Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

Ben Clemens, a keen baseball writer and analyst from FanGraphs, joins the team live from Barebottle Brewing. They dive into the exhilarating highlights from Opening Day, such as standout pitching performances and insights into player mechanics. The discussion touches on new talents redefining expectations, while also exploring the challenges of player motivation and coaching. With award predictions on the table, they share intriguing takes on MVP candidates and the impact of injuries within the season.

Eno, Trevor, and DVR are live from Barebottle Brewing in San Francisco on Opening Day of baseball in the US. They break down some of the big games from Opening Day and give their predictions on each division and who is going to win the World Series. Please participate in our listener survey! theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 (Three lucky entries will receive £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers!)Rundown0:57 Wilmer Flores' Go Ahead Homer & Early Opening Takeaways15:23 NL West Predictions27:18 NL Central Predictions38:29 NL East Predictions48:18 A Toast of Kayaker's Cove w/Barebottle Co-Founder Lester Koga55:01 AL West Predictions1:04:51 AL Central Predictions1:16:48 AL East Predictions1:26:53 Postseason Predictions1:29:50 Listener Questionse-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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jackson Holliday, the Orioles' top prospect and first overall pick in 2022, joins the discussion about his rookie season struggles and passion for donuts. He shares insights on the stark differences between AAA and MLB pitchers, along with his evolving batting techniques. The hosts also delve into the weekend's exciting player news, including contract extensions and potential breakout stars like Colt Keith and Austin Wells. The conversation highlights the emotional challenges young players face as they transition into the big leagues.

The discussion highlights the challenges surrounding the potential sale of the Minnesota Twins, focusing on financial struggles and ownership dynamics. Predictions for the upcoming season include surprise player performances and team outcomes. The hosts make bold claims, including a daring Cy Young prediction and playoff prospects for the Oakland Athletics. The intricacies of MLB ownership and media rights are examined, emphasizing their impact on team viability and fan engagement. Get ready for some unexpected twists and daring forecasts!

Contract extensions are making waves, with Tanner Bibee, Alejandro Kirk, and Justin Martinez inking five-year deals. A health scare of Shane McClanahan raises eyebrows as he approaches the season. Nolan Jones returns to Cleveland in a trade, reshaping the roster landscape. The battle for the closer role in Cincinnati heats up, while Kristian Campbell secures a spot on the Red Sox's Opening Day roster. There are intriguing insights on the Pirates' rotation choices and a sleeper prospect emerging in San Diego.

Get ready for draft weekend as Eno and DVR dissect crucial player updates and the impact of spring training performances. They delve into roster-building strategies, emphasizing when to target aces and closers. With insights on high-ceiling prospects and the delicate balance of drafting established players versus potential breakouts, this discussion is packed with actionable advice. Tune in for tips on navigating injury concerns and making smart positional decisions to secure your fantasy baseball championship!

The hosts dive into an intriguing lawsuit over analytics and the potential loss of a competitive edge in baseball. They discuss the benefits of developing an internal 'brain' for improved communication within organizations. Organizational pitching archetypes are examined, weighing their pros and cons. As the 2025 season approaches, they analyze various methods for grading bullpens, highlighting standout teams like the Dodgers and Giants, while emphasizing the importance of versatility in reliever roles.

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices