Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

MLB's player development continues to change. DVR and Eno take the show on the road at Saber Seminar, exploring the evolution of pitching development, the next generation of hitting metrics and the new data that could change how teams evaluate players.

Former MLB pitcher and current University of Oregon Director of Pitching Development Dan Straily joins the show to retrace his career through one of the most transformative eras in pitching. Straily explains how being forced to develop a changeup helped take him from Double-A to the major leagues, how the Astros recognized that his fastball played better at the top of the strike zone and how pitchers gradually gained a better understanding of pitch shapes and movement.

Then Driveline Baseball's Director of Baseball Operations Jack Lambert joins the show to explain one of the emerging frontiers in hitting analysis: bat path grades. How can bat speed, attack angle, attack direction and swing-path data help measure the value of an individual swing? And could metrics like rotational acceleration eventually tell us even more about a hitter's underlying ability?

DVR, Eno and Lambert explore whether bat-path data can eventually become hitting's answer to Stuff+, how quickly swing metrics stabilize and why this type of information could become especially valuable for evaluating amateur and minor-league hitters before traditional statistics provide enough information.

Rates & Barrels is your home for MLB analysis, advanced stats, player development, fantasy baseball and the evolving ways teams understand the game with Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris.

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First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026

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
Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis
Editor: McEnroe Francis

***SORRY FOR DVR's Audio at the top. His mic cable had an issue. Was fixed after his first statement.

00:00 — Dan Straily & the Evolution of Pitching Development
01:15 — Being Forced to Develop a Changeup
03:17 — How the Astros Unlocked Straily’s Fastball
04:47 — When Pitch Design Doesn't Fit the Pitcher
08:21 — Why Triple-A Made Straily a Better Pitcher
10:01 — Are Young Pitchers Too Focused on Stuff+?
12:03 — Straily, Driveline & the Weighted-Ball Battle
13:28 — Reinventing Himself in the KBO
15:34 — How Straily’s Playing Career Shaped His Coaching
19:02 — Jack Lambert & Driveline’s Bat Path Grades
20:11 — What Is a Bat Path Grade?
21:43 — How Predictive Is Bat Path Data?
23:20 — Rotational Acceleration vs. Bat Speed
25:43 — Can Swing Data Become Hitting’s Stuff+?
29:52 — DVR & Eno’s Biggest Saber Seminar Takeaways
33:43 — Why Anti-Tunneling Works for Some Pitchers
34:32 — The Science Behind Multiple Fastball Shapes
35:38 — The Hidden Differences Between MLB Bats
36:44 — What Really Predicts Stolen Bases?

#MLB #BaseballAnalytics #Sabermetrics #Pitching #RatesAndBarrels
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It’s Doug’s birthday, and who better to help him celebrate than his former Phillies teammate and mentee, Jimmy Rollins? This week, Doug and DVR, filling in for Jayson, sit down with Jimmy to talk about the shock of being drafted by Philadelphia, how Doug helped him get acclimated to the big leagues, what it was like playing alongside Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Cole Hamels, and the moment he finally knew it was time to retire.
Plus, with the playoff chase heating up, Doug and DVR each pick a team they believe in. And, of course, it wouldn’t be the show without Strange But True—a particularly rough week for Mariners pitcher Bryce Miller.
Rundown:
0:49 Happy Birthday, Doug!
7:14 Teams We Believe In
16:22 Jimmy Rollins Stops By
16:56 Getting Drafted by the Phillies
24:58 J-Roll’s Mentors
35:54 The End in Philadelphia
40:37 How the Game Has Changed
48:38 Art of Stealing Bases
50:37 Lightning Round
1:01:43 The 6-1-1 Podcast
1:05:22 Strange But True
1:12:46 Trivia Time
Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.social
Follow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.social
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.social
E-mail: starkville@theathletic.com
Starkville Hotline: (347) 313-8371
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Jayson Stark & Doug Glanville
Guest Host: Derek VanRiper
With: Jimmy Rollins
Producer: Jason Potere
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MLB's final push for the Wild Card and Playoffs are here, Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris have everything you need for the stretch run. DVR and Eno break down the best September waiver-wire targets, two-start pitchers and late-season saves options while examining whether breakouts from Jordan Walker, James Wood and other young hitters are sustainable heading into 2027.

First, the guys catch up on the baseball news you should know. Carlos Correa is nearing a September return, Eugenio Suárez and TJ Friedl have landed on waivers, Mason Winn's thumb injury creates new questions in St. Louis, and Denzel Clarke could get another opportunity with the A's. Plus, Roki Sasaki heads back to the IL while Gavin Stone and Tony Gonsolin work their way toward potential September returns.

Walker has changed his swing, lowered his strikeout rate and reached a new level of power, but should fantasy managers really pay a first-round price next spring? The guys also look ahead to Cam Smith and Lawrence Butler, including why a big September from Smith could make him more expensive than DVR wants him to be in 2027 fantasy drafts.

Then it's time to attack the waiver wire for the final month of the fantasy baseball season. Tristan Peters remains surprisingly available despite a productive season and everyday role with the White Sox, while Rafael Flores, Mickey Gasper and Tim Tawa offer potential help in deeper formats.

Follow Rates & Barrels for MLB analysis, fantasy baseball strategy, advanced stats, waiver-wire advice and player development with Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris.

Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment!

First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026

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

#FantasyBaseball #MLB #FantasyFriday #WaiverWire #RatesAndBarrels

Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis
Editor: McEnroe Francis

00:00 — Fantasy Friday: September Targets & MLB News
02:05 — Carlos Correa Nearing a Return
03:56 — Eugenio Suárez & TJ Friedl Hit Waivers
06:15 — Mason Winn Injury & Cardinals Playing Time
12:19 — Denzel Clarke Nearing a Return
15:18 — Roki Sasaki Heads to the IL
17:52 — Can Hitters Really Change Their Swing Decisions?
23:08 — James Wood’s Improved Approach
24:24 — Jordan Walker’s Breakout & 2027 Value
32:54 — Cam Smith vs. Lawrence Butler
39:21 — Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Targets
39:42 — Why Tristan Peters Is Still Available
44:21 — Rafael Flores & Mickey Gasper
46:44 — Elliot Ramos & Taylor Ward Stock Down
48:00 — Best Two-Start Pitchers for Next Week
49:23 — Drop Grayson Rodriguez?
53:03 — Deep-League Streamers & Saves Targets
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Should MLB create a Rookie Pitcher of the Year award? DVR, Eno and Trevor May break down baseball’s best rookie pitchers, including Nolan McLean, Parker Messick and Payton Tolle, before searching deeper for young arms who could become impact starters, closers and fantasy baseball breakouts in 2027.

Parker Messick is putting together a historically impressive rookie season for the Guardians. Payton Tolle offers a different profile for the Red Sox. With more traditional high-end velocity and a polished presence on the mound. In the National League, Nolan McLean has answered some of the biggest questions surrounding his arsenal. Could increased changeup usage unlock another level for the Mets right-hander?

The crew also examines Logan Henderson's unusual combination of below-average velocity, strike throwing and swing-and-miss ability before diving into the next group of intriguing young pitchers. Walbert Ureña, Didier Fuentes, Bradgley Rodríguez, Blade Tidwell and Connor Prielipp all present different questions about command, pitch shape, sequencing and future roles.

Rates & Barrels is your home for MLB analysis, advanced stats, pitching development, fantasy baseball and everything happening around Major League Baseball with Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris and Trevor May.

Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment!

First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026

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
Contributor: Trevor May
Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis
Editor: McEnroe Francis

00:00 — Should MLB Have a Rookie Pitcher of the Year?
08:22 — Parker Messick vs. Payton Tolle
09:10 — Messick’s Historically Good Rookie Season
14:48 — How Good Can Payton Tolle Be?
19:18 — Nolan McLean’s Rookie Season
19:38 — Has McLean Answered the Lefty Question?
27:44 — The Logan Henderson Puzzle
35:20 — Rookie Pitchers to Watch for 2027
35:25 — Walbert Ureña’s Breakout Season
48:52 — Didier Fuentes’ Unusual Arsenal
55:01 — Could Bradgley Rodríguez Become a Starter?
1:01:42 — Connor Prielipp’s Next Step
#MLB #Baseball #MLBRookies #RookieOfTheYear #RatesAndBarrels
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DVR, Eno and Jed Lowrie make their final American League playoff predictions, picking all three AL division winners and three Wild Card teams as the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, White Sox, Guardians, Mariners, Rangers and Astros battle for October.

DVR still can't quit the Seattle Mariners. Seattle enters the stretch run within striking distance of the AL West and owns an extremely favorable remaining schedule, but defensive shortcomings and an inconsistent offense leave plenty of reasons to question whether the Mariners can actually get back to October.

Jed also offers a player's perspective on what happens inside a clubhouse when a team with postseason expectations starts to fall apart late in the season, drawing on his experience with the 2011 Boston Red Sox. The conversation turns to the Blue Jays and whether Toronto can find another gear before time runs out.

Then, Eno digs into one of his favorite kinds of rabbit holes: batting stance changes. Carson Benge's impressive rookie season sparks a deeper look at why hitters open or close their stance, how those adjustments can affect vision and swing mechanics, and what Fernando Tatis Jr.'s changes reveal about the tradeoffs hitters make at the plate.

Finally, Name That Dude returns! DVR puts Eno and Jed to the test with clues about a mystery former MLB player before the conversation inevitably turns into baseball cards, heat maps and Statcast ideas.

Rates & Barrels is your home for smart baseball analysis, MLB trends, advanced stats, fantasy baseball and everything happening around the league with Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris and Jed Lowrie.

Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment!

First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026

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
Contributor: Jed Lowrie
Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis
Editor: McEnroe Francis

#MLB #MLBPlayoffs #Baseball #Yankees #Mariners #RatesAndBarrels

00:00 — Final AL Playoff Predictions
03:12 — The AL Playoff Race Is Chaos
08:38 — Can the White Sox Win the AL Central?
13:19 — Why Cleveland Can Make a September Run
16:49 — DVR Still Believes in the Mariners
19:35 — Mariners vs. Astros in the AL West
23:17 — When a Contender Starts Falling Apart
24:59 — Can the Blue Jays Save Their Season?
29:19 — Final AL Playoff Picks
31:41 — Carson Benge's Breakout Rookie Season
34:40 — Why Hitters Change Their Stance
46:30 — What Fernando Tatis Jr. Changed
52:14 — Name That Dude Returns
56:21 — The Mystery Player Revealed
56:56 — What Should Be on the Back of a Baseball Card?
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