Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Effectively Wild Episode 2366: The Post-Toss Toss

5 snips
Aug 27, 2025
The hosts dive into the implications of an early MLB season and its effects on traditional spring training routines. They explore the excitement around players nearing 50 home runs and the evolving metrics of value in baseball. A humorous take on the new reliever of the year award sparks a lively debate, while anecdotes about player antics lighten the mood. Additionally, they delve into the significance of sounds in sports and share quirky idioms, highlighting both the serious and playful sides of baseball.
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INSIGHT

Season Timing Tied To Climate And Scheduling

  • MLB's earlier 2026 start may be driven by schedule conflicts and climate considerations rather than just tradition.
  • Ben and Meg suggest earlier seasons could mitigate summer heat and compress spring training demands.
INSIGHT

Home Run Clusters Reflect Timing And Small Samples

  • 2025 may match 1998 and 2001 with multiple near-50 homer hitters, partly due to longer pre-September play and concentrated power performers.
  • Ben notes home run rates vary by era and single-season clusters can be small-sample quirks.
INSIGHT

Value Of High-Floor, Multi-Tool Players

  • High-floor, well-rounded players like Bobby Witt Jr., Trea Turner, and Julio Rodríguez keep value even in down stretches.
  • Ben and Meg stress defense and baserunning create a reliable WAR baseline for such players.
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