Eno and DVR discuss Cody Bellinger's return to the Cubs on a short contract with multiple opt-outs, the start of TGFBI, a busy first weekend of spring action that featured a lot of new pitches, and a lot of information about velocity and iVB changes. Plus, they dig into the importance of working backwards when building out draft-day roster construction plans. 

Rundown
5:32 Cody Bellinger Re-Signs with the Cubs
17:37 A Live First-Round Pick from Eno’s TGFBI Draft
22:56 Two (!) New Pitches for Hunter Greene
28:02 Cole Ragans’ Improved Fastball Ride in Spring Debut
34:02 Carlos Rodón Has a New Cutter
39:55 Quick Thoughts on Strikeout Park Factors
46:03 Draft Strategy: Working Backwards, or At Least From the Middle
57:15 Looking for Late Power, Without Sacrificing Average

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Cody Bellinger Goes Back to the Cubs, Spring Games Begin, & Working Backward for Draft Strategy

Eno Sarris and Derek VanRiper discuss advanced stats and fantasy baseball strategy, prospects, and more. From the first move of the Hot Stove season to the final pitch of the World Series, join us for year-round baseball talk.

Sports

Baseball

Eno, Trevor and DVR discuss Christian Scott ahead of his debut against the Rays, and four surprising starting pitchers that have put up great numbers over the first month-plus of the season. They also examine the unique challenges of hitting in Seattle -- and try to determine why the park consistently boosts strikeouts -- before building a game plan to pitch to Elly De La Cruz.

Rundown
1:10 Christian Scott Debuting Saturday
3:45 Jack Flaherty: Career-Best K%, BB% & SwStr%!
14:07 Spencer Turnbull: Can He Maintain the Elevated K%?
21:48 Tanner Houck’s Breakout
29:38 Is Zack Littell’s Approach Meshing Well in Tampa?
35:42 What Makes Hitting in Seattle So Difficult?
55:15 Building a Game Plan: Elly De La Cruz

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e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com

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Surprising Starting Pitchers, The Challenge of Hitting in Seattle & How to Pitch to Elly De La Cruz

Eno and DVR discuss several news items including a trip to the IL for Grayson Rodriguez, the return of two other Baltimore starters, more knee trouble for Byron Buxton, and several rehabbing pitchers. Plus, they examine the missing power from Ronald Acuña Jr. this season, strength of schedule considerations, and several players to consider as waiver-wire targets as the weekend approaches.

Rundown
4:53 News & Notes: Grayson Rodriguez, John Means, Byron Buxton
12:48 Suspensions & Rehab Updates: Shane Baz, Taj Bradley & Walker Buehler
20:11 Ronald Acuña Jr.'s Currently Missing Power
25:13 Factors to Consider in Strength of Schedule
30:52 Fluctuations in Lineup Quality Due to Absences
35:08 Toughest Stuff+ Faced This Season
41:57 Project Prospect: Tyler Black, Jordan Beck, Jackson Jobe, Paul Skenes & Heston Kjerstad
57:24 Weekend Waiver Preview: Wenceel Pérez, Nick Senzel, Jacob Young & Pitching Darts/Matchup Plays

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e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com

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A Search for Acuña's Missing Power, Strength of Schedule & Waiver Targets

Eno, DVR and Britt discuss Mike Trout's knee injury, José Abreu's demotion to West Palm Beach, the Twins' unusual home-run celebration, and the newest additions to the City Connect uniform lineup, before taking a look at the Nationals' current rebuilding efforts. 

Rundown
1:12 Mike Trout Has a Torn Meniscus; Looked Like He Was 'Back'. Before Injury
9:46 José Abreu Optioned to rookie-level West Palm Beach
18:09 Bring Food to Home-Run Celebrations?
22:22 Thoughts on Mets, Rays City Connects
29:49 How Far Along Is the Nats' Rebuild?
45:21 Early-Season Series of Note: O's-Yankees, Rays-Brewers & Dodgers-D-backs

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e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com

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Is the Nationals' Rebuild Ahead of Schedule?

Eno and DVR discuss promotions for Joey Loperfido and Pete Crow-Armstrong, the impact of the ABS strike zone and Triple-A, big movers among top hitters in DVR's upcoming hitter rankings, concern about Corbin Carroll's power outage, and fallout from another weekend of waiver-wire adds and drops.

Rundown
2:33 Joey Loperfido Promoted to Houston
7:35 The Impact of Triple-A ABS Strike Zone on Strikeouts and Walks
17:32 Injury Updates: Kyle Bradish, Vaughn Grissom & Taj Bradley
25:55 Elly De La Cruz Moving Up Redraft Rankings
33:11 Concern Level About Corbin Carroll's Shoulder, Lack of Pop
39:24 Nolan Jones Struggles + IL Stint
41:53 Where the Money Went: Jo Adell & Pete Crow-Armstrong
51:26 Tempering In-Season Bids w/Streamers vs. Players That Might Stick
58:03 Frequently Dropped Players From the Weekend

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e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com

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Promotions, Triple-A Strikeout and Walk Rates & Early Hitter Movers

Eno and DVR are joined by Mets pitcher Adam Ottavino to discuss sweepers, pitch design and development, and the success he had during a long run in Colorado. Plus, they examine the quick demotion for Jackson Holliday, several surprising starting pitchers, and hitting metrics that move the needle despite limited samples from the first month of the season.

Rundown
0:21Adam Ottavino Joins the Show!
8:44 How Adam Throws His Sweeper
16:35 Citi Field's Unique Park Factors Based on Game Time
21:22 Players Entering the Game with More Pitches, Even as Relievers
27:11 Jackson Holliday Sent Back to Triple-A
36:57 Erick Fedde's Successful Return to MLB from a One-Year Stint in the KBO
43:01 Ranger Suárez's Early K% Jump
47:37 Graham Ashcraft: Casey Mize in Reverse? Ks Preceding Better Ratios?
51:24 What Matters for Hitters in Smaller Samples?

Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris
Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper
e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com

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-Join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes!
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Cody Bellinger Goes Back to the Cubs, Spring Games Begin, & Working Backward for Draft Strategy

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