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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Copyright: © 2024 - The Athletic
Eno and DVR return to their 2025 Team Previews Series in the NL Central. Can the Brewers continue to exceed projections? Who will emerge from the Cardinals' position player group to take on everyday roles as they try to identify their current core? Are the Cubs deserving of frontrunner status from 2025 projections? Will the Reds surprise us with better starting pitching than expected, but less production from their lineup? And, will the Pirates find enough steady bats to support their young aces?
Rundown
3:44 2025 Milwaukee Brewers Preview
26:43 2025 St. Louis Cardinals Preview
42:06 2025 Chicago Cubs Preview
53:34 2025 Cincinnati Reds Preview
1:05:40 2025 Pittsburgh Pirates Preview
1:18:13 A Selection of Sleepers From the NL Central
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
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e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
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Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Note: Win Total Projections for the episode are from Baseball Prospectus' PECTOA system at the time of the recording. Support BP -- they do great work!
Current PECOTA Projections: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Producer Brian Smith
Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Eno and DVR catch up on a few intriguing baseball news items from the first week of spring training before diving into Eno's recently released 2025 Starting Pitcher rankings to discuss several pitchers that Eno loves in 2025.
Rundown
1:13 Ronald Acuña Jr.: 'Taking it Easy' on the Basepaths After Second ACL Tear
5:37 Francisco Alvarez: Big Swing Changes This Winter
12:48 Shane McClanahan: No Restrictions This Spring
17:39 Buying Into Hunter Brown's Step Forward in 2024
22:31 Similar Vibes Around Grayson Rodriguez?
26:57 Some Love for Luis Castillo?!
31:33 Spencer Strider and Leaning Into League Rules
35:26 Clarke Schmidt: Can a Full-Season Like 2024 Happen?
39:35 Why Eno Believes in Clay Holmes as a Starter
48:24 Other Late Pitching Options Getting Love in the Rankings
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
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e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Check out Eno's 2025 Starting Pitcher Rankings at The Athletic ($): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6128052/
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Producer: Brian Smith
Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss Alex Bregman's decision to sign with the Red Sox -- how the pieces might fit in Boston without another move -- and the structure of the deal. Plus, they discuss Nick Pivetta to San Diego, where the Padres have quickly turned around a very quiet offseason. They also dig into the current use of pitch models like Stuff+ around the game, and wonder where teams are finding edges within those models, and beyond
Rundown
1:30 Alex Bregman to the Red Sox (Three-Year, $120M Deal w/two opt-outs)
14:06 Nick Pivetta Lands with the Padres (Four-Year, $55M Deal w/two opt-outs)
22:10 Anthony Rendon to Undergo Hip Surgery; Out for 2025
33:34 How is Stuff+ Used Around Baseball?
40:24 Applications of Pitching Models & Finding an Edge
46:55 Solvability in Sports...Basketball Might Be Broken
52:12 Rule Changes in Baseball by Decade
58:32 Where Are Teams Looking for an Edge?
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.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
Producer: Brian Smith
Executive Producer: Derek VanRip
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Eno and DVR continue their 2025 Team Preview series in the America League West! Is the Astros’ control of the division finally winding down? Are the Rangers primed for another deep October run with a healthier roster in 2025? Can the Mariners hit enough to support their elite rotation? Can the A’s close the gap on the three teams ahead of them, and have the Angels improved enough to do the same after a disappointing 2024?
Rundown
2:26 2025 Houston Astros Preview
14:15 2025 Texas Rangers Preview
32:15 2025 Seattle Mariners Preview
44:05 2025 Sacramento Athletics Preview
59:32 2025 ‘Los Angeles’ Angels of Anaheim Preview
1:12:17 A Selection of Sleepers From the AL West
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.social
e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Note: Win Total Projections for the episode are from Baseball Prospectus' PECTOA system at the time of the recording. Support BP -- they do great work!Current PECOTA Projections: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Producer Brian Smith
Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Eno and DVR begin their 2025 Team Preview series in the National League West! How much have the Dodgers improved following their World Series title in 2024? Do the Padres need another late winter trade to keep pace with the other NL playoff teams? Will the D-backs find their way back to October after a busy offseason? Can the Giants exceed expectations in Year 1 of the Buster Posey Era? And, are the Rockies better than some of the projections suggest?
Rundown
1:55 2025 Los Angeles Dodgers Preview
17:15 2025 San Diego Padres Preview
29:54 2025 Arizona Diamondbacks Preview
43:31 2025 San Francisco Giants Preview
56:51 2025 Colorado Rockies Preview
1:07:08 A Selection of Sleepers From the NL West
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.social
e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Note: Win Total Projections for the episode are from Baseball Prospectus' PECTOA system at the time of the recording. Support BP -- they do great work!Current PECOTA Projections: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Producer Brian Smith
Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Eno and DVR share a takeaways from the early part of draft season as spring training camps get underway, including the benefits of waiting to build a pitching staff (so far), and how looking back at some of last year's biggest rebounds can serve as a helpful reminder of the different sources of late-round value. Plus, they answer mailbag questions about past Tommy John surgeries, possible Astros regret with the Christian Walker deal after Pete Alonso's two-year deal with the Mets, and the dynasty league mindset of trading down a top-tier player to play for the future.
