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.

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Baseball
176
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
177
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
178
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
179
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
180
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
181
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
182
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
183
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
184
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
185
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
186
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
187
Marlins' Glass-breaking Hire, Updates on “The M...
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 to talk about Miami's hiring of Kim Ng as the first female general manager of a team in a North American major sports league and the state of the Marlins as she takes the reins. The quartet also discusses Yankees prospect Jasson "The Martian" Dominguez and Dodgers 18-year-old prospect Luis Rodriguez. Finally, get an update on Wander Franco & Julio Rodriguez playing the Dominican Winter League.
60 min
188
Scouts Honor – Meet the Scouts who discovered t...
On this week’s episode of the MLB Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff break down the AL and NL rookies of the year, discuss who are the frontrunners for the 2021 ROY races and chat with scouts who drafted this year’s winners. Jim is joined by John Wiedenbauer, who scouted and helped sign the AL Rookie of the year Kyle Lewis, and Jonathan catches up with Harvey Kuenn Jr., who scouted the NL Rookie of the year Devin Williams. Then, in a tribute to the late Alex Trebek, the trio play Rookie of the year themed Pipeline Jeopardy  
68 min
189
Homegrown Dodgers lead to WS Crown, VP of Amate...
Jonathan Mayo, Jim Callis and Jason Ratliff swing into the offseason as they look back at the homegrown talent that led to the Dodgers’ World Series victory. Jim chats with Dodgers VP of amateur scouting Billy Gasparino about his role in building the club’s young talent. The group discusses which teams are poised to make the biggest turnaround next year and predict what players will be in MLB’s Top 10 Prospects at the end of 2021 season. Finally, they light up the Hot Stove to discuss which players received qualifying offers, how that affects the Draft and answer your questions.   
66 min
190
Just how good is Randy Arozarena?
Jim Callis, Jason Ratliff and Mike Rosenbaum put the World Series in a prospect context by discussing the ongoing heroics of Randy Arozarena and where he would rank among the best postseason rookies of all time. Does his performance merit him soaring up MLB Pipeline's Rays Top 30 Prospects list and the overall Top 100? After that, Jason tests Jim and Mike with a quiz on past scouting reports of current World Series participants. The guys also discuss instructional league with a focus on Nationals pitchers and open the reader mailbag to answer a question about relief prospects.
58 min
191
The World Series and Jazz
Jonathan Mayo, Jason Ratliff and Mike Rosenbaum dig into the World Series as only the Pipeline crew can (though they did make their predictions), looking at how the Dodgers and Rays were built and ranking the World Series players as prospects. Mayo does a deep dive into how the Rays acquired postseason hero Randy Arozarena and interviews Marlins rookie Jazz Chisholm.
63 min
192
Scouts honor
On this week's Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff talk about the rookies still making headlines in the postseason, led by the Rays' Randy Arozarena and the Braves' Ian Anderson. The trio really dig into the story of how Anderson was scouted and became the No. 3 overall pick of the Braves back in 2016 before Jim interviewed Rays Scout James Bonnici, the scout who signed ALDS hero Mike Brousseau. Sights turned to next year's Draft as the 2021 Draft order has been set before finishing off with a question from fans about Dodgers catching prospect Keibert Ruiz.
65 min
193
Twins Prospect Alex Kirilloff; Top Rookie Posts...
Twins prospect Alex Kirilloff joins the Pipeline Podcast this week and he and Jonathan Mayo discuss playing at the Twins alternative site, making the postseason roster and then making history by getting his first hit during his MLB debut in the postseason. Mayo, Jason Ratliff and Mike Rosenbaum break down other rookies making impressions this postseason. The trio also looks in-depth how these postseason teams were built and which Draft class has the biggest impact among playoff teams. Also, Mike discusses his article ranking the top rookies through statcast metrics. Plus, they answer your questions.
61 min
194
The Postseason Cometh!
Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff have all things at the intersection of prospects and the MLB playoffs covered, starting with a look at how all 10 top farm systems two years ago are in the postseason now. The trio make their postseason selections, look at rookies who both have made playoff contributions in the past and could impact the postseason this year, looking closely at a pair of surprising Top 100 callups in the Twins’ Alex Kirilloff and the Rays’ Shane McClanahan. After discussing the Top 25 rookies list, they looked at the change in rookie eligibility rules and the Draft date before finishing off by dipping into the mailbag to answer your questions. 
66 min
195
Rage Week: Potential No. 1 pick Kumar Rocker; r...
On this week’s episode of the MLB Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff discuss their ranking of 2020's rookies and the rage it incites among readers. Vanderbilt Ace and potential No. 1 Draft pick Kumar Rocker joins the show. The guys discuss the MLB debuts of Garrett Crochet and Mickey Moniak, Jim and Jonathan's bet about Moniak vs. Zach McKinstry, and rookies who could make an impact this postseason. Plus, they answer your questions.
66 min
196
A Look Ahead to the 2021 Draft, Rookie Power Ra...
On this week’s episode of the MLB Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff break down the best college and high school prospects for the 2021 Draft and explain how the pandemic has affected scouting. They also reveal a new No. 1 player on the Rookie Power Rankings, discuss Rangers catcher Sam Huff's MLB debut, discuss the most exciting prospects in each team's alternate camp and answer your questions.
61 min
197
Mariners Prospect Taylor Trammell, MLB’s Hottes...
On this week’s episode of the MLB Pipeline Podcast, recently traded Mariners prospect Taylor Trammell joins the show. Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff break down the most improved farm systems in baseball. Plus, find out who joins Rays Outfielder Randy Arozarena among MLB’s hottest rookies. The guys also look toward the 2021 MLB Draft after last week’s Perfect Game All-American Classic. Finally, the trio discusses Jonathan’s roundtable with five MLB Black Scouts which can be found on mlb.com/pipeline.  
71 min
198
Top prospects dealt at the Trade Deadline
Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff dig into the Trade Deadline and all of the prospects who changed teams as a result, then touch on how trades and the 2020 Draft impact the new farm system rankings. From there, the trio discuss the latest Rookie Power Rankings and examine the Rookie of the Year races before looking at the big league debuts of top prospects like the Braves’ Ian Anderson and the Yankees’ Deivi Garcia while looking forward to the debut of Ke’Bryan Hayes of the Pirates.
69 min
199
The Year of the Prospect!
On this week’s Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo talk about the vast quantities of top-tier prospects who have been called up and are currently in the big leagues, as well as the reasons why this is the “Year of the Prospect.” Jim and Jonathan go through the Top 100 prospects who have made their debuts in just the last week alone before discussing the hottest rookies in the game, starting with Rookie of the Year candidates Kyle Lewis and Jake Cronenworth. The duo wraps up the episode by looking into a crystal ball for ideas on which prospects might get traded before the Trade Deadline.
69 min
200
Breaking down top 100 prospects who have made t...
On this week’s Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff talked about all the Top 100 prospects who have made their big league debuts this year, from recent callups like the Cardinals’ Dylan Carlson, the Phillies’ Alec Bohm and Keibert Ruiz of the Dodgers to looking ahead to the debuts of Tigers top pitching prospects Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal. The trio also dug into the most recent Rookie Power Rankings, lead once again by Mariners outfielder Kyle Lewis before finishing up with discussing whether Reid Detmers of the Angels will, and should, be the first 2020 draftee to make the big leagues this season.
60 min