Baseball America

JJ Cooper and Jesús Cano are here for another Baseball America Prospects Deep Dive. Today we are looking at the Mariners farm system, led by shortstop Colt Emerson.(03:00) How difficult was the decision to rank Colt Emerson No. 1?(09:20) Is this farm system better or worse than last year?(14:00) Who is the bet to be No. 1 in this system next year?(16:30) What are the Mariners good at developing?(22:00) Who are some sleepers to watch(24:50) Where does the system drop off(27:30) Talking about Michael Arroyo's position moveMariners Top 30 Prospects: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2018-seattle-mariners/prospects/?season=2026&ranking=preseasonOur Sponsors:* Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today's Prospect Podcast Deep Dive, Geoff Pontes and Josh Norris take an in-depth look at the World Champions. The Dodgers' farm system had a fascinating quartet who all had cases to be the system's No. 1 prospect.(00:00) How Good Is The System?(02:00) How Tough Was The Choice To Pick Eduardo Quintero No. 1?(06:30) Is This System Better Or Worse Than Last Year?(10:15) Who Is Your Guess To Be Next Year's No. 1?(13:20) What Is This Org Good At Developing?(17:30) A Secret Weapon In The Dodgers Success(20:00) Are There Future Top 100 Prospects Lurking On The Rankings?(25:00) Other Names To KnowDodgers Top 30 Prospects: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2012-los-angeles-dodgers/prospects/?season=2026&ranking=preseasonOur Sponsors:* Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On the latest of our Prospect Deep Dives, Josh Norris and Geoff Pontes take a look at a much improved Giants farm system. Yes, Bryce Eldridge remains as the No. 1 prospect, but it's what has emerged behind him that has the system on the upswing.(01:00) Bryce Eldridge Is No. 1. How tough was this decision?(03:30) Is this system better or worse than last year?(09:30) Who is the best guess to be No. 1 next year?(12:45) What is the system good at developing?(17:00) Other names to know in the Giants systemGiants Top 30: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2019-san-francisco-giants/prospects/?season=2026&ranking=preseasonOur Sponsors:* Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper and Geoff Pontes lead a packed show featuring a breakdown of the fallout for Matt Shaw and the Cubs after the Alex Bregman signing.We also welcome No. 2 Astros prospect Ethan Frey to the show before discussing our latest FYPD fantasy baseball rankings.We stream the Hot Sheet Show every Monday at 3:30 p.m. ET on YouTube.Time Stamps(0:00) Introduction (1:45) Alex Bregman Cubs fallout for Matt Shaw (7:45) Ethan Frey joins (10:30) How Ethan feels in recovery from injury (12:30) Making the transition from college to pro ball (16:15) Ethan's goals for 2026 (17:00) Ethan's college baseball pick for 2026 (19:00) Breaking down BA's latest FYPD rankings (26:00) Saying goodbye to Peter FlahertyOur Sponsors:* Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Baseball America national college reporter Jacob Rudner and national writer Carlos Collazo dive into the NCAA's new umpire selection process for the postseason and discuss other potential rule changes coming out of the American Baseball Coaches Association convention. Rudner and Collazo also go in-depth on where UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky stacks up compared to No. 1 overall draft prospects of the past.(2:00) How the NCAA is refining postseason umpire selection and evaluation(13:46) Can better umpire impact players' draft stocks?(19:06) Should college add an automatic baserunner in extras?(32:37) Roch Cholowsky compared to previous No. 1 draft prospects(45:42) What we're looking for early in the season from draft prospectsOur Sponsors:* Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Geoff Pontes and Peter Flaherty are taking an in-depth look at the Padres farm system. San Diego is as aggressive as anyone at using the system to trade for big league stars, but how much is left after the Mason Miller trade?(00:00) Why this is Peter's last podcast for BA(04:10) How clearly was Ethan Salas the No. 1 prospect?(11:30) Is the Padres system better or worse than last year?(14:30) Who is likely to be next year's No. 1 prospect?(16:00) What is this org good at developing?(18:00) What's exciting about the top four prospects(20:00) Just how thin is this system?(23:00) Some other prospect names to knowPadres Top 30 Prospects:https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2017-san-diego-padres/prospects/?season=2026&ranking=preseasonOur Sponsors:* Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

After a holiday hiatus the Baseball America Fantasy podcast is back with our final positional ranking podcast of the offseason. We start the show discussing the trio of Japanese players that signed from NPB. We then discuss the Cubs and Marlins trade before diving into the top 200 pitchers.(3:00) Is the market reacting too much to Murakami's swing and miss concerns?(6:30) Tatsuya Imai ready to succeed state side?(11:00) Is Kazuma Okamoto the best of the three in 2026 only?(14:00) Owen Caissie traded to Miami. What are your expectations for Caissie in 2026?(17:00) Why Shohei Ohtani No. 1?(19:00) Is Yamamoto just outside the top tier of pitchers?(25:00) Is Joe Ryan Tier 2 or Tier 3?(27:00) Explaining the Aggressive Eury ranking(29:00) The Yesavage ranking is more than the playoff bias.Our Sponsors:* Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It’s a bittersweet episode of the draft podcast, as Peter bids farewell to Baseball America and embarks on a new journey as a scout with the Nationals. Carlos and Peter reminisce on their time together covering the draft over the last few years, talk about what they’ve learned and how their processes have changed. As always on the draft pod, there is still player talk. The two express their excitement about the strength of the upcoming draft class and highlight a few names who could move up draft boards this spring. Time Stamps:(0:00) Peter ditches the scribes and joins the scouts(7:00) Our outlook on the 2026 class(14:00) The variety inherent in amateur coverage(17:00) Potential sleepers who could rise(24:00) Lessons we’ve learned from previous drafts Our Sponsors:* Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On the second of our Prospect Deep Dives, Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper take a look at the Chicago Cubs farm system. It's perfect timing, as we get a chance to analyze the Cubs-Marlins Edward Cabrera/Owen Caissie trade.(01:00) Analyzing the Edward Cabrera trade. What did the Cubs give up?(09:00) No. 1 prospect Moises Ballesteros. How tough was the choice and who were the other candidates?(13:00) Comparing the Cubs system now to where it was a year ago.(16:00) Who do we think will be the No. 1 prospect a year from now?(25:00) What do the Cubs do well in development?(29:45) Are the Cubs in danger of having prospects go stale?(43:30) This system is thin on pitchersOur Sponsors:* Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper are back to start our series of 30 MLB Farm System Deep Dives. We are beginning with the Cincinnati Reds, a team that has produced a lot of pitching, plus Elly De La Cruz, in recent years. What does the farm system have in store for 2026 and beyond?(02:00) Who is No. 1 and how easy was that choice?(10:25) How is this system better/worse than last year?(17:00) Who do we project to be No. 1 next year?(21:10) What are the Reds good at developing?(25:30) Diving deeper into how the Reds have succeeded at developing pitching prospects.Links: Reds Top Prospects:https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2006-cincinnati-reds/prospects/?season=2026&ranking=preseasonSal Stewart's throwing issues:https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/sal-stewart-can-really-hit-but-throwing-is-a-problem/Our Sponsors:* Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Baseball America national college reporter Jacob Rudner and national writer Peter Flaherty examine the resumes of the top contenders for preseason No. 1 with the college baseball season nearing. Rudner and Flaherty also break down the rise of the Big 12 and the ACC's race against the SEC.(1:36) Peter Flaherty's personal news(4:41) UCLA's case for No. 1(18:24) Can LSU repeat as champions in 2026?(31:02) The state of the Big 12(41:26) How the ACC is working to challenge the SEC(49:07) Two college players who excite us heading into 2026Our Sponsors:* Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Ben Badler and Scott Braun discuss a number of topics, including the potential for an Edward Cabrera trade in Miami, Ben's latest international bonus board update and BA Hall of Fame ballots.We stream the Hot Sheet Show every Monday at 3:30 p.m. ET on YouTube.Time Stamps(0:00) Introduction (1:20) Edward Cabrera on the move from Miami? (8:00) Ben's latest international bonus board grows to 50 players (10:45) How did Wandy Asigen flip from the Yankees to Mets? (12:30) How might the turmoil in Venezuela affect signings? (14:30) Lack of pitching on the bonus board (17:00) Where would Roch Cholowsky rank in the White Sox system? (19:00) J.J. and Ben's Hall of Fame ballots (23:50) Could the White Sox go underslot at 1-1?Our Sponsors:* Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In last week's Prospect Podcast, Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper talked about some of the best developments in 2025. Now we look into 2026 to predict who will be the No. 1 prospect in the game and which farm system will be the best a year from now.(02:30) Who Will Be The No. 1 Farm System Heading Into 2027(06:30) Another No. 1 Farm System Candidate(10:00) Two other long shot but interesting candidates(13:00) The No. 1 prospect in baseball heading into 2027 will be ...(21:00) Two bold predictions for 2026Our Sponsors:* Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this week's Baseball America Prospect Podcast, Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper take a look at which farm systems and which prospects were the most improved in 2025, and we also look at a couple of predictions we'd like to have back.(00:00) The Prospect Handbook Is Complete(02:30) The Most Improved Farm System In 2025 Is ...(08:00) The Most Improved Prospect In 2025 Is ...(16:30) The Predictions We Would Like To Do Over ...Our Sponsors:* Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In the final College Podcast episode of 2025, Baseball America national college reporter Jacob Rudner and national writer Peter Flaherty offer an inside look at Japanese righthander Genei Sato's recruitment and subsequent signing with Penn State. Rudner and Flaherty also assess what kind of player the Nittany Lions are getting and take a look back at their favorite college baseball moments from 2025.(1:01) Greetings(5:13) Sato signs with Penn State(7:04) Who is Masanosuke Ono and why does he matter?(12:17) Why is Sato in the 2027 class?(13:13) Scouting Sato(22:12) Could more Japanese players follow Sato?(32:09) Favorite moments from 2025Our Sponsors:* Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Geoff Pontes, Jacob Rudner and Scott Braun discuss a number of topics, including a pair of key AL East trades, new MLB homes for Munetaka Murakami and Song Sung-mun and Genei Sato's committment to Penn State.We stream the Hot Sheet Show every Monday at 3:30 p.m. ET on YouTube.Time Stamps(0:00) Introduction(0:45) Reacting to the Mets/A's Jeff McNeil trade(3:45) Shane Baz headed to the Orioles(8:15) Rays/Pirates/Astros three-team trade(12:30) Red Sox acquire Willson Contreras for three pitchers(15:30) Scouting Song Sung-mun(17:45) Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami signs with the White Sox(19:00) Genei Sato is headed to... Penn State?(21:00) How could can Sato be?(25:45) Don't forget to order your 2026 Prospect HandbookOur Sponsors:* Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

With the hot stove seemingly too cool at the moment, hosts Geoff Pontes and Dylan White bring some holiday heat with our latest installment in the dynasty positional ranking series. This week we breakdown a loaded outfield group with some of the top talents in the game. We talk you through the top 25 and some names to targets as sleepers.(2:30) Why Juan Soto over Corbin Carroll?(5:00) Why Julio Rodriguez over Aaron Judge?(7:30) Do you discount Jackson Chourio in OBP leagues?(10:30) Laying out Tatis, Acuna and Kyle Tucker(13:30) Who makes the biggest jump in 2026 between Wyatt Langford, James Wood and Roman Anthony?(17:00) Weighing risks with Yordan Alvarez, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Jackson Merrill(22:00) Ranking the power hitters(26:00) Aggressive ranking of Edward FlorentinoCashAppDownload Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/hap8idx8 #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Direct deposit and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.Our Sponsors:* Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this week's Prospect Podcast Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper go in-depth into explaining tools grades, BA grades and risk, adjusted grades and everything else about the Prospect Handbook.(00:00) Why We're A Day Late(04:30) What Is The Prospect Handbook(06:40) So What Is The 20-to-80 Scouting Scale And How Does It Work?(11:00) Looking At No. 1 Prospect Konnor Griffin's Tools Grades(14:30) Comparing Konnor Griffin's Tools To Bobby Witt Jr.'s Tools(17:15) Explaining BA Grades And Risk(23:00) Why Kevin McGonigle Has An 80 Hit Tool(24:30) What Adjusted Grades Are, And How We Use Them(32:00) Geoff's Prospect Soapbox: Astros OF Lucas Spence(35:20) JJ's Prospect Soapbox: Tigers SS John PeckOrder Your Prospect Handbook Here: https://baseballamerica.myshopify.com/collections/books/products/2026-baseball-america-prospect-handbookCashAppDownload Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/hap8idx8 #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Direct deposit and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.Our Sponsors:* Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Jacob Rudner and Scott Braun discuss a number of topics, including candidates for the 1-1 spot in the 2026 MLB Draft, new tech restrictions in MiLB and Genei Sato coming to the U.S. from Japan.We stream the Hot Sheet Show every Monday at 3:30 p.m. ET on YouTube.Time Stamps(0:00) Introduction & A's top 10 (2:00) Post-lottery mock draft (3:15) Could someone other than Roch Cholowsky go 1-1? (7:00) Top college arms in the draft (8:30) Could a transfer surprise? (11:45) Reacting to The Athletic's report on potential tech limits in the minors (22:45) Genei Sato headed to the United StatesOur Sponsors:* Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

There's no position as deep as shortstop in dynasty as the rankings are bubbling over with major league talent and top prosects. This week on the Baseball America Fantasy Podcast we dive into this incredibly talented shortstop group. We open the show talking about some of the big name signings from the 2025 Winter Meetings before diving into Bobby Witt Jr., Elly De La Cruz, Gunnar Henderson, Konnor Griffin and more. (2:00) Pete Alonso signs with the Orioles.(5:00) Kyle Schwarber returns to the Phillies.(7:00) Edwin Diaz signs with the Dodgers(10:00) Bobby Witt Jr. best player in dynasty.(13:00) Elly De La Cruz vs Gunnar Henderson(15:00) How good is Konnor Griffin?(21:00) Neto over Lindor, why?(23:00) The old guard of Mookie Betts, Trea Turner and Corey Seager are aging. Is it time to fade?(26:00) Geraldo Perdomo broke out in 2025, can he repeat it?(28:00) Sleepers!Our Sponsors:* Check out Aura.com: https://aura.com/remove* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy