabrera story
Link to Boyd video
Link to EW Episode 1735
Link to EW Episode 1736
Link to Independence Day post

 Sponsor Us on Patreon
 Give a Gift Subscription
 Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com
 Effectively Wild Subreddit
 Effectively Wild Wiki
 Apple Podcasts Feed 
 Spotify Feed
 YouTube Playlist
 Facebook Group
 Bluesky Account
 Twitter Account
 Get Our Merch!

Podcast (effectively-wild): Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about how many members of the All-Star Celebrity Softball Game roster they have heard of, honorary all-stars, and velocity spikes preceding arm injuries, then discuss an investigation concerning possible pitch-fixing by Luis L. Ortiz, a federal civil rights complaint about the Dodgers’ DEI policies, and Rob Manfred’s pitch to players in advance of CBA discussions.

Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Coachella formula
Link to the “celebrities”
Link to Simpsons clip
Link to influencer fame data
Link to MLBTR on honorary all-stars
Link to Atlanta pitchers story
Link to ESPN report on Ortiz
Link to Trueblood pitch videos
Link to Axios on Miller and L.A.
Link to The Athletic on Miller
Link to more on the complaint
Link to 2023 MLB complaint
Link to The Athletic on Manfred
Link to more from The Athletic
Link to the SBJ on Manfred
Link to Sheehan on Manfred
Link to MLBPA probe
Link to fan ban
Link to fan interview
Link to MLFAD data
Link to Waldron pitch usage

 Sponsor Us on Patreon
 Give a Gift Subscription
 Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com
 EW Subreddit
 Effectively Wild Wiki
 iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)
 Spotify Feed
 Facebook Group
 Bluesky Account
 Twitter Account
 Get Our Merch!

Podcast (effectively-wild): Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the return of Richard Lovelady, the MLB season debut of knuckleballer Matt Waldron, the superlative Zack Wheeler, how other knuckleballers in baseball are faring, Rich Hill’s wait for a call-up, Shohei Ohtani vs. Vinnie Pasquantino, Jacob Misiorowski and the leaguewide rise in pitcher extension, James Wood’s four intentional walks in one game (and the Angels’ outlier IBB total), MLB’s strikeout plateau (or reversal), Luis Arraez’s pursuit of contact history, historic events involving Wilyer Abreu, Trevor Rogers, and Jack Leiter, a serial fan interferer, the biggest team attendance climbs and declines, and how MLB’s minor league parks have played.

Audio intro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to MLBTR on Lovelady
Link to uniforms changes
Link to best pitchers in June
Link to Posnanski on Wheeler
Link to AARP patch
Link to Pasquantino tweet
Link to extension leaderboard
Link to leaguewide extension
Link to leaguewide four-seam extension
Link to leaguewide four-seam velo
Link to velo leaders
Link to perceived velo leaders
Link to extension mailbag
Link to Ben on pitching distance
Link to Whitley on Wood
Link to Andrews on Wood
Link to four-IBB club
Link to 2025 team IBB
Link to IBB difference spreadsheet
Link to Bonds/Rays IBB post
Link to Rays IBB
Link to 2025 K%+ keaders
Link to all-time K%+ spreadsheet
Link to Dan S. on Arraez
Link to Rob on strikeouts
Link to MLB K rate by year
Link to non-pitcher K rate by year
Link to Abreu fun fact
Link to Rogers/Leiter fun fact
Link to Arizona fan story
Link to Arizona fan story 2
Link to Arizona fan tweet
Link to Hang Up episode
Link to attendance changes
Link to park factors
Link to Severino story 1
Link to Severino story 2
Link to Manfred quotes
Link to leaguewide TTO%
Link to player TTO%
Link to Marte update

 Sponsor Us on Patreon
 Give a Gift Subscription
 Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com
 EW Subreddit
 Effectively Wild Wiki
 iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)
 Spotify Feed
 Facebook Group
 Bluesky Account
 Twitter Account
 Get Our Merch!

Podcast (effectively-wild): Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Kutter Crawford’s mysterious wrist accident, then discuss Wander Franco’s conviction (14:58) and Walker Monfort’s promotion (19:57) before checking in (33:36) on the players and teams on pace to overperform or underperform their preseason projections the most at the precise halfway point of the season. Finally (1:12:44), they answer listener emails about “secret teams” in MLB, throwback, quiet games at the ballpark, and Denzel Clarke.

Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”
Audio outro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to WhatIfSports offer page

Link to Crawford story 1
Link to Crawford story 2
Link to Sale accident
Link to Barmes story 1
Link to Barmes story 2
Link to Kent story
Link to injury cover-ups
Link to Franco story 1
Link to Franco story 2
Link to Monfort story
Link to halfway point
Link to Rays playoffs story
Link to projections comparison spreadsheet
Link to preseason projections
Link to on-pace projections
Link to preseason playoff odds
Link to listener emails database
Link to Belanger club
Link to most PA with low OPS+

 Sponsor Us on Patreon
 Give a Gift Subscription
 Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com
 EW Subreddit
 Effectively Wild Wiki
 iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)
 Spotify Feed
 Facebook Group
 Bluesky Account
 Twitter Account
 Get Our Merch!

Podcast (effectively-wild): Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS