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

From Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball The Athletic

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.

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Rundown

1:40 Jackson Merrill Gets Paid!

6:47 Jed’s Takeaways from Opening Series Trip to Japan

16:00 Changing and Experimenting with Bats

22:43 Why the 'Torpedo' Bat Hasn't Taken Off Sooner

25:19 Rafael Devers' Slow Start to 2025

34:04 Players Who Have Moved Their Contact Point Up (Toward Pitcher)

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