The Athletic Fantasy Baseball Podcast

Derek VanRiper shares the changes coming to The Athletic's fantasy baseball podcasts for the 2023 season. Join us in the expanding Rates & Barrels feeds using the links below, or wherever you enjoy podcasts! Apple: bit.ly/AppleRandB Spotify: bit.ly/SpotifyRandB YouTube: bit.ly/YTRandB Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nando, Ian and DVR discuss Aaron Judge's return to the Bronx with a nine-year deal that paves the way for him to remain a career Yankee, the frenzy of activity around this year's Winter Meetings, how varying front-office strategies, like varying fantasy baseball strategies, make the game more fun, whether a five-year deal for Jacob deGrom should make us more confident in his chances of a healthy season in 2023, several mid-round values in early drafts, and an important update about the show. Follow Nando on Twitter: @nandodifino Follow Ian on Twitter: @IanKahn4 Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nando, Ian and DVR discuss the end of a very successful 2022 fantasy baseball season, and a few takeaways from things that ultimately went right, before going on hiatus during the playoffs. Follow Nando on Twitter: @nandodifino Follow Ian on Twitter: @IanKahn4 Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nando, Ian and DVR discuss a variety of topics including a potential late-season loophole in keeper leagues, a pair of rapidly-rising pitchers in the minors, trying to navigate the final days of the season while chasing a championship, Josh Jung, and staying patient with CJ Abrams. Follow Nando on Twitter: @nandodifino Follow Ian on Twitter: @IanKahn4 Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR and Al share their takeaways from the 2022 fantasy baseball season. The steady stream of prospect promotions was one of the distinguishing features of this season, and DVR and Al consider whether this is now a lasting part of baseball's landscape, and they focus on some surprisingly impactful rookies, including Vinnie Pasquantino and Spencer Strider. They also discuss how they view this season's scarcity of players with 20-plus saves and 20-plus homers, and how they plan to approach drafting for steals in 2023 drafts. Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBB Email us: fantasypods@theathletic.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the last time during the 2022 season, DVR and Al take a look at the waiver wire options for the coming weekend. They discuss how much recent callups Ezequiel Tovar and Jordan Diaz could help fantasy managers, and they consider the types of leagues where Harrison Bader, Carlos Santana, Taylor Ward and Nate Eaton are worth adding. Luis Ortiz, Drey Jameson, Hayden Wesneski and Cody Morris are among the starting pitchers discussed, and DVR and Al then consider whether there are still any relievers worth adding for the final scoring period. Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBB Email us: fantasypods@theathletic.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nando, Ian and DVR discuss a few late-season surprises -- including Bubba Thompson's massive contributions as a source of stolen bases -- the incredible Adolis García follow-up, Eloy Jiménez's ceiling and 2023 appeal, gut reactions on 'liking v. not liking' a player, and Aaron Judge reaches the 60-homer milestone. Follow Nando on Twitter: @nandodifino Follow Ian on Twitter: @IanKahn4 Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR and Al take a look at the hitters who had the largest year-to-year increases and decreases in their barrel rates. Among the top risers discussed are Aaron Judge, Yordan Alvarez, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Christian Walker, while Ronald Acuña Jr., George Springer, Tyler O'Neill and Avisaíl García are some of the fallers considered. Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBB Email us: fantasypods@theathletic.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR and Al break down the FAB options on this penultimate waiver wire episode. They discuss recent callups Josh Jung and Mark Vientos, as well as the Rockies' possible callup for Ezequiel Tovar. They also discuss Elvis Andrus' remarkable comeback and several outfielders and catchers who may still be free agents. Brayan Bello, Ryne Nelson and Drey Jameson are among the free agent pitching options, and DVR and Al also consider some starters in the Orioles' and Cubs' rotations. They finish up with an update on the Rays' and Marlins' closer situations. Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBB Email us: fantasypods@theathletic.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nando, Ian and DVR discuss rebelling relievers, George Washington taking the side of Mark Kotsay, growing excitement for the playoffs, Michael Harris II's soaring stock, tightly clustered wins, the growing case for working with a co-manager, and another gem from D-backs rookie Ryne Nelson. Follow Nando on Twitter: @nandodifino Follow Ian on Twitter: @IanKahn4 Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR and Al look into the hitters who saw the largest surges and drops in their strikeout rates from 2021, and they see if those changes could make any difference in their 2023 fantasy value. Among the strikeout rate fallers discussed are Taylor Trammell, Javier Báez, Alec Bohm and Josh Rojas, while Jo Adell, Trevor Story, Matt Olson and Byron Buxton are some of the strikeout risers considered. Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBB Email us: fantasypods@theathletic.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR and Al discuss where fantasy managers should add a pair of Rangers callups -- top prospect Josh Jung and 24-year-old catcher Sam Huff. They also talk about Triston Casas' fantasy appeal, the chances for a rebound from Yoán Moncada and Mets hitters who could benefit from a favorable schedule. They consider the streaming and longer-term appeal of rookie pitchers Hunter Brown, Cody Morris and Ryne Nelson and how to approach Bailey Falter's upcoming two-start week. Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBB Email us: fantasypods@theathletic.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nando, Ian and DVR discuss Lewis Brinson's opportunity with the Giants, Felix Bautista's soaring long-term value, the benefits of the O's decision to move back the fences in left field, Juan Soto's missing power since being traded to San Diego, a case for CJ Abrams as a late-season pickup in redraft leagues, Aaron Judge v. Shohei Ohtani in the AL MVP battle, faint praise for Matt Manning, and Spencer Strider's ascent to ace status. Follow Nando on Twitter: @nandodifino Follow Ian on Twitter: @IanKahn4 Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR and Al look back (and a little bit ahead) on the 2022 seasons produced by rookie pitchers. They focus on Spencer Strider, George Kirby and Shane Baz as starters who could be fantasy aces in the near future, and they also look at some rookie starters who made strong cases for their fantasy draft status in 2023, including Reid Detmers and Nick Lodolo. DVR and Al also try to make sense of mixed seasons from McKenzie Gore, Aaron Ashby and others, and they discuss rookie relievers, such as Félix Bautista, Jhoan Duran and Andrés Muñoz, who could make an even bigger impact next season. Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBB Email us: fantasypods@theathletic.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are there waiver options to target beyond Corbin Carroll and Gunnar Henderson? DVR and Al discuss the bevy of players who are worth pursuing in the coming weekend's FAB bidding, and they also talk about whether Carroll or Henderson would be their highest priority, Included in the discussion are September additions Oswald Peraza, Spencer Steer, Ken Waldichuk, Cody Morris and Hunter Brown, and they also talk about which Cardinals hitters to target, given their favorable upcoming schedule. Also, is Jimmy Herget the best waiver wire reliever for saves right now? Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBB Email us: fantasypods@theathletic.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR and Al take a look at this season's still-evolving class of rookie hitters. They consider the case to be made for Julio Rodríguez and Bobby Witt Jr. as 2023 first-round picks and look into the future fantasy value of several other rookies, including Adley Rutschman, Jose Miranda, Nolan Gorman, Riley Greene and Oneil Cruz. They also discuss several rookie hitters who may deserve more attention, including Nolan Jones, Christopher Morel and Joey Bart. Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBB Email us: fantasypods@theathletic.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nando is back with Ian and DVR to discuss Hunter Brown's late-season opportunity with the Astros, a thinning pool at second base -- differing expectations for Nolan Gorman in Year 2 -- premiums for positional scarcity, and the best owner in baseball preparing to walk away. Follow Nando on Twitter: @nandodifino Follow Ian on Twitter: @IanKahn4 Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR and Al discuss the major league debuts of Corbin Carroll, Garrett Mitchell and Cade Cavalli and assess their fantasy appeal for the remainder of this season and for the longer term. They also take their final look at prospects whose status has risen in 2022, including Jackson Chourio, Kyle Manzardo and Tanner Bibee. Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBB Email us: fantasypods@theathletic.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR and Al consider whether it's worth stashing Orioles infield prospect Gunnar Henderson, now that it's anticipated that he will make his debut sometime this season, and they discuss whether it's still worth adding Manuel Margot, Lars Nootbaar, Albert Pujols and Keston Hiura. They also talk about where to add Nationals pitching prospect Cade Cavalli, as well as two-start pitchers like Matt Manning and Spenser Watkins. DVR and Al wrap up with a discussion of the closer situations for the Padres, Cubs, Astros and Rays. Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBB Email us: fantasypods@theathletic.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR and Al revisit their strategies for drafting saves heading into the 2022 season and ask whether targeting elite closers like Josh Hader and Liam Hendriks was worth it. They also consider some emerging candidates for saves for 2023. DVR and Al also discuss how they went about addressing the stolen base category this season and look at the future fantasy viability of players like Thairo Estrada, Nico Hoerner and Cody Bellinger. Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow Al on Twitter: @almelchiorBB Email us: fantasypods@theathletic.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: bit.ly/AthleticFantasy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.