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Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball
Venezuela Brings Home the WBC Title & Best Organizations for Pitching Development
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Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss Venezuela's thrilling win over Team USA in the World Baseball Classic Final on Tuesday including the impressive outing from Eduardo Rodríguez, an incredibly close play on Javier Sanoja's ninth-inning steal of second base, and a swing from Eugenio Suárez that will have a permanent place in Venezuelan baseball history.
Plus, Lance Brozdowski joins the show to discuss his recent pitching development survey, teams that appear to be headed in the right direction for the future, and a few prospects on the rise including potential keeper and dynasty league sleepers.
Rundown
0:13 Venezuela Brings Home Its First WBC Title
12:20 A Great Celebration of Baseball
17:13 Mark DeRosa's Future as Manager & Tactical Limitations for Tournament
21:43 About That Lack of Joy From Team USA
25:23 Lance Brozdowski Joins the Show!
(Lance's Survey: https://lancebroz.substack.com/p/2026-mlb-pitching-development-rankings-acqusition-lance-brozdowski-best-pitching-organizations-coaches-executives-survey)
26:19 Best Organizations for Pitching Development & Acquisition
29:11 How Much Did Past Reputation Influence Guardians’ & Rays’ Rankings?
31:59 Varying Timelines in Pitching Development
36:40 How Quickly Can Teams Improve Their Development?
39:44 Is Alignment Underrated In Organizational Success?
49:45 What Results Do You Look at to Measure Minor League Success?
55:13 Who Will Likely Move Up In These Rankings in the Near Future?
57:48 The Marlins Are Doing Things Their Way
1:04:44 Can the Cardinals Improve Faster Than Expected?
1:09:25 A Few of Lance’s Favorite Pitching Prospects
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.social
Follow Lance on Bluesky: @lancebroz.bsky.social
e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
With: Trevor May & Lance Brozdowski
Editor: Jason Potere
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