Ben and Carlos open the listener mailbag and take questions about Blue Jays SS Juan Sanchez, Royals OF Angeibel Gomez vs. Giants SS Josuar Gonzalez, Braves OF Eric Hartman, Cardinals C Rainiel Rodriguez and Nationals RHP Jarlin Susana.

Time Stamps: 

• (1:00) Was it a mistake to send Juan Sanchez to Low A?
• (4:00) Angeibel Gomez vs. Josuar Gonzalez hype 
• (9:00) Eric Hartman
• (14:00) Rainiel Rodriguez
• (18:00) Jarlin Susana

—

Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: [email protected].

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben and Carlos talk about the Brewers-Rays matchup for this year’s World Series. The two talk about if there’s a takeaway to be had from two small market teams being the last standing. They debate whether they would rather have Junior Caminero or Jackson Chourio moving forward, as well as other World Series topics. They also chat about Baseball America’s latest update to the 2027 draft board. 

—

Time Stamps:

• (0:00) Rays/Brewers World Series Preview
• (5:00) What’s the takeaway of a small market World Series
• (12:00) Junior Caminero talk
• (22:30) Junior Caminero vs. Jackson Chourio
• (32:00) Chandler Simpson bunting
• (34:00) Draft update
• (43:00) George Ferguson
• (51:30) Malachi Butler

—

Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: [email protected].

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s mailbag Ben and Carlos answer questions about John Rodríguez and the Angels international signing efforts, where Yankees OF Yostin Peña might start the 2027 season, Caleb Bonemer’s center field chances and how Guardians LHP Parker Messick compares to Reds LHP Ethan Norby. 

—

Time Stamps:

• (1:00) John Rodríguez and Angels international prospects
• (4:30) Where will Yankees OF Yostin Peña start in 2027?
• (9:30) How is White Sox OF Caleb Bonemer’s defense in center?
• (15:00) How did Guardians LHP Parker Messick compare to Reds LHP Ethan Norby?

—

Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: [email protected].

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

—

You can preorder Baseball America’s 2027 books today. Get your 2027 Prospect Handbook, 2027 Almanac and 2027 Directory at the BA Store here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben and Carlos talk about a Guardians 2022 draft class that netted them both Chase DeLauter and Parker Messick. The two then talk about a number of prospects who are top of mind heading into the offseason including: Angels OF Jared Grindlinger, Marlins OF Cam Cannarella, Rockies 1B Charlie Condon, Brewers SS Brady Ebel, Nationals SS Eli Willits and Padres SS Elliot Lascelles, among others. 

—

Time Stamps: 

• (0:00) The Guardians 2022 draft
• (16:00) Angels OF Jared Grindlinger 
• (24:00) Marlins OF Cam Cannarella
• (34:00) Rockies 1B Charlie Condon
• (39:00) Brewers SS Brady Ebel
• (50:00) Eli Willits & the Nationals
• (1:01:00) Elliot Lascelles & the Padres 

—

Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: [email protected].

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

—

You can preorder Baseball America’s 2027 books today. Get your 2027 Prospect Handbook, 2027 Almanac and 2027 Directory at the BA Store here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben and Carlos talk about the League Championship Series and wonder which of the final four teams is most likely to miss next year’s postseason. The two then open this week’s listener mailbag to talk about international draft timing implications, whether or not makeup and bad attitudes impacts how players are valued (and to what extent) and then tackle a few questions about Pirates infielder Jacob Gonzalez and Rays catcher Nathan Flewelling. 

—

Time Stamps: 

• (0:00) Which league championship team is most likely to miss next year’s postseason?
• (10:00) Is it too soon to switch to an international draft?
• (21:00) How much do teams take bad attitudes and makeup into consideration?
• (31:00) Did the White Sox sell high on SS/3B Jacob Gonzalez?
• (35:00) How is Rays C Nathan Flewelling’s defense progressing?

—

Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: [email protected].

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

—

You can preorder Baseball America’s 2027 books today. Get your 2027 Prospect Handbook, 2027 Almanac and 2027 Directory at the BA Store here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben and Carlos do some podcast housekeeping and followup on their discussion about how an international draft picking order might work. The two then talk about the breakout season of Rays OF Victor Mesa Jr. and how he is already a player we never expected him to be. How is that the case and what are the lessons we can learn from it? The two talk about MLB’s relationship-building efforts with college baseball and then react to their latest proposal that would bring the regular season from 162 games to 154, expand the divisional series and have top-seeded teams choose their opponents. 

Read Jacob Rudner’s full piece on MLB/NCAA relationship building: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/how-mlbs-growing-college-baseball-ties-are-changing-the-draft-player-development-more/

—

Time Stamps: 

• (0:00) Intro/Banter
• (6:00) Housekeeping & draft pick order ideas
• (13:45) Victor Mesa Jr.’s breakout season
• (24:00) Lessons we can learn from Mesa’s success
• (30:00) MLB/NCAA relationship building
• (38:50) Will the draft timing change?
• (43:00) MLB’s proposed regular season and postseason changes
• (55:00) Thinking through postseason ramifications

—

Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: [email protected].

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben and Carlos talk about what makes Alfredo Sena the top prospect in this year’s international class, and then take questions about international draft signing strategies and who would pick first if an international draft took place. They also take questions about Mets lefthander Daviel Hurtado and Rays shortstop Daniel Pierce.

—

Time Stamps: 

• (0:00) Intro
• (3:30) Why Alfredo Sena tops the 2027 IFA class
• (8:00) Is it better to spend big on 1-2 or spread money around internationally?
• (14:50) Who picks first in a potential international draft?
• (20:00) Mets LHP Daviel Hurtado
• (26:00) Rays SS Daniel Pierce 

—

Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: [email protected].

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

—

You can preorder Baseball America’s 2027 books today. Get your 2027 Prospect Handbook, 2027 Almanac and 2027 Directory at the BA Store here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben and Carlos talk about Ethan Salas catching in the postseason, and marvel at how he’s this good at just 20 years old. They talk about the next tier of top catching prospects, both current minor leaguers and some of the top names in the 2027 class, and think back to some of the standout catchers they’ve evaluated over the years. They also talk about Royals outfielder Angeibel Gomez going to the Arizona Fall League as a 17-year-old and wonder about the future of Kansas City’s big league team. 

—

Time Stamps: 

• (0:00) Ethan Salas and receiving
• (10:30) Vahn Lackey, Rainiel Rodriguez and next-tier catchers
• (19:30) Where does Gavin Kelly fit into this mix?
• (22:00) Is high school catching fading?
• (30:00) Latin American catching vs. American
• (35:00) Standout catching prospects we can remember
• (38:00) Angeibel Gomez going to the AFL as a 17 year old
• (45:00) The Royals' future and farm system

—

Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: [email protected].

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben and Carlos answer listener questions about: the most exciting measurables in the 2027 draft class, Rangers hitters Dylan Dreiling and Rafe Perich, Rays righthander Alexander Alberto and whether or not righthanded-hitting prospects are under valued.

—

Time Stamps: 

• (3:30) Who are the players with the most exciting measurables in the 2027 class?
• (16:00) How impressed are we by Rangers prospects Dylan Dreiling and Rafe Perich?
• (20:00) What role could Rays righthander Alexander Alberto fill in a bullpen?
• (23:30) Are righthanded-hitting prospects undervalued? 

—

Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: [email protected].

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the close of the 2026 regular season, Ben and Carlos look back on their preseason predictions to evaluate how well—or how poorly—they prognosticated. 

—

Time Stamps: 

• (0:00) Intro
• (1:00) World Series picks
• (6:00) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 
• (10:30) Surprise team picks
• (19:00) Breakout pitcher picks
• (22:00) Breakout hitter picks
• (29:20) Biggest storyline
• (33:00) Bounce back players
• (36:00) Award picks
• (1:00:00) Andrew Fischer prospect talk

—

Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: [email protected].

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

—

Seat Geek: Use our code for 10% off your next order of MLB tickets on SeatGeek*: seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s mailbag, a listener proposes an overhauled international talent acquisition system. Ben and Carlos react to that, then answer questions about Dylan Crews, Walker Jenkins and Austin Overn. 

—

Time Stamps: 

• (0:30) A potential shakeup to the international system?
• (18:05) What did we get wrong with Dylan Crews?
• (25:20) How did Austin Overn’s production in 2026 change his projection?
• (29:15) Thoughts on Walker Jenkins’ struggles in the majors?

—

Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: [email protected].

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.