
How Much On-Field Information is Too Much?
About this episode
Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss a new tool — the Pitching Pairing tool from FanGraphs Lab — as a great visualization for tunneling and a way to better understand how pitchers are attacking opposing hitters. Plus, they explore adjustments that can be made by position on the pitching rubber, which gives pitchers a way to manipulate their horizontal approach angle. Finally, they discuss a recent piece from Ben Lindbergh at The Ringer, wondering if increased on-field information for players and tactics like calling pitches from the dugout have gone too far.
0:42 Cole Ragans Avoids Major Injury
5:15 FanGraphs Labs’ New Pitching Pairing Tool
11:45 Establishing the Fastball
18:16 How Sandy Alcantara is So Effective
25:58 Horizontal Approach Angle
43:20 On-Field Information: How Much is Too Much?
Related Links
The Pitching Pairing Tool at FanGraphs Labs: https://www.fangraphs.com/lab/paired-pitches
“A Visual Primer on Horizontal Approach Angle (HAA” by Alex Chamberlain: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/a-visual-primer-on-horizontal-approach-angle-haa/
“Keep MLB Front Offices Away From the Field” by Ben Lindbergh: https://www.theringer.com/2026/03/23/mlb/keep-mlb-front-offices-off-the-field-pitch-calling-scouting-cards
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get every episode summarized
Each time Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

Weekend Waiver Preview: Robby Snelling Gets the Call!
Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

Quantifying Deception & The Rays’ Fast Start
Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

What Is Happening with Fernando Tatis Jr.?
Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

Can the Tigers Survive the Absence of Tarik Skubal?
Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball