Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss the strike zone, which is shrinking in 2025. They dig into why that changes have taken place and consider a few implications of that adjustment. Plus, they look at a trio of underperforming starting pitchers through the first month of the season including Zac Gallen, who may have started a turnaround Thursday against the Mets, Sandy Alcántara, and Aaron Nola.Story from Jayson Stark, Ken Rosenthal, Eno & several writers from The Athletic MLB team ($): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6328105Rundown2:32 Is The Strike Zone Really Shrinking?4:36 Where Is The Strike Zone Getting Smaller?13:23 Adjusting the Game to Increase Offense & Balls in Play20:52 Walk Rates Don't Fluctuate Much29:59 Zac Gallen: Adjustments Already Happening?38:16 Sandy Alcántara: A Typical Post Tommy John Command Lag?45:14 Aaron Nola: Is the Ceiling Coming Down Again?52:00 Eno's Greatest FearFollow 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 MayProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, DVR, and Jed discuss a story from David Adler of MLB.com about Aaron Judge's batting stance adjustments throughout an elite calendar year at the plate. Plus, they look at four hitters off to great starts to determine if there is more than just a fast start under the hood.Join Our Six Picks Group -- Session 2 begins Thursday May 1st!https://ottoneu.fangraphs.com/sixpicks/league/67 (password: froggy)David Adler's Batting Stance Breakdown for Aaron Judge:https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-judge-batting-stance-change-statcast-breakdownRundown2:44 Aaron Judge's Changing Stance Around Massive Year15:15 Building a Breakout, Jacob Wilson?25:30 Jung-Hoo Lee: Producing Despite Dip in Bat Speed33:52 Jonathan Aranda: Setting In for Big Year in Tampa?46:39 Cedric Mullins: A Second Breakout at 30?Follow 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 LowrieProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Welsh joins and Eno and DVR to discuss several long-term risers and fallers as the first month of the season winds down. Is an uptick in production just around the corner for Jordan Walker as he continues to show elite bat speed? Is this the last chance to make a deal for Dylan Crews and Jordan Lawlar before everything clicks? Should you lower the ceiling expectations for Anthony Volpe? And, has Victor Scott shown enough to have an extended window as the Cardinals' primary center fielder?Rundown1:40 Can Jordan Walker Turn Elite Bat Speed Into More Production?10:26 Is Dylan Crews Ready to Click?16:59 Will Luis García Jr. Rebound Toward His 2024 Levels?22:59 Making Sense of Kyren Paris' Uneven Start32:39 Why Isn't Colt Keith Hitting (Yet)?40:42 Will Jordan Lawlar Break Through in Arizona This Season?48:17 Dialing Back on Anthony Volpe's Ceiling?53:16 Victor Scott's Step Forward57:27 Better Long-Term Outlook: Scott v. Chandler SimpsonFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Welsh on Bluesky: @isitthewelsh.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Chris WelshProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss the early exit for Tyler Glasnow on Sunday due to a shoulder issue and a new favorite emerging from the Dodgers' pitching depth as they look to round out the back of their injury-plagued rotation. Plus, an impressive return for Eury Pérez in his first rehab game, a closer change in the Bronx, and mailbag questions about being cautious with velocity increases and the slow start of Brandon Nimmo, before a look at where the money went in fantasy baseball leagues this weekend.Rundown2:04 Tyler Glasnow's Early Exit & A New Favorite in Dodgers' Depth Options?9:46 Eury Pérez Makes First Rehab Start19:31 Roman Anthony: Slowed by Foot Injury24:42 Closer Chaos Continues: Luke Weaver In for Devin Williams27:07 Did We Miss on Eugenio Suárez?29:42 A Tough Break for Luke Keaschall38:12 Worry About Velocity Risers During Draft Season?49:45 What Should We Do with Brandon Nimmo?57:01 Where the Money Went: Splashy Bids: Nick Kurtz, Jordan Beck, Agustín Ramírez & Closers on the MoveFollow 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 SarrisProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Paul Sporer & Niv Shah talk about the latest injury news around the league. They also break down some of the hot pickups/drops, Eno's new updated pitcher rankings, some waiver wire adds for the weekend and Niv's hot dog review of the Baltimore Dog.Rundown1:53- Kyle Hart has been optioned by the Padres7:48- Joc Pederson- should he stay or should he go?11:21- Kumar Rocker heads to the IL12:05- Willi Castro's oblique is hurting12:45- Is it Cade Smith time in Cleveland?15:46- Some good and bad news for the Royals19:31- Niv Shah joins the show to talk hot dogs & hot moves24:30-Who are the big pickups & drops of the week/weekend35:58-Eno's updated pitchers rankings53:48-Waiver