The Best of FanGraphs: June 29-July 2, 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
Picking the 2015 National League All-Stars, by Dave Cameron
Dave did the National League here, and the American League on Tuesday.
Robinson Cano Isn’t Just Aging, by Dan Farnsworth
Our swing guru dusts off his mic, lays down the truth (a truth with many pics and GIFs), and promptly drops it.
What the Rockies Have In Nolan Arenado, by Jeff Sullivan
Jeff makes the case that the Rockies have Adrian Beltre on their hands. You know, that Adrian Beltre that just might be a Hall of Famer.
Almost Mid-season Check In: 10 Bold Predictions, by David Wiers
This comment, from David himself, takes the cake. Predictions are hard. Bold predictions are even harder, which is why we love them.
The First Day of Designated Hitting, by Michael Barr
It wasn’t the sunshine and roses that the people who want the DH in the NL want you to think it was.
TUESDAY
Hot Dogs and Beyond, by Chris Gigley
So. Many. Good. Foods.
WEDNESDAY
An Unchanging Truth: Positional Offense Through History, by Wendy Thurm
Wendy Thurm, ladies and gentlemen! Great stuff from Wendy, and great to have her back, even if just for one day.
Kendall Graveman on Cutters, Contact and Spin Rates, by David Laurila
Included in this piece is what the subject learned from TrackMan data.
THURSDAY
Introducing: The Submarine Riseball, by Eno Sarris
This may end up being Eno’s white whale.
A History of Josh Donaldson in Foul Territory, by Neil Weinberg
To the right, to the right. Wait, that’s not how the song goes.
Scott’s Miscellany – Reliever Rest, by Scott Spratt
Excellent research from Scott on how likely it is for a reliever to pitch on back-to-back days.
Mike Montgomery: The Prospect Phoenix, by Paul Sporer
Is he for real? I want to believe.
The Commissioner Speaks: Imagining a Redefined Strike Zone, by Jon Roegele
Jon parses the commissioner’s comments and analyzes what the game’s offensive levels would be like with a smaller strike zone.
BU and edX Are Bringing Back their Sabermetrics 101 Course, by David G. Temple
Our good friend, Dr. Andy Andres, is bringing his sabermetrics course back to the interwebs. You should take it.
Victimized by Infield Hits, by Zachary Abate
Max Scherzer is pret-tay, pret-tay good.
FRIDAY
No content on this day. Hopefully, after you pause to thank Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger for winning America its freedom, and Will Smith, Vivica A. Fox and Bill Pullman for preserving it, you will have a chance to celebrate, celebrate, celebrate!
Paul Swydan used to be the managing editor of The Hardball Times, a writer and editor for FanGraphs and a writer for Boston.com and The Boston Globe. Now, he owns The Silver Unicorn Bookstore, an independent bookstore in Acton, Mass. Follow him on Twitter @Swydan. Follow the store @SilUnicornActon.
And aquamarine for NotGraphs.