Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

On this Fantasy Friday, Eno and DVR discuss the latest early-season injuries and what they mean for your roster decisions heading into the weekend. Then, the guys welcome Ottoneu’s Niv Shah for a conversation about the bullpen market, followed by the season's first installment of 'Taste of the Majors.'Rundown1:20 Corbin Carroll Slowed by Hip Injury2:49 Brent Rooker Leaves Game with Core Injury5:46 Parker Meadows Suffers Concussion & Fractured Arm8:32 Hunter Goodman’s Early Exit After HBP10:45 Jorge Polanco Slowed by Achilles Soreness20:32 Weekend Waiver Preview23:07 Bryce Elder Is Rolling but Eno Is Skeptical26:14 Kyle Harrison Has Made Changes32:47 Interest in Luis Gil & Jeffrey Springs? 35:39 Mick Abel’s Turnaround37:33 Widely Available Starting Pitchers43:09 Niv Shah Joins the Show to Discuss Messy Bullpens55:55 Taste of the Majors Is Back! (L.A. & St. Louis Dog Reviews)Follow 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 VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Niv ShahEditor: Jason PotereHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss a new tool — the Pitching Pairing tool from FanGraphs Lab — as a great visualization for tunneling and a way to better understand how pitchers are attacking opposing hitters. Plus, they explore adjustments that can be made by position on the pitching rubber, which gives pitchers a way to manipulate their horizontal approach angle. Finally, they discuss a recent piece from Ben Lindbergh at The Ringer, wondering if increased on-field information for players and tactics like calling pitches from the dugout have gone too far.0:42 Cole Ragans Avoids Major Injury5:15 FanGraphs Labs’ New Pitching Pairing Tool11:45 Establishing the Fastball18:16 How Sandy Alcantara is So Effective25:58 Horizontal Approach Angle43:20 On-Field Information: How Much is Too Much?Related LinksThe Pitching Pairing Tool at FanGraphs Labs: https://www.fangraphs.com/lab/paired-pitches“A Visual Primer on Horizontal Approach Angle (HAA” by Alex Chamberlain: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/a-visual-primer-on-horizontal-approach-angle-haa/“Keep MLB Front Offices Away From the Field” by Ben Lindbergh: https://www.theringer.com/2026/03/23/mlb/keep-mlb-front-offices-off-the-field-pitch-calling-scouting-cardsFollow 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 MayEditor: Jason PotereHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, DVR, and Jed break down how the Cubs plan to fill Cade Horton’s spot in the rotation after news of his season-ending torn UCL. They also discuss Astros ace Hunter Brown’s status following a Grade 2 shoulder strain, and later welcome baseball card enthusiast Sean Campbell to explore the ins and outs of the card collecting world.Rundown2:43 Cade Horton Out For The Year8:48 Hunter Brown’s Shoulder Strain17:25 Other News & Notes From Around MLB26:08 Sean Campbell’s Start In Card Collecting28:55 Sean’s Favorite Cards30:24 Card Grading31:42 Goals As A Collector35:22 Considerations For Grading37:11 Finding Sellers You Trust39:51 What To Expect In Cheaper Boxes42:17 Understanding Value48:16 Advice From An Expert53:34 Older CardsFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Sean on Instagram: @roostercardsandwaxe-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Jed Lowrie & Sean CampbellEditor: Jason PotereHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville joins Eno and DVR to explore a big question in the wake of Konnor Griffin's recent promotion -- who is the baseball teenage position player in baseball history?Plus, they share huge show news -- Starkville returns and joins Rates & Barrels on Saturday, April 18th!They also discuss early reactions to ABS, and potential improvements to the system that could be implemented in the future depending on how the early-season trends play out over the course of the entire season. Rundown0:49 Starkville Returns Saturday, April 18th! Right Here on Rates & Barrels2:02 Baseball’s Best Teenage Position Players: How Do You Approach a ‘Greatest Of’ Question?8:00 Entering with Massive Expectations: Is It ‘Easier’ on an Already Good Team?10:45 Does Having a Recently Hyped Arrival Help? Paul Skenes’ Fast Track, High Expectations in Pittsburgh14:25 Bright Spotlights From Day 1: How Ken Griffey Jr. and Bryce Harper Faced Added Pressure17:05 The No. 1 Pick in Hypothetical Draft: Whose Big League Resumé as a Teenager is the Strongest?19:54 Phil Cavaretta’s Impressive Early Arrival: Baseball’s Leader in Plate Appearances as a Teenager22:39 Bryce Harper vs. Juan Soto: Did the Nats Actually Have the Top-2 Teenagers in MLB History?27:05 Tony Conigliaro: A Promising Career Derailed by Tragedy28:52 Learning From the Search: Jim Gilliam, John Montgomery Ward & Edgar Renteria?!30:14 Stardom From Day 1: Al Kaline Was Destined to Become “Mr. Tiger”32:10 An Old “Friend” of the Show is Back! Oyster Burns’ Unique Place in Baseball History35:34 Late Game Challenges: Jayson’s Idea to Mimic the NFL’s Rule Under Two Minutes38:38 Second Order Effects: Will Team Increase Aggressiveness with Challenges?41:50 The Buffer Zone: Could Max Scherzer’s Idea to Have ‘Inconclusive’ Close Calls Stand?46:04 How Many Strike Zones Are There? 49:49 Early Numbers: Walks *and* Strikeouts Are Up — Not Great, Bob!54:25 Future Changes: Tweaks to the Strike Zone If Needed1:00:21 The Margin for Error: Overturning Calls That Are Closer than Margin of Error?1:03:20 Check Out Starkville Starting April 18th!Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.socialFollow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.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 VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Jayson Stark & Doug GlanvilleEditor: Jason Potere

