
Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball
Eno Sarris and Derek VanRiper, along with Trevor May and Britt Ghiroli, 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.
Latest episodes

Sep 17, 2024 • 1h 12min
Why We Need Separate Rookie of the Year Awards for Hitters and Pitchers
Eno, Britt and DVR discuss the possibility of having separate Rookie of the Year awards for hitters and pitchers in future seasons, and the difficulty of making choices in this year ROY races. Plus, they discuss the unusual story of Matt Chapman's extension with the Giants going through Buster Posey, the second-half struggles of the Orioles, and whether there is any meaningful link between September rotation results and October performance. Rundown1:00 DVR's Case for Splitting Up Rookie of the Year Awards for Hitters and Pitchers6:34 Varying WAR Across Different Sites (FanGraphs, Baseball Reference and Baseball Prospectus)13:40 Looking for Value Beyond the Numbers20:09 Ceddanne Rafaela's Rookie Campaign26:04 Buster Posey's Role in Matt Chapman's Extension with the Giants38:01 Making Sense of the Orioles' Second-Half Slide51:48 Does Late-Season Rotation Form Matter?Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_Ghirolie-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us Thursday at 1p ET/10a PT for our weekly live episode with Trevor May!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris & Britt GhiroliExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiperJackson Merrill Cover Photo: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY SportsMason Miller Cover Photo: Eakin Howard/Getty ImagesPaul Skenes Cover Photo: Chris Coduto/Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 16, 2024 • 1h 7min
Adjusting Future Expectations as the 2024 Season Winds Down
Eno and DVR discuss Tyler Glasnow's sprained elbow -- and the likelihood that his 2024 season is now over. How much will Glasnow's risk-reward profile shift in the wake of another problematic ailment? Plus, is it time to re-evaluate Julio Rodríguez's status as an early first-round pick on the heels of a disappointing season in Year 3 with the Mariners, or does the ceiling he's flashes in his first two campaigns keep him in the conversation as a top-five pick in 2025? Rundown3:24 Tyler Glasnow's 2024 Season is Likely Over10:52 Awaiting Francisco Lindor's MRI Results13:33 Is It Time to Re-Assess Julio Rodríguez's Early First-Round Status?26:56 Long-Term: Spencer Arrighetti v. Hayden Birdsong34:39 Heliot Ramos' History-Making Homer at Oracle40:51 Kumar Rocker and Jacob deGrom Fetch (Some) Big BidsFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us on Thursdays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 13, 2024 • 1h 23min
The Biggest Prospect Risers of 2024
Eno and DVR discuss Corey Seager's season-ending surgery and long-term outlook, Kumar Rocker's debut, and an impressive rotation coming together for the Rangers in 2025. Plus, they crowdsource some of the biggest risers among prospects from several members of The Athletic's MLB staff, and discuss a few intriguing names to consider on the waiver wire this weekend.Rundown5:58 Corey Seager to Have Season-Ending Hernia Surgery11:26 Kumar Rocker Debuts, Jacob deGrom Nears Return19:55 Twins Minor League Catcher Derek Bender Released for Giving Away Pitches26:27 Project Prospect: (Some) of the Biggest Risers of 202433:40 Position Players Reaching Double-A At Age-18 or Younger42:59 Carlson Reed: Another Pirates Pitching Prospect to Monitor55:27 Two More Rising Bats1:01:34 Weekend Waiver Wire PreviewFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us on Thursdays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 12, 2024 • 1h 12min
How to Keep Hitters Guessing
Eno, Trevor and DVR consider a few ways that pitchers could keep hitters guessing more often, a question about the possibility of great command being a detriment, unusual training methods and tools, and whether it would be more surprising to see the Tigers make the playoffs -- or -- for the Braves to miss them. Plus, it's Round 3 of Name That Dude!Rundown0:59 Using Game Theory for Pitch Sequencing?9:18 Random Number Generating A Game Plan While Accounting for Known Useful Information19:50 Can Great Command Be a Detriment?31:17 What Unusual Training Methods and Tech Have You Seen?40:39 Let’s Talk About Toe Yoga!53:41 More Surprising: Tigers Making Playoffs - or - Braves Missing Them?1:05:50 Name That Dude!Follow Eno @enosarrisFollow Trevor @IamTrevorMayFollow DVR @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor MayProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 10, 2024 • 1h 10min
The Wild Card Races Are Heating Up!
