2026 Chicago Cubs Top Prospects Deep Dive
On the second of our Prospect Deep Dives, Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper take a look at the Chicago Cubs farm system. It's perfect timing, as we get a chance to analyze the Cubs-Marlins Edward Cabrera/Owen Caissie trade. (01:00) Analyzing the Edward Cabrera trade. What did the Cubs give up? (09:00) No. 1 prospect Moises Ballesteros. How tough was the choice and who were the other candidates? (13...
57m Jan 08
57m
2026 Reds Top Prospects Deep Dive
Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper are back to start our series of 30 MLB Farm System Deep Dives. We are beginning with the Cincinnati Reds, a team that has produced a lot of pitching, plus Elly De La Cruz, in recent years. What does the farm system have in store for 2026 and beyond? (02:00) Who is No. 1 and how easy was that choice? (10:25) How is this system better/worse than last year? (17:00) Wh...
57m Jan 07
57m
College Podcast: Who Will Be Preseason No. 1
Baseball America national college reporter Jacob Rudner and national writer Peter Flaherty examine the resumes of the top contenders for preseason No. 1 with the college baseball season nearing. Rudner and Flaherty also break down the rise of the Big 12 and the ACC's race against the SEC. (1:36) Peter Flaherty's personal news (4:41) UCLA's case for No. 1 (18:24) Can LSU repeat as champions i...
56m Jan 06
56m
Edward Cabrera Trade, International Prospect Bonus Board & More | Hot Sheet Show Ep. 88
On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Ben Badler and Scott Braun discuss a number of topics, including the potential for an Edward Cabrera trade in Miami, Ben's latest international bonus board update (https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2026-mlb-international-prospects-bonus-board/) and BA Hall of Fame ballots. We stream the Hot Sheet Show every Monday at 3:30 p.m. ET on YouTube (ht...
28m Jan 05
28m
The Best Prospect & Farm System A Year From Now Will Be ...
In last week's Prospect Podcast, Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper talked about some of the best developments in 2025. Now we look into 2026 to predict who will be the No. 1 prospect in the game and which farm system will be the best a year from now. (02:30) Who Will Be The No. 1 Farm System Heading Into 2027 (06:30) Another No. 1 Farm System Candidate (10:00) Two other long shot but interesting ca...
29m Dec 31, 2025
29m
2025's Most Improved Farm System And Prospect Is ...
On this week's Baseball America Prospect Podcast, Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper take a look at which farm systems and which prospects were the most improved in 2025, and we also look at a couple of predictions we'd like to have back. (00:00) The Prospect Handbook Is Complete (02:30) The Most Improved Farm System In 2025 Is ... (08:00) The Most Improved Prospect In 2025 Is ... (16:30) The Predi...
22m Dec 24, 2025
22m
College Podcast: Inside Genei Sato's Penn State Commitment
In the final College Podcast episode of 2025, Baseball America national college reporter Jacob Rudner and national writer Peter Flaherty offer an inside look at Japanese righthander Genei Sato's recruitment and subsequent signing with Penn State. Rudner and Flaherty also assess what kind of player the Nittany Lions are getting and take a look back at their favorite college baseball moments from...
40m Dec 23, 2025
40m
Reacting To MLB Trades & Signings, Plus Genei Sato Picks Penn State | Hot Sheet Show Ep. 87
On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Geoff Pontes, Jacob Rudner and Scott Braun discuss a number of topics, including a pair of key AL East trades, new MLB homes for Munetaka Murakami and Song Sung-mun and Genei Sato's committment to Penn State (https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/college-intel-inside-japanese-rhp-genei-satos-recruitment-and-scouting-report/) . We stream the Hot She...
26m Dec 22, 2025
26m
Fantasy Podcast: Top 100 Outfielders For Dynasty
With the hot stove seemingly too cool at the moment, hosts Geoff Pontes and Dylan White bring some holiday heat with our latest installment in the dynasty positional ranking series. This week we breakdown a loaded outfield group with some of the top talents in the game. We talk you through the top 25 and some names to targets as sleepers. (2:30) Why Juan Soto over Corbin Carroll? (5:00) Why J...
31m Dec 18, 2025
31m
Explaining The 2026 Prospect Handbook
On this week's Prospect Podcast Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper go in-depth into explaining tools grades, BA grades and risk, adjusted grades and everything else about the Prospect Handbook. (00:00) Why We're A Day Late (04:30) What Is The Prospect Handbook (06:40) So What Is The 20-to-80 Scouting Scale And How Does It Work? (11:00) Looking At No. 1 Prospect Konnor Griffin's Tools Grades (14:30...
41m Dec 18, 2025
41m
Could Someone Other Than Roch Cholowsky Go No. 1 In The 2026 MLB Draft? | Hot Sheet Show Ep. 86
On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Jacob Rudner and Scott Braun discuss a number of topics, including candidates for the 1-1 spot in the 2026 MLB Draft (https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2026-mlb-mock-draft-first-round-picks-with-lottery-complete-order-set/) , new tech restrictions in MiLB and Genei Sato coming to the U.S. from Japan (https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/japan...
27m Dec 15, 2025
27m
Fantasy Podcast: Top 60 Fantasy Shortstops
There's no position as deep as shortstop in dynasty as the rankings are bubbling over with major league talent and top prosects. This week on the Baseball America Fantasy Podcast we dive into this incredibly talented shortstop group. We open the show talking about some of the big name signings from the 2025 Winter Meetings before diving into Bobby Witt Jr., Elly De La Cruz, Gunnar Henderson, Ko...
35m Dec 11, 2025
35m
2025 Rule 5 Draft Recap
Baseball America Managing Editor JJ Cooper, Prospect Writer Geoff Pontes and College Reporter Jacob Rudner recap the major league phase of the 2025 Rule 5 Draft. They offer their favorite picks, players most likely to stick with their new organizations, biggest surprises and more. Our Sponsors: * Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.com * Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoo...
37m Dec 10, 2025
37m
College Podcast: Intel From Fall Ball Around The Country
Baseball America national college reporter Jacob Rudner and national writer Peter Flaherty take one final look back at a busy fall to review training-season breakouts. They also look ahead at the spring and predict the nation's best performers, rotations and lineups. Our Sponsors: * Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.com * Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/ba2022 ...
1hr 16m Dec 09, 2025
1hr 16m
Previewing The MLB Draft Lottery | Hot Sheet Show Ep. 85
On this week's Hot Sheet Show, Carlos Collazo, Ben Badler and Jacob Rudner preview the MLB Draft lottery (https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/mlb-draft-lottery-2026-how-to-watch-team-odds-top-prospects-more/) and debate which teams would benefit the most from having the ping pong balls fall their way to be able to draft UCLA’s Roch Cholowsky (https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/21126-ro...
28m Dec 08, 2025
28m
Analyzing The Top College Arms In The 2026 Draft Class
Carlos and Peter talk about the top four college pitchers in the 2026 draft class. The two dive deep on righthanders Liam Peterson, Cameron Flukey, Jackson Flora and Joey Volchko. They talk through their strengths, weaknesses and their overall development arcs ahead of the spring season. — Time Stamps (0:00) Intro (2:00) Our general thoughts on the college pitching (5:00) Liam Peterson (12:0...
42m Dec 05, 2025
42m
Fantasy Podcast: Top 40 Dynasty Third Baseman
On this week's episode of the Baseball America Fantasy podcast hosts Geoff Pontes and Dylan White once again open the show with yet another Blue Jays free agent signing. We then discuss a few more hot stove topics before diving into the third baseman rankings for dynasty. (2:00) Cody Ponce signs with the Blue Jays (6:00) Devin Williams signs with the Mets. (9:00) Ryan Hesley signs with Orioles...
