Future Projection

Ben and Carlos talk about the new trend of teams calling pitches from the dugout in the major leagues and then get into some of the notable action items from spring training. The two gush over what they’ve been seeing from Pirates righty Seth Hernandez and Mariners righty Ryan Sloan, and also talk about what we’ve seen early on from a few other arms and a couple of Brewers bats. After that the two talk about Dylan Crews being optioned to Triple-A and then discuss the most recent draft board update and what best-case scenarios could look like for the Giants and Pirates with the fourth and fifth picks of the draft.–Time Stamps:(2:30) Thoughts on teams calling pitches from the dugout(13:00) Seth Hernandez touching 102(19:00) Ryan Sloan adding more velocity(24:30) Anthony Eyanson(28:40) Kendry Chourio(30:45) Dasan Hill(33:20) Luis Peña & Andrew Fischer(40:00) Are we concerned about Dylan Crews?(47:00) 2026 draft updateDo you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Newsletter: Fringe AverageBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today’s mailbag episode, Ben and Carlos take questions on projection vs. present skill for college recruits, Josuar Gonzalez vs. Luis Hernandez for the Giants, fielding percentage as a tool for evaluating college shortstops, Will Gasparino and Mason Edwards and the stats that matter for high school players. —Time Stamps:(0:50) Do college coaches look for projection or present ability? (10:20) Will Josuar Gonzalez or Luis Hernandez be the better long-term Giants SS?(15:00) Is there value in weighing fielding percentage for college shortstops?(20:40) Why no Will Gasparino or Mason Edwards on your recent rising prospects piece?(29:30) What are the stats and numbers that matter for high school players?Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Newsletter: Fringe AverageBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos give their final thoughts on an epic World Baseball Classic, then turn their eyes towards prospects and spring training. The two talk about some of the top hitters who have played well this spring, plus a couple of notable pitching prospects who might have made key additions to their arsenals for 2026.–Time Stamps:(0:30) Final WBC talk(8:45) Spring training talk(14:20) Jesus Made(18:30) Colt Emerson(27:00) Bryce Eldridge(30:40) Samuel Basallo(33:50) Charlie Condon (50:00) Joshua Baez(53:00) Braden Montgomery(55:00) Sam Antonacci(57:40) Hagen Smith(1:00:45) Didier FuentesDo you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Newsletter: Fringe AverageBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos break open the listener mailbag and answer questions on a trio of young Cardinals shortstops, why Brady Harris might be slipping in the draft and how his risk and upside compares to Kevin Roberts Jr., whether or not Elian Pena has a chance to be a top 25 prospect and what changes we would make to the draft broadcast. —Time Stamps:(1:20) Can you compare and contrast Yairo Padilla, Miguel Hernandez & Sebastian Dos Santos?(6:50) Why is Brady Harris slipping and how does his risk compare to Kevin Roberts Jr.?(13:10) Will Mets SS Elian Pena be a top 25 prospect this time next year?(16:15) What changes would you guys make to the draft presentation?Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Newsletter: Fringe AverageBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos talk about the World Baseball Classic and the drama surrounding team USA. After that, they compare and contrast some of the top college outfielders in the 2026 draft class. Why is Ben so high on Virginia’s AJ Gracia? And why can Carlos not quit on LSU’s Derek Curiel? Those two, plus thoughts on Sawyer Strosnider and Drew Burress—plus a few comments on his Georgia Tech teammate Vahn Lackey skyrocketing with more power this spring. –Time Stamps:(2:00) A valid Team USA critique and a non-valid critique(18:30) College outfield talk begins(21:00) AJ Gracia(25:00) Sawyer Strosnider(30:00) Derek Curiel(38:30) How would we line up the outfield group?(45:00) Thoughts on Georgia Tech’s Vahn LackeyDo you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Newsletter: Fringe AverageBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos answer listener questions about how we know when to re-adjust expectations for prospects and the difference in value between center fielders and shortstops.—Time Stamps:(3:00) How do you know if a player is hitting a high percentile outcome vs. adjusting possible expectations?(8:00) Why it’s hard to deal with specific percentile projections(16:00) Why approach changes are incremental(18:00) Being skeptical of surface level results with no process changes(25:00) How much more do teams value shortstops vs. center fielders?Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Newsletter: Fringe AverageBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos talk about a double first base bag dilemma that surfaced in college baseball, then get into some spring training prospect talk. Should Kevin McGonigle and JJ Wetherholt make opening day rosters? Is Orioles outfielder Vance Honeycutt starting to figure something out? They talk about other names like Payton Tolle and Connelly Early, Charlie Condon, Sam Antonacci, Justin Crawford, JR Ritchie and then get into some brief week three college baseball and draft talk. —Time stamps:(0:30) A college double first base bag dilemma(10:00) Spring training talk(14:15) Does Kevin McGonigle make the opening day roster?(20:50) JJ Wetherholt and the Cardinals(25:40) The looming CBA negotiations(29:00) The merits of a college baseball system(31:30) Is Vance Honeycutt figuring it out?