Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball Which Hitters Should Be More Aggressive at the Plate?
Apr 1, 2026
Jed Lowrie, former Major League infielder who brings on-field perspective, joins to talk umpire accountability and odd calls. They dig into Shohei Ohtani’s increased curveball usage and early bat-speed risers. The main focus: which hitters might benefit from being more aggressive in the zone and how selective aggression could unlock power for young players.
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Mark Wagner Versus C.B. Bucknor Umpire Anecdotes
- Jed Lowrie remembers Mark Wagner as a no-nonsense umpire who admits mistakes and is easy to work with.
- The hosts contrast that with C.B. Bucknor's blown call on a runner at first, which became a running joke about poor decisions.
Otani Added A Slow Curveball To His Mix
- Shohei Ohtani increased his curveball usage to 24% in his first 2026 start and varied curve velocity from about 69 to 83 mph.
- Derek VanRiper notes the slow curve could be a near-efhus weapon and adds a new layer to Otani's multi-breaking-ball repertoire.
Bat Speed Predicts Power Very Early
- Bat speed stabilizes far sooner than barrel rate and can predict batted-ball power in about four to five games.
- Derek VanRiper used the 75th-percentile (top-half median) of swings to isolate players' A-swing bat-speed changes.