Episode 130: Draft Combine Reactions & Complex League Sleepers

Ben and Carlos break down the 2025 MLB Draft combine. The two talk about standout players, what the event was like, what value teams get from it and get into the specifics of names like Brandon Compton, Quentin Young, Kayson Cunningham, Marcos Paz and others. After that Ben highlights a few players who could be rising on our top 100 list, then gets further into the weeds on a handful of complex league standouts who are hot out of the gate.Time Stamps:(0:00) Carlos vs. Phoenix heat(6:00) Brandon Compton (9:30) Quentin Young (15:00) Kayson Cunningham(19:00) How much does the combine move the needle?(23:00) Marcos Paz(27:00) Pitch data importance(30:00) Joshua Flores(40:00) Quality of the combine in year five(50:00) Thoughts on athletic testing(57:00) Top 100 Risers(58:00) Travis Sykora(101:50) Zyhir Hope(1:05:00) Eduardo Quintero(1:10:00) Complex League StandoutsDo you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: [email protected]  Ben's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazoBaseball America WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos talk about Ben’s most recent scouting trip, where he saw some of the top 2026, 2027 and 2028 class high school players in the country. The two talk about a handful of the biggest major league promotions of the last week, think about Jacob Wilson’s season and how that could impact how we view Marek Houston, talk through MacKenzie Gore’s season and the ETAs of high-end prep arms and also discuss the upcoming MLB Draft combine.–Time Stamps(0:00) Ben’s 2026 scouting experience(6:00) Gio Rojas as a standout prep lefty(10:25) MacKenzie Gore & HS pitching timelines(19:30) Denton Lord, Noah Wilson, Malachi Washington(23:05) Cole Prosek(27:30) Standout 2027 names(38:30) Kaiden McCarthy(42:30) Big league promotions(45:00) Jacob Misiorowski(48:00) Kyle Teel(51:00) Kayson Cunningham(56:00) Jacob Wilson vs. Marek Houston(1:05:00) Christian Moore(1:08:00) MLB Combine talkDo you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: [email protected]  Ben's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazoBaseball America WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos hop on the podcast and talk about the insanity that has been college baseball through regional play (both on and off the field). The two briefly discuss the resurgence of Dodgers outfielder Mike Sirota and then discuss Royals first baseman (outfielder?) Jac Caglianone and what to expect with his big league promotion. After that it’s all things 2025 international prospects. With Ben’s international review series dropping on the site, Carlos picks his brain on the players to know and the teams with the most exciting groups of players.–Time Stamps(0:00) NCAA tournament drama(11:00) College pitcher workloads(21:00) Mike Sirota’s resurgence(31:30) Jac Caglianone's big league promotion(38:00) International Review talk(43:30) Arms with improved stuff(47:30) Royals prospects(51:00) Red Sox prospects(58:30) Is this year’s IFA pitching crop better than normal?(1:01:00) Who are the top names in the class? (1:05:00) Where do Elian Pena and Josuar Gonzalez stack up compared to top draft prospects?(1:10:00) Catchers to know(1:12:15) Top Venezuelan names(1:16:15) The most exciting defenders in the classDo you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: [email protected]  Ben's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazoBaseball America WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos hop on the podcast to talk about the recently released BA 500 draft list. Ben peppers Carlos with questions about the class and where it stands. Both hosts talk about who they would personally take 1-1 if they were in the driver’s seat, then discuss a host of other draft topics including: should the Angels consider a high school arm like Seth Hernandez and put him on the fast track? Who are we taking among the top college arms? Which bats should Pirates hitters be excited about? How exactly are we supposed to handle Jace Laviolette? Hitters down the board we’re excited about, buzzy names beyond the first two rounds and a listener question about the best BP displays we’ve ever seen. –Time Stamps(0:00) Intro(2:50) Who would Carlos take No. 1(12:30) Who would Ben take No. 1(23:30) Separating the top college arms(39:00) Will the Angels buck their college trends for Seth Hernandez?(45:00) Which hitters should Pirates fans get excited about?(52:30) More questions about Jace LaViolette(1:03:00) Hitters beyond 20+ we like(1:17:00) Buzzy names further down the board(1:28:20) What is the loudest BP we’ve witnessed?Do you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: [email protected]  Ben's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazoBaseball America WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos talk about the strides that Brewers righthander Jacob Misiorowski is making with his strike-throwing in the early parts of the 2025 season. The two move onto a number of up-arrow Blue Jays prospects, including recent first rounders shortstop Arjun Nimmala and righthander Trey Yesavage. After that the two dig into a mixed bag for the Rays, with good starts from 1B Xavier Isaac, OF Theo Gillen and others but some lingering questions with SS Carson Williams and INF Brayden Taylor.–Time Stamps(0:00) Intro(5:30) Jacob Misiorowski(19:00) Arjun Nimmala(26:30) Trey Yesavage(36:00) Johnny King(39:00) Rays(40:00) Carson Williams(44:00) Brayden Taylor(48:00) Xavier Isaac(55:00) Chandler Simpson, Tre Morgan(57:30) Theo Gillen, Brailer Guerrero, (1:03:30) Santiago Suarez, Jose UrbinaDo you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: [email protected]  Ben's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazoBaseball America WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos talk about how teams are starting to feel like they have a better ability to evaluate draft classes and international signing classes quicker than in the past. They then talk about the Dodgers promoting Dalton Rushing and dig into a handful of exciting Mets prospects to know including righthanders Jonah Tong and Nolan McLean, recent first-round pick Carson Benge and former high school overslot signings AJ Ewing and Jacob Reimer. Ben also picks out a handful of early complex league performers to keep an eye on. –Time Stamps(0:00) Future Projection podcast feed question(3:00) Shorter timeline for judging drafts/IFAs(20:30) Dalton Rushing’s promotion(30:00) Names of interest for the Dodgers in this year’s draft?(41:40) Mets prospects(43:00) Jonah Tong(49:30) Nolan McLean(54:00) Brooklyn High-A prospects (1:07:00) Complex league talkDo you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: [email protected]  Ben's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazoBaseball America WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ben and Carlos talk through Baseball America’s May Top 100 prospect update. Why we should be excited for the elite tier of shortstops in the class. Why Bubba chandler and Chase Burns have been so dominant. Jac Caglianone’s improved swing decisions and a surface level line that is impressive but perhaps not even showing how good he’s been. Questions about Konnor Griffin and Ethan Salas. CJ Kayfus as an elite batted ball angle hitter. Jurrangelo Cijntje’s usage as a switch pitcher. And plenty more. –Time Stamps(1:00) Iterative lists(4:30) Elite shortstops: Jesus Made, Leo De Vries, Sebastian Walcott(17:00) Nitpicking Sebastian Walcott?(20:00) Bubba Chandler(28:00) Chase Burns(30:30) Walker Jenkins and Max Clark(44:30) Cooper Pratt, Cam Smith(48:30) Jac Caglianone(53:15) Moises Ballesteros(55:20) Zyhir Hope & Josue De Paula(1:00:00) Konnor Griffin(1:08:50) Lazaro Montes(1:10:00) Arjun Nimmala(1:14:00) CJ Kayfus(1:18:00) Luis Pena(1:21:00) Jurrangelo CijntjeDo you have a question or feedback for the show? Email us: [email protected]  Ben's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazoBaseball America WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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: @BenBadlerCarlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazoBaseball America WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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: @BenBadlerCarlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazoBaseball America WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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: @BenBadlerCarlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazoBaseball America WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/future-projection-a-baseball-america-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy