Future Projection

Latest Episodes:

Episode 139: Should MLB Teams Hire College Coaches As Managers? Oct 03, 2025

Show notes

Ben and Carlos talk about the Tony Vitello to the majors rumors and think about the skills that would or wouldn’t translate from the college game to the majors. Should MLB teams be looking for more managers from the college ranks? And why don’t we see more MLB/college coaching crossover in general? The two then discuss which of the current MLB manager vacancies would be the most and least appealing.

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Time Stamps

(0:00) Cam Schlittler
(10:30) Tony Vitello, big league manager?
(17:00) The value of college head coaches vs. MLB managers
(25:00) Lifestyle of college jobs vs. MLB managers
(37:30) The media scrutiny of an MLB manager
(40:00) Should major league teams recruit college coaches more frequently?
(51:00) Pat Murphy as a successful example
(55:00) Which MLB manager jobs are the most/least appealing?
(1:02:00) The Rockies & the Coors Field problem
(1:09:30) A question about MLB ball adjustments

Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average

Baseball America Website

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 138: Konnor Griffin, Rebuilding Teams & The ABS Challenge System Sep 26, 2025

Show notes

Ben and Carlos talk about Konnor Griffin’s Minor League Player of the Year season. The two then think through how long it will take for the Pirates to become competitive, and wonder which last place team in the league is best-positioned for future success. The two talk about the upcoming draft lottery and its implications and also discuss the automated ball-strike challenge system that is heading to MLB in 2026. Ben also tackles a listener question about the state of the Rays international scouting operation.

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Time Stamps

(0:00) Intro
(5:00) Konnor Griffin PotY
(10:25) State of the Pirates
(20:30) Last place teams
(40:30) Draft lottery odds
(50:00) Which team would Roch Cholowsky impact the most
(1:04:15) ABS challenge system
(1:29:20) Rays international scouting question

Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average

Baseball America Website

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 137: Dead Period For Scouts, The State of the Nationals & Draft Pick Struggles Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

Ben and Carlos talk about MLB’s new mandated dead period for scouting domestic players and then talk about the Nationals GM search and the state of the organization. After that the two talk about a number of 2025 draftees who are off to slow starts in their pro debuts—plus a handful of strong debuts—then briefly talk about some of the more impressive minor league seasons.

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Time Stamps

(0:00) Intro
(5:00) MLB’s Dead Period For Draft-Eligible Players
(23:00) The state of the Nationals
(37:30) 2025 debut results
(39:00) Ethan Holliday
(43:00) Tate Southisene
(45:00) Kayson Cunningham
(49:30) Eli Willits
(52:30) Ike Irish
(55:10) Aiva Arquette
(57:50) Dax Kilby
(1:00:20) Brendan Summerhill
(1:03:00) Andrew Fischer
(1:05:30) Kane Kepley
(1:08:00) Devin Taylor
(1:11:08) Konnor Griffin, Kevin McGonigle
(1:20:00) Cam Caminiti
(1:24:00) David Shields
(1:27:55) Kendry Chourio
(1:31:30) Rainiel Rodriguez

Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average

Baseball America Website

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 136: The August Top 100 Update & Area Codes Draft Standouts Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

Ben and Carlos talk through some of the notable movers on the August Top 100 prospects update and then get into a few standouts from Carlos’ trip out West for the 2025 Area Code Games. The two discuss Konnor Griffin vs. Kevin McGonigle for No. 1 status, talk about JJ Wetherholt’s pure hitting ability and wonder if Walker Jenkins is now a bit underrated. After that Ben makes a case for Thomas White as the best pitching prospect in the minors. The two talk through a few players in the 50-100 range for the Mets and Orioles, then Carlos highlights a few 2026 and 2027 draft standouts from one of the biggest showcase events on the calendar. We also take a listener question about shortstops sticking at the position.

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Time Stamps

(1:00) Top 100 update
(4:30) JJ Wetherholt
(11:00) Konnor Griffin vs. Kevin McGonigle
(15:00) Walker Jenkins
(25:00) Thomas White
(31:30) Carson Benge
(36:30) Elian Pena
(40:10) Dylan Beavers
(45:00) Nate George
(50:00) Area Code Games
(1:18:00) Listener Shortstop Question

Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average

Baseball America Website

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 135: MLB Draft Standouts From East Coast Pro Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

Ben and Carlos talk about the 2025 East Coast Pro showcase. The two break down some of the standout players who Carlos saw at this year’s event, featuring a full lineup’s worth of players to dig into. Ben also picks out a projection sleeper he’s excited about who could potentially take a big step forward.

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Time Stamps

(0:00) Intro
(6:30) Conner Salerno
(11:00) Coleman Borthwick
(16:30) Gio Rojas
(24:00) Phinn Waters
(32:30) Mickey Gilligan
(34:00) Aiden Ruiz
(39:00) Keon Johnson
(45:00) John Lindsey
(47:30) Christian Serrano
(51:00) EJ Booth
(58:00) Trevor Condon
(1:02:00) Malachi Washington
(1:08:00) Drew Christine
(1:17:00) The advancement of stuff for HS pitchers

Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average

Baseball America Website

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 134: The Padres Traded Leo De Vries & The Summer Circuit Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

Ben and Carlos talk about the Leo De Vries trade and a few other notable transactions at the signing deadline, then move into a conversation about the summer showcase circuit which gets started in earnest this week with the East Coast Pro and next week with the Area Code Games.

