Stay ConnectedEno Sarris and Derek VanRiper, along with Britt Ghiroli, Trevor May, and Jed Lowrie discuss advanced stats, strategy, prospects and more. From the first move of the Hot Stove season to the final pitch of the World Series, join us for year-round baseball talk.
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Joey Votto spent the years since his 2024 retirement surfing in Sri Lanka, watching cricket in Dubai, and learning to make sushi in Japan. Now he's back in North America and stopping by Starkville for a wide-ranging conversation with Jayson and Doug — what he took away from his travels, and how he sees baseball differently from the outside. Plus, the Pittsburgh Zoo and Boston's Franklin Park Zoo just completed a gorilla-for-gorilla swap — Frankie for Little Joe, straight up — and Jayson and Doug break it down before building their own MLB all-zoo team.
Rundown:
3:00 A Most Unusual Trade Involving Gorillas
6:45 Starkville’s All-Zoo Team
17:18 Joey Votto Joins the Show
20:00 Living the Retired Life
28:17 Greatness of Shohei Ohtani
38:48 Analyzing the Game
41:13 Reaction to ABS
48:07 If You Were Commissioner…
53:23 Living the Retired Life
1:00:06 Coming Back to the Game
1:04:45 Strange But True: Byron Buxton and the Minnesota Twins
Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.social
Follow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.social
E-mail: starkville@theathletic.com
Starkville Hotline: (347) 313-8371
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Jayson Stark & Doug Glanville
With: Joey Votto
Producer: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It’s Fantasy Friday, and with trade season heating up, fantasy managers are getting antsy to make moves. Eno and DVR break down which hitters have faced the nastiest stuff so far this season — and which ones have still managed to thrive. Plus, the guys discuss the risk-reward proposition of paying up for Colt Emerson in redraft leagues, before taking a closer look at the struggles of two key Royals bats: Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez.
Rundown:
0:35 Allergy Season is Trade Season! Time to Wheel and Deal
6:40 Strength of Schedule: Which Hitters Have Hit the Best Stuff?
10:08 Opportunity to Buy? Which Hitters Have *Seen* The Best Stuff?
14:20 Salvador Perez’s Struggles: A Familiar Start After Early 2025 Slump?
22:36 Colt Emerson Outlook: Bidding Big Where Available?
27:37 A Hitter Toss-Up: Luis García Jr. vs. Nolan Gorman
32:12 Catcher Injuries: A Few Replacements to Consider
36:40 Vinnie Pasquantino’s Poor Start: What’s Happening Here?
41:46 Good Projections vs. Bad Results: When Do You Pass on Projections?
47:55 Pitchers of Interest: Troy Melton & Jared Jones, A Few Streamers
Some big name hitters are struggling and the pitchers they’ve faced may explain why:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7298365
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
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e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Editor: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Little League homers are making a comeback — at least for now — as the numbers have spiked across MLB this season. Eno, Trevor, and DVR break down what’s driving the surge in inside-the-park home runs, which pitchers have been hurt most by ABS, and who the most underrated relievers in baseball are in 2026. Later, the guys answer a Discord question about how MLB’s paternity list works and what it’s like balancing fatherhood with life in the big leagues.
Rundown:
0:30 Little League Home Runs: Are They Way Up This Season?
7:36 ABS Zone Impact: Which Pitchers Are Getting Hurt Most?
15:42 More Walks From Lefties?
19:46 Will Depth of Arsenal Guide Rebounds?
28:15 Who Succeeds at the Top of the Zone?
30:28 Underrated Relievers
51:30 Paternity List & Baseball Dads: How Does It Work?
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
Follow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.social
e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
With: Trevor May
Editor: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Baseball is hard — just ask Nationals top prospect Dylan Crews and Twins slugger Royce Lewis, two players trending in very different directions. Eno, Jed, and DVR discuss Crews’ promotion to the Nationals and Lewis’ surprising demotion to Triple-A. Then, the guys dive into the diminishing value of “barrels” and whether baseball’s obsession with advanced stats has gone too far in 2026.
Rundown:
0:42 Dylan Crews Back with Nats: Will Adjustment Click?
10:41 Royce Lewis to Triple-A: Can He Reset at Triple-A?
21:39 How Barrels Have Lost Value
25:02 Heliot Ramos: A ‘Solved’ Player?
32:42 Bat Speed is Next: Is Goodhart’s Law Ready to Strike Again?
36:26 Miguel Vargas: Swing Decision Foundation, Power Added?
43:02 Cam Smith: Growing Pains a Cost of Rushing Player Development?
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
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e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
With: Jed Lowrie
Editor: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Padres and Guardians are surging, while the Orioles are still searching for answers. Eno, Britt, and DVR break down how San Diego has managed to stay atop the standings despite underperformance from a few key stars. Then, the crew takes a closer look at Baltimore’s continued struggles, examining why the Orioles haven’t been able to build on their 100-win season just a few years ago — and whether the bigger issues stem from pitching development or a lack of continuity on the coaching staff. Later, DVR sits down with The Athletic’s Zack Meisel to discuss Cleveland’s early success and whether the Guardians’ young core can keep them atop the AL Central.
Rundown:
3:30 First Place Padres!
10:57 Starting Pitching Questions: How Will They Find Enough?
12:50 Can Walker Buehler or Griffin Canning Put it Together?
14:42 A Slow Start in Baltimore: Is This a Bottom-Five Team?
22:20 Can Shane Baz, Trevor Rogers & Chris Bassitt Turn It Around?
30:10 Turnover on the Staff: Is the Lack of Continuity an Issue?
34:05 Zack Meisel Joins the Show
35:11 Travis Bazzana: Impressing From the Jump
36:44 Brayan Rocchio & Angel Martínez Impressing
39:55 Guardians Tied for Second in Steals This Season
42:54 Ralphy Velazquez to Columbus: Is an August Promotion on Tap?
46:35 Parker Messick is Rolling: What Do the Next 16 Starts Hold?
50:15 Potential Weakness: Is the Rotation Depth Lacking?
51:44 Bullpen Remains a Strength
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
Follow Britt on Bluesky: @brittghiroli.bsky.social
e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
With: Britt Ghiroli and Zack Meisel
Editor: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Another top prospect has arrived in Seattle, as 20-year-old Mariners shortstop Colt Emerson made his MLB debut Sunday. Eno and DVR also discuss how Zack Wheeler finally looks like his old self again after beginning the season on the IL, and why Dodgers starter Roki Sasaki may finally be settling in as a reliable starter in LA. Later, the guys open the mailbag to discuss Shohei Ohtani, stabilizing whiff rates, and the long-term outlook for Marlins second baseman Xavier Edwards.
Rundown:
0:47 Colt Emerson Promoted
8:13 Zack Wheeler is Rolling
12:11 Walk Rate Improvement: How Much is Sustainable?
17:43 Surgery for Blake Snell: Loose Bodies in Elbow; Timetable TBD
21:37 Roki’s Turnaround: Another Strong Start vs. Angels
25:09 Justin Wrobleski Excelling in LA
26:46 Grayson Rodriguez is Back: A Big Boost for Halos’ Rotation?
28:33 Clay Holmes Out Several Weeks: Leg Fractured by Comebacker
35:40 Jose Altuve is Hurt: Grade 2 Oblique Strain, Timetable TBD
40:47 Weekly Decision: Using Shohei Ohtani as Pitcher Instead of UT?
44:40 Whiff Rates: When Do They Stabilize?
53:18 The Long Game: Xavier Edwards’ Future Outlook
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
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e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Editor: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
One of baseball's most beloved managers is gone. Hall of Famer Bobby Cox passed away this week, and Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville celebrate his life with a guest who knew him well — Mark DeRosa, who played for Cox in Atlanta and shares what made him such a special manager. DeRosa also reveals a moment that stuck with him: Cox going out of his way to say he was glad to see him thriving, even after DeRosa had long since moved on to other teams. Then, Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz provides the material for one of the most jaw-dropping Strange But True segments in recent memory.
Rundown:
2:00 ABS Through the First Quarter of the Season
10:12 Mark DeRosa Joins the Show
11:45 Remembering Bobby Cox
23:30 Al Leiter Pops In
29:07 Remembering Bobby Cox (cont’d)
33:00 Managing Team USA in WBC
39:22 Remembering Bobby Cox (cont’d)
42:49 Strange But True
Jayson’s Article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7281002/2026
Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.social
Follow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.social
E-mail: starkville@theathletic.com
Starkville Hotline: (347) 313-8371
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Jayson Stark & Doug Glanville
With: Mark DeRosa (and Al Leiter)
Producer: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A fresh batch of starting pitcher rankings has arrived, and there’s plenty to debate. Who made the “Hype 7”? Is Gavin Williams making the leap to ace status? And where does José Soriano land in the mix? Eno and DVR break it all down before turning their attention to the waiver wire, where two intriguing rookies — A.J. Ewing and Henry Bolte — are making their cases as weekend pickups. Plus, no Fantasy Friday would be complete without another edition of “Closer Corner.”
Rundown:
2:00 Eno's Updated SP Rankings: The 'Hype 7' is on the Move!
6:25 Future Drafts: Is There Usually a Group Like This to Target?
12:55 Emmet Sheehan's Velo: Wide Fluctuations Start-to-Start
17:00 Another Top-20 SP in Pittsburgh? Braxton Ashcraft Joins the Fray
20:56 Gavin Williams' Adjustments: Is He Becoming an Ace?
30:29 Using Fresh Rankings: Finding Fits on the Trade Front
34:18 José Soriano: Top-25 Guy Now, Defensive Limitations?
38:58 A.J. Ewing & Henry Bolte: Most Intriguing Waiver-Wire Hitters This Weekend?
44:12 JJ Bleday's Breakout: A True Post-Hype Sleeper is Delivering!
50:05 Vaughn Grissom's Opportunity: Good Enough to Stick in Anaheim?
54:36 Pitching Considerations: Bryce Miller is Back, G-Rod Nearing Return
55:54 A Tough Toss-Up: Ben Brown vs. Griffin Jax
1:01:44 Closer Corner: Still Waiting on Ryan Helsley
Eno's Starting Pitcher Rankings: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7277683/
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Editor: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Have you ever compared baseball to microtones? Neither had we — until today. The guys dive into the music of Angine de Poitrine to explore just how many pitch types a pitcher could realistically master. Then, Eno, Trevor, and DVR head behind the plate to break down the surprising development of Pirates catcher Henry Davis’ command model.
Rundown:
1:47 Bryce Miller is Back
7:38 Cal Raleigh Placed on the IL
8:16 Max Fried Exits with Elbow Soreness
11:05 Robby Snelling to the IL
13:12 Francisco Alvarez Likely Out Eight Weeks (Knee Surgery)
15:05 Getting the Return Right: Coming Back from the IL
20:17 Pitching & Microtones?
27:00 Covering Everything: Having Pitches for All Situations
35:36 Two Splitters? Roki Sasaki’s Attempt to Find More Options
40:38 Nothing in the Middle? Empty Space for Cutters & Gyro Sliders
44:44 Thinking About Development: Creative Solutions to Pitching Problems?
52:00 Henry Davis’ Command Model
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
Follow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.social
e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
With: Trevor May
Editor: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Would you trade, hold, or extend Nick Kurtz right now? CJ Abrams? Ben Rice? The answers might surprise you.
Eno, Jed, and DVR break down all three in their favorite new game, "Trade, Hold, or Extend," then shift to two of baseball's hottest prospects: A.J. Ewing, who made a splash in his MLB debut for the Mets on Tuesday, and Henry Bolte, the Athletics outfielder just called up from Triple-A.
Rundown:
2:02 A.J. Ewing Debuts for the Mets
5:45 Henry Bolte Gets the Call
9:47 Skipping Rehab Assignments: Christian Yelich Activated From IL
17:29 CJ Abrams' Future in D.C.
29:49 Is There a Path to an Extension for Ben Rice?
37:06 William Contreras' Long-Term Outlook
45:42 A Nick Kurtz Extension?
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
With: Jed Lowrie
Editor: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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