The Athletic Fantasy Baseball Podcast

Derek VanRiper shares the changes coming to The Athletic's fantasy baseball podcasts for the 2023 season.Join us in the expanding Rates & Barrels feeds using the links below, or wherever you enjoy podcasts!Apple: bit.ly/AppleRandBSpotify: bit.ly/SpotifyRandBYouTube: bit.ly/YTRandB Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nando, Ian and DVR discuss Aaron Judge's return to the Bronx with a nine-year deal that paves the way for him to remain a career Yankee, the frenzy of activity around this year's Winter Meetings, how varying front-office strategies, like varying fantasy baseball strategies, make the game more fun, whether a five-year deal for Jacob deGrom should make us more confident in his chances of a healthy season in 2023, several mid-round values in early drafts, and an important update about the show. Follow Nando on Twitter: @nandodifinoFollow Ian on Twitter: @IanKahn4Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperSubscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nando, Ian and DVR discuss the end of a very successful 2022 fantasy baseball season, and a few takeaways from things that ultimately went right, before going on hiatus during the playoffs. Follow Nando on Twitter: @nandodifinoFollow Ian on Twitter: @IanKahn4Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperSubscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nando, Ian and DVR discuss a variety of topics including a potential late-season loophole in keeper leagues, a pair of rapidly-rising pitchers in the minors, trying to navigate the final days of the season while chasing a championship, Josh Jung, and staying patient with CJ Abrams. Follow Nando on Twitter: @nandodifinoFollow Ian on Twitter: @IanKahn4Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperSubscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR and Al share their takeaways from the 2022 fantasy baseball season. The steady stream of prospect promotions was one of the distinguishing features of this season, and DVR and Al consider whether this is now a lasting part of baseball's landscape, and they focus on some surprisingly impactful rookies, including Vinnie Pasquantino and Spencer Strider. They also discuss how they view this season's scarcity of players with 20-plus saves and 20-plus homers, and how they plan to approach drafting for steals in 2023 drafts.Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBBEmail us: [email protected] to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the last time during the 2022 season, DVR and Al take a look at the waiver wire options for the coming weekend. They discuss how much recent callups Ezequiel Tovar and Jordan Diaz could help fantasy managers, and they consider the types of leagues where Harrison Bader, Carlos Santana, Taylor Ward and Nate Eaton are worth adding. Luis Ortiz, Drey Jameson, Hayden Wesneski and Cody Morris are among the starting pitchers discussed, and DVR and Al then consider whether there are still any relievers worth adding for the final scoring period.Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBBEmail us: [email protected] to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nando, Ian and DVR discuss a few late-season surprises -- including Bubba Thompson's massive contributions as a source of stolen bases -- the incredible Adolis García follow-up, Eloy Jiménez's ceiling and 2023 appeal, gut reactions on 'liking v. not liking' a player, and Aaron Judge reaches the 60-homer milestone. Follow Nando on Twitter: @nandodifinoFollow Ian on Twitter: @IanKahn4Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperSubscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR and Al take a look at the hitters who had the largest year-to-year increases and decreases in their barrel rates. Among the top risers discussed are Aaron Judge, Yordan Alvarez, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Christian Walker, while Ronald Acuña Jr., George Springer, Tyler O'Neill and Avisaíl García are some of the fallers considered.Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBBEmail us: [email protected] to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR and Al break down the FAB options on this penultimate waiver wire episode. They discuss recent callups Josh Jung and Mark Vientos, as well as the Rockies' possible callup for Ezequiel Tovar. They also discuss Elvis Andrus' remarkable comeback and several outfielders and catchers who may still be free agents. Brayan Bello, Ryne Nelson and Drey Jameson are among the free agent pitching options, and DVR and Al also consider some starters in the Orioles' and Cubs' rotations. They finish up with an update on the Rays' and Marlins' closer situations.Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBBEmail us: [email protected] to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nando, Ian and DVR discuss rebelling relievers, George Washington taking the side of Mark Kotsay, growing excitement for the playoffs, Michael Harris II's soaring stock, tightly clustered wins, the growing case for working with a co-manager, and another gem from D-backs rookie Ryne Nelson. Follow Nando on Twitter: @nandodifinoFollow Ian on Twitter: @IanKahn4Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperSubscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.