Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

The Athletic
undefined
Apr 23, 2025 • 53min

Is Julio Rodríguez an Adjustment Away?

Eno, DVR, and Jed discuss news and notes from around the league including injuries for Emmanuel Clase and Cristopher Sánchez and MLB's biggest three-team rivalries, before digging into the new-look Mariners' offense and Julio Rodriguez's slow start on the heels of a slight downturn at the plate in 2024.Rundown4:20 MLB's Biggest Hate Triangle9:17 Why Night Games on Getaway Day are Suboptimal15:52 Astros Considering Cam Smith in Center Field?20:13 The Mariners Hitters Are Changing(Related Reading from 'Leaky Barn': https://swingsandtakes.com/250421-the-mariners-offense-is-rolling)25:51 Will Julio Rodríguez Click Again Soon?31:28 Time to Make Another Adjustment on Pitches Away?42:38 Does Closing Up Stance Help Slim Your Platoon Split?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 SarrisWith: Jed LowrieProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Apr 22, 2025 • 57min

How the Reds' Pitching is Clicking w/C. Trent Rosecrans

C. Trent Rosecrans joins Eno and DVR to discuss the Reds -- including Andrew Abbott's fast start and track record of posting ERAs below his projections -- the ascent of Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo's missing strikeouts amidst good results, and questions around the quality and depth of the Cincinnati bullpen. Plus, they examine the profile of Nick Kurtz, who has been promoted to the big leagues by the A's less than a year after he was drafted fourth overall out of Wake Forest. Rundown2:06 Please Help Us Understand Andrew Abbott9:00 Jose Trevino's Impact on the Staff & Clubhouse12:08 The Little Adjustment Paying Off for Hunter Greene18:11 Nick Lodolo's Missing Strikeouts22:05 Nick Martinez as a Great Fit27:07 What's Going On with the Reds' Bullpen?34:15 Nick Kurtz Gets the Call from the A's45:53 Craig Yoho Joins the Brewers' Relief Corps & Logan Henderson's Outlook54:00 Brandon Young is Back in the Mix for the OriolesFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Trent on Bluesky: @ctrent.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: C. Trent RosecransProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Apr 21, 2025 • 1h 1min

How Quickly Will Chandler Simpson's Game-Changing Speed Make an Impact?

Eno and DVR discuss the promotion of Chandler Simpson by the Rays and attempt to determine how his short-term outlook for playing time and long-term ceiling will come together. Plus, they dig into mailbag questions about the early struggles of Devin Williams and Emmanuel Clase, making the choice between slow-starting bats and surging waiver-wire options in shallow leagues, and where the money went (beyond Chandler Simpson) with fantasy aseball pickups from the weekend.Rundown4:11 Chandler Simpson Gets the Call11:24 Finding Roto Comps for a Unique Set of Skills15:41: Other Injury News & Notes From the Weekend24:56 A Wild Friday Afternoon at Wrigley30:44 Struggling First Basemen v. Potential Waiver-Wire Upgrades41:55 The Slow Starts of Devin Williams & Emmanuel Clase51:29 Where the Money Went: Making Sense of Weekend Waiver PickupsFollow 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.
undefined
Apr 18, 2025 • 1h 2min

Opportunity Knocks, Even in April

Eno and DVR discuss the setback for Grayson Rodriguez and the fallout for the Orioles' rotation, the promotion of Luke Keaschall as the Twins deal with a few injuries on their depth chart, and weekend waiver pickups to consider with Ottoneu found and Rates & Barrels Senior Hot Dog Correspondent Niv Shah. Rundown1:09 Grayson Rodriguez Has a Setback10:34 Luke Keaschall Gets the Call to the Twins16:57 Prospect of the Week25:57 What's Driving the Interest in Tyler Mahle?28:48 Matthew Liberatore: Post-Hype Sleeper?30:48 Austin Hays: Underrated Pickup in Cincinnati; The Reds' Crowd35:54: Behold...."The L.A. Dog"!42:32 Jo Adell's Chances of a 2025 Breakout47:38 Tanner Bibee's Early Struggles49:50 A $1 Bet on Science53:26 Other Weekend Waiver Targets to ConsiderFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Niv on Bluesky: @ottoneu.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisGuest: Niv ShahExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Apr 17, 2025 • 55min

Is Hitting Catching Up to Pitching?

Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss the return of Spencer Strider before digging into Eno's recent story with Britt Ghiroli and Jen McCaffrey examining the progress of hitting tech and development and the efforts to close the gap on pitching. Plus, they discuss the challenge of game-planning for Jacob Wilson, and the early struggles of Gavin Williams. Eno's story with Britt & Jen ($): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6270614Rundown1:00 Spencer Strider's Return From Internal Brace Surgery8:56 Fatigue Likely a Factor on Wednesday15:35 Is Hitting Development Catching Up to Pitching?29:25 How I'd Pitch This Guy: Jacob Wilson43:54 What's Behind Gavin Williams' Early Struggles?51:38 Ambushed! Eno-Proof Trivia?!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 MayExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Apr 16, 2025 • 50min

Balancing Present Needs with Major League Development

Eno, DVR, and Jed discuss baseball's annual celebration of Jackie Robinson Day, before examining the Cubs' decision to demote Matt Shaw at Triple-A, the challenge of balancing present needs with long-term player development, and expectations for a trio of fast-starting starting hitters - including Ben Rice, Spencer Torkelson, and Tyler Soderstrom.Rundown1:44 Baseball Celebrates Jackie Robinson Day5:53 Matt Shaw Optioned to Triple-A10:10 An Unusually Closed Stance & Foot Position16:52 What Is Fixable at MLB Level, What Requires a Demotion?22:00 Cam Smith & Aggressive Timetables31:05 Player Development Is Not Linear: Ben Rice v. Tyler Soderstrom v. Spencer Torkelson49:05 Best Bet for Long-Term Success?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 SarrisWith: Jed LowrieProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Apr 15, 2025 • 1h 2min

New Pitches & Triple-A Standouts with Lance Brozdowski

Lance Brozdowski joins Eno and DVR to discuss new pitches that should make a big long-term difference including changes to Max Fried's sinker and a larger change to Max Meyer's overall arsenal, before looking at a few Triple-A standouts and explaining why it's so difficult to analyze pitching with different baseballs in play until pitchers reach Triple-A.Rundown2:00 Max Fried's Adjusted Two-Seamer7:05 Dylan Cease's New Changeup (and Sinker)14:59 Projecting the Long-Term Outlook & Free Agent Contract for Cease19:31 Max Meyer's Big Changes27:35 Joe Boyle's Chances as a Long-Term Starter32:52 The Value Added From New Pitches38:22 Running Models with Missing Pieces40:35 Intriguing Pitchers at Triple-A Right Now52:09 Different Baseballs Prior to Triple-A59:07 How Long Does an Edge Last at the Major League Level?Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Lance on Bluesky: @lancebroz.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Lance BrozdowskiProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Apr 14, 2025 • 57min

Why the Cubs Should Go All-In

Eno and DVR discuss a big weekend for the Cubs, who took two of three from the Dodgers in Los Angeles including a blowout on Saturday night, but revealed that Justin Steele will have season-ending arm surgery. They discuss the need for more pitching in Chicago even prior to Steele's injury, and add the Cubs to the Sandy Alcantara sweepstakes. Plus, they discuss what a Pete Crow-Armstrong extension might look like down the road after the two sides put negotiations on hold, and look at changes for Joe Boyle and where the money went in fantasy baseball leagues this weekend.Rundown6:06 Justin Steele to Undergo Season-Ending Arm Surgery12:42 Pete Crow-Armstrong and a Future Extension with Cubs16:59 Eno's Concerns About Ben Brown's Two-Pitch Mix19:48 CJ Abrams' Nice Start Slowed by IL Stint23:51 Other News & Notes: Changes for Joe Boyle?33:43 Level of Concern with Christian Walker, Mark Vientos, Jake Burger and Matt Shaw40:53 The Early Struggles of Tomoyuki Sugano46:29 Where the Money Went: Making Sense of Weekend Waiver PickupsFollow 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.
undefined
Apr 11, 2025 • 54min

Fastball Love Continues in Milwaukee

Eno and DVR discuss the Twins' contemplation of a six-man rotation to potentially incorporate David Festa and Zebby Matthews into their starting mix, the Brewers' heavy use of fastballs for third season in a row and why (beyond a rash of injuries) they might have been interested in Quinn Priester. Plus, they look at early playing time splits from job battles and expected platoons, and answer mailbag questions about Steinbrenner Field in the summer, Tony Gonsolin's pre-injury drop-off, Justin Verlander's first few starts as a Giant, and a few intriguing names to monitor on the waiver wire this weekend.Rundown2:37 Twins Considering a Six-Man Rotation6:07 Brewers Leading the League in Fastballs, AgainCurt Hogg's Story at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel ($): https://bit.ly/brewersfb15:08 What Did the Brewers See in Quinn Priester?Mario Delgado Genzor's Piece at Baseball Prospectus ($): https://bit.ly/BPPriester20:42 Early Playing Time Splits32:38 Summer Expectations for Steinbrenner Field40:10 Tony Gonsolin's Pre-Injury Slide, Expectations for 202543:15 What Are You Seeing with Justin Verlander?46:21 Prospect of the Week, 2025 Debut!51:50 Other Weekend Waiver Targets to ConsiderFollow 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.
undefined
Apr 10, 2025 • 53min

Why Is Arm Angle So Important to Pitcher Health?

Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss the surging Kyren Paris and strange feats, in the face of Jesse Chavez signing with Atlanta for the *sixth* time in his career. Plus, they look at several pitchers that have significantly altered their arm angle this season in pursuit of staying health -- including Garrett Crochet, Paul Skenes, and Cole Ragans -- MacKenzie Gore's excellent start to the 2025 campaign, and they play the third installment in this season's 'Name That Dude!' series.Rundown1:55 Kyren Paris' Red-Hot Start Continues7:19 Jesse Chavez's New MLB Record14:03 The Relationship Between Arm Angle & Health18:40 A Look at Garrett Crochet's Changes24:05 Paul Skenes' Adjustments28:40 Biggest Arm Angle Changes From 2024 to 202541:32 Is MacKenzie Gore Making the Leap in 2025?48:47 Name! That! Dude! (Season Series entering 4.10.25: Trevor 2, Eno 0)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.

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app