Avsnitt
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Ben and Carlos wrap up their final series of organization overviews following the 2024 season with the American League West.
The two open the show with a conversation about the process behind Baseball America’s annual Prospect Handbook—which you can purchase here as a last-minute Christmas gift for yourself or a loved one!—and then get into the organization rundowns.
The two fawn over Seattle’s crop of young, up-the-middle hitting talent in one of the deepest and strongest systems they’ve covered yet, then get into an interesting discussion about who’s No. 2 in the system: the Rangers or the A’s?
After some prospect gushing about Nick Kurtz, Kumar Rocker and Sebastian Walcott, things take a turn for the worse in regards to the Angels and Astros, who seem to be battling it out for the dubious honor of No. 30 org ranking.
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Time Stamps
(0:30) Prospect Handbook process(7:00) AL West overview(8:30) Mariners(33:00) A’s(47:00) Rangers(1:08:00) Angels(1:18:00) AstrosDo you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]
Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler
Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo
Baseball America Website
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Ben and Carlos talk about the Garrett Crochet trade and break down AL Central farm systems on today’s episode. Ben lays out his case for why the Red Sox nailed this move while acknowledging a strong return going in the other direction for the White Sox.
That turns into a larger conversation about the strength of the White Sox farm system, and the two generally have positive things to say about the American League Central farms as a whole—with one notable exception.
At the end of the show the two take listener questions including: How much does Cam Cannarella’s shoulder impact his draft stock? What do we think about the draft lottery hurting the worst teams? What do we think about the Willy Adames signing and the draft capital given up to do it? Will Roki Sasaki have a deal done before January 15?
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Time Stamps
(4:00) Garret Crochet trade(10:00) White Sox return(19:00) AL Central teams(20:30) White Sox(34:30) Guardians(52:00) Tigers(1:12:00) Twins(1:30:10) Royals(1:39:00) Listener QuestionsDo you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]
Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler
Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo
Baseball America Website
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donations
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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Ben and Carlos talk briefly about the “Golden At-Bat” idea that has been floating around baseball circles, before dismissing it and moving into baseball topics you might actually care about—this week the AL East Organization Overviews.
The two talk about how strong the Red Sox farm system currently is thanks to an excellent core of hitters in the upper levels of the minors, then get into the tough-to-separate depth of the Rays. After that, the two talk about Baltimore’s still-solid, but diminishing farm and then wonder whether the Yankees or the Blue Jays are the weakest of the division.
After the team-by-team overviews the two take a few listener questions, including one on Red Sox infielder Yoeilin Cespedes and the degree to which we pay attention to body language when scouting.
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Time Stamps
(1:30) Golden At-Bat Thoughts(8:30) Red Sox(31:00) Rays(51:30) Orioles(1:05:00) Yankees & Blue Jays(1:30:30) Listener MailbagDo you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]
Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler
Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo
Baseball America Website
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Ben and Carlos talk through Ben’s recently released international bonus board for the 2025 signing class. Ben talks through his process this year and the specific challenges that persist when ranking international prospects and the two talk more about how Roki Sasaki can and will shake things up when he signs.
After that they discuss the top-ranked prospect in the 2026 draft class, Grady Emerson flipping his college commitment from TCU to Texas. Does it even matter if he’s not likely to get to campus? What does this say about Texas? And how does Emerson compare to the top high school players in the 2025 draft class and some of the best high school players in recent years?
The two talk briefly about the Dodgers signing Blake Snell, then open up a bigger-than-average listener mailbag that hits on: the Astros signing older international players; whether or not Brewers outfielder Jose Anderson should get lumped in with players like Jesus Made; the value of international competition when scouting players; the Braves internal shortstop options; and more.
