Effectively Wild Episode 2115: I Am Become Death Ball

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the “death ball,” a curveball variant that could be baseball’s next sweeper-esque pitch-design innovation, and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of separate classifications for “new” pitches that are subsets of other pitches, and the importance of continuing education among fans and media members. Then (39:23) they talk about the Aroldis Chapman , John Brebbia , James Paxton , and Joey Gallo signings (with another contract over/unders draft update and a Clayton Kershaw check-in), the possibility that NPB phenom Roki Sasaki will come to MLB next offseason, Alex Blandino ’s knuckleball conversion, a Willians Astudillo lowlight, and a player mercenary follow-up. Audio intro : Liz Panella, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Audio outro : Cory Brent, “ Effectively Wild Theme (“We Looked Like Giants” cover) Link to death ball BP article Link to sweeper definition Link to Passan on the death ball Link to Tread video Link to “Public Enemy No. 1” Link to Ben on young newsbreakers Link to Cotillo on EW Link to FG on Chapman and Brebbia Link to over/under draft results Link to Pirates payroll page Link to MLBTR on Paxton Link to story on Paxton’s knee Link to Paxton eagle incident Link to MLBTR on Gallo Link to Ben on Gallo in 2014 Link to “genericization” article Link to Sasaki article Link to MLBTR on Blandino Link to Blandino knuckler Link to Blandino throwing 90 Link to Jannis EW interview Link to Ben on knuckleballs Link to Astudillo drop Link to game outcome Link to Astudillo HR robbery Link to Astudillo in center Link to Astudillo draft article Link to other Astudillo draft article Link to Farnsworth revenge article Link to HoF voting results Sponsor Us on Patreon Facebook Group Twitter Account EW Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!) Get Our Merch! Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source