Eric Longenhagen, a prospect writer for FanGraphs known for his sharp analysis, joins the discussion on the state of minor league baseball. He delves into why the minor league cupboard has gotten thinner and highlights newly available data that’s shifting the landscape. Rising prospects Zyhir Hope and Jesus Made take center stage, with Longenhagen offering his cautious assessments and 'Picks to Click' for future Top-100 lists. The conversation also touches on rebuilding strategies for teams like the White Sox and explores the complexities of player evaluation.

Spring training kicks off with injury updates, including Rafael Devers' shoulder woes and Giancarlo Stanton's tennis elbow. Eloy Jiménez is shedding pounds, aiming for a comeback with the Rays. The hosts dive into platoon strategies, discussing player roles and the expansion of Kerry Carpenter's opportunities. The segment 'Level Up' introduces new pitches to enhance arsenals, while a trivia game adds fun as they guess player identities and share nostalgic baseball moments.

The discussion kicks off with the Cleveland Guardians' offseason moves, including the trade of Josh Naylor and the impact of key players like Jose Ramirez. The Kansas City Royals are analyzed for their roster depth and potential breakout talent. Prospects from the Minnesota Twins are given a hopeful look, balancing optimism with concerns over player risks. Meanwhile, the White Sox's roster changes are examined, and potential sleeper picks from the AL Central are highlighted, adding an engaging twist to the projections.

Dive into the NL Central as teams prepare for 2025! The Brewers seek to maintain their surprising edge amidst health questions. Can the Cardinals discover their new core post-Goldschmidt? The Cubs might just justify their frontrunner status with a potent lineup. Will the Reds surprise with improved pitching despite lineup concerns? And can the Pirates support their young arms with reliable bats? Plus, catch insights on sleeper candidates and the competitive landscape of this intriguing division!

The podcast kicks off with insights on Ronald Acuña Jr.'s cautious return from injury. Eno shares his excitement for pitchers like Shane McClanahan and Hunter Brown, while exploring the potential of Grayson Rodriguez. There's a playful analysis of Spencer Strider's strategy under new league rules and a surprising endorsement for Clay Holmes as a starter. They also touch on quirky player nicknames and the evolving dynamics of spring training, making it a must-listen for baseball enthusiasts!

The podcast dives into Alex Bregman's surprising move to the Red Sox and what it means for team chemistry. Nick Pivetta's trade to the Padres is also under the microscope as San Diego ramps up its roster. The discussion then turns to advanced pitching metrics like Stuff+, examining how teams are finding competitive edges through analytics. Additionally, there’s a fascinating look at the historical evolution of baseball rules and how teams adapt their strategies in a changing landscape. All this while contemplating the future of sports analytics!

Eno and DVR continue their 2025 Team Preview series in the America League West! Is the Astros’ control of the division finally winding down? Are the Rangers primed for another deep October run with a healthier roster in 2025? Can the Mariners hit enough to support their elite rotation? Can the A’s close the gap on the three teams ahead of them, and have the Angels improved enough to do the same after a disappointing 2024?Rundown2:26 2025 Houston Astros Preview14:15 2025 Texas Rangers Preview32:15 2025 Seattle Mariners Preview44:05 2025 Sacramento Athletics Preview59:32 2025 ‘Los Angeles’ Angels of Anaheim Preview1:12:17 A Selection of Sleepers From the AL WestFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsNote: Win Total Projections for the episode are from Baseball Prospectus' PECTOA system at the time of the recording. Support BP -- they do great work!Current PECOTA Projections: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR begin their 2025 Team Preview series in the National League West! How much have the Dodgers improved following their World Series title in 2024? Do the Padres need another late winter trade to keep pace with the other NL playoff teams? Will the D-backs find their way back to October after a busy offseason? Can the Giants exceed expectations in Year 1 of the Buster Posey Era? And, are the Rockies better than some of the projections suggest?Rundown1:55 2025 Los Angeles Dodgers Preview17:15 2025 San Diego Padres Preview29:54 2025 Arizona Diamondbacks Preview43:31 2025 San Francisco Giants Preview56:51 2025 Colorado Rockies Preview1:07:08 A Selection of Sleepers From the NL WestFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsNote: Win Total Projections for the episode are from Baseball Prospectus' PECTOA system at the time of the recording. Support BP -- they do great work!Current PECOTA Projections: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR share a takeaways from the early part of draft season as spring training camps get underway, including the benefits of waiting to build a pitching staff (so far), and how looking back at some of last year's biggest rebounds can serve as a helpful reminder of the different sources of late-round value. Plus, they answer mailbag questions about past Tommy John surgeries, possible Astros regret with the Christian Walker deal after Pete Alonso's two-year deal with the Mets, and the dynasty league mindset of trading down a top-tier player to play for the future.Rundown5:20 What Have You Learned From Winter Drafts?9:17 Waiting on Starting Pitching Feels Great16:02 Looking Back at Pitching Rebounds From 2023 to 202419:05 Looking Back at Hitting Rebounds From 2023 to 202426:45 Watching on Second Catchers is Gross35:04 Accounting for Tommy John Surgeries Further in the Past44:03 Do the Astros Regret Their Christian Walker Deal After Pete Alonso's Two-Year Pact?50:06 Dynasty Trading Mindset: Flipping a Current Top-Tier PlayerFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno is joined by Sleeper & the Bust co-hosts Justin Mason and Jason Collette to talk about how they got into baseball, their upcoming drafts, some MLB news from the week and they take a few mailbag questionsRundown0:57- Intros & how they got into baseball11:55- Upcoming drafts & any surprises18:08- Pete Alonso is back with the Mets28:20- How will new parks effect Rays & A's players this season38:08- Is Junior Caminero ready to take a big step?42:44- Ben Gamel goes back to the Astros45:23- Yoán Moncada 1 year deal with the Angels47:26- Harrison Bader signs with the Twins50:42- Tommy Pham joins the Pirates52:11- Any concerns about Skenes recent workload?Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices