

Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball
The Athletic
Eno Sarris and Derek VanRiper, along with Britt Ghiroli, Trevor May, and Jed Lowrie discuss advanced stats, strategy, prospects and more. From the first move of the Hot Stove season to the final pitch of the World Series, join us for year-round baseball talk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 5, 2025 • 1h 2min
Spring Job Battles of Interest, Part 2
Eno and DVR discuss several spring battles for rotation spots, including the potential for a 'secret' six-man rotation in Tampa Bay, Casey Mize's bid to stick in the rotation for the Tigers, Ben Brown's chances of breaking camp as a starter for the Cubs, Year 2 enthusiasm for Jordan Hicks as a potential sleeper in San Francisco, and much more.Rundown0:00 Intro Starts1:48 A Secret Six-Man Rotation Coming in Tampa Bay?12:03 Watching Kenta Maeda & Casey Mize Closely This Spring20:30 Competition for the Final Spots in the Twins' Rotation31:04 Will Ben Brown Break Into the Cubs' Fifth Starter Spot?36:30 Let's Make the Dodgers Sign Another Pitcher!44:37 A Sleeper (or Two) in San Francisco?54:46 Odds & Ends: The White Sox, Angels, Braves & PadresFollow 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 4, 2025 • 60min
Spring Job Battles of Interest, Part 1
Eno and DVR take a look at several spring job battles of interest, focusing on position players including the opportunity for Brooks Lee to become a fixture in the lineup for the Twins, Colson Montgomery's path to take over at shortstop for the White Sox, Nolan Gorman's chances of being an everyday guy for the Cardinals in 2025, and how Jordan Lawlar might fit into the equation with Arizona with an indirect battle for playing time against Pavin Smith.Rundown6:30 How Do the Pieces Fit at First & Second Base in Minnesota14:21 Colson Montgomery & Chase Meidroth Push for Roles with White Sox23:41 Trey Sweeney's Chances for an Everyday Role29:20 Nolan Gorman's Power Over Everything Profile38:20 Breaking News: Chase DeLauter Injury Update46:58 How Does Jordan Lawlar Fit on the 2025 D-backs?56:32 Orelvis Martinez and Battles for Playing Time in TorontoFollow 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 3, 2025 • 1h 4min
The March Toward Opening Day
Eno and DVR share a few show-related updates -- two live episodes on Mar. 27-28 at Barebottle Brewing Co. in San Francisco! -- and ask for feedback on a format option for the 2025 listener league before digging into a round of spring news and notes. Plus, they look at DVR's builds from last week's Tout Wars ('Solds and IP instead of Wins) and Mixed LABR draft where a conscious decision to lean into IL spots was made. The show wraps with a round of Monday Mailbag questions, including a question about zone contact rates and the belief in a Matt Wallner breakout.Rundown0:24 Eno Brews Beer for Our Live Shows in San Francisco!7:08 Sean Murphy's Injury & Opportunity for Drake Baldwin10:21 Minor Injuries for Corbin Carroll & Gunnar Henderson?15:42 Luis Gil: Awaiting MRI Results (Update: High-Grade Lat Strain)18:27 Parker Meadows: Slowed by Nerve Issue in Right Arm24:10 Jose Altuve's Move to Left Field30:57 DVR's Injury-Risk Heavy Approach in Tout Wars39:34 Another Pitching Risky Build in Mixed LABR51:47 Value of Spring Training MaxEV?54:34 Shohei Ohtani's Dollar Value in Daily Moves League59:44 Matt Wallner's Sleeper Status & Low Z-Contact% ProfilesFollow 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 28, 2025 • 1h 9min
February Risers & Fallers w/Vlad Sedler of FTN
Vlad Sedler (@rotogut) joins DVR to discuss a few spring news items before digging into February's risers and fallers on draft boards as Wyatt Langford has cruised into the top-40, Junior Caminero has moved into the top-75, and Alex Bregman is making his way back toward the top-100 after landing with the Red Sox. Plus, they discuss a few of the rapidly rising closers whose job outlooks changed over the course of the past months, and a few fallers -- including the draft market's drop of Rays pitching as the Tampa Bay staff will have its home games at Steinbrenner Field in 2025.Rundown2:08 Spring News Updates: Andrew Benintendi, Zach Neto & Hyeseong Kim9:50 February's Rising Hitters: Buying Wyatt Langford in Round 3?25:07 Vlad's Trust in Matt McLain33:48 Isaac Paredes' Rebound Potential in Houston37:01 Relievers with Improved Job Outlooks42:28 Clay Holmes' Draft Stock is Rising46:25 Anticipating a Spencer Schwellenback Jump52:09 February ADP Fallers1:03:04 Most Overvalued/Overdraft Player(s) Currently in Top-75 OverallFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Vlad on Bluesky: @rotogut.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHost: Derek VanRiperWith: Vlad SedlerProducer Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 27, 2025 • 1h 1min
New Pitches & A Case for Longer Starts
Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss a few spring news items before looking at the early response to ABS in spring training games and several new pitches that are popping this spring. Plus, they examine 'The Case for Leaving Your Starter In' from Lewie Pollis, and the value added by veteran pitchers beyond the potential to chew up innings.Rundown1:00 News & Notes: Kyle Finnegan Returns to Nats; Ohtani to Make Spring Debut Friday10:49 Early Thoughts on ABS in Spring Training Games22:48 New Pitches That Are Popping This Spring41:46 Quantifying The Value of Pitching Deep Into Starts'The Case for Leaving Your Starter In' - Lewie Pollis:https://www.thelewsletter.lewispoll.is/p/the-case-for-leaving-the-starter50:52 Veteran Presence or Veteran Presents?Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay@bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor MayProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 26, 2025 • 1h 15min
2025 AL East Team Previews
Eno and DVR finish their 2025 Team Previews Series in the AL East. Did the Yankees find an ample pivot in their offseason plans after Juan Soto left for the Mets? The Orioles' window is still open, but will their starting pitching hold up after the loss of Corbin Burnes this winter? Is the Red Sox's pitching underrated? And, will the Rays and Jays close the gap on the rest of the division after disappointing seasons a year ago?Rundown3:06 2025 New York Yankees Preview20:21 2025 Baltimore Orioles Preview35:09 2025 Boston Red Sox Preview48:35 2025 Tampa Bay Rays Preview1:04:38 2025 Toronto Blue Jays Preview1:12:54 A Selection of Sleepers From the AL EastFollow 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 25, 2025 • 1h 13min
2025 NL East Team Previews
Eno and DVR continue their 2025 Team Previews Series in the NL East. Can the Phillies keep their place atop the division with a healthier Atlanta core and Juan Soto's move to the Mets? Are the Nationals ready to push for a Wild Card as they continue their rebuild? And just how rough will the Marlins' lineup be in Year 1 of their teardown?Rundown3:58 2025 Philadelphia Phillies Preview20:35 2025 Atlanta Braves Preview35:30 2025 New York Mets Preview50:10 2025 Washington Nationals Preview1:00:02 2025 Miami Marlins Preview1:09:47 A Selection of Sleepers From the NL EastFollow 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 24, 2025 • 1h 7min
Breakout Bats & Tough Hitter Rankings for 2025
Eno and DVR discuss a few news-related takeaways from the first weekend of spring training action including the return of Sandy Alcantara, an oblique injury for Sean Manaea, and Dustin May's push back toward a place in the Dodgers' rotation mix. Plus, they examine a few potential breakout hitters from Eno's recent story looking for bats primed to take a leap in 2025, tough rankings on the hitting side as DVR puts the final touches on his Top 300 hitters, and a few mailbag questions.Rundown3:03 Sandy Alcantara Is Back (and Touching 99 mph)9:54 Sean Manaea's Oblique Strain & Growing Opportunities in Mets' Rotation14:27 Excitement Around Tylor Megill's 2024 Adjustments22:51 Dustin May's Return to the Mound; 2025 Outlook25:25 Eno's Search for Breakout Hitters41:06 Tough Hitter Rankings51:55 Are Projections Missing on Jung Hoo Lee?59:04 Mailbag Questions!Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeCheck out Eno's 2025 breakout hitters story at The Athletic ($): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6151540Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 21, 2025 • 1h 9min
Prospect Talk with Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs
Eno and DVR are joined by Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs to discuss a thinning of the minor league cupboard in recent years, minor league data that is moving the needle, a few rapidly rising prospects -- Zyhir Hope and Jesus Made -- and some of Eric's favorite 'Picks to Click' on future Top-100 lists.Rundown3:19 What Has Left the Minor League Cupboard Thinner Than Usual?8:41 What Newly Available Minor League Data Moves the Needle?16:04 Things That Are Innate v. Things That Are Learned22:30 Eric's Cautious Assessment of Zyhir Hope31:46 Jesus Made's Helium After an Impressive DSL Debut37:48 Eric's Picks to Click: Looking for Future Top-100 Prospects45:31 Is the White Sox's Rebuilding Effort on Track?54:20 Making Sense of the Pirates' Hitting DevelopmentFollow 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 SarrisWith: Eric LongenhagenProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 20, 2025 • 1h 3min
Spring Things, Leveling Up with New Pitches & Platoon Considerations
Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss a few spring news items including ongoing shoulder woes for Rafael Devers, tennis elbow in both arms for Giancarlo Stanton, and a slimmed down Eloy Jiménez at Rays camp. Plus, they discuss factors that teams should consider when deciding to platoon a player and wonder if Kerry Carpenter might see an expanded role in 2025. They also bring the first installment of 'Level Up' giving a new pitch a handful of pitches that could use a boost in their arsenals, and the first 'Name! That! Dude!' of 2025. Rundown0:53 Are You In the Best Shape of Your Life?2:33 Rafael Devers: Still Dealing With Shoulder Soreness?11:59 Giancarlo Stanton: Tennis Elbow in Both Arms?!18:40 Eloy Jiménez: Down 25-30 Pounds; Primed for Rebound with Rays?27:23 Factors to Consider When Platooning a Player35:46 Level Up! What New Pitch(es) Are You Handing Out This Spring?59:46 Name! That! Dude!Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay@bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor MayProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.