wire adds for the weekendFollow 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: Eno Sarris & Paul SporerWith: Niv ShahProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss the Orioles' slow start and mounting pitching injuries and wonder -- is this a 2025 playoff team? Plus, they dig into four fast-starting pitchers in search of potential breakouts, and how teams can try to combat increasingly aggressive basestealers within the constraints of the pitch clock and limited disengagements. Rundown6:44 Do You Expect the Orioles to Make the Playoffs?13:56 Tylor Megill: New Breaking Balls Supporting a Breakout?22:52 Casey Mize: Delivering on the 1.1 Potential?27:38 Kris Bubic: A New Sustainable Mix in the Royals' Rotation?34:00 Hayden Wesneski: What's New in Houston?41:46 How Can Pitchers & Catchers Slow Down Basestealers?1:04:17 Name! That! Dude! (2025 Record: Trevor 3, Eno 0)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 MayProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, DVR, and Jed discuss news and notes from around the league including injuries for Emmanuel Clase and Cristopher Sánchez and MLB's biggest three-team rivalries, before digging into the new-look Mariners' offense and Julio Rodriguez's slow start on the heels of a slight downturn at the plate in 2024.Rundown4:20 MLB's Biggest Hate Triangle9:17 Why Night Games on Getaway Day are Suboptimal15:52 Astros Considering Cam Smith in Center Field?20:13 The Mariners Hitters Are Changing(Related Reading from 'Leaky Barn': https://swingsandtakes.com/250421-the-mariners-offense-is-rolling)25:51 Will Julio Rodríguez Click Again Soon?31:28 Time to Make Another Adjustment on Pitches Away?42:38 Does Closing Up Stance Help Slim Your Platoon Split?Follow 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 LowrieProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

C. Trent Rosecrans joins Eno and DVR to discuss the Reds -- including Andrew Abbott's fast start and track record of posting ERAs below his projections -- the ascent of Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo's missing strikeouts amidst good results, and questions around the quality and depth of the Cincinnati bullpen. Plus, they examine the profile of Nick Kurtz, who has been promoted to the big leagues by the A's less than a year after he was drafted fourth overall out of Wake Forest. Rundown2:06 Please Help Us Understand Andrew Abbott9:00 Jose Trevino's Impact on the Staff & Clubhouse12:08 The Little Adjustment Paying Off for Hunter Greene18:11 Nick Lodolo's Missing Strikeouts22:05 Nick Martinez as a Great Fit27:07 What's Going On with the Reds' Bullpen?34:15 Nick Kurtz Gets the Call from the A's45:53 Craig Yoho Joins the Brewers' Relief Corps & Logan Henderson's Outlook54:00 Brandon Young is Back in the Mix for the OriolesFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Trent on Bluesky: @ctrent.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: C. Trent RosecransProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss the promotion of Chandler Simpson by the Rays and attempt to determine how his short-term outlook for playing time and long-term ceiling will come together. Plus, they dig into mailbag questions about the early struggles of Devin Williams and Emmanuel Clase, making the choice between slow-starting bats and surging waiver-wire options in shallow leagues, and where the money went (beyond Chandler Simpson) with fantasy aseball pickups from the weekend.Rundown4:11 Chandler Simpson Gets the Call11:24 Finding Roto Comps for a Unique Set of Skills15:41: Other Injury News & Notes From the Weekend24:56 A Wild Friday Afternoon at Wrigley30:44 Struggling First Basemen v. Potential Waiver-Wire Upgrades41:55 The Slow Starts of Devin Williams & Emmanuel Clase51:29 Where the Money Went: Making Sense of Weekend Waiver PickupsFollow 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 SarrisProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss the setback for Grayson Rodriguez and the fallout for the Orioles' rotation, the promotion of Luke Keaschall as the Twins deal with a few injuries on their depth chart, and weekend waiver pickups to consider with Ottoneu found and Rates & Barrels Senior Hot Dog Correspondent Niv Shah. Rundown1:09 Grayson Rodriguez Has a Setback10:34 Luke Keaschall Gets the Call to the Twins16:57 Prospect of the Week25:57 What's Driving the Interest in Tyler Mahle?28:48 Matthew Liberatore: Post-Hype Sleeper?30:48 Austin Hays: Underrated Pickup in Cincinnati; The Reds' Crowd35:54: Behold...."The L.A. Dog"!42:32 Jo Adell's Chances of a 2025 Breakout47:38 Tanner Bibee's Early Struggles49:50 A $1 Bet on Science53:26 Other Weekend Waiver Targets to ConsiderFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Niv on Bluesky: @ottoneu.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisGuest: Niv ShahExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.