Baseball Bar-B-Cast

Latest Episodes:

Breaking down Roki Sasaki’s MLB debut, Mike Rooney’s college baseball preview & what free agents could you still see on your team? Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman recap Roki Sasaki’s spring ball debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers in which he threw three shutout innings. What can we expect from the Japanese phenom this season?

Jake and Jordan then bring on Mike Rooney of D1baseball.com to preview the upcoming college baseball season including the newest crop of prospects to look for.

Later, Jake and Jordan react to Jose Quintana signing with the Milwaukee Brewers. They also break down what this could mean for the remaining big-name free agents out there and who should end up signing major league deals before opening day.

(2:20) - Roki Sasaki makes MLB debut

(23:00) - Who are the best college baseball teams this season?

(31:00) - How has NIL changed college baseball?

(36:00) - How will conference re-alignment affect the game?

(39:10) - Evaluating college baseball’s best prospects

(49:15) - Jose Quintana signs with the Brewers

(51:30) - Which players will get remaining major league deals?

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Ij2sgR

🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42Lo4fa

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

Will injuries doom Yankees? + Tiering teams based on spring training clichés Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman continue their spring training coverage in a very unique way on the latest pod. The duo asks what spring training cliché defines each of the 30 teams in MLB this season. From 'we're going to surprise some people' to 'we have a target on our backs', Jake and Jordan place each team in tiers based on springing clichés. The two also discuss the latest injury bug that's caught the New York Yankees and answer listeners questions. Jake and Jordan end the show by trying to imagine who'd be the official captain for all 30 teams entering this season:

(2:15) - Tiering and placing each of the 30 teams based on spring training clichés

(21:15) - Sorry for your mentions: Yankees fans are in full panic mode already

(27:45) - Jake and Jordan answer your questions

(37:15) - Oh captain my captain: Identifying who'd be a the official captain on all 30 teams

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Ij2sgR

🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42Lo4fa

📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuTQj

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://twitter.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman:

https://twitter.com/j_shusterman_

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

The best MLB team setup for the future, a baseball-style 4 Nations tournament & Mamadou N'Diaye at Dodgers camp Feb 28, 2025

Show notes

In the current game of baseball, teams are always looking for ways to get younger and more athletic. Some teams try to acquire these types of players via free agency (New York Mets with Juan Soto, Boston Red Sox with Garrett Crochet), while others try to do it via the draft. There are a few teams that stand out higher than the others, and we’re here to give you our rankings.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss their 26-and-under power rankings for the 2025 season, explaining why the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies are sitting at the bottom of this list, while the Red Sox and Atlanta Braves are in prime shape for the future.

Also, on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys answer your emails, including whether MLB should adopt an in-season tournament similar to the successful NHL 4 Nations tourney, and discuss why the automated ball-strike system might be the best replay review system in sports. Jake and Jordan then make their picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

(1:50) - The Opener: Reviewing the 26-and-under power rankings

(18:18) - Who’s in the top 10?

(33:49) - BBQ Mailbag

(42:07) - 4 Nations in MLB?

(50:34) - The Good

(54:33) - The Bad

(58:47) - The Uggla

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Ij2sgR

🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42Lo4fa

📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuTQj

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://twitter.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://twitter.com/j_shusterman_

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

Yankees make SHOCKING announcements, MLB tries out the ABS & 30 highlights from Spring Training Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

The New York Yankees made two shocking announcements that sent headlines throughout sports, and neither involved acquiring a player or firing someone. In a surprising turn of events, Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner sent out a memo saying that for the first time since his late father controlled the team, players would be allowed to sport “well-groomed beards” while on the roster.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the surprising turn of events, as well as the other notable announcement that the team won’t be playing Frank Sinatra’s iconic “Theme from New York, New York” after losses. The guys wonder what may have caused this change in tune from the new boss and if their World Series loss has anything to do with it.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake and Jordan talk about MLB trying out for the first time ever during Spring Training the Automated Ball-Strike challenge system and if this means it’s only a matter of time before Robo-Umps become a thing in the game. They then give their top thirty highlights for each team from Spring Training so far, including Dave Roberts learning about Roki Sasaki’s marriage, Mike Trout’s uneventful debut in right field and Elly De La Cruz on his NL MVP odds.

(2:14) - The Opener: Yankees change their tune on beards
(16:17) - No more “Theme from New York, New York” after losses
(20:32) - MLB gives ABS a try
(34:05) - 15 things from the AL from Spring Training
(55:33) - 15 things from the NL from Spring Training

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Ij2sgR

🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42Lo4fa

📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuTQj

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://twitter.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://twitter.com/j_shusterman_

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

No extension for Vlad Jr., Devers vs. Bregman drama in Boston & can Ohtani parallel park? Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

The self-imposed deadline between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays to ink the first baseman to a long-term deal has come and gone without an agreement. Vladdy may not be very long for the powder blue unis north of the border. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman open today's podcast episode diving into what this means for the Blue Jays and for Vlad with no extension in place and the 1B likely heading to free agency this November. Did Juan Soto's massive offseason haul make Vlad reconsider his options in regards to testing the market? Will the Blue Jays look to trade their homegrown star before this summer's deadline? Jake & Jordan talk it all out.

Elsewhere in the majors, Alex Bregman has only been with the Boston Red Sox for a few weeks and already there is drama in the infield. When asked if he would be willing to give up playing third base to the incoming Bregman, longtime Sox 3B Rafael Devers simply said, "no." First baseman Tristan Casas backed Devers up. What will that mean for Boston's infield this year as now there is a crowded game of musical chairs at first base, third base and DH.

Later in the show, Jordan Shusterman discusses commissioner Rob Manfred's latest address to the media this week in Arizona and how he mostly defended the Los Angeles Dodgers' winter spending spree which had come under the ire of the other 29 fanbases.

Closing out the show, the guys play a round of The Good, The Bad, The Uggla in which the Houston Astros are moving Jose Altuve to left field, Shohei Ohtani cannot parallel park his Porsche and Jake has some recommendations to rename the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues.

(1:30) - Vlad Jr. does not extend with Toronto before deadline

(18:25) - Devers vs. Bregman at 3B in Boston

(27:10) - Manfred speaks about LAD's spending spree

(34:40) - The Good, The Bad & The Uggla: Altuve to LF, Shohei can't park, Grapefruit league names & more

Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQ

Follow Jake @Jake_Mintz

Follow Jordan @J_Shusterman_

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

Juan Soto arrives at Mets camp, Yankees and Dodgers camp storylines & U26 power rankings (teams 30-26) Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman are both fully entrenched in Spring training camps in Florida and Arizona, respectively. Mintz shares what he learned and witnessed in Juan Soto's arrival at Mets camp. Shusterman describes the fever pitch atmosphere at Dodgers camp and the two discuss the latest drama surrounding Yankees camp. The two also unveil teams 30-26 in their U26 power rankings and play a fun NRI trivia game to end the pod.

(1:30) - The Opener: Juan Soto arrives at Mets camp and shares what he wants to improve on in 2025

(12:40) - The Opener: Dodgers camp is the epicenter of the baseball world right now

(22:00) - Yankees camp storylines: Marcus Stroman is not happy with his role and Stanton is already hurt

(36:50) - Angels camp: Mike Trout is moving from CF to RF

(38:35) - Unveiling the U26 power rankings: Teams 30-26

(48:20) - Jake's NRI 'who they play for right now' trivia game

(58:45) - Turbo Mode: Spring training signings to note

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Ij2sgR

🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42Lo4fa

📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuTQj

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://twitter.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://twitter.com/j_shusterman_

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

Alex Bregman to the Red Sox, Padres and Angels make moves & Yankees big question mark Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

The last holdout for notable free agents has finally signed, as Alex Bregman and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a deal late Wednesday night that sees the former Houston Astros third baseman taking his talents to Beantown. While the move isn’t entirely shocking considering both the team and player have been connected throughout the offseason, how Bregman fits is the next question.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss why it was a logical move for the Red Sox to acquire the former All-Star, if Bregman will opt out of his contract following 2025 and the possible reason he chose to play for the Red Sox and manager Alex Cora instead of reuniting with A.J. Hinch in Detroit for a longer deal.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys discuss Nick Pivetta and Kenley Jansen signing deals out on the West Coast, as well as talk about one of the bigger problems the New York Yankees might be facing this season. Jake & Jordan then make their picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla, including if Anthony Rendon has played his final game in the bigs.

(2:39) - The Opener: Alex Bregman to the Red Sox

(26:07) - Around the League: Pivetta, Jansen sign

(38:01) - Spring Training Field Report: Yankees, Rays updates

(43:44) - Turbo Mode: Other news and notes from baseball

(47:33) - The Good, The Bad & The Uggla

(1:03:03) - BBQ Homework

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Ij2sgR

🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42Lo4fa

📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuTQj

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://twitter.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://twitter.com/j_shusterman_

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

Astros, Red Sox & Cubs in on Alex Bregman + former All-Star Eric Hosmer interview Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

Spring Training kicks off this week for MLB clubs, with many players already reporting to their club sites to get ready for the marathon that starts next month. However, for free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman, he still doesn’t know where, or when, he’ll be reporting to camp.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss Bregman still waiting for Scott Boras to broker a deal between one of the teams that have shown interest, and those who should be, in the services of the All-Star infielder, including the Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers. They also talk about why this is the possible consequence of playing the waiting game and what kind of contract he can expect at this point.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys are joined by former All-Star and four-time Gold Glove first baseman Eric Hosmer, as they dive into his career, including success off of Chris Sale and Clayton Kershaw, his adventures playing the outfield and his clutch gene that led to nine career walk-offs. Jake and Jordan then talk about some of the other moves around baseball before discussing what a baseball career for Patrick Mahomes might’ve looked like.

(1:29) - Is it baseball season?
(7:46) - The Opener: Where will Alex Bregman sign?
(22:27) - Eric Hosmer joins the show
(35:08) - Hosmer on how hitting has changed
(44:51) - Where didn’t Hosmer homer?
(53:26) - Around The League: Padres, Dodgers make moves
(59:35) - BBQ Homework: What does a Patrick Mahomes baseball career look like?

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Ij2sgR

🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42Lo4fa

📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuTQj

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://twitter.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://twitter.com/j_shusterman_

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

Pete Alonso returns to the Mets, Pete Alonso RETURNS to the Mets, Yankees & Dodgers Spring Training position BATTLES Spring Training position battles Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

One of the most notable free agents has finally signed with only days until Spring Training, and it’s a reunion that many have been expecting. Late Wednesday night, the New York Mets and Pete Alonso agreed on a deal to bring the Polar Bear back for at least one more season in Flushing.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss why the re-signing by the Mets was always inevitable despite the back-and-forth between the club and Alonso’s camp, the reasoning why the first-base market never materialized for Pete and the reason why the Amazin’s lineup looks so much better now.

Also, on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys talk about a few notable Spring Training position battles, including who is playing third base for the New York Yankees and which pitchers might be included in an already crowded Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation. Jake & Jordan then talk about a few important players returning in 2025 before making their picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

(1:30) - The Opener: Pete Alonso re-signs
(15:53) - Scott Boras Scoreboard update
(21:20) - Around The League: Spring Training position battles
(33:47) - Who’s returning in 2025?
(37:48) - Turbo Mode: Baseball transactions
(42:00) - The Good, The Bad & The Uggla
(1:01:12) - BBQ Homework

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Ij2sgR

🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42Lo4fa

📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuTQj

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://twitter.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://twitter.com/j_shusterman_

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

Max Scherzer & Jack Flaherty find teams, a look at the top MiLB prospects & the BBQ Mailbag Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

As Spring Training rapidly approaches, a couple of notable free-agent pitchers have found teams just in time for pitchers and catchers to report. With Jack Flaherty returning to the Detroit Tigers and Max Scherzer taking his Hall of Fame resume to the Toronto Blue Jays, both teams are hoping the pitchers provide a spark to their rotations.

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the surprising move of Flaherty going back to Detroit and why his contract signals that he will more than likely re-test free agency after next season, as well as whether the Blue Jays will be able to get a healthy Scherzer to anchor their rotation in an already competitive AL East division.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys take a look at some of the top prospects in baseball, including Roman Anthony from the Boston Red Sox, Sebastian Walcott from the Texas Rangers and Drake Baldwin from the Atlanta Braves. They then answer some of your questions from the BBQ mailbag before offering a baseball comp to the Luka Dončić-Anthony Davis trade.

(1:09) - The Opener: Jack Flaherty to the Tigers

(11:47) - Max Scherzer to the Blue Jays

(20:17) - Jordan’s Prospect Hut: A look at some top prospects

(41:40) - BBQ Mailbag

(58:52) - What’s the baseball comp to the Luka-A.D. trade?

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3Ij2sgR

🎧 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42Lo4fa

📢Yahoo Sports podcast network: https://apple.co/3zEuTQj

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://twitter.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq