Which Hitters Have Seen and Hit the Best Pitching?
Which Hitters Have Seen and Hit the Best Pitching?  
Podcast: Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball
Published On: Fri May 22 2026
Description: It’s Fantasy Friday, and with trade season heating up, fantasy managers are getting antsy to make moves. Eno and DVR break down which hitters have faced the nastiest stuff so far this season — and which ones have still managed to thrive. Plus, the guys discuss the risk-reward proposition of paying up for Colt Emerson in redraft leagues, before taking a closer look at the struggles of two key Royals bats: Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez.Rundown:0:35 Allergy Season is Trade Season! Time to Wheel and Deal6:40 Strength of Schedule: Which Hitters Have Hit the Best Stuff?10:08 Opportunity to Buy? Which Hitters Have *Seen* The Best Stuff?14:20 Salvador Perez’s Struggles: A Familiar Start After Early 2025 Slump?22:36 Colt Emerson Outlook: Bidding Big Where Available?27:37 A Hitter Toss-Up: Luis García Jr. vs. Nolan Gorman32:12 Catcher Injuries: A Few Replacements to Consider36:40 Vinnie Pasquantino’s Poor Start: What’s Happening Here?41:46 Good Projections vs. Bad Results: When Do You Pass on Projections?47:55 Pitchers of Interest: Troy Melton & Jared Jones, A Few StreamersSome big name hitters are struggling and the pitchers they’ve faced may explain why:https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7298365Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.