Rundown
5:20 What Have You Learned From Winter Drafts?
9:17 Waiting on Starting Pitching Feels Great
16:02 Looking Back at Pitching Rebounds From 2023 to 2024
19:05 Looking Back at Hitting Rebounds From 2023 to 2024
26:45 Watching on Second Catchers is Gross
35:04 Accounting for Tommy John Surgeries Further in the Past
44:03 Do the Astros Regret Their Christian Walker Deal After Pete Alonso's Two-Year Pact?
50:06 Dynasty Trading Mindset: Flipping a Current Top-Tier Player
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.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
Producer Brian Smith
Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Eno is joined by Sleeper & the Bust co-hosts Justin Mason and Jason Collette to talk about how they got into baseball, their upcoming drafts, some MLB news from the week and they take a few mailbag questions
Rundown
0:57- Intros & how they got into baseball
11:55- Upcoming drafts & any surprises
18:08- Pete Alonso is back with the Mets
28:20- How will new parks effect Rays & A's players this season
38:08- Is Junior Caminero ready to take a big step?
42:44- Ben Gamel goes back to the Astros
45:23- Yoán Moncada 1 year deal with the Angels
47:26- Harrison Bader signs with the Twins
50:42- Tommy Pham joins the Pirates
52:11- Any concerns about Skenes recent workload?
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.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
Producer: Brian Smith
Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Keith Law joins Eno and DVR discuss several players from his recently released Top 100 prospects list that should make an impact at the big-league level in 2025 including two from the top-10 in Boston, a few potential aces in Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Philadelphia, and a few prospects primed for a leap toward the top of the list in 2025.
Rundown
1:45 Roman Anthony at No. 1, How Red Sox Make Pieces Fit w/Anthony & Kristian Campbell; Adjustments Throughout Time in System
17:12 Faster Timetables and Adjusting Expectations for Rookies
26:36 Carson Williams' 2025 Path in Tampa Bay
33:24 Jordan Lawlar's Outlook
40:18 Is the Starting Third Base Job Matt Shaw's to Lose in Chicago?
53:20 Bubba Chandler: Another Future Ace in Pittsburgh?
59:07 Andrew Painter's Post-TJ Stuff, Phillies' Workload Plans
1:05:46 Big Potential Prospect Risers for 2025
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.social
Follow Keith on Bluesky: @keithlaw.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
Producer Brian Smith
Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Eno and DVR wrap up their 2025 position preview series with relievers, focusing specifically on leagues that use saves as a category. How early should you consider choosing a top option? Which second, third and fourth-tier relievers offer the most value, and which unsettled situations offer viable late dart-throws that could turn into a valuable sources of saves?
Rundown
0:59 What Is the Earliest Pick You're Spending on a Closer?
5:05 ADP Tier 1 (Top 75 Overall Picks) -- Emmanuel Clase, Devin Williams, Josh Hader, Mason Miller, Edwin Dìaz, Ryan Helsley & Raisel Iglesias
29:20 ADP Tier 2 (Pick 75-125 Range) -- Félix Bautista, Andres Muñoz, Jhoan Duran, Robert Suarez, Ryan Walker
45:00 ADP Tier 3 (Pick 125-200 Range) -- Lucas Erceg, Trevor Megill, Jeff Hoffman, Kirby Yates, Tanner Scott, Alexis Díaz, David Bednar, Ben Joyce, Pete Fairbanks
59:47 ADP Tier 4 (Pick 200-250 Range) -- Jordan Romano, Justin Martinez, Carlos Estévez, Kenley Jansen (FA), Ryan Pressly
1:11:22 ADP Tier 5 (Beyond Pick 250) -- Unsettled Situations & Late Considerations
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.social
e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Share your Positional Rankings in the HiveMind Ranks for Relief Pitchers: https://forms.gle/Z1Nw13vBS3XyZgmw7
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Producer: Brian Smith
Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Eno and DVR discuss Jack Flaherty's reunion with the Tigers before closing the book on starting pitchers (for now) -- with the fourth installment of their 2025 Starting Pitcher preview. Eno explains the "Yolo Yo-Yo", as the need for ceiling and growth should be balanced with steady veterans as you round out your pitching staff.
Rundown
0:59 Jack Flaherty Returns to the Tigers
7:45 ADP Tier 7a -- Nick Lodolo, Jeffrey Springs, Walker Buehler, Ranger & Suárez
22:42 ADP Tier 7a (continued) -- Reese Olson, Michael Wacha, Nestor Cortes, Jackson Jobe, Kutter Crawford & Kumar Rocker
47:50 Looking for Undervalued Depth & Sleepers
1:01:10 The Pirates Might Do It Again with Bubba Chandler
1:13:41 Late SP Whack-a-Mole
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.social
e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Share your Positional Rankings in the HiveMind Ranks for Starting Pitchers: https://forms.gle/QhdU1UimnejRG1bP6
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Producer: Brian Smith
Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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