Future Projection

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: [email protected].

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

See 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: [email protected].

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 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: [email protected].

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

See 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: [email protected].

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

See 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: [email protected].

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: [email protected].

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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: [email protected].

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

See 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: [email protected].

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: [email protected].

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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: [email protected].

Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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