Future Projection

Latest Episodes:

Episode 59: Next Up Names To Know For The Top 100 Sep 08, 2023

Show notes

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.

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

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

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Episode 58: Aggressive Promotions + Hot & Cold Draft Picks Sep 01, 2023

Show notes

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.

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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

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 57: Midseason Farm System Rankings Aug 18, 2023

Show notes

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.

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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

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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 56: Favorite Picks & Classes From The 2023 Draft Jul 20, 2023

Show notes

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.

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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

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 55: MLB Draft Preview For All 30 Teams Jul 07, 2023

Show notes

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

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 54: The New Top 100 Jun 07, 2023

Show notes

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.

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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

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 53: Prospect Promotions & Draft Popups Jun 02, 2023

Show notes

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.

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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

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 52: Players We Like More Than The Industry May 26, 2023

Show notes

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.

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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

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 51: Is Jackson Holliday The Best Prospect In Baseball? May 19, 2023

Show notes

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.

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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

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 50: Under-The-Radar International Prospects May 12, 2023

Show notes

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.

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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

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.