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Time Stamps:

(3:00) The Leo De Vries Trade
(17:00) Other trades we're intrigued by
(20:00) A sneaky add for the Twins
(26:00) East Coast Pro & Area Code Games
(39:00) The value of summer performance
(44:00) The players who miss the summer
(48:30) Rocco Maniscalco and youth at the draft
(1:00:00) outro banter

Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average

Baseball America Website

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 133: 2025 Draft Review For All 30 Teams Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

Ben and Carlos hop on the show to review the entirety of the 2025 draft. The two briefly talk about their initial thoughts on how the draft went and discuss why they don’t care if players come to the draft in person or not. After that they get into the picks, go team by team and discuss each draft class in more detail.

Time Stamps:

(12:00) Nationals
(21:00) Angels
(29:00) Mariners
(34:00) Rockies
(39:25) Cardinals
(42:55) Pirates
(47:30) Marlins
(49:50) Blue Jays
(52:30) Reds
(57:00) White Sox
(1:02:00) Athletics
(1:05:00) Rangers
(1:10:50) Giants
(1:14:25) Rays
(1:22:20) Red Sox
(1:26:40) Twins
(1:32:00) Cubs
(1:38:20) Diamondbacks
(1:35:30) Orioles
(1:49:20) Brewers
(1:53:30) Astros
(1:56:20) Braves
(2:02:15) Royals
(2:05:50) Tigers
(2:14:00) Padres
(2:16:15) Phillies
(2:21:00) Guardians
(2:27:00) Mets
(2:30:30) Yankees
(2:33:20) Dodgers

Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average

Baseball America Website

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 132: The Ultimate 2025 MLB Draft Preview Show Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

Ben and Carlos are joined by Peter Flaherty for our annual draft preview episode. The three work down the draft board and talk about all the latest rumors, profiles and players attached to each team. The group talks through most of the players we expect to see early on the first day of the draft, discuss different draft strategies and work through player debates.

Whether you’re a full-fledged draftnik or just want some insight on what your team might do, this podcast should have you covered for draft day.

Time Stamps:

(2:10) Nationals
(17:30) Angels
(24:50) Mariners
(32:30) Rockies
(37:15) Cardinals
(43:30) Pirates
(50:00) Marlins
(1:01:45) Reds
(1:07:00) White Sox
(1:13:30) A’s
(1:15:00) Rangers
(1:22:00) Giants
(1:25:00) Rays
(1:29:20) Red Sox
(1:33:00) Twins
(1:39:30) Cubs
(1:44:00) D-backs
(1:50:00) Orioles
(1:57:30) Brewers
(2:01:00) Braves
(2:06:00) Royals
(2:09:30) Tigers
(2:12:00) Padres
(2:16:30) Phillies
(2:22:20) Guardians
(2:30:25) Mets
(2:35:00) Yankees
(2:40:00) Dodgers

Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average

Baseball America Website

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 131: The Top 100 Update, Konnor Griffin & NIL Draft Implications Jul 04, 2025

Show notes

Ben and Carlos catch up on what they’ve been up to over the last few weeks. The two talk about the growing excitement for 2026 UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, then get into a conversation about the July Top 100 update. How good is Konnor Griffin going to be? Who are the players beyond him who have viable cases to be the No. 1 prospect in the game? Is Kayson Cunningham this year’s Kevin McGonigle? Up-arrow pitchers including Jonah Tong, Trey Yesavage and Orioles flamethrower Esteban Mejia. The two talk about potential draft sleepers, why NIL has created a new ballgame for signability talks with college players and then discuss whether or not drafting for need is a realistic strategy to employ.

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Time Stamps:

(0:00) What we’ve been up to
(7:00) Roch Cholowsky
(15:30) Konnor Griffin
(28:30) Third base value & the defensive spectrum
(32:30) Other No. 1 prospect candidates
(40:30) Kevin McGonigle vs. Kayson Cunningham
(45:00) Jonah Tong & Trey Yesavage
(50:20) Esteban Mejia
(55:00) Mike Sirota esque draft sleepers
(1:00:00) Players having increased leverage in college
(1:07:00) Is drafting for need now more realistic in the draft?

Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Newsletter: Fringe Average

Baseball America Website

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 130: Draft Combine Reactions & Complex League Sleepers Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

Ben and Carlos break down the 2025 MLB Draft combine. The two talk about standout players, what the event was like, what value teams get from it and get into the specifics of names like Brandon Compton, Quentin Young, Kayson Cunningham, Marcos Paz and others. After that Ben highlights a few players who could be rising on our top 100 list, then gets further into the weeds on a handful of complex league standouts who are hot out of the gate.

Time Stamps: