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.

Rundown

1:55 Commissioner’s Corner: Move Weekly Pickups to Thursday Night!

8:37 Context is Key: James Wood Reveals 2025 Injuries

11:34 Checking In on the Rays: Observations Through Two Series

18:59 He’s Back! The Return of Shane McClanahan

23:59 Efficiency FTW: Drew Rasmussen Has a New Changeup

28:15 Early-Season Matchups: What Matters When Considering Pitchers?

34:24 Another Bat Speed Riser: Interest Level in Luisangel Acuña

37:29 Weekend Waiver Preview: Starting Pitchers We’re Considering

41:55 The Roster Bubble Starting Pitchers (40-60% Rostered)

48:23 Digging Deeper (20-40% Rostered)

53:26 Looking for Saves: Assessing Relievers in Flux

56:45 Cautious with Hitting Surprises? Buying Jordan Walker’s Adjustments?

Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social

Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social

Follow Jason on Bluesky: @jasoncollette.bsky.social.

e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com

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Host: Derek VanRiper

With Guest Co-Host: Jason Collette

Editor: 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.

Rundown

0:26 Baseball's Top Prospect Gets the Call: Konnor Griffin to Debut on Friday

3:54 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 Million

19:40 How Pitchers Impact a Hitter's Bat Speed

29:56 Does Fast Swing Rate Against Pitchers Tell Us More than Average Bat Speeds?

35:03 New Pitches: Pitchers With Better Outlooks Thanks to New Offerings

57:18The Rangers' Nacho Sombrero is Real?!

Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social

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e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

With: Trevor May

Editor: 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.

Rundown

0:48 Umpire Love: Jed’s Favorite Ump Still in Circulation

2:00 The Opposite of Umpire Love: C.B. Buckner’s Laughably Bad Call

3:50 Make a Mistake? Own It! Mark Wegner Owns Up to Missed Strikeout

10:10 Sho and Tell: Shohei Ohtani Increases Curveball Usage in First Start of 2026

15:33 Other News & Notes: DeLauter’s Scare, Eflin’s Exit & deGrom’s Velo

18:09 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 Favorites

Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

With: Jed Lowrie

Editor: Jason Potere

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