Ben and Carlos talk about a handful of big stuff, big physicality Yankees pitchers who are off to strong starts in the 2025 season. They briefly touch on George Lombard Jr. also living up to his preseason scouting hype in the early goings. After that the two talk about more Red Sox pitching prospects of note, this time those not named Brandon Clarke. After that the two talk about Nick Kurtz being promoted to the majors and discuss how fun the A’s current young lineup is—and also appreciate their hits at the top of the draft in recent years between Kurtz and Jacob Wilson. The two discuss Dodgers righthander Sean Linan’s crazy changeup, then take a listener question about surprising 2025 draft performances. 

–

Time Stamps

• (0:30) Opening banter
• (4:10) Yankees power arms
• (17:00) George Lombard Jr.
• (23:00) More Red Sox arms to get excited about
• (36:00) Nick Kurtz and the A’s
• (45:00) Jace LaViolette’s resurgence
• (50:00) Jacob Wilson
• (52:30) Sean Linan and crazy changeups
• (1:00:00) Which draft prospect has surprised you the most?

Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: [email protected]  

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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Ben and Carlos look around the league and talk about a number of prospects off to hot and cold starts to to begin the 2025 season. They talk briefly about how they think about prospects repeating levels, then get into a number of listener questions including Billy Carlson comps, how much we can take away from lineup orders and whether or not Ethan Holliday can separate himself as the clear 1-1 in this year’s draft.

–

Time Stamps

• (1:00) NHSI talk
• (7:30) Red Sox LHP Brandon Clarke
• (15:20) Guardians RHP Braylon Doughty
• (19:00) Cubs SS Cristian Hernandez
• (27:30) Mets SS AJ Ewing
• (34:00) Marlins LHP Robby Snelling
• (38:00) Brewers RHP Logan Henderson 
• (41:00) Blue Jays RHP Khal Stephen
• (44:00) White Sox OF Braden Montgomery 
• (49:00) Guardians 1B CJ Kayfus & D-backs OF Slade Caldwell
• (53:00) White Sox SS Colson Montgomery
• (56:00) Nationals OF Elijah Green 
• (58:00) Nationals SS Seaver King
• (1:02:00) Marlins SS Carter Johnson
• (1:05:00) Billy Carlson comps?
• (1:09:50) Can minor league batting order tell you about a player?
• (1:12:30) Can Ethan Holliday separate himself as the 1-1?

Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: [email protected]  

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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Ben and Carlos talk about the Red Sox-Brewers trade that sent righthander Quinn Priester to Milwaukee and netted Boston outfielder Yophery Rodriguez and a supplemental round 2025 draft pick. The two then talk about the number of teams with multiple picks in this year’s draft and how that could impact draft strategy. The two continue to talk through the best options for the first overall pick, wonder whether the Nationals will continue a trend of heavy discounts at the top spot and mention a few sleepers. They then talk about hot starts for A’s first baseman Nick Kurtz and Twins lefthander Dasan Hill and close with some discussion about the Blue Jays’ $500 million extension of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 

–

Time Stamps

• (1:00) NHSI talk
• (3:50) Red Sox/Brewers trade 
• (10:00) Draft talk
• (21:00) Draft pick trading
• (24:00) 1-1 pick speculation
• (37:00) Sleeper for 1-1
• (49:00) Nick Kurtz
• (55:00) Dasan Hill
• (1:00:00) Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: [email protected]  

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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Ben and Carlos talk about the latest trend in bat technology and whether or not people need to be concerned about “torpedo bats,” then get into a few high-profile prep pitchers in the 2025 class. First, is this the year that we have a high school righthander taken with the first overall pick? California righthander Seth Hernandez might have a chance to make history. Meanwhile Illinois lefthander Jack Bauer already has, by touching 102 mph as a high schooler and joining a miniscule group of prep flamethrowers. 

The two also talk through contract extensions for Kristian Campbell and Garrett Crochet with the Red Sox, and Jackson Merrill with the Padres. They then continue to wonder when Roman Anthony will get his deserved big league callup. 

—

Time Stamps

• (0:00) Torpedo bats
• (18:00) Seth Hernandez’s 1-1 case
• (38:00) Jack Bauer’s unprecedented velocity
• (51:00) Extension talk

Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: [email protected]  

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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Ben and Carlos talk through MLB opening day and offer their predictions for the 2025 season. After that the two talk about Baseball Savant’s new batting stance data and wonder what teams and players can do with it. They examine PPI eligible players this year and then take a handful of listener questions. 

Time Stamps

• (0:00) MLB opening day talk
• (6:00) AL East
• (10:00) AL Central
• (16:00) AL West
• (20:00) Thoughts on Cam Smith
• (25:00) NL East
• (30:00) NL Central
• (35:30) NL West 
• (43:00) Crystal Ball Questions
• (1:16:20) Baseball Savant batting stance data
• (1:29:00) PPI Eligible players
• (1:35:00) Listener questions

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Ben and Carlos talk about how the top of the composition of the 2025 draft class compares with 2024. The two discuss Coby Mayo’s comments about being reassigned to Triple-A Norfolk for what will be his third year at the level. The bulk of the show is spent on a discussion about “scouting the scouts.” What’s the value? What are the risks associated with it forming or changing your own opinions on players? They then talk about a listener question regarding technology’s impact on scouting. 

—

Time Stamps

• (0:00) Housekeeping on the 2025 draft rankings process
• (5:30) This year’s HS shortstops compared to Konnor Griffin
• (7:30) Jamie Arnold vs. Hagen Smith vs. Chase Burns
• (10:00) The composition of the top of the draft
• (17:00) Coby Mayo
• (28:40) Scouting the scouts
• (47:00) How much has technology changed the game?

Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: [email protected]  

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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Ben and Carlos chat about their expectations for the Red Sox in 2025 and how quickly the big three trio of Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell will be integrated. After that the two discuss Jackson Jobe’s experiments with two new pitches this spring and talk about narrow and deep pitch arsenals. They talk about first-round draft names moving in opposite directions: Tennessee lefthander Liam Doyle and Texas A&M outfielder Jace Laviolette. After that the two talk about Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s $500 million contract pursuit and answer a handful of listener questions. 

—

Time Stamps

• (2:00) Red Sox trio going off
• (13:40) AL East competition
• (15:00) Jackson Jobe’s developing pitch mix
• (22:00) Liam Doyle
• (39:30) Jace Laviolette
• (54:00) Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• (1:05:00) Listener mailbag

Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: [email protected]  

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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Ben and Carlos follow up on last episode’s conversation on the ABS system and how players and coaches are taking it so far. The two then talk about the spring breakout rosters being released before pivoting into Ben’s recent trip to the Dominican Republic to scout 'em up. 

After that, the two talk about a handful of prospects who are making noise in spring training, including the Yankees duo of George Lombard Jr. and Spencer Jones, plus our first pro look at flamethrowing righthander Chase Burns.

Finally the two talk about the wide open nature of the top of the 2025 draft class, talk through a few of their current favorites for the first overall pick (plus a few dark horse options) and then take listener questions. 

—

Time Stamps

• (0:00) ABS follow up
• (12:00) Spring breakout series
• (15:00) Ben’s trip to the DR
• (37:00) George Lombard Jr.
• (44:00) A Spencer Jones swing change
• (51:30) Chase Burns
• (1:01:00) The 1-1 race in the draft
• (1:25:00) Ben’s dark horse pick
• (1:33:00) Listener questions

Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]  

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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Ben and Carlos talk about the opening weekend of college baseball and get into a discussion of what they are looking for in these early season looks? What’s impactful and valuable in terms of evaluating a player’s overall profile and projecting them for the future? Why is it easier to have quicker takeaway from pitchers? What are the useful leading indicators to be aware of? And why are we so interested in body composition and mechanics? 

All that plus an early preview of a loaded 2026 high school player class and some fun discussing gripes and critiques of baseball broadcasts.

—

Time Stamps:

• (0:00) Hot EV college baseball environment
• (6:10) What do you take away from opening weekend?
• (12:00) Why you can pick up on pitcher changes quicker
• (13:00) Tennessee LHP Liam Doyle’s jump in stuff
• (16:00) What is early season signal vs. noise?
• (21:00) Why do hitters take longer to figure out?
• (26:00) Why we don’t care about early results
• (31:30) What we’re watching for with defense
• (40:00) Seeing players to ask better questions
• (57:30) MLB spring training ABS system thoughts
• (1:02:00) Broadcast gripes & critiques
• (1:18:00) Previewing the loaded 2026 prep class

Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]  

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Baseball America Website

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Ben and Carlos are joined by Baseball America national college writer Jacob Rudner for our third annual amateur player draft. The game is simple: among 2025 eligible players each writer attempts to put together the best roster of players including one catcher, two corner infielders, two middle infielders, three outfielders, four pitchers and one utility spot. 

The three draft their teams and talk about the players, the strategy, the strengths and weaknesses of the class and more to celebrate the opening day of college baseball. 

—

Time Stamps:

• (0:00) Welcoming Jacob and overview of the draft rules
• (4:30) Draft starts
• (12:40) Ben takes a famous prepster
• (20:00) A well-rounded college outfielder
• (21:00) The best pure hitter in the class?
• (27:30) Catchers starting to fly off the board
• (31:10) Ben finally takes a pitcher
• (36:40) A tweener SEC infielder
• (42:40) Back-to-back college mashers
• (48:20) Ben tackles the prep pitching demographic
• (58:00) Jacob grabs a big power prep bat
• (1:05:20) Questions about the second and third tier arms
• (1:12:30) Full team rundowns & draft thoughts

Do you have a question you want us to answer? Email us: [email protected]  

Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler

Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo

Jacob's Twitter: @JacobRudner

Baseball America Website

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donations

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