34m Dec 04, 2025
34m
How To Fix The Angels
On the final episode of our "Fix It" Series, Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper take on a big task, as we look at the Angels. What's gone wrong for the Angels, and how can it be turned around? (00:00) Why The Angels Have Been The Worst Over The Past Decade (04:00) What Are The Biggest Problems? (14:30) Drafts Need To Go Deeper (23:45) Slow Down Development (30:00) Depth Has Been A Problem (41:30)...
53m Dec 03, 2025
53m
Yankees Top 10 Prospects & How Spencer Jones Fits Into New York's Future | Hot Sheet Show Ep. 84
On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Geoff Pontes and Josh Norris dissect the new Yankees Top 10 prospects list for 2026 (https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2026-new-york-yankees-top-mlb-prospects/) , including a name knocking on the door for the top spot and the status of Spencer Jones (https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/4130-spencer-jones/) . We also take a look at Arizona F...
28m Dec 01, 2025
28m
Fantasy Podcast: Top 40 Dynasty Second Baseman
Christmas came early for our resident Blue Jays fan Dylan White as the team signed Dylan Cease. Hosts Geoff Pontes and Dylan open the show discussing the Cease signing and the impact on fantasy for 2026. We follow with a discussion of the Sonny Gray trade and al the players moved in that deal. The majority of the show dives into our recently released second baseman rankings for 2026 dynasty bas...
38m Nov 28, 2025
38m
How Is The White Sox Rebuild Going?
This week on the next episode of our Fix It series, Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper take a look at the White Sox. The good news is the worst is now in the rear-view mirror. The bad news? There's still a lot of work to be done. (00:00) Rock Bottom Is Behind Them (05:00) The Last Rebuild Worked, But Not For Long Enough (07:30) What MLB Players Are Core For Future Success? (12:30) Comparing Colson ...
42m Nov 26, 2025
42m
Will The Pirates & Marlins Spend In MLB Free Agency? Plus Red Sox Top 10 Prospects & More | Hot Sheet Show Ep. 83
On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Geoff Pontes, Matt Eddy and Scott Braun discuss a variety of topics, including the Pirates' and Marlins' free agency plans, our Red Sox Top 10 Prospects (https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2026-boston-red-sox-top-mlb-prospects/) list on and the state of the Mets' system. We stream the Hot Sheet Show every Monday at 3:30 p.m. ET on YouTube (https...
28m Nov 24, 2025
28m
Revisiting Misses From The 2021 & 2022 Draft Classes
This year teams left more first-round players unprotected from the Rule 5 draft than we’ve seen in a decade. Carlos and Peter revisit some of the high-profile misses from the 2021 and 2022 drafts and what lessons we might be able to draw from them. — Time Stamps (0:00) Intro (3:00) Unprotected player talk begins (7:00) Frank Mozzicato (11:00) Gavin Cross (14:30) Benny Montgomery & toolsy pla...
44m Nov 21, 2025
44m
Fantasy Podcast: Top 40 Dynasty First Baseman
Dynasty rankings season is in full swing at Baseball America, as hosts Geoff Pontes and Dylan White jump into their second positional ranking breakdown of the offseason. The open the show discussing the Grayson Rodriguez for Taylor Ward trade before diving into the Top 10 first baseman. (1:00) Grayson Rodriguez for Taylor Ward trade reaction. (9:30) Nick Kurtz reigns supreme across the first ...
34m Nov 20, 2025
34m
40-Man Protections And Rule 5 Draft Talk
We've got the Rule 5 Fever. Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper are a day late this week, but it's for a good reason, as we were busy all day Tuesday working on the 40-man roster protection deadline and doing our early Rule 5 draft preview work. We talk about that and discuss the Orioles-Angels trade that saw Grayson Rodriguez and Taylor Ward swap coasts. (00:00) Jumping right in, a Rule 5 name to watc...
49m Nov 20, 2025
49m
Dodgers Top 10 Prospects, 40-Man Roster Decisions & Brewers' Unique Draft Strategy | Hot Sheet Show Ep. 82
On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Ben Badler and Geoff Pontes discuss a number of topics, including the Dodgers' new top 10 (https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2026-los-angeles-dodgers-top-10-mlb-prospects/) , Tuesday's 40-man roster deadline (https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/40-man-rosters-for-every-mlb-team-ahead-of-2025-roster-protection-deadline/) and the Brewers' uniq...
28m Nov 17, 2025
28m
Fantasy Podcast: Top 40 Dynasty Catchers
We're talking catcher talk today, the most exciting of fantasy position groups! Forgive our sarcasm font! This week on the Baseball America Fantasy Podcast hosts Geoff Pontes and Dylan White talk catchers in the first installment of their positional rankings. Before we get into catchers we talk a trio of talented NPB imports and their potential FYPD rankings. (2:00) Munetaka Murakami (11:00) T...
53m Nov 13, 2025
53m
Prospect Podcast: Can the Pirates Be A Playoff Team Before Long?
This week in another edition of our Fix It series, Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper take a look at the Pittsburgh Pirates. We are much more bullish about the Pirates turnaround, although we also get into why Pirates fans understandable are skeptical. (0:00) Have Any Fans Suffered More Than Pirates Fans? (5:00) Ownership Has To Do Better (7:00) Paul Skenes Is A Great Start For Any Team (9:00) Stre...
49m Nov 12, 2025
49m
College Podcast: Prepping For National Signing Day
Baseball America national college reporter Jacob Rudner and national writer Peter Flaherty break down National Signing Day, examining top classes and discussing potential last-second movement. (2:44) A look at the top classes (9:59) Are more top high school prospects making it to campus? (14:45) Examining Texas' class (19:24) Stanford looks to land another star (24:33) Deep class heading t...
44m Nov 11, 2025
44m
Japanese Stars Posted To MLB, Pirates Top 10 & More | Hot Sheet Show Ep. 81
On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Geoff Pontes, Jesús Cano and Scott Braun discuss scouting reports for star Japanese players being posted to MLB, including Munetaka Murakami (https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/674044-munetaka-murakami/) , Kazuma Okamoto and Tatsuya Imai. Later, we talk about the Pirates Top 10 Prospects (https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2026-pittsburgh-p...
29m Nov 10, 2025
29m
Notable Players & Teams From Our Draft Report Cards
Carlos and Peter talk about our annual draft report cards series and pick out a handful of players to know and teams who stood out through the process. — Time Stamps (0:00) World Series reactions (4:30) Intro to Draft Report Cards talk (9:00) Ethan Conrad (12:30) The Astros (16:00) Landyn Vidourek (21:15) Sam Horn (25:00) The Guardians (34:00) Lucas Kelly (35:00) Padres 10+ rounders Head to...
45m Nov 07, 2025
45m
Fantasy Podcast: Reviewing The 2026 Dynasty Top 500
This week's episode kicks off the official beginning of our offseason fantasy content. Hosts Geoff Pontes and Dylan White discuss the release of the Dynasty Top 500 ranking for 2026 fantasy baseball. We open the show discussing our approach to ranking relievers, prospects and the concept of "three-year window" in dynasty leagues. (1:00) Approach to building the Top 500 list. (5:00) The approa...
38m Nov 06, 2025
38m
Can The Rockies Be Fixed?
In the second of our Fix It series, Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper take an in-depth look at the Rockies' struggles as an organization. What can be done and how long will it take to turn this team around? (00:00) The Latest News Is Not Good (04:30) The Biggest Problem Is An Ownership Issue (13:30) The Rockies Need To Catch Up In Player Development (22:00) Colorado Needs To Start Over In Acquirin...
43m Nov 05, 2025
43m
Top 10 Mets Prospects, BA's New Grading System & Max Anderson joins | Hot Sheet Show Ep. 80
On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Geoff Pontes and Scott Braun welcome Tigers prospect Max Anderson (https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/20617-max-anderson/) to the show. We also dive into Baseball America's new prospect grading system (https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/explaining-baseball-americas-updated-mlb-prospect-grades-risk-system/) and the start of our rollout of To...
30m Nov 03, 2025
30m
Fantasy Podcast: Tool Shed Mock Draft Review
The Baseball America Fantasy Podcast returns this week with an exuberant Dylan White as he's fresh off the Blue Jays game five victory. We open the show talking a little bit about the Blue Jays vs Dodgers World Series matchup before diving into this week's focus topic, the Tool Shed mock draft put on by Eric Cross. We talk through Geoff's picks in the first ten rounds and his logic on each. (1...
43m Oct 31, 2025
43m
Can The Nationals Rebuild Be Fixed?
On this week's Prospect Podcast, Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper take a look at the Washington Nationals' rebuild. It's failed so far, as Mike Rizzo is out and Paul Toboni is the new GM. What can the new leadership do, and where are some areas for quick improvements? We take a look. (00:00) We're Groggy, Blame The World Series (04:45) What Are The Nationals' Strengths? (12:20) Improving MLB Playe...
50m Oct 29, 2025
50m
College Podcast: Recapping The Giants Hiring Of Tony Vitello
Baseball America national college reporter Jacob Rudner and national writer Peter Flaherty recap the San Francisco Giants' historic hiring of former Tennessee coach Tony Vitello. Rudner and Flaherty discuss the development's potential impact on college baseball, how Tennessee will move forward and the ripple effect of the Volunteers' national coaching search. (1:48) What Tony Vitello joining t...
42m Oct 28, 2025
42m
Daniel Espino, Tennessee Promotes Josh Elander & Trey Yesavage 2026 ROY? | Hot Sheet Show Ep. 79
On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Ben Badler, Jacob Rudner and Scott Braun welcome Guardians prospect Daniel Espino (http://www.baseballamerica.com/players/8368-daniel-espino/) to discuss his career and Arizona Fall League experience so far. We also dish on next year’s eligible rookies—a list that includes Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage (https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/20967...
33m Oct 27, 2025
33m
Breaking Down Our Updated Draft Rankings
Carlos and Peter talk through the most recent draft update for the 2026 class. Who’s moving up? Who’s moving down? What’s the state of the 2026 class after a key summer evaluation period and are there any real darkhorses who could challenge Roch Cholowsky for the 1-1 spot next summer? — Time Stamps (0:00) Intro (3:30) 2026 Draft update talk begins (10:30) The difficulty of teaching pure hitt...
47m Oct 24, 2025
47m
Dodgers-Blue Jays World Series Preview
We have a special edition of the Baseball America podcast, as John Manuel, the long-time Editor-In-Chief of Baseball America, joins JJ Cooper. We've gotten the band back together for a special World Series Preview. (00:00) What's We've Seen In The Playoffs So Far (04:00) Is This Dodgers' Rotation Perfect For The Playoffs? (09:00) Why Big Spending Teams Now Have Two Rotations (22:00) What Do...
55m Oct 23, 2025
55m
Fantasy Podcast: Way Too Early ADPs From NFBC Draft Champion Leagues Part Two
This week on the Baseball America Fantasy Podcast we return to the topic of early NFBC Draft Champions drafts and prospect ADP. We talk through outfielders and pitchers on this episode after covering infielders and catchers last week. (1:00) Blue Jays ALCS Victory Lap For Dylan and Geoff. (7:00) Toolshed Mock Draft (11:00) Chase DeLauter (14:00) Dylan Beavers (16:00) Owen Caissie (17:00) Justi...
45m Oct 23, 2025
45m
Prospect Podcast: Remembering This Year's World Series Stars As Prospects
For a special edition of the Baseball America Prospect Podcast, Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper look back at some of the stars of this year's World Series and remember what they were like as prospects. (00:00) How many players on World Series rosters were top 100 or team Top 30 prospects? (07:00) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has lived up to every expectation about his bat (18:40) Remembering Shohei Ohta...
1hr 6m Oct 22, 2025
1hr 6m
Enrique Bradfield Jr. Joins, AFL Standouts & Tony Vitello | Hot Sheet Show Ep. 78
On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Ben Badler, Jesús Cano and Scott Braun welcome Orioles prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr. (https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/8633-enrique-bradfield/) to the show. We also look into early standouts in the Arizona Fall League (https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/ranking-the-10-hottest-arizona-fall-league-prospects-hot-sheet-10-20-25/) and offer u...
32m Oct 20, 2025
32m
What Happens If The Giants Hire Tony Vitello?
We have a special emergency podcast today. As The Athletic first reported, the San Francisco Giants are expected to hire Tennessee Volunteers head coach Tony Vitello as the team's new manager. Jacob Rudner and JJ Cooper take a look at what this would mean for everyone involved. (00:00) What we know from our reporting (02:30) Why This May Make Sense (09:30) How college head coach jobs and MLB...
58m Oct 18, 2025
58m
Fantasy Podcast: Way Too Early ADPs From NFBC Draft Champion Leagues
This week on the Baseball America Fantasy Podcast hosts Geoff Pontes and Dylan White review where prospects are being drafted in early NFBC Draft Champions leagues. We go player by player and discuss the prospects getting drafted at catcher and the infield positions. (8:00) Samuel Basallo (11:00) Carter Jensen (14:00) Joe Mack and Jeferson Quero (17:00) Sal Stewart (20:00) Bryce Eldridge (23:0...
49m Oct 16, 2025
49m
Prospect Podcast: Org Analytical Standouts
This week on the Prospect Podcast, Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper discuss which organizations stood out in our Hit+ and Stuff+ metrics. We have sourced the pitch and hit tracking data from all levels of the minors to put together the overall organization rankings from 1 to 30. (00:00) Explaining Hit+ and Stuff+ (13:35) Why the Dodgers rank so well (21:30) The Orioles rank very high in pitching s...
52m Oct 15, 2025
52m
College Podcast: Fall Ball Intel, Reactions from Jupiter
Baseball America national college reporter Jacob Rudner and national writer Peter Flaherty recap an impressive weekend at the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Florida, including their takeaways from watching 16-year-old phenom Striker Pence. Rudner and Flaherty also breakdown the latest intel from college fall workouts across the country. (4:30) Breaking down Striker Pence (10:55) Vanderbi...
50m Oct 14, 2025
50m
Twins Prospect Brandon Winokur Joins, Plus Statcast System Rankings | Hot Sheet Show Ep. 77
On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Geoff Pontes and Scott Braun welcome Twins prospect Brandon Winokur (https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/21415-brandon-winokur/) to the show. We also dive into BA's recent farm system Statcast rankings. Can you guess which organization sits atop both the hitting (https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2025-mlb-farm-system-statcast-hitting-rankin...
28m Oct 13, 2025
28m
Jupiter And The Striker Pence Experience
Carlos picks Peter’s brain on what it’s been like so far at the 2025 Perfect Game WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Fla. Peter breaks down Canadian lefthander Sean Duncan, and then gushes about the look he got from 2028 flamethrowing righthander Striker Pence. Peter then highlights a few other notable players he’s looking forward to seeing — Time Stamps (0:00) Intro (3:00) How do you scout...
32m Oct 10, 2025
32m
Fantasy Podcast: Standout Late Season Pitching Debuts
This week on the Baseball America Fantasy Podcast JJ Cooper stands in for Dylan White, as our Canadian Co-Host recovers from the Jays victory party in Toronto. JJ and Geoff talk through a host of big name pitching prospects that impressed in their MLB debuts in 2025. We talk through Cam Schlittler, Trey Yesavage and others. In the second half of the show we discuss some 2025 breakout hitters in...
54m Oct 09, 2025
54m