

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 26, 2025 • 34min
Jackson Holliday Joins The Show & Breakout 2nd Year Bats
Eno and DVR are joined by Orioles star Jackson Holliday to talk about his love for donuts, struggling in his rookie season, the big difference between AAA pitchers vs MLB pitchers, if he looks at his contact point and much more. They also talk about some of the big news of the week and look at some breakout 2nd year bats that they have their eye on.Please participate in our listener survey! theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 (Three lucky entries will receive £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers!)Rundown0:45- Cal Raleigh gets a big extension2:10- Evan Carter gets sent down to AAA5:45- Could Luke Jackson be the closer in Texas?8:45- Landen Roupp makes the Giants starting rotation10:38- Breakout second year hitting candidates23:24- Orioles Star Jackson Holliday joins the showFollow 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 25, 2025 • 45min
Bold Predictions & The Outlook for a Twins Sale
Britt Ghiroli returns to the show with Eno and DVR to discuss the potential obstacles for a sale of the Minnesota Twins as the most recent franchise to explore new ownership. Plus, the trio shares a few of their bold predictions for the upcoming season!Please participate in our listener survey! theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 (Three lucky entries will receive £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers!)Rundown3:12 So You Want to Buy a Major League Baseball Team?12:15 'It's easy to find someone whose in for 50 or 100 million.'26:33 Our Bold Predictions for the 2025 Season30:21 We Did Not See This One Coming36:49 Eno Makes a 'Five-Pepper' Cy Young Prediction44:33 Another Surprising Team Call?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 Sarris & Britt GhiroliProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 24, 2025 • 1h 4min
March Extensions & Job Battle Winners
Eno and DVR discuss a trio of March contract extensions including Tanner Bibee, Alejandro Kirk, and Justin Martinez -- all of whom received new five-year deals with their respective clubs. Plus, they catch up on other late spring news including a scare for Shane McClanahan, a trade that sent Nolan Jones back to Cleveland, a closer role up for grabs in Cincinnati, and a few takeaways from the first run of weekly pickups in 'Where the Money Went' as Opening Day approaches.Please participate in our listener survey! theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 (Three lucky entries will receive £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers!)Rundown2:42 Tanner Bibee's Extension with Guardians6:18 Alejandro Kirk: Signs Five-Year Deal with Blue Jays13:04 Justin Martinez: Gets Long-Term Guarantee with D-backs16:29 News Updates: Shane McClanahan, Zack Gelof, Freddie Freeman & Mookie Betts24:48 Nolan Jones Traded *Back* to Cleveland for Tyler Freeman34:08 News Updates: Vinnie Pasquantino, Alexis Díaz, Gunnar Henderson, Félix Bautista & Yu Darvish38:47 A Sleeper in San Diego? Stephen Kolek's Opportunity46:32 Kristian Campbell: Makes Opening Day Roster for Red Sox52:13 Fifth Starter Battle Winner: AJSS, Matthew Liberatore & Logan Allen1:00:37 An Attempt to Understand & Explain the Pirates' Initial Rotation Choices1:05:38 Where the Money Went -- Week 1 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.

Mar 21, 2025 • 1h 15min
Draft Weekend Cram Session
Eno and DVR get ready for a busy weekend of drafts with a quick spin through spring news and notes, before discussing ideal roster builds, when to target an ace, how to approach closers, which positions thin out quickly, a few prospects worth considering as late-round stashes in redraft leagues as they await an opportunity at the big-league level. Please participate in our listener survey! theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 (Three lucky entries will receive £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers!)Rundown2:46 Spring News Updates13:51 Any Grapefruit or Cactus League Performances You're Worried About?23:53 Early-Rounders You Are Side-Stepping at ADP33:04 When to Draft an Ace40:14 Closer Approach in First 150 Picks49:19 Position Depth: Where Can You Wait, Where Are You Spending Early?1:04:06 Depth Starters of Interest1:08:20 Injured Players or Prospects Worth Stashing in Redraft?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 SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 20, 2025 • 1h 5min
Pitching Archetypes & Top Bullpen Rankings
Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss an interesting lawsuit around analytics a potentially lost competitive advantage, the benefits of building a 'brain' -- internal communications system -- of your own, organizational pitching archetypes, and a few different ways to grade the best bullpens in baseball as Opening Day approaches. Rundown3:54 An Interesting Lawsuit & A 'Lost Competitive Advantage'Further reading from a Matt Gelb story at The Athletic($): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6216672/2025/03/20/phillies-zelus-analytics-teamworks-lawsuit/9:15 Benefits of Building 'The Brain' Internally26:37 Pros & Cons of Organizational Pitching Archetypes45:53 How Are You Grading & Ranking Bullpens Entering 2025?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.

Mar 19, 2025 • 57min
Roki Sasaki's Debut & Our Most Rostered Players
Eno and DVR discuss Roki Sasaki's big-league debut in Game 2 of the Dodgers-Cubs series in Tokyo, the now-restored DoD page about the life of Jackie Robinson, a second option for Jared Jones' elbow injury, and other spring news and notes -- including an encouraging outing from Tyler Mahle. Plus, they reveal their most rostered players (so far) ahead of the 2025 season.Rundown2:15 The Free Look at Two Games of the 2025 Season3:55 Roki Sasaki's MLB Debut7:21 Movement Profiles of Roki Sasaki's Pitches from Baseball Prospectus14:51 When to Consider Giving Up Switch-Hitting (inspired by Tommy Edman)21:13 DoD Deletes Articles About Jackie Robinson's Army History (Update: Restored Wednesday afternoon following the recording of this episode)25:53 Jared Jones: Getting Second Opinion on Elbow Injury30:28 Jace Jung's Demotion to Triple-A; Spencer Torkelson's Opportunity?41:31 Is Tyler Mahle Feeling Froggy?46:02 Our Most Rostered Players: Players We're Leaning On in 202553:30 Eno Attempts to Guess DVR's ListFollow 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 18, 2025 • 1h 5min
Baseball is Back! (And Spencer Strider is Too)
Eno and DVR discuss the Dodgers' season-opening win over the Cubs in Tokyo, which featured five strong frames from Yoshinobu Yamamoto and an excellent showing from the bullpen. They also discuss a great piece from David Adler highlighting Shohei Ohtani's unique contact point as a possible explanation for his excellent all-fields power. Plus, they look at the return of Spencer Strider, who pitched in a game Monday for the first time this spring, Cam Smith's chances of making the Opening Day roster, and big movers from the NFBC Main Event drafts, which Eno recently took part in.Rundown3:22 Dodgers Win Series Opener in Tokyo9:57 Freddie Freeman's Reduced Playing Time Ceiling13:48 Shohei Ohtani's Unique Contact Point(Story from David Adler, MLB.com: https://www.mlb.com/news/shohei-ohtani-contact-point-statcast-analysis)21:42 Concerns About Mookie Betts' Health Beyond Tokyo?26:44 Spencer Strider is Back! (Is the ADP Going to the Moon?)34:34 Cam Smith's Path to the Opening Day Roster in Houston43:45 David Bednar: Still Hasn't Been Named Pirates' Closer48:46 Adjusting to Unique Rooms: The NFBC Main Event55:33 Reframing a 'Necessary' OverpayFollow 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 17, 2025 • 1h 1min
2025 Prospect Sleepers w/James Anderson
James Anderson of RotoWire joins DVR to discuss a few news items from the weekend including Mookie Betts' absence from the Japan Series and the playing time outlook for Andy Pages, an early-season IL trip for Royce Lewis, and another pitching injury to watch coming out of Yankees camp. Plus, they discuss several under-the-radar prospects capable of making an impact in 2025 -- including one of James' favorites climbing the organizational depth chart in Minnesota -- an ETA for Chandler Simpson, and keeping an open mind about pitching development for non-elite prospects.Rundown1:57 Mookie Betts' Japan Series Absence; Andy Pages' 2025 PT Outlook7:04 Royce Lewis: Will Begin Season On the IL12:57 Clarke Schmidt: Should Be Ready for Regular Season15:40 Balancing Ceiling with Proximity in Top 100 Rankings22:07 Which Prospect Hitters Could Make a Surprisingly Large Impact in 2025?38:56 Chandler Simpson's ETA45:14 Which Prospect Pitchers Could Make a Surprisingly Large Impact in 2025?1:01:42 A Few Pitching Stashes for 2026?Follow James on Bluesky: @realjranderson@bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiperWith: James AndersonProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 14, 2025 • 1h 4min
Deep League Pitching Sleepers, Future Closer Watch & Eno at Brewers Camp
Eno and DVR discuss a few spring news items including a shoulder injection for George Kirby, before looking at a few deep league pitching sleepers and wondering if we'll ever see Reid Detmers put everything together for a full season in Anaheim.Rundown4:22 Bobby Witt Jr.: OK After HBP on Wednesday8:36 George Kirby: Had Biologics Injection in Shoulder14:40 Tyler Stephenson: Headed to the IL to Start Season17:43 Eno's Stop at Brewers Camp in Maryvale29:15 Deep League Pitching Sleepers44:36 Craig Yoho & Other Future Closers to Watch53:29 Utilizing NFBC Main Event Draft Results in Prep for Other Leagues1:01:14 A's 3B Job Battle & Eno's Love for Jerar EncarnacionFollow 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 13, 2025 • 1h 1min
Ranking the Top Rotations in Baseball
Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss spring news including an opportunity for Brett Baty at second base (!?) before sharing their top-10 rotations for the upcoming season and the unique challenges of grading pitching groups this way. Plus, Eno shares a few new training tools he's seen and heard about while in Arizona this spring. Rundown1:35 Spring News & Notes: Max Scherzer, Lucas Giolito & Jeff McNeil10:24 Our Picks for the Top 10 Rotations in Baseball14:00 Eno's Three Category Approach (The Dodgers Third?!)21:01 Disagreement About the Rangers27:08 Do You Buy Trevor's Concerns About the Braves' Rotation Depth?36:30 A Would You Rather Toss-Up Steeped in Regression45:04 New Things and Unique Processes Being Implemented This SpringFollow 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.