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Time Stamps
(1:30) Ben’s International Bonus Board(11:50) The large Roki Sasaki caveat(18:30) The diminished Cuban talent pool(21:30) Grady Emerson(35:00) Emerson vs. other top high school players(42:00) Blake Snell’s deal with the Dodgers(48:00) Astros and older international signings(54:00) Why is Brewers OF Jose Anderson not lumped in with Jesus Made?(57:00) How do we value international competition?(1:05:00) Do the Braves have any internal SS candidates?(1:09:00) Where will IFA players rank in their team’s top 30s?Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]
Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler
Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo
Baseball America Website
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Ben and Carlos talk about Jac Caglianone’s return to the mound in the 2025 season and how they view him as a two-way player moving forward, as well as why people should stop referencing Shohei Ohtani as a comp for him—or any other player.
After that the two continue their organizational overview series with the National League West, starting with a pair of strong farm systems with the Dodgers and Rockies, and then with a trio of more questionable groups with the Padres, D-Backs and Giants.
The two open up the listener mailbag at the end of the show with question that include: sleeper bats in the 2025 draft class, international signing tax implications, potential issues with international players coming to the states and how the nitty gritty of international signings happens.
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Time Stamps
(0:01) Opening Banter(5:00) Jac Caglianone(14:00) NL West Overviews(14:30) Dodgers(17:30) Dalton Rushing(22:00) Zyhir Hope(28:00) Eduardo Quintero(30:00) Kellon Lindsey(32:00) Rockies(34:00) Chase Dollander(36:00) Charlie Condon(41:20) Adael Amador(43:00) Zac Veen & Robert Calaz(47:30) Padres(49:00) Don’t jump ship on Ethan Salas(52:00) Ethan Salas vs. Leo De Vries(55:00) Deeper Padres names(1:02:00) D-backs(1:05:30) Slade Caldwell(1:08:00) Adrian Del Castillo(1:12:00) Druw Jones(1:15:15) Giants(1:18:00) Dakota Jordan(1:21:00) Solid international moves for San Francisco(1:23:00) Carson Whisenhunt(1:25:00) Listener MailbagDo you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]
Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler
Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo
Baseball America Website
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donations
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Ben and Carlos talk about all things Roki Sasaki for the first ~30 minutes of today’s episode. How would we line up the pitching trio of Roki, Paul Skenes and Yoshinobu Yamamoto? What do we think about Sasaki’s pitch mix? He’s the best pitching prospect since… who? And how is Sasaki going to create chaos for the 2025 international signing class?
After that the two continue their organization overviews with the NL Central.
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Time Stamps
(0:00) Opening Banter(1:50) Roki Sasaki convo begins(4:30) Sasaki vs. Paul Skenes and Yoshinobu Yamamoto(6:30) Sasaki’s arsenal(13:00) A pitching-heavy top 100 list(16:00) When will Sasaki sign?(23:00) What happens to the international players of the team Roki signs with?(28:30) Where do we want Sasaki to sign?(30:30) NL Central Org Overviews(33:30) Cubs(46:00) Reds(1:06:00) Brewers(1:24:00) Pirates vs. CardinalsDo you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]
Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler
Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo
Baseball America Website
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donations
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Ben and Carlos talk about the Cesar Altagracia age fraud story and Ben gives more information about the state of the international mark as well as details of MLB’s expanded investigations into players falsifying ages.
After that, the two start their organization overview series, beginning with the National League East. With updated top 10s now live at Baseball America for each team in the division, Ben and Carlos talk through each team and try to get a feel for the state of the farm.
At the end of the show the two take listener questions with topics that include a power-armed 2026 college name to know, whether or not Billy Carlson will be a top-five pick next year and a question about 2024 Latin American signees with the best usable in-game power.
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Time Stamps
(0:00) Opening banter(5:00) Cesar Altagracia story (link Ben’s in the show notes)(10:00) Is an international draft the answer?(19:00) NL East Org Overviews(21:00) Nationals(39:00) Phillies(57:00) Mets(1:12:00) Marlins(1:28:30) Braves(1:41:00) Listener QuestionsDo you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]
Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler
Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo
Baseball America Website
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donations
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Ben and Carlos give their thoughts on the conclusion of the 2024 World Series. The two talk about Gerrit Cole’s pitching efforts throughout the postseason, the disappointing efforts from superstars Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, talk through early sleeper teams for the 2025 season and wonder about the coming Juan Soto sweepstakes.
The two then talk through the future for the Dodgers and Yankees after this matchup, and touch on a few impressive prospects like Dalton Rushing and Zyhir Hope and also about young established big leaguers like Anthony Volpe and Austin Wells.
After that the two pivot to the 2025 high school recruiting class and a few big moves on that beat, including flipped commitments from Billy Carlson and Kayson Cunningham and dig into Ben’s piece looking into the rate at which elite high school players make it to campus.
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Time Stamps
(0:00) World Series thoughts(7:00) Gerrit Cole(11:00) Shohei Ohtani & Aaron Judge(19:00) Early sleeper teams for 2025(21:00) Juan Soto sweepstakes(30:00) Dalton Rushing(35:00) Zyhir Hope(45:00) The Yankees outlook(52:30) Billy Carlson & HS recruits(57:00) How often do HS players get to college campuses?Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]
Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler
Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo
Baseball America Website
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donations
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Ben and Carlos record a milestone episode of the Future Projection podcast and reminisce on the origins of the show that started back in 2021.
The two then move into World Series mode and talk through a highly-anticipated and star-laden Dodgers-Yankees matchup. The two talk about Giancarlo Stanton’s consistent great performance in the postseason and then contrast the results that Juan Soto and Aaron Judge have had to this point in their postseason careers. Which would you rather face in crunch time?
Then the talk turns to pitching and whether or not starters or relievers will wind up being more impactful in this series before the two debate whether or not the Dodgers are a dynasty. How do the Dodgers from 2013 to now compare to the Braves team that won 14-straight divisions in the 90s and 2000s but managed just one championship?
After that the conversation turns to Andrew Painter’s re-emergence in the Arizona Fall League and talk about his prospect status at the moment, briefly discuss Noble Meyer’s control struggles in 2024 and then get into a surprisingly thorough conversation about MLB’s new experiment in the league: a checked-swing challenge system.
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Time Stamps
(1:00) The origins of Future Projection(10:30) The start of World Series talk(16:00) Giancarlo Stanton in the playoffs(18:00) Juan Soto’s consistency in the postseason(24:00) Aaron Judge vs. Juan Soto as postseason hitters(28:00) The pitching of this World Series matchup(33:00) 90s Braves vs. this Dodgers “dynasty”?(40:00) What exactly counts as being a dynasty?(43:00) Shohei Ohtani’s multi-million dollar 50-50 ball(45:00) Andrew Painter in the AFL(50:00) Noble Meyer’s control struggles in 2024(57:00) The new checked-swing challenge system—
Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]
Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler
Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo
Baseball America Website
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donations
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Ben and Carlos hop on the show to talk about the four teams standing this postseason and think through the scouting and player development lessons that can be learned from them.
The two talk about Cleveland’s ability to identify and develop domestic pitchers which helped lead to one of the best bullpens in the game, how the Dodgers’ investments on and off the field have led to sustained success, examine a strong up-the-middle position player core that the Yankees have developed and then use the Mets as an example of why you need to be patient with international prospects.
Other topics include postseason pitching strategy, Austin Wells’ going from catching question mark to defensive standout, the tremendous offense from Mark Vientos, and a listener question about international prospects who Ben expects big things from in 2025.
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Time Stamps
(2:30) Where are the starters?(6:00) Financials of the final four teams(10:30) The Guardians(25:10) Cleveland’s still-strong farm(27:00) The Dodgers(33:00) LA’s reputation for player development(39:00) The Yankees(42:00) Austin Wells’ defensive transformation—or misevaluation?(53:00) The Mets(54:00) Being patient with international prospects(1:02:20) David Stearns' impact(1:07:30) An international listener question—
Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]
Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler
Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo
Baseball America Website
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donations
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Ben and Carlos hop on the show and talk about new leadership moves for both the Giants and the Cardinals organizations. Ben wonders if Giants fans should be wary about Buster Posey taking charge in San Francisco given lack of extensive front office experience and the two also discuss the changes that could be coming for the Cardinals in the future with Chaim Bloom set to become president of baseball operations in 2026.
Where do both orgs stand with their current farm systems? How has each team drafted and done on the international signing market in recent years?
After that the two talk about Quinn Mathews and his development as a pitcher, compare him with some of the best lefthanded pitching prospects in the game, including Marlins southpaw Thomas White, and move onto a conversation about Paul Skenes and the state of the Pirates.
Was anyone particularly close to Skenes in our Rookie of the Year race? And what about those Yoshinobu Yamamoto debates before the 2024 season got started? The two then talk about the draft lottery odds being set, praise the new system that no longer incentivizes tanking and get into a trio of listener questions including: the biggest adjustments from Triple-A to the majors, thoughts on Phillies prospect Eduardo Tait and the rarity of big leaguers who perform better in the majors than the minors.
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Time Stamps
(2:00) Buster Posey taking charge in San Francisco(11:00) State of the Giants system(21:00) Chaim Bloom as the Pobo in waiting in St. Louis(27:00) State of the Cardinals system(31:00) Cardinals draft history(38:00) Quinn Mathews development(44:00) Thomas White vs. Quinn Mathews(49:00) Paul Skenes 2024 season(58:00) The Pirates system(1:08:00) Pittsburgh’s of international players(1:12:00) Draft lottery talk(1:22:00) Listener questions—
Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]
Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler
Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo
Baseball America Website
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donations
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With Arizona Fall League rosters announced, Ben and Carlos talk through some of the prospects they are most looking forward to seeing. From obvious Top 100 names like Colt Emerson, Ethan Salas and Leo De Vries, to players coming off of injury riddled seasons like Chase DeLauter and Jett Williams, and other players with huge tools like Zyhir Hope and Jac Caglianone.
After that the two talk about Kristian Campbell being named the 2024 BA Minor League Player of the Year and trace his history as a prospect. What are the lessons we can learn from his player development path and who are other prospects with similar skill sets or untapped potential who might be able to follow that path?
At the end of the show the two take listener questions about Jackson Jobe, offensive prospects to know for fantasy purposes in the 2025 and 2026 draft classes and Top 100 prospects poised to leap forward on the list in the future.
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Time Stamps
(1:30) Arizona Fall League overview(3:30) AFL players we’re most excited to see(7:00) Chase DeLauter(12:00) Zyhir Hope(21:00) Colt Emerson & Cole Young(28:00) Jett Williams(33:00) Jac Caglianone(45:00) Kristian Campbell(59:30) Players who could follow his path(1:00:00) Jacob Wilson & Nolan Schanuel(1:03:00) Jaison Chourio(1:05:00) Cooper Pratt(1:07:00) Joshua Kuroda-Grauer(1:09:00) Henry Mendez & Mike Boeve(1:13:00) Nacho Alvarez & Chase Meidroth(1:15:00) Deep Sleepers From The DSL (1:19:00) Listener Questions—
Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]
Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler
Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo
Baseball America Website
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donations
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Ben and Carlos talk about how their report writing process and then get into a conversation about standout 2024 international signees. Which players have been better than expected? Which teams seem to have particularly strong classes after a first look in the Dominican Summer League, and which teams in general scout international prospects particularly well? Ben breaks that all down.
After that the two talk about college scholarships and the potential for rosters shrinking and wonder how that will impact players, coaches, team construction, college baseball parity and the high school recruiting process.
The show closes with a great listener question about the easiest and most difficult tools to scout.
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Time Stamps
(1:00) The report writing process(12:00) Being critical of an older prospect vs younger prospect(15:00) Why no prospects have perfect reports(19:00) Jurrickson Profar’s career(24:00) International talk starts(28:00) Brewers & Jesus Made(30:00) Jose Anderson(32:00) Guardians & Gabriel Rodriguez(34:00) Robert Arias(35:00) Juneiker Caceres(37:00) Giants & Johnny Level(39:00) Oliver Tejada & Argenis Cayama(41:00) Cardinals & Branneli Franco(42:00) Rainiel Rodriguez(44:00) Which teams do the best on the international market?(47:00) Are international scouts safe from job cuts?(50:00) College scholarships and roster cutting(556:00) How even is the college landscape(1:01:00) How this impacts high school recruiting(1:12:00) Smaller schools taking a player development route(1:20:00) Listener question on scouting tools—
Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]
Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler
Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo
Baseball America Website
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donations
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The importance of scouting and projecting frames is the main portion of the show in today’s episode. Ben wonders whether or not we are too critical of superficial “bad body” players who actually have proven hitting chops, while Carlos talks about how projecting bodies might be more important for defensive profiles than anything that happens in the box. The two discuss early physical developers, hyper skinny frames, whether or not they weight physicality more or less for hitters vs. pitchers and more.
After that the two talk about how impressive Cardinals 2024 first rounder JJ Wetherholt has been in pro ball, then dig into a few other notable 24 debut performers. The two revisit their preseason 2024 drafted teams to see who has panned out better so far and then talk about the major league player of the year race.
Is Aaron Judge’s offensive dominance too much for any other player to challenge him or is Bobby Witt Jr.’s well-rounded game enough to make a defensible case for the honor. The two then talk about a few standout defensive rookies—Jacob Young and Masyn Winn—and Carlos offers up a 2025 draftee player comp to Winn to see what Ben thinks.
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Time Stamps
(1:00) Fall ball changes(4:00) Scout jobs being cut(14:30) How scouting bodies matters (Moises Ballesteros, Dasan Hill, Michael Mercado, Braden Shewmake, Alejandro Kirk, Kyle Schwarber)(26:30) Early physical developers(39:40) Deceptive body types(42:00) Body types for hitters vs. pitchers(48:00) JJ Wetherholt(52:00) 2024 Debut hitters(1:08:00) Major League Player of the Year race(1:15:00) Giancarlo Stanton’s HOF case(1:22:00) Jacob Young & Masyn Winn(1:30:00) Nationals young coreDo you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]
Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler
Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo
Baseball America Website
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Ben and Carlos hop on the show to talk through our most recent top 100 update that dropped this week, including notable up-arrow moves from a number of Red Sox prospects—most prominently Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell.
The two work through a number of risers on the list, including Chase Dollander, Kumar Rocker, Alejandro Rosario and Tyler Black, then also talk about a couple of players who have slid or fallen out of the list entirely.
Ben makes a point on potentially overvaluing athleticism in baseball, the two discuss whether or not Rhett Lowder’s pure stuff is underrated, wonder how much margin for error Thomas Harrington has and take a listener email about draft pick trading.
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Time Stamps
(1:00) Thoughts on the top 100(4:30) Roman Anthony as a complete hitter(7:30) Marcelo Mayer vs. Roman Anthony(12:00) Kristian Campbell’s ascension(19:00) Jackson Jobe and Chase Dollander as the top arms(27:30) Kumar Rocker's return(35:00) Is Rhett Lowder’s stuff underrated?(37:00) Ben’s Rhett Lowder comp(41:00) Alejandro Rosario(45:00) Travis Sykora(51:00) Tyler Black(52:00) Spencer Jones (54:00) Kevin McGonigle(55:00) Athleticism vs. hitting ability(1:00:00) Thomas Harrington (1:06:00) Leodalis De Vries (1:10:00) Bryce Eldridge(1:13:00) Listener email on pick tradesDo you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]
Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler
Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo
Baseball America Website
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donations
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Ben and Carlos are back on the mic to talk about their travels and the prospects they’ve seen over the last few weeks and months of the summer showcase circuit.
Ben breaks down a few high-upside pitching prospects from the 2026 class who wowed him this summer and Carlos does the same for two prep righties in the upcoming 2025 high school class. The two wonder if spin rate monsters are becoming increasingly common, try and see where Seth Hernandez stacks up with recent elite pitching prospects, talk through a handful of talented two-way players and more.
The show closes with a listener email about the top international prospects from the most recent class, and how Ben would line those players up in a theoretical international draft.
