Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the opening series of the regular season in Japan, then (10:55) discuss the removal (and eventual restoration) of a page about Jackie Robinson on the Department of Defense website, before (39:53) bantering further about breakouts, how player heights dropped (or didn’t!) after players were measured more accurately this spring, Joey Gallo’s attempted conversion to pitching, and an abandoned Marlins player-development idea. Then (1:27:38) they talk to Pirates pitching phenom Paul Skenes about being a cover model for MLB The Show 25, his stoic exterior, starters as stars, an auction for his debut baseball card, his hobbies, his expanding pitch mix, and max-effort pitching. Audio intro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Randy Johnson on EW Link to Ohtani homer Link to ratings info Link to Davy gamer 1 Link to Davy gamer 2 Link to post about Jackie page Link to article about Jackie page Link to archived 404 page Link to restored page Link to NPR on Rogers page Link to first statement to Passan Link to second statement to Passan Link to segregation ban story Link to MLB D&I page Link to old MLB D&I page Link to post about change Link to CBB breakouts tweet Link to height changes sheet Link to pitcher-measuring info Link to Gallo tweet Link to Ben on Gallo in 2014 Link to TTO% leaderboard Link to Marlins ad Link to Stock tweet Link to Herald on Marlins Link to Athletic on Marlins Link to The Show gameplay trailer Link to The Show launch trailer Link to Livvy’s nonchalant quote Link to Skenes composure quote Link to Skenes Opening Day reveal Link to Skenes dexterity quote Link to new pitches story Link to Skenes auction Link to Skenes on workload Link to deGrom story Link to EW gift subscriptions  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about completing the season preview series, then preview the 2025 New York Yankees (7:48) with Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News, and the 2025 Chicago White Sox (1:04:41) with Sox Machine’s James Fegan. 2025 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG Audio intro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to offseason spending Link to FG payrolls page Link to Yankees depth chart Link to Yankees offseason tracker Link to BaseRuns standings Link to Gary’s author archive Link to White Sox depth chart Link to White Sox offseason tracker Link to 2024 CWS WAR leaders Link to Grifol eclipse story Link to James’s author archive Link to EW gift subscriptions  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Jacob deGrom dialing down the velo, the Cardinals signing their first free agent of the offseason, David Robertson still being available, the underrated career of Yasmani Grandal, the latest New Era cap confusion, follow-ups on several recent topics, and the newly jacked Mr. Met. Then (57:22) they talk to R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports and Thomas Nestico of TJStats about their podcast-approved approaches to picking breakout candidates, their methodologies and success rates, their breakout picks for 2025, and more. Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Horny)” Audio interstitial: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Passan on deGrom Link to MLBTR on Maton Link to MLBTR on Grandal Link to latest caps Link to more on the caps Link to FG post on caps Link to old EW on caps Link to slambio article Link to Rob on walk-off reversals Link to Patrick on 3B coaches Link to Keke Palmer meme Link to jacked Mr. Met Link to Grizz Link to R.J.’s breakout picks Link to Thomas’s breakout picks Link to R.J.’s 2024 breakouts review Link to xkcd comic Link to sickos meme Link to Devers article Link to EW gift subscriptions  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a surprising amount of Mo Vaughn content, a rash of spring injuries (including Gerrit Cole‘s Tommy John surgery and other Yankees ailments), the latest A’s and Rays woes, and more. Then they preview the 2025 Los Angeles Dodgers (26:11) with The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya, and the 2025 Colorado Rockies (1:34:00) with The Rockies Insider’s Patrick Lyons. 2025 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG Audio intro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 1: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 2: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes 2, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Vaughn story 1 Link to Vaughn story 2 Link to Enhanced Games wiki Link to Hang Up episode Link to FG post on Cole Link to Ben on spring injuries Link to Rays report Link to A’s report Link to A’s report 2 Link to A’s feature Link to Russell on rep. level Link to offseason spending Link to FG payrolls page Link to Dodgers depth chart Link to Dodgers offseason tracker Link to Sasaki signing info Link to “Lettuce” digital short Link to EW TJ research Link to “Are We the Baddies?” Link