(36:15) Red Sox lefties Payton Tolle & Connelly Early(39:20) Charlie Condon(46:15) Sam Antonacci(51:50) Justin Crawford(55:55) JR Ritchie(59:00) Week three draft talkDo you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Newsletter: Fringe AverageBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos open up the listener mailbag and take questions on a number of draft topics including: prep sleepers who could be first rounders; Ace Reese’s defensive profile; Konnor Griffin’s impact on scouting; who our favorite prospect in the class is after Roch Cholowsky and Grady Emerson; Derek Curiel’s lack of power; and whether or not teams care about the pick order when they are picking back-to-back. —Time Stamps:(0:50) Who are some sleeper prep names who could be first rounders?(8:20) What do you think about Ace Reese’s upside and defensive profile?(12:45) How did so many teams miss on Konnor Griffin and how does that change scouting for 2026?(20:30) Who is your current No. 3 prospect after Roch Cholowsky and Grady Emerson?(25:20) Where does Derek Curiel fit in the draft given his lack of power?(31:40) How do teams decide who to pick first when they have back-to-back picks?Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Newsletter: Fringe AverageBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos talk about a few pitchers who have them excited from early spring training outings, then get into one of the most exciting pitching prospects in the country, Oregon State righthander Dax Whitney. The two talk about whether or not he’s the best pitching prospect since Paul Skenes, and then kickstart a conversation about the top prospects from each of the next two draft classes, headlined by some players to know from our recently released 2028 high school rankings. —Time Stamps:(0:00) Intro(4:00) Bishop Letson(12:30) Carlos Lagrange(19:10) Dax Whitney(31:00) Dax Whitney vs. Brendan Lawson(37:00) 2028 high school rankings(39:00) Why Striker Pence is No. 1(47:00) Other names to know at the top of the 2028 classDo you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Newsletter: Fringe AverageBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos take listener questions on whether pitchers with deep arsenals and good command are overrated, about players who aren’t ranked top 100 who could jump into top-10 territory with a good season, and about whether or not recent Duke commit James Clark has a chance to make it to campus.—Time Stamps:(1:25) Do you think pitchers with deeper arsenals get undervalued?(11:30) Who is someone outside the top 100 who could be a top 10 prospect by the end of the season?(18:20) Will James Clark make it to campus at Duke or go straight to the pros?Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Newsletter: Fringe AverageBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos talk about the challenges of scouting players in the early portions of a baseball season, and discuss the differences in evaluating hitters and pitchers in those time periods. The two talk about a number of standouts from Carlos’s week one Texas trip, including Grady Emerson, Lucas Franco, Cam Johnson and more. After that the two talk about Noah Franco’s two way status, why they disagree on two-way players and also use that to talk about the reclassification of Jared Grindlinger from 2027 to 2026. —Time Stamps:(0:00) Intro(8:30) Grady Emerson (20:00) Evaluating a high school hitter in the spring(28:00) Physical changes of young players(33:00) Watching a college hitter early in the season(37:00) Watching a college pitcher early in the year(49:30) Lucas Franco(55:00) Brendan Lawson(59:00) Noah Franco(1:11:15) Jared Grindlinger reclasses from 2027 to 2026Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Newsletter: Fringe AverageBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben, Carlos and Jacob conduct the fourth annual amateur player draft. The name of the game is simple: select the most talented team you can among 2026 draft-eligible prospects. Each drafter has to fill out a roster as follows: one catcher, two corner infielders, two middle infielders, three outfielders, four pitchers and one utility spot. Each team needs to have at least six high school players and at least six college players. Who had the best draft? Let us know what you think. —Time Stamps:(0:00) Intro(0:40) Draft explained(3:40) Draft begins(6:10) First pitcher selected(10:00) Jacob Lombard vs. Justin Lebron(11:50) First catcher off the board(18:00) Ben doubles down on outfielders(23:30) The first positional “debate”(29:35) Carlos continues to stack pitchers(32:40) Ben goes crazy for college players(42:05) Jacob gets an outfield bat he loves(58:00) Team-by-team draft summaries and takeawaysDo you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Newsletter: Fringe AverageBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos answer listener questions about how bat tracking technology and athletic testing metrics have changed high school scouting, how multi-sport athletes are valued and where some of the top 2027 draft prospects would slot into the 2026 class. —Time Stamps:(0:30) How has technology like bat tracking and force plates changed high school scouting?(14:20) Do multi-sport athletes project better than baseball-only players?(23:05) Where would high-end 2027 draft prospects fit in the 2026 draft class?Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Newsletter: Fringe AverageBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos talk through the new Baseball America farm system rankings. How close are the top teams and what separates them? Which farm systems are our picks to take big steps forward a year from now? After farm system talk, the two discuss the new Top 200 draft rankings for the 2026 class. —Time Stamps:(0:00) WBC excitement(6:30) Updated farm system rankings(9:00) Are the Pirates a clear No. 1 system?