Episodes

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Ben and Carlos complete their divisional prospect breakdown with the AL West. The two analyze each team’s farm system, talk about the strengths and weaknesses, get into some of the top players and more. — Time Stamps: (0:00) Intro & Prospect Handbook Talk (4:45) Mariners (31:30) Athletics (59:30) Rangers (1:19:00) Astros (1:33:30) Angels Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com. Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average 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

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Let’s open the listener mailbag. To get into all of your questions, Ben and Carlos shake up the Future Projection formula and give you a 30-minute episode exclusively with listener questions. Where would Roch Cholowsky slot onto the top 100 prospects list right now? Who are our favorite pure hitters in the 2026 class? What do we think about Texas catcher Carson Tinney and his summer struggles? And will the Braves take a pair of high school pitchers in 2026? If you have questions of your own, send them to us with the contact info below. — Time Stamps: (0:30) Where would Roch Cholowsky rank on the top 100? (9:00) Who are our favorite technicians at the plate in the 2026 class? (18:00) What do we think about Carson Tinney’s poor production in the Cape? (21:00) Will the Braves take two high school arms? Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com. Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average 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

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Ben and Carlos continue their divisional prospect breakdown with the AL Central. The two analyze each team’s farm system, talk about the strengths and weaknesses, get into some of the top players and more. — Time Stamps: (0:00) Intro (2:00) Draft lottery (9:20) AL Central talk (10:45) Tigers (40:40) Guardians (1:03:10) Twins (1:24:30) White Sox (1:50:00) Royals Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com. Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average 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

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Ben and Carlos continue their divisional prospect breakdown with the AL East. The two analyze each team’s farm system, talk about the strengths and weaknesses, get into some of the top players and more. — Time Stamps: (0:00) Intro (5:30) AL East overview (8:00) Red Sox (33:30) Orioles (58:00) Blue Jays (1:16:00) Rays (1:36:00) Yankees Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com. Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average 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

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Ben and Carlos throw the mailbag wide open and take a variety of listener questions ahead of Thanksgiving. The two put grades on Thanksgiving dishes and also spend plenty of time talking about prospects, scouting, baseball jargon, sleepers, potential position switches, draft busts, personal cheeseballs and more. — Time Stamps: (0:00) Intro (3:00) Thanksgiving food grades (14:00) What do we mean by hitterish? (28:30) Biggest personal cheeseball hits? (35:00) Pitchers beyond the first round who could pop (43:00) Who has the best command in the 2026 class? (50:00) Is travel ball a scam? Has it been good or harmful? (1:00:00) Biggest draft busts? (1:12:50) Should Rainiel Rodriguez move off catcher? (1:14:30) Who are the top 2027 northeast arms to know? Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com. Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average 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

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Ben and Carlos continue their divisional prospect breakdown with the NL West. The two analyze each team’s farm system, talk about the strengths and weaknesses, get into some of the top players and more. — Time Stamps: (0:00) Intro (5:30) Dodgers (31:40) Giants (56:30) D-backs (1:18:00) Rockies (1:41:10) Padres Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com. Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average 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

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Ben and Carlos continue their divisional prospect breakdown with the NL Central. The two analyze each team’s farm system, talk about the strengths and weaknesses, get into some of the top players and more. — Time Stamps: (0:00) Intro (8:00) Brewers (41:00) Pirates (1:00:00) Cardinals (1:25:00) Reds (1:42:00) Cubs Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com. Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average 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

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Ben and Carlos kick off their annual farm system review series with the NL East. The two talk through each farm system, discuss development and acquisition trends, break down the top players in each system and try to talk through where players and orgs will rank in the greater prospect landscape. — Time Stamps: (0:00) Quick World Series recap (3:00) Rockies struggles (13:00) Mets (40:00) Marlins (1:02:00) Nationals (1:18:00) Phillies (1:42:00) Braves Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com. Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about Trey Yesavage’s lights out start in the World Series and think back to draft day when he fell further than expected to the Blue Jays at 20. The two talk about how medical questions impact the decision-making process for signing players and then turn to the AFL. Which high-performing hitters from the league are we buying and which are we selling? The two then briefly touch on some of the managerial hires around the league and answer a listener question about scouting shortstop defense. — Time Stamps: (0:00) Intro (3:00) Trey Yesavage’s slide on draft day (13:00) Where will Yesavage rank on the 100 (14:30) Do doctors have too much say in the draft room? (22:00) Who’s running the room on signing decisions? (31:30) AFL standouts (32:00) Esmerlyn Valdez (36:30) Josh Adamczewski (42:00) Luke Adams (51:00) Seaver King (58:00) Max Anderson (1:00:30) Kevin McGonigle (1:03:30) MLB managerial hires (1:12:30) What are the “three” things we look for with shortstops? Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com. Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the official news that Tennessee coach Tony Vitello is moving to the majors and discuss some of the strategic managerial lessons that can be learned from this year’s postseason. The two then talk about our October draft update and explore some of the question marks in the 2026 class beyond Roch Cholowsky and Grady Emerson. The two discuss a handful of their favorite sleeper candidates to move into the first round and then take a listener question about batter handedness. — Time Stamps: (0:30) Tony Vitello news (6:15) Implications for the Giants (13:00) Strategic lessons to learn from the ALCS (20:00) More thoughts on MLB bullpen management (28:00) Draft class talk (35:00) Justin Lebron & Tyler Bell (39:00) College pitching (44:00) High school pitching (53:30) Players who have a chance to jump into the first round (1:06:00) Valuing lefty hitters and righty hitters Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com. Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the finalists for the 2025 gold glove awards and talk about the players’ defensive backgrounds leading up to now. Who were the no-brainer gold glove winners as amateurs, and who are the players who surprise us now that they are? After that the two talk about some of the top minor league candidates to win future gold glove awards. They also talk about 2027 high school catcher Will Brick jumping into the 2026 class and wonder where all the high school catching talent has gone in recent years. Finally they tackle a few listener questions. — Time Stamps (0:00) Intro (2:00) Gold glove nominees (4:30) Catchers (Alejandro Kirk and Patrick Bailey) (15:20) First base (Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bryce Harper) (21:00) Second base (Brice Turang, Xavier Edwards) (24:40) Third base (Matt Shaw, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Ryan McMahon) (32:00) Shortstop (Corey Seager, Mookie Betts, Bobby Witt Jr.) (48:00) Left field (Wyatt Langford, Tyler Soderstrom) (52:00) Center field (Pete Crow Armstrong, Ceddanne Rafaela, Jacob Young, Julio Rodriguez) (1:02:00) Right field (Fernando Tatis Jr., Sal Frelick, Corbin Carroll) (1:07:00) Will Brick and high school catchers (1:22:00) Minor league gold glove candidates (1:37:00) Grady Emerson & Jacob Lombard vs. Max Clark & Walker Jenkins (1:42:00) LSU and Tennessee 2027 recruiting classes Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com. Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the Arizona Fall League and the degree to which it matters. The two pick out a few players they are excited about in the league, then turn to Ben’s piece on hitting standouts in the Dominican Summer League. The two compare and contrast top prospects like Josuar Gonzalez and Elian Peña to draftees like Ethan Holliday and Eli Willits, then take listener questions including: should we give Angel Genao and Cam Collier mulligans? Is Joshua Baez’s breakout legit? And what do we look for when trying to find out if a prospect is breaking out? — Time Stamps (0:00) Intro (3:30) Arizona Fall League (14:00) Statcast data in the fall league (15:30) Names we are excited about in the AFL (22:10) Dominican Summer League Standouts (24:00) Josuar Gonzalez (27:00) Josuar Gonzalez vs. Eli Willits (31:20) Juan Sanchez (34:00) Diego Tornes (39:00) Diego Tornes vs. Tate Southisene (45:00) Elian Pena vs. 2025 drafted shortstops (50:00) Angel Genao & Cam Collier’s stock (57:00) Joshua Baez (1:04:00) How do we identify huge prospect jumps like Cam Schlittler’s? Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com. Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the Tony Vitello to the majors rumors and think about the skills that would or wouldn’t translate from the college game to the majors. Should MLB teams be looking for more managers from the college ranks? And why don’t we see more MLB/college coaching crossover in general? The two then discuss which of the current MLB manager vacancies would be the most and least appealing. — Time Stamps (0:00) Cam Schlittler (10:30) Tony Vitello, big league manager? (17:00) The value of college head coaches vs. MLB managers (25:00) Lifestyle of college jobs vs. MLB managers (37:30) The media scrutiny of an MLB manager (40:00) Should major league teams recruit college coaches more frequently? (51:00) Pat Murphy as a successful example (55:00) Which MLB manager jobs are the most/least appealing? (1:02:00) The Rockies & the Coors Field problem (1:09:30) A question about MLB ball adjustments Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com. Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about Konnor Griffin’s Minor League Player of the Year season. The two then think through how long it will take for the Pirates to become competitive, and wonder which last place team in the league is best-positioned for future success. The two talk about the upcoming draft lottery and its implications and also discuss the automated ball-strike challenge system that is heading to MLB in 2026. Ben also tackles a listener question about the state of the Rays international scouting operation. — Time Stamps (0:00) Intro (5:00) Konnor Griffin PotY (10:25) State of the Pirates (20:30) Last place teams (40:30) Draft lottery odds (50:00) Which team would Roch Cholowsky impact the most (1:04:15) ABS challenge system (1:29:20) Rays international scouting question Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com. Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about MLB’s new mandated dead period for scouting domestic players and then talk about the Nationals GM search and the state of the organization. After that the two talk about a number of 2025 draftees who are off to slow starts in their pro debuts—plus a handful of strong debuts—then briefly talk about some of the more impressive minor league seasons. — Time Stamps (0:00) Intro (5:00) MLB’s Dead Period For Draft-Eligible Players (23:00) The state of the Nationals (37:30) 2025 debut results (39:00) Ethan Holliday (43:00) Tate Southisene (45:00) Kayson Cunningham (49:30) Eli Willits (52:30) Ike Irish (55:10) Aiva Arquette (57:50) Dax Kilby (1:00:20) Brendan Summerhill (1:03:00) Andrew Fischer (1:05:30) Kane Kepley (1:08:00) Devin Taylor (1:11:08) Konnor Griffin, Kevin McGonigle (1:20:00) Cam Caminiti (1:24:00) David Shields (1:27:55) Kendry Chourio (1:31:30) Rainiel Rodriguez Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com. Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average 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

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Ben and Carlos talk through some of the notable movers on the August Top 100 prospects update and then get into a few standouts from Carlos’ trip out West for the 2025 Area Code Games. The two discuss Konnor Griffin vs. Kevin McGonigle for No. 1 status, talk about JJ Wetherholt’s pure hitting ability and wonder if Walker Jenkins is now a bit underrated. After that Ben makes a case for Thomas White as the best pitching prospect in the minors. The two talk through a few players in the 50-100 range for the Mets and Orioles, then Carlos highlights a few 2026 and 2027 draft standouts from one of the biggest showcase events on the calendar. We also take a listener question about shortstops sticking at the position. — Time Stamps (1:00) Top 100 update (4:30) JJ Wetherholt (11:00) Konnor Griffin vs. Kevin McGonigle (15:00) Walker Jenkins (25:00) Thomas White (31:30) Carson Benge (36:30) Elian Pena (40:10) Dylan Beavers (45:00) Nate George (50:00) Area Code Games (1:18:00) Listener Shortstop Question Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com. Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the 2025 East Coast Pro showcase. The two break down some of the standout players who Carlos saw at this year’s event, featuring a full lineup’s worth of players to dig into. Ben also picks out a projection sleeper he’s excited about who could potentially take a big step forward. — Time Stamps (0:00) Intro (6:30) Conner Salerno (11:00) Coleman Borthwick (16:30) Gio Rojas (24:00) Phinn Waters (32:30) Mickey Gilligan (34:00) Aiden Ruiz (39:00) Keon Johnson (45:00) John Lindsey (47:30) Christian Serrano (51:00) EJ Booth (58:00) Trevor Condon (1:02:00) Malachi Washington (1:08:00) Drew Christine (1:17:00) The advancement of stuff for HS pitchers Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com. Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the Leo De Vries trade and a few other notable transactions at the signing deadline, then move into a conversation about the summer showcase circuit which gets started in earnest this week with the East Coast Pro and next week with the Area Code Games. — Time Stamps: (3:00) The Leo De Vries Trade (17:00) Other trades we're intrigued by (20:00) A sneaky add for the Twins (26:00) East Coast Pro & Area Code Games (39:00) The value of summer performance (44:00) The players who miss the summer (48:30) Rocco Maniscalco and youth at the draft (1:00:00) outro banter Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average 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

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Ben and Carlos hop on the show to review the entirety of the 2025 draft. The two briefly talk about their initial thoughts on how the draft went and discuss why they don’t care if players come to the draft in person or not. After that they get into the picks, go team by team and discuss each draft class in more detail. Time Stamps: (12:00) Nationals (21:00) Angels (29:00) Mariners (34:00) Rockies (39:25) Cardinals (42:55) Pirates (47:30) Marlins (49:50) Blue Jays (52:30) Reds (57:00) White Sox (1:02:00) Athletics (1:05:00) Rangers (1:10:50) Giants (1:14:25) Rays (1:22:20) Red Sox (1:26:40) Twins (1:32:00) Cubs (1:38:20) Diamondbacks (1:35:30) Orioles (1:49:20) Brewers (1:53:30) Astros (1:56:20) Braves (2:02:15) Royals (2:05:50) Tigers (2:14:00) Padres (2:16:15) Phillies (2:21:00) Guardians (2:27:00) Mets (2:30:30) Yankees (2:33:20) Dodgers Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average 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

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Ben and Carlos are joined by Peter Flaherty for our annual draft preview episode. The three work down the draft board and talk about all the latest rumors, profiles and players attached to each team. The group talks through most of the players we expect to see early on the first day of the draft, discuss different draft strategies and work through player debates. Whether you’re a full-fledged draftnik or just want some insight on what your team might do, this podcast should have you covered for draft day. Time Stamps: (2:10) Nationals (17:30) Angels (24:50) Mariners (32:30) Rockies (37:15) Cardinals (43:30) Pirates (50:00) Marlins (1:01:45) Reds (1:07:00) White Sox (1:13:30) A’s (1:15:00) Rangers (1:22:00) Giants (1:25:00) Rays (1:29:20) Red Sox (1:33:00) Twins (1:39:30) Cubs (1:44:00) D-backs (1:50:00) Orioles (1:57:30) Brewers (2:01:00) Braves (2:06:00) Royals (2:09:30) Tigers (2:12:00) Padres (2:16:30) Phillies (2:22:20) Guardians (2:30:25) Mets (2:35:00) Yankees (2:40:00) Dodgers Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average 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

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Ben and Carlos catch up on what they’ve been up to over the last few weeks. The two talk about the growing excitement for 2026 UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, then get into a conversation about the July Top 100 update. How good is Konnor Griffin going to be? Who are the players beyond him who have viable cases to be the No. 1 prospect in the game? Is Kayson Cunningham this year’s Kevin McGonigle? Up-arrow pitchers including Jonah Tong, Trey Yesavage and Orioles flamethrower Esteban Mejia. The two talk about potential draft sleepers, why NIL has created a new ballgame for signability talks with college players and then discuss whether or not drafting for need is a realistic strategy to employ. — Time Stamps: (0:00) What we’ve been up to (7:00) Roch Cholowsky (15:30) Konnor Griffin (28:30) Third base value & the defensive spectrum (32:30) Other No. 1 prospect candidates (40:30) Kevin McGonigle vs. Kayson Cunningham (45:00) Jonah Tong & Trey Yesavage (50:20) Esteban Mejia (55:00) Mike Sirota esque draft sleepers (1:00:00) Players having increased leverage in college (1:07:00) Is drafting for need now more realistic in the draft? Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average 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

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Ben and Carlos break down the 2025 MLB Draft combine. The two talk about standout players, what the event was like, what value teams get from it and get into the specifics of names like Brandon Compton, Quentin Young, Kayson Cunningham, Marcos Paz and others. After that Ben highlights a few players who could be rising on our top 100 list, then gets further into the weeds on a handful of complex league standouts who are hot out of the gate. Time Stamps: (0:00) Carlos vs. Phoenix heat (6:00) Brandon Compton (9:30) Quentin Young (15:00) Kayson Cunningham (19:00) How much does the combine move the needle? (23:00) Marcos Paz (27:00) Pitch data importance (30:00) Joshua Flores (40:00) Quality of the combine in year five (50:00) Thoughts on athletic testing (57:00) Top 100 Risers (58:00) Travis Sykora (101:50) Zyhir Hope (1:05:00) Eduardo Quintero (1:10:00) Complex League Standouts Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about Ben’s most recent scouting trip, where he saw some of the top 2026, 2027 and 2028 class high school players in the country. The two talk about a handful of the biggest major league promotions of the last week, think about Jacob Wilson’s season and how that could impact how we view Marek Houston, talk through MacKenzie Gore’s season and the ETAs of high-end prep arms and also discuss the upcoming MLB Draft combine. – Time Stamps (0:00) Ben’s 2026 scouting experience (6:00) Gio Rojas as a standout prep lefty (10:25) MacKenzie Gore & HS pitching timelines (19:30) Denton Lord, Noah Wilson, Malachi Washington (23:05) Cole Prosek (27:30) Standout 2027 names (38:30) Kaiden McCarthy (42:30) Big league promotions (45:00) Jacob Misiorowski (48:00) Kyle Teel (51:00) Kayson Cunningham (56:00) Jacob Wilson vs. Marek Houston (1:05:00) Christian Moore (1:08:00) MLB Combine talk Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos hop on the podcast and talk about the insanity that has been college baseball through regional play (both on and off the field). The two briefly discuss the resurgence of Dodgers outfielder Mike Sirota and then discuss Royals first baseman (outfielder?) Jac Caglianone and what to expect with his big league promotion. After that it’s all things 2025 international prospects. With Ben’s international review series dropping on the site, Carlos picks his brain on the players to know and the teams with the most exciting groups of players. – Time Stamps (0:00) NCAA tournament drama (11:00) College pitcher workloads (21:00) Mike Sirota’s resurgence (31:30) Jac Caglianone's big league promotion (38:00) International Review talk (43:30) Arms with improved stuff (47:30) Royals prospects (51:00) Red Sox prospects (58:30) Is this year’s IFA pitching crop better than normal? (1:01:00) Who are the top names in the class? (1:05:00) Where do Elian Pena and Josuar Gonzalez stack up compared to top draft prospects? (1:10:00) Catchers to know (1:12:15) Top Venezuelan names (1:16:15) The most exciting defenders in the class Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos hop on the podcast to talk about the recently released BA 500 draft list. Ben peppers Carlos with questions about the class and where it stands. Both hosts talk about who they would personally take 1-1 if they were in the driver’s seat, then discuss a host of other draft topics including: should the Angels consider a high school arm like Seth Hernandez and put him on the fast track? Who are we taking among the top college arms? Which bats should Pirates hitters be excited about? How exactly are we supposed to handle Jace Laviolette? Hitters down the board we’re excited about, buzzy names beyond the first two rounds and a listener question about the best BP displays we’ve ever seen. – Time Stamps (0:00) Intro (2:50) Who would Carlos take No. 1 (12:30) Who would Ben take No. 1 (23:30) Separating the top college arms (39:00) Will the Angels buck their college trends for Seth Hernandez? (45:00) Which hitters should Pirates fans get excited about? (52:30) More questions about Jace LaViolette (1:03:00) Hitters beyond 20+ we like (1:17:00) Buzzy names further down the board (1:28:20) What is the loudest BP we’ve witnessed? Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the strides that Brewers righthander Jacob Misiorowski is making with his strike-throwing in the early parts of the 2025 season. The two move onto a number of up-arrow Blue Jays prospects, including recent first rounders shortstop Arjun Nimmala and righthander Trey Yesavage. After that the two dig into a mixed bag for the Rays, with good starts from 1B Xavier Isaac, OF Theo Gillen and others but some lingering questions with SS Carson Williams and INF Brayden Taylor. – Time Stamps (0:00) Intro (5:30) Jacob Misiorowski (19:00) Arjun Nimmala (26:30) Trey Yesavage (36:00) Johnny King (39:00) Rays (40:00) Carson Williams (44:00) Brayden Taylor (48:00) Xavier Isaac (55:00) Chandler Simpson, Tre Morgan (57:30) Theo Gillen, Brailer Guerrero, (1:03:30) Santiago Suarez, Jose Urbina Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about how teams are starting to feel like they have a better ability to evaluate draft classes and international signing classes quicker than in the past. They then talk about the Dodgers promoting Dalton Rushing and dig into a handful of exciting Mets prospects to know including righthanders Jonah Tong and Nolan McLean, recent first-round pick Carson Benge and former high school overslot signings AJ Ewing and Jacob Reimer. Ben also picks out a handful of early complex league performers to keep an eye on. – Time Stamps (0:00) Future Projection podcast feed question (3:00) Shorter timeline for judging drafts/IFAs (20:30) Dalton Rushing’s promotion (30:00) Names of interest for the Dodgers in this year’s draft? (41:40) Mets prospects (43:00) Jonah Tong (49:30) Nolan McLean (54:00) Brooklyn High-A prospects (1:07:00) Complex league talk Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk through Baseball America’s May Top 100 prospect update. Why we should be excited for the elite tier of shortstops in the class. Why Bubba chandler and Chase Burns have been so dominant. Jac Caglianone’s improved swing decisions and a surface level line that is impressive but perhaps not even showing how good he’s been. Questions about Konnor Griffin and Ethan Salas. CJ Kayfus as an elite batted ball angle hitter. Jurrangelo Cijntje’s usage as a switch pitcher. And plenty more. – Time Stamps (1:00) Iterative lists (4:30) Elite shortstops: Jesus Made, Leo De Vries, Sebastian Walcott (17:00) Nitpicking Sebastian Walcott? (20:00) Bubba Chandler (28:00) Chase Burns (30:30) Walker Jenkins and Max Clark (44:30) Cooper Pratt, Cam Smith (48:30) Jac Caglianone (53:15) Moises Ballesteros (55:20) Zyhir Hope & Josue De Paula (1:00:00) Konnor Griffin (1:08:50) Lazaro Montes (1:10:00) Arjun Nimmala (1:14:00) CJ Kayfus (1:18:00) Luis Pena (1:21:00) Jurrangelo Cijntje Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about a handful of big stuff, big physicality Yankees pitchers who are off to strong starts in the 2025 season. They briefly touch on George Lombard Jr. also living up to his preseason scouting hype in the early goings. After that the two talk about more Red Sox pitching prospects of note, this time those not named Brandon Clarke. After that the two talk about Nick Kurtz being promoted to the majors and discuss how fun the A’s current young lineup is—and also appreciate their hits at the top of the draft in recent years between Kurtz and Jacob Wilson. The two discuss Dodgers righthander Sean Linan’s crazy changeup, then take a listener question about surprising 2025 draft performances. – Time Stamps (0:30) Opening banter (4:10) Yankees power arms (17:00) George Lombard Jr. (23:00) More Red Sox arms to get excited about (36:00) Nick Kurtz and the A’s (45:00) Jace LaViolette’s resurgence (50:00) Jacob Wilson (52:30) Sean Linan and crazy changeups (1:00:00) Which draft prospect has surprised you the most? Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos look around the league and talk about a number of prospects off to hot and cold starts to to begin the 2025 season. They talk briefly about how they think about prospects repeating levels, then get into a number of listener questions including Billy Carlson comps, how much we can take away from lineup orders and whether or not Ethan Holliday can separate himself as the clear 1-1 in this year’s draft. – Time Stamps (1:00) NHSI talk (7:30) Red Sox LHP Brandon Clarke (15:20) Guardians RHP Braylon Doughty (19:00) Cubs SS Cristian Hernandez (27:30) Mets SS AJ Ewing (34:00) Marlins LHP Robby Snelling (38:00) Brewers RHP Logan Henderson (41:00) Blue Jays RHP Khal Stephen (44:00) White Sox OF Braden Montgomery (49:00) Guardians 1B CJ Kayfus & D-backs OF Slade Caldwell (53:00) White Sox SS Colson Montgomery (56:00) Nationals OF Elijah Green (58:00) Nationals SS Seaver King (1:02:00) Marlins SS Carter Johnson (1:05:00) Billy Carlson comps? (1:09:50) Can minor league batting order tell you about a player? (1:12:30) Can Ethan Holliday separate himself as the 1-1? Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the Red Sox-Brewers trade that sent righthander Quinn Priester to Milwaukee and netted Boston outfielder Yophery Rodriguez and a supplemental round 2025 draft pick. The two then talk about the number of teams with multiple picks in this year’s draft and how that could impact draft strategy. The two continue to talk through the best options for the first overall pick, wonder whether the Nationals will continue a trend of heavy discounts at the top spot and mention a few sleepers. They then talk about hot starts for A’s first baseman Nick Kurtz and Twins lefthander Dasan Hill and close with some discussion about the Blue Jays’ $500 million extension of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – Time Stamps (1:00) NHSI talk (3:50) Red Sox/Brewers trade (10:00) Draft talk (21:00) Draft pick trading (24:00) 1-1 pick speculation (37:00) Sleeper for 1-1 (49:00) Nick Kurtz (55:00) Dasan Hill (1:00:00) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the latest trend in bat technology and whether or not people need to be concerned about “torpedo bats,” then get into a few high-profile prep pitchers in the 2025 class. First, is this the year that we have a high school righthander taken with the first overall pick? California righthander Seth Hernandez might have a chance to make history. Meanwhile Illinois lefthander Jack Bauer already has, by touching 102 mph as a high schooler and joining a miniscule group of prep flamethrowers. The two also talk through contract extensions for Kristian Campbell and Garrett Crochet with the Red Sox, and Jackson Merrill with the Padres. They then continue to wonder when Roman Anthony will get his deserved big league callup. — Time Stamps (0:00) Torpedo bats (18:00) Seth Hernandez’s 1-1 case (38:00) Jack Bauer’s unprecedented velocity (51:00) Extension talk Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk through MLB opening day and offer their predictions for the 2025 season. After that the two talk about Baseball Savant’s new batting stance data and wonder what teams and players can do with it. They examine PPI eligible players this year and then take a handful of listener questions. Time Stamps (0:00) MLB opening day talk (6:00) AL East (10:00) AL Central (16:00) AL West (20:00) Thoughts on Cam Smith (25:00) NL East (30:00) NL Central (35:30) NL West (43:00) Crystal Ball Questions (1:16:20) Baseball Savant batting stance data (1:29:00) PPI Eligible players (1:35:00) Listener questions 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about how the top of the composition of the 2025 draft class compares with 2024. The two discuss Coby Mayo’s comments about being reassigned to Triple-A Norfolk for what will be his third year at the level. The bulk of the show is spent on a discussion about “scouting the scouts.” What’s the value? What are the risks associated with it forming or changing your own opinions on players? They then talk about a listener question regarding technology’s impact on scouting. — Time Stamps (0:00) Housekeeping on the 2025 draft rankings process (5:30) This year’s HS shortstops compared to Konnor Griffin (7:30) Jamie Arnold vs. Hagen Smith vs. Chase Burns (10:00) The composition of the top of the draft (17:00) Coby Mayo (28:40) Scouting the scouts (47:00) How much has technology changed the game? Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos chat about their expectations for the Red Sox in 2025 and how quickly the big three trio of Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell will be integrated. After that the two discuss Jackson Jobe’s experiments with two new pitches this spring and talk about narrow and deep pitch arsenals. They talk about first-round draft names moving in opposite directions: Tennessee lefthander Liam Doyle and Texas A&M outfielder Jace Laviolette. After that the two talk about Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s $500 million contract pursuit and answer a handful of listener questions. — Time Stamps (2:00) Red Sox trio going off (13:40) AL East competition (15:00) Jackson Jobe’s developing pitch mix (22:00) Liam Doyle (39:30) Jace Laviolette (54:00) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1:05:00) Listener mailbag Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos follow up on last episode’s conversation on the ABS system and how players and coaches are taking it so far. The two then talk about the spring breakout rosters being released before pivoting into Ben’s recent trip to the Dominican Republic to scout 'em up. After that, the two talk about a handful of prospects who are making noise in spring training, including the Yankees duo of George Lombard Jr. and Spencer Jones, plus our first pro look at flamethrowing righthander Chase Burns. Finally the two talk about the wide open nature of the top of the 2025 draft class, talk through a few of their current favorites for the first overall pick (plus a few dark horse options) and then take listener questions. — Time Stamps (0:00) ABS follow up (12:00) Spring breakout series (15:00) Ben’s trip to the DR (37:00) George Lombard Jr. (44:00) A Spencer Jones swing change (51:30) Chase Burns (1:01:00) The 1-1 race in the draft (1:25:00) Ben’s dark horse pick (1:33:00) Listener questions Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the opening weekend of college baseball and get into a discussion of what they are looking for in these early season looks? What’s impactful and valuable in terms of evaluating a player’s overall profile and projecting them for the future? Why is it easier to have quicker takeaway from pitchers? What are the useful leading indicators to be aware of? And why are we so interested in body composition and mechanics? All that plus an early preview of a loaded 2026 high school player class and some fun discussing gripes and critiques of baseball broadcasts. — Time Stamps: (0:00) Hot EV college baseball environment (6:10) What do you take away from opening weekend? (12:00) Why you can pick up on pitcher changes quicker (13:00) Tennessee LHP Liam Doyle’s jump in stuff (16:00) What is early season signal vs. noise? (21:00) Why do hitters take longer to figure out? (26:00) Why we don’t care about early results (31:30) What we’re watching for with defense (40:00) Seeing players to ask better questions (57:30) MLB spring training ABS system thoughts (1:02:00) Broadcast gripes & critiques (1:18:00) Previewing the loaded 2026 prep class Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos are joined by Baseball America national college writer Jacob Rudner for our third annual amateur player draft. The game is simple: among 2025 eligible players each writer attempts to put together the best roster of players including one catcher, two corner infielders, two middle infielders, three outfielders, four pitchers and one utility spot. The three draft their teams and talk about the players, the strategy, the strengths and weaknesses of the class and more to celebrate the opening day of college baseball. — Time Stamps: (0:00) Welcoming Jacob and overview of the draft rules (4:30) Draft starts (12:40) Ben takes a famous prepster (20:00) A well-rounded college outfielder (21:00) The best pure hitter in the class? (27:30) Catchers starting to fly off the board (31:10) Ben finally takes a pitcher (36:40) A tweener SEC infielder (42:40) Back-to-back college mashers (48:20) Ben tackles the prep pitching demographic (58:00) Jacob grabs a big power prep bat (1:05:20) Questions about the second and third tier arms (1:12:30) Full team rundowns & draft thoughts Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo Jacob's Twitter: @JacobRudner 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

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With Baseball America’s 2025 prospect lists updated ahead of the season, Ben and Carlos pick breakout players they're excited about for each of the 15 American League teams. — Time Stamps: (0:00) Farm system talent rankings (11:00) Astros (16:45) Mariners (22:25) Rangers (27:11) Athletics (31:40) Angels (36:45) Guardians (41:00) Tigers (45:30) Royals (50:45) Twins (54:45) White Sox (1:00:00) Yankees (1:06:03) Orioles (1:10:10) Red Sox (1:15:00) Rays (1:21:30) Blue Jays Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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With Baseball America’s 2025 prospect lists updated ahead of the season, Ben and Carlos pick breakout players they're excited about for each of the 15 National League teams. — Time Stamps: (5:00) Dodgers (9:45) Padres (13:45) Diamondbacks (17:30) Giants (22:12) Rockies (27:15) Brewers (32:15) Cubs (33:15) Cardinals (41:00) Reds (45:20) Pirates (49:50) Phillies (54:07) Braves (58:20) Mets (1:03:30) Nationals (1:06:45) Marlins Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos work through the updated 2025 Top 100 Prospects List and talk through players in each bucket of the list. Who are they “buying and selling” in each of the tiers of prospects? After working through the list the two talk about a few players who just missed but could easily be on and then take a few listener questions including: the most polarizing players, thoughts on PPI eligibility and the best places in the country to live for baseball watching. — Time Stamps (1:30) Kristian Campbell (10:50) Dylan Crews (13:00) Concerns for Andrew Painter (18:00) Thoughts on the talent of the top 20 (20:00) Buys: Jesus Made, Marcelo Mayer, Leo De Vries (23:11) Sells: Carson Williams, Kumar Rocker (26:15) Buys: Travis Bazzana, Sebastian Walcott (30:30) Sells: Coby Mayo, Chase Burns (32:00) Buys: Jaison Chourio, Ethan Salas (37:30) Sell: Colson Montgomery (40:30) Buys: Chase DeLauter, Charlie Condon (43:20) Sells: Cooper Pratt, Jacob Misiorowski (49:30) Buys: Zyhir Hope, Drake Baldwin (52:40) Sells: Bryce Rainer, Konnor Griffin (55:30) Buys: Brayden Taylor, Moises Ballesteros (59:20) Sells: Moises Ballesteros, Thayron Liranzo (1:03:40) Buys: Franklin Arias, Blake Mitchell (1:06:45) Sells: Blake Mitchell, Tre’ Morgan (1:12:15) Back of the list conversation (1:19:00) Polarizing prospects (1:23:30) Thoughts on Top 100s influencing PPI eligibility (1:25:30) Best places to live for baseball Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos hop on the show to break down the chaos of the 2025 international signing day. While Roki Sasaki hasn’t signed (as of this podcast recording at least) with a team yet, the ripple effects of his status in the market has certainly created waves. Ben gives listeners a detailed breakdown of what’s happened and what might happen in the future, he breaks down a signing class he’s particularly excited about and also answers a few listener emails on the IFA market. — Time Stamps (0:15) Signing day update (3:40) Ben’s thought on the Roki Sasaki situation (8:00) The role of pitching development for Roki (15:00) How big is Roki’s bonus going to be? (18:30) Dodgers losing key names from their class (20:30) Will the Padres and Blue Jays lose players? (25:00) Will team flipping become more common in the future? (30:00) What happened with Giants signee Josuar Gonzalez? (34:30) More players signing out of high school from Japan? (43:00) An exciting class of Red Sox international signings Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos hop back on the show for the first time in 2025 to talk about our recently released scouting survey, Carlos’s 2020 redraft and Ben’s work prepping for international signing day. Up first, the two talk through some of the results from our offseason scouting survey, which was an attempt to gauge the pulse of the scouting industry in the midst of what many scouts are calling a brutal offseason for the field. After that, the conversation flips to the 2020 redraft that Carlos wrote over the holidays. The two talk about why the covid draft was so challenging and whether there are lessons to be learned from it. The show closes with Ben’s assessment of the 2025 international signing period that’s about to open on Jan. 15. He gives us his latest on what’s happening with Roki Sasaki and explores a few potential scenarios that could unfold with other clubs after he signs. — Time Stamps (2:30) Scouting survey (10:00) The importance of multiple looks and history (15:00) The value of hitting big (20:00) Bucking the veteran scout stereotype (27:00) The value of communication (33:00) Challenges of quantifying data and weighting it (47:00) 2020 Redraft (57:00) Players can change rapidly (1:05:00) Roki Sasaki drama (1:16:20) Ben’s Roki signing scenario Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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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. — 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) Astros Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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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? — 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 Questions Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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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. — 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 Mailbag Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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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. — 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: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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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. — 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 Mailbag Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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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. — 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. Cardinals Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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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. — 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 Questions Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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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. — 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: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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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. — 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: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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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. — 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: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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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. — 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: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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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. — 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: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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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. — 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: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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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. — 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 core Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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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. — 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 trades Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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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. — 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 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