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Time Stamps
(1:00) Curmudgeons in baseball(5:00) Style of play vs. talent of players(8:00) Randy Arozerena having friends(10:00) What have we been up to?(11:30) Area Code Games as Ben’s favorite event(15:00) MLB Breakthrough Series at the Area Code Games(18:30) Sean Mack(20:00) Are spin rate monsters becoming more common?(26:00) Standout summer players(27:30) Savion Sims(30:40) Trey Rangel(33:00) Seth Hernandez(36:00) Where does Seth Hernandez rank in terms of elite pitching prospects?(41:00) Landon Harmon(43:00) Kruz Schoolcraft, Billy Carlson and two-way players(50:00) Dean Moss as one of the most disciplined hitters in the class(56:00) Kayson Cunningham, Gavin Fien, Eli Willits as USA standouts(1:03:00) Listener email about international prospects
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It’s almost draft day, and with that Ben and Carlos are joined by Peter Flaherty for a joint draft/Future Projection episode where the team does their best to break down round one for each team in the game.
We go through every team in the first round and talk through their potential options for this year’s draft, talk through draft strategy, debate players, talk through team philosophies and much more.
Buckle up, this is a long one and will hopefully get you ready for draft day.
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Time Stamps
(2:35) Guardians(11:30) Who would we take at 1?(17:30) Reds(19:00) Why is Jac Caglianone so polarizing for us?(25:00) Rockies(27:20) Which pitcher would you take at 3 for the Rockies?(31:00) A’s(37:00) White Sox(42:00) Royals(46:00) Cardinals(50:00) Angels(52:30) Trey Yesavage as a polished and fast-moving arm(56:00) Pirates(59:00) What’s the knock on Nick Kurtz?(1:04:00) Nationals(1:06:00) Bryce Rainer vs. Konnor Griffin(1:10:30) Tigers(1:13:00) Red Sox(1:18:00) What arms make sense for Boston if the top three are gone?(1:20:00) Giants(1:21:00) Cubs(1:25:00) Mariners(1:27:00) Jurrangelo Cijntje vs. Brody Brecht(1:31:00) Marlins(1:33:00) Brewers(1:38:00) Rays & Mets (1:40:00) Blue Jays &Twins(1:44:00) Orioles(1:45:00) Dodgers(1:48:00) Braves(1:53:00) Padres(1:55:30) Yankees(1:59:00) Phillies(2:01:00) Astros(2:03:00) D-backs(2:05:00) Rangers(2:07:00) Players we are higher and lower on—
Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]
Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler
Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo
Baseball America Website
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Ben and Carlos talk about what they’ve been up to over the last month. Ben’s been focused on the start of the summer showcase season and provides an early preview of the 2025 and 2026 high school classes, while Carlos breaks down his experience at this year’s MLB Draft combine and talks about some late-process 2024 draft class notes.
The two briefly then talk about some of the more prominent up-arrow prospects on our recently released midseason top 100 update including: Tigers pure hitter Kevin McGonigle, A’s shortstop and contact savant Jacob Wilson, Rays first baseman Xavier Isaac, Cardinals lefthander Quinn Mathews and Twins righthander Zebby Matthews.
Next Ben breaks down a few standouts from the early parts of the Dominican Summer League season and the two close the show by opening up the listener mailbag. Topics include this year’s Futures Game rosters, the Angels 2024 draft strategy, personal cheeseballs from the 2024 draft class and where the top tier of prospects is in this year’s class.
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Time Stamps
(6:00) 2026 preview(9:00) Assessing the talent of a draft class(12:00) How your ideas of players get crystallized(20:00) The 2024 MLB draft combine(25:00) Prep standouts at the combine(30:00) How the combine works(34:00) The combine’s utility for college players(39:00) Top 100 updates(40:00) Kevin McGonigle(47:00) Jacob Wilson(52:00) Xavier Isaac(55:00) Quinn Mathews(60:00) Zebby Matthews(1:05:00) DSL standouts(1:10:00) Futures Game Players To Know(1:13:00) Angels draft strategy(1:15:00) Personal cheeseballs(1:24:00) The tiers of the 2024 draft class–
Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]
Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler
Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo
Baseball America Website
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Ben and Carlos talk through two significant pillars of content that hit the site this week: the annual BA 500 for the 2024 class and our international reviews that give you all the information you need as the DSL season gets underway.
The two talk briefly about the Field of 64 and the NCAA Tournament that kicks off this weekend. Ben asks how much the tournament games can move the needle for scouting departments and the two also talk about whether or not high-pressure or clutch performances in these games bring additional value for reports or projecting a player.
After that, the two get into the BA 500 update and talk through the class, particularly the weaknesses of this year’s prep demographic. Who are the high school players we are actually confident in being selected in the first round? And what profiles are we confident in for that 10-30 range period? There are fewer options than a typical draft class.
The two also talk through a switch-pitcher on the rise and a handful of up-arrow high school arms before getting into Ben’s international reviews. He talks about the process of putting them together this year and then mentions a few lower bonus players who are trending in the right direction. Ben praises the Rockies for identifying and signing pitching talent from the international market and then dives into a few tooled up, exciting prospects to know about.
The show ends with a few notable prospect promotions and a Phillies-oriented Aidan Miller/Mick Abel debate.
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Time Stamps
(2:00) Ben’s international review process
(9:00) How much do the tournament games matter for draft stock
(12:30) Makeup and performance in high-pressure games
(15:00) Favorites for the NCAA tournament
(21:00) Draft talk/HS risks
(28:00) HS players we are confident in first round
(30:00) Where do teams pivot this year?
(35:00) Christian Moore
(39:00) Walker Janek
(41:00) Jurrangelo Cijntje
(43:00) Up-arrow HS players
(49:00) Kash Mayfield vs. Cam Caminiti
(54:00) International Reviews
(1:00:00) Lower $$ signs who are trending up
(1:05:30) International pitchers to know
(1:10:00) Rockies doing a nice job IDing INT pitching
(1:16:00) A Blue Jays offensive shortstop to know
(1:17:30) A Yankees international slugger to know
(1:20:00) A Rockies speed demon to know
(1:24:00) A Phillies catcher with a cannon
(1:30:00) Spencer Schwellenbach
(1:35:00) Noble Meyer & Thomas White
(1:45:00) Luke Keaschall
(1:50:00) Aidan Miller vs. Mick Abel
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Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]
Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler
Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo
Baseball America Website
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy -
Ben and Carlos chat about college conference tournaments and briefly get into the dreadful track record of first round first basemen in recent years. Will that impact how teams view players like Nick Kurtz and Jac Caglianone? The two talk about the SEC’s decision to roll out and experiment with a new double first base bag at the SEC tournament and then get into more serious business of prospect promotions.
There are a number of intriguing players moving up the minor league ladder including: Red Sox RHP Luis Perales, D-backs 1B Deyvison De Los Santos, Guardians LHP Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson, Cardinals LHP Quinn Mathews, White Sox LHP Noah Schultz, White Sox SS Jacob Gonzalez and Mets RHP/OF Nolan McLean.
After that Ben points out a few prospects who he thinks should be getting more hype than they are currently receiving—one an outfielder with the Orioles and the other a Guardians middle infield prospect.
At the close of the show Carlos asks Ben if he’d rather have Bobby Witt Jr. or Gunnar Henderson moving forward and the two briefly talk about the value of switch hitting and whether or not hitters should simply focus on their best sides.
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Time Stamps
(0:00) College conference tournaments
(5:00) The scary first round 1B track record
(10:00) Two bags at first base?
(16:45) Luis Perales
(22:00) Deyvison De Los Santos
(29:00) Matt Wilkinson
(35:00) Quinn Mathews
(42:30) Noah Schultz
(51:00) Jacob Gonzalez
(58:00) Nolan McLean
(1:02:00) Reggie Crawford
(1:06:20) Dylan Beavers
(1:11:00) Angel Genao
(1:15:00) Bobby Witt Jr. vs. Gunnar Henderson
(1:23:00) Switch hitting questions
–
Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]
Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler
Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo
Baseball America Website
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy - Visa fler
