MLB Pipeline

Find out about the stars of tomorrow, from the guys who know today. Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) and Jonathan Mayo (@JonathanMayo) are your tour guides for this ride through the unfolding stories & breaking news in Minor League Baseball. From top prospects to scouting executives to farm directors, the MLB Pipeline is jam-packed with exclusive coverage of the minors you can't get anywhere else.

Sports
Baseball
151
Kelenic Is Coming! Kelenic Is Coming!
In this week's edition of the Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo break down the impending big league arrival of outfielder Jarred Kelenic (No. 4 on the MLB Pipeline Top 100) and what he'll mean to the Mariners. They also discuss who might be the next big-time prospect to make the Majors and top performers from the first week of the Minor League season. They ponder the lack of clarity at the top of the 2021 Draft, candidates to go in the first round who didn't quite crack last week's mock draft and new Top 100 Prospect Jackson Rutledge (and outgoing Top 100 Prospect Michael Kopech) and answer a mailbag question about Mets prospects Francisco Alvarez and Pete Crow-Armstrong.
64 min
152
It’s Minor League Opening Day!
Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo get ready for Minor League action for the first time in almost two years, talking about which prospects they’re excited to watch at the start of the 2021 season while also looking at the most stacked Minor League teams this year. It’s not a podcast without talking Draft, with Jim and Jonathan looking at the top of the first round as Jim works on a new Mock as well as five guys with interesting family trees. Finally, Jonathan talks with Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin about Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter.
68 min
153
Draft & More Draft
Jim Callis and Sam Dykstra discuss Jonathan Mayo's first full first-round projection of the 2021 Draft, and they later conduct a draft of their own by picking teams of prospects who have changed organizations. They also break down baseball's hottest rookies, including the curious case of Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia, discuss the newest Top 100 Prospect (Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran) and discuss a Mailbag question about top Mariners prospects.
70 min
154
Experts take shot at top 20 Draft picks
As a preview of the Top 150 Draft Prospects list, Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff conduct their own draft, with Jim and Jonathan alternating to make the top 20 picks of the first round. They also take a look at the two most recent additions to the Top 100 Prospects list, Giants left-hander Seth Corry and Reds shortstop Jose Garcia. They wrap up by answering a couple of questions in the Mailbag, including one about Yankees phenom Jasson Dominguez.
58 min
155
The newest top-100 prospects, and rookies on th...
Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff discuss prospects off to fast starts, including a group of starting pitchers who are being used in relief roles in the big leagues this year. Plus a look at five new addition to MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list, an update on Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter’s performance and five Draft guys on the rise.
65 min
156
Hot rookies; Arcia trade, The Yerminator and a ...
Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff discuss rookies who are off to a hot start in the first week of the season. Jonathan chats with White Sox senior director of baseball operations Dan Fabian about Yermin Mercedes' historic start to the season and how he was acquired through the Rule 5 Draft. The trio discusses the the Orlando Arcia trade and the three players who recently entered MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects list. Finally, get your weekly update on Vanderbilt's Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter, and we answer another Draft question in the mailbag.
71 min
157
Opening Day rosters surprises; Rookie Power Ran...
With the arrival of 2021 regular season, Jim Callis, Sam Dykstra and Jason Ratliff take a look at some top prospects who made Opening Day rosters, as well as some who didn't, and when we can expect to see them. They also break down the preseason Rookie Power Rankings and Sam's rankings of the farm systems based on hitters, pitchers and 21-and-under talent. The crew discusses the continued dominance of Vanderbilt's Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter and answers a Mailbag question about Braves outfield prospect Michael Harris.
68 min
158
Farm system rankings; Rocker and Leiter 1-2? RO...
Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff discuss the Top 5 teams in MLB Pipeline’s Farm Systems ranking, with the Rays at No. 1 again. Jim and Jonathan highlight some players that have impressed them in Spring Training and they discuss the 2021 Draft, as Vandy pitchers Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter are living up to the hype, and some college catchers -- including Miami's Adrian Del Castillo -- are making some noise. Finally, Jim and Jonathan break down their picks in an experts' Rookie of the Year draft and answer questions from the mailbag.
61 min
159
Top 30 Lists, Hot Springs, Draft Update, New Rules
Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff discuss MLB Pipeline’s newly released Top 30 Prospects lists, highlighting the Indians, Twins, Giants, Cardinals and Braves. Then the guys detail some prospects standing out in Spring Training, such as outfielders Mickey Moniak (Phillies) and Heliot Ramos (Giants), check in on the Vanderbilt aces and other players making draft news and give their reviews of the new rules being implemented in the Minors. And as always, they dive into the mailbag to take a question from a listener.
62 min
160
Top 30 lists are here! (AL West, Yankees, Red S...
Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff break down MLB Pipeline's new 2021 Top 30 Prospects lists -- four from the AL West (Astros, Angels, Rangers and A's), plus the Red Sox and Yankees. Hear updates on how potential top Draft picks Kumar Rocker, Jack Leiter, Jaden Hill and Sal Frelick have performed this season. And finally, Jim and Jonathan discuss which prospects have impressed in big league spring training games.
63 min
161
Let the games begin, Spring Training Update plu...
Jonathan Mayo, Jim Callis and Jason Ratliff discuss how some of the Top 100 prospects are performing as Spring Training games have begun and what Twins SS Royce Lewis' torn ACL does for his prospect status. Jonathan catches up with Pirates prospect Jared Oliva as they look back at his 2020 MLB debut and the outlook for the 2021 season. Finally, the trio discusses the fastest and most powerful prospects in baseball.
65 min
162
Spotlighting Spring Training & Under-25 Stars
 In this week’s Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff talk about why they’re anticipating this Spring Training more than most and highlight non-roster invitees to watch. They also talk to Rangers right-hander Dane Dunning, discuss MLB.com’s 25 Under 25 Draft, break down a couple of Rays trades and dip into the reader mailbag.
62 min
163
A look ahead to Spring Training and to 2023, th...
Jason Ratliff, Jonathan Mayo and Jim Callis get excited about the start of Spring Training and discuss how it will be different this year. They also break down the extensive changes coming to the Minors in 2021, speculate on who might emerge as the game's top prospects in 2023, rehash MLB Network's Top 100 Prospects show and answer reader questions.
67 min
164
Top 100 Prospect Whiffs, Red Sox RHP Prospect T...
On this week’s MLB Pipeline Podcast, Jonathan Mayo and Jim Callis discuss which prospects they missed on through the years when ranking the Top 100 Prospects. Jim chats with Red Sox pitching prospect Tanner Houck about his MLB debut in 2020 and the myth that pitchers with low arm slots can't make it as starters. Plus, we take a deep dive into the mailbag and answer four reader questions. Submit questions via Twitter (@mlbpipeline, @jonathanmayo or @JimCallisMLB) and we may answer them on future shows.  
67 min
165
Top 100 breakdown, Adley and J-Rod interviews, ...
The new 2021 Top 100 Prospects list is out, and the Pipeline crew digs into it with a breakdown of the list, interviews with two of the top five players (Orioles' Adley Rutschman and Mariners' Julio Rodriguez) and a round of Top 100 Jeopardy! See whether Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo or Mike Rosenbaum comes out on top as Jason Ratliff tries to stump them. They also break down the prospects the Rockies got from the Cardinals for superstar Nolan Arenado and answer a listener's question.
64 min
166
Analyzing Bucs-Yanks trade, Top 10 prospects by...
On this week’s episode of the MLB Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff break down the prospects the Pirates acquired in the Taillon and Musgrove deals. The guys also discuss the release of the Top 10 by position prospect rankings and preview the overall Top 100. They also break down the MLB Prospects All-Defense team and answer a listener’s question.
56 min
167
International Signing Period Began, Pirates acq...
On this week’s episode of the MLB Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff are joined by MLB.com National Reporter Jesse Sanchez, who discusses top international prospects who have turned pro as the international signing period begins. The guys also discuss the release of the Top 10 RHP prospects list, kicking off position-by-position coverage in advance of the overall Top 100, and respond to Twitter comments about the RHP rankings. They also talk about the MLB Dream Series, the three-team Joe Musgrove trade and answer a listener question.
59 min
168
The Lindor trade, special guests Ian Anderson (...
On this week’s episode of the MLB Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis, Mike Rosenbaum and Jason Ratliff discuss the Francisco Lindor trade between the Mets and Indians. The Rookie Program is underway, and Braves RHP Ian Anderson and Indians top prospect Nolan Jones join the podcast to discuss their 2020 seasons, preparing for 2021 and what they learned in the Rookie Program so far. Finally, the gang previews the beginning of the international signing period and answers your questions.
59 min
169
Blake Snell & Yu Darvish Trade Breakdowns, 2021...
On this week’s episode of the MLB Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff welcome in the new year and discuss the Padres-Rays Blake Snell trade and the Padres-Cubs Yu Darvish deal and break down all the prospects involved. Rays pro scouting director Kevin Ibach joins the show to provide insight into the process involved in the Snell trade and talks about the team philosophy. Finally, Jim and Jonathan predict which of MLB’s top prospects will debut this year and which prospects are poised to break out in 2021.
62 min
170
A look back at the best of MLB Pipeline in 2020
Jonathan Mayo looks back at a few of the best segments from the MLB Pipeline Podcast in 2020. First, we revisit our initial 2021 Mock draft, where Jonathan and Jim Callis made their top 10 picks. Pirates GM Ben Cherington follows that with a discussion on draft philosophy as he prepares to make the No 1. overall selection in the '21 draft. Finally, hear from scout James Bonnici, who signed undrafted free agent Mike Brosseau and look back at his game winning home run for the Rays in game 5 of the ALDS.
62 min
171
White Sox to sign Yoelquis Cespedes, Rays prosp...
Jonathan Mayo, Jim Callis and Jason Ratliff discuss the report that the White Sox will sign No. 1 international prospect Yoelquis Cespedes and where he fits into the organization. Jonathan catches up with Xavier Edwards and talks about his first season in the Rays organization. Jim and Jonathan redraft the top 10 picks of the 2018 Draft class. Plus, they look back at each team's no. 1 prospect from 2015 and answer your questions.
75 min
172
The 2021 Draft Top 100
The Draft Top 100 Prospects list is out, and Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff cover everything you need to know about the 2021 Draft class. In addition to analyzing the top players on the list and breaking down the strengths and weaknesses of the class, they look at which schools and areas are best represented and examine the top tools in the Top 100. We also hear from the No. 1 and 2 players on the list: Vanderbilt right-hander Kumar Rocker and Texas high school shortstop Jordan Lawlar.
80 min
173
Rangers-White Sox Trade Breakdown, Pirates GM B...
On this week’s episode of the MLB Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff discuss the White Sox-Rangers trade involving Lance Lynn and two prospects, Dane Dunning and Avery Weems. Jonathan talks to Pirates GM Ben Cherington about having the No. 1 pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. Plus, the gang previews this week’s Rule 5 Draft and answers your questions.
66 min
174
A 2021 mock draft, Rockies-Reds trade breakdown...
On this week’s episode of the MLB Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff conduct a mock draft of the first 10 picks of 2021 and discuss why Kumar Rocker may not go No. 1. They then discuss the changing landscape in the Minor Leagues and break down the prospects dealt in last week’s trade between the Rockies and Reds. Finally, the trio looks back at memorable trades made during the Winter Meetings and discusses whether there will be any elite prospects dealt this December. Plus, we answer your questions.
63 min
175
40-Man Roster Decisions, Padres Pitching Prospe...
On this week’s episode of the MLB Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff discuss which prospects made their team’s 40-man roster and which ones are eligible for the Rule 5 Draft.MLB.com National Reporter Jesse Sanchez chats with Padres pitching prospect Luis Patiño about his offseason workout routine in Colombia, and Padres director of player development Sam Geaney discusses Patiño’s makeup and the progress he made this season. Finally, the trio discusses what a potential Blake Snell trade could look like and answers your questions.
65 min