Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Effectively Wild Episode 2532: Can the Public Still Teach Teams?

Sep 17, 2026
Guest
Tom Kim
Guest
Andrew Ball
Guest
Mike Petriello
Mike Petriello, MLB.com analyst and Statcast explainer, explores Junior Caminero’s marathon home run trot, defensive metrics, tracking technology, predictive stats, and Pete Alonso’s ovation. Andrew Ball, former Astros executive, and Tom Kim, former Phillies quantitative analyst, discuss OpenCommand, measuring pitching command, computer vision, public research, team secrecy, and whether baseball’s best ideas still come from outside organizations.
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INSIGHT

Predictive Stats Should Not Describe Every Detail

  • Predictive probabilities work best in aggregate but can mislead when describing a single batted ball without spray angle or fielder position.
  • Adding every contextual input risks making probabilities merely restate the result, defeating their predictive purpose.
ANECDOTE

Mets Fans Celebrate Alonso’s Return

  • Mets fans gave former Met Pete Alonso a standing ovation and curtain call after his 300th homer as a visiting player.
  • Mike Petriello and Ben Lindbergh viewed the celebration as deserved affection during a lost season, not harmful disloyalty.
INSIGHT

A Mediocre AL Central Team Could Reach The World Series

  • The American League bracket could guarantee an ALCS appearance for one of Cleveland, Houston, or Chicago despite their mediocre records.
  • Mike Petriello noted that a weak side of the bracket could let Cleveland reach the World Series.
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