(18:00) Cardinals vs. Brewers(24:30) The Brewers case as No. 1(29:00) Top-heavy Tigers(36:00) Bias towards the orgs you’re familiar with(44:20) Which teams are primed to step forward(51:30) Updated draft board talkDo you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Newsletter: Fringe AverageBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos take some questions from last week’s draft chat and expand on them in the podcast. The two discuss their favorite college pitchers in the class, talk about the questions with Jacob Lombard’s contact ability and also talk about the changes they would make to the MLB draft. —Time Stamps:(0:45) Our favorite college pitcher in the class(9:55) Concerns with Jacob Lombard’s contact ability(18:00) The changes we would make to the draftDo you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Newsletter: Fringe AverageBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos talk briefly about the demographics and depth of the 2026 draft class, before getting into a conversation about high school recruiting and the power dynamics and changes in the space over the last few years. After that they break down some of the top PPI eligible prospects and discuss which players might be best-positioned to help their clubs add extra picks with strong 2026 performances. —Time Stamps(0:00) Intro(3:00) The depth of the 2026 draft class(6:00) Strength of the Southeast(10:00) West coast colleges losing players(17:00) Power conference recruiting factors(21:00) The importance of high school recruiting(23:00) The number of high school players signing(31:00) PPI eligible player conversationDo you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Newsletter: Fringe AverageBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos open up the Future Projection listener mailbag and talk about some of their favorite prospects who didn’t make the top 100 but could be there shortly. They also hit on a handful of Braves prospects who could be in the same camp, plus talk about potential IFA signing day implications that could come (or not come) from a lockout after the 2026 season. —Time Stamps(1:00) Favorite prospects who didn’t make the Top 100(17:50) Braves prospects who could join the Top 100(22:30) IFA signing day implications with a lockoutDo you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Newsletter: Fringe AverageBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos discuss the recently released Top 100 prospects list for the 2026 season. The two work their way down the list and discuss players they like at every stage, as well as players they are split on, players who are more polarizing and players who they are more skeptical of. The two also give their reactions to the Freddy Peralta trade, and at the end of the show react live to the MacKenzie Gore trade that broke on air. —Time Stamps(1:30) Freddy Peralta trade reactions(13:30) Top 100 talk starts(16:50) The top pitchers in the class(21:30) Colt Emerson(26:00) Walker Jenkins & Max Clark(30:30) Carter Jensen(35:20) Carson Benge(37:00) Bryce Eldridge(39:45) Thomas White(43:00) Sal Stewart, Dylan Beavers, Josue De Paula, Josuar Gonzalez(49:30) Bryce Rainer(53:05) Moises Ballesteros(55:00) Seth Hernandez, Eli Willits(57:00) Brody Hopkins(1:01:00) Mike Sirota(1:04:35) Franklin Arias(1:08:00) Jonah Tong(1:13:00) Luis Peña(1:17:00) Ryan Sloan(1:19:30) Lazaro Montes(1:23:00) Elmer Rodriguez(1:25:30) Caden Scarborough(1:28:20) Arjun Nimmala(1:30:10) Justin Crawford(1:36:00) Rhett Lowder(1:37:40) Kendry Chourio, Braylon Doughty(1:45:40) Luis De Leon(1:47:30) Billy Carlson(1:48:00) Marek Houston(1:50:00) Live MacKenzie Gore trade reactionDo you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Newsletter: Fringe AverageBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos hop on the podcast for a Jan. 15 focused edition of the show where Ben provides all the details on every team in the league. If you want to know about your team’s 2026 international signing class, this is the podcast for you. —Time Stamps:(2:30) Guardians(7:40) Tigers(11:05) Royals(16:25) Twins(19:25) White Sox(23:30) Brewers(27:30) Cubs(29:45) Reds(32:45) Cardinals(36:45) Pirates(40:15) Mariners(43:30) Astros(45:55) Rangers(48:48) Athletics(52:45) Angels(55:25) Dodgers(1:00:30) Giants(1:05:15) Diamondbacks(1:09:05) Padres(1:12:40) Rockies(1:15:05) Red Sox(1:17:55) Yankees(1:20:40) Blue Jays(1:23:30) Rays(1:27:45) Orioles(1:30:50) Phillies(1:33:40) Mets(1:36:00) Marlins(1:38:50) Braves(1:41:00) NationalsDo you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.Ben's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Newsletter: Fringe AverageBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos open the mailbag in today’s episode. The two answer a handful of questions including: how do prep pitchers change their stock during the spring? Which prospects do we like to the same level as Trey Yesavage? Whether or not Roch Cholowsky and Grady Emerson are the clear 1-2 players in the class. And where Wandy Asigen and other top international signees would fit if they were draft eligible. Time Stamps:(0:50) How do high school players change their stock in the spring?(8:00) Which college prospects do we like as much as Trey Yesavage?(15:00) Are Roch Cholowsky and Grady Emerson a clearcut 1-2?(23:00) Would Wandy Asigen go inside the top five picks of the draft?Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: futureprojection@baseballamerica.com.Ben's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Newsletter: Fringe AverageBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy