Future Projection

In today’s mailbag episode, Ben and Carlos answer listener questions about how we assess risk for prospects, how the degree of difficulty in scouting international prospects varies depending on the country, whether or not relief-only prospects with upside exist and the difficulty of spotting them, Nationals infielder Ronny Cruz and Pirates outfielder Derek Curiel.

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Time stamps:

• (0:00) Intro
• (3:00) How we handle risk penalties for prospects
• (9:00) Is it harder to project international prospects from one country vs. another?
• (13:00) Are there any relief-only prospects with top 10 reliever upside?
• (19:00) Is Nationals infielder Ronny Cruz trending up?
• (22:00) Is Pirates outfielder Derek Curiel more likely to develop power or stick in center?

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

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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You can preorder Baseball America’s 2027 books today. Get your 2027 Prospect Handbook, 2027 Almanac and 2027 Directory at the BA Store here.

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Ben and Carlos talk about the Brewers World Series championship and think about how this organization was built and how it operates. What are the lessons that other organizations can learn about how the Brewers operate? What do they target with hitters and pitchers? What separates them with their strategies in the draft and international market? Are they going to be even better next year?

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Time stamps:

• (0:00) Intro
• (2:30) World Series reactions
• (4:30) Lessons to learn from this Brewers team
• (6:00) A thirst for information
• (10:00) What the Brewers look for in hitters
• (16:00) The importance of defense
• (21:00) Finding under valued talent
• (36:00) Pitching comes from anywhere
• (45:00) The importance of a disciplined international process
• (51:00) A potential brain drain for Milwaukee?
• (1:00:00) Spending money to retain stars in peak seasons

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

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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You can preorder Baseball America’s 2027 books today. Get your 2027 Prospect Handbook, 2027 Almanac and 2027 Directory at the BA Store here.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben and Carlos open the listener mailbag and take questions about Blue Jays SS Juan Sanchez, Royals OF Angeibel Gomez vs. Giants SS Josuar Gonzalez, Braves OF Eric Hartman, Cardinals C Rainiel Rodriguez and Nationals RHP Jarlin Susana.

Time Stamps:

• (1:00) Was it a mistake to send Juan Sanchez to Low A?
• (4:00) Angeibel Gomez vs. Josuar Gonzalez hype
• (9:00) Eric Hartman
• (14:00) Rainiel Rodriguez
• (18:00) Jarlin Susana

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

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben and Carlos talk about the Brewers-Rays matchup for this year’s World Series. The two talk about if there’s a takeaway to be had from two small market teams being the last standing. They debate whether they would rather have Junior Caminero or Jackson Chourio moving forward, as well as other World Series topics. They also chat about Baseball America’s latest update to the 2027 draft board.

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Time Stamps:

• (0:00) Rays/Brewers World Series Preview
• (5:00) What’s the takeaway of a small market World Series
• (12:00) Junior Caminero talk
• (22:30) Junior Caminero vs. Jackson Chourio
• (32:00) Chandler Simpson bunting
• (34:00) Draft update
• (43:00) George Ferguson
• (51:30) Malachi Butler

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

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s mailbag Ben and Carlos answer questions about John Rodríguez and the Angels international signing efforts, where Yankees OF Yostin Pena might start the 2027 season, Caleb Bonemer’s center field chances and how Guardians LHP Parker Messick compares to Reds LHP Ethan Norby.

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Time Stamps:

• (1:00) John Rodríguez and Angels international prospects
• (4:30) Where will Yankees OF Yostin Pena start in 2027?
• (9:30) How is White Sox OF Caleb Bonemer’s defense in center?
• (15:00) How did Guardians LHP Parker Messick compare to Reds LHP Ethan Norby?

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

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

—

You can preorder Baseball America’s 2027 books today. Get your 2027 Prospect Handbook, 2027 Almanac and 2027 Directory at the BA Store here.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben and Carlos talk about a Guardians 2022 draft class that netted them both Chase DeLauter and Parker Messick. The two then talk about a number of prospects who are top of mind heading into the offseason including: Angels OF Jared Grindlinger, Marlins OF Cam Cannarella, Rockies 1B Charlie Condon, Brewers SS Brady Ebel, Nationals SS Eli Willits and Padres SS Elliot Lascelles, among others.

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Time Stamps:

• (0:00) The Guardians 2022 draft
• (16:00) Angels OF Jared Grindlinger
• (24:00) Marlins OF Cam Cannarella
• (34:00) Rockies 1B Charlie Condon
• (39:00) Brewers SS Brady Ebel
• (50:00) Eli Willits & the Nationals
• (1:01:00) Elliot Lascelles & the Padres

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

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

—

You can preorder Baseball America’s 2027 books today. Get your 2027 Prospect Handbook, 2027 Almanac and 2027 Directory at the BA Store here.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben and Carlos talk about the League Championship Series and wonder which of the final four teams is most likely to miss next year’s postseason. The two then open this week’s listener mailbag to talk about international draft timing implications, whether or not makeup and bad attitudes impacts how players are valued (and to what extent) and then tackle a few questions about Pirates infielder Jacob Gonzalez and Rays catcher Nathan Flewelling.

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Time Stamps:

• (0:00) Which league championship team is most likely to miss next year’s postseason?
• (10:00) Is it too soon to switch to an international draft?
• (21:00) How much do teams take bad attitudes and makeup into consideration?
• (31:00) Did the White Sox sell high on SS/3B Jacob Gonzalez?
• (35:00) How is Rays C Nathan Flewelling’s defense progressing?

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

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

—

You can preorder Baseball America’s 2027 books today. Get your 2027 Prospect Handbook, 2027 Almanac and 2027 Directory at the BA Store here.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben and Carlos do some podcast housekeeping and followup on their discussion about how an international draft picking order might work. The two then talk about the breakout season of Rays OF Victor Mesa Jr. and how he is already a player we never expected him to be. How is that the case and what are the lessons we can learn from it? The two talk about MLB’s relationship-building efforts with college baseball and then react to their latest proposal that would bring the regular season from 162 games to 154, expand the divisional series and have top-seeded teams choose their opponents.

Read Jacob Rudner’s full piece on MLB/NCAA relationship building: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/how-mlbs-growing-college-baseball-ties-are-changing-the-draft-player-development-more/

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Time Stamps:

• (0:00) Intro/Banter
• (6:00) Housekeeping & draft pick order ideas
• (13:45) Victor Mesa Jr.’s breakout season
• (24:00) Lessons we can learn from Mesa’s success
• (30:00) MLB/NCAA relationship building
• (38:50) Will the draft timing change?
• (43:00) MLB’s proposed regular season and postseason changes
• (55:00) Thinking through postseason ramifications

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

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben and Carlos talk about what makes Alfredo Sena the top prospect in this year’s international class, and then take questions about international draft signing strategies and who would pick first if an international draft took place. They also take questions about Mets lefthander Daviel Hurtado and Rays shortstop Daniel Pierce.

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Time Stamps:

• (0:00) Intro
• (3:30) Why Alfredo Sena tops the 2027 IFA class
• (8:00) Is it better to spend big on 1-2 or spread money around internationally?
• (14:50) Who picks first in a potential international draft?
• (20:00) Mets LHP Daviel Hurtado
• (26:00) Rays SS Daniel Pierce

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

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

—

You can preorder Baseball America’s 2027 books today. Get your 2027 Prospect Handbook, 2027 Almanac and 2027 Directory at the BA Store here.

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben and Carlos talk about Ethan Salas catching in the postseason, and marvel at how he’s this good at just 20 years old. They talk about the next tier of top catching prospects, both current minor leaguers and some of the top names in the 2027 class, and think back to some of the standout catchers they’ve evaluated over the years. They also talk about Royals outfielder Angeibel Gomez going to the Arizona Fall League as a 17-year-old and wonder about the future of Kansas City’s big league team.

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Time Stamps:

• (0:00) Ethan Salas and receiving
• (10:30) Vahn Lackey, Rainiel Rodriguez and next-tier catchers
• (19:30) Where does Gavin Kelly fit into this mix?
• (22:00) Is high school catching fading?
• (30:00) Latin American catching vs. American
• (35:00) Standout catching prospects we can remember
• (38:00) Angeibel Gomez going to the AFL as a 17 year old
• (45:00) The Royals' future and farm system

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

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben and Carlos answer listener questions about: the most exciting measurables in the 2027 draft class, Rangers hitters Dylan Dreiling and Rafe Perich, Rays righthander Alexander Alberto and whether or not righthanded-hitting prospects are under valued.

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Time Stamps:

• (3:30) Who are the players with the most exciting measurables in the 2027 class?
• (16:00) How impressed are we by Rangers prospects Dylan Dreiling and Rafe Perich?
• (20:00) What role could Rays righthander Alexander Alberto fill in a bullpen?
• (23:30) Are righthanded-hitting prospects undervalued?

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

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the close of the 2026 regular season, Ben and Carlos look back on their preseason predictions to evaluate how well—or how poorly—they prognosticated.

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Time Stamps:

• (0:00) Intro
• (1:00) World Series picks
• (6:00) Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• (10:30) Surprise team picks
• (19:00) Breakout pitcher picks
• (22:00) Breakout hitter picks
• (29:20) Biggest storyline
• (33:00) Bounce back players
• (36:00) Award picks
• (1:00:00) Andrew Fischer prospect talk

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

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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In today’s mailbag, a listener proposes an overhauled international talent acquisition system. Ben and Carlos react to that, then answer questions about Dylan Crews, Walker Jenkins and Austin Overn.

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Time Stamps:

• (0:30) A potential shakeup to the international system?
• (18:05) What did we get wrong with Dylan Crews?
• (25:20) How did Austin Overn’s production in 2026 change his projection?
• (29:15) Thoughts on Walker Jenkins’ struggles in the majors?

