Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

Eno and DVR discuss several hitters with the potential to rebound in the second half -- with the emphasis on players whose value has fallen since the start of the season -- the potential impact of the "Pie Slice" Rule on current big leaguers, and the Marlins' offensive slide with Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jon Berti on the IL. Rundown -- DVR Makes Another Spreadsheet -- Another Drop on the Joey Votto 2...

Eno and DVR discuss several pitchers facing potential workload limitations in the second half -- including a large group of rookie pitchers, and a few veterans who have lost time in recent years due to significant injuries. Plus, they attempt to find a few solutions via trade and waivers to help remedy an expected shortcoming of innings during the final two-plus months of the season.  Rundown -- Y...

Eno and DVR discuss why Esteury Ruiz might have a difficult time becoming Jon Berti 2.0 despite blazing speed and a growing path to playing time with the Padres, before examining several young hitters whose underlying skills point to future success, and why the stabilization point of a hitter's barrel rate still messes with our minds.  Rundown -- It Starts (Intro Music) -- Esteury Ruiz: Stolen Bas...

Eno and DVR discuss a few different midseason problems and try to determine which is the easiest to solve in the second half, plus they examine several young pitchers that might be worth acquiring via trade or pickup for the long-term future before attempting to make sense of Byron Buxton's unusual 2022 season (so far).  Rundown -- Midseason Roster Flaws -- Where Have Steals Come From This Season?...

Eno and DVR discuss Luis Castillo's case for 'ace' status and the possibility that he's the best pitcher moved at the August trade deadline before examining other Stuff+ risers from June to July, and a few big movers on the pitching front from the first half of the season.  Rundown -- It Starts (Intro Music) -- Luis Castillo's Recent Changes -- Castillo as a Seasonal Streamer? -- Taijuan Walker's...

Eno and DVR discuss the increasing likelihood of Julio Rodríguez becoming 2023 first-round pick, other movers into the early rounds, recent barrel rate surgers -- including Ryan Mountcastle and Dylan Carlson -- the unique challenge of trading for currently injured players, and a handful of mailbag questions. Rundown -- Maybe the Pitch Clock Will Reduce Pitcher Injuries? -- Julio Rodríguez: First-R...

Eno and DVR discuss several struggling players who may open up opportunities for significant role changes during the second half of the season. Plus, the latest installment of Prospect of the Week & Beer of the Month! Rundown -- Opportunities in the Cards' Rotation? -- Brad Keller as a Reliever Would Be Interesting -- Concerns About Cal Quantrill, Despite Good Ratios? -- Looking Forward to a N...

Eno and DVR discuss the challenge of replacing a star in the wake of Bryce Harper's thumb injury, Alejandro Kirk as an 'unusual' player having a breakout season, the surprising lack of second-half leagues, a messy roster management situation in Pittsburgh, when to chase (and when to punt) batting average, and a promotion Kansas City on the heels of a small trade with Seattle.  Rundown -- The Begin...

Eno and DVR discuss several potential 'Buy High' pitchers, on the heels of very strong performances through the first two-and-a-half months of the season. Which starters have taken big steps forward in 2022? Which relievers are sneaky-good trade targets as the deadline approaches? Plus, what is Spencer Strider's ceiling as a starter? Rundown -- Shane McClanahan: Elite of the Elite? -- Tony Gonsoli...

Eno and DVR discuss several potential 'Buy High' hitters, on the heels of very strong performances through the first two-and-a-half months of the season. Will C.J. Cron stay in Colorado beyond the trade deadline? Should you believe in Tommy Edman's step forward? Is Dansby Swanson likely to continue stealing bases at his current clip? Rundown -- Anthony Rizzo and Yankees Barrel Rate Risers -- C.J....

Eno and DVR are back to discuss a few major shifts in park factors thanks to a myriad of changes for 2022, why trusting smaller volumes of park data can be risky, and how it might be effectively leveraged despite limitations going forward. Plus, questions about rolling barrel rates, Corey Seager's lagging slash line, Freddie Freeman's missing homers, Ranger Suárez, Logan Gilbert, and more. Rundown...

DVR is joined by Clay Link, Senior MLB Editor of RotoWire.com to discuss Vinnie Pasquantino, the pursuit of future value, avoiding prospect traps while taking appropriate risk with young players, and much more.  Rundown -- Italian Breakfast or Italian Beef? -- What Matters to Clay When Seeking Future Value? -- Christopher Morel's Arrival -- Shifting K% Marks at Double-A for Elite Hitting Prospects...

Eno and DVR discuss the challenging balance of giving young left-handed hitters ample opportunities against same-handed pitching, a few interesting power surges from hitters at Triple-A, pitchers that have underperformed through the first two months relative to the Pitching Plus model, and more.  Rundown -- Jazz Chisholm Jr. v. Lefties -- Noise in the Very Limited Split Samples -- Jesús Sánchez &a...

Eno and DVR discuss how the top of the draft board would look different today compared to the final ADP of 2022. How much would Vlad Jr. and Bo Bichette slide? Who would replace Walker Buehler in the Top 15 overall? And how much would Aaron Judge's injury history factor into his re-do ROS draft slot? Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: ratesandbarrels@th...

Eno and DVR discuss the disappearance of hitter's counts thanks to reduced fastball usage, hitters that are better equipped to take advantage of a more slider-heavy environment, struggling hitters that continue to lag in production as the end of May draws closer, and a few pitchers in need of adjustments due to poor fastballs.  Eno's story about the loss of hitter's counts as fastball use changes:...

Eno and DVR discuss the ongoing challenge of finding common ground with in-season player valuations, the arrival of the annual 'Trade Itch', Tommy Edman's surprising start to 2022, the possibility of a summer home-run surge, and more.  Rundown -- Finding Common Ground with In-Season Player Values -- Managing Ratios When Doing Well -- Dealing with Roster Surplus -- Tommy Edman's Great Start; Simila...

Eno and DVR discuss the promotion of Matthew Liberatore and Nolan Gorman, Shane McClanahan's rise to 'ace' status, a few potential breakouts in progress, the value of xStats as a comparative tool, and more.  Rundown -- Steps Forward From Josh Naylor & Manuel Margot? -- Hard-Hit Rate Laggards -- Nolan Gorman & Matthew Liberatore: Short-Term Expectations -- Pavin Smith & Willi Castro as...

Eno and DVR discuss ways to consider making adjustments for struggling teams now that the calendar has progressed to the second half of May. Plus, opportunities to find value with pitchers in unique roles, and reasons for optimism about Ke'Bryan Hayes' future power contributions.  Rundown -- How to Fix a Struggling Squad -- Accepting a 'Sell Low' Situation -- Pitching Profiles to Target -- Stuff v...

In episode two of the Future of Sports series, The Athletic's Mike Smeltz looks at how the team experience may change in the future: increased use of technology in gameplay, robotic umpires and the unique initiatives of a startup sports league. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode one of the Future of Sports series, The Athletic's Mike Smeltz looks at how the fan experience may change: how going to games, watching games at home and how memorabilia is shifting from physical to digital. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and RotoWire's James Anderson to discuss when to decide to sell in dynasty leagues, which prospects will be big movers on his prospect list next week, what his ranking process is like, how organizational context matters for prospects, and end with a would you rather between two veteran pitchers who have been pitching well. Rundown -Deciding when to sell in your dynasty league -What types of pr...

Eno and DVR discuss the impressive debut of George Kirby, several prospects emerging to find playing time at the big-league level, players exceeding their scouting grades and expected production, bat humidors, Justin Verlander's post-surgery arsenal, and more.  Rundown - George Kirby's Debut; Future Expectations - Interest in Josh Winder? - Royce Lewis & Jose Miranda - Can Juan Yepez Maintain...

Eno and DVR discuss the value of not swinging the bat, and why that might be a big problem for baseball to solve. Plus, they examine several slow-starting pitchers in search of underlying problems that could persist, and potential trade targets.  Rundown - Swinging Is Bad, Mmmm K? - Is Something Wrong With Freddy Peralta? - José Berríos' Slow Start - Fading Interest in Targeting Charlie Morton? -...

Eno and DVR discuss several slow-starting bats and try to determine where there are opportunities to make viable trades, and where the early downturn in performance might be a warning sign of a disappointing 2022 season. Plus, they discuss some of the fallout from rosters shrinking, and Joe Ryan's success despite underwhelming pitching model numbers.  Rundown - Making Sense of Marcus Semien's Apri...

Eno and DVR discuss a the idea of streaming stolen bases, Adalberto Mondesi's ACL injury, early fallers and subsequent shallow-league drop considerations, stabilization points, and the potential value of foul balls, and more.  Rundown Streaming Steals in Daily Leagues? Adalberto Mondesi Suffers a Torn ACL When Can You Determine a Player is Droppable Based on Statcast Numbers? Stuff+/Pitching+ Stab...