Eno and DVR return from the weekend and wonder if Jo Adell's three home-run saving catches in the Angels' 1-0 win against the Mariners on Saturday night might be the best defensive game ever played. Plus, they discuss a cluster of starting pitchers on the fringes of rosters in many leagues, searching for early-season sources of stability, before taking a spin around the league after several impactful injuries piled up. Rundown0:29 Three Home-Run Robbies in One Game! Did Jo Adell Play the Best Defensive Game Ever?9:26 The Starting Pitchers Were Good Too! Emerson Hancock and Jack Kochanowicz Deal11:16 Choosing Your Favorite Two: Starting Pitchers on the Rise21:39 Injuries Galore: Updates on Horton, Betts, Soto & Others32:23 Feeling Better After Start No. 2? Tatsuya Imai Rolls Against the A’s36:49 A Defensive Slump? Are the Giants’ Fielding Woes Fixable?41:20 Context in Small Samples: Rain, Sleet, Snow & Other Variables That Matter46:48 October is Behind Him: Andy Pages Is Hitting Well Again49:28 Great Starts at Coors Field: Where Does Jesús Luzardo’s Weekend Start Rank?58:32 What’s in Pat Murphy’s Pocket? How About a Tortoise Named ‘Bobby Jr.’?!1:04:21 Keeping An Eye on Anthony Kay: Is It ‘Good’ Weird, or ‘Bad’ Weird?1:08:38 Pirates Sweep the Orioles: Undefeated in Konnor Griffin EraFollow 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 VanRiper & Eno SarrisEditor: Jason Potere

DVR is joined by Jason Collette to discuss the evolution of pre-debut contracts and early takeaways -- including the highly-anticipated return Shane McClanahan -- and the surprising lack of stolen bases from the Rays in their first two series of the season. They also take an early look at waiver-wire targets, highlighting several starting pitchers of interest, a few relievers to consider from bullpens in turmoil, and the fast start for Jordan Walker. Rundown1:55 Commissioner’s Corner: Move Weekly Pickups to Thursday Night!8:37 Context is Key: James Wood Reveals 2025 Injuries11:34 Checking In on the Rays: Observations Through Two Series18:59 He’s Back! The Return of Shane McClanahan23:59 Efficiency FTW: Drew Rasmussen Has a New Changeup28:15 Early-Season Matchups: What Matters When Considering Pitchers?34:24 Another Bat Speed Riser: Interest Level in Luisangel Acuña37:29 Weekend Waiver Preview: Starting Pitchers We’re Considering41:55 The Roster Bubble Starting Pitchers (40-60% Rostered)48:23 Digging Deeper (20-40% Rostered)53:26 Looking for Saves: Assessing Relievers in Flux56:45 Cautious with Hitting Surprises? Buying Jordan Walker’s Adjustments?Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow Jason on Bluesky: @jasoncollette.bsky.social. e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHost: Derek VanRiperWith Guest Co-Host: Jason ColletteEditor: Jason Potere

Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss the Pirates' promotion of top prospect Konnor Griffin (whose agreement to a nine-year extension was revealed after the episode was recorded), the long-term outlook on Shane Baz, how pitchers impact a hitter's bat speed, and new pitches that have caught our eye through the first week of the season. Rundown0:26 Baseball's Top Prospect Gets the Call: Konnor Griffin to Debut on Friday3:54 Buying the Pirates? Will They Snap Seven-Year Streak of Losing Seasons?8:31 Breaking Down Shane Baz's Extension with the Orioles: Five-Year, $56 Million19:40 How Pitchers Impact a Hitter's Bat Speed29:56 Does Fast Swing Rate Against Pitchers Tell Us More than Average Bat Speeds?35:03 New Pitches: Pitchers With Better Outlooks Thanks to New Offerings57:18The Rangers' Nacho Sombrero is Real?!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 MayEditor: Jason Potere

Eno, Jed, and DVR discuss a bizarre mistake from C.B. Bucknor in Milwaukee on Tuesday night, and Jed's favorite umpire still in rotation before digging into Shohei Ohtani's first start of 2026 -- which featured significantly increased usage of his curveball -- before looking at early bat-speed risers, and breaking down a few hitters they believe could benefit from a more aggressive approach at the plate. Rundown0:48 Umpire Love: Jed’s Favorite Ump Still in Circulation2:00 The Opposite of Umpire Love: C.B. Buckner’s Laughably Bad Call3:50 Make a Mistake? Own It! Mark Wegner Owns Up to Missed Strikeout10:10 Sho and Tell: Shohei Ohtani Increases Curveball Usage in First Start of 202615:33 Other News & Notes: DeLauter’s Scare, Eflin’s Exit & deGrom’s Velo18:09 Early Bat Speed Risers: Why Does It Matter in Small Samples?25:57 Does High Bat Speed Lead to Injuries? 34:00 Swing Decisions: Who Should Be More Aggressive?50:58 Show and Tell: A Few of Our Random FavoritesFollow 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 LowrieEditor: Jason Potere