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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. — 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: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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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. — 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: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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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. — 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 – Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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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. – 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: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos spend a lot of time talking through Baseball Savant’s new bat tracking data and how the new information could inform or change how we evaluate players and prospects. The two talk about the importance of bat speed in general, why length of swing is important, think through bat speed vs. bat acceleration and also wonder about the complications that could arise with how bat length is calculated based on contact points. The two talk about how this could further inform aging curves and give more precise data about how and when players are aging, think through different types of swing distributions this data sheds light on and Ben mentions how important bat paths are and why we shouldn’t lose sight of that element. The two think through the various applications of this data for prospects and then move into some prospect-specific talk, starting with a pair of players to know for the upcoming 2025 international signing class: shortstop Elian Peña (linked to the Mets) and shortstop Cristopher Polanco (linked to the Blue Jays). After that, the two talk through a number of recent top 100 additions including Mariners prospects Tyler Locklear and Jonny Farmelo, Phillies shortstop Starlyn Caba, Rockies outfielder Zac Veen and Brewers lefthander Robert Gasser. Hot performers like Red Sox shortstop Marcelo Mayer, Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews, Mariners shortstop Felnin Celesten and Twins righthander Zebby Matthews are also mentioned. — Time Stamps (0:00) New bat speed data (5:30) Swing length as exciting as bat speed (10:00) Bat speed vs. acceleration (15:00) How swing length is measured (25:00) Bat speed aging curves (27:30) Swing distributions (31:00) The importance of bat paths (37:00) Applications for prospects (41:00) Elian Peña (46:00) Cristopher Polanco (50:00) International pitching development (55:00) Tyler Locklear (58:00) Starlyn Caba (1:04:00) Zac Veen, Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony (1:11:00) Robert Gasser (1:15:00) Jonny Farmelo (1:19:00) Felnin Celesten (1:21:00) Dylan Crews (1:23:00) Zebby Matthews – Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos hop on the show to primarily break down the big movers on our first in-season Top 100 MLB Prospects update of the 2024 season. Before jumping into that, the two marvel at Georgia slugger Charlie Condon’s continued home run pace and wonder whether or not teams should start giving him the Barry Bonds treatment—if not, will he get to the 40-homer mark? Carlos asks Ben about this year’s Top 100 update process and the challenges of that so early in the season and the two then get into some of the big movers, including two pitchers trending down: Blue Jays lefthander Ricky Tiedemann and Padres righthander Dylan Lesko. Next, the two talk about a few up-arrow pitchers who are doing big things at the big league level, including Mets righthander Christian Scott and Pirates righthander Jared Jones. That leads to a discussion about the Pirates farm system depth with arms and pitching strategy in general, as well as a bit more talk about Paul Skenes. Next, they get into a few more hitters who are on the rise or showing productive seasons so far in 2024 including: Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing, Mariners outfielder Lazaro Montes and A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson. That turns into a conversation about the Padres-Marlins Luis Arraez trade and the two disagree over whether or not the package was a compelling return for a player like Arraez. Finally, talk turns to power-hitting top prospects Junior Caminero, James Wood and Dylan Crews and how they’re viewing each of the three and why they aren’t too worried about Woods’ current lack of home run production. The show closes with a mailbag segment, which includes questions about a Rays international prospect with size and power, a draft signing bonus logistics question, the differences between command and control and a question about lefthanders in the 2025 draft class. – Time Stamps (1:30) Charlie Condon (6:45) New Top 100 update (10:40) Ricky Tiedemann and Dylan Lesko (16:30) Christian Scott (20:30) Jared Jones (25:00) Pirates pitching strategy (34:00) Dalton Rushing (39:00) Lazaro Montes (46:00) Jacob Wilson (52:00) Luis Arraez Trade (1:06:00) Junior Caminero, James Wood & Dylan Crews (1:16:00) Mailbag – Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the new draft rankings at Baseball America and briefly touch on the state of the class and how the group is shaping up. Ben brings up the idea of pick trading once again and how that would impact Carlos’s ability to create mock drafts. Ben also talks about how it would be interesting to see teams able to trade domestic draft picks for international draft picks if that is ever implemented—the more freedom for teams to build rosters the better. Then the two touch on a number of minor league prospects off to hot starts this season including: White Sox lefthander Noah Schultz, Rockies righthander Chase Dollander, Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw, Royals catcher Blake Mitchell and Twins outfielder Emmanuel Rodriguez. After that the two switch gears and talk about some prospects whose starts to the season could be more concerning. Those players include: Yankees shortstop Roderick Arias, Rangers shortstop Sebastian Walcott, Mariners catcher Harry Ford, Blue Jays lefthander Ricky Tiedemann, Padres righthander Dylan Lesko and Braves righthander Hurston Waldrep. In that conversation the two also wonder about the merits of prospect demotions and whether or not they could be beneficial for player development. Ben has a sleeper righthander to know in the Brewers system, righthander Bishop Letson, and the two talk about his remarkable jump in stuff within just a year of being drafted in the 11th round. That leads to a conversation about teams investing in raw, projectable prospects who take more time to develop and whether or not that sort of player is less common with a 20-round draft and smaller minor league system. Ben picks Carlos’s brain on the players who could be available for the teams picking outside the top eight range, and how likely or unlikely it is for one of the “big 8” to slip further down the board. What are potential draft scenarios for the Pirates, Nationals, Tigers and Red Sox? The two talk about pitcher attrition and whether or not that makes teams more or less likely to draft pitching prospects in the first place and then get into a listener question about academies in Latin America lying about prospect ages. – Time Stamps (0:00) New draft rankings (13:00) Pick trading (18:00) International draft trading (21:00) Noah Schultz (23:00) Chase Dollander (27:00) Matt Shaw (29:30) Blake Mitchell (34:00) Emmanuel Rodriguez (40:00) Roderick Arias (45:30) Sebastian Walcott (49:00) Thoughts on promotions and demotions (52:00) Harry Ford (57:00) Ricky Tiedemann (1:03:00) Dylan Lesko (1:08:00) Hurston Waldrep (1:13:40) Bishop Letson (1:19:00) Teams investing in “raw” players (1:23:00) Pirates options at No. 9 (1:33:00) Can anyone slide out of the top eight? (1:37:00) FSU outfielder James Tibbs (1:39:00) Are the Red Sox in no man’s land at 12? (1:46:00) Pitcher attrition and how that impacts decisions to draft arms (1:52:00) What happens when academies lie about player ages? – Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk through all kinds of early-season performances to start the season, but before getting into minor leaguers they start off with how red hot Michael Busch has been for the Cubs. Does this change our evaluations of the Dodgers-Cubs trade and how have minor leaguers Zyhir Hope and Jackson Ferris been so far in the 2024 season? After that, the two talk about the odd situation in Florida where the Marlins have sent their best performing pitcher—Max Meyer—back to the minors. Is it service time manipulation or just an odd way to manage a young pitcher's workload? The Marlins slow start to the season also leads to a conversation about the worst teams in the league, the draft lottery and who the favorites are to land a top-three chance for the No. 1 pick in 2025. Sorry, White Sox and A’s fans. Next, Carlos brings up Bobby Witt Jr. and his scorching start to the 2024 season and Ben counters with CJ Abrams taking a step forward with his hitting. The two then talk about James Wood’s sensational start and debate whether he or Dylan Crews is the prospect to have in Washington’s system. Carlos rants about Dylan Crews skepticism on the internet and the two then move on to lower-level prospects moving and shaking so far this season. That includes: Phillies infielder Aidan Miller and his swing change; Rockies lefthander Sean Sullivan and his unique pitch profile; Braves righthander Owen Murphy and his lack of premium velocity but strong results; the Rays finding yet another pitching gem with righthander Santiago Suarez; the Orioles “late” find of righthander Moises Chace; early improvements for Reds third baseman Cam Collier; continued offensive dominance from Guardians first baseman Ralphy Velazquez; Jackson Chourio’s younger brother Jaison Chourio, who is also in the Cleveland system; and Cubs shortstop Jefferson Rojas. The two close the show by talking about split-camp players and why opinions on prospects can vary so widely, how those deltas are handled in scouting departments and the pressures to align opinions with higher ups and/or the “consensus” opinions on a player in the industry. – Time Stamps (0:00) Michael Busch (10:00) Zyhir Hope (14:00) Jackson Ferris (18:00) Max Meyer (26:00) Draft lottery talk (34:00) Bobby Witt Jr. and CJ Abrams (42:00) James Wood (45:00) Dylan Crews vs. James Wood (53:00) Aidan Miller (59:30) Sean Sullivan (1:12:00) Owen Murphy (1:16:00) Santiago Suarez (1:21:00) Moises Chace (1:27:00) Cam Collier (1:33:00) Ralphy Velazquez (1:42:00) Jaison Chourio (1:46:00) Jefferson Rojas (1:49:00) split camp players and why opinions can vary so much — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Carlos and Ben talk about Jackson Holliday’s big league promotion and what to expect of him from the jump with the Orioles. The two debate the validity of jersey retirements but otherwise agree on many of the topics of today’s episode which includes… The much-talked about pitcher injury epidemic. Velocity and max effort throwing certainly seems like a factor, but what about others like the pitch clock? New pitching development and pitch design? Managing workloads too critically or not critically enough? Changes to youth baseball and the velocity you’re seeing at those levels? What about shoulder injuries? After that the two move on to the top pitching prospect in baseball, Paul Skenes who made quick work of Triple-A hitters in his first two starts of the season. They talk about how he’s looked and get into another conversation about fastball shape and why it’s not the end all be all for pitchers and also wonder about when he should be promoted to the majors. Next the two pivot to the 2024 draft class and talk about the barrage of home runs that Wake Forest first baseman Nick Kurtz has hit in the last two weeks. Has he re-entered the 1-1 conversation and how does he stack up against fellow first baseman Jac Caglianone tool-for-tool? That leads into a conversation about the top of the draft class generally, and Ben asks about who the best pitcher in the class is after Chase Burns and Hagen Smith which leads to talk about ECU righthander Trey Yesavage. After that Ben brings up another righthander who might deserve a bit more attention in Vanderbilt righthander Bryce Cunningham. The two close the podcast with thoughts on Boston’s contract extension of center fielder and shortstop Ceddanne Rafaela. — Time Stamps (0:00) Jackson Holliday (14:00) Retiring numbers (18:00) The pitcher injury epidemic (25:00) High school pitchers throwing harder (33:00) Ben’s thoughts on shoulder injuries (35:30) Is the pitch clock a factor? (38:00) Paul Skenes and fastball shape (49:00) When should Skenes be in the majors? (55:00) Nick Kurtz’s home run binge (1:05:00) Nick Kurtz vs. Jac Caglianone (1:15:00) ECU RHP Trey Yesavage (1:25:00) Vanderbilt RHP Bryce Cunningham (1:30:00) The Ceddanne Rafaela contract extension — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos hop on the show to talk about the top of the 2024 draft class and notable minor league prospect assignments. Before getting into the show the two talk about the news that the A’s will be relocating to Sacramento’s Triple-A stadium after the 2024 season. It’s just the latest of a shocking number of relocation gaffes from the franchise. After that the two talk about how dynamic both Charlie Condon and Travis Bazzana have been halfway through the college season. Where do their numbers stack up with recent elite college hitters at the top of the class? And can we truly read directly into those numbers given the offensive environment of college baseball in 2024? How do the two compare and contrast to elite college prospects like Dylan Crews and Wyatt Langford and what holds them back from belonging in the same tier—if they still don’t actually fit there? Where would each rank on the Top 100 Prospects list? Following that conversation the two talk about minor league names—and assignments—to know. Carlos continues his love of Dylan Lesko and gets excited about his slider development, the two both praise the Mariners’ ability to find and develop impact college arms and the two talk through a number of players including: Reds catcher Alfredo Duno, Dodgers outfielder Josue De Paula, Brewers outfielder Yophery Rodriguez, Angels outfielder Nelson Rada, Rangers shortstop Sebastian Walcott, Reds righthander Rhett Lowder, Braves righthander Hurston Waldrep, Guardians infielder Ralphy Velazquez and more. The show closes with a listener email asking about how things would change if MLB adopted an NBA draft system where players had to go to college but could leave for pro ball whenever they wanted after that. — Time Stamps 0:20 A’s to Sacramento Talk 6:20 Charlie Condon’s insane numbers 10:00 College baseball’s offensive environment and how to contextualize for that 16:45 Condon and Travis Bazzana compared to Dylan Crews and Wyatt Langford 35:15 Condon/Bazzana compared to recent elite college profiles 40:00 Where Condon/Bazzana would fit on a Top 100 list 54:13 Transition to minor league prospect talk 1:02:05 Jackson Jobe’s brilliance 1:06:00 The Mariners knack for finding and developing college arms 1:13:05 Josue De Paula 1:17:40 Alfredo Duno 1:24:15 Sebastian Walcott 1:29 Hurston Waldrep and Rhett Lowder 1:41:25 If MLB’s draft system was changed to the NBA format — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Happy (day after) Opening Day! Ben and Carlos hop back on the podcast to talk about Opening Day of the big league season and some of the main storylines of the year. The two talk about their World Series picks and talk through some of the more interesting divisions to keep tabs on then debate the most disappointing offseason in the league. The two also give their thoughts on the Shohei Ohtani-Ippei Mizuhara situation before turning their eyes to the amateur space. Ben breaks down his recent trip to the Dominican Republic and gives an early preview of upcoming international classes, including Andrew Salas who is projected to sign with the Marlins and the younger brother of Padres catching phenom Ethan Salas. The two then talk about a defensive spectrum debate that Carlos stumbled upon between second base and right field and give their thoughts on the skills required for both. After that, the two talk through some 2024 draft buzz, including the continued domination of Chase Burns and Hagen Smith, whether or not Brody Brecht’s walk rate is too high for the first round and how we should think through Jac Caglianone as a two-way player, as a hitter and as a pitcher. The two also discuss pop-up players and how teams scout them. How should a team weigh spring performance and looks vs. extended history and track record of a player? — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos chat about spring training standouts in big league camp, headlined by two players in the very elite tier of baseball prospects who have a case to start the year in the majors: Jackson Holliday and Wyatt Langford. Ben and Carlos talk about the cases for and against those two being pushed aggressively and then the two talk about a number of other spring training performances including Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill, Pirates righthander Jared Jones, Cardinals shortstop Thomas Saggese, Padres outfielder and infielder Graham Pauley and Brewers first baseman Wes Clarke, among others. After that the two discuss a loaded Wake Forest-Duke series from last weekend that Carlos saw in person. The two revisit Chase Burns and talk through just how much he’s elevated his draft stock, plus get in depth on the divergent hitting approaches of Seaver King and Nick Kurtz. The two touch on Jonathan Santucci, Josh Hartle and Michael Massey as well and talk briefly about the top of the draft board. – Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the first two weeks of college baseball action including scorching offensive starts from Georgia’s Charlie Condon and Oregon State’s Travis Bazzana. Are they more in the mix to be the No. 1 pick in a still unsettled draft class? And what are the early changes beyond just strong production? The two then move on to pitching and break down early-season outings from Arkansas lefthander Hagen Smith and Wake Forest righthander Chase Burns. The two have solid cases as having the best pure stuff from the left and right side respectively, and now they are looking to reinforce their starting profiles and remove some of the reliever risk they entered the spring with. How do Ben and Carlos view the two? Which would they take? How do they view reliever risk in general and which factors are the most concerning: Command? Diversity of stuff? Delivery? Medical history? Durability? Track record? After that the two talk about a few early spring training performances from players who have impressed including Pirates second baseman Termarr Johnson, Nationals outfielders James Wood and Dylan Crews and Brewers outfielder (or infielder?) Sal Frelick. The show closes with Ben’s early preview of the 2026 high school draft class, which looks to have both impressive depth of talent and a standout headliner at the top in Texas shortstop Grady Emerson. – Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos are joined by Peter Flaherty in a special edition of the show, where the three look ahead to the 2024 amateur season by drafting teams of 2024 class prospects. The three writers go back and forth in an attempt to create the best team possible from the 2024 class. Here are the rules: Each drafter must fill the following positions and select at least six high school players and at least six college players: 1 catcher 2 corner infielders 2 middle infielders 3 outfielders 4 pitchers 1 utility spot (any position type) While the teams will be revisited after the draft to see whose teams had the best draft capital, the ultimate goal is to create the best possible team, so we’ll have to wait a few years to determine the ultimate winners. However, that doesn't stop you from chiming in now with feedback on the exercise. Are you Team Ben? Team Peter? Or Team Carlos? Let us know. – Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Carlos and Ben banter about the announced Netflix documentary following the Red Sox and think about what their ideal baseball documentary looks like. After that the two talk through the Royals mega-extension of franchise shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and how the deal is a win for all parties involved. Then the two talk through Matt Eddy’s PPI eligible players piece and think about the ramifications of the program and whether or not it’s good for the game—spoiler: it is. The two think about the favorites for winning rookie of the year of this pool of players and talk through some of the draft changes related to the PPI program that remove incentives for teams to bottom out year after year. After that the two talk through BA’s preseason all-America teams, including why the teams are predictive of the year’s first round round draft picks and also talk briefly about the updated 2025 draft rankings on the site. The two answer a listener question about Ethan Holliday’s 1-1 case for the 2025 class, and then end the show with a listener email about how agents, teams and players play the signing bonus game on draft day. – Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos hop on the show and talk through a few major league news items, including the Tigers extension of Colt Keith, the Twins-Mariners Jorge Polanco trade and the news that the Orioles are being sold to (hopefully) new and improved owners. After that, the two get into Carlos’s big draft update ahead of the college baseball season. The list expands from 100 to 200, with a new name up top and plenty of new reports to consume. Ben peppers Carlos with plenty of questions about the state of the class and the two discuss the various strengths and weaknesses of the group at this stage. The show closes with a listener question about the impacts of the 20-round draft and the contracted minor league team and player system. – Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the week’s Hall of Fame results and debate the various cases for some of the players who were on this year’s ballot before looking ahead to future candidates and looking at the surprisingly strong track record of No. 1 overall picks making the Hall of Fame. After that the two open up the listener mailbag and get into your prospect questions. Those involve plenty of topics including: are the Padres too trade-happy with their prospects? Is Coby Mayo more valuable for the Orioles as trade bait or as a member of the young hitting core? How would Samuel Basallo look as a prospect if he was being developed by another organization? Who will be the fastest pitcher to the big leagues from the 2024 draft class? Where do we stand on Mets righthander Blade Tidwell? How does Ben evaluate the Giants’ current standing in the international market? How much upside can we expect for Marlins prep pitchers Noble Meyer and Thomas White? – Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos spend most of the episode getting into the weeds on our recently released 2024 Top 100 Prospects list. Before that conversation starts, Ben breaks down his January 15 experience and how it compared to previous years. Padres prospect Leodalis De Vries serves as the bridge from international signing day to our Top 100, as the lone member of the 2024 class to land on the list. What makes him deserving and why is this a profile to get excited about? Ben tells you all you need to know. After that, the two break down the top of the list, talk about their various tier breaks, agree on philosophies about pitching prospects and injury risk and then talk about how they would line up the top pitching prospects in the game. The two then talk through the players they are higher or lower on than the Top 100 itself, including names like Andrew Painter, Robby Snelling, Ricky Tiedemann, Adael Amador, Dylan Lesko, Noah Schultz, Colt Emerson, Michael Busch, Bryce Eldridge, Jacob Wilson, Nick Frasso, Gavin Stone, Brayden Taylor, Ceddanne Rafaela, Chase Petty and more. The two have a slight disagreement on 2023 arms Rhett Lowder and Chase Dollander, then think about some of the players who might be poised to shoot up this list in the future. The show ends with a listener email about where Braves righthander AJ Smith-Shawver might rank if he was part of the 2024 draft class. – Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Today’s episode is spent entirely on international prospects, as we are just days away from January 15. In this episode, Carlos grills Ben on all things international: Who are the top prospects to know? What’s the current state of the international signing system? What are the pros and cons of signing day coming in January compared to July? Which teams are doing the best on the international market? Which teams have taken significant steps forward on this front in the last five years or so? Ben answers all those questions and more. The two talk about the developmental challenges that international prospects face, both before and after signing with their pro teams. How do the changes to the minor league system post-covid still impact international players? Will any players in the 2024 international class be immediate candidates for the top 100? And who are other, low-level international prospects you should be keeping an eye on? It’s a fairly wide-ranging and thorough discussion on the international market and if you need a primer on this year’s class and all things international prospects—this is the episode for you. – Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos kick off the new year with the final installment of their division-by-division breakdown of farm systems, saving the worst (?) group of teams for last. Before that the two talk through Ben’s international board for the 2024 class , which is lined up based on the expected bonuses for the top 50 players in the class. Ben breaks down a few of the top names, including Braves shortstop signee Jose Perdomo and Padres shortstop signee Leodalis De Vries before getting into some overall 2024 international class discussion. Where are all the pitchers? Who are some players who are trending up to know about? And how confident can we ever be with international signings at this stage of the calendar? After that the two talk through AL West farm systems, including a top-heavy and exciting Rangers group led by a potential pair of top-five prospects in Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford; a middle-of-the-pack Mariners farm system that one co-host likes more than another; an A’s farm system that has taken a step forward but is not at the level it should be given the state of the major league team; an Angels farm system that continues to lack impact talent despite some quick-to-the-majors movers; and an Astros system that might have a case for one of the worst in baseball. The podcast closes with a listener question about the success of MLB teams after having a top-five farm system. – Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos celebrate the fact that the 2024 Prospect Handbook has been shipped by breaking down AL Central prospect talent. Without much happening on the major league front, the two get straight into prospect talk, starting with a strong Tigers system. The two talk about their excitement for No. 1 prospect Max Clark and wonder about his power potential for the future, and then discuss whether or not righthander Jackson Jobe has a case to be made as the top pitching prospect in baseball. It doesn’t fall off after that either with exciting offensive players like Colt Keith, Jace Jung, Justyn-Henry Malloy and Parker Meadows. The farm system caliber does fall off after the Tigers, though Ben and Carlos disagree somewhat about their enthusiasm for the depth of the Twins—though neither disagrees about how excited they are for Walker Jenkins and Brooks Lee. After that, the two debate whether or not the Guardians or the White Sox system is better, with both teams boasting solid prospects up top—Chase DeLauter, Brayan Rocchio, Colson Mongtomery and Noah Schultz—but more questions beyond that. Finally, the two talk about the Royals and the lack of excitement there is to be found throughout the farm—though there are two catching prospects of note to monitor—before getting into the last listener mailbag of the year, which includes questions about Jac Caglianone and college summer camps. Happy Holidays! – Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos discuss their caffeine of choice during the busy December prospect season, then react a bit to Shohei Ohtani’s historic contract with the Dodgers. After that, the two get straight into prospect talk and analyze the farm systems of the AL East, which includes four good to great systems—including the Orioles, who have the easy No. 1 group in the league—and one that’s maybe a bit less exciting. The two discuss how close Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony are in terms of overall prospect status, talk through the impressive depth of the Yankees, try and figure out the best infield alignment for the Orioles and which prospects might be best utilized in a trade and also talk through how expectations could impact us more when looking at the Rays than other orgs. After talking through the farm systems, the two take a few listener questions, including where the top-ranked international prospect for the 2024 signing class would fit into the 2024 draft class, how often teams try and steal international players who already have deals with other clubs, thoughts on college vs. pro development and the top third base prospects in the 2024 prep class. – Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos break down the second annual draft lottery and the implications that come from the Guardians and Reds leaping up to secure the top two picks in the 2024 draft. The two discuss how this could impact Cleveland’s draft strategy and whether or not the top players in the class fit their typical MO on prospects, as well as look at some of the draft lottery “losers” including the A’s, White Sox and Nationals. Is the draft lottery system working as intended? Are Ben and Carlos fans of the system? What tweaks would they recommend for the future and how could the viewing experience be improved for die-hard draftniks and casual baseball fans alike. After that, the two turn their eyes towards the Winter Meetings and break down the one big trade that actually happened at the event: the Padres trading hitting savant Juan Soto to the Yankees for a package of big-league ready (or near ready) pitchers, headlined by righthanders Drew Thorpe and Michael King. Finally, the two discuss the developing narrative surrounding Shohei Ohtani as he pursues a more clandestine free agent process than many national baseball writers would like. Does anyone truly care how he goes about the free agent process? Are the Winter Meetings still necessary? And what is Ohtani’s dog’s name??? The podcast closes with a few listener questions, including SoCal prep prospects in the 2024 draft class and where Rays infielder Junior Caminero might land on Ben and Carlos’s personal top 100 lists. – Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the rumored Jackson Chourio extension with the Brewers and talk through evaluating risk for prospects vs. risk for veteran players. After that the two talk through Carlos’s updated 2024 draft rankings and discuss the state of a very muddled draft class. Which player would be the No. 1 pick if the draft were today? Is there any separation on the pitching side? Which players made the most notable jumps up the board? The two find themselves liking the depth of pitching on the high school side, but also acknowledge some of the pitfalls of this year’s class. After that the conversation turns pro, and the two talk through each of the farm systems in the NL West. Is the top-heavy impact of the Padres better than a deep Dodgers system? Why is Carlos high on the Giants? And where do the Rockies and D-backs line up among this group? They end the show with a solid listener question about players who have been better than expected as pros. Kyle’s story on Padres prospects traded — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos chat about MLB awards season, despite the fact that most of the winners were unanimous and ultimately not too surprising. After that the two talk about the PPI picks that the D-Backs and Orioles will receive thanks to Corbin Carroll and Gunnar Henderson, and the pros and cons of all of the new rule changes in regards to the draft—and it seems like mostly pros outside of additional headaches that Carlos has to deal with. The two briefly talk about the Braves-White Sox trade that put Aaron Bummer in Atlanta and sent a five-player package to Chicago, before touching on the 40-man roster deadline and talking a bit of Rule 5 draft. The two also examine some of the first round misses that the protection deadline highlighted, including Twins shortstop Keoni Cavaco, Twins first baseman Aaron Sabato and Royals lefthander Asa Lacy. What are the lessons to be drawn from those picks? The bulk of the episode is spent analyzing the farm systems for the NL Central clubs. Just how good is the Brewers farm system? Which of these teams has surged forward over the second half of the season given their 2023 draft and prospect finishes? And which clubs or prospects do the two disagree on? All that and more. — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about a number of the managerial moves in the big leagues in recent weeks, and then Ben talks about the traits and skills that he would want to have in a big league manager. It’s hard to quantify the value of big league managers with precision, but Ben breaks down the various hard and soft skills that he thinks might be important for the modern game. The two talk about whether or not playing backgrounds are important or necessary for big league managers, the value of managerial experience, the value of being on the same page philosophically with your front office and whether or not you need different managers for teams at different competitive stages. After that, the two talk about the Yankees and the various comments made recently by owner Hal Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman. Are the narratives surrounding the Yankees’ “disappointing” 2023 season accurate, and what’s the current state of the organization in a routinely competitive AL East division? Next, the two move on to some free agency talk, think about how historic Shohei Ohtani is on the free agent market and work through some of the top available pitchers and hitters available. The two end by discussing national signing day for the 2024 high school class, talk through a few of the best classes of talent and then take a few listener questions that get into more scouting talk. – Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos have a long conversation about speed on today’s episode. How they evaluate it, how much it matters, which players the tool is most important for and how to project it into the future. Rule changes in MLB mean steals are more common than ever, and Diamondbacks rookie Corbin Carroll was a great example of a young player with both elite speed and elite baserunning instincts. Who could be the next Carroll? The two talk through a number of minor league candidates who are speed demons and could shortly find themselves atop the big league stolen base leaderboards. After that, they briefly touch on speedsters in the 2024 and 2025 draft classes and Ben gives a few dark horse candidates from the international ranks. The episode closes with a large mailbag section from listeners, including hypothetical prospect-for-prospect trades, Twins prospect Kala’i Rosario’s offensive profile and some fun platoon split/bunt talk surrounding Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott. – Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos hop on the podcast and talk about the Marlins and Kim Ng splitting up—or more accurately Kim Ng deciding that she wanted no part in the Marlins hiring someone above her after one of the organization’s most successful seasons in recent memory. The two talk about the state of the Marlins and whether or not the team has an optimistic future outlook, look at the state of the farm system and the team’s recent draft history and then attempt to line up the various states of the NL East—all of whom are now done for the year with the Phillies falling to the D-Backs in the NLCS. Conversation about the teams’ various farm systems becomes a conversation about the relative strength of the top prospects in baseball at the moment, before the two move to World Series talk and then take a few listener questions. How much weight is placed on offense vs. defense when evaluating prospects? Which top 100 prospects do Ben and Carlos expect to be the high man on for 2024? — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben Badler and Carlos Collazo recap their trip to Jupiter and break down some of the most interesting players they saw. They also talk about the value of scouting an event like Jupiter, which has so much going on at once. After that, the two pivot to big league talk and discuss the postseason. The two give their thoughts on the many blowout series we have had so far, lament the brutal start from Clayton Kershaw and talk about the randomness of the playoffs in general, and especially the current 12-team format. After that, the two talk about Braves-Phillies, which has been the most interesting division series so far, and give their thoughts on the Bryce Harper/Orlando Arcia drama. Finally, the two discuss Mariners president Jerry Dipoto’s comments about winning 54% of the time and the merits of trying to build a sustainable team vs. setting the bar too low. — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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The postseason field is set and October baseball is here. Ben and Carlos talk about the field and think through which teams are well-positioned to advance to the World Series as much as possible given the randomness of playoff baseball. The two talk about styles of play, which teams have the toughest and easiest paths, and then try and figure out which playoff teams are best positioned for success in the next five years. After that the two discuss the careers of four big league legends: Miguel Cabrera, Adam Wainwright, Joey Votto and Zack Greinke. Next the two move into the amateur baseball space and look at the state of the 2025 high school draft class, thanks to Ben’s recently updated top 100 list. Ethan Holliday continues to top the list, but there are plenty of shortstops to get excited about and a few standout arms as well. Finally the two talk about their upcoming trip to Jupiter for Perfect Game’s WWBA World Championship. Who are the teams and players to know? Are more high school players taking the fall off? Does that even matter? And do you really need to bring an umbrella to the field? All that and more. — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos dig into some of the more interesting prospects to know from the Arizona Fall League rosters, including a few well-known players with a chance to make up for lost time, and a few lesser known names who could jump on the scene. Players include Guardians outfielder Chase DeLauter, Tigers righthander Jackson Jobe and Blue Jays lefthander Ricky Tiedemann, among others. After that, the two talk about more big league call-ups, led by Phillies righthander Orion Kerkering, who went from an inconsistent starter and reliever at South Florida to one of the most exciting relievers in baseball in just over a year’s time. They touch on Junior Caminero’s promotion, and briefly look ahead to the top tier of prospects for the 2024 season, before talking about Evan Carter’s power surge in the big leagues, and also touch on Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, lefthander Jordan Wicks, Reds infielder Noelvi Marte and Dodgers righthander Kyle Hurt. After that, the two talk about baseball’s youth movement. The 2023 rookie hitting class is historic, and at the minor league level players are being pushed quicker than ever before. Why is that? Is it a good thing? And what are the pros and cons between development pro ball vs. college anyway? Finally, the two take a listener email that gets at some of these same questions. — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Carlos and Ben briefly talk about Corbin Carroll’s historic rookie season and the rare company that he has joined with his power/speed combination. Then, they look at the NL MVP race that is heating up between Ronald Acuña Jr. and Mookie Betts and try and figure out who, if either, has the edge. That leads to a conversation about stolen base and base running value in the game today before diving into some season-ending team retrospectives. The two focus in particular on the Padres and try to dig into a few of the explanations for why the team underperformed so massively. Was it the front office and AJ Preller? Was it the chemistry of the clubhouse? Was it bad luck and randomness? Or was it something else entirely? After that the two talk through each of the teams hovering around .500 or below this season and gauge whether or not the near future for those clubs is something to get excited about or something to be concerned with. And while the Reds are above .500, are the recent struggles for Elly De La Cruz a red flag for his future, or should we still be optimistic about his long-term success? — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about a few recent high-profile front office moves, led by the Red Sox decision to fire chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom, as well as the Mets hiring of David Stearns and an extension for Mike Rizzo with the Nationals. The two talk about Bloom’s tenure with Boston and try to assess the job he did with the organization, before looking ahead to how the Mets could look with Stearns in charge in New York. After that, the two talk about the seasons that Japanese players Kodai Senga and Masataka Yoshida have had—do they exceed, meet or underwhelm our expectations? The two touch on George Kirby’s polarizing post-game comments and briefly talk about the big league promotions of Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and Orioles outfielder Heston Kjerstad before reviewing the 2023 season of Marcelo Mayer in light of his injury news. Finally, the two talk through a few standouts in the lower levels of the minors and also pick out a few players with down statistical years who they are still in on as prospects before getting into a couple Top 100 focused listener questions. — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about Jordan Lawlar’s big league promotion and what to expect from him, then look back at the 2021 draft class and debate who they would take early in the draft with the benefit of a few years of hindsight. They then talk about the odd pro debut and shutdown of 2023 No. 1 overall pick Paul Skenes and what we can take away from that—if anything. After that, the two talk about the minor league player of the year race and make the cases for both Orioles shortstop Jackson Holliday and Rays infielder Junior Caminero. According to Ben, now is the time to get on the Caminero hype train, and he’s one of four players who are solidly in the mix for the status of top overall prospect in baseball. The two close out the show by talking about a number of prospects who are not currently on the top 100, including players with the Mets, Rays, Mariners, Red Sox and Tigers. Carlos and Ben also take a listener email following up on last week’s LSU/A’s hypothetical. — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the most disappointing teams in the big leagues this year, and then follow up on a 90th Percentile Podcast conversation from Geoff Pontes about how many games the 2023 Louisiana State team could win against the 2023 Oakland A’s. The two then move into a few notable prospect promotions that have happened recently, including Padres catcher Ethan Salas moving to Double-A as a 17-year-old, Rangers outfielder Evan Carter moving up to Triple-A and a number of 2023 draftee assignments: Cubs shortstop Matt Shaw, Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews, Pirates righthander Paul Skenes and Braves righthander Hurston Waldrep all going to Double-A. After that, the two talk about a number of 2023 draftees off to hot starts (Mariners SS Colt Emerson, Blue Jays OF Jace Bohrofen, Orioles OF Enrique Bradfield, Nationals 3B Yohandy Morales, etc.) and a few more who are starting their pro careers a bit cold (Reds SS Sammy Stafura, Red Sox SS Nazzan Zanetello, White Sox SS Jacob Gonzalez, Royals C Blake Mitchell & Cardinals OF Chase Davis). Finally the two talk about BA’s recently released Cape Cod League and USA Collegiate National Team top prospects lists and dig into a few notable 2024 draft prospects. — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos get back on the podcast train after a month of busy travel watching some of the top high school players in the country. First on the docket in today’s episode is the surprise announcement that the Angels are calling up 2023 first rounder Nolan Schanuel. After that, the two start with a conversation about our midseason farm system rankings. How much separation is there at the top with the Orioles, Mariners and Dodgers? And which teams beyond that top trio stand out to us? How do we view top-heavy systems like the Padres and the Nationals compared to systems with less impact talent, but solid quality depth throughout? Then they discuss how many teams have a “case” for a bottom of the barrel system, and also talk through a few teams who have been in “rebuild mode” for a few years, but who have considerably different farm systems right now. After that, things turn towards amateur baseball and the two talk about their early impressions of the 2024 draft class, mention a few prospects who stood out and get unreasonably excited about the future potential of the latest in the Holliday line: 2025 lefthanded-hitting infielder Ethan Holliday. — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos review the 2023 draft and talk through some of their favorite picks and draft classes, as well as talk about surprising bonuses and look through a couple of over slot players drafted later who are names to keep in mind. The two discuss the 2024 draft class and talk about how the class currently has a number of question marks, and then talk about a few prominent movers on the top 100 update—including where the top-ranked 2023 draftees slotted in. They end the podcast with a few listener questions—both on the draft and minor league prospects. ​​— Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Carlos and Ben have a deep draft preview, going pick by pick through the first round to cover the potential picks for all 30 teams. They walk through different scenarios, player/team connections for each club, the players who could potentially go earlier than expected on under-slot deals and the players who might end up sliding down the board. ​​— Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos chat briefly about Ben’s updated top 100 2024 prospect list, and then the two discuss the start of the summer showcase season. What are their preferred events? Which are the big events to know on the calendar? After that, the two talk about Paul Skenes and his recent 124-pitch outing in the regionals for LSU. How many pitches is too many pitches for a college player with big-time draft aspirations in a few weeks and a long career ahead of him? The two try to get into a deeper conversation about this polarizing topic and attack it from multiple angles. Then they discuss the newest top 100 update on the site, and how the rest of the BA staff outnumbered them. What’s the state of the talent in the top 100? Who are notable up/down movers on the list? They get into all of that, and also take a few listener questions that include the strategy of lining up estimated timelines with draft picks, prospect eligibility and how long it takes to get a feel for players debuting in the complex leagues. — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk through our most recent draft update, which was the release of the BA 500—always a fun milestone to reach on the draft calendar. The two talk through a few players of note on the list, including Arizona outfielder Chase Davis and a prominent pop-up player in Southern California, among others. After that, the two talk about the value of team workouts. What sort of information are scouting departments trying to gather in this setting and how important are they when trying to properly evaluate a prospect? Next, the two discuss a few prominent prospect promotions, including: Braves righthander AJ Smith-Shawver, Padres catcher Ethan Salas, Nationals outfielder James Wood, Red Sox shortstop Marcelo Mayer and Rays infielder Junior Caminero. After that, the two discuss a few notable pitching prospects including Dodgers righthander Emmet Sheehan and Brewers righthander Jacob Misiorowski. The two end the show with listener questions, which includes a comparison of Elly De La Cruz and Oneil Cruz, more 2023 draft topics—such as if the Pirates go a bit off the board at No. 1—and how Ben and Carlos were both inspired to pursue baseball writing as a career. — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Today Ben and Carlos talk about the potential benefits of replacing extended spring training with a full-season league in the minors, and then get into a conversation about the pros and cons of scouting history and getting fresh-eyed looks on players from others. The two talk about players they have different history or personal experiences with and also dive into a couple prospects who they either like a lot personally, or think should get a bit more attention. Players include Mariners first baseman Tyler Locklear, D-Backs second baseman Ryan Bliss, Rockies outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez, Braves shortstop Ignacio Alvarez and White Sox righthander Jonathan Cannon. The two also revisit the No. 1 prospect conversation and talk about upside and risk with Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz and Orioles shortstop Jackson Holliday. The two also talk about the draft, touch on a few players they like further down boards and also talk about recent draftees who are old for the level but still putting up impressive performances. — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about how impressive Orioles shortstop Jackson Holliday has been since he was drafted and make the case for him as the No. 1 prospect in baseball. The 19-year-old shortstop has an extremely well-rounded game with few, if any, holes to speak of—who else is in the conversation and competing with him right now? After that, the two discuss a few other players who were taken with the first few picks of the 2022 draft, including Rangers righthander Kumar Rocker, D-Backs outfielder Druw Jones and Pirates second baseman Termarr Johnson. What’s the level of concern with all three players, and is there any underlying data to give us confidence moving forward? Is it simply too soon to get skeptical of the high school hitters? How quickly do we change our opinions on recent draftees based on pro data and how quickly should we change our minds? After that, the two talk about the 2023 draft rankings update process and dive into a few players who are especially difficult to place—most notably Tennessee righthander Chase Dollander. Where does he fit with the top tier of pitching prospects and how do we compare and contrast the performance and consistency of Wake Forest righthander Rhett Lowder with the elite pure stuff of Florida righty Hurston Waldrep, in addition to the more risky but exciting prep profiles of Noble Meyer and Thomas White. Finally the two talk about how impressive Braves righthander AJ Smith-Shawver has been this season and get into a few listener questions. — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos open with some draft talk, where the two discuss the most recent Baseball America mock draft and talk about why they are still so high on the depth of the 2023 draft class. After that, the two break down a few notable movers on the most recent update to the top 100 prospect list—headlined by Rangers outfielder Evan Carter, who was a surprise draft pick at the time and is now looking like a savvy scouting move. Ben and Carlos both pick a few movers they are either higher or lower on than the staff before getting into Ben’s exhaustive international coverage. Ben provides insight into a number of players to know, but particularly digs into a few pitchers in the Yankees and Rays systems, and hitters with the Marlins and D-Backs. — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about Ben’s trip to the Dominican Republic and get into a few players who stood out, and Ben gives some insight on the difficulty of contextualizing the current IFA class to previous ones at this point in the calendar. The two talk about Kyle Glaser’s story on the ‘Enhanced Grip’ baseball that is being tested in the Double-A Southern League, and try and think through the ramifications it has for player development and player evaluation. After that, the two dive into a ton of interesting teenage hitters in the low levels of the minors. That includes standouts like Ryan Clifford (Astros), Brady House (Nationals) and Leonardo Bernal (Cardinals) to name a few, as well as players off to slower starts, like Elijah Green (Nationals) Miguel Bleis (Red Sox) and Tucker Toman (Blue Jays). The two end with a listener mailbag that includes questions on: divisive prospects in the 2023 draft class; Cubs outfielder Owen Caissie’s odd line and what to do about it; what Ben would change about the IFA process if he could, which leads into a discussion of college baseball’s new recruiting rules and how that could impact players. — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Carlos is joined by Peter Flaherty to discuss the current state of the 2023 draft class and our recently updated top 400 draft list. The two talk about the first round and the players getting a lot of buzz at the top of the class, talk through some of the strengths and weaknesses of the group as we see it today, and then get into a few of the biggest rising players on the draft board. After that, Carlos and Peter each pick a player in each quadrant of the draft board who interests them for one reason or another—there’s top of the draft talk, day two draft talk, and sleeper names to know for potentially the third day of the draft as well. It’s not too late to get your primer on the 2023 draft class and today’s podcast serves as a brief audio version of that! — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com Follow us on Twitter: @FutureProPod Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo Peter's Twitter: @PeterGFlaherty 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

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Ben and Carlos chat about their varying levels of disdain for the phrases “have a catch,” “off the charts,” and new pitch classification trends before getting into a conversation about why evaluating younger players is so exciting—and difficult!—at times. The two talk about how excellent the Rays have been early this season, starting the year 13-0, and seemingly winning every trade they make. Carlos makes the case that Wander Franco is in the midst of a breakout season and Ben makes the case that he’s already the superstar player we all expected and hoped he would be. Then they get into the depth of the Rays system and talk about some of their impressive upper-level bats. The duo then discuss how electric Orioles shortstop Jackson Holliday has continued to be, and compare and contrast him with another 2022 first-round shortstop who has similarly done nothing but produce in his professional time so far: Mariners No. 2 prospect Cole Young. After that, the two talk about D-backs prospect Druw Jones and his fantastic catch, and try to think about how they would place Jones with the current 2023 high school outfield duo of Walker Jenkins and Max Clark. At the end of the podcast, the two take a few listener questions, including complex league talk, a rising prep prospect in the 2023 class and how they would tier break the top of the 2023 draft class. — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com Follow us on Twitter: @FutureProPod Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about how impressive Padres catching prospect Ethan Salas has been, and the two try to contextualize how good he is compared to recent top international prospects. After that, the two pivot to the big leagues, where they talk about a trio of Brewers hitters who have come out of the gates hot, as well as a few pitching debuts and prospects from the Dodgers and A’s. After that, Carlos recounts his trip to see Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews in Baton Rouge, and the two wonder how the two LSU stars compare with some of the better pitching and hitting prospects in the minors. Where would they place on a top 100 prospect list, for instance? Lastly they discuss the recent minor league CBA and the various pros and cons that come with it for the players. — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Today Ben and Carlos have an interview with Hudson Belinsky. Belinsky led Baseball America’s draft coverage from 2015-2017 and then joined the Arizona Diamondbacks as a Georgia area scout, where he worked for the team for five years. He is the signing scout for 2022 first-round outfielder Druw Jones, 2021 ninth-round lefthander Jake Rice, 2019 13th-round second baseman Cam Coursey, 2019 third-round first baseman Tristin English and 2018 NDFA lefthander Trevor McKenna. He’s currently an agent with Kares Sports Management. The three talk about his background with Baseball America and his experiences as a scout with the D-backs. The conversation goes in plenty of directions, in classic Future Projection fashion, and the trio touch on topics including: The process of transitioning from writer to scout The different tools at your disposal on the team side The value of data and analytics What it was like to scout and sign Druw Jones in 2022 How he handled disagreements in evaluations on players with other scouts Lessons he learned about player evaluation over the years Some of the pitfalls of the current youth baseball scene His experience dealing with agents and now becoming one And more — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos give their final thoughts on the World Baseball Classic, including Ben’s victory lap on splitter usage and thoughts on how we talk about high-energy vs. low-energy players—including the fact that we might just have it backwards most of the time. The two discuss how the WBC impacts our anticipation for Opening Day and touch on a few more spring training players of note, including: Reds third baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Blue Jays lefthander Ricky Tiedemann, Angels righthander Ben Joyce and Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez. How concerned are we about Encarnacion-Strand’s approach and contact? How does Tiedemann’s amateur path pave the way for others? Will Joyce be a lockdown big league reliever? And will the Dominguez expectations ever be fair? All that and more. The two then talk about how tricky it can be to scout elite high school hitters during their spring seasons when they are getting pitched around and then take a few listener questions, including: “Should we attempt to quantify certainty with individual tool grades?” “Is a batter’s eye part of the hit tool or something else entirely?” “What are our favorite non-MLB venues?” — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the latest in the World Baseball Classic—the good, the bad and the ugly—before breaking down the contract extensions recently signed by Corbin Carroll and Keibert Ruiz. After that the two discuss the Nationals rebuild and the state of their farm system in the wake of the news that righthander Cade Cavalli will miss the 2023 season with a UCL injury. The two talk about the excitement about the top of the system but wonder a bit more about the depth, while acknowledging that the team is in a good position to address that this year thanks to early draft capital and what’s looking like a strong 2023 draft class. The two try to compare the strength of the top of the 2023 class compared to recent years, talk a bit about Carlos’s first mock draft of the year and then revisit the Walker Jenkins vs. Max Clark debate. They close with listener questions and a breakdown of another former MLB all-star with a son who is making a name for himself as a prospect to watch. — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the World Baseball Classic! Who are the favorites in the competition itself and then who are the most interesting prospects to keep an eye on at the event? Roki Sasaki is certainly the No. 1 name to keep an eye on thanks to his immense stuff, but don’t forget about another Japanese righthander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who might get into the big leagues much sooner. After talking about those electric Japanese pitchers, Ben and Carlos dive into the most interesting affiliated prospects in the event, including a few top 100 prospects and some names further down teams’ lists who maybe aren’t as highly regarded but should still be fun to see in action. Following that, Ben talks about a few countries he thinks could be on the rise over the next 15-30 years on the international stage and the two discuss which states would be the favorites in a hypothetical “American Baseball Classic.” Finally the two take listener questions including: “Do you feel the travel ball influence on baseball has been a good thing?” “Are there any non-D1 players to know in the 2023 draft class?” And a question about an interesting Gunnar Henderson comparison. — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com Follow us on Twitter: @FutureProPod Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo 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

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Ben and Carlos chat about how the pitch clock has looked so far in spring training and then dive into our recently published farm system rankings. Just how good are the Orioles in the No. 1 spot and how do they compare to some of the best No. 1 systems we’ve had in the past? What’s the tier break to the next group and how many teams are included? The two then talk about a few systems throughout the top 30 that they like and wind up getting into a conversation about who should actually count as “prospects.” That’s followed by a conversation about spring training, what you can actually take away from it and dive into a few early standout players, including Garrett Mitchell, Heston Kjerstad, Ronny Mauricio, Edouard Julien, Brett Baty, Triston Casas, Jackson Merrill, Brooks Lee, Kyle Muller and Hayden Wesneski, among others. Finally they take a few listener questions including: “How do teams go deeper than just strikeouts and walks for control and command?” “Should Anthony Volpe start the year in the majors?” “Is Jarlin Susana a starter or a reliever?” — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos open the show by discussing the recent injuries to Guardians prospects Daniel Espino and Chase DeLauter before getting into the opening weekend of college baseball action. The two discuss the players who stood out for Carlos at the College Baseball Showdown in Arlington, including Texas Christian third baseman Brayden Taylor, Arkansas lefthander Hagen Smith and Arkansas second baseman Roc Riggio, among others. They spend some time discussing the standout efforts around the country, including Louisiana State righthander Paul Skenes before getting into some farm system talk. Which organizations have the deepest farm systems? Which orgs surprised with less depth than expected? After that the duo takes a few listener questions, including: “Who benefits more from the pitch clock?” “What impacts player development most?” “What skills can MLB teams most consistently improve with players?” — Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com 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

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Ben and Carlos start the show by talking about a few of the new rule changes that were announced for the big leagues in 2023. Both generally agree on the limitations of position players pitching, but there are some different thoughts on the extra-inning rule to put a runner on second base. Following that, the two talk through a number of different players who have yet to make their full-season debuts who they are excited about: either as potential sleepers, pop-up prospects or simply players they are excited to get more information on. This includes players with the Mariners, Cardinals, D-Backs, Reds, Phillies, Brewers, Dodgers, Yankees, Pirates, Twins and Rays, among a few other clubs. To round out the show, Ben and Carlos answer a few listener questions—and Ben even invents his own question to answer on the spot—including: “Who are your helium prospects for the 2023 draft class?” “Who is the best amateur player you’ve seen who didn’t have the career you expected?” “What are biases you have to fight against when evaluating a player?” — 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

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Ben and Carlos briefly talk about the Guardians and Reds swapping outfield prospects and the Padres extending Yu Darvish, as well as the state of San Diego’s farm system and pitching development, before getting into nitty-gritty scout talk. What’s in each of their bags when they head out to the fields to see players? What’s their evaluating process? How has it changed over the years? Then the two talk about the 20-80 scale and how BA uses grades and risk factors to try and quantify players. The two talk about the value of using terms like “floor” and “ceiling” when discussing prospects, how that differs from variance—if it even does—and then debate the merits of half-grades and extreme precision when putting numbers on tools and player roles. After that, the two compete to draft the best team of 2023 draft prospects. Each podcast host attempts to roster a catcher, two corner infielders, two middle infielders, three outfielders, one utility spot and four pitchers that will best the other's on draft day and years into the future. Let us know which team you're siding with! Finally, they answer a few listener questions including: “Is there any conventional scouting wisdom you disagree with?” “What are your favorite events on the high school showcase circuit?” “What are the pros and cons of development in the Caribbean vs. the United States?” — 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

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Ben and Carlos talk through some of the best outfield prospects in baseball, starting briefly with James Wood (Nationals) and Jordan Walker (Cardinals) before getting into some players further down the board, like Emmanuel Rodriguez (Twins), George Valera (Guardians), Elijah Green (Nationals), Alec Burleson (Cardinals), Joey Wiemer (Brewers), Chase DeLauter (Guardians) and Spencer Jones (Yankees). After that, the two discuss the outfield talent of the 2023 draft class, with in-depth conversations about players like Enrique Bradfield (Vanderbilt), Dillon Head (Ill.), Johnny Farmelo (Va.) and Kendall George (Texas). The two also discuss the unique case of Arizona high school outfielder and elite football prospect Duce Robinson, and how MLB scouting departments might be thinking about him as a baseball talent. After that, we break down our preseason college and high school All-Americans, discuss the picks that caught us by surprise and Carlos tries to see how well Ben can guess how the industry voted for the best tools in the high school class. Finally the two talk about various body types and mobilities and how that impacts how we view and talk about players. -- Sign up for the BA Fantasy Summit Here! -- 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the baseball schedule and why exactly January feels so busy for the staff at BA despite no baseball taking place. This leads to a conversation about what scouts are working on this time of year, and why there’s still plenty of needle-moving things that occur off the field. Next, the two discuss the Astros naming former Braves VP of Scouting Dana Brown their new GM. How will this change what Houston does? And will this impact Altanta’s strong tradition of scouting? The two then talk about various ownership situations across the league and think about what exactly makes a good owner in the first place — both for fans and employees. After that, the two finally talk players, with much of the focus surrounding corner infielders. That includes a solid 2023 draft group with names like Brayden Taylor (Texas Christian), Yohandy Morales (Miami), Brock Wilken (Wake Forest), Aidan Miller (Fla.) and Bryce Eldridge (Va.), as well as some of the top corner infield prospects in baseball, including Triston Casas (Red Sox), Miguel Vargas (Dodgers), Kyle Manzardo (Rays), Matt Mervis (Cubs) and Casey Schmitt (Giants). Finally, Carlos gives his hypothetical Hall of Fame ballot and Ben grades his picks. -- 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

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Ben talks about why his January 15th was much more chaotic this year compared to previous years and then he and Carlos get into the recently released BA Top 100 list. The two talk about how separated the trio of Gunnar Henderson (Orioles), Corbin Carroll (D-backs) and Jackson Chourio (Brewers) are from the prospects behind them, and get into a conversation about the power potential of Carroll. After that, the two talk about which prospects would be next up before digging into an ultra-talented and exciting group of shortstops at the top of the list. How would both writers line up a group that includes Elly De La Cruz (Reds), Marcelo Mayer (Red Sox), Jordan Lawlar (D-backs), Anthony Volpe (Yankees) and Jackson Holliday (Orioles)? After talking through those players, the two get into a conversation about why elite shortstop prospects come from the high school ranks, but why the 2023 draft class could change that a bit for next year—thanks to players like Jacob Gonzalez (Mississippi) and Jacob Wilson (Grand Canyon). Finally, the duo breaks down some players they are either higher or lower on than the consensus BA top 100 list. Players include: Tink Hence (Cardinals), Michael Busch (Dodgers), Dylan Lesko (Padres), Ceddanne Rafaela (Red Sox), Luis Ortiz (Pirates), Matthew Liberatore (Cardinals) and Adael Amador (Rockies), among others. -- 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

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Today on the show, Ben and Carlos talk about catching prospects. With Orioles franchise catcher Adley Rutschman establishing himself in the majors, is this the start of a new wave of catching talent? Who’s the top catching prospect in the game, and how much separation is there between the top backstops in baseball? The two dig into the profiles of a number of top-100 talents, including: Francisco Alvarez (Mets), Gabriel Moreno (D-backs), Diego Cartaya (Pirates), Endy Rodriguez (Pirates), Tyler Soderstrom (A’s), Logan O’Hoppe (Angels), Kevin Parada (Mets), Henry Davis (Pirates) and others. The two also discuss hot names who might not start out on top 100 lists, but could be there shortly in 2023, like Dalton Rushing (Dodgers), Austin Wells (Yankees) and Jeferson Quero (Brewers). After that, Ben breaks down some of the top catching prospects in the 2023 international class, which is led by Venezuelan catcher Ethan Salas (expected to sign with the Padres) and gives his yearly overview of the international market. -- 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

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Ben and Carlos are back on the podcast for the second season of the show! After a long hiatus, the two bring 2023 in with a bang, chatting about the most recent Prospect Handbook and the players who impressed them within it, plus an early look at the 2023 and 2024 draft classes. The two discuss players they’re excited about in the minor leagues, including Gunnar Henderson (Orioles), James Wood (Nationals), Evan Carter (Rangers), Emmanuel Rodriguez (Twins), Cam Collier (Reds), Miguel Bleis (Red Sox) and Spencer Jones (Yankees)—among others. The two try to line up the best pitching prospects in baseball, Grayson Rodriguez (Orioles), Andrew Painter (Phillies) and Eury Perez (Marlins) and also talk about who’s next up after that trio of electric arms. After talking about the best farm systems in baseball, the two pivot to draft talk, where they discuss the headliners of the 2023 class, including Dylan Crews, Chase Dollander, Max Clark and Walker Jenkins, as well as look ahead to the top players in the 2024 high school class. 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about Baseball America’s recently updated draft rankings. There’s plenty of movement on the board, but perhaps the most notable prospect moving up is former Vanderbilt star Kumar Rocker. The two talk about how he looked in his debut outing for the Tri-City ValleyCats and then try and figure out how he fits into the 2022 class. After that, the two touch on other notable risers and discuss how the class is shaping up before transitioning to notable movers on the Top 100 prospects list, and minor league players to know. The two discuss righthanders Eury Perez and Daniel Espino and how they could be the next wave of elite pitching prospects, before talking about Ezequiel Tovar, Jackson Chourio and others. Finally they take listener questions. 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the improved pace of play in the minor leagues thanks to implementing a pitch clock and enforcing it. The two give their thoughts on the rule change and talk about a few potential ramifications, before talking about Ben’s International Review series. Ben gives some insight into a few players who have stood out throughout the process and also talks about some teams who have done well in the international space. Following that, the two walk through a recent Baseball America staff draft, where writers made picks for each team in the first round. They give their thoughts on each pick, what their thought processes were for their own picks, and then talk through how the 2022 first round could potentially shape up this July. Finally, the two take a few listener questions. Links Staff Draft V 1.0 Ben’s International Reviews for every team JJ’s initial story on minor league pace of play JJ’s expanded story on minor league pace of play JJ’s Q&A on pace of play questions 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the first week or so of the professional season kicking off, including a scorching start for Guardians fifth round pick and outfielder Steven Kwan—who literally cannot miss. After that, the two touch on more rookies who have impressed, including Mariners righthander Matt Brash, Reds righthander Hunter Green, Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki and Braves righthander Spencer Strider, among others. The two then talk about a few fast moving minor league prospects (including righthanders Jack Leiter and Eury Perez) and reflect on the hot start of the 2021 prep shortstop quartet: Marcelo Mayer, Jordan Lawlar, Brady House and Kahlil Watson. Finally, the two talk about players who popped at the 2022 NHSI (hello Dylan Lesko and let us introduce you to 2024 outfielder Derek Curiel) before taking listener questions. Links: Updated Top 30s for every team Youngest players in each league 5 reasons so many elite prospects made opening day rosters 20 players to know from the 2022 NHSI Scouting pitching prospects from week one 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

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With spring training currently underway, Ben and Carlos talk about how valuable it is when it comes to evaluating players. We touch on a few players who have gotten some buzz early this spring, like Marlins shortstop Kahlil Watson, and then touch on another Blue Jays trade that Ben is a big fan of. After that, the two talk about how stacked the field of American League rookie of the year candidates is, and also discuss how the Pirates should handle Oneil Cruz. Following that, the two go over some of their 2022 season predictions. Then they pivot to the amateur game and talk about a big (literally) 2024 high school prospect who re-classed to 2023 and talk about why 2022 lefthander Noah Schultz is trending up in a big way for this year’s draft. Finally, we get into a few listener questions. Links Josh’s story on prospects scouts identified entering the 2021 season Ben’s story on the Blue Jays/Rockies trade that included Adrian Pinto Ben’s story on George Wolkow reclassifying for 2023 Carlos’s draft stock watch on Noah Schultz + others Josh’s spring training notebook on Jarlin Susana + more Geoff’s spring training notebook on Kahlil Watson + more Geoff’s spring training notebook on Gordon Graceffo/Matthew Liberatore + more Top 50 2023 college draft prospects 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

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On today’s episode, Ben and Carlos react to many of the moves that have been made around the big leagues over the past week including: Freddie Freeman signing with the Dodgers; the Matt Olson deal that sent Christian Pache, Shea Langeliers and two others to the As; the Matt Chapman deal which brought Gunnar Hoglund and three more to Oakland; and others. The two discuss high-octane arms like Chase Petty and JT Ginn getting dealt and also touch on a flamethrowing pitcher from the 2023 high school class who is next in line and already touching triple digits—Texas righthander Travis Sykora. The two marvel about a Marcelo Mayer card being sold for more than $130,000 and then talk about the oddly-dubbed ‘Kumar Rocker Rule’ in the new CBA. Links Top 40s for every team The Matt Olson trade The Matt Chapman trade The Sonny Gray trade The Chris Bassitt trade Top 200 Draft Prospects 14 Notable Up/Down Draft Prospects 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

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Ben and Carlos are briefly joined by JJ to talk about MLB and the MLBPA agreeing to a new CBA after a lockout that lasted 99 days. The three give their immediate impressions on what this means for the game. JJ talks about the chaos that will ensue shortly and Ben explains why no one should be surprised about the international draft after MLB has been trying to make it a reality for years. After that, Ben and Carlos talk about the group of center field prospects we currently have in the minors and how strong or weak that group is compared to a normal year, and where a player like Druw Jones would slot in with Riley Greene, Brennen Davis, Corbin Carroll, Robert Hassell III and others. The two then talk about how much ‘big league bloodlines’ really matters before talking a bit about Ben’s process with our underclass high school rankings and how teams will need to shift their scouting practices given the current draft schedule. Links Kyle’s story on the lockout ending Ben’s 2019 story on the international draft JJ’s story on the chaos that is coming post CBA Top 30s for every team Center field prospect position rankings MLB Draft hub 2023 Top 50 HS rankings 2024 Top 50 HS rankings Dynasty 1000 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

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There’s finally real, live baseball happening around the country. On this episode, Ben and Carlos talk about a lot of it, including 103 mph fastballs thrown by Tennessee righthander Ben Joyce and North Carolina State first baseman Tommy White’s home run binge to start the season. The two discuss Carlos’s trip to Florida, where he got looks on potential first rounders, including high school outfielder Elijah Green, high school lefthanders Jackson Ferris and Brandon Barriera, and college prospects including outfielder Chase DeLauter and Florida State southpaws Parker Messick and Bryce Hubbart. After talking through some specific players, the two discuss their favorite swings from current major leaguers and current prospects, as well as think about how swings that don’t look as aesthetically pleasing can impact how we view players. Finally the two take listener questions. This episode’s Q&A includes: “What is the difference between control and command for pitchers?” “Would teams avoid a position in the draft because of the current system?” and “Who is an under the radar college player we are keeping a close eye on?” Links Carlos’s live looks stock watch Stock watch on 10 performers around the country Ben Joyce’s 103 mph FB 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

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Ben and Carlos discuss the best tools results from our survey with major league scouting departments. We wind up talking about just how impressive Georgia righthander Dylan Lesko is for quite a while, before getting into all kinds of tools on both the high school and college side of things. We talk about sleeper hitting prospects who could push up boards, how this class seems particularly strong on changeups and also look ahead to some toolsy prospects in the 2023 class—Dylan Crews and Max Clark. After that we wonder whether or not Robert Moore could be a fit for the Royals at No. 9 in the draft and then talk about the tools that, in general, excite us the most on the baseball field. Time Stamps Intro/banter (0:00:01) Best tools convo starts (0:08:31) Dylan Lesko tooled up across the board (0:11:11) Concerns about pitchers who lack breaking ball feel (0:24:21) Good class for changeups (0:29:15) Other high school pitching tools that stand out (0:40:35) Druw Jones’s elite defense ability (47:21:03) Hitters not named Termarr Johnson with good hit tools (0:52:27) Best hitter in the college class (0:59:18) Looking ahead at Dylan Crews & Max Clark (1:02:46) Thoughts on Robert Moore and whether he’s a fit for the Royals at No. 9 (1:17:40) The tools that excite us the most (1:31:24) Links Mock Draft V 1.0 2022 High School Preseason All-America Teams 2022 College Preseason All-America Teams High School Best Tools College Best Tools Draft Stock Watch: A Depleted College Pitching Class 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

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Ben and Carlos are joined by Geoff Pontes, who makes his debut appearance on the podcast! The majority of the show is spent breaking down our recently released farm system rankings, where the Mariners checked into the top spot for the first time ever. We talk about the top farms, and whether or not the separation between the Mariners and the next group (Rays, Pirates, Orioles) is significant or marginal. After each person talks about a few organizations they are excited about as we move into the 2022 season the group discusses the bottom of the list and why those farms are behind at the moment. Following the farm system conversation, the group takes listener emails including… “What’s your philosophy on challenging players with aggressive assignments?… “Who has better Hall of Fame chances: Cole Hamels or Jacob deGrom?”… “What are your thoughts on Giants catching prospect Patrick Bailey?” Time Stamps Intro/Banter (0:00:01) Geoff’s background and getting into baseball (0:03:17) Talking farm system rankings (0:11:10) Top end talent vs. depth (0:38:27) Teams poised to climb & teams we are personally higher on (0:49:22) The bottom of the list (1:04:30) Sleeper orgs in the 20-30 range (1:14:37) Mailbag! (1:26:03) Links Org talent rankings Kyle’s story on five systems that could rise in 2022 All-time No. 1 farm systems Geoff’s new podcast: The 90th Percentile 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

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Ben and Carlos bounce all over the baseball world in today’s episode, going from junior college kicking off, to the Hall of Fame results, to international draft talk and conversations about the upcoming 2022 draft class. We start by talking about how impressive it is that Cam Collier homered in his junior college debut with Chipola (Fla.) JC and then pivot to some big league news. The two discuss the Tampa/Montreal split season proposal getting shut down and offer thoughts on that idea in general, and then get into a long conversation on the big MLB news of the week: Hall of Fame results. Ben and Carlos talk about who they would vote for, who they wouldn’t vote for and their thought on the voting process and how it will have to continue to evolve to evaluate modern players in the future. Following that, we lament recent injuries in the 2022 college pitching class—specifically Arkansas RHP Peyton Pallette and Tennessee RHP Blade Tidwell—and discuss how this impacts an already weak group. Then, the two talk about the 2022 NHSI and touch on a few more top 100 players—Astros SS Jeremy Peña and Rays RHP Taj Bradley—before getting into this week’s mailbag, which touches on how the BA Grades work in our prospect handbook and how that system has changed over the years. Time Stamps Intro/Banter (0:00:01) Cam Collier’s juco debut (0:00:50) The Tampa/Montreal situation (0:04:25) Hall of Fame thoughts (0:06:17) Injuries crushing the 2022 college pitching class (0:47:25) An opportunity for high school pitchers? (0:56:42) 2022 National High School Invitational (1:00:48) Thoughts on Taj Bradley and Jeremy Peña (1:10:48) How writing helps us think deeper about players (1:16:01) Mailbag! (1:21:32) Links Teddy and Joe’s College Preview Content Cam Collier’s juco homer Peyton Pallette injury news Blade Tidwell injury news BA’s Top 100 list Hall of Fame Voting results 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

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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

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The podcast returns! After a bit of a hibernation, Ben explains to you all why Future Projection has been dormant for much of the winter—don’t blame Carlos, he’s not at fault! The two talk about the Wander Franco contract extension with the Rays and whether or not we like aggressive, team-friendly deals like this. Ben makes the case that we shouldn’t always view a contract as team or player friendly, but perhaps agent friendly. After that, the two discuss the immense talent and depth of the catching ranks in baseball at the moment and dive into a few catchers we like who might begin the year on the outside of our top 100 looking in. Following that, we talk about a few players we found ourselves liking more and more throughout the Prospect Handbook editing process and touch on a few pitchers who have trended in the right direction with velocity. Time Stamps Opening banter (0:00:01) Ben’s big announcement (0:01:16) International big board update (0:06:00) The Wander Franco extension (0:10:12) Other notable pre-lockout moves and signings (0:23:24) A tidal wave of catching talent (0:26:21) Players who grew on us throughout the Prospect Handbook process (0:42:41) A conversation about velocity gains with pitchers, including Aaron Ashby and Ricky Tiedemann (0:53:49) Links Ben’s updated international big board Matt’s story on the Golden Era of Catching Prospects 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

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Ben and Carlos banter about MLB’s announcement requiring teams to provide housing for “certain” minor league players, once again fight over the pronunciation of “OPS” and also talk about the closely contested games the 2021 postseason has provided. After that, the two discuss Wander Franco’s impressive rookie campaign and whether or not they would vote for him as the Rookie of the Year. That turns into a discussion of the best pure hitters Ben has covered, which leads to a conversation about Juan Soto—and how remarkable he is at just 22 years old. After that, the two discuss the Rays and why people online seem to get worked up about them so much, before turning their eyes towards the Arizona Fall League and potential breakout players there. This leads to a Sign One, Trade One, Cut One debate with Red Sox prospects Triston Casas, Marcelo Mayer and Nick Yorke. After that, the two discuss standout Jupiter players, including shortstops Mikey Romero and Nicolas Perez and lefthander Levi Huesman. Ben wonders if a potential Druw Jones shortstop experiment would be worthwhile, and the two then tackle a few listener questions—including who the best lefthander in the 2022 class is—before signing off. Time Stamps Opening Banter (0:00:01) MLB requiring teams to provide MiLB Housing (0:02:17) More nonsense about stat abbreviations (0:13:57) MLB Playoffs (0:18:01) Wander Franco's Impressive 2021 Campaign (0:24:09) Is Juan Soto the best hitter on the planet? (0:39:36) Why people seem so enraged by the Rays (0:47:50) Arizona Fall League (0:59:02) Sign One, Trade One, Cut One — Triston Casas, Marcelo Mayer, Nick Yorke (1:13:10) Standout players from Jupiter (1:26:14) Ben's Druw Jones SS idea (1:35:25) Mailbag! (1:43:38) Links Jeff Passan's MiLB Housing story JJ's MiLB housing story Kevin Goldstein's OPS tweet Jose Altuve's 21 postseason home run record Arizona Fall League Leaderboard Josh's story on 10 AFL players who could regain their stock Josh's story on 5 AFL players who could pop Carlos's story on 36 Jupiter standouts Carlos's story on 9 underclass Jupiter standouts 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about Bobby Witt Jr. being named the BA Minor League Player of the Year and how there seem to be no obvious flaws in his game. After that, the two discuss the 2022 draft order being set (at least for the time being) and talk a little bit about how Baltimore’s draft strategy in the past could line up with a 2022 draft class that looks strong on college bats, but lacks a clear 1-1 player at the moment. After that, the two talk about whether or not they like the current draft system and what changes might be better, and wonder if the new CBA will bring changes to the draft next year and in the future. Then the two talk about the upcoming Perfect Game WWBA World Championship—better known as Jupiter—which is one of the biggest amateur events of the year. Finally, the two discuss whether or not they like the current MLB playoff structure and the pros and cons that come with it. Time Stamps Opening banter (0:00:01) Bobby Witt Jr. MiLB Player of the Year (0:01:50) The 2022 draft order (0:09:57) D-backs track record of top 3 picks (0:14:28) Thoughts on the current draft structure (0:17:51) Thoughts on how the draft will change in the CBA (0:28:33) Jupiter! (0:30:48) The MLB Playoff Structure (01:07:39) Links: Link to Carlos’s Bobby Witt Jr. Minor League Player of the Year Story Link to the Preliminary 2022 MLB Draft Order Link to JJ's Tank Tax Story Link to Instructional League rosters for every team Link to the field of teams at Jupiter Future Projection Pod 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the college pitching heavy Royals 2018 draft class and how that group recently accomplished an impressive feat. The two then discuss the #FairBall protest over the weekend and talk a bit about the depressing state of minor league pay and whether or not pitch clocks are effective without being disruptive to the game. After that, the two talk about a recent story about Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman and his play at all costs mentality and how they might create issues before diving into an extended mailbag segment with plenty of listener questions. Time Stamps: -Opening banter (0:00:03) -Royals 2018 draft class (0:07:36) -How we pronounce stats like OPS+, wRC+, wOBA, etc. (0:19:50) -#FairBall protest and MiLB pay (0:25:19) -Thoughts on the pitch clock (0:35:43) -Freddie Freeman’s always play mentality (0:42:18) -Mailbag (0:49:49) Links: - Rany Jazayerli’s tweet on the Royals 2018 draft class - Brittany Ghiroli on the MiLB #FairBall story - Jayson Stark’s pitch clock story - JJ Cooper’s pitch clock story - Hannah Keyser’s Freddie Freeman story - Josh Norris’s story on 30 prospects who improved their stock in 2021 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

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Ben and Carlos dive into what they like and don’t like about various workouts in showcase environments before getting into some of the top players to know in the 2023 class. Outfielders like Max Clark and Walker Jenkins have impressed Ben for their hitting ability and toolsets, while lefthander Thomas White has long been a favorite and remains the top pitching prospect in the group. After that, the two discuss shortstop defense and what leads teams to projecting everyday shortstops, while also discussing the differences in training that players from Latin American receive vs. domestic infielders. Next, the two talk about how age vs. level matters for prospect evaluation and how older players shouldn’t always be overlooked. Finally, the two take listener questions, including: how we view 2022 infielder Cam Collier; how Tyler Soderstrom compares to Zac Veen and Robert Hassell from the 2020 class; which prospects who just missed the updated top 100 we are high on; and more. 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

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Ben and Carlos are joined by Josh for a podcast primarily centered on the minor leagues and our upcoming top 100 update. The trio talks about the process of updating the list before digging into plenty of player specific conversations. Josh explains why he—like Carlos—is infatuated with Bobby Witt Jr., the trio talks about the demographic strengths of the top 100 this year and digs into a few players who are polarizing among the BA staff or especially difficult to place on a list, including Padres lefthander MacKenzie Gore, Twins infielder/outfielder Austin Martin and Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez. After that, the group discusses some of the more impressive minor league seasons this year—say hello to Anthony Volpe, Yankees fans—before talking about the gradual shift in how the industry scouts the Triple-A level. After that, the group debates whether or not half grades are useful on the 20-80 scouting scale and whether or not they find player comps valuable or misleading. Finally, we take listener questions, including whether or not we're concerned about Giants shortstop Marco Luciano's performance this season and what an ETA could be for Athletics catcher Tyler Soderstrom, among others. 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

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After spending a few weeks traveling around the country watching players in the 2022, 2023 and 2024 draft classes, Ben and Carlos are back on the mic! The two have an overdue conversation about the 2021 draft results, talk through some of their favorite picks (Khalil Watson, Brady House, Marcelo Mayer) and classes before talking about the Kumar Rocker/Mets situation. After Ben proposes some tweaks to the draft process, the two talk about why the draft is difficult or impossible to evaluate and analyze in the immediate aftermath, which leads to a conversation about the Red Sox’ 2020 selection of Nick Yorke—who is on a tear in pro ball. After that, the two talk about the impressive high school pitching in the 2022 draft class, discuss the merits of Termarr Johnson and Elijah Green as the top players in the class and then pivot to the minor leagues. Which player would they take among a top three of Adley Rutschman, Julio Rodriguez and Bobby Witt Jr.? They don’t agree on which, though it’s close. That leads to a conversation about the top farm systems in the game and which orgs you should keep an eye on to take a big step forward, before the two get into listener questions. 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

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Ben and Carlos are joined by Alexis Brudnicki to talk all things 2021 draft with just a few days to go before the Pirates are on the clock. If you haven't yet gotten started prepping for this year's draft, this is the show for you. After giving an overview of our thoughts on this year's class as a whole and the draft process in a unique year, all three give their 20-80 grades on each demographic of the class. The trio talk about players at the top of the draft in all four main categories—college pitching, college hitting, high school pitching, high school hitting—and then pivot to what the first round might be shaping up like. After that, the three talk about which player they would take No. 1 in a class that doesn't have a clear top prospect and discuss the ETAs of the top college players in the class, RHPs Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker. Then the group moves further down the draft board to talk through a few sleepers, talk about team tendencies and draft strategy and then dive into a loaded listener mailbag. 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

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Ben and Carlos return from a brief hiatus to talk about all sorts of prospect action. First, the two discuss some of the players they're most excited to see on the recently announced Futures Game rosters, including Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez, Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman and Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez—among others. After that, Ben and Carlos break down the inaugural MLB draft combine, highlight a few players who stood out and talk through what the event is now and what it should be in the future. Finally, they discuss prospects with helium: from potential first-round draft picks like Indiana high school shortstop Colson Montgomery and East Carolina second baseman Connor Norby, to players on the pro side, like Indians infielder Angel Martinez and Marlins righthander Eury Perez. 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

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Ben and Carlos talk about the increased stolen base totals in the lower levels of the minors, and talk about whether or not rule changes incentivizing the steal would be good for the game. After that the two talk about "prospect hype" and how the notoriety of players can affect the way we think about them—whether we realize it or not. Among those prospects with no shortage of hype, they explain what's going on right now with Jasson Dominguez and discuss the draft stock of Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker. This episode is full of interesting listener questions, including whether or not Todd Helton belongs in the Hall of Fame, what the two think about 2022 high school shortstop Termarr Johnson, how Pirates righthander Roansy Contreras has excited us so far this season, how throwing ability is evaluated and more. 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

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For the first time since the Future Projection Podcast has been around, Ben and Carlos are able to talk about actual minor league baseball. The two talk about a number of prospects who have gotten off to strong starts this season, including Wander Franco, Julio Rodriguez, Vidal Brujan, CJ Abrams, Alek Thomas and many others. Prior to that conversation, the two discuss why Oklahoma high school righthander Jackson Jobe is the top prep pitcher in the class and see how he stacks up with recent top-of-the-class high school righthanders like Mick Abel and Quinn Priester. The two wrap up the podcast in typical fashion, by taking listener questions including one about Mariners prospect George Kirby's newfound velocity—and how that changes his profile moving forward. 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

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Ben and Carlos are joined by Josh and Kyle for a roundtable podcast in celebration of Minor League Opening Day. It's been quite a while since we've had minor league baseball in any capacity, but the group talks about everything they are excited for with the season finally starting. Before that conversation gets rolling, the group talks about a few catchers on our updated BA Draft 400 list, one trending up and another trending in the opposite direction. That leads to a conversation about scouting backstops, and how the profile for catchers will change when robot umps are a fixture in the big leagues. Who stands to benefit? Who will lose value? After that the group marvels about the performance of Jacob deGrom, they discuss his Hall of Fame candidacy and talk about the merits of athleticism and two-way backgrounds for pitcher success. After that, we get into the meat of the podcast and talk through players and teams we are looking forward to watching in the minors, how the new structure will change how we evaluate players and how teams handle their development. As always, we wrap up with listener questions. 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

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Ben and Carlos spend a lot of time talking about the value of scouting players through video. Since the Covid season, more and more teams are using video and video tools to amplify their draft coverage, which leads to plenty of benefits, but perhaps some downsides as well. The two talk about how that has changed the job for scouts and then talk about what exactly makes a pop-up player and how some players can go under-the-radar. After that, the two talk about a few players who aren’t ranked in the first round range at the moment, but wouldn’t surprise us if they did end up going in the first round. As always, they wrap things up by answering listener questions, touching on a 6-foot-8 lefthander from the Northeast, how teams are handling international free agency and a few Rangers prospects with helium heading into the minor league season. 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

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Ronald Acuña Jr. makes a fool of the podcast by sitting at the top of the WAR leaderboard just weeks after Ben, Carlos and Josh chose to cut him instead of Juan Soto or Fernando Tatis Jr. After talking about Acuña’s torrid start to the season and improved plate discipline, Ben and Carlos discuss the play of both Byron Buxton and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The two then talk about some of the most toolsy and athletic players in the minor leagues and the 2021 draft class, before having a similar conversation about toolsy pitchers. The two then talk about some of the better pitchers in the league—Corbin Burnes, Tyler Glasnow, Aroldis Chapman—and various pitch-mix changes they have implemented before taking listener questions. 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

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Ben and Carlos marvel at Shohei Ohtani’s early-season exploits on the mound and as a hitter, which leads to a conversation about the difficulties of being a two-way player at the pro level and the prospects who could be next in line to give it a try. The two then spend a lot of time talking about Louisiana State righthander Jaden Hill, who recently tore his UCL and who now faces an uncertain draft outlook given the injury and his limited college resume. The two talk about the decision to make the draft 20 rounds in 2021 and talk about what an ideal number of rounds is—or perhaps more importantly, what an ideal draft format would be. They wrap things up by taking listener questions, including: how the Braves have used their international scouting resources in the wake of sanctions; the differences between scouting high school and college hitters; northeast prospects to keep an eye on; and whether or not Mariners prospect Noelvi Marte can become a top 25 prospect in baseball. 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

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Ben and Carlos are joined by JJ Cooper for the sixth episode of the Future Projection Podcast. The three talk about what they are excited about for Opening Day before talking about New Jersey high school righthander Chase Petty touching 102 mph. Is throwing that hard that young awesome or scary? After that, the three talk about various sightlines for watching games, and how you can better scout players from various vantage points. Ben talks about a physical college hitter he was impressed with recently and the three collectively talk about their desire for teams to hire more scouts. Finally, the three make picks for the top 10 teams in the 2021 draft if they were deciding for clubs today, before tackling some listener questions. 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

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On the fifth episode of the Future Projection Podcast, Ben and Carlos talk about the recently updated BA draft rankings and discuss how volatile this year’s draft class is. The two talk about the lack of a consensus No. 1 player in the class at this point and play “Sign One, Trade One, Cut One” with Vanderbilt righthanders Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter, and Dallas Jesuit High shortstop Jordan Lawlar. After talking about Boston College outfielder Sal Frelick, the two talk about the pros and cons of tall hitters vs. shorter hitters and talk through some of the notable recent “undersized” bats in the game. After that the two talk about MLB and USA Baseball’s new pre-draft events and how those and a combine could shake up the evaluation of the class before taking listen questions—including one listener who asks what pitching prospects we could be talking about like MacKenzie Gore in a few years. 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

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Ben and Carlos are joined by their first-ever guest on the podcast—fellow BA staffer Josh Norris. The three talk about how teams handle contrasting evaluations in scouting, whether that’s an area scout vs. a national crosschecker or an amateur scout vs. a pro scout. After talking about a few players who have had split opinions, the three play “Sign one, Trade one, Cut one” with baseball’s top three stars: Ronald Acuna Jr., Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr. After that, breakout candidates like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are discussed and the three guess which prospect between Spencer Torkelson and Austin Martin will reach the bigs first. In closing, Ben and Josh offer career and life advice, while Carlos simply tells listeners to learn Spanish. 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

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Ben and Carlos spend most of the episode talking about shortstops—what scouts look for when evaluating the position, as well as some of the top young shortstop talents in the game. The two discuss an exciting 2021 draft class for the position on the high school side (highlighted by Jordan Lawlar and Marcelo Mayer) and then talk about the top shortstops in the 2020 international class. Ben raves about some of the best defenders he’s ever seen at the position before the two play a game of “Sign one, trade on, cut one” with three of the top pro shortstop prospects in the game. As is becoming customary, they round things out by taking a few listener questions. 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

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Ben and Carlos spend some time talking about Ben's recently released International Big Board for the 2021-22 international class, before diving into why an international draft is likely on the horizon. Ben explains what an international draft could look like and why more sides are open to it now than they might have been previously. The two talk about why pick trading could be a good addition to an international draft and the domestic draft. After that Carlos dives into 2021 draft standouts like Boston College OF Sal Frelick, Miami (Ohio) RHP Sam Bachman and North Carolina OF Justice Thompson. The two then touch on a few 2020 draftees who could already be improving their stock (including Red Sox 2B Nick Yorke and Rangers OF Evan Carter), talk hitting and catching evaluation and then take a few listener questions. 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

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Baseball is back! On their debut episode, Ben Badler and Carlos Collazo talk about the challenges of scouting this spring, scouting philosophy when it comes to balancing new information with past history and the differences between amateur and pro looks in player evaluation. The two then express their excitement for 2022 high school draft prospect Elijah Green and go in-depth on Yankees prospect Jasson Dominguez. Carlos highlights a number of college baseball standouts from college opening weekend, including Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter. The two briefly debate who the best MLB team of the 2010s was, before discussing potential teams of the 2020s (get ready, Blue Jays fans). The Fernando Tatis extension is mentioned, along with general Padres discussion, before Ben rounds things out with his thoughts on what makes Mariners prospect Julio Rodriguez special on and off the field. 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