JJ Cooper and Carlos Collazo make the 1-1 case for each of the top three players in the 2026 draft class.

Which is most compelling to you: The proven college shortstop with big tools? The outlier catcher athlete with a huge power surge this spring? Or the impeccable pure-hitting prep shortstop with a lefthanded swing to dream on?

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Time Stamps:

• (0:40) The premise
• (1:50) The case for Roch Cholowsky
• (14:15) The case for Vahn Lackey
• (27:10) The case for Grady Emerson

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On this week's Prospect Podcast, Ian Cundall and JJ Cooper discuss a pair of Top 100 Prospects who slid down our rankings in the first half of the 2026 season, but who are both bouncing back now.

(00:00) Why Ranking Prospects Is Hard, But Fun

(02:30) Why Red Sox RHP Kyson Witherspoon Took A Step Back

(09:10) Why Witherspoon's Season Has Turned Around

(14:35) Why Tigers SS Bryce Rainer Got Off Track

(18:30) How Rainer Is Putting It Back Together

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On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Geoff Pontes & Ian Cundall discuss MiLB player of the year candidates, teams that could be active in prospect-driven trades at the deadline and the ramifications of MLB's recent draft changes proposal.

The Hot Sheet Show airs live on the BA YouTube channel every Tuesday at 3 p.m. Give us a sub, and we'll see you then!

Time Stamps

• (0:00) Introduction
• (0:30) Oklahoma wins the College World Series
• (1:30) Who is the MiLB player of the year?
• (7:20) Division-leading teams that could move prospects in deadline trades
• (11:20) What's in store for the White Sox
• (14:15) Ramifications of MLB's sweeping draft changes proposal
• (25:00) Viewer comments

To get your new wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month, go to MintMobile.com/Territory. That’s it there’s no catch.

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We're taking a bit of a different approach on this week's Baseball America Draft Podcast. With the news breaking Thursday of MLB's proposal to significantly overhaul the MLB draft, eliminating high school player eligibility along with many other changes, JJ Cooper, Carlos Collazo and Jacob Rudner share what they've heard from their reporting about what this would mean.

(00:00) Carlos and JJ discuss what scouts, front office officials and others are saying about the plan to change the MLB draft.

(48:15) Jacob and JJ discuss what college coaches and other college officials have to say about what this would mean for college baseball and the MLB draft.

To get you ready for the College World Series Finals series, Jacob Rudner and JJ Cooper take an in-depth look at both Oklahoma and North Carolina. What are each team's strengths and weaknesses? What could be the difference? We cover it all on the latest Baseball America College Podcast.

(00:00) Scouting Oklahoma

(13:40) Scouting North Carolina

(30:00) What Would Winning Mean For Each Team

(34:30) We Predict Who Will Win

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The Baseball America Fantasy Podcast returns with hosts Geoff Pontes and Ian Cundall for a quick run through of some complex league players to pay attention to and buy in on heading into the summer. We talk a few pitchers, a bunch of position talent and even a two-way standout.

• (1:30) Discussing the pros and cons of the recent MLB proposal with wide-sweeping draft changes.
• (16:00) Red Sox complex catcher and pitcher making noise.
• (20:00) Josh Owens viable two-way?
• (26:00) Jhomnardo Reyes
• (30:00) Alexander Frias
• (36:00) Sebastian Dos Santos
• (40:00) Steele Hall

On this week's Prospect Podcast, Geoff Pontes, JJ Cooper and Ian Cundall discuss a slew of prospects who are having exceptional seasons. Many of these prospects weren't on Top 30s coming into the season, but they're having seasons worth a second look. Why are we still skeptical with some, and which breakouts do we think have staying power.

(02:00) Owen Ayers, C, Cubs

(13:00) Manuel Pena, 1B, D-backs

(22:30) Jason Schiavone, C, Astros

(28:00) Ben Ross, SS, Twins

(34:45) Lonnie White Jr., OF, Pirates

(42:00) Sean Keys, 1B, Blue Jays

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On this week's Hot Sheet Show, J.J. Cooper, Geoff Pontes & Ian Cundall break down prospects getting promotions and players who could be next before welcoming Giants lefthander Luis De La Torre to the show.

The Hot Sheet Show airs live on the BA YouTube channel every Tuesday at 3 p.m. Give us a sub, and we'll see you then!

Time Stamps

• (0:00) Introduction
• (1:00) Prospects on the move
• (4:30) Players we expect to get bumped up soon
• (6:30) Names to watch for MLB impact in the second half
• (12:00) Luis De La Torre joins
• (22:00) Answering viewer questions

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