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
176
Our favorite picks of the Draft
Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff continue their look at the recently concluded 2021 Draft. Jim and Jonathan pick their favorite selections for each round through the fifth. Much like the scouting industry is forced to do, they then started examining the top prospects in the '22 Draft class. Finally, they turn their attention to pro ball by breaking down recent Top 100 callups in Boston's Jarren Duran, Angels outfielder Brandon Marsh and Dodgers right-hander Josiah Gray, before finishing up, as always, with a question from a listener.
65 min
177
Draft recap, Futures Game takeaways and more fr...
From Denver, Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff break down one of the most fun -- and most consequential -- weeks in MLB prospect history. The crew talks through their impressions of the Draft experience and all of the twists and turns in three days of picks, starting with the Pirates’ selection of Henry Davis. Then they discuss the Futures Game, including Spencer Torkelson’s impressive batting practice power display. And finally, they finish the show with takeaways from the High School All-American Game and High School Home Run Derby.
69 min
178
The busiest prospect week … ever? | And a Bobby...
Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff run through an updated top 10 mock Draft, look ahead to a jam-packed week including the Futures Game, High School All-American Game and High School Home Run Derby, make their picks for the likeliest Futures Game players to win a batting practice home run derby, dip into the mailbag to answer questions about upcoming mocks and potential surprise picks, and chat with No. 7 overall prospect Bobby Witt Jr. of the Royals.
67 min
179
The Inaugural Draft Combine
On the latest edition of the Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff break down the first-ever MLB Draft Combine and discuss which players stood out the most in North Carolina. In advance of the College World Series finals between Mississippi State and Vanderbilt, they discuss the top Draft prospects for 2021 and beyond still in Omaha. Also on tap: Jonathan interviews Diamondbacks scouting director Deric Ladnier. Plus Blue Jays catcher Gabriel Moreno and Royals first baseman Nick Pratto join the Top 100 Prospects list, and multiple mailbag questions.
66 min
180
Wander Time
The Pipeline crew sets expectations for No. 1 prospect Wander Franco ahead of his big league debut, updates Draft news with a focus on the MLB Draft Combine, lobbies for a few Futures Game picks including Marco Luciano and Bobby Witt Jr, examines new prospects entering the top 100 and then debates the long-term outlooks for Joe Adell and Jarred Kelenic.
58 min
181
Draft fever! Catch it!
Jason Ratliff returns to shepherd Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo through a ton of Draft talk, from the expansion of MLB Pipeline's rankings to 250 for the first time ever, to the top tools in the Draft class and a discussion of five guys who have helium. Then the trio took a victory lap by looking at big leaguers leading the All-Star Game voting who were ranked as top prospects as Minor Leaguers. And finally, they welcomed the Marlins' Jesus Sanchez back to the Top 100 list and finished, as always, with a question from listeners.
56 min
182
Tournament Time
Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo break down the teams that survived and the prospects that stood out in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Also on the docket: comparing potential No. 1 overall picks Marcelo Mayer and Jordan Lawlar and putting them in the context of a historically deep high school shortstop class, Jarred Kelenic's rough first taste of the Majors and what it might mean for the future, former No. 1 overall picks Adley Rutschman and Spencer Torkelson heat up, the latest addition to the Top 100 Prospects list (Rockies LHP Ryan Rolison) and our weekly mailbag question.
69 min
183
College Playoffs & The Draft
With the NCAA Division I tournament about to start, Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo discuss the best prospects who will be involved and how moving the Draft to July will change how teams scout the college playoffs. They break down the half-dozen Top 100 Prospects involved with the Olympic baseball qualifying tournament, one of whom (Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran) might be able to help his contending big league club right now. They also chat about the newest Top 100 Prospect, Indians shortstop Gabriel Arias, and answer a couple of questions from readers.
47 min
184
It's a Mock-ery: Draft scoop and more
Mock Draft season is heating up, and Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo will file new ones every week. The duo take a look at first-round projections, discuss how events like conference tournaments could impact those prognostications, and check if fans' wish lists would come true in future mocks. Then they break down five college lefties in this year's class. Jim and Jonathan also discuss Taylor Trammell's torrid bat since he returned to Triple-A, welcome Angels outfielder Jordyn Adams into the Top 100 and kick off "Wander Watch," our vigilant look at when Wander Franco might get called up.
56 min
185
It's NOT a mock | Plus: a Marcelo Mayer interview
Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo reboot their personal top 20 picks Draft (based on their preferences and not a mock based on what teams might do). With the expansion of the Draft Top 200 coming soon, they looked at five guys who are joining the list. That led into Jim's interview with one of the Draft prospects in the class, California prep shortstop Marcelo Mayer. Not wanting to ignore pro prospects, Jim and Jonathan broke down the debuts of Mariners phenoms Jarred Kelenic and Logan Gilbert.
61 min
186
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
187
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
188
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
189
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
190
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
191
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
192
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
193
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
194
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
195
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
196
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
197
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
198
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
199
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
200
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