Jackson Merrill's Extension, Rafael Devers' Slow Start & The Importance of Contact Point

Jed Lowrie makes his Rates & Barrels debut to join Eno and DVR and to discuss Jackson Merrill's nine-year extension with the Padres, Jed's trip to the season opening series in Japan between the Dodgers and Cubs, the early-season struggles of Rafael Devers, and hitters that have moved their contact point up (toward the pitcher) thus far in 2025. Please participate in our listener survey! theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 (Three lucky entries will receive £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers!)Rundown1:40 Jackson Merrill Gets Paid!6:47 Jed’s Takeaways from Opening Series Trip to Japan16:00 Changing and Experimenting with Bats22:43 Why the 'Torpedo' Bat Hasn't Taken Off Sooner25:19 Rafael Devers' Slow Start to 202534:04 Players Who Have Moved Their Contact Point Up (Toward Pitcher)Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Jed LowrieProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.