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Top 100 Prospects Breakouts And Risers Jan 23, 2025

Show notes

Our first Top 100 Prospect video could only get through the Top 10 Prospects in 45 minutes. So we're back for Part II, and now, we're focused on everything other than the Top 10. Geoff Pontes, Carlos Collazo and JJ Cooper all pick multiple prospects they expect to break out in 2025, as well as looking at some prospects who got mixed reviews when we received feedback from industry sources. And they end with a look at some non-Top 100 Prospects who could rise into the rankings.

BA subscribers can see the full list here: https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/2025-top-100-prospects/

(00:00) Carlos Collazo's pick to pop is a Rangers shortstop

(04:00) Geoff Pontes' breakout pick is a Brewers' teenager

(08:00) JJ Cooper picks another Brewers' shortstop plus a Dodgers' slugger

(11:00) Back to Geoff, who this time highlights an Astros third baseman

(14:00) Carlos turns the spotlight to an A's first baseman

(15:30) JJ's next pick to click is a Twins infielder

(19:00) Looking at prospects outside the top 50, Geoff likes a Tigers' catcher

(20:30) And Carlos is focused on a Braves catcher

(23:00) JJ loves the best defensive first baseman in the minors, who can also hit

(29:00) Switching to polarizing prospects, Carlos lays out the case for a Pirates pitcher

(30:00) And Carlos also talks about a Royals slugger

(31:00) Geoff wonders which Nationals prospect ends up as the better pitcher

(33:00) JJ cheats briefly on the category by spotlighting a Yankees shortstop added to the Top 100 by near-unanimous positive feedback.

(34:00) And then JJ returns to polarizing prospects with a Phillies outfielder

(38:00) Why we ask you to read the scouting reports

(41:00) Geoff's pick to click who isn't currently a Top 100 Prospect

(43:00) Carlos' off-the-100 pick is a Reds first baseman

(46:00) JJ finishes by talking about a pair of Rays prospects who could climb onto the Top 100.

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Baseball America's 2025 Top 100 is Here Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

It's time!

The Baseball America Top 100 Prospects rankings have been released, and Geoff Pontes, Carlos Collazo and JJ Cooper are excited to talk about them. We had too much good stuff to fit into one show, so we're doing two. This first show dives into who is No. 1 and why, other candidates for No. 1. We also make the case for other Top 10 Prospects who could end up being the best of the group and how this is the year of the pitcher.

(00:00) Why Roki Sasaki is No. 1

(11:00) Would Roman Anthony fit as a No. 1?

(15:00) How does Roman Anthony compare to other recent No. 1s?

(18:00) Who else in the top 10 could end up as the best player in the Top 100?

(30:00) Is this top 10 thinner than normal?

(35:00) Who is the most fascinating player in the Top 100?

(37:00) Why Bubba Chandler has leapt up the rankings

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Cardinals 2025 Top MLB Prospects Deep Dive Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper take an in-depth look at the Cardinals farm system, what it's produced lately, where it's going and some of the prospects to watch. They also take a look at what Chaim Bloom will be tasked to do as St. Louis heads into the 2025 season.

(00:00) What's gone wrong for a very successful franchise?

(02:00) Self-evaluation has been a problem

(05:00) The Cardinals Way and the advantages it gave St. Louis

(06:30) What's happened with recent big league talent?

(10:00) Is there a spot for Victor Scott II?

(13:00) How Chaim Bloom's strengths fit what St. Louis needs

(17:00) The Cardinals pitching approach is being adjusted

(22:00) Where is the pitching going?

(25:00) What are realistic goals for 2025?

(27:00) How good is JJ Wetherholt?

(29:00) Why third base is likely Wetherholt's home

(31:00) A DSL prospect you need to know

(34:00) Quinn Mathews' advantage over most young pitching prospects

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Coby Mayo Joins; Comparing Roki Sasaki To Shohei Ohtani & Fresh Top 100 Preview | Hot Sheet Show Ep. 41 Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Ben Badler, Geoff Pontes and Scout Braun welcome Orioles prospect Coby Mayo.

We also dive into new Dodgers phenom Roki Sasaki's comparison to Shohei Ohtani and discuss why LA's reign may continue in an upcoming draft. Plus, we give a preview of the all-new Top 100 prospects list set to debut on Wednesday.

Time Stamps

(1:00) 2025 Top 100 prospects list debuts on Wednesday

(1:40) Roki Sasaki joins the Dodgers and comparing him to Shohei Ohtani

(12:30) Coby Mayo joins

(23:10) Previewing the new Top 100 list

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Braves 2025 Top MLB Prospects Deep Dive Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

In the first of 30 organizational deep dives, Carlos Collazo and JJ Cooper take an in-depth look at the Atlanta Braves farm system. They look at what the Braves have produced lately, why they are so pitching heavy, and what holes they can't fill internally. They also talk about some of the team's top prospects and a lesser-know prospect to keep an eye on.

(00:00) What have the Braves produced lately

(03:00) Why are the Braves so good at producing pitchers?

(05:00) A subtle advantage to the Braves pitching development.

(08:00) Even the Braves hitters were often quality pitching prospects

(09:00) Catching Success

(11:00) Is the window closing?

(16:00) Who's next up among pitching prospects

(17:00) Hurston Waldrep

(19:00) A.J. Smith-Shawver

(21:00) A little Ian Anderson talk (yes, he's not prospect eligible)

(24:00) Drue Hackenberg

(27:00) Cam Caminiti, J.R. Ritchie, Owen Murphy

(31:00) The Braves willingness to embrace injury risk

(37:00) Talking about catching prospect Drake Baldwin

(47:00) A lesser-known prospect to remember

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Drafting Tools To Create The Best College Hitters & Pitchers Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

Carlos and Peter go back and forth drafting the best college tools among players in the 2025 draft class in an attempt to create the best imaginary prospects possible. For hitters they have to pick the following: hit tool, raw power tool, running tool, fielding tool and arm tool. And for pitchers they have to assemble the following: fastball, slider, curveball, changeup and control/command.

Which players do you like best? Which tools should we have considered? Let us know.

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Time Stamps

(0:00) Explaining the game
(4:00) Carlos’s fastball
(8:40) Peter’s fielding
(11:00) Carlos’s changeup
(14:40) Peter’s hit
(17:23) Carlos’s power
(20:00) Peter’s slider
(22:00) Carlos’s curveball
(25:45) Peter’s control
(27:30) Carlos’s speed
(31:00) Peter’s arm
(32:30) Carlos’s hit
(34:00) Peter’s changeup
(36:30) Carlos’s fielding
(40:00) Peter’s power
(42:00) Carlos’s slider
(45:00) Peter’s curveball
(47:00) Carlos’s control
(48:30) Peter’s fastball
(52:30) Carlos’s arm
(56:00) Peter’s run
(57:00) Overview

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Fantasy Podcast: Looking At The Top Prospects For Dynasty Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

It's officially prospect ranking season at Baseball America and the fantasy team is jumping into the mix with their Top Prospects For Fantasy list. Hosts Dylan White and Geoff Pontes discuss the names their most excited about in 2025.

(3:00) Sasaki finalists, how would each location impact his future value.
(8:00) Roki Sasaki vs Roman Anthony vs Kristian Campbell
(12:00) Prospects we must have in 2025
(13:00) Emmanuel Rodriguez
(16:00) Jesus Made
(18:00) Bryce Eldridge
(21:00) Bubba Chandler
(25:00) Christian Moore
(27:00) Jarlin Susana
(29:00) Alejandro Rosario
(31:00) Luis Perales

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Roki Sasaki and International Signing Day Chaos Jan 13, 2025

Show notes

Ben Badler and JJ Cooper discuss Roki Sasaki's decision, and especially what it has meant for the other international players who are planning to sign on Jan. 15. We've already seen a player switch what team they plan to sign with because of Sasaki-based delays, and Ben explains why we could see others.

(00:00) Why this Is the craziest signing day of Badler's 18 years covering the international signing day.

(05:00) "Darell Morel should be the biggest Roki Sasaki fan in the world."

(07:00) The consolation prize for the Giants being eliminated--Josuar Gonzalez

(09:00) How this Jan. 15 is different.

(12:00) How teams can sweeten their offers for Sasaki.

(15:00) How the timing on trades may be worth watching

(22:00) The difficult decision Dodgers and Padres prospects face as they are asked to wait.

(27:00) What to watch for on January 15.

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The 2025 ABCA & The Composition Of Top College Hitting Profiles Jan 10, 2025

Show notes

Carlos and Peter hop on the draft podcast for the first time in 2025 to talk about their experience at this year’s ABCA. The two talk about a love for I/O and a fun catch-and-throw talk by Vanderbilt coach Ty Blankmeyer, discuss some of their favorite defenders to watch and then talk about hitters at the top of the 2025 college class. There are some hitters who hammer the ball and some hitters who make a ton of contact in this year’s elite college group, but few who do both at a high level—will that change after the full 2025 spring season?

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Time Stamps

(1:45) ABCA
(10:00) A love for I/O
(15:00) Defensive players who are fun to watch
(26:00) The composition of hitters at the top of the class

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Fantasy Podcast: Top 500 Dynasty Rankings For 2025 Fantasy Baseball Jan 09, 2025

Show notes

Dynasty rankings season comes to a close as we release the final list in the Dynasty Top 500. This list is a culmination of months of positional rankings by our fantasy team, so hosts Dylan and Geoff dive into their approach to the final rankings.

Time Stamps

(6:00) Dylan's process.
(12:00) Geoff's process.
(20:00) Combined Rankings.
(23:00) How prospect value can swing wildly in season.
(26:00) Valuing younger MLB players without full time jobs.
(34:00) Big picture takeaways.

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