In the second part of our conversation with Rob Dressler of Pro Baseball Radar, we dive deep into the art of finding talent in the most unexpected places. We break down how data cuts through regional biases, which parts of the country are becoming the next hotbeds for JUCO talent, and the massive ripple effects that new D1 roster limits will have on the entire college baseball landscape.

From celebrating the rise of underdog programs to understanding the very human impact of player exposure, this is a wide-ranging discussion about the past, present, and future of the game we love.

In this episode, we cover:

🧭 Beyond the Bias: How data helps objectively evaluate players from powerhouse regions like Texas and Florida against standouts from D3 JUCOs in the Northeast, proving talent is everywhere.

📈 Regions on the Rise: Why Rob is keeping a close eye on the D2 schools in North Carolina (Region 10) and the Midwest, and which under-the-radar programs are building something special.

🔄 The Roster Limit Ripple Effect: How new D1 roster rules will create a “trickle-down” of high-level players, making JUCO and D2 baseball more competitive than ever.

🏆 The Underdog’s Path: A breakdown of Cinderella stories like Lakeland College’s national championship run and why playing for a smaller school against top competition is a prime scouting opportunity.

🤔 The “Eye Test” vs. The Algorithm: Rob explains how he ensures his data passes the smell test by watching games in person and why a player’s story can be just as important as their stats.

💡 The “Aha!” Moment: The story of how a call from the Houston Astros organization made Rob realize his fantasy baseball project had become a legitimate tool for professional teams.

❤️ The Human Impact: The powerful stories behind the numbers, from international players to small-town kids, and how exposure can change a family’s trajectory.

Tune in for a passionate and insightful conversation that goes beyond the numbers to explore the heart, hustle, and future of college baseball.

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