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. 

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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: [email protected]  

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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.

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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: [email protected]  

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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: [email protected]  

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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: [email protected]  

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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: [email protected]  

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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: [email protected]  

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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: [email protected]  

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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: [email protected]  

Follow us on Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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: [email protected]  

Follow us on Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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: [email protected]  

Follow us on Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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: [email protected]  

Follow us on Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website