The Best of FanGraphs: July 27-31, 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.

MONDAY
The Value of Top MLB Draft Picks in ottoneu, by Chad Young
Chad’s one word comment for Mike Zunino – “Ugh.”

How To Use R For Sports Stats, Part 1: The Absolute Basics, by Brice Russ
You asked. We listened. Part 2 coming next week.

TUESDAY
Troy Tulowitzki, the Blue Jays, and Upgrading Strengths, by Dave Cameron
No, Tulo can’t pitch, but that’s OK. Oh, and then also the Blue Jays went out and got this guy who can pitch to boot.

The Change: The Pitches That Have Changed the Most, by Eno Sarris
Eno always makes these deep dives fun.

Independent Baseball’s Newest Umpire Isn’t Human, by David Wiers
It begins.

WEDNESDAY
Mets Continue to Act Like Small-Market Team, by Craig Edwards
Some of Craig’s analysis here is dulled by the team’s subsequent acquisition of Yoenis Cespedes, but it isn’t stripped away completely.

Marlins Flip Mat Latos to Dodgers for -1 Prospect, by Jeff Sullivan
Here for the title, if nothing else.

Narrowing The Schoop, by Steven Shumansky
Welcome Steven to the RotoGraphs family!

Tal’s Hill And The Flattening of Baseball’s Local Character, by Jack Moore
Come for the breathtaking Lance Berkman video, stay for the excellent story.

The Technology Behind the U.S. Women’s National Team’s World Cup Victory, by Bryan Cole
Really in-depth look here from Bryan.

THURSDAY
Rangers Get a New Ace in Cole Hamels, by Eno Sarris
It wasn’t just the contenders who beefed up their roster this week.

Braves Dump Risk, Exchange It for Risk, by Jeff Sullivan
Like the Rangers, the Braves got a player they coveted at the deadline even though their eye is on the future.

Astros Acquire Acceptably Healthy Carlos Gomez, by Jeff Sullivan
Jeff foolishly passed up on the chance to link to/embed Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie” video in this piece, but luckily I’m here to pick up the slack for him:

FRIDAY
Recent History’s Biggest Trades Within the Division, by Miles Wray
Interesting inter-division action from Miles here.

Padres Negotiate With All, Strike Deal With None, by Craig Edwards
The Padres may have missed out on a big opportunity to re-stock their farm system.