Baseball America

On this week's Prospect Podcast Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper discuss the record-breaking run scoring and home run rates across the minor leagues. What's going on, why is it happening and who benefits/suffers because of it?

(00:00) Just how significant are the 2026 MiLB Runs Scored/Home Run Numbers?

(05:45) We're seeing some really weird home runs and extra-base hits when watching MiLB games this year

(13:30) Why we are pretty sure that it's the baseball that's driving this

(20:00) Home runs are way up, but not every home run hitter benefits the same way

(23:30) Opposite field home runs are way up this year

(30:00) Triple-A numbers are flat, but all other levels, including rookie ball, are being affected

(33:45) How 2021-2022 gave us a sneak peek

(36:30) Who is taking advantage of this change?

(40:30) There's so much we still don't know/understand

(50:30) Could hitters with less power benefit the most?

(54:00) It's worth reiterating, this is the highest MiLB run environment we can find ever--and we studied back to 1963

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On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Geoff Pontes and Josh Norris break down need-to-know September prospect callups. Plus, we talk about how Kade Anderson has fared in his first MLB go-round.

The Hot Sheet Show airs live on the BA YouTube channel every Tuesday at 3 p.m. Give us a sub, and we'll see you then!

Time Stamps

• (0:00) Introduction
• (1:00) Significant September callups: Salas, Montes & Bernal
• (9:10) What does Walker Jenkins add for the Twins
• (14:45) Breaking down Kade Anderson's early MLB impressions
• (22:00) Arte Moreno is selling the Angels
• (23:00) Answering viewer questions

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JJ and Carlos talk about the final 20-man roster for USA Baseball’s 2026 18U National Team. What are our overall thoughts of the roster? Who are players who just missed or were surprise additions? What might the lineup look like in competitive games? And why does Texas RHP George Ferguson have major helium? 

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Time stamps:

• (0:00) Overall thoughts
• (7:00) Breaking down the final roster
• (10:00) Surprising names who just missed?
• (20:00) George Ferguson helium

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On this week's Prospect Podcast, Geoff Pontes, Ian Cundall and JJ Cooper take a look at some of the MLB draftees who have gotten their pro careers started.

(01:00) Why Ian didn't get to see Roch Cholowsky

(04:15) Jacob Lombard has shown some power

(07:00) Elliot Lascelles is worth watching

(09:10) What can be gleaned from 50 PAs?

(14:00) Tate Southesine vs. Dax Kilby is an instructive case

(22:30) How we balance reacting without over-reacting

(27:30) Why this offseason will be so important for draftees

(35:45) How we treat these debuts a bit differently than we used to

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On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Ben Badler and Josh Norris talk standout Dominican Summer League prospects before welcoming Rockies 2026 draft pick Daniel Jackson to the program to talk about his first impressions of pro ball after winning college baseball's Golden Spikes Award.

The Hot Sheet Show airs live on the BA YouTube channel every Tuesday at 3 p.m. Give us a sub, and we'll see you then!

Time Stamps

• (0:00) Introduction
• (1:15) Exciting DSL players
• (9:00) Why we see more DSL hitters and fewer top pitchers
• (12:20) Daniel Jackson joins the show
• (23:50) What 2026 MiLB data can tell us

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Baseball America National College Reporter Jacob Rudner and Editor-In-Chief JJ Cooper get ready for fall ball with a discussion about how college baseball's offseason training has evolved in recent years. Rudner and Cooper talk about fall ball's scouting relevance and how this time of year has changed for mid- and low-major coaches.

• (1:29) Scheduling update
• (4:27) What’s new with fall ball
• (12:21) Why coaches love the new model
• (17:41) Why the changes to fall ball are pro-fan
• (21:44) Does fall ball matter for scouting?
• (31:43) How much fall developments impact the Preseason Top 25
• (35:44) College coaches looking for pro jobs in the fall

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JJ and Carlos talk about some of the players to know from the 2027 college class with the bulk of the summer circuit behind us. What are the strengths and weaknesses? What are the limitations with top-of-the-class bats like Landon Hairston and Gavin Kelly? And who are some college arms to be aware of and excited about? 

—

Time Stamps:

• (0:00) Intro
• (1:30) Overall thoughts on the college class
• (5:40) What about the hitters?
• (8:00) Questions about Landon Hairston’s defensive profile
• (14:30) Questions about Gavin Kelly’s profile
• (24:20) Pitching excitement
• (34:00) How our pitching process can improve

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On this week's Fantasy Podcast, Geoff Pontes is joined by Lance Brozdowski. The two take in-depth looks at six intriguing pitching prospects.

(00:00) Lance and Geoff are back together, like it's old times

(07:30) Liam Doyle

(13:00) Jonathan Santucci

(19:30) Sabdiel Delzine

(28:00) Jamie Arnold 

(37:00) Kendry Chourio

(43:00) Cade Hunter

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On this week's Prospect Podcast, we're talking all about the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cards rank No. 2 on our recently updated farm system rankings. Ian Cundall, Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper take a look at where the Cardinals stand as far as big league talent and close-to-the-majors prospects.

(00:00) Joshua Baez's first game was incredible, why he's still riding a very tricky line to stick

(07:30) Trying to decipher MiLB HR stats in a year where HRs are up dramatically

(12:30) Hitting 35+ MiLB HRs isn't a great sign of future stardom

(19:00) The Cardinals have gotten a whole lot younger, are they ready to contend?

(25:00) Chaim Bloom's big next step

(31:00) Strengths and weaknesses of the Cardinals big leaguers/near big league prospects

(35:30) Prospects who aren't Top 30 for the Cardinals but would easily make many Top 30s

(43:00) Who do you choose among the catchers?

(43:45) Who is untouchable among the prospects?

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On this week's Hot Sheet Show, Jacob Rudner, J.J. Cooper and Geoff Pontes take a look at a few prospects still in the minors who could come up to impact the playoff races. And we take a look at how the AL and NL Rookie of the Year races are shaping up. Plus we answer your questions.

(00:40) Kade Anderson Has Been Exceptional

(05:00) Could the Dodgers bring up Josue De Paula?

(07:30) Why isn't Walker Jenkins up?

(08:45) Franklin Arias...will the Red Sox get aggressive?

(11:00) Lazaro Montes

(13:45) Kevin McGonigle is running away with the AL ROY race

(15:30) Is JJ Wetherholt staking a claim to the NL ROY race?

(22:00) Answer viewer/listener's questions

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