Episode 22: The Top Pitching Prospects In Baseball & Candidates For Top Pitcher In 2023

It’s a busy week! Ben and Carlos chat about the international free agent signing period over the weekend and what Jan. 15 itself is like from Ben’s perspective (spoiler, it’s a ton of texting). Ben talks about players switching teams before the signing period and why and how that happens. After that, the two discuss the class and then pivot to Carlos’s recently released top 100 draft list for the 2022 class. They discuss the interesting conversation between Druw Jones, Termarr Johnson and Elijah Green at the top of the class, and also get into where the class looks strong and weak overall with some discussion of big risers like James Madison outfielder Chase DeLauter. After that, in anticipation for our top 100 release, the top pitching prospects in baseball are discussed: including Grayson Rodriguez, Shane Baz and George Kirby. The two then make their best guesses as to which players could compete for the title of best pitching prospect in baseball a year from now. Candidates include Jack Leiter and Eury Perez among others. After discussing a group of prep bats who will land among the top 50 and have done nothing but impress in their brief pro careers, the two take listener questions including, ‘Which college catchers have the best tools?’ and ‘Who is the best under-20 prospect in the Giants’ system?’ Time Stamps Intro/Banter (0:00:01) What international signing day is like from Ben’s perspective (0:01:14) 2022 draft class talk (0:18:19) Druw Jones vs. Termarr Johnson vs. Elijah Green (0:26:09) Grayson Rodriguez vs. Shane Baz vs. George Kirby (0:49:52) Candidates for top pitching prospect in 2023 (0:56:11) The curious case of Austin Martin (1:12:41) A cluster of top-50 prep bats off to great starts we really like (1:21:20) Mailbag! (1:28:46) Links Top 100 2022 Draft Prospects 2021-2022 International Bonus Big Board 2022 IFA Signings Tracker JJ’s story breaking down the MLB top 100 prospect incentive proposal Carlos’s story on five up-arrow draft prospects Geoff’s story on Landon Sims and other 2022 RHP’s stuff The No. 1 case for Julio Rodriguez The No. 1 case for Adley Rutschman The No. 1 case for Bobby Witt Jr. Future Projection on Apple (please rate and review the show!) Follow us on Twitter: @FutureProPod 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