Episode 208: Mailbag—An Idea For A New International Talent Acquisition System

Ben and Carlos answer listener questions about: the most exciting measurables in the 2027 draft class, Rangers hitters Dylan Dreiling and Rafe Perich, Rays righthander Alexander Alberto and whether or not righthanded-hitting prospects are under valued. — Time Stamps:  (3:30) Who are the players with the most exciting measurables in the 2027 class? (16:00) How impressed are we by Rangers prospects Dylan Dreiling and Rafe Perich? (20:00) What role could Rays righthander Alexander Alberto fill in a bullpen? (23:30) Are righthanded-hitting prospects undervalued?  — Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: [email protected]. Future Projection Twitter: @FutureProPod Ben's Twitter: @BenBadler Carlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazo Baseball America WebsiteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the close of the 2026 regular season, Ben and Carlos look back on their preseason predictions to evaluate how well—or how poorly—they prognosticated. —Time Stamps: (0:00) Intro(1:00) World Series picks(6:00) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (10:30) Surprise team picks(19:00) Breakout pitcher picks(22:00) Breakout hitter picks(29:20) Biggest storyline(33:00) Bounce back players(36:00) Award picks(1:00:00) Andrew Fischer prospect talk—Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: [email protected] Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazoBaseball America Website—Seat Geek: Use our code for 10% off your next order of MLB tickets on SeatGeek*: seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discountAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s mailbag, a listener proposes an overhauled international talent acquisition system. Ben and Carlos react to that, then answer questions about Dylan Crews, Walker Jenkins and Austin Overn. —Time Stamps: (0:30) A potential shakeup to the international system?(18:05) What did we get wrong with Dylan Crews?(25:20) How did Austin Overn’s production in 2026 change his projection?(29:15) Thoughts on Walker Jenkins’ struggles in the majors?—Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a  question? Email us: [email protected] Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazoBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben and Carlos talk about the storylines—or lack thereof—during the stretch run of the major league season, then turn their eyes to the Arizona Fall League, which recently had rosters announced. Who are we excited to see? All that and more. —Time Stamps: (0:00) Postseason talk(11:30) This time of year(13:40) Arizona Fall League(17:40) Vance Honeycutt(23:40) Myles Bailey(29:00) Dax Kilby(31:00) Tate Southisene & Owen Carey (34:50) Braylon Payne—Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: [email protected] Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazoBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben and Carlos open the listener mailbag to take questions about Athletics outfielder Devin Taylor, Cardinals shortstop Yairo Padilla, Tigers outfielder Cris Rodriguez and Rays first baseman Collin Bland.—Time Stamps: (0:55) Devin Taylor (5:15 ) Yairo Padilla(7:15) Cris Rodriguez(10:10) Collin Bland—Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: [email protected] Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazoBaseball America Website—ASPCATo explore coverage, visit aspcapetinsurance.com/FOUL. The ASPCA® is not an insurer and is not engaged in the business of insurance.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben and Carlos talk about the Dodgers promoting outfielder Josue De Paula and get into what makes him such a well-rounded offensive player. The two talk about a few of the notable standouts from this year’s Dominican Summer League, including Angeibel Gomez, Johenssy Colome, Yostin Peña and others. The two then talk about Andrew Fischer’s bid for a 50-homer season, then get into a ton of fascinating shortstop prospects including Leo De Vries, Sebastian Walcott, Eli Willits and Josuar Gonzalez. —Time Stamps: (0:30) Josue De Paula(15:30) DSL Top prospects (16:00) Angeibel Gomez(22:00) Johenssy Colome(24:50) Yostin Peña(29:00) Albert Fermín, Francisco Renteria(29:30) Andrew Fischer’s 50-homer effort(38:00) Leo De Vries injury(41:30) Sebastian Walcott scorching(45:00) Eli Willits comps and ETA(53:20) Josuar Gonzalez raking(57:45) Zyhir Hope —Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: [email protected] Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazoBaseball America WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben and Carlos break open the listener mailbag to answer prospect questions about Rays shortstop Carson Williams and outfielder Slater De Brun; how we view teams’ track records in trading for players; how we handle the information handover from one draft class to another (and how teams do the same); and what the CBA ramifications could be for the 2027 Dominican Summer League. —Time Stamps: (0:55) What happened to Rays SS Carson Williams?(3:00) Rays pro scouting(9:00) How we handle information sharing and handoffs for different classes(16:00) How will the CBA impact the signing period and 2027 DSL season?(20:40) What are our thoughts on Rays OF Slater De Brun’s power upside? —Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: [email protected] Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazoBaseball America Website—FABLETICSShop now at Fabletics.com/Foul and get 70 to 80% off everything when you sign up as a new VIP Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben lets Carlos vent about the position player pitching epidemic in the majors before the two turn to more serious discussions about the $4 billion sale of the Los Angeles Angels. The two discuss what could be changing for the organization and the ramifications, then pivot to prospect talk. They talk about the promotions of notable prospects like Walker Jenkins, Ethan Salas, Lazaro Montes and Kade Anderson, then check in on some of the top 2026 draftees who have made official debuts. —Time Stamps: (0:00) Carlos vents about position player pitching(11:30) Angels sale(22:00) Does this have any CBA implications?(30:00) Notable big league callups(50:00) Kade Anderson(59:00) Elliot Lascelles(1:01:30) Jacob Lombard(1:06:00) A tough time for scouts—Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: [email protected] Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazoBaseball America Website—SEAT GEEKUse our code for 10% off your next order of MLB tickets on SeatGeek*: seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a few weeks off, Ben and Carlos reconvene to talk about the state of the 2027 high school draft class. How are we viewing the class with the bulk of the summer showcase circuit behind us, and who are the players who have stood out and improved their stock? Has No. 1 prospect Dylan Seward lived up to expectations? What’s the value of All-America games in 2026? And did we see anything close to this kind of performance coming with Pete Crow-Armstrong?—Time Stamps: (0:00) Intro/Banter(5:00) Thoughts on the 2027 class(12:30) Malachi Butler(18:00) The depth of HS shortstops(20:00) Dylan Seward’s summer(28:30) Leo Nockley & Max Hemenway(33:00) Drake Hawpe(37:30) Chase Fuller(44:00) George Ferguson(51:00) Lubin Rincon(53:40) How much importance is there for All-American games?(1:03:00) Pete Crow-Armstrong —Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: [email protected] Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazoBaseball America Website—SEAT GEEKUse our code for 10% off your next order of MLB tickets on SeatGeek*: seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben and Carlos open up the listener mailbag to take questions on Caden Bodine’s data, whether or not a Yankees outfielder will be an up-arrow name, general thoughts on Andrew Fischer and comparing and contrasting three up-the-middle college draftees.—Time Stamps: (0:45) How much does the data support Caden Bodine’s season?(7:10) Will Yankees outfielder Yostin Pena be a significant riser?(9:15) Andrew Fischer?(16:30) Drew Burress, Derek Curiel and Tyler Bell upside, ETA and career questions—Do you have feedback for the show or want to ask us a question? Email us: [email protected] Projection Twitter: @FutureProPodBen's Twitter: @BenBadlerCarlos's Twitter: @CarlosACollazoBaseball America Website—SEAT GEEKUse our code for 10% off your next order of MLB tickets on SeatGeek*: seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TERRITORY10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discountAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.