Baseball America

Baseball America Editor-In-Chief JJ Cooper is joined by Prospect Maven Geoff Pontes to discuss the Blue Jays Top Prospects, led by lefthander Ricky Tiedemann. They talk about why this system may be a little better than you think, but also what's gone wrong over the past five years.(00:00) Everything about Ricky Tiedemann(12:30) Why Arjun Nimmala is on the cusp of the Top 100(22:00) Other Top 10 Prospects to know(32:00) What's gone wrong over the past five years(41:00) A sleeper prospect to watchOur Sponsors:* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/BASEBALLAMERICASupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

JJ Cooper and Carlos Collazo are talking all about Rays prospects in the latest MLB Prospects Deep Dive. They discuss how hard it is to line up the Rays Top 10 (and beyond), why Carson Williams is the clear No. 1 prospect and the team's fascinating mix of high-ceiling talent and close-to-the-majors prospects.(00:00) Why was this Top 10 so hard to rank?(03:00) Sorting out high ceiling vs. safe bets(08:00) Why Braden Taylor ranks so high(14:30) Comparing Tre' Morgan vs. Xavier Isaac(22:00) Carson Williams, No. 1 prospect(34:00) Why the Rays rank in the top tier of farm systems year after year(40:00) Why Chandler Simpson is such a fascinating playerOur Sponsors:* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/BASEBALLAMERICASupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It was a very weird 2024 and it's sure to be an equally weird 2025 for the Athletics. On one hand, 2024 was a nightmare for A's fans, as the team played its final game in Oakland before heading to its temporary home in Sacramento for 2025. But 2024 did see the emergence of Brent Rooker, Lawrence Butler and a lineup that has made this a more respectable team. Mark Chiarelli and JJ Cooper discuss where the A's are now, and where they are going.(00:00) Are the Athletics nearing respectability on the field?(06:00) Is time already running short for Tyler Soderstrom?(10:00) How the rotation shapes up(12:00) Why the trades didn't work out(14:00) A team willing to take risks(17:00) Why Nick Kurtz was the clear No. 1 prospect(24:00) Jacob Wilson has some great skills, and one worrisome trait(29:00) Strength of the system(30:00) Weakness of the system(32:00) Two more lesser-known prospects to rememberOur Sponsors:* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/BASEBALLAMERICASupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper are talking all about the Rockies farm system and the team's chances for 2025, 2026 and beyond. After acknowledging how difficult the task of winning in the NL West is, Geoff and JJ take a look at what the Rockies do well as well as what they need to do better. They take in-depth looks at the team's top two prospects: Chase Dollander and Charlie Condon before also discussing some of the team's other prospects.(00:00) Are the Rockies stuck in the basement?(03:00) The nightmare that is the NL West(05:30) What do the Rockies do well?(09:30) Too many half measures?(13:00) When is a realistic hope for the next surge?(16:30) The Rockies’ best-ever pitching prospect?(18:30) Is Chase Dollander going to be able to survive Coors Field?(24:00) Charlie Condon’s worrisome pro debut(29:00) Where does Condon fit defensively?(31:00) Some things to like about the farm system(36:00) A sleeper name to knowOur Sponsors:* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/BASEBALLAMERICASupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper are excited to talk about the Chicago Cubs prospects. They look at what the Cubs have produced lately, who could be ready to help soon and some of the strengths and weaknesses of the system.(00:00) Is the rebuild that wasn't called a rebuild nearing an end?(04:00) Where does this farm system now rate compared to other teams?(08:00) Do they need another pitcher?(11:00) Is Cade Horton ready to help?(17:30) How does Matt Shaw fit?(23:00) James Triantos talk(24:00) Owen Caissie made improvements(26:00) Can Kevin Alcantara find a spot?(30:00) Why we like Moises Ballesteros(36:00) A lower-level name to knowOur Sponsors:* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/BASEBALLAMERICASupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Carlos and Peter go back and forth drafting the best high school tools among players in the 2025 class to create the best imaginary prospects possible. For hitters they have to pick the following: hit tool, raw power tool, running tool, fielding tool and arm tool. And for pitchers they have to assemble the following: fastball, slider, curveball, changeup and control/command. Which players do you like best? Let us know. —Time Stamps(0:00) Introducing the game(3:40) Peter’s fielding(5:33) Carlos’s hit(7:36) Peter’s changeup(9:30) Carlos’s control(11:40) Peter’s fastball(13:15) Carlos’s fielding(17:00) Peter’s slider(18:10) Carlos’s raw power(20:00) Peter’s hit (21:00) Carlos’s changeup(24:00) Peter’s run(25:30) Carlos’s arm(28:00) Peter’s arm(29:00) Carlos’s curveball(31:30) Peter’s raw power(33:30) Carlos’s slider(34:30) Peter’s control(36:00) Carlos’s run(37:45) Peter’s curveball(39:40) Carlos’s fastball(42:30) OverviewOur Sponsors:* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/BASEBALLAMERICASupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Our first Top 100 Prospect video could only get through the Top 10 Prospects in 45 minutes. So we're back for Part II, and now, we're focused on everything other than the Top 10. Geoff Pontes, Carlos Collazo and JJ Cooper all pick multiple prospects they expect to break out in 2025, as well as looking at some prospects who got mixed reviews when we received feedback from industry sources. And they end with a look at some non-Top 100 Prospects who could rise into the rankings.BA subscribers can see the full list here: https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/2025-top-100-prospects/(00:00) Carlos Collazo's pick to pop is a Rangers shortstop(04:00) Geoff Pontes' breakout pick is a Brewers' teenager(08:00) JJ Cooper picks another Brewers' shortstop plus a Dodgers' slugger(11:00) Back to Geoff, who this time highlights an Astros third baseman(14:00) Carlos turns the spotlight to an A's first baseman(15:30) JJ's next pick to click is a Twins infielder(19:00) Looking at prospects outside the top 50, Geoff likes a Tigers' catcher(20:30) And Carlos is focused on a Braves catcher(23:00) JJ loves the best defensive first baseman in the minors, who can also hit(29:00) Switching to polarizing prospects, Carlos lays out the case for a Pirates pitcher(30:00) And Carlos also talks about a Royals slugger(31:00) Geoff wonders which Nationals prospect ends up as the better pitcher(33:00) JJ cheats briefly on the category by spotlighting a Yankees shortstop added to the Top 100 by near-unanimous positive feedback.(34:00) And then JJ returns to polarizing prospects with a Phillies outfielder(38:00) Why we ask you to read the scouting reports(41:00) Geoff's pick to click who isn't currently a Top 100 Prospect(43:00) Carlos' off-the-100 pick is a Reds first baseman(46:00) JJ finishes by talking about a pair of Rays prospects who could climb onto the Top 100.Our Sponsors:* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/BASEBALLAMERICASupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It's time!The Baseball America Top 100 Prospects rankings have been released, and Geoff Pontes, Carlos Collazo and JJ Cooper are excited to talk about them. We had too much good stuff to fit into one show, so we're doing two. This first show dives into who is No. 1 and why, other candidates for No. 1. We also make the case for other Top 10 Prospects who could end up being the best of the group and how this is the year of the pitcher.(00:00) Why Roki Sasaki is No. 1(11:00) Would Roman Anthony fit as a No. 1?(15:00) How does Roman Anthony compare to other recent No. 1s?(18:00) Who else in the top 10 could end up as the best player in the Top 100?(30:00) Is this top 10 thinner than normal?(35:00) Who is the most fascinating player in the Top 100?(37:00) Why Bubba Chandler has leapt up the rankingsOur Sponsors:* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/BASEBALLAMERICASupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Geoff Pontes and JJ Cooper take an in-depth look at the Cardinals farm system, what it's produced lately, where it's going and some of the prospects to watch. They also take a look at what Chaim Bloom will be tasked to do as St. Louis heads into the 2025 season.(00:00) What's gone wrong for a very successful franchise?(02:00) Self-evaluation has been a problem(05:00) The Cardinals Way and the advantages it gave St. Louis(06:30) What's happened with recent big league talent?(10:00) Is there a spot for Victor Scott II?(13:00) How Chaim Bloom's strengths fit what St. Louis needs(17:00) The Cardinals pitching approach is being adjusted(22:00) Where is the pitching going?(25:00) What are realistic goals for 2025?(27:00) How good is JJ Wetherholt?(29:00) Why third base is likely Wetherholt's home(31:00) A DSL prospect you need to know(34:00) Quinn Mathews' advantage over most young pitching prospectsOur Sponsors:* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/BASEBALLAMERICASupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Ben Badler, Geoff Pontes and Scout Braun welcome Orioles prospect Coby Mayo.We also dive into new Dodgers phenom Roki Sasaki's comparison to Shohei Ohtani and discuss why LA's reign may continue in an upcoming draft. Plus, we give a preview of the all-new Top 100 prospects list set to debut on Wednesday.Time Stamps(1:00) 2025 Top 100 prospects list debuts on Wednesday(1:40) Roki Sasaki joins the Dodgers and comparing him to Shohei Ohtani(12:30) Coby Mayo joins(23:10) Previewing the new Top 100 listOur Sponsors:* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/BASEBALLAMERICASupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy