Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

A deep dive into mid-to-late draft starting pitchers taken around picks 175–250. They break down pitch mix changes, injury histories, and velocity trends for a long list of names. The conversation highlights stash candidates, rehab timelines, and where spring performance or contract signals could change draft value.

A deep dive into mid-range starting pitchers you might draft between picks 100–200. They debate injury histories, pitch mixes, and recovery timelines for arms like Strider, Glasnow, Wheeler and more. The conversation covers upside versus innings risk, new pitch additions, and which comeback or breakout arms are worth targeting.

They break down the top 25–30 starting pitchers by recent NFBC draft ADP in short ADP-based tiers. They debate early pitcher picks, injury risks, and durability for arms like Skubal and deGrom. The conversation highlights Stuff+ model shifts, young high-upside but fragile arms, and who might rise after role or team changes.

They debate taking Shohei Ohtani as the clear first pick and why his two-way value dominates early drafts. Kyle Schwarber versus Yordan Alvarez and UT-only pick strategy get a lively comparison. Deep dives highlight late outfield targets from Marcell Ozuna to Masataka Yoshida and sleepers like Cam Smith, Victor Scott II, Jesús Sánchez and Jordan Walker.

A deep dive into late-round outfielders and who might be overvalued or undervalued after pick 200. They break down tiered ADP groups and spotlight hitters with upside, injury risk, platoon roles, and playing-time questions. The conversation covers power/speed tradeoffs, bounce-back candidates, and lottery-ticket prospects worth targeting in drafts.

They break down José Ramírez’s long-term extension and whether Cleveland can build a World Series roster around him. A trade to the Giants for Harrison Bader and Seranthony Domínguez’s closing chances with the White Sox get debated. There is a lively deep dive into zone contact rates, why power hitters often whiff more, and a few offseason moves the panel wants to see.

Keith Law joins Eno and DVR to discuss his latest Top 100 prospect list -- including the 2026 outlook for No. 1 prospect Konnor Griffin, the Tigers' group of near-MLB ready bats, and a few players well positioned to make an immediate impact as rookies this season. Keith's Top 100 Prospects ($): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6985939We want to hear from you about your podcast viewing and listening habits. Answer this quick survey and three lucky entries will win $/£100 worth of Amazon vouchers. Thank You! (http://theathletic.com/survey26)Rundown0:40 A Fast Track to Pittsburgh for Konnor Griffin?5:43 What Has Changed Since Griffin Went Ninth Overall in His Draft Class?10:20 Prospect Tiers & Long-Term Outcomes (f/JJ Cooper's Research at Baseball America)14:09 The Rankings & Construction of Keith's Top-100 List18:47 The Tigers' Group of Near Big-League Ready Prospects & Importance of 202623:51 A Loaded Group of Mariners Prospects26:36 Jesús Made's Impressive 2025, Major League ETA30:37 Broader Trends of the Prospects That Get Traded36:13 Why Pitchers Are Slightly Lower Throughout the List45:01 Scouting Heavier for Advanced Command in a World Driven by Stuff?47:49 Proximity: Looking for 2026 Impact Rookies54:00 Is the White Sox's Rebuild Going Reasonably Well?Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Keith on Bluesky: @keithlaw.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Keith LawEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A deep dive into outfielders going between picks 100–200 in early ADP. They break players into tiers and debate which are overvalued or bargain picks. Conversations include defensive value, health risks, strikeout concerns, speed versus power tradeoffs, and which hitters offer safer playing time late in drafts.

A deep dive into early ADP trends and who looks overvalued or undervalued among top outfielders. Short takes on elite stars, rising youngsters, and bounce-back veterans. Quick comparisons of power, speed and health risks across the Top 100 draftees.

Eno and DVR discuss this week's trades -- a six-player swap that sent MacKenzie Gore to the Rangers and a four-player deal between the Brewers and Mets that sent Freddy Peralta to New York -- and the Yankees' decision to sign Cody Bellinger to a five-year, $162.5M deal this week. We want to hear from you about your podcast listening habits. Answer this quick survey and three lucky entries will win $/£100 worth of Amazon vouchers. Thank You! (http://theathletic.com/survey26)Rundown2:07 MacKenzie Gore Traded to the Rangers in Six-Player Deal10:40 An Adjustment to Avoid Second-Half Fastball Velocity Fades?17:11 A Top-10 Rotation in Texas? 24:25 Freddy Peralta Traded to Mets in Four-Player Swap33:04 Brandon Sproat vs. Jonah Tong38:07 Rank the Brewers' Starters on Innings This Year47:03 Another Undersized Position Player to Milwaukee52:25 Cody Bellinger's Return to the Yankees1:02:37 Mailbag: Is $/WAR Still Relevant?, Michael Busch Playing Against Lefties & 14 Pounds of Muscle for Kyle ManzardoFollow 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 Sarris Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.