The Best Defensive Game Ever & Pocket Tortoises, It's Baseball Season Alright!

Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville joins Eno and DVR to explore a big question in the wake of Konnor Griffin's recent promotion -- who is the baseball teenage position player in baseball history?Plus, they share huge show news -- Starkville returns and joins Rates & Barrels on Saturday, April 18th!They also discuss early reactions to ABS, and potential improvements to the system that could be implemented in the future depending on how the early-season trends play out over the course of the entire season. Rundown0:49 Starkville Returns Saturday, April 18th! Right Here on Rates & Barrels2:02 Baseball’s Best Teenage Position Players: How Do You Approach a ‘Greatest Of’ Question?8:00 Entering with Massive Expectations: Is It ‘Easier’ on an Already Good Team?10:45 Does Having a Recently Hyped Arrival Help? Paul Skenes’ Fast Track, High Expectations in Pittsburgh14:25 Bright Spotlights From Day 1: How Ken Griffey Jr. and Bryce Harper Faced Added Pressure17:05 The No. 1 Pick in Hypothetical Draft: Whose Big League Resumé as a Teenager is the Strongest?19:54 Phil Cavaretta’s Impressive Early Arrival: Baseball’s Leader in Plate Appearances as a Teenager22:39 Bryce Harper vs. Juan Soto: Did the Nats Actually Have the Top-2 Teenagers in MLB History?27:05 Tony Conigliaro: A Promising Career Derailed by Tragedy28:52 Learning From the Search: Jim Gilliam, John Montgomery Ward & Edgar Renteria?!30:14 Stardom From Day 1: Al Kaline Was Destined to Become “Mr. Tiger”32:10 An Old “Friend” of the Show is Back! Oyster Burns’ Unique Place in Baseball History35:34 Late Game Challenges: Jayson’s Idea to Mimic the NFL’s Rule Under Two Minutes38:38 Second Order Effects: Will Team Increase Aggressiveness with Challenges?41:50 The Buffer Zone: Could Max Scherzer’s Idea to Have ‘Inconclusive’ Close Calls Stand?46:04 How Many Strike Zones Are There? 49:49 Early Numbers: Walks *and* Strikeouts Are Up — Not Great, Bob!54:25 Future Changes: Tweaks to the Strike Zone If Needed1:00:21 The Margin for Error: Overturning Calls That Are Closer than Margin of Error?1:03:20 Check Out Starkville Starting April 18th!Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.socialFollow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Jayson Stark & Doug GlanvilleEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR return from the weekend and wonder if Jo Adell's three home-run saving catches in the Angels' 1-0 win against the Mariners on Saturday night might be the best defensive game ever played. Plus, they discuss a cluster of starting pitchers on the fringes of rosters in many leagues, searching for early-season sources of stability, before taking a spin around the league after several impactful injuries piled up. Rundown0:29 Three Home-Run Robbies in One Game! Did Jo Adell Play the Best Defensive Game Ever?9:26 The Starting Pitchers Were Good Too! Emerson Hancock and Jack Kochanowicz Deal11:16 Choosing Your Favorite Two: Starting Pitchers on the Rise21:39 Injuries Galore: Updates on Horton, Betts, Soto & Others32:23 Feeling Better After Start No. 2? Tatsuya Imai Rolls Against the A’s36:49 A Defensive Slump? Are the Giants’ Fielding Woes Fixable?41:20 Context in Small Samples: Rain, Sleet, Snow & Other Variables That Matter46:48 October is Behind Him: Andy Pages Is Hitting Well Again49:28 Great Starts at Coors Field: Where Does Jesús Luzardo’s Weekend Start Rank?58:32 What’s in Pat Murphy’s Pocket? How About a Tortoise Named ‘Bobby Jr.’?!1:04:21 Keeping An Eye on Anthony Kay: Is It ‘Good’ Weird, or ‘Bad’ Weird?1:08:38 Pirates Sweep the Orioles: Undefeated in Konnor Griffin EraFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR is joined by Jason Collette to discuss the evolution of pre-debut contracts and early takeaways -- including the highly-anticipated return Shane McClanahan -- and the surprising lack of stolen bases from the Rays in their first two series of the season. They also take an early look at waiver-wire targets, highlighting several starting pitchers of interest, a few relievers to consider from bullpens in turmoil, and the fast start for Jordan Walker. Rundown1:55 Commissioner’s Corner: Move Weekly Pickups to Thursday Night!8:37 Context is Key: James Wood Reveals 2025 Injuries11:34 Checking In on the Rays: Observations Through Two Series18:59 He’s Back! The Return of Shane McClanahan23:59 Efficiency FTW: Drew Rasmussen Has a New Changeup28:15 Early-Season Matchups: What Matters When Considering Pitchers?34:24 Another Bat Speed Riser: Interest Level in Luisangel Acuña37:29 Weekend Waiver Preview: Starting Pitchers We’re Considering41:55 The Roster Bubble Starting Pitchers (40-60% Rostered)48:23 Digging Deeper (20-40% Rostered)53:26 Looking for Saves: Assessing Relievers in Flux56:45 Cautious with Hitting Surprises? Buying Jordan Walker’s Adjustments?Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow Jason on Bluesky: @jasoncollette.bsky.social. e-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHost: Derek VanRiperWith Guest Co-Host: Jason ColletteEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss the Pirates' promotion of top prospect Konnor Griffin (whose agreement to a nine-year extension was revealed after the episode was recorded), the long-term outlook on Shane Baz, how pitchers impact a hitter's bat speed, and new pitches that have caught our eye through the first week of the season. Rundown0:26 Baseball's Top Prospect Gets the Call: Konnor Griffin to Debut on Friday3:54 Buying the Pirates? Will They Snap Seven-Year Streak of Losing Seasons?8:31 Breaking Down Shane Baz's Extension with the Orioles: Five-Year, $56 Million19:40 How Pitchers Impact a Hitter's Bat Speed29:56 Does Fast Swing Rate Against Pitchers Tell Us More than Average Bat Speeds?35:03 New Pitches: Pitchers With Better Outlooks Thanks to New Offerings57:18The Rangers' Nacho Sombrero is Real?!Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor MayEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Jed, and DVR discuss a bizarre mistake from C.B. Bucknor in Milwaukee on Tuesday night, and Jed's favorite umpire still in rotation before digging into Shohei Ohtani's first start of 2026 -- which featured significantly increased usage of his curveball -- before looking at early bat-speed risers, and breaking down a few hitters they believe could benefit from a more aggressive approach at the plate. Rundown0:48 Umpire Love: Jed’s Favorite Ump Still in Circulation2:00 The Opposite of Umpire Love: C.B. Buckner’s Laughably Bad Call3:50 Make a Mistake? Own It! Mark Wegner Owns Up to Missed Strikeout10:10 Sho and Tell: Shohei Ohtani Increases Curveball Usage in First Start of 202615:33 Other News & Notes: DeLauter’s Scare, Eflin’s Exit & deGrom’s Velo18:09 Early Bat Speed Risers: Why Does It Matter in Small Samples?25:57 Does High Bat Speed Lead to Injuries? 34:00 Swing Decisions: Who Should Be More Aggressive?50:58 Show and Tell: A Few of Our Random FavoritesFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Jed LowrieEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, DVR, and Britt discuss a pair of eight-year extensions for two yet-to-debut shortstops -- Seattle's Colt Emerson and Milwaukee's Cooper Pratt -- before looking back at Roki Sasaki's first start of 2026 and digging into why the lofty expectations around him are unlikely to fall anytime soon. Plus, Andrew Baggarly joins the show to for our (belated, blame DVR) Giants season preview. Rundown1:50 Colt Emerson Gets Eight-Year Extension from Mariners9:33 Cooper Pratt Gets Eight-Year Extension from Brewers19:19 Examining Roki Sasaki’s First Start of 202625:45 The Weight of Expectations on Roki 33:15 Justin Verlander’s Return to the Tigers41:04 An Immaculate Inning From Michael Soroka42:43 2026 Giants Preview with Andrew Baggarly43:39 Overall Impressions of Tony Vitello Early in Year 146:03 Luis Arraez’s Long-Term Future at Second Base50:13 The Buster Posey Era: Is This Team Better Now Than It Was A Year Ago?55:32 Assessments of Landen Roupp, Tyler Mahle & Adrian Houser59:21 The Bullpen Comes Into Focus1:04:54 PECOTA’s 82-Win Projection: Too Hot, Too Cold, or Just Right?Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Britt on Bluesky: @brittghiroli.bsky.socialFollow Baggs on Bluesky: @andrewbaggarly.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Britt Ghiroli & Andrew BaggarlyEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR look back at the first weekend of the 2026 MLB season, which featured immediate ABS drama in several games and plenty of excitement at the ballpark, Plus, they discuss an extension for Nico Hoerner, as the Cubs secure another long-term part of their core, before answering mailbag questions about limiting challenges to critical counts, and what 'A' and 'B' bullpens are. Finally, they explain their process for making some of their toughest decisions for the week, and takeaways from a messy weekend in several bullpens. Rundown0:21 The Crowd Goes Wild, For ABS!: Loud Roars & the First Ejection!7:41 Righting the Wrongs: Can Aaron Judge Become Even Better with ABS? 8:57 Coming Soon: Challenge Timers & Lights? 12:42 The Cubs Extend Nico Hoerner: Six-Year, $141 Million Deal Adds to Core20:03 Jacob deGrom Scratched From Weekend Start (Neck Stiffness): Could Return This Week21:02 Will Teams Limit Challenges Based on Count?25:30 How Do Stuff+ Updates Drop on FanGraphs?27:51 Jake Irvin, Emerson Hancock & Randy Vásquez Surprise36:05 What Are ‘A’ and ‘B’ Bullpens?40:40 How We Make Our Most Difficult Lineup Decisions50:14 Pickups & Panics: Messy Bullpens & Eno’s FOMO DropRelated Reading ($)"Inside MLB’s new ABS challenge system: Which umpires, teams and players thrived and struggled" by Johnny Flores Jr.:https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7156691"Payback time for Yankees’ Aaron Judge? ABS could mean revenge after years of bad calls" by Brendan Kuty:https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7153125Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR look back at a great Opening Day packed with impressive rookie performances, and several aces showing up in the first start of the year. Plus, they walk through their process of keeping up with a season that regularly features 15 games per day, while trying to manage a combined 30 fantasy baseball teams. Rundown2:45 Tips & Tricks: How Do You Manage So Much In-Season Information?5:41 Box Score Junkies: Digging in Every Corner for Details12:57 Where Does Eno Go for His Box Scores?18:07 Will the Pirates Remain Patient with Oneil Cruz’s Defense?22:32 Big Days for Carson Benge & Brandon Lowe26:15 Joe Ryan & Trevor Rogers Shine29:59 Andrew Abbott, LODEM King31:55 Kevin McGonigle’s Four-Hit Debut; Skubal Rolls33:16 Cristopher Sánchez’s Gem35:09 A Wild Sixth Inning in St. Louis42:46 A Geraldo Perdomo Homer From the Ump Cam!49:39 Chase DeLauter & Dominic Canzone Have Two-HR Games55:27 Cam Schlittler’s Evolution: Adding Fastballs, Throwing More Breakers to Improve Stuff1:00:08 Our Guys 2026: The Players We Drafted the Most Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Trevor, and DVR celebrate Opening Day with a draft -- focusing on pitchers they believe are primed to exceed expectations this season. Plus, they discuss a rough first night for Logan Webb against the Yankees, Netflix's baseball debut, and what they're looking for as the first series of the season unfolds over the course of the weekend. Rundown0:28 Happy Opening Day!2:00 Jackson Chourio to the IL with Fractured Hand3:50 Logan Webb’s Tough Outing & Overall 2026 Expectations9:45 The San Francisco Opener: Netflix’s MLB Debut, Throwing a Big Party17:06 Mic’d Up Players in Games That Count21:40 Silver Linings for Giants24:12 Plus-Minus Draft: Which Pitchers Will Exceed Projections in 2026?53:53 What Are We Watching For in First Series?Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor MayEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, DVR, and Britt discuss an extension for Pete Crow-Armstrong with the Cubs, more red flags at Ilitch Sports & Entertainment, and Kevin McGonigle's arrival on the Tigers' Opening Day roster, before taking a spin through the American League to predict division winners, Wild Card teams, and award winners for the 2026 MLB season. Rundown0:34 Pete Crow-Armstrong: Gets Extension with Cubs6:14 More Red Flags at Ilitch Sports & Entertainment12:00 Kevin McGonigle Makes the Tigers' Opening Day Roster16:57 AL East Breakdown36:41 AL Central Breakdown53:14 AL West Breakdown1:13:14 AL Rookie of the Year Predictions 1:15:15 AL Cy Young Award Predictions1:17:11 AL MVP PredictionsFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Britt on Bluesky: @brittghiroli.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Britt Ghiroli Editor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.