Projections Are a Liar Sometimes!

Eno, Jed, and DVR discuss a few spring news items including Gerrit Cole's return to game action with his first outing for the spring, plus updates on Seiya Suzuki, José Ramírez, and Zach Neto. Plus, they host their ever 'Plus-Minus Draft', selecting their favorite hitters primed to exceed their projections during the upcoming season. Rundown2:31 Gerrit Cole Makes Spring Debut5:41 Seiya Suzuki: PCL Strain; Opening Day Status TBD9:50 Updates: José Ramírez & Zach Neto10:33 The 2026 Hitter Projections Draft13:02 DVR Takes Acuña at 1.1; Was That a Mistake?28:04 Jed’s Case for Wyatt Langford Being Underprojected31:52 Mike Trout?! In This Economy?40:15 Banking Heavily on Youth43:51 Andy Pages & Jed’s Emphasis on Defensive Value46:02 Eno Targets Evan Carter & Matt McLain48:11 Surprised that Jed Added Rafael Devers?49:53 James Wood & Colton Cowser to DVR53:37 Have We Underrated Colson Montgomery’s Debut?56:13 Shopping in the Low WAR Projection Bin: Cam Smith1:04:29 Notable Omissions From This DraftFollow 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, Trevor, and DVR discuss Venezuela's thrilling win over Team USA in the World Baseball Classic Final on Tuesday including the impressive outing from Eduardo Rodríguez, an incredibly close play on Javier Sanoja's ninth-inning steal of second base, and a swing from Eugenio Suárez that will have a permanent place in Venezuelan baseball history. Plus, Lance Brozdowski joins the show to discuss his recent pitching development survey, teams that appear to be headed in the right direction for the future, and a few prospects on the rise including potential keeper and dynasty league sleepers. Rundown0:13 Venezuela Brings Home Its First WBC Title12:20 A Great Celebration of Baseball17:13 Mark DeRosa's Future as Manager & Tactical Limitations for Tournament21:43 About That Lack of Joy From Team USA25:23 Lance Brozdowski Joins the Show! (Lance's Survey: https://lancebroz.substack.com/p/2026-mlb-pitching-development-rankings-acqusition-lance-brozdowski-best-pitching-organizations-coaches-executives-survey)26:19 Best Organizations for Pitching Development & Acquisition 29:11 How Much Did Past Reputation Influence Guardians’ & Rays’ Rankings?31:59 Varying Timelines in Pitching Development36:40 How Quickly Can Teams Improve Their Development?39:44 Is Alignment Underrated In Organizational Success?49:45 What Results Do You Look at to Measure Minor League Success?55:13 Who Will Likely Move Up In These Rankings in the Near Future?57:48 The Marlins Are Doing Things Their Way1:04:44 Can the Cardinals Improve Faster Than Expected?1:09:25 A Few of Lance’s Favorite Pitching Prospects Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.socialFollow Lance on Bluesky: @lancebroz.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor May & Lance BrozdowskiEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Britt, and DVR say goodbye to Team Italy after their fun run in the World Baseball Classic came to an end Monday night against Venezuela, before attempting to predict the headlines that will come from Tuesday's Final between Venezuela and the United States, and wondering if it's time for the Fox booth to move on from John Smoltz . Plus, they discuss a trio of players that Britt expects to break out in 2026, and wonder if the Padres' rotation will be a problem throughout the season with Joe Musgrove headed to the IL to begin the year. Rundown1:05 Venezuela Defeats Italy in Semifinals; Reaches First WBC Final6:42 What Will We Be Talking About Tomorrow From the WBC Final?15:05 John Smoltz Doesn’t Sound Like He’s Enjoying the Tournament22:39 Britt’s Breakouts for 202640:55 Joe Musgrove to Open the Season on the IL47:43 Are the Padres Playoff-Bound This Season?Follow 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 GhiroliEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss an exciting weekend in the World Baseball Classic including Venezuela's win over Japan, and a U.S.-Dominican Republic game that left Fernando Tatis Jr. in the on-deck circle as a missed call behind the plate punched the Americans' ticket into the final. Plus, they catch up on a few spring injuries, and discuss sleeper starting pitchers (outside the Top 250 overall in recent drafts), before checking in with Senior Hot Correspondent and Ottoneu Founder Niv Shah about Cody Ponce, Harry Ford, and a few relievers getting a lot of draft-season love on the platform. They also preview a few intriguing matchups for this year's 'Taste of the Majors' stand Nationals Park. Rundown1:33 Venezuela Defeats Japan in WBC Classic to Advance to Semis5:33 USA-Dominican Republic; Disappointed by Cory Blaser’s Missed Call11:29 Every Bullpen Spot Matters12:53 Seiya Suzuki: Leaves Early Saturday with Knee Discomfort15:26 Injury Updates: Zack Neto, Jeremy Peña, José Ramírez, Francisco Lindor & Corbin Carroll21:33 Sleeper Starting Pitchers 38:55 Spring Training Stuff+ Risers46:25 Where Does Rankings Confidence Begin to Slide?53:00 Niv Shah is Back!55:13 Interest in Cody Ponce Following KBO Success?1:02:11 Buying Harry Ford as a 2026 Sleeper?1:05:48 'Niv's Guys for 2026'1:08:50 Advanced Scouting for 'Taste of the Majors' at Nats Park1:19:25 Still Time to Pick Up an Ottoneu Team for 2026!Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Niv on Bluesky: @ottoneu.