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
201
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
202
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
203
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
204
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
205
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
206
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
207
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
208
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
209
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
210
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
211
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
212
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
213
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
214
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
215
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
216
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
217
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
218
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
219
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
220
Breaking down the hottest rookies this season
On this week’s Pipeline Podcast Jim Callis, Mike Rosenbaum and Jason Ratliff take a look at some of the hottest rookies in the big leagues, including Padres’ Jake Cronenworth, Dodgers’ Dustin May and Oakland lefty Jesus Luzardo. They also discuss the debuts of right-handers Luis Patino (Padres) and Spencer Howard (Phillies). The crew digs into some Statcast numbers to help identify what’s behind the strong starts of relievers Josh Staumont (Royals), Jordan Romano (Blue Jays) and Devin Williams (Brewers), and they wrap up the show by looking at some of the top performers from the East Coast Pro Showcase and the Area Code Games.
62 min
221
Breaking down the new Top 100 Prospects list
On this week’s episode of the Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff break down the newly unveiled Top 100 list that features 13 members of the 2020 Draft class. The trio discuss which teams now have the most players on the Top 100 and how that might impact their standing on the farm system rankings before looking at prospects -- both elite-level and lesser-known -- who have come up to make an impression in the big leagues during the early stages of the 2020 season.
58 min
222
Looking at the big league debuts of top prospec...
On this week’s Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff break down all things Major League debut-related, from Kyle Lewis’ power output to Tyler Stephenson’s home run in his first big league at-bat on the offensive side and from Brady Singer’s first big league start for the Royals to what to expect from the Blue Jays’ Nate Pearson on the mound. Stephenson’s debut sparked a conversation about the difficulty in drafting and developing high school catching and the podcast also turned from guys who are on big league rosters to those who aren’t, focusing on two Brendans in the Top 100: Brendan Rodgers of the Rockies and the Rays’ Brendan McKay. Things wrapped up with Callis discussing his interview (now on MLB.com) with who he feels is the most interesting man in the 2020 Draft: Landon Knack.
64 min
223
Breaking down prospects to watch on Opening Day...
With the 2020 season about to get started and summer camps winding down, Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff spent most of this week’s Pipeline Podcast talking about prospects in camp and their chances to impact the big leagues this year, starting with the news that National League Rookie of the Year favorite Gavin Lux will not start the year with the Dodgers. They discussed prospect who have impressed, like White Sox outfielder Luis Robert and Blue Jays right-hander Nate Pearson, and some who have gotten hurt, like Julio Rodriguez of the Mariners and A.J. Puk of the A’s. The trio touched on where Draft signings stood before Jonathan interviewed Red Sox infield prospect Jeter Downs.
49 min
224
Breaking down Opening Day rosters and looking a...
On this week’s Pipeline Podcast Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff talked about prospects who could land on Opening Day rosters, candidates for Rookie of the Year and guys who have impressed in summer camp. They also looked ahead to who they’d like to see in the 2021 Futures Game before wrapping up with a look at the 2020 Draft signing landscape.
52 min
225
Breaking down the 2020 draft signings, Top 10 p...
On this week’s Pipeline Podcast, Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Jason Ratliff start by talking about players they would’ve loved to see in this year’s Futures Game had it taken place, along with who they would’ve been excited to watch in the PDP League and High School All-Star Game that became a part of All-Star Weekend last year in Cleveland. The trio provided an update on 2020 Draft signings, focusing on some intriguing off-the-radar high school signees by some teams. They broke down the recent Top 10 prospects draft held with colleague Mike Rosenbaum, looked at the farm system rankings Pipeline did according to left-handed and right-handed pitching and finished up by making 2020 Rookie of the Year predictions.
62 min