Future Projection
Episodes
Episode 53: Prospect Promotions & Draft Popups
02 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos talk through our most recent draft update, which was the release of the BA 500—always a fun milestone to reach on the draft calendar....
Episode 52: Players We Like More Than The Industry
26 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today Ben and Carlos talk about the potential benefits of replacing extended spring training with a full-season league in the minors, and then get int...
Episode 51: Is Jackson Holliday The Best Prospect In Baseball?
19 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos talk about how impressive Orioles shortstop Jackson Holliday has been since he was drafted and make the case for him as the No. 1 prosp...
Episode 50: Under-The-Radar International Prospects
12 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos open with some draft talk, where the two discuss the most recent Baseball America mock draft and talk about why they are still so high ...
Episode 49: Low-A Hitters Shining & Scuffling
05 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos talk about Ben’s trip to the Dominican Republic and get into a few players who stood out, and Ben gives some insight on the difficult...
Episode 48: A Top 400 Draft Update
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Carlos is joined by Peter Flaherty to discuss the current state of the 2023 draft class and our recently updated top 400 draft list. The two talk abo...
Episode 47: An Off The Charts Episode
14 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos chat about their varying levels of disdain for the phrases “have a catch,” “off the charts,” and new pitch classification trend...
Episode 46: Early Season Standouts
07 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos talk about how impressive Padres catching prospect Ethan Salas has been, and the two try to contextualize how good he is compared to re...
Episode 45: The Area Scout Life, With Hudson Belinsky
31 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today Ben and Carlos have an interview with Hudson Belinsky. Belinsky led Baseball America’s draft coverage from 2015-2017 and then joined the Ari...
Episode 44: World Baseball Classic Lessons, Spring Prospect Buzz
24 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos give their final thoughts on the World Baseball Classic, including Ben’s victory lap on splitter usage and thoughts on how we talk ab...
Episode 43: Rebuilds, Extensions & Mock Drafts
17 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos talk about the latest in the World Baseball Classic—the good, the bad and the ugly—before breaking down the contract extensions rec...
Episode 42: Prospects To Watch In The World Baseball Classic
10 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos talk about the World Baseball Classic! Who are the favorites in the competition itself and then who are the most interesting prospects ...
Episode 41: Spring Training Standouts
03 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos chat about how the pitch clock has looked so far in spring training and then dive into our recently published farm system rankings. Jus...
Episode 40: Deep And Shallow Farm Systems
24 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos open the show by discussing the recent injuries to Guardians prospects Daniel Espino and Chase DeLauter before getting into the opening...
Episode 39: Low Level Sleepers
16 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos start the show by talking about a few of the new rule changes that were announced for the big leagues in 2023. Both generally agree on ...
Episode 38: Thoughts On The Scouting Scale, Drafting 2023 Prospect Teams & Listener Questions
10 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos briefly talk about the Guardians and Reds swapping outfield prospects and the Padres extending Yu Darvish, as well as the state of San ...
Episode 37: Outfield Prospects, All-Americans & Best Tools
03 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos talk through some of the best outfield prospects in baseball, starting briefly with James Wood (Nationals) and Jordan Walker (Cardinals...
Episode 36: Corner Prospects & Scouting The Owners
27 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos talk about the baseball schedule and why exactly January feels so busy for the staff at BA despite no baseball taking place. This leads...
Episode 35: The Top 100 Show
20 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ben talks about why his January 15th was much more chaotic this year compared to previous years and then he and Carlos get into the recently released ...
Episode 34: The State of Catching Prospects + An International Signing Day Preview
13 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the show, Ben and Carlos talk about catching prospects. With Orioles franchise catcher Adley Rutschman establishing himself in the majors, is...
Episode 33: We're Back!
06 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos are back on the podcast for the second season of the show! After a long hiatus, the two bring 2023 in with a bang, chatting about the m...
Episode 32: The Return Of Kumar Rocker
09 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos talk about Baseball America’s recently updated draft rankings. There’s plenty of movement on the board, but perhaps the most notabl...
Episode 31: Picking In The First Round For Every Team
22 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos talk about the improved pace of play in the minor leagues thanks to implementing a pitch clock and enforcing it. The two give their tho...
Episode 30: Red Hot Rookies & Fast Track Prospects
15 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos talk about the first week or so of the professional season kicking off, including a scorching start for Guardians fifth round pick and ...
Episode 29: Spring Training Thoughts + A Few 2022 Predictions
25 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With spring training currently underway, Ben and Carlos talk about how valuable it is when it comes to evaluating players. We touch on a few players w...
Episode 28: Breaking Down Trades
17 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode, Ben and Carlos react to many of the moves that have been made around the big leagues over the past week including: Freddie Freem...
Episode 27: Immediate Thoughts On The Lockout Ending + Big League Bloodlines
10 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos are briefly joined by JJ to talk about MLB and the MLBPA agreeing to a new CBA after a lockout that lasted 99 days. The three give thei...
Episode 26: Takeaways From The First Week Of College Baseball
25 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There’s finally real, live baseball happening around the country. On this episode, Ben and Carlos talk about a lot of it, including 103 mph fastball...
Episode 25: The Best Tools In The 2022 Draft Class
10 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos discuss the best tools results from our survey with major league scouting departments. We wind up talking about just how impressive Geo...
Episode 24: Farm System Rankings
04 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos are joined by Geoff Pontes, who makes his debut appearance on the podcast! The majority of the show is spent breaking down our recently...
Episode 23: Hall Of Fame Hot Takes & An Injury Riddled 2022 College Pitching Class
28 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos bounce all over the baseball world in today’s episode, going from junior college kicking off, to the Hall of Fame results, to interna...
Episode 22: The Top Pitching Prospects In Baseball & Candidates For Top Pitcher In 2023
18 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a busy week! Ben and Carlos chat about the international free agent signing period over the weekend and what Jan. 15 itself is like from Ben’...
Episode 21: A Golden Era For Catchers & Prospects We Like More Post-Handbook
07 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The podcast returns! After a bit of a hibernation, Ben explains to you all why Future Projection has been dormant for much of the winter—don’t bla...
Episode 20: The Wonderful Wander Franco, Players To Watch In The AFL & LHP Depth In The 2022 Draft Class
20 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos banter about MLB’s announcement requiring teams to provide housing for “certain” minor league players, once again fight over the ...
Episode 19: The 2022 Draft Order, Jupiter Preview & Thoughts On The MLB Playoff Structure
05 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos talk about Bobby Witt Jr. being named the BA Minor League Player of the Year and how there seem to be no obvious flaws in his game. Aft...
Episode 18: The Royals 2018 Draft Haul, Minor League Pay & Pitch Clocks + Extended Mailbag Episode
21 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos talk about the college pitching heavy Royals 2018 draft class and how that group recently accomplished an impressive feat. The two then...
Episode 17: Showcase Pros/Cons, Projecting Who Sticks At Shortstop & Whether Age vs. Level Matters
14 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos dive into what they like and don’t like about various workouts in showcase environments before getting into some of the top players t...
Episode 16: Behind The Scenes Of The Top 100, Polarizing Prospects, The 20-80 Scale & Player Comps
08 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos are joined by Josh for a podcast primarily centered on the minor leagues and our upcoming top 100 update. The trio talks about the proc...
Episode 15: Why Analyzing The Draft Is Difficult, Early Thoughts On The 2022 Class & Farm System Rankings
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After spending a few weeks traveling around the country watching players in the 2022, 2023 and 2024 draft classes, Ben and Carlos are back on the mic!...
Episode 14: A 2021 Draft Preview & Roundtable
08 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos are joined by Alexis Brudnicki to talk all things 2021 draft with just a few days to go before the Pirates are on the clock. If you hav...
Episode 13: A Futures Game Preview & Draft Combine Review + Helium Prospects
30 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos return from a brief hiatus to talk about all sorts of prospect action. First, the two discuss some of the players they're most exci...
Episode 12: A Resurgence of Stolen Bases & The Impact of Prospect Hype
28 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos talk about the increased stolen base totals in the lower levels of the minors, and talk about whether or not rule changes incentivizing...
Episode 11: Minor League Prospects Off To Hot Starts & Comparing Top High School Righthanders
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For the first time since the Future Projection Podcast has been around, Ben and Carlos are able to talk about actual minor league baseball. The two ta...
Episode 10: At Long Last... Minor League Opening Day
04 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos are joined by Josh and Kyle for a roundtable podcast in celebration of Minor League Opening Day. It's been quite a while since we&#...
Episode 9: The Pros & Cons Of Video Scouting, What Makes A Pop-Up Player & First Round Sleeper Candidates
23 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos spend a lot of time talking about the value of scouting players through video. Since the Covid season, more and more teams are using vi...
Episode 8: Early-Season Exploits Of Ronald Acuña Jr., Byron Buxton and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
15 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ronald Acuña Jr. makes a fool of the podcast by sitting at the top of the WAR leaderboard just weeks after Ben, Carlos and Josh chose to cut him inst...
Episode 7: The Magnificence of Shohei Ohtani, Two-Way Prospects in the Pipeline & Draft Ramifications for Jaden Hill
08 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos marvel at Shohei Ohtani’s early-season exploits on the mound and as a hitter, which leads to a conversation about the difficulties of...
Episode 6: 102 MPH High School Pitchers, Where To Sit When Scouting & How We Would Pick 1-10 In The 2021 Draft
31 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos are joined by JJ Cooper for the sixth episode of the Future Projection Podcast. The three talk about what they are excited about for Op...
Episode 5: Updated Draft Rankings, Short vs. Tall Hitters & Pitchers We Could Soon Be Talking About Like MacKenzie Gore
24 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On the fifth episode of the Future Projection Podcast, Ben and Carlos talk about the recently updated BA draft rankings and discuss how volatile this ...
Episode 4: When Scouts Disagree and Deciding Between Ronald Acuna Jr., Juan Soto & Fernando Tatis Jr.
17 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos are joined by their first-ever guest on the podcast—fellow BA staffer Josh Norris. The three talk about how teams handle contrasting ...
Episode 3: Bobby Witt Jr., 484 Foot Homers & The Top Shortstop Prospects In Baseball
11 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos spend most of the episode talking about shortstops—what scouts look for when evaluating the position, as well as some of the top youn...
Episode 2: What An International Draft Might Look Like + 2021 Draft Risers
03 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ben and Carlos spend some time talking about Ben's recently released International Big Board for the 2021-22 international class, before diving in...
Episode 1: Elijah Green, Jasson Dominguez & Draft Standouts From College Baseball's Opening Weekend
24 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Baseball is back! On their debut episode, Ben Badler and Carlos Collazo talk about the challenges of scouting this spring, scouting philosophy when it...