to cherry blossoms info Link to prank war article Link to prank war video Link to Fabian’s author archive Link to Rockies depth chart Link to Rockies offseason tracker Link to Rock Talk 1 Link to Rock Talk 2 Link to Colorado pronunciation Link to hangover effect info Link to Freeland on EW Link to Ben on Freeland in 2018 Link to Sheehan on Bud Black Link to Monfort prediction Link to Patrick’s work Link to Patrick’s podcast Link to trademark article 1 Link to trademark article 2 Link to trademark article 3 Link to trademark renewal Link to EW gift subscriptions  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a baseball flub in medical procedural The Pitt, Lawrence Butler’s extension, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s lofty contract target, how the ball moves differently in the Cactus League, and the value of variety in pitch selection, followed by Stat Blasts (49:20) about the WAR values of letters in player names, the best one-and-done pitcher/batter seasons in each franchise’s history, and the longest-tenured groups of players on pennant winners. Then (1:08:20) they talk to Carson Lund, director and co-writer of newly debuted baseball movie Eephus, about his celebrated contribution to the beleaguered genre. Audio intro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: The Gagnes, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to slider explainer Link to The Pitt episode Link to Inglourious Basterds scene Link to Bluesky post Link to Passan tweet about Butler Link to MLBTR on Butler Link to Vlad contract info Link to Ortiz comments Link to Baumann on Vlad Link to Dan S. on Vlad Link to Trueblood on Vlad Link to Rosen on movement Link to Rosen on variety Link to Down on the Farm study Link to Oyster Analytics Link to Stat Blast 1 spreadsheet Link to Cocaína García wiki Link to Stat Blast 2 request Link to Stat Blast 2 spreadsheet Link to Stat Blast 3 request Link to Stat Blast 3 spreadsheet Link to Carson’s IMDb Link to Eephus website Link to Eephus trailer Link to Eephus Rotten Tomatoes Link to Eephus AP review Link to list of baseball movies Link to Filmmaker Magazine Link to Jacques Barzun quote Link to Barzun essay Link to Soldiers Field game Link to Soldiers Field photos Link to EW gift subscriptions  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a fresh wave of “breakout candidate” crimes, Jerry Dipoto’s latest Meg-maddening comments, the rise of the “kick change,” how ball/strike calls differ from other boundary calls, Barry Bonds’s comments about Shohei Ohtani, and more. Then they preview the 2025 Atlanta Braves (50:56) with 92.9 The Game’s Grant McAuley, and the 2025 Miami Marlins (1:35:27) with Fish on First’s Kevin Barral. 2025 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG Audio intro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 1: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 2: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Passan article Link to breakout screenshot 1 Link to breakout screenshot 2 Link to breakout screenshot 3 Link to Dipoto article Link to kick change info 1 Link to kick change info 2 Link to kick change info 3 Link to kick change info 4 Link to kick change info 5 Link to “new hotness” tweet Link to Naquin article Link to Ishbia article Link to MASN update Link to Jay on Iglesias Link to Hang Up and Listen Link to James quote Link to latest Bonds comments Link to earlier Bonds comments Link to Bonds armor Link to Sam on retaliation Link to Rob on retaliation Link to offseason spending Link to FG payrolls page Link to Braves depth chart Link to Braves offseason tracker Link to Baumann on Braves SP Link to team SP projections Link to team RP projections Link to Grant’s author archive Link to Grant’s podcast Link to Marlins depth chart Link to Marlins offseason tracker Link to Sherman article Link to Sheehan on breakouts Link to 2024 attendance Link to grievance article Link to Kevin’s author archive Link to Kevin’s podcast Link to EW gift subscriptions  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether the challenge system will inevitably pave the way for full ABS, the degrees of difficulty for two-way Travis Hunter vs. two-way Shohei Ohtani, and (very briefly) reinstating Pete Rose. Then they preview the 2025 Philadelphia Phillies (36:58) with The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, and the 2025 Cleveland Guardians (1:19:49) with The Athletic’s Zack Meisel. 