We’re Launching a New FanGraphs Mobile App

We are launching a new FanGraphs mobile app, which is available for both iOS and Android devices. You may remember our previous attempt at an iOS app over a decade ago, but this is a completely new app that more closely reflects our website, built with a native mobile experience specifically for phones in mind.

The app is free to download, but similar to our website, it has ads unless you are signed in as a FanGraphs Member. Any customization features in the app will also only be available to Members.

As we launch today, the app has player pages, scores, and standings available. We plan on adding more features from the site in the future. Read the rest of this entry »


Sunday Notes: Tristan Peters Had a Whirlwind of Travel at the Deadline

Tristan Peters covered a lot of miles in the days surrounding this year’s trade deadline. A 22-year-outfielder now in the San Francisco Giants system, Peters was playing for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the High-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, when his madcap travels began.

“I was told that I was being promoted to Double-A Biloxi,” Peters told me before a recent game in Portland, Maine. “That was on Sunday, and on Monday I drove from Appleton, Wisconsin to Jackson, Mississippi to meet the team there. I did 11 of the 14 hours that day, stayed in Memphis, Tennessee overnight, then drove the last three hours on Tuesday.”

He wasn’t in Jackson very long. Playing cards in the clubhouse prior to what would have been his Double-A debut — Peters was penciled into the starting lineup as Biloxi’s leadoff hitter — he was informed that he was being traded to the Giants.

His new organization requested that he report to their Double-A club in Richmond, Virginia, so the next morning Peters climbed into his car and made another 14-hour drive. This time, he covered the entire distance in one day. Read the rest of this entry »


Craig Kimbrel Is Multiple Dilemmas in One Pitcher

Craig Kimbrel
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

On Wednesday against the Brewers, Craig Kimbrel achieved a feat that had eluded him for months: converting a save opportunity with a one-run lead. But in true Kimbrel fashion, he did so on a tightrope. The Dodgers’ closer allowed a hit, a walk, and failed to strike out a single batter, completing what was a thoroughly underwhelming and yet nail-biting ninth inning.

Those three sentences pretty much sum up the entirety of Kimbrel’s 2022 to date. Clean outings have been few and far between, and when he does manage to put up a zero, such an effort is seldom characterized by the dominance we’ve come to associate with the All-Star closer. For now, forget what the granular numbers say. Kimbrel, as I type this out, is the owner of a 4.46 ERA in 42.1 innings, a cumulation of inefficient pitching and a tendency for batters to figure out how they’ll ambush his otherwise formidable stuff. It’s troublesome, especially for a team with playoff aspirations.

But if the Dodgers are concerned, they haven’t been keen on expressing that. The day prior to Wednesday’s scoreless outing, Kimbrel coughed up two runs en route to an extra-innings loss against the Brewers, but in a post-game interview, Dave Roberts drew the ire of fans by stating that he thought Kimbrel threw the ball well. It’s not as if the Dodgers’ skipper had the option of throwing his star reliever under the bus, but regardless, the obliviousness he displayed came off as puzzling. Objectively, Kimbrel had not thrown the ball well. What the heck did Roberts see that thousands of fans did not? Read the rest of this entry »


How Ben Harris Became the Best Under-the-Radar Pitching Prospect in MLB

Ben Harris
Joshua L Jones

The numbers belie his anonymity. Unranked and flying well below the radar, Ben Harris has fanned 91 batters in 46 innings this year between Low-A Rancho Cucamonga and High-A Great Lakes. Boasting a 17.8 K/9, which ranks highest in the minors among hurlers with at least 40 frames, the 22-year-old southpaw is probably the best pitching prospect you’ve never heard of.

It would only be a mild exaggeration to say that he came out of nowhere. Drafted in the eighth round last year out of the University of Georgia by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Harris threw just 39.2 innings as a collegian, almost all of them in his junior season. Prior to that, he was a two-way player who rarely saw game action. The idea that Harris could emerge as one of the most-overpowering pitchers in professional baseball was unimaginable to anyone not in possession of a crystal ball.

His ability to overpower hitters doesn’t come courtesy of smoke and mirrors, but neither does it come via elite velocity or nasty breaking stuff. The Alpharetta, Georgia native excels thanks largely to a fastball that’s unique in its deception.

“I don’t throw super-hard,” said Harris, whose heater sits 92–94 mph and tops out at 95, and whose repertoire currently comprises roughly 70% fastballs and 30% sliders. “Luckily, there’s something with the way I throw. It’s a little bit tucked behind — I throw from behind my head — so it’s a little more hidden than normal. I’ve never faced off against myself, but that’s what I’ve been told. I believe [the effectiveness] comes from a combination of a few different metrics, as well.”

Great Lakes pitching coach David Anderson agrees on that point.

“He has a unique ability to hide, and ride, the ball,” he said. “It’s a really efficient throw. I think he probably benefited from being an outfielder in college — there are elements that have transferred from an outfield throw — and it’s a quick arm. The way he sequences his body down the mound puts him in a really good position to let the ball jump on hitters.

“It’s more spin than approach angle,” he added. “Some of it is the speed of the arm, but he does take advantage of the approach a little bit. He’s kind of got a whole package with the fastball [and] with outlier characteristics. Part of what makes him unique is that he didn’t design the throw to do what it does. It’s all natural to him.” Read the rest of this entry »


The Best Reliever You’ve Never Heard Of

Trevor Stephan
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

If you want to play a game you probably won’t win, watch a reliever you haven’t heard of pitch one inning and try to decide if they’re good. I don’t want to say it’s impossible, because that’s not quite the case, but it’s phenomenally difficult. Do they throw hard? Probably, because most relievers do now. Do they have a secondary pitch that makes hitters look like they’re playing baseball for the first time? Probably, because trying to hit a slider when you just saw a fastball is one of the hardest things to do in sports.

The eye test isn’t enough. What’s worse, the results test isn’t enough. Reliever ERAs are unreliable across whole seasons, never mind a single week or month. One seeing-eye single, or one down-the-middle cookie that gets fouled back instead of pummeled to Kalamazoo, can completely change a pitching line. Even more “stable” statistics bounce around wildly in small samples; whether a reliever has their good slider working or not might be the difference between a three-strikeout outing or a few walks and a trip to the showers.

Why the long windup about how we can’t know how good pitchers are? Well, I’m pretty sure Guardians reliever Trevor Stephan is good, whatever the sample size. I know what I just said… but, look at his pitches, will you?
Read the rest of this entry »


FanGraphs Audio: On the Phone With David Cone

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]

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Audio after the jump. (Approximate 50 minute play time.)


Job Posting: Boston Red Sox Baseball Operations Associate Positions

2023 Player Development Associate

FORT MYERS, FL, UNITED STATES / BASEBALL OPERATIONS / SEASONAL

Position Overview:

The Player Development Associate will be a member of the Player Development team, and is responsible for assisting with baseball operations at our complex in Fort Myers, FL. This individual will collaborate closely with Player Development front office personnel, coordinators, and coaches.

Responsibilities:

  • Assist with day to day logistics for Minor League Spring Training, Extended Spring Training, Florida Complex League, and Instructional League.
  • Assist with daily administrative operations.
  • Organize and distribute game video in a timely and quality manner.
  • Manage video database to make sure it is readily available for staff and players to view.
  • Collect non-game video proactively and at the request of staff.
  • Operate and maintain various technology such as Blast, Rapsodo, Trackman, and Edgertronic cameras.
  • Distribute analytical information to PD staff produced by our Analytics department.
  • Assist with various administrative projects as assigned by coaching staff and Front Office.

Characteristics / Qualifications:

  • Strong administrative skills
  • Organized, proactive, and strong communicative skills
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel
  • Willing to relocate to Fort Myers, FL
  • Willing to work nights, weekends, and holidays
  • Prior softball or baseball experience is preferred
  • Prior video experience (BATS, Synergy, Edgertronic) is preferred
  • Prior technology experience with one or more of the following: Trackman, Blast, Rapsodo) is preferred

The Red Sox (or FSM) requires proof of being up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment, subject to applicable legal requirements. Up-to-date means having received all recommended COVID-19 vaccination doses in the primary series and a booster dose(s) when eligible, per CDC guidelines.

Prospective employees will receive consideration without discrimination based on race, religious creed, color, sex, age, national origin, handicap, disability, military/veteran status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or protected genetic information.

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.


2023 Minor League Video & Technology Associate

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS / BASEBALL OPERATIONS / ASSOCIATE / CO-OP / INTERN

Position Overview:
The Minor League Video & Technology Associate will be a member of the Player Development team, and is responsible for managing video and data collection at their assigned affiliate. This individual will collaborate closely with the coaching staff, coordinators, Player Development, Baseball Systems, and Analytics front office members.

Responsibilities:

  • Collect video by setting up multiple cameras and using BATS video software.
  • Organize and distribute game video in a timely and quality manner.
  • Manage video database to make sure it is readily available for staff and players to view.
  • Manage all video equipment and computers making sure it is properly cared for and working effectively.
  • Collect non-game video proactively and at the request of staff.
  • Operate and maintain various technology used at affiliate such as Blast, Rapsodo, Trackman, Hawkeye, Kinatrax, and Edgertronic cameras.
  • Distribute analytical information to coaching staff produced by our Analytics department.
  • Assist with various administrative projects as assigned by coaching staff and Front Office.
  • Assist in video collection and technology implementation during Spring Training.

Characteristics/Qualifications:

  • Strong administrative skills
  • Organized, proactive, and strong communicative skills
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel
  • Willing to relocate
  • Willing to work nights, weekends, and holidays
  • Willing to travel with the team
  • Prior baseball/softball experience is preferred – College baseball team, summer team, training facility
  • Prior video experience (BATS, Synergy, Edgertronic) is preferred
  • Prior baseball technology experience (Trackman, Blast, Rapsodo) is preferred

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.


2023 Baseball Operations Associate

BOSTON, MA, UNITED STATES / BASEBALL OPERATIONS / ASSOCIATE / CO-OP / INTERN

Position Overview:
The Baseball Operations Associate will support all areas of the Baseball Operations Department, while primarily focusing on one or two areas (Amateur Scouting, International Scouting, Professional Scouting, and Advance Scouting) with day-to-day administrative and office management duties.

Responsibilities:

  • Assist with daily administrative tasks for your department.
  • Creatively pursue ways to improve internal processes.
  • Organize and maintain information from non-office personnel.
  • Manage video database including tagging & editing.
  • Prepare information and logistics for meetings.
  • Assist with various administrative and research projects.
  • Operate various technology during home games.

Characteristics / Qualifications:

  • Strong administrative skills
  • Ability to multitask in stressful situations
  • Strategic thinking & planning
  • Organized, proactive, and strong communicative skills
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel
  • Willing to relocate
  • Willing to work nights, weekends, and holidays
  • Prior softball or baseball experience is preferred
  • Ability to communicate in Spanish is preferred
  • Valid Driver’s License

The Red Sox (or FSM) requires proof of being up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment, subject to applicable legal requirements. Up-to-date means having received all recommended COVID-19 vaccination doses in the primary series and a booster dose(s) when eligible, per CDC guidelines.

Prospective employees will receive consideration without discrimination based on race, religious creed, color, sex, age, national origin, handicap, disability, military/veteran status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or protected genetic information.

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.


2022-23 Amateur Scouting Development Associate

TAMPA, FL OR JACKSONVILLE, FL / BASEBALL OPERATIONS / SEASONAL

Position Overview:
The Boston Red Sox Amateur Scouting Development Associate is one of the most unique entry-level positions in the industry. It provides the opportunity to hone your skills as an evaluator; directly assisting area scouts and cross checkers with coverage while concurrently supporting the front office staff with video and data collection. In the role, this person will spend most of their time tracking down specific targets, writing reports, and meeting with members of the department to expedite personal and professional growth. The Associate will also get the opportunity to present at draft meetings and gain insight to draft strategy to further development. Cultivating impact evaluators that eventually fit into future openings within the scouting departments of the Boston Red Sox is a priority. These Associate roles hopefully serve as a key step towards achieving that goal.

Responsibilities:

  • Assisting local area scouts with coverage
  • Writing scouting reports
  • Learning to navigate the landscape of internal systems
  • Understanding the ancillary job responsibilities of area scouts
  • Collecting video
  • Building a foundation of understanding baseball technologies
  • Developing relationships with the local baseball community
  • Assist in on-field player workouts
  • Participate in weekly meetings with front office personnel

Characteristics / Qualifications:

  • Strong passion for scouting and talent evaluation
  • Evident open-mindedness with a high willingness to learn & receive feedback
  • Excellent time management skills
  • Sound communication skills
  • Admirable attention to detail
  • Flexible hours including nights & weekends
  • Willingness to relocate

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.

The content in this posting was created and provided solely by the Boston Red Sox.


Effectively Wild Episode 1892: Keeping it 100

EWFI
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the impending premiere of Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon, the projection-system verdict on the Braves’ extension of Michael Harris II, the White Sox signing Elvis Andrus, the possibly underrated, could’ve-been-Hall-of-Fame career of José Abreu, and the sophomore improvement of Ha-Seong Kim, then (25:06) answer listener emails about Albert Pujols and the 100-WAR threshold, big leaguers who’ve lost more games in their lives than they’ve won, and at which level a team would be unable to win even one game in a season were it promoted to the majors, followed by a Meet a Major Leaguer segment (51:08) on the Rockies’ Wynton Bernard, the Mariners’ Brennan Bernardino, and the Diamondbacks’ Stone Garrett, Stat Blasts (1:08:49) about the most first-round picks in a team game (and a starting lineup), streaks of team games with identical scores, and the highest WAR by a player with a negative WPA, plus a Past Blast (1:25:20) from 1892 (including a surprising Ed Delahanty comp) and (1:31:51) multiple Taylor Ward broadcaster mistakes.

Audio intro: Biz Markie, “The Dragon
Audio outro: The Baseball Project, “The Death of Big Ed Delahanty

Link to Dan S. on the Harris extension
Link to Dan on the Albies extension
Link to Craig Edwards on Albies
Link to MLBTR on the Sox signing Andrus
Link to Ben Clemens on the Abreu deal
Link to Abreu’s pre-MLB stats
Link to Dan S. on Kim’s projection
Link to Grant on Little League
Link to replacement level explainer
Link to Clay’s league strength post
Link to B-Ref’s new debuts page
Link to MLB.com on Bernard
Link to Bernard call-up video
Link to MLB.com on Garrett
Link to Garrett call-up video
Link to Bernardino announcement
Link to story on Bernardino and Rossman
Link to story on Bernardino’s debut
Link to Stathead
Link to Stathead addition post
Link to Ryan Nelson on Twitter
Link to first-rounders-in-game data
Link to first-rounders-in-lineup data
Link to high WARs with negative WPA
Link to Beltré’s pivotal 2010 plays
Link to Delahanty comp article
Link to Phillies LF article
Link to Delahanty’s SABR bio
Link to RIP Baseball on Delahanty
Link to article on 1900 Phillies
Link to Richard Hershberger’s Strike Four
Link to 1892 story source 1
Link to 1892 story source 2
Link to Harry Stevens article
Link to Wade/Ward EW wiki page

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Rookie Standout Michael Harris II Signs $72 Million Extension

© Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Just a few weeks after extending third baseman Austin Riley, Alex Anthopoulos and the Atlanta Braves are at it again. This time, the recipient of a long-term deal is one of the team’s two rookie standouts, Michael Harris II. The freshly inked contract runs for a minimum of eight years, with $15 million and $20 million club options in 2031 and ’32 that each carry a buyout of $5 million. All told, Harris stands to pocket at least $72 million; the deal will be worth $102 million if the Braves exercise both options.

That Harris would be signing an extension that takes him into the 2030s in August of 2022 while nearly doubling up the next-best National League rookie hitter by WAR would have been a surprising revelation to someone living in the pre-lockout days. After all, Harris had not yet played above High-A, and while he was excellent in the Sally League, he wasn’t dominating the way Julio Rodríguez was at a similar level of play. But like Rodríguez, it only took six weeks of Double-A ball before Harris was ready to star in the majors.

When Harris was called up in late May, the Braves were still scuffling below .500, 7 1/2 games behind the Mets in the NL East. Atlanta’s outfield beyond Ronald Acuña Jr. was sorely tested, as Eddie Rosario was out with eye surgery, Marcell Ozuna had an OPS hovering around .650, and it felt as if the Baha Men had a hit more recently than Travis Demeritte. Some teams would have taken the path of least resistance and called up journeyman fifth outfielder Delino DeShields or eternal prospect Drew Waters. Instead, the Braves went with the bolder move, calling up Harris. Unlike the other options, Harris was at least playing excellent baseball, hitting .305/.372/.506 in 43 games for Double-A Mississippi. Read the rest of this entry »


Dan Szymborski FanGraphs Chat – 8/18/22

12:02
Avatar Dan Szymborski: And we are live!

12:02
Avatar Dan Szymborski: Or possibly dead and this is a very odd afterlife.

12:02
Sampa: The best part about being a padres fan is that we will all be dead someday

12:02
James: What does Zips think about Verlander’s next contract? Will anyone give him 3 years?

12:04
Andrew: Why are the orioles putting Gunnar Henderson at 1st base?

12:04
Avatar Dan Szymborski: Oops, sorry didn’t answer yet lol

Read the rest of this entry »