Eno, Britt and DVR discuss the return of Jasson Dominguez for the stretch run, Kumar Rocker's upcoming debut with the Rangers, and the Mets' continued presence in the NL Wild Card race. Plus, they'll discuss the Twins' untimely tailspin, the Royals' rise under J.J. Picollo, and how the current struggles of Justin Verlander might shape the Astros' playoff rotation plans. Rundown1:19 Jasson Dominguez Rejoins the Yankees8:05 Kumar Rocker to Make MLB Debut on Thursday13:30 The Mets' Continued Presence in the NL Wild Card Race26:04 Can the Twins Disrupt Their Tailspin?39:39 The Royals' Rise Under J.J. Picollo 55:41 Justin Verlander and the Astros' Playoff RotationFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_Ghirolie-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us Thursday at 1p ET/10a PT for our weekly live episode with Trevor May!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris & Britt GhiroliExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 9, 2024 • 1h 15min
The Push for September Roster Reinforcements
Eno and DVR discuss an adjustment from Luis Castillo that might help to prolong his peak in 2025 and beyond in the wake of a hamstring injury that could cost him time down the stretch. Plus, they discuss several new relievers in the mix for saves in September, streaming pitchers to consider in the final month, and a few weekend waiver-wire adjustments. Rundown4:10 Luis Castillo's Hamstring Injury & Slider Adjustment9:23 Jesus Tinoco Joins Late-Season Saves Mix15:50 Nestor Cortes Jr. Follows Clarke Schmidt; Six-Man Rotation for Now?21:58 September Streamer Watch33:57 Increasing Trust in David Peterson42:07 Is There Anything Behind Elly De La Cruz's Home/Road Splits?45:44 Pitch Tipping v. Other External Cues (Astros Trash Can Banging)54:50 Where the Money Went: Trevor Story is Back!Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us on Thursday at 1p ET/10a PT for our next livestream episodes!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 6, 2024 • 1h 8min
Pleasant Surprises & Making Better Decisions in September
Eno and DVR discuss Reynaldo López and Ronel Blanco as two of this season's pleasant pitching surprises and wonder what's next for the duo, as well as other relievers who might be able to follow López's path to the rotation in 2025. Plus, they discuss endgame strategy for lineup decisions in rotisserie leagues, a potential sleeper in the Oakland outfield for next season, and a few weekend waiver-wire targets, including a pair of old starters chewing up innings effectively for the Guardians.Rundown5:02 Reynaldo López: Top-20 Starter (So Far) in 2024!12:00 A Few Success Stories Moving from the Bullpen to Rotation15:34 Endgame Lineup Decisions in Rotisserie Leagues20:49 Another Way the Royals Have Helped Their Run Prevention Cause29:00 Differences in Major and Minor League Baseballs34:18 Why Eno Prefers Jackson Jobe to Kumar Rocker37:11 Another Outfielder Tracking Toward a 2025 Opportunity44:52 Weekend Waiver Wire PreviewFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us on Thursdays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes!Subscribe 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

Sep 5, 2024 • 1h 7min
The Search for Baseball's Most Unpredictable Pitches & Pitchers
Eno, Trevor and DVR discuss Matt Chapman's six-year extension with the Giants, a combined no-hitter for the Cubs, who are clinging to slim playoff hopes with three-and-a-half weeks remaining in the regular season. Plus, they discuss baseball's replay system with *10* years now on the ledger and wonder how things might improve in the next 10 years, and they begin a quest to find baseball's most unpredictable (and predictable) pitchers and pitches.Rundown1:13 Matt Chapman Signs a Six-Year Extension with the Giants9:04 What's Next for the Giants In Their Push to Return to the Playoffs?14:55 A Combined No-Hitter From the Cubs20:26 Baseball's Replay System Turns 1027:38 We're Ready for the Ball & Strike Call Challenges34:30 Quantifying a Pitcher's PredictabilityRelated reading 'The Search for the Most Predictable Pitcher' by Kiri Oler of FanGraphs: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-search-for-the-most-predictable-pitcher/40:52 The Surprising Profile of Josh Hader's Fastball46:07 The Relationship Between Low Release Points & High iVB52:13 Trevor Finds the Root Cause of David Bednar's Struggles59:49 Camilo Doval's Running Cutter and a Rare Instance of 'Weird' Not Being GoodFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Trevor on Twitter: @IAmTrevorMaye-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor MayProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 3, 2024 • 1h 8min
The Padres & Astros Are Returning to Full Strength at the Right Time
Eno and DVR discuss the Padres getting healthy for the stretch run as Yu Darvish will rejoin the rotation this week on the heels of Fernando Tatis Jr.'s activation from the IL and Joe Musgrove's last-season success. Plus, they discuss what they would look for to get in front of a pitcher's hot streak, the recent struggles of Taj Bradley and George Kirby, Justin Verlander's post-IL Stuff+ numbers, and a FAAB hammer used to add Dylan Crews as Eno chases down a title. Rundown3:49 The Padres Are Returning to Full Strength13:35 Kyle Tucker Approaching Activation (Similarities to Tatis' Injury)20:15 David Bednar Removed From Closer Role23:14 Looking Beyond Fastball Velocity for Pitchers Heating UpRelated Reading 'Baseball's 'Hot Hand' Is Real: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/baseballs-hot-hand-is-real/ (Rob Arthur & Greg Matthews)29:08 What Happened to Taj Bradley?36:51 What Is Going On With George Kirby?40:16 Jackson Merrill is a Top ____ Player in 202550:36 Justin Verlander's Post-IL Stuff Numbers53:05 Eno Throws the Hammer to Get Dylan CrewsFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us on Thursday at 1p ET/10a PT for our next livestream episodes!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 30, 2024 • 1h 8min
Pitching Prospects Promoted for the Stretch Run
Eno and DVR discuss an unfortunate sequence that led to two Royals players suffering an injury Thursday night, uncertainty regarding the availability of Tyler Glasnow down the stretch, several pitching prospects set to debut this weekend including Rhett Lowder and Caden Dana, and a few other intriguing waiver-wire targets to consider.Rundown2:44 Vinnie Pasquantino & Lucas Erceg Injured On Same Play8:36 Tyler Glasnow and Freddie Freeman Updates15:18 Rhett Lowder Gets the Call From the Reds20:27 Samuel Aldegheri & Caden Dana Join the Angels26:30 A Look at Kumar Rocker's Post-Surgery Pitch Mix29:03 Other Pitchers We're Watching Closely for Potential Stretch Run Opportunities40:47 Which Team Doesn't Have an Internal Stuff Model?44:40 Does Ernie Clement Have a Late Breakout Profile?48:12 Weekend Waiver Preview: Tigers Pitching, José Tena, Miguel Amaya and More MarlinsFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us on Thursdays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes!Subscribe 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
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