Future Projection

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 WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising 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 WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising 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 WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising 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 WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising 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 WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising 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 WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising 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 WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising 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 WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising 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 WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos talk about how deep and talented the high school pitching crop is for the 2026 draft class. The two try to contextualize where this class of prep arms stacks up with some of the best in recent memory, and then discuss why pitchers across the board seem better today than they were five, 10, 15 years ago. The two talk about the general risk of pitching prospects vs. hitting prospects, how there are tools today that give us more precision in our pitching evaluations and then hit on a few of the different pitcher archetypes available in the class.After that Ben gives a rundown and update on the upcoming 2026 international signing period, which opens on January 15. Time Stamps:(0:00) Intro (5:35) Kaiden McCarthy reclassifies(8:00) Contextualizing the 2026 prep pitching class(12:00) The additional risk of pitching prospects(16:00) Misses from the vaunted 2018 class(18:30) Pitchers are better today in absolute terms(22:30) Better ability to evaluate pitchers(26:00) A variety of pitching styles(38:00) 2026 International Class thoughts(41:00) Luis Hernandez as the top bonus player(45:00) The status of an international draft(50:50) The state of international pitching(53:00) Notable names to keep in mindDo 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 WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos have a conversation about pitching development with Paul Davis. Davis has spent years in the game and was most recently the Braves director of pitching. He’s also spent time with both the Cardinals and Mariners organizations, and coached and played baseball in college. Davis talks about what it’s like to be a pitching director and how pitching development has changed over the years. He talks about movement patterns, delivery checkpoints, injuries, the importance of having a competitive mindset, the development path of Spencer Strider, breaking ball development, why fastballs are more than just velocity, the importance of making hitters swing, stuff vs. command, how to train strike-throwing, developing deep arsenals and more. —Time Stamps:(2:30) An overview of a pitching director’s job(6:10) How much collaboration does a pitching director have with draft picks?(9:15) Delivery checkpoints, movement patterns and injuries(14:50) The difficulty of changing movement patterns(23:00) The importance of a competitive mindset(31:30) Spencer Strider’s development path(46:30) Developing a breaking ball(53:00) Why fastballs are more than velocity(55:00) The importance of making hitters swing(1:03:00) A pitcher with stuff vs. a pitcher with command(1:11:30) Training command and strike-throwing(1:16:20) Thoughts on stuff+ and granular pitch data (1:20:00) Combining force plate metrics with pitch data to reverse-engineer stuff(1:24:30) The next wave of Braves pitchersDo 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 WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos break open the listener mailbag after talking briefly about MLB’s new tech limitations that are coming to baseball. Today’s listener topics include Dominican Summer League breakout candidates, the comps on 2026 high school shortstop Tyler Spangler, the rarity of 60-grade hit/power prospects and players outside the top 100 with the biggest upside potential. —Time Stamps: (0:00) Intro and tech talk(10:00) DSL breakouts(16:45) Tyler Spangler comps?(20:00) The rarity of 60-grade hit/power prospects(28:20) Upside players not on the top 100Do 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 WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos complete their divisional prospect breakdown with the AL West. The two analyze each team’s farm system, talk about the strengths and weaknesses, get into some of the top players and more.—Time Stamps:(0:00) Intro & Prospect Handbook Talk(4:45) Mariners(31:30) Athletics(59:30) Rangers(1:19:00) Astros(1:33:30) AngelsDo 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 WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Let’s open the listener mailbag.To get into all of your questions, Ben and Carlos shake up the Future Projection formula and give you a 30-minute episode exclusively with listener questions. Where would Roch Cholowsky slot onto the top 100 prospects list right now? Who are our favorite pure hitters in the 2026 class? What do we think about Texas catcher Carson Tinney and his summer struggles? And will the Braves take a pair of high school pitchers in 2026? If you have questions of your own, send them to us with the contact info below.—Time Stamps:(0:30) Where would Roch Cholowsky rank on the top 100?(9:00) Who are our favorite technicians at the plate in the 2026 class?(18:00) What do we think about Carson Tinney’s poor production in the Cape?(21:00) Will the Braves take two high school arms?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 WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos continue their divisional prospect breakdown with the AL Central. The two analyze each team’s farm system, talk about the strengths and weaknesses, get into some of the top players and more.—Time Stamps:(0:00) Intro(2:00) Draft lottery(9:20) AL Central talk(10:45) Tigers(40:40) Guardians(1:03:10) Twins(1:24:30) White Sox (1:50:00) RoyalsDo 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 WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos continue their divisional prospect breakdown with the AL East. The two analyze each team’s farm system, talk about the strengths and weaknesses, get into some of the top players and more.—Time Stamps:(0:00) Intro(5:30) AL East overview(8:00) Red Sox(33:30) Orioles(58:00) Blue Jays(1:16:00) Rays(1:36:00) YankeesDo 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 WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos throw the mailbag wide open and take a variety of listener questions ahead of Thanksgiving. The two put grades on Thanksgiving dishes and also spend plenty of time talking about prospects, scouting, baseball jargon, sleepers, potential position switches, draft busts, personal cheeseballs and more. —Time Stamps:(0:00) Intro(3:00) Thanksgiving food grades(14:00) What do we mean by hitterish?(28:30) Biggest personal cheeseball hits?(35:00) Pitchers beyond the first round who could pop(43:00) Who has the best command in the 2026 class?(50:00) Is travel ball a scam? Has it been good or harmful?(1:00:00) Biggest draft busts?(1:12:50) Should Rainiel Rodriguez move off catcher?(1:14:30) Who are the top 2027 northeast arms to know?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 WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos continue their divisional prospect breakdown with the NL West. The two analyze each team’s farm system, talk about the strengths and weaknesses, get into some of the top players and more.—Time Stamps:(0:00) Intro(5:30) Dodgers(31:40) Giants(56:30) D-backs(1:18:00) Rockies(1:41:10) PadresDo 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 WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos continue their divisional prospect breakdown with the NL Central. The two analyze each team’s farm system, talk about the strengths and weaknesses, get into some of the top players and more.—Time Stamps:(0:00) Intro(8:00) Brewers(41:00) Pirates(1:00:00) Cardinals(1:25:00) Reds(1:42:00) CubsDo 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 WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos kick off their annual farm system review series with the NL East. The two talk through each farm system, discuss development and acquisition trends, break down the top players in each system and try to talk through where players and orgs will rank in the greater prospect landscape. —Time Stamps:(0:00) Quick World Series recap(3:00) Rockies struggles(13:00) Mets(40:00) Marlins(1:02:00) Nationals(1:18:00) Phillies(1:42:00) BravesDo 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 WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy