Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

It’s time to talk prospects, as some of baseball’s brightest young stars inch closer to the big leagues while others gear up for a run to the College World Series. Today, Eno and DVR are joined by The Athletic Senior Baseball Writer Keith Law to break down his latest prospect rankings, discuss the pitching development trends shaping organizations across MLB, and look ahead to the player who could top his prospect list in 2027.
Rundown:
1:13 Franklin Arias: Getting To Power Regularly at Double-A
5:18 Projecting Future Power: What Does Keith Look For?
8:51 Ethan Salas: Back on Track in the Padres’ System
10:48 Felnin Celesten: Another Physical Projection Question
15:45 A Future No. 1? Josuar Gonzalez Dominating ACL
19:25 Shorter Outings in Pitching Development
22:43 Concerns About Limitations in Spinning the Ball?
24:48 Seattle Boasts Keith’s Top Two Pitching Prospects
30:17 Do Current Struggles Impact Future Assessments?
38:44 Edwin Arroyo Gets the Call
40:45 Ralphy Velazquez: Real Power Coming Through Cleveland System
46:09 Which Teams Skew Heavily Toward Hitters or Pitchers?
50:18 Players & Teams to Watch: It’s Super Regional Time in CWS
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
Follow Keith on Bluesky: @keithlaw.bsky.social
e-mail: [email protected]
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
With: Keith Law
Editor: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Things are looking up for two aces: Cristopher Sánchez and Jacob Misiorowski. After dominant performances throughout May, both have emerged as early frontrunners in the NL Cy Young race. Today, Eno and DVR break down what's fueling their success, while also examining which hitters made the biggest leaps at the plate from April to May. Later, the guys dig into the disappointing seasons of Bo Bichette and Austin Riley, and examine whether either star can turn things around before the year is over.
Rundown:
0:40 Eno’s Trip to Firestone Walker Invitational
4:31 The Miz & Cristopher Sánchez Go Off in May
6:37 Jake Bauers’ Approach Against Imai’s Slider
11:00 Imai Pitched Well Again
12:30 Yankees Send 18 to Plate During 13-Run Third Inning
18:21 Elly De La Cruz to the IL
20:11 Garrett Crochet Setback
27:00 Rafael Devers Turns It Around in May
32:25 Carson Benge is Clicking
37:02 Context is Key: Down Months Are Normal
40:30 The Long Game: Does Combo Bad Finish, Slow Start Worry Us?
46:29 Ildemaro Vargas, Jose Fernandez & Liam Hicks Cool Off
49:30 Bo Bichette’s Struggles
53:08 Austin Riley’s Quiet Start
57:38 One-Year wRC+ Leaderboard: The Most Surprising Bat in the Top-Five?
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
e-mail: [email protected]
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Editor: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An Astros pitcher accomplished something this week that hadn’t been done since 1892. Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville break down the historic feat, explain where Bumpus Jones fits into the story, and discuss what made it so remarkable with Sunday Night Baseball voice Jason Benetti. The guys also talk about Benetti’s chaotic travel schedule, how the ABS challenge system is changing the way he calls games, and the baseball cliché he can’t stand.
Rundown:
1:26 Joey Votto’s Visit to Starkville
4:40 The Miz Brings the Heat
8:13 Jason Benetti Joins the Show
9:19 Benetti’s Chaotic Travel Schedule
15:25 NBC’s Sunday Night Baseball Coverage
31:39 The ABS Challenge System
36:19 The Up-and-Down Detroit Tigers
38:31 Tigers Manager A.J. Hinch
41:40 Favorite (and Least Favorite) Cliché
44:46 Strange But True with Jason Benetti
Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.social
Follow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.social
E-mail: [email protected]
Starkville Hotline: (347) 313-8371
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Jayson Stark & Doug Glanville
With: Jason Benetti
Producer: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Major League Baseball and the MLBPA have officially opened negotiations on a new labor deal, and while both sides are talking, they’re nowhere close to seeing eye to eye. Today, Eno and DVR break down the league’s initial proposals, the union’s response, and why these talks could stretch deep into the offseason. Later, Ottoneu founder and Senior Hot Dog correspondent Niv Shah joins the show to discuss the latest Ottoneu leaderboard — and explain why he refused to eat the hot dog fries.
Rundown:
0:44 And It Begins: MLBPA & Owners Present First Offers
10:42 Inevitable Lockout: Does That Mean Lost Games?
16:30 Sell-High Starting Pitchers: We’re All Looking at the Same Numbers!
26:45 Dustin May’s Turnaround: Buying In with Increased Cutter Usage?
28:10 Jared Jones is Back! Returning Friday Night vs. Minnesota
33:08 Hitters to Consider: Another Thin Week for Bats?
42:36 Niv Shah Joins the Show
42:52 Hot Dog Fries: Why Did Niv Pass?
44:45 What in the World Is This?
49:25 Taste of the Majors: The New York Mets Dog is a Hit!
51:08 Ottoneu Points Leaderboard: Learning From This Year’s Pleasant Surprises
1:01:38 Timing is Everything: Keeper League Windows are Open!
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
e-mail: [email protected]
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
With: Niv Shah
Editor: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After breaking out last season, Nolan McLean has come back down to Earth a bit in 2026. Today, Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss whether the Mets right-hander still has future ace potential. Plus, the guys dig into Andrew Painter’s progress, Bubba Chandler’s arrival, and what JR Ritchie’s return to Triple-A means for his long-term outlook. Later, they tackle perhaps the biggest question on today’s show: What the heck is going on with Paul Skenes?
Rundown:
1:15 Checking In on Nolan McLean
11:52 Pitches That Move *Too Much*?!
19:32 Andrew Painter’s Progress
26:40 Corbin Burnes’ Fastball Tweaks Might Help
32:23 Bubba Chandler’s Arrival
38:45 JR Ritchie’s Outlook After Return to Minors
46:58 Quick Pitches: Andrew Alvarez, Trevor McDonald & Coleman Crow
53:43 Paul Skenes’ Changes: Is Everything OK?
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
Follow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.social
e-mail: [email protected]
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
With: Trevor May
Editor: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.