Eno and DVR discuss Rafael Devers' rejection of a move to first base and answer a few mailbag questions -- including an intriguing reason the Dodgers' Stuff+ numbers may be lagging in public models -- before examining several waiver-wire options to consider ahead of the weekend.

Rundown

4:30 Rafael Devers Rejects a Move to First Base

10:56 The New Pope is a White Sox Fan, 2025 Chances?

13:15 Is Dodgers' Low Stuff+ This Season Just Being Ahead of Public Models?

20:29 Why is David Robertson Still a Free Agent?

22:38 Does Trent Grisham Have Shallow League Appeal?

36:29 A Waiver-Wire Leaderboard for This Weekend's Bats

49:39 Adjusting Age for Players Switching Roles?

53:01 Weekend Pitcher Leaderboard

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper

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Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss the Pirates' decision to fire manager Derek Shelton after a 12-26 start and wonder how making a change in that role will can make an impact. Plus, they dig into the slow start for Roki Sasaki and wonder if he can improve his fastball command and make a tweak to his pitch mix on the fly to get better results over the course of his rookie campaign, before drafting struggling starting pitchers and discussing a great piece about Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz from Alex Chamberlain of FanGraphs.

Rundown

1:10 The Pirates Fire Manager Derek Shelton

8:54 The Overall Struggles Under Bob Nutting's Ownership

15:44 Injury Follow-Ups: Hunter Greene, Dylan Cease, Corbin Burnes, Yordan Alvarez & William Contreras

18:30 Checking In on Roki Sasaki

24:24 Comps for Roki Sasaki's Fastball

32:49 What's the Role *If* the Dodgers' Rotation Gets Healthier?

36:40 A Four-Round Rebound Pitchers Draft

54:16 A Great Read About Andrés Muñoz'

Andrés Muñoz Is an Analytical Blind Spot' by Alex Chamberlain of FanGraphs: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/andres-munoz-is-an-analytical-blind-spot/

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

With: Trevor May

Producer: Brian Smith

Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper

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Eno, DVR, and Jed discuss a brutal day at the office for Ryan Pressly and Chase Meidroth, before looking at the Orioles' sluggish start to 2025 and the rash of injuries that have played a role along the way, as well as the organization's approach to pitching. Plus, they talk about the changes in Seattle where the Mariners have put together a top-five offense to begin the season, and wonder if new philosophies will make that improvement stick all year.

Rundown

1:24 Ryan Pressly's Historically Bad Day

13:18 Bouncing Back From a Blunder

19:29 It Actually Happens...A Lot

32:38 Making Sense of a 13-21 Start in Baltimore

40:14 What Would You Have Done Differently?

50:34 The Mariners Have Been a Top-Five Offense

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

With: Jed Lowrie

Producer: Brian Smith

Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper

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Will Sammon joins Eno and DVR to discuss the Mets' increasing distance from 'LOL Mets' thanks to their continued growth in pitching development throughout the organization. Plus, they discuss the ongoing questions around Brett Baty, Luisangel Acuña's path to lock down the second-base job, and changes to Mark Vientos' approach that haven't paid off yet. Plus, they discuss bloated ratios, Dylan Cease's bad luck to begin 2025, and Jasson Domínugez as a long-term target.

Rundown

2:11 Clay Holmes' Excellent Start to 2025

5:56 Griffin Canning's Relatively Simple Adjustments

11:49 Taking Small Market Success Into a Big Budget Situation

14:33 Tylor Megill's Short & Long-Term Changes

17:27 David Peterson is the Mets' Andrew Abbott

21:06 Questions Around the Mets' Bats

27:24 Trading Bat Speed for an All-Fields Approach?

37:04 Hope for Damaged ERA and WHIP?

44:26 What's Going On with Dylan Cease?

49:56 Jasson Domínguez: Still a Long-Term Target?

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

With: Will Sammon

Producer: Brian Smith

Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper

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Eno and DVR discuss the surprising early May demotion to Triple-A for Jake Burger, and look at some of the biggest movers on the O-Swing% leaderboard from 2024 to 2025. Plus, they discuss another injury for Mike Trout, Jazz Chisholm's shift to the IL, and a few intriguing names to consider on the waiver as the weekend begins.

Rundown
3:40 Jake Burger Optioned to Triple-A
10:02 O-Swing% Changers: 2024 to 2025; The Rangers' Aggressive Approach
16:59 Mike Trout Placed on the IL
24:37 The Angels' Curious Late-Inning Bullpen Management
30:06 Jazz Chisholm Jr.: Oblique Injury Leads to IL Trip
35:19 Updates on Gelof, Ohtani, Darvish & Buehler
41:15 Pitchers to Consider
50:22 Shelby Miller's Path for Saves Opens Up

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

Producer: Brian Smith

Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper

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Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss the strike zone, which is shrinking in 2025. They dig into why that changes have taken place and consider a few implications of that adjustment. Plus, they look at a trio of underperforming starting pitchers through the first month of the season including Zac Gallen, who may have started a turnaround Thursday against the Mets, Sandy Alcántara, and Aaron Nola.

Story from Jayson Stark, Ken Rosenthal, Eno & several writers from The Athletic MLB team ($): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6328105

Rundown
2:32 Is The Strike Zone Really Shrinking?
4:36 Where Is The Strike Zone Getting Smaller?
13:23 Adjusting the Game to Increase Offense & Balls in Play
20:52 Walk Rates Don't Fluctuate Much
29:59 Zac Gallen: Adjustments Already Happening?
38:16 Sandy Alcántara: A Typical Post Tommy John Command Lag?
45:14 Aaron Nola: Is the Ceiling Coming Down Again?
52:00 Eno's Greatest Fear

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

With: Trevor May

Producer: Brian Smith

Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper

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Eno, DVR, and Jed discuss a story from David Adler of MLB.com about Aaron Judge's batting stance adjustments throughout an elite calendar year at the plate. Plus, they look at four hitters off to great starts to determine if there is more than just a fast start under the hood.

Join Our Six Picks Group -- Session 2 begins Thursday May 1st!
https://ottoneu.fangraphs.com/sixpicks/league/67 (password: froggy)

David Adler's Batting Stance Breakdown for Aaron Judge:
https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-judge-batting-stance-change-statcast-breakdown

Rundown
2:44 Aaron Judge's Changing Stance Around Massive Year
15:15 Building a Breakout, Jacob Wilson?
25:30 Jung-Hoo Lee: Producing Despite Dip in Bat Speed
33:52 Jonathan Aranda: Setting In for Big Year in Tampa?
46:39 Cedric Mullins: A Second Breakout at 30?

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

With: Jed Lowrie

Producer: Brian Smith

Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.