The SIS Baseball Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Taking a brief break from our usual player interviews as Mark Simon chats about baseball favorites with one of our favorite baseball writers, Joe Sheehan, whose baseball newsletter is a great read.

We're not talking gambling favorites ... instead this was a fun discussion about favorite baseball stories this season, favorite 'out of nowheres,' favorite defensive teams to watch, favorite pitcher to watch who doesn't rank in the Top 10, favorite baseball development, and much more (including a lot on the Royals).

Plus, Mark and his colleague Jordan Coleman chat about Brenton Doyle, Hunter Greene, the ABS challenge system, and the toughest problem to solve in sports.

Thank you for listening. Please check out Archive.FieldingBible.com for your defensive stats needs, follow us on Twitter at @sis_baseball, and read our work at SportsInfoSolutions.com. You can e-mail us at Mark@sportsinfosolutions.com. 

On this episode, Mark Simon is joined by Angels shortstop Zach Neto, Tigers broadcaster Jason Benetti, and SIS Video Scout Associate Benjamin Cruciani.

Neto talked about a couple of ridiculous plays he's made the last two seasons on popups, explained the pre-game work that's helped him rank among the shortstop leaders in Defensive Runs Saved, talked about what kind of tattoo would honor his defensive excellence, and shared his personal connection to Jackie Robinson.

Benetti engaged Mark on his AL Cy Young and MVP picks, whether the Guardians or Mariners could win the World Series, how he tries to make his broadcasts statistically sophisticated, and offered a baseball book recommendation.

Cruciani talked about catcher defensive evaluation, injury observations, and two-way players that he finds intriguing.

Neto catch vs Yankees

Neto catch vs Rangers

Thank you for listening. Please check out Archive.FieldingBible.com for your defensive stats needs, follow us on Twitter at @sis_baseball, and read our work at SportsInfoSolutions.com. You can e-mail us at Mark@sportsinfosolutions.com. 

On this episode, Mark Simon (@markasimonsays) does an "everything but defense" show, talking to Cubs minor league hitting coach and co-hitting coordinator Rachel Folden (@rachelfolden25) and pitching analyst Lance Brozdowski (@LanceBroz), who writes his own newsletter and does analysis for Marquee Sports.

Rachel, a former softball All-American, talks about her path to her current job and what goes into teaching hitting from the perspective of understanding biomechanics, the lingo, the stats, and the player. She offers advice to those who want to work in a similar role and shares some of her success stories (3:16).

Lance talks about the trend of significant pitcher injuries to start the season, gives some examples of pitcher analysis he's done, and provides perspective on how fans could best utilize his info (20:25).

And then SIS VP of Baseball, Bobby Scales (@bobby_scales) joins us to further explain some of the things we learned in Rachel's interview. He also talks baserunning, specifically the challenges of being a major league third base coach and whether runners are sent home enough in situations that they should be (39:32).

Lance's newsletter: LanceBroz.Substack.com

YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@LanceBroz

Thank you for listening. Please check out Archive.FieldingBible.com for your defensive stats needs, follow us on Twitter at @sis_baseball, and read our work at SportsInfoSolutions.com. You can e-mail us at Mark@sportsinfosolutions.com. 

On this episode of the Sports Info Solutions Baseball Podcast, Mark Simon (@MarkASimonSays) is joined by KT Wiz outfielder Mel Rojas Jr. (@melrojasjr), arguably the best hitter in the KBO and the league’s leader in hard-hit rate. If Mel’s name sounds familiar, it should – his father pitched 10 seasons in the majors including a strong run as the closer for the Expos. Mel talks about his family’s baseball history, which includes the Alou family, and explains why he’s a hitter and not a pitcher (1:11). He talks about what the season has been like and how improved plate coverage has led to more success (3:31). He also explains what it takes to hit or lay off a nasty forkball and how his family’s history may have come in handy regarding his knowledge of that pitch (7:03).

Mel also discusses his defense and playing/living in Korea (10:40) and what it has been like to play without fans and how KBO fans are highly positive, even when their players are in slumps (16:30). He also explains why he chose to come to the KBO and why he chose to stay (17:38). He picks out some of the league’s other top players and references one who should be a future MLB prospect (20:00). Lastly, he offers advice for anyone considering playing in the KBO (22:23). 

On this special edition episode, Mark Simon is joined by Sports Info Solutions Director of Basketball, Jake Loos. SIS recently announced that it would be entering the basketball business. Jake, the former director of basketball analytics and technology for the Phoenix Suns will head up our operation. Jake talks about his background, which includes an MBA from MIT and what he loves about basketball and statistics (1:12). He then details the challenges of basketball analytics and trying to explain it to non-analytically inclined fans (7:26). He also explains what SIS will be doing with basketball data and the challenges of trying to do the kind of player evaluation he wants to do (11:18). He also talks about why Joe Ingles of the Jazz is one of his favorite players (20:24), why Stephen Curry and Dwyane Wade’s stats are his favorite (22:24), and gives advice both on how to watch the game smarter (25:48) and how to pursue a career in basketball analytics (26:48).

Back to our usual programming later this week. Thanks for tuning in! 

We know that MLB is back and we’ll talk about that plenty in the next few weeks. This week on the Sports Info Solutions Baseball Podcast, Mark Simon (@MarkASimonSays) is joined by Japanese baseball writer, statistician and historian Jim Allen (@JballAllen) of JballAllen.com to talk about Nippon Professional Baseball (the NPB). Jim explains his background and talks about how Japan was able to work to a 120-game season (1:47), and he also explains how the top storylines this season have been overshadowed by Coronavirus (5:49). He discusses how team pitching plans have changed and top starters are already going deep into games (7:34). Jim also explains the expectations for ex-MLB players Adam Jones and Justin Bour, the latter of whom has drawn comparisons to an all-time Japanese great (9:39). The two then talk about defense and the emphasis that Japanese players put into defense compared versus how much attention defense gets in highlights (14:36). Jim also gives insight into the game’s top defensive players, including standout shortstop Sosuke Genda (16:44). He also points out aspects of defense that Japanese players do better than MLB players (22:58). His choice for the coolest thing to watch about Japanese baseball might surprise you (25:33).

Stay healthy and stay safe. Thank you as always for listening. Please rate and review us if you can.

On this episode of the Sports Info Solutions Baseball Podcast, Mark Simon (@MarkASimonSays) is joined by Baseball America writer Carlos Collazo (@CarlosACollazo) to talk about last week’s MLB Draft and how different players rate from a defensive perspective. First, they discuss the preparation heading into the draft and the challenges of trying to evaluate a player’s defense at the amateur level (1:17). Then, Carlos gives a scouting report on Mets draftee Pete Crow-Armstrong, ranging from his defense to his makeup (5:20).

They also discuss No. 1 overall pick Spencer Torkelson and whether he was well equipped to make the move to third base (9:15). Next, Carlos shares his thoughts on Austin Martin to the Blue Jays and the idea of whether a player being versatile at the collegiate level was a good thing (11:16). Then, he talks about the top defensive prospect among infielders, Cubs draftee Ed Howard, and what makes him so promising as a fielder (14:11). One of Carlos’ favorite players in the draft was Garrett Mitchell, who went to the Brewers, and he explains why Mitchell rates so well (16:33). Then he talks about two catchers he likes a lot – Patrick Bailey of the Giants and Drew Romo of the Rockies (19:05).

Lastly, he provides a lengthy list of players who rate well in various analytic measurements, whether they be offense or pitching-based (23:51).

Check out Carlos and his work at baseballamerica.com. Thanks for tuning in. Stay safe, and don’t forget to rate and review the show!

On this episode of the Sports Info Solutions Baseball Podcast, Mark Simon (@MarkASimonSays) is joined by Coastal Carolina (@CoastalBaseball) outfielder Parker Chavers (@pchavers14). Parker was a preseason All-American and a two-time All-Sun Belt conference selection who missed the start of 2020 due to a shoulder injury. Prior to the injury he was ranked among college baseball’s top outfielders and was particularly praised for his arm strength. He’s viewed as anywhere from a Top 50 to Top 100 selection in this week’s MLB Draft.

Parker talks about how he’s feeling with the draft upcoming (2:16), what went into developing his arm and what has gone into rehabbing his torn labrum (2:31). He provides a self-scouting report on his defense, his hitting approach, and his power (6:58). He also explains why he models his game after Andrew Benintendi and Adam Eaton (10:55) and praises the coaches who helped him get to this point (13:17).

Mark is also joined by SIS Video Scout Associates Brandon Tew (@BrandonTeweets) and Corey Leaden (@cleaden24) (15:37). They dissect the top seven college baseball prospects in the draft, from first baseman Spencer Torkelson to outfielder Heston Kjerstad and pitcher Reid Detmers (18:56). They also provide tips to anyone looking to evaluate college baseball players (32:16).

On this episode of the Sports Info Solutions Baseball Podcast, Mark Simon (@MarkASimonSays) talks with college baseball infielder Dai Dai Otaka (@dai_squared) about studying defensive excellence using a combination of video and in-depth statistical analysis (what we like to do!). Dai Dai first fills us in on his interests and his successful time as a starter at second base and shortstop at Yale, where he won 2 Ivy League titles (2:39).

Dai Dai then explains the study he did reviewing more than 600 5-4-3 and 5-6-3 successful double plays to see where the pivot man most often receives the throw (5:58). He also details the video review he did on the fielding approaches of Nolan Arenado (9:25), Javier Baez (12:30), and Francisco Lindor (14:50), and explains how what he learned could be applied to studying any infielder (15:48).

He also shares his passion for coaching, describing drills that could be done just by watching video highlights on YouTube or throwing a ball against a tree (16:56). He also notes the most common mistakes infielders make (19:54). Lastly, he gives advice for aspiring researchers (21:01) and teases future studies and his career aspirations (22:44).

Make sure to check out Dai Dai’s Twitter work. Thanks for listening, don’t forget to rate and review us, and stay safe!

Useful Links

Dai Dai Otaka Yale player page

Dai Dai’s study of 5-4-3 double plays

Study of approach of Javier Baez and Francisco Lindor

The “Watching highlights on YouTube drill”

On this episode, Mark Simon (@markasimonsays) is joined by Dirk Lammers (@ddlammers), author of Baseball’s No-Hit Wonders and an expert on the history of no-hitters for a conversation on all the different factors that go into throwing one. Dirk explains the origins of his research, how much research he’s done, and his favorite (2:18). They then discuss the most prominent defensive plays in no-hitters, what made Gregor Blanco’s perfect game-saving catch so special, what percentage of no-hitters feature a good or great defensive play, and why Kevin Kouzmanoff should be remembered for his defensive work (7:21). They also get into the role of umpires and catchers (14:36) and look at patterns in pitchers that throw no-hitters (18:47). Lastly they discuss the most likely current pitchers to throw a no-hitter (20:01). Thanks for listening and stay safe!

Dirk’s website – NoNoHitters.com (@nonohitters)

No-Hitters Referenced

Robin Yount catch in Juan Nieves no-hitter LINK

Gregor Blanco catch in Matt Cain perfect game LINK

DeWayne Wise catch in Mark Buehrle perfect game LINK

Mike Baxter catch in Johan Santana no-hitter LINK

Dallas Braden perfect game LINK

Roy Halladay perfect game LINK

Francisco Liriano no-hitter LINK

Harvey Haddix near-perfect game LINK

Max Scherzer’s 17-strikeout no-hitter LINK

Sandy Koufax perfect game LINK

Tom Seaver’s no-hitter LINK

The story of a Cy Young’s no-hitter LINK