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

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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Ben and Carlos talk about the storylines—or lack thereof—during the stretch run of the major league season, then turn their eyes to the Arizona Fall League, which recently had rosters announced. Who are we excited to see? All that and more.

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Time Stamps:

• (0:00) Postseason talk
• (11:30) This time of year
• (13:40) Arizona Fall League
• (17:40) Vance Honeycutt
• (23:40) Myles Bailey
• (29:00) Dax Kilby
• (31:00) Tate Southisene & Owen Carey
• (34:50) Braylon Payne

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

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben and Carlos open the listener mailbag to take questions about Athletics outfielder Devin Taylor, Cardinals shortstop Yairo Padilla, Tigers outfielder Cris Rodriguez and Rays first baseman Collin Bland.

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Time Stamps:

• (0:55) Devin Taylor
• (5:15 ) Yairo Padilla
• (7:15) Cris Rodriguez
• (10:10) Collin Bland

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

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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Ben and Carlos talk about the Dodgers promoting outfielder Josue De Paula and get into what makes him such a well-rounded offensive player. The two talk about a few of the notable standouts from this year’s Dominican Summer League, including Angeibel Gomez, Johenssy Colome, Yostin Peña and others. The two then talk about Andrew Fischer’s bid for a 50-homer season, then get into a ton of fascinating shortstop prospects including Leo De Vries, Sebastian Walcott, Eli Willits and Josuar Gonzalez.

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Time Stamps:

• (0:30) Josue De Paula
• (15:30) DSL Top prospects
• (16:00) Angeibel Gomez
• (22:00) Johenssy Colome
• (24:50) Yostin Peña
• (29:00) Albert Fermín, Francisco Renteria
• (29:30) Andrew Fischer’s 50-homer effort
• (38:00) Leo De Vries injury
• (41:30) Sebastian Walcott scorching
• (45:00) Eli Willits comps and ETA
• (53:20) Josuar Gonzalez raking
• (57:45) Zyhir Hope

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

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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Ben and Carlos break open the listener mailbag to answer prospect questions about Rays shortstop Carson Williams and outfielder Slater De Brun; how we view teams’ track records in trading for players; how we handle the information handover from one draft class to another (and how teams do the same); and what the CBA ramifications could be for the 2027 Dominican Summer League.

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Time Stamps:

• (0:55) What happened to Rays SS Carson Williams?
• (3:00) Rays pro scouting
• (9:00) How we handle information sharing and handoffs for different classes
• (16:00) How will the CBA impact the signing period and 2027 DSL season?
• (20:40) What are our thoughts on Rays OF Slater De Brun’s power upside?

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

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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Ben lets Carlos vent about the position player pitching epidemic in the majors before the two turn to more serious discussions about the $4 billion sale of the Los Angeles Angels. The two discuss what could be changing for the organization and the ramifications, then pivot to prospect talk. They talk about the promotions of notable prospects like Walker Jenkins, Ethan Salas, Lazaro Montes and Kade Anderson, then check in on some of the top 2026 draftees who have made official debuts.

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Time Stamps:

• (0:00) Carlos vents about position player pitching
• (11:30) Angels sale
• (22:00) Does this have any CBA implications?
• (30:00) Notable big league callups
• (50:00) Kade Anderson
• (59:00) Elliot Lascelles
• (1:01:30) Jacob Lombard
• (1:06:00) A tough time for scouts

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

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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After a few weeks off, Ben and Carlos reconvene to talk about the state of the 2027 high school draft class. How are we viewing the class with the bulk of the summer showcase circuit behind us, and who are the players who have stood out and improved their stock? Has No. 1 prospect Dylan Seward lived up to expectations? What’s the value of All-America games in 2026? And did we see anything close to this kind of performance coming with Pete Crow-Armstrong?

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Time Stamps:

• (0:00) Intro/Banter
• (5:00) Thoughts on the 2027 class
• (12:30) Malachi Butler
• (18:00) The depth of HS shortstops
• (20:00) Dylan Seward’s summer
• (28:30) Leo Nockley & Max Hemenway
• (33:00) Drake Hawpe
• (37:30) Chase Fuller
• (44:00) George Ferguson
• (51:00) Lubin Rincon
• (53:40) How much importance is there for All-American games?
• (1:03:00) Pete Crow-Armstrong

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

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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Ben and Carlos open up the listener mailbag to take questions on Caden Bodine’s data, whether or not a Yankees outfielder will be an up-arrow name, general thoughts on Andrew Fischer and comparing and contrasting three up-the-middle college draftees.

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Time Stamps:

• (0:45) How much does the data support Caden Bodine’s season?
• (7:10) Will Yankees outfielder Yostin Pena be a significant riser?
• (9:15) Andrew Fischer?
• (16:30) Drew Burress, Derek Curiel and Tyler Bell upside, ETA and career questions

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

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.