Dan Szymborski
@dszymborski.fangraphs.com
Senior Writer for FanGraphs, ESPN contributor, data consultant, ZiPSetician, gamer, talkative, exasperated/ing, possibly the worst. BBWAA, Digital Dandy.
Pinned
Dan Szymborski
@dszymborski.fangraphs.com
· Nov 20
For those new to BlueSky and interested in FanGraphs writers -- or those who aren't, making this an odd choice -- I put together a FanGraphs starter pack of writers/editors who currently are staffers or contributors to the site.
go.bsky.app/Q1Dm1ED
go.bsky.app/Q1Dm1ED
One mystery I really hope they resolve in the Trails series: just where in the hell did Harwood get that coat.
January 14, 2026 at 12:41 AM
One mystery I really hope they resolve in the Trails series: just where in the hell did Harwood get that coat.
Gotta say, when it comes to the times at which acquiring Nolan Arenado is a big deal, "2026" is too high a number.
January 13, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Gotta say, when it comes to the times at which acquiring Nolan Arenado is a big deal, "2026" is too high a number.
Here's an early look at the ZiPS x @fangraphs.com depth chart for the next team in the ZiPS rundowns, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-zips-pr...
blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-zips-pr...
January 13, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Here's an early look at the ZiPS x @fangraphs.com depth chart for the next team in the ZiPS rundowns, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-zips-pr...
blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-zips-pr...
The 2026 ZiPS projections for the Toronto Blue Jays are now up on @fangraphs.com.
blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-zips-pr...
blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-zips-pr...
2026 ZiPS Projections: Toronto Blue Jays
Even without Bo Bichette or a similar replacement, the Blue Jays are well-equipped for another run.
blogs.fangraphs.com
January 13, 2026 at 5:50 PM
The 2026 ZiPS projections for the Toronto Blue Jays are now up on @fangraphs.com.
blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-zips-pr...
blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-zips-pr...
Here's an early look at the ZiPS x @fangraphs.com depth chart for the next team in the ZiPS rundowns, the Toronto Blue Jays.
January 12, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Here's an early look at the ZiPS x @fangraphs.com depth chart for the next team in the ZiPS rundowns, the Toronto Blue Jays.
The 2026 ZiPS projections for the Houston Astros are now up on @fangraphs.com.
blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-zips-pr...
blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-zips-pr...
2026 ZiPS Projections: Houston Astros
The Astros aren’t as scary as they once were, but they’re still good enough to keep the Mariners honest or even take the AL West.
blogs.fangraphs.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:31 PM
The 2026 ZiPS projections for the Houston Astros are now up on @fangraphs.com.
blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-zips-pr...
blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-zips-pr...
Reposted by Dan Szymborski
Reposted by Dan Szymborski
X is for throwaway jokes. Here: I once drafted a concept for a webcomic (to produce with an Artist To Be Named Later) that started with a dramatic Bond- or Bourne-esque car chase smashing through a busy urban street. But instead of following the spies, the comic stays put.
January 12, 2026 at 8:06 AM
X is for throwaway jokes. Here: I once drafted a concept for a webcomic (to produce with an Artist To Be Named Later) that started with a dramatic Bond- or Bourne-esque car chase smashing through a busy urban street. But instead of following the spies, the comic stays put.
Reposted by Dan Szymborski
The IT guy whose parked car got smashed by a goon when Bond pulled a sudden turn, who now has to file an insurance claim. The writer who had a sudden brush with death while typing away at a sidewalk café. Etc. etc.
January 12, 2026 at 8:06 AM
The IT guy whose parked car got smashed by a goon when Bond pulled a sudden turn, who now has to file an insurance claim. The writer who had a sudden brush with death while typing away at a sidewalk café. Etc. etc.
Reposted by Dan Szymborski
"In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate and unequal branches: A cadre of loose cannons who get the job done, no matter the cost; and small army of perpetually frazzled bureaucrats who job is to get the city council to pay for 5 exploding helicopters a month."
January 12, 2026 at 8:04 AM
"In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate and unequal branches: A cadre of loose cannons who get the job done, no matter the cost; and small army of perpetually frazzled bureaucrats who job is to get the city council to pay for 5 exploding helicopters a month."
A TV show I would totally watch: a dark comedy police procedural about a team that does all the bureaucratic cleanup from those lone wolf detectives and cops that solve crimes by their own rules.
January 12, 2026 at 7:56 AM
A TV show I would totally watch: a dark comedy police procedural about a team that does all the bureaucratic cleanup from those lone wolf detectives and cops that solve crimes by their own rules.
Reposted by Dan Szymborski
the daily beast has some kind of persistent glitch with showing the wrong headline/image combo on google news and the unintended comedy is adamantium-tier
January 11, 2026 at 3:35 AM
the daily beast has some kind of persistent glitch with showing the wrong headline/image combo on google news and the unintended comedy is adamantium-tier
Here's an early look at the ZiPS x @fangraphs.com depth chart for the next team in the ZiPS team-by-teams, the Houston Astros.
January 11, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Here's an early look at the ZiPS x @fangraphs.com depth chart for the next team in the ZiPS team-by-teams, the Houston Astros.
Historically, the average difference between ZiPS preseason team win totals and a team's actual win total the year AFTER is 8.5 wins (so ZiPS preseason 2024 vs. actual 2025)
For the actual win totals (Actual 2024 vs. Actual 2025), it's 9.0 wins. Recency bias is a killer.
For the actual win totals (Actual 2024 vs. Actual 2025), it's 9.0 wins. Recency bias is a killer.
January 9, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Historically, the average difference between ZiPS preseason team win totals and a team's actual win total the year AFTER is 8.5 wins (so ZiPS preseason 2024 vs. actual 2025)
For the actual win totals (Actual 2024 vs. Actual 2025), it's 9.0 wins. Recency bias is a killer.
For the actual win totals (Actual 2024 vs. Actual 2025), it's 9.0 wins. Recency bias is a killer.
The funny thing is that preseason team win projections in ZiPS project NEXT year's team win totals slightly better than the actual win totals of the ensuing year. And that is without any knowledge of any moves made since that preseason.
That's not because projections are amazing but recency bias.
That's not because projections are amazing but recency bias.
Recency bias is a helluva thing
January 9, 2026 at 6:19 PM
The funny thing is that preseason team win projections in ZiPS project NEXT year's team win totals slightly better than the actual win totals of the ensuing year. And that is without any knowledge of any moves made since that preseason.
That's not because projections are amazing but recency bias.
That's not because projections are amazing but recency bias.
Reposted by Dan Szymborski
FangRapHS, the high school for undead hip hop artists.
January 9, 2026 at 6:05 PM
FangRapHS, the high school for undead hip hop artists.
I know this is *my* screaming into the void uselessly, but "players having their best season last year is their baseline expectation" is a pretty idiotic projection routine which does not work.
January 9, 2026 at 5:56 PM
I know this is *my* screaming into the void uselessly, but "players having their best season last year is their baseline expectation" is a pretty idiotic projection routine which does not work.
FangRaphs still acceptable.
January 9, 2026 at 5:54 PM
FangRaphs still acceptable.
Reposted by Dan Szymborski
I know I'm screaming into the void on this one but:
FanGraphs not Fangraphs
FanGraphs not Fangraphs
January 9, 2026 at 5:10 PM
I know I'm screaming into the void on this one but:
FanGraphs not Fangraphs
FanGraphs not Fangraphs
The 2026 ZiPS projections for the San Diego Padres are now up at @fangraphs.com.
blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-zips-pr...
blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-zips-pr...
2026 ZiPS Projections: San Diego Padres
The Padres are real contenders, but the rotation is on iffy ground.
blogs.fangraphs.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:17 PM
The 2026 ZiPS projections for the San Diego Padres are now up at @fangraphs.com.
blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-zips-pr...
blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-zips-pr...
@baumann.bsky.social As the Tucker, shouldn't Kyle Tucker be the one to determine where to tuck Kyle?
January 9, 2026 at 4:02 PM
@baumann.bsky.social As the Tucker, shouldn't Kyle Tucker be the one to determine where to tuck Kyle?
I really wish I could figure out how to get my mom to try and be more careful. She's always had endless tales about her amusing falls (she's always been about the clumsiest person in existence), but I keep telling her that it's not as funny at 71, and that she needs to pay attention, to no avail.
January 9, 2026 at 8:06 AM
I really wish I could figure out how to get my mom to try and be more careful. She's always had endless tales about her amusing falls (she's always been about the clumsiest person in existence), but I keep telling her that it's not as funny at 71, and that she needs to pay attention, to no avail.
One of my favorite things on Wikipedia is editors getting blocked for trying to make edits on Wikipedia that are blatantly written by LLMs, apologizing and promising to not use LLMs in unblock messages that are blatantly written by an LLM, and then getting smack down by an admin.
January 8, 2026 at 8:33 PM
One of my favorite things on Wikipedia is editors getting blocked for trying to make edits on Wikipedia that are blatantly written by LLMs, apologizing and promising to not use LLMs in unblock messages that are blatantly written by an LLM, and then getting smack down by an admin.
Reposted by Dan Szymborski
For those new to BlueSky and interested in FanGraphs writers -- or those who aren't, making this an odd choice -- I put together a FanGraphs starter pack of writers/editors who currently are staffers or contributors to the site.
go.bsky.app/Q1Dm1ED
go.bsky.app/Q1Dm1ED
November 20, 2024 at 6:39 AM
For those new to BlueSky and interested in FanGraphs writers -- or those who aren't, making this an odd choice -- I put together a FanGraphs starter pack of writers/editors who currently are staffers or contributors to the site.
go.bsky.app/Q1Dm1ED
go.bsky.app/Q1Dm1ED
Here's an early look at the ZiPS x @fangraphs.com depth chart for the next team to run in the ZiPS rundowns, the San Diego Padres.
January 8, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Here's an early look at the ZiPS x @fangraphs.com depth chart for the next team to run in the ZiPS rundowns, the San Diego Padres.