Future Projection

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 J...

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...

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 p...

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 lefthan...

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 o...

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 inte...

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...

With Baseball America’s 2025 prospect lists updated ahead of the season, Ben and Carlos pick breakout players they're excited about for each of the 15 American League teams. — Time Stamps: (0:00) Farm system talent rankings (11:00) Astros  (16:45) Mariners (22:25) Rangers (27:11) Athletics (31:40) Angels  (36:45) Guardians (41:00) Tigers (45:30) Royals (50:45) Twins (54:45) White Sox (1:00:00)...

With Baseball America’s 2025 prospect lists updated ahead of the season, Ben and Carlos pick breakout players they're excited about for each of the 15 National League teams. — Time Stamps: (5:00) Dodgers  (9:45) Padres  (13:45) Diamondbacks  (17:30) Giants  (22:12) Rockies  (27:15) Brewers  (32:15) Cubs  (33:15) Cardinals  (41:00) Reds  (45:20) Pirates  (49:50) Phillies  (54:07) Braves (58:20)...

Ben and Carlos work through the updated 2025 Top 100 Prospects List and talk through players in each bucket of the list. Who are they “buying and selling” in each of the tiers of prospects? After working through the list the two talk about a few players who just missed but could easily be on and then take a few listener questions including: the most polarizing players, thoughts on PPI eligibility...

Ben and Carlos hop on the show to break down the chaos of the 2025 international signing day. While Roki Sasaki hasn’t signed (as of this podcast recording at least) with a team yet, the ripple effects of his status in the market has certainly created waves. Ben gives listeners a detailed breakdown of what’s happened and what might happen in the future, he breaks down a signing class he’s particul...

Ben and Carlos hop back on the show for the first time in 2025 to talk about our recently released scouting survey, Carlos’s 2020 redraft and Ben’s work prepping for international signing day.  Up first, the two talk through some of the results from our offseason scouting survey, which was an attempt to gauge the pulse of the scouting industry in the midst of what many scouts are calling a brutal...

Ben and Carlos wrap up their final series of organization overviews following the 2024 season with the American League West. The two open the show with a conversation about the process behind Baseball America’s annual Prospect Handbook— which you can purchase here as a last-minute Christmas gift for yourself or a loved one! —and then get into the organization rundowns. The two fawn over Seattle’s...

Ben and Carlos talk about the Garrett Crochet trade and break down AL Central farm systems on today’s episode. Ben lays out his case for why the Red Sox nailed this move while acknowledging a strong return going in the other direction for the White Sox.  That turns into a larger conversation about the strength of the White Sox farm system, and the two generally have positive things to say about th...

Ben and Carlos talk briefly about the “Golden At-Bat” idea that has been floating around baseball circles, before dismissing it and moving into baseball topics you might actually care about—this week the AL East Organization Overviews.  The two talk about how strong the Red Sox farm system currently is thanks to an excellent core of hitters in the upper levels of the minors, then get into the toug...

Ben and Carlos talk through Ben’s recently released international bonus board for the 2025 signing class. Ben talks through his process this year and the specific challenges that persist when ranking international prospects and the two talk more about how Roki Sasaki can and will shake things up when he signs. After that they discuss the top-ranked prospect in the 2026 draft class, Grady Emerson f...

Ben and Carlos talk about Jac Caglianone’s return to the mound in the 2025 season and how they view him as a two-way player moving forward, as well as why people should stop referencing Shohei Ohtani as a comp for him—or any other player.  After that the two continue their organizational overview series with the National League West, starting with a pair of strong farm systems with the Dodgers and...

Ben and Carlos talk about all things Roki Sasaki for the first ~30 minutes of today’s episode. How would we line up the pitching trio of Roki, Paul Skenes and Yoshinobu Yamamoto? What do we think about Sasaki’s pitch mix? He’s the best pitching prospect since… who? And how is Sasaki going to create chaos for the 2025 international signing class?  After that the two continue their organization over...

Ben and Carlos talk about the Cesar Altagracia age fraud story and Ben gives more information about the state of the international mark as well as details of MLB’s expanded investigations into players falsifying ages. After that, the two start their organization overview series, beginning with the National League East. With updated top 10s now live at Baseball America for each team in the division...

Ben and Carlos give their thoughts on the conclusion of the 2024 World Series. The two talk about Gerrit Cole’s pitching efforts throughout the postseason, the disappointing efforts from superstars Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, talk through early sleeper teams for the 2025 season and wonder about the coming Juan Soto sweepstakes. The two then talk through the future for the Dodgers and Yankees af...

Ben and Carlos record a milestone episode of the Future Projection podcast and reminisce on the origins of the show that started back in 2021.  The two then move into World Series mode and talk through a highly-anticipated and star-laden Dodgers-Yankees matchup. The two talk about Giancarlo Stanton’s consistent great performance in the postseason and then contrast the results that Juan Soto and Aa...

Ben and Carlos hop on the show to talk about the four teams standing this postseason and think through the scouting and player development lessons that can be learned from them.  The two talk about Cleveland’s ability to identify and develop domestic pitchers which helped lead to one of the best bullpens in the game, how the Dodgers’ investments on and off the field have led to sustained success,...

Ben and Carlos hop on the show and talk about new leadership moves for both the Giants and the Cardinals organizations. Ben wonders if Giants fans should be wary about Buster Posey taking charge in San Francisco given lack of extensive front office experience and the two also discuss the changes that could be coming for the Cardinals in the future with Chaim Bloom set to become president of baseba...

With Arizona Fall League rosters announced, Ben and Carlos talk through some of the prospects they are most looking forward to seeing. From obvious Top 100 names like Colt Emerson, Ethan Salas and Leo De Vries, to players coming off of injury riddled seasons like Chase DeLauter and Jett Williams, and other players with huge tools like Zyhir Hope and Jac Caglianone.  After that the two talk about K...

Ben and Carlos talk about how their report writing process and then get into a conversation about standout 2024 international signees. Which players have been better than expected? Which teams seem to have particularly strong classes after a first look in the Dominican Summer League, and which teams in general scout international prospects particularly well? Ben breaks that all down.  After that t...