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Niv ShahEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR and Eno catch up on news from Dodgers camp, an injury creating opportunity in the Brewers' rotation, listener league draft results focusing on players our leagues drafted earlier (and later). Plus, they are joined by Ron Shandler, founder of Baseball HQ and author of 'Fantasy, Reconstructed' to discuss innovating in fantasy baseball game design, his preferred draft-day tools, a few players he's been targeting this draft season, and the challenges of quantifying risk. Rundown2:20 Smelling Hops: Barebottle is Brewing Another Kayaker’s Cove!4:06 Fabian’s Dodgers Notes: Snell, Ohtani & Wrobleski10:34 Josh Hader to Open 2026 on the IL; Bryan Abreu Helium15:39 Quinn Priester’s Injury Opens Up Opportunity in Milwaukee22:05 Rates & Barrels Listener League Drafts: ‘Our Guys’ 44:09 The Fixers: Undervalued Save Sources52:26 The Fixers: Making Up Ground in Stolen Bases1:02:07 Interview with FSWA & FSGA Hall-of-Famer Ron Shandler1:03:06 Inspiration for ‘Fantasy, Reconstructed’1:08:03 Getting Buy-In to Try New Things in Your Leagues1:13:17 Re-creating the Monthly Salary Cap Fun of Shandler Park1:19:07 Ron’s Preferred Draft-Day Tools1:22:50 Who Is Standing Out as Undervalued in Ron’s Draft So Far?1:26:33 The Challenge of Quantifying RiskFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Ron on Bluesky: @bb4caster.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Ron ShandlerEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Italy's 4-0 run through Pool B propelled Team USA into the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic, and Team Canada have reached the quarterfinals for the first time following a decisive win over Cuba. Eno, Trevor, DVR, and Stephen Nesbitt discuss the four quarterfinal matchups on tap, and share their final predictions for the tournament as the knockout stage gets underway. Rundown0:18 Italy Sweeps Pool B, Canada Advances to Quarterfinals!2:31 Korea vs. Dominican Republic (Friday, 6:30p ET)15:45 USA vs. Canada (Friday, 8:00p ET)29:10 Puerto Rico vs. Italy (Saturday 3:00p ET)37:26 Venezuela vs. Japan (Saturday 9:00p ET)47:10 Final Predictions to Win This Year’s WBC Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.socialFollow Stephen on Bluesky: @stephenjnesbitt.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor May & Stephen NesbittEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Jed, and DVR discuss Italy's stunning Tuesday night win over Team USA in Houston, Mark DeRosa's gaffe in believing Team USA was already in the quarterfinals prior to Tuesday's game, and big news around MLB including surgery for Hunter Greene, an extension for Jesús Luzardo, the Phillies' delicate balance of keeping their window open around the current core, and the rising price of a win in free agency. Rundown0:47 Italy Stuns Team USA in Houston6:35 Uh Oh, DeRo11:45 Aaron Nola Takes the Ball for Italy; Wednesday Matchups13:53 Nolan McLean Struggles Against Lefties16:23 Hunter Greene: Out 14-16 Weeks Following Surgery24:59 Jesús Luzardo: Signs Five-Year, $135M Extension w/Phillies41:52 Elite Players, Aging & Big Contracts54:40 SEAGER & The Importance of Swing Decisions Beyond ChaseFollow 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.

Britt Ghiroli returns to join Eno and DVR to discuss another great moment for Czechia's Ondřej Satoria in Tokyo, a big inning that propelled Team USA past Mexico in Houston on Monday night, and the apparent shared interest of MLB and the MLBPA in finding a way for major league players to participate in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Rundown5:54 Ondřej Satoria Gets Another Great WBC Moment in Tokyo11:25 Eyes on Italy vs. Mexico on Wednesday13:57 Recapping USA vs. Mexico 18:02 Olympic Qualifying From World Baseball Classic20:59 Solving the Logistical Issues of a Midseason Break36:15 Starting Pitching Matchups for Tuesday’s Key WBC Games41:19 Risks vs. Incentives: How Does the Equation Change in July?48:00 Luzardo Extension, Good News for Corbin Carroll & Bad News for Hunter GreeneFollow 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 GhiroliEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss the excellent games throughout pool play of the World Baseball Classic -- including a pair of walk-off homers over the weekend before digging into a few spring headlines with the first round of 'News or Noise' of 2026. Eno also drops a fresh Stuff+ leaderboard from spring games, featuring two largely overlooked pitchers in the NL Central. Rundown2:56 WBC Pool Play Has Delivered! 23:13 Spring News & Notes: Jackson Chourio, Rafael Devers & Lawrence Butler28:25 News or Noise? Position Players Still in Competitions36:05 Kodai Senga’s Velocity Jump37:37 Bailey Ober’s Velocity Drop40:28 Kyle Harrison’s Eight-K Performance Sunday44:05 New Pitches for Hunter Barco47:09 Didier Fuentes Returns to Spring Action50:24 Spring Training Stuff+ LeaderboardFollow 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#baseball #fantasybaseball #worldbaseballclassic2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Jed, and DVR discuss an elbow injury that has bothered Hunter Greene since the end of last season, another positive PED test for Jurickson Profar, Starling Marte's fit in the Royals' outfield mix, and the importance of contact point as more swing metrics enter the public sphere -- including max bat speed. Rundown1:28 Does A 52-Yard Hole-In-One Count?
4:31 Hunter Greene: Will Have Elbow Evaluated
10:42 Jurickson Profar: Suspended 162 Games for Second Positive PED Test
16:33 Starling Marte’s Fit in Kansas City
22:35 Max Bat Speed & The Impact of Contact Point
34:55 Fixing Mechanics in a Controlled Environment
48:20 Jed & Eno: Commish for a Day, Rebuilding Spring TrainingFollow 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.