Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

Niv Shah, Senior Hot Dog Correspondent and founder of Ottoneu, joins to dish on the latest baseball buzz. They analyze George Kirby's impressive return from injury and Ronald Acuña Jr.'s potential impact as he returns from a second ACL tear. The conversation includes player evaluations like Matt Shaw's fantasy viability, while exploring rookie prospects Denzel Clarke and Robert Hassel III. Plus, Niv shares tasty tidbits about unique hot dog offerings at Nationals Park, blending sports analysis with a side of humor!

Explore the groundbreaking swing path and attack angle data from Baseball Savant that could reshape player performance insights. Discover whether flatter swings yield higher hitting floors and the challenges in altering swing mechanics. Delve into the imminent arrival of Automatic Ball Strikes and its potential impact on Majors. Plus, the hosts reflect on 2025 predictions they'd like to take back, highlighting the unpredictability of baseball. Join in on the fascinating analytics that could change the game!

The podcast dives into a whirlwind of baseball news with the firing of Orioles' manager Brandon Hyde making headlines. José Alvarado faces an 80-game suspension due to a PED test failure, while Mick Abel shines in his debut. The discussion also covers the challenges of Hayden Wesneski's Tommy John surgery and the anticipation around Matt Shaw's return. They analyze fantasy baseball spending trends, exploring player performance impacts and roster strategies. Plus, the Angels sweep the Dodgers in an exciting Freeway Series!

Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa face concussion protocol, raising concerns about player safety. The Royals show signs of improvement while fantasy managers weigh their options for Rivalry Weekend. Emerging talents like Alexander Canario and the quirky dynamics of unique rivalries add excitement to team matchups. Insights on pitcher performance and waiver wire strategies for players like Josh Lowe help navigate the fantasy landscape. The evolving batting strategies of stars like Juan Soto enhance the competitive spirit in MLB.

The hosts dive into the recent reinstatement of iconic figures like Shoeless Joe Jackson, unraveling the complexities of baseball's past scandals. They discuss the importance of secondary pitches, analyzing when a pitcher's reliance on fastballs becomes a liability. Insights on the struggles of young pitchers and the necessity of diversifying their arsenals emerge. The conversation also touches on ownership dynamics and how they shape team development, alongside the tactical adjustments players must make in response to secondary pitches.

Chandler Rome, an Astros beat writer for The Athletic, joins the discussion to dissect Rob Manfred's controversial decision to reinstate Pete Rose and 16 others from MLB's ineligible list. They delve into Rose's legacy and Hall of Fame prospects. Rome also shares insights on the Astros' roster evolution, addressing slow starts from stars like Jose Altuve and evaluating pitching needs as the trade deadline approaches. The conversation touches on player injuries, lineup adjustments, and the strategic future of the team.

Joe Sheehan joins Eno and DVR to discuss dropping the skepticism around the Tigers as AL Central frontrunners, where credit (and blame) belong with the 2025 Giants, over-performing teams they expect to see fade from the playoff picture over the course of the season, and under-performing teams they believe will find their way into the playoffs. Plus, the lack of top-end results from Jordan Walker despite top-end bat speed, and a few selections for summer breakouts.Rundown5:30 Should We Believe in the Tigers?12:41 The 'Bustarhan' Giants Are Pretty Good21:18 Best Teams Today That Won't Make the Playoffs This Season25:15 Is the Guardians' Pitching Development Fading?30:57 2025 Playoffs Teams with Worst Record on May 13th?39:41 Why Are Teams Reluctant to Make 'Early' Trades?46:12 Jordan Walker: Top-End Bat Speed, Without Top-End Results53:32 Who Is Your Favorite Breakout On Tap This Summer?Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Joe on Bluesky: @sheehannewsletter.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Joe SheehanProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss the D-backs' decision to recall Jordan Lawlar, Zach Eflin's importance for the Orioles' injury-plagued rotation, and the Rockies' decision to dismiss manager Bud Black, before looking at some of the biggest risers and fallers (among hitters) in initial 2025 projections v. rest-of-season projections with The BAT X.Rundown3:33 Jordan Lawlar: Recalled by D-backs; How Does He Fit Right Now?8:52 Zach Eflin: Returns from the IL12:59 The Rockies Fire Manager Bud Black21:55 Projections Movers: Biggest Risers28:22 Who Has Moved Their Projections Enough to Change Their Role?34:50 Andrew Vaughn's Projection Has Improved Despite Tough Stretch?44:26 Projections Movers: Biggest Fallers52:57 Willy Adames: A Good Buy-Low Candidate?57:15 Where the Money Went: Cade Horton & Intriguing, Affordable BatsFollow 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.

Eno and DVR discuss Rafael Devers' rejection of a move to first base and answer a few mailbag questions -- including an intriguing reason the Dodgers' Stuff+ numbers may be lagging in public models -- before examining several waiver-wire options to consider ahead of the weekend. Rundown4:30 Rafael Devers Rejects a Move to First Base10:56 The New Pope is a White Sox Fan, 2025 Chances?13:15 Is Dodgers' Low Stuff+ This Season Just Being Ahead of Public Models?20:29 Why is David Robertson Still a Free Agent?22:38 Does Trent Grisham Have Shallow League Appeal?36:29 A Waiver-Wire Leaderboard for This Weekend's Bats49:39 Adjusting Age for Players Switching Roles?53:01 Weekend Pitcher LeaderboardFollow 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 SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss the Pirates' decision to fire manager Derek Shelton after a 12-26 start and wonder how making a change in that role will can make an impact. Plus, they dig into the slow start for Roki Sasaki and wonder if he can improve his fastball command and make a tweak to his pitch mix on the fly to get better results over the course of his rookie campaign, before drafting struggling starting pitchers and discussing a great piece about Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz from Alex Chamberlain of FanGraphs.Rundown1:10 The Pirates Fire Manager Derek Shelton8:54 The Overall Struggles Under Bob Nutting's Ownership15:44 Injury Follow-Ups: Hunter Greene, Dylan Cease, Corbin Burnes, Yordan Alvarez & William Contreras18:30 Checking In on Roki Sasaki24:24 Comps for Roki Sasaki's Fastball32:49 What's the Role *If* the Dodgers' Rotation Gets Healthier?36:40 A Four-Round Rebound Pitchers Draft54:16 A Great Read About Andrés Muñoz'Andrés Muñoz Is an Analytical Blind Spot' by Alex Chamberlain of FanGraphs: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/andres-munoz-is-an-analytical-blind-spot/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.