Making Sense of Disappointing Hitters From 2023

Eno and DVR discuss several disappointing hitters from the 2023 season with an eye toward their rebound potential and long-term outlook. </p><br /></p><strong>Rundown</strong></p>4:17 Carlos Correa: Did Injuries Sap Overall Performance?</p>13:58 Daulton Varsho: Going Too Far with Pull-Heavy, Flyball Approach?</p>28:02 MJ Melendez: Is More Power on the Way?</p>32:47 Eloy Jiménez: Will He Hit Enough Without OF-Eligibility in Some Leagues?</p>39:04 Trevor Story: Optimism in Underlying Numbers Post-Injury?</p>47:32 Paul Goldschmidt: It's All Relative</p>54:01 Cedric Mullins: Is 2021 or 2022 Still in Reach?</p><br /></p>Subscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrels</p><br /></p>Subscribe to The Athletic for just $1.99/mo for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels</p><br /></p>Check this offer from our sponsor:</p><ul><li><strong>Caldera Lab: Get 20% OFF with code RATES at calderalab.com</strong></li></ul> </p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a></p>

01:07:32

Missing on Adolis García & Mostly Pleasantly Surprising Hitters of 2023

Eno and DVR discuss the upcoming World Series matchup between the Diamondbacks and Rangers, and how they drastically underestimated Adolis García when he broke through as a regular for Texas two years ago. Plus, they examine several hitters that were pleasant surprises in 2023 (and one disappointment thanks to lofty expectations). </p><br /></p><strong>Rundown</strong></p>1:26 Assessing the D-backs-Rangers World Series Matchup</p>9:09 Brandon Pfaadt's Postseason Surge; 2024 Outlook</p>13:25 Why We Underestimated Adolis García</p>20:02 Chas McCormick's Breakout</p>27:17 Buying Lane Thomas' Career Year as Repeatable?</p>33:56 Spencer Steer's Future Outlook</p>41:57 Attempting to Make Sense of Cody Bellinger's Bounceback</p>48:03 Does Vlad Jr. Still Offer an Elite Ceiling?</p>56:40 Would You Rather Have Triston Casas than Vlad Jr.? (No....at least, probably not.)</p><br /></p>Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris</p>Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper</p>e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com</p><br /></p>Subscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrels</p><br /></p>Subscribe to The Athletic at $1.99/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels</p> </p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a></p>

01:04:56

Jordan Montgomery, Nola v. Snell, & October Injury Updates

Eno and DVR discuss the recent success of Jordan Montgomery and changes he's made since leaving the Yankees via trade in 2021, Aaron Nola v. Blake Snell as real-life free agents and for 2024 fantasy value, and several offseason injury updates including shoulder surgery for Brandon Woodruff and Kyle Wright, knee surgery for Byron Buxton, turf toe surgery for Jazz Chisholm Jr., and more. </p><br /></p><strong>Rundown</strong></p>1:40 Jordan Montgomery 3.0 & Future Outlook</p>7:53 An Intriguing Market for Free Agent Pitchers Awaits</p>11:05 Clayton Kershaw's Health</p>13:08 Shoulder Capsule Surgery for Brandon Woodruff & Kyle Wright</p>18:40 Justin Verlander is a Top-___ Pitcher in 2024</p>24:29 Nathan Eovaldi's Postseason Success; Challenging Projection</p>29:34 Blake Snell v. Aaron Nola</p>41:25 'Sitting Slow': How the Astros Hit Sonny Gray?</p>44:31 Byron Buxton Undergoes Knee Surgery</p>52:05 Kim Ng Chooses to Part Ways with Marlins</p>58:36 Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s Turf Toe Surgery; Chisholm v. Varsho in 2024?</p><br /></p>Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris</p>Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper</p><br /></p>Subscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrels</p><br /></p>Subscribe to The Athletic for just $1.99/mo for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels</p> </p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a></p>

01:10:46

The Year in Review

Eno and Welsh talk season winners, value risers, league offense numbers, elite average player totals and a little AFL talk around Jackson Jobe.</p><br /></p><strong>Rundown</strong></p>Jackson Jobe - 6:14</p>Fantasy Awards - 13:23</p>Mailbag Question Jazz vs Chourio - 25:02</p>RP values from 2023 - 39:11</p>Super player averages - 44:22</p><br /></p><br /></p>Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris</p>Follow Welsh on Twitter: @isitthewelsh</p><br /></p>Subscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrels</p><br /></p>Subscribe to The Athletic for just $1/mo for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels</p> </p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a></p>

01:05:50

Final Streamers and Looking Back at 2023

Eno and Al wrap up the Friday edition of the show for 2023 by recommending a handful of streamers for the final weekend and reviewing the trends that made this season an interesting one from a fantasy perspective. Specifically, they look at how the regulation of shifts and increase in stolen bases affected the fantasy landscape, and they looked back on a busy season for prospect debuts.</p><br /></p>Rundown</p>1:06 The latest news</p>6:26 Streamers for the final weekend</p>11:04 The latest news, continued</p>20:06 Looking back at 2023: The rule changes</p>33:21 Looking back at 2023: The never-ending Prospect-Palooza</p>45:44 Some ERA risers and fallers</p>48:33 Final thoughts</p><br /></p>Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris</p>Follow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBB</p><br /></p>e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com</p><br /></p>Subscribe to The Athletic at $1/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels</p><br /></p>Subscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrels</p> </p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a></p>

00:57:28

The Last Week Before Fall League

Eno and Welsh talk final week hitters and pitchers to stream and the release of the Arizona Fall League rosters.</p><br /></p>Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris</p>Follow Welsh on Twitter: @isitthewelsh</p><br /></p>Subscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrels</p><br /></p>Subscribe to The Athletic for just $1/mo for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels</p> </p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a></p>

01:09:41

The Final FAB and Sandy Alcantara’s Possible Return

Eno and Al take their final look at weekly FAB, identifying players to target to help out in the season’s concluding week. They also discuss Max Fried’s move to the IL as well as Shane Bieber’s return and Sandy Alcantara’s timetable, and they talk about their expectations for Rays prospect Junior Caminero, who is set to make his major league debut.</p><br /></p>Rundown</p>1:24 IL comings and goings: Max Fried, Sandy Alcantara, Shane Bieber</p>12:42 The rest of the big news</p>20:47 How to approach the final FAB</p>24:14 Hitters to consider</p>37:41 Starters to target</p>45:03 Closer Corner</p><br /></p>Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris</p>Follow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBB</p><br /></p>e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com</p><br /></p>Subscribe to The Athletic at $1/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels</p><br /></p>Subscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrels</p> </p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a></p>

00:52:43

Injuries, Awards and Prospects

Eno and Welsh are talking Ohtani's injury, Snell's CY Young bid, streaming options Thur/Fri, prospects and more</p><br /></p>Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris</p>Follow Welsh on Twitter: @isitthewelsh</p><br /></p>Subscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrels</p><br /></p>Subscribe to The Athletic for just $1/mo for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels</p> </p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a></p>

01:08:14

Heston Kjerstad’s Debut and Tommy Pham’s Late-Season Surge

Eno and Al look into the fantasy viability of recent callups Heston Kjerstad and Pete Crow-Armstrong, and they identify several hitters who could and should still be added in 10- and 12-team leagues. They also prioritize which starting pitchers are worth adding for the stretch run and discuss the Cubs’, Rays’ and Cardinals’ bullpen situations.</p><br /></p>Rundown</p>1:00 Heston Kjerstad is the latest top prospect to debut</p>9:58 Pete Crow-Armstrong’s debut and other big news items</p>27:37 Other hitters to consider</p>36:42 Two-start pitchers and streamers</p>50:53 Closer corner</p><br /></p>Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris</p>Follow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBB</p><br /></p>e-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com</p><br /></p>Subscribe to The Athletic at $1/month for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels</p><br /></p>Subscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrels</p> </p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a></p>

00:58:54

Bring up the Kids

Eno and Welsh discuss the injury to Jasson Dominguez, Pete-Crow Armstrong's call to the majors, the Brewers almost 11-inning no-hitter, pitchers for the week and more.</p><br /></p>Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper</p>Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris</p>Follow Welsh on Twitter: @isitthewelsh</p><br /></p>Subscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrels</p><br /></p>Subscribe to The Athletic for just $1/mo for the first year: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels</p> </p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a></p>

01:05:21