Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Former MLB pitcher Ross Stripling shares insights about his baseball journey, discussing his biggest regrets and proudest moments. He reflects on his historic debut and the evolution of the league, exploring how the game's dynamics have shifted over time. Stripling also reveals the challenges of transitioning from player to retirement, along with his thoughts on the growing impact of pitching analytics. With a mix of nostalgia and humor, he recounts memorable career anecdotes, from a thrilling walk-off to navigating pitchers' egos.

The hosts delve into the surprising trade of Rafael Devers to the Giants, discussing fan reactions and implications for the Red Sox. They also tackle injury updates for players like Christian Montes De Oca and Johnny O’Brien. The excitement builds around Shohei Ohtani's return to the mound, alongside insights into the Rays' pitching success. A lighthearted debate about technology in baseball, including tennis-style boundary reviews, adds an entertaining twist to the analysis of team strategies and player dynamics.

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Tarik Skubal dialing down his top-end fastball (and dominating nonetheless), Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s self-described 70 percent effort level, Ronald Acuña Jr. hitting more and running less, whether the Blue Jays are getting what they wanted out of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the debut of Jacob Misiorowski, Aaron Civale’s trade request (and trade), whether it matters that the baseball is flying less far, and a correction about Barrys, plus listener emails (1:13:20) about guaranteed WAR in the amateur draft, whether Mike Trout will wind up being the best Mike, and what makes a play (or a player) impressive. Audio intro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to WhatIfSports offer page Link to Skubal’s fastest pitch Link to Skubal top speeds Link to Skubal stats Link to info on Misiorowski’s debut Link to The Miz wiki Link to marks vs. smarks Link to Clemens on Acuña Link to Acuña SB droughts Link to Acuña sprint speeds Link to best hitters Link to Jazz quotes Link to Ben and Jeff on percentages Link to pulldowns explainer Link to full-season best hitters Link to best hitters since 4/9 Link to pulled-air-ball rates Link to Vlad’s rates Link to The Athletic on the baseball Link to Savant drag page Link to Civale trade request Link to more on the request Link to MLBTR on the trade Link to team SP WAR Link to team SP projections Link to league wOBA/xwOBA Link to first overall picks Link to more on no. 1 picks Link to no. 1 pick WAR Link to more on no. 1 pick WAR Link to loss aversion wiki Link to B-Ref’s Skenes post Link to RoS ZiPS projections Link to 2026 ZiPS projections Link to 2027 ZiPS projections Link to Schmidt leaderboard Link to Barrys game Link to Muñoz cat photo Link to Muñoz cat story Link to Pillar catch Link to listener emails database  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  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

The hosts delve into the quirky depictions of pitch clocks in media and how visual aesthetics can obscure baseball’s history. They share amusing tales of Hunter Dobbins's rivalry with the Yankees and the challenges of verifying players' backstories. A whimsical fan exchange program invites fans to embrace new teams. The conversation also highlights one-run game streaks, 'vulture wins' challenges, and the often-overlooked debut stories of players overshadowed by contemporaries. Expect a mix of humor, stats, and insightful commentary!

Join the lively discussion on the highs and lows of Christian Montes de Oca's big league debut and the complexities of player emotions. Explore the fascinating world of rising stars like Roman Anthony and Denzel Clarke, alongside the unexpected incidents that shake up the game. From Clayton Kershaw's iconic payback to the quirky antics featured in a baseball-themed episode of Poker Face, this lively banter covers it all, blending humor with insightful analysis on the unpredictable nature of baseball.

John Thomas, a middle school math teacher and passionate baseball fan, shares his insights while discussing the evolving dynamics of the game. He weighs in on Spencer Strider's injury challenges and its effect on team performance, along with a candid look at the White Sox's shaky season. The conversation touches on the impact of Mariano Rivera's legacy on closers and diving into the evolution of pitch framing. John also reflects on fantasy baseball's blend of skill and luck, and the nostalgia tied to iconic ballparks.

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Pete Alonso’s performance since they marveled at his hot start, the return of Craig Kimbrel, Max Muncy’s tale of two seasons, how hitters fare after LASIK, the Mets’ “secret sauce” against Shohei Ohtani, whether the Dodgers’ injury woes will hurt their capacity to recruit pitchers, Brandon Pfaadt’s “yes hitter,” the latest step toward the challenge system, Eric Anthony’s dad discovery and nature and nurture in player development, the underrated Willie Davis and Reggie Smith, and more, plus a combined Meet a Major Leaguer/Stat Blast segment (1:19:39) on Nic Enright and Christian Montes De Oca (and the rule-altering signing of the 13-year-old Jimy Kelly). Audio intro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to previous Pete banter Link to Pete before Link to Pete after Link to Muncy before Link to Muncy after Link to Muncy article Link to MLB LASIK study Link to secret sauce article Link to Spahn quote Link to Cup of Coffee Link to FG on Casparius Link to “yes hitter” post Link to “yes hitter” Stathead Link to Ben on no-hitters 1 Link to Ben on no-hitters 2 Link to challenge system news Link to Anthony and Davis story Link to B-Ref new debuts Link to The Athletic on Enright Link to Guardians prospects list Link to phantom player wiki Link to 1972 scouting article Link to Montes de Oca wiki Link to Montes de Oca name Link to Diamondbacks prospects Link to MDO article 1 Link to MDO article 2 Link to MDO article 3 Link to MDO article 4 Link to Kelly at B-Ref Link to MiLB.com on Kelly Link to SI on Kelly Link to EW Stanky draft Link to Mexican League article Link to Koo video Link to Bois on Koo Link to Kenny Jackelen Link to player signings spreadsheet  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  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 Taylor Walls fulfilling a preseason podcast prediction by being ejected after tapping his helmet following a questionable call (and the many notifications Ben and Meg received from EW listeners), Luke Weaver’s stretching injury, the Rockies’ purported improvement, the decline of the closer as bullpen protagonist, a miraculous softball-delivery dirt clod, an unfortunate instance of replay review, the LSU Shreveport Pilots’ undefeated college season, Jac Caglianone’s call-up, Corbin Burnes’s bum elbow, Mookie Betts’s improved defense, the death of Japanese baseball legend Shigeo Nagashima, and more. Audio intro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Walls story Link to Reddit comments Link to @EWStats ruling Link to Walls and Trump Link to Walls and DeSantis Link to Revere ride info Link to Weaver stretching story Link to Dan S. on Weaver Link to carrots myth Link to Rockies quotes Link to Rockies 10-day offense Link to Rockies 10-day pitching Link to Denver Post story Link to The Athletic on Kenley Link to Ben on saves Link to Ben on SP protagonists Link to softball clip Link to softball story Link to Ben on Capps Link to Springer clip Link to Springer story Link to Dave on slides 1 Link to Dave on slides 2 Link to Shreveport story Link to Wake Forest story Link to Hill Triple-A game Link to MLBTR on Burnes Link to CBS on Mookie Link to Ohtani Nagashima post Link to Nagashima obit Link to Whiting quote Link to Nagashima NPB Stats page Link to Oh NPB Stats page  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  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 most exciting prospects who haven’t yet made the majors but should soon (including Jac Caglianone, Roman Anthony, Bubba Chandler, and Andrew Painter), the struggles of once-ballyhooed trade targets Sandy Alcantara and Luis Robert Jr., the recent rebounds of Emmanuel Clase and Devin Williams, the returns of Mike Trout, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Spencer Strider, the differing trajectories of former Reds relievers Fernando Cruz and Alexis Díaz, the surprisingly successful and homegrown Yankees, the looming specter of Craig Kimbrel, watching Paul Skenes, what baseball would be like with man defense, not zone, and teams whose playoff odds have increased or decreased the most in the season’s first two months. Audio intro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to WhatIfSports offer page Link to Passan on prospects Link to MLBTR on Caglianone Link to MiLB leaderboard Link to FG prospect rankings Link to Pipeline rankings Link to team OF WAR Link to FG Royals prospects Link to Dan S. on Jac Link to BaseRuns standings Link to team SP WAR Link to SB leaders Link to team wRC+ Link to FIP since 4/26 Link to MLBTR on Jobe Link to MLBTR on Díaz Link to ERA-FIP gap Link to Kimbrel contract info Link to Tobias clip Link to playoff odds changes Link to Contreras article 1 Link to Contreras article 2 Link to Maldonado article  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  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 Rockies’ historic series losing streak and their rest-of-season projections, an Orioles fan’s decision to get the name of Trevor Rogers tattooed on his butt, a Patrick Corbin innings-eating update, draft prospect Jace LaViolette’s dedication to staying in the lineup, the late-career struggles of Clayton Kershaw, Justin Verlander, and Max Scherzer, the Yankees’ shame about their rings commemorating their 2024 pennant, and more. Audio intro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Rockies stat Link to Opta interview Link to Kamka tweet Link to BaseRuns standings Link to FG playoff odds Link to ESPN SoS Link to Baltimore Banner article Link to Rogers tweet Link to Kjerstad tweet Link to best Orioles starts Link to Rangers IP leaders Link to LaViolette article 1 Link to LaViolette article 2 Link to LaViolette article 3 Link to LaViolette homers Link to Kershaw article 1 Link to Kershaw article 2 Link to Yankees rings article  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  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