2025 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG Audio intro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 1: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)” Audio interstitial 2: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to post on the two zones Link to Hunter clip Link to Hunter article Link to Colorado pronunciation Link to Ben on goalie goals Link to Manfred/Rose report Link to Ben on Rose Link to EW on Rose Link to offseason spending Link to FG payrolls page Link to Phillies depth chart Link to Phillies offseason tracker Link to Harper/milk post Link to hydrogen water explainer Link to team WAR projections Link to team SP projections Link to team RP projections Link to Matt’s author archive Link to Matt’s podcast Link to Guardians depth chart Link to Guardians offseason tracker Link to BaseRuns standings Link to Mario Kart article Link to Thomas trade quote Link to 20-homer OF article Link to Zack’s author archive Link to Zack’s podcast Link to EW gift subscriptions  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the balletic strikeout celebrations of Rockies reliever Jefry Yan, Terry Francona’s selective opposition to ABS this spring, how frequently potential game-ending strikeouts will get challenged, and baseball in Season 2 of Poker Face. Then they preview the 2025 Arizona Diamondbacks (36:00) with The Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro, and the 2025 Washington Nationals (1:24:35) with The Washington Post’s Andrew Golden. 2025 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG Audio intro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 1: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 2: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Yan article Link to Yan montage (Yantage?) Link to more Yan clips Link to Francona article Link to challenge strategy research Link to Oyster Analytics Link to 2024 Stripers game Link to Poker Face teaser Link to trumpet mute info Link to offseason spending Link to FG payrolls page Link to Nationals depth chart Link to Nationals offseason tracker Link to losses leaderboard Link to Lerner quote Link to MLBTR on MASN Link to Andrew’s author archive Link to Diamondbacks depth chart Link to Diamondbacks offseason tracker Link to bill passage Link to Nick’s author archive Link to EW gift subscriptions  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about some members of last year’s Yankees and Dodgers still sniping about the World Series, Max Scherzer’s objection to the challenge system, how ABS has broadly been received so far, and assorted tactical considerations concerning when to challenge. Then they preview the 2025 New York Mets (29:08) with The Athletic’s Tim Britton, and the 2025 Los Angeles Angels (1:20:24) with The Athletic’s Sam Blum. 2025 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG Audio intro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 1: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 2: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to 2024 WS stats Link to Nestor comments Link to Boone comments Link to latest Kelly comments Link to November comments Link to Ben on WS Game 1 Link to WS Game 5 recap Link to ABS permutations Link to Scherzer challenges Link to Scherzer on ABS Link to catcher dekes episode Link to challenge strategy research Link to Oyster Analytics Link to replay review analysis Link to replay review episode Link to offseason spending Link to FG payrolls page Link to Mets depth chart Link to Mets offseason tracker Link to M&M Boys wiki Link to Tim’s author archive Link to Angels depth chart Link to Angels offseason tracker Link to Angels-inspired Stat Blast Link to Bender EW episode Link to Sam’s Bender article Link to Sam’s author archive Link to EW gift subscriptions  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether certain injuries can improve players, old-but-good guys not getting gigs, the offensive disparity between the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues, and Bryce Harper’s Phanatic tattoo. Then they preview the 2025 Boston Red Sox (31:16) with The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, and the 2025 Sacramento Athletics (1:25:13) with Jason Burke of Inside the A’s. 2025 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG Audio intro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 1: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 2: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Keaschall article Link to Mets camp count Link to MLBTR on Iglesias Link to Belt article Link to aging curve 1 Link to aging curve 2 Link to Verlander article Link to spring training parks Link to homers/humidity Link to 2024 FL ST wOBA Link to FL teams’ RS wOBA Link to 2024 AZ ST wOBA Link to Link to AZ teams’ RS wOBA Link to overall ST wOBA Link to overall RS wOBA Link to Phanatic tattoo story Link to offseason spending Link to FG payrolls page Link to Red Sox depth chart Link to Red Sox offseason tracker Link to Netflix series story Link to Werner quote Link to Alex’s book Link to Alex’s author archive Link to Athletics depth chart Link to Athletics offseason tracker Link to Jason’s author archive Link to EW gift subscriptions  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com  EW Subreddit  Effectively Wild Wiki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Spotify Feed  Facebook Group  Bluesky Account  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch! Source