Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball 2026 First Base Preview
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Jan 22, 2026 A spirited rundown of 2026 first base ADP — who looks overvalued and who might be a steal. They debate top-tier volatility, midrange safety, and how ballpark and playing-time shifts reshape upside. Deeper looks at late-round targets, prospects, and which bats carry risky BABIP or platoon concerns.
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Tyler Soderstrom's Upside Comes From Added Feel
- Tyler Soderstrom mixes high bat speed with improving feel and age, giving upside if he reduces ground-ball rate and lifts more.
- Eno notes Soderstrom already showed growth and offers outfield/first base flexibility.
Michael Busch Has Power But Real Playing Time Risk
- Michael Busch shows strong barrel rates despite low bat speed but faces platoon risk after Cubs signed Tyler Austin.
- Derek warns Steamer limits his PA projection under 600, making him risky in weekly leagues.
Yandy Díaz Is A Projections Darling Trapped By ADP
- Yandy Díaz repeatedly projects well but ADP lags due to concerns about outing-dependent power and BABIP variance.
- Derek calls this the 'ADP game' — wait or grab earlier based on roster needs.