Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

DVR and Welsh are looking at post-hype prospect bats to target that have exhausted their prospect eligibility, plus Ceddane Rafaela's outlook and more.RundownCeddane Rafaela - :57Rafael vs P. Meadows - 5:17Kyle Harrison - 7:09Miguel Vargas - 13:46Brett Baty - 21:45Pete Alonso potential trade - 27:23Matt Mervis - 29:30Henry Davis - 34:56Estevan Florial - 38:05Easier in Triple-A? - 46:40Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow Welsh on Twitter: @isitthewelshSubscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrelsSubscribe to The Athletic for just $1/mo for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsCheck out this offer from our sponsors:Give ZBiotics a try for yourself. Go to zbiotics.com/RATES to get 15% off your first order when you use RATES at checkout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss several increasingly important pitchers for the stretch run of the 2023 fantasy baseball season -- including Cole Ragans, whose increased velocity and new slider have put him on the fast-track to a place among the league's Top 40 Starting Pitchers. Rundown0:43 The Rapid Emergence of Cole Ragans10:04 Any Changes for Aaron Civale in Tampa Bay?15:09 Cristopher Sánchez's Arrival in Philly18:02 Seth Lugo's Renaissance with the Padres27:28 Zach Eflin and Escaping The Glob29:57 Kodai Senga's Improved Second-Half Walk Rate35:58 Brandon Williamson: Lower Walk Rate in MLB than Double-A and Triple-A?42:38 Adbert Alzolay's Move Toward the Circle of Trust45:45 A Longer List of Reliable Closers Looking Toward 2024?55:10 Tyler Wells' Shift to the Bullpen in the MinorsFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow R&B on Twitter: @ratesandbarrelse-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comSubscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrelsSubscribe to The Athletic at $1/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsCheck out this offer from our sponsors:Give ZBiotics a try for yourself. Go to zbiotics.com/RATES to get 15% off your first order when you use RATES at checkout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR and Al discuss the fallout from Shohei Ohtani’s torn UCL and Mike Trout’s return to the IL, and they also look into the fantasy appeal of several recently-promoted players, including Oswald Peraza, Everson Pereira, Wilyer Abreu and Korey Lee. On the pitching side, DVR and Al consider the types of leagues that Cole Ragans and Ryan Pepiot should be added to, and they talk about the potential for saves in the Athletics’ bullpen.Rundown1:27 Bad news for the Angels9:46 The rest of the week’s big news24:06 Other hitters of note35;09 Pitchers to consider43:24 Closer cornerFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBBe-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.comSubscribe to The Athletic at $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsSubscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrelsNuts.com is offering new customers a free gift with purchase and free shipping on orders of $29 or more at Nuts.com/rates.Get 20% OFF with our code RATES at calderalab.com/RATES to unlock your youthful glow with Caldera + Lab! #teamcaldera Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss a few takeaways from the first seven rounds of the Too Early Meatball Draft -- including the myriad of great choices from the No. 3 spot on the first round, continuing to draft starting pitchers early if other teams try to wait, a potential rebound from Trea Turner, and Elly De La Cruz's push toward top-15 status for 2024. Plus, they discuss a few differences in how to approach protecting a lead at the end of the season compared to attempts to make up ground. Link to Too Early Meatball Draft Board: https://twitter.com/deadpullhitter/status/1694203814910275867/photo/1Rundown1:20 The Top of the Board from the 'Too Early Meatball Draft'6:47 Skills Growth From Fernando Tatis Jr.10:31 Spencer Strider v. Elite Bats at Pick 314:54 A Smaller Circle of Trust for Closers in Early Draft Formats?21:21 Freddie Freeman Keeps Getting Better25:37 Chasing Power In The Current Run Environment26:55 Elly De La Cruz's Push Toward Round 132:47 Interest in Re-Drafting at All-Star Break38:07 What's Going On with Trea Turner?43:08 Matt McLain's Great Rookie Season51:17 How to Protect a Lead60:35 Chasing a LeadFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.comSubscribe to The Athletic at $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsSubscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrelsNuts.com is offering new customers a free gift with purchase and free shipping on orders of $29 or more at Nuts.com/rates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR, Eno and Welsh discuss the rapid development of prospects and how they are moving levels. Do we need to re--think the process for prospects as a whole, or is it case by case? The guys also take look at Paul Skenes stuff+ numbers and the ever debating fastball shape.RundownNolan Schanuel - 1:07Is there much of a gap between levels anymore? - 3:43Do we buy into age to level anymore? - 8:22Hitters adjusting to Stuff+ - 9:54Paul Skenes usage - 19:07Skenes Stuff+ in MiLB - 21:02Strasburg vs Skenes - 27:57Team KPI - 31:20Eno's Paul Skenes worry? - 35:01A-ball Stuff+ pitchers - 36:45Dylan Crews - 37:41Fantasy approach to rookies moving forward - 40:30Prospect Top-5 for 2024 fantasy - 46:12Pete Crow-Armstrong - 56:29Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow Welsh on Twitter: @isitthewelshSubscribe to The Athletic for just $2/mo for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss the local of pitcher whiffs and whether it matters if swings and misses are generated inside the strike zone, outside the strike zone, or if a truly elite pitcher needs to do both. Rundown2:36 Are High O-Swing% & Low Z-Contact% Pitchers Elite?5:52 Getting In-Zone Whiffs with Fastballs10:54 Bailey Ober's Surprising Placement in Both Categories13:07 Whiffs In the Heart of the Strike Zone17:45 High O-Swing% & High Z-Contact% = Great Command?25:53 What is Justin Steele?29:33 Low O-Swing%, Low Z-Contact%42:03 Expecting A Unique Role for Kyle Harrison44:37 Is There Anything Supporting Brady Singer's Recent Surge?48:23 Making Sense of Luis Severino's 2023Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.comSubscribe to The Athletic at $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsSubscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrelsGet 20% OFF with our code RATES at calderalab.com/RATES to unlock your youthful glow with Caldera + Lab! #teamcaldera Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR and Al discuss their expectations for the two latest top prospects to be called up to make their major league debuts, Nolan Schanuel and Masyn Winn. They also identify other prospects who could be promoted soon, including Jordan Lawlar and Pete Crow-Armstrong. DVR and Al also discuss some outfielders seeing increased playing time, a healthy cohort of streamable pitchers, and the bullpen situations for the Mariners, Mets, Diamondbacks and Rays.Rundown0:52 The big prospect debuts: Nolan Schanuel and Masyn Winn16:59 More big stories from this week22:53 Other hitters to consider32:45 Streamers and two-start pitchers47:37 Closer cornerFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBBe-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.comSubscribe to The Athletic at $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsSubscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrelsCheck out these offers from our ad partners...HelloFresh: Go to hellofresh.com/50rates and use code 50rates for 50% off plus free shipping!LinkedIn: Right now, you can try LinkedIn Sales Navigator and get a sixty-day free trial at LinkedIn.com/rates23 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss broader aspects of O-Swing% (chase rate) and whether it's a skills flaw that can draw excessive negativity -- especially with younger players. Plus, they consider whether 'The Perfect Hitter' exists, and which current player has the best case for that title. Rundown1:07 Do the Circumstances Matter Around Chasing4:54 Salvador Perez & Aging Hitters10:26 O-Swing% Leaders in 2023 (High%)17:58 Amed Rosario21:14 The Best $20+ Hitter Season We Haven't Talked About26:00 Luis Robert Jr.: Elite Skills w/Chase Concerns?31:29 Bryce Harper's Recent Increase in O-Swing%37:46 The 2023 Version of Juan Soto39:30 Does 'The Perfect Hitter' Exist, and Who Is That Player?47:06 Where is Vlad Jr.'s Power?52:45 Did 'Gather As You Go' Work for Steals?Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.comSubscribe to The Athletic at $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsCheck out these offers from our ad partners...HelloFresh: Go to hellofresh.com/50rates and use code 50rates for 50% off plus free shipping!LinkedIn: Right now, you can try LinkedIn Sales Navigator and get a sixty-day free trial at LinkedIn.com/rates23 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR, Eno and Welsh are taking a deep dive into prospect pitcher workloads, recent call-ups and more.RundownWade Meckler - 0:58Luis Matos - 3:35Osleivis Basabe - 11:24Colton Cowser - 17:04Line Drive Rate and Vaughn Grissom - 20:32Logan Allen - 32:45Pfaadt vs Allen - 38:55Taj Bradley - 41:58Reese Olson - 50:156-Man rotation vs Piggy backing - 56:07Innings Cap Alarm - 1:02:54Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow Welsh on Twitter: @isitthewelshSubscribe to The Athletic for just $2/mo for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsCheck out these offers from our ad partners...HelloFresh: Go to hellofresh.com/50rates and use code 50rates for 50% off plus free shipping!LinkedIn: Right now, you can try LinkedIn Sales Navigator and get a sixty-day free trial at LinkedIn.com/rates23 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss the disturbing allegations against Wander Franco that have prompted the Rays to place him on the restricted list. Plus, Eno shares a few takeaways from this weekend's Sabermetrics, Scouting, and the Science of Baseball Conference in Chicago, before digging into several mailbag questions about late-season pitching strategy and the effectiveness of sweepers as the league-wide usage of the pitch increases. Rundown1:10 Wander Franco Placed on the Restricted List3:57 Eno's Trip to the Sabermetrics, Scouting, and the Science of Baseball Conference19:24 Training Stuff+ On Previous Years & Players Making Adjustments31:33 Checking in on the 2023 Sweeper Craze40:04 Late-Season Starting Pitching Strategy51:54 The Stone Age of Arm Health?59:26 Using Defense in Fantasy?Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.comSubscribe to The Athletic at $2/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsCheck out these offers from our ad partners...HelloFresh: Go to hellofresh.com/50rates and use code 50rates for 50% off plus free shipping!LinkedIn: Right now, you can try LinkedIn Sales Navigator and get a sixty-day free trial at LinkedIn.com/rates23 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.