Baseball America
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Japanese Free Agents & OF Positioning Experiments | Prospect Podcast
In this week's Prospect Podcast, hosts J.J. Cooper, Geoff Pontes and Ian Cundall break down three top NPB players slated for U.S. posting: third‑baseman Teruaki Sato, right‑hander Kaima Taira, and left‑hander Hiromi Itoh. The discussion then shifts to the Arizona Fall League’s new outfield positioning experiment, highlighting early results and potential impacts on defensive strategy. Listeners get detailed scouting insights and a preview of how these Japanese free agents could reshape MLB rosters, plus a look at innovative defensive metrics from the AFL.
Top 10 MLB Free Agent Corner Outfielders For 2027
Baseball America ranks the 2027 free‑agent market’s top ten corner outfielders, pairing Statcast data with on‑field performance and projected contracts. The lead candidate, Seiya Suzuki (32), is projected to earn $125M‑$150M over four to five years, anchored by a career wRC+ above 123, consistent 20‑plus home‑run seasons and solid defense. Close second, Randy Arozarena (32) commands a $110M‑$130M deal, boasting a career 128 wRC+ and six straight 20‑HR years, though defensive ratings vary widely. The article continues with Ian Happ and other prospects, comparing each to recent free‑agent comps to gauge market value. Readers get detailed metrics, contract scenarios, and why these players dominate the upcoming free‑agent class.
Top 40 Second Baseman Dynasty Fantasy Baseball Rankings For 2027
Baseball America releases its 2027 dynasty fantasy rankings for second basemen, highlighting the deep‑value tier of the position. Fernando Tatis Jr. tops the list despite a down start to 2026, projecting a 30‑plus homer season at age 28. JJ Wetherholt, Brice Turang and Jazz Chisholm round out the top four, each offering a mix of power, speed and defensive upside. The rankings focus on long‑term value for teams building for 2027, not just 2026 performance, and the full list of 40 players is available to subscribers. Expect detailed targets, sleepers and fades in a Thursday podcast.
Minor League Transaction: Oct. 17–Nov. 3, 2026
Baseball America’s latest roundup details every minor‑league move from Oct. 17‑Nov. 3, 2026. Highlights include the Arizona Diamondbacks signing catcher Diosfran Cabeza (A+) and outfielder AJ Vukovich (AAA), while first‑round picks Heston Kjerstad, Pavin Smith and Will Wilson are outrighted off the 40‑man roster and become free agents. The Athletics trade DSL pitcher Jareth Rayo to Boston for MLB outfielder Nate Eaton, and the Braves add catcher Maverick Handley (AAA) among several other signings. Numerous players are assigned to winter leagues or the Dominican Summer League, and several veterans elect free agency. The list covers signings, releases, trades, outright assignments and winter‑league requests across all minor‑league levels.
What We Learned About Top Hitters In The 2026 Arizona Fall League
Baseball America breaks down the 2026 Arizona Fall League's top hitting prospects, spotlighting ten players who stood out despite the league’s offense‑heavy environment and new outfield positioning rules. Highlights include Caleb Bonemer’s raw but athletic outfield work for the White Sox, Charles Davalan’s questionable shift to second base with the Dodgers, Welbyn Francisca’s OPS jump to .879 and improved contact metrics for Cleveland, 17‑year‑old Angeibel Gomez’s solid .306/.390/.444 line for Kansas City, and Vance Honeycutt’s double‑A surge with the Orioles after adding a private hitting coach. The analysis offers concrete stats and developmental notes to gauge each prospect’s 2027 outlook.
What We Learned About Top Pitchers In The 2026 Arizona Fall League
Baseball America’s November 4 piece reviews ten Arizona Fall League pitchers who are shaping up as top prospects for 2027. The article notes that while the AFL isn’t a pitching showcase, it offers rehabbing arms a chance to refine pitches. Highlights include Jake Bloss (Blue Jays) battling a teres‑major strain after a rocky Tommy John comeback, Braxton Bragg (Orioles) returning from surgery with a solid 3.60 ERA over 15 innings, Joey Dixon (Astros) posting four perfect innings with 13 strikeouts after multiple elbow and shoulder surgeries, and Patrick Forbes (Diamondbacks) cutting his fastball usage and revealing a new sweeping 81‑mph curveball. Each prospect’s stats are up to Nov. 2, offering insight into health, velocity changes, and emerging secondary pitches.
MLB Could Award Record Three PPI Draft Picks In 2027
Baseball America reports that the 2026 season could produce a record three Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) draft picks for 2027. Rookie left‑hander Parker Messick, a finalist for the AL Cy Young and eligible for PPI, guarantees Cleveland a pick after the first round. If Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle wins AL Rookie of the Year, Detroit adds a second PPI pick, and one of NL ROY finalists—Carson Benge, Sal Stewart or JJ Wetherholt—will secure the third. PPI selections have previously sat between No. 26‑32 overall, worth up to $3.5 million, and this could be the highest tally since the program’s 2022 inception.
2027 MLB Top Prospects For Every Team
Baseball America launches its 2027 prospect season, unveiling team‑by‑team Top 10 prospect lists for all 30 MLB clubs. Over the next six weeks the site will publish detailed scouting reports, prospect chats, best‑tool superlatives and projected future lineups, with release dates ranging from November 5 (Phillies) to December 15 (Astros). Readers can also access a 2027 Prospect Handbook, Top 100 prospects, farm system rankings, and advanced tools like Stuff+ and Hit+ scores. The rollout gives fans a comprehensive preview of each organization’s upcoming talent.
New York Mets 2027 MLB Prospects Chat
Baseball America releases its new Mets Top 10 Prospects for the 2027 season and hosts a live reader chat at 2 p.m. ET on November 4, 2026. Fans can submit questions for editor Matt Eddy and preview the Mets’ projected 2030 lineup and top tools, offering a deep dive into New York’s farm system and future roster.
2027 New York Mets Top 10 MLB Prospects
Baseball America reveals the Mets' top 10 prospects for 2027, led by infielder Jefferson Rojas, who hit 27 homers in 2026 and projects as a power‑packed third baseman. Matt Eddy will discuss Rojas and the farm system in a 2 p.m. ET chat. The article also includes new scouting reports, a projected 2030 Mets lineup, and a breakdown of the organization’s best tools—highlighting talents like Billy Amick (power), Elian Peña (strike‑zone discipline), and fast‑ball ace Carson Wiggins.
2026 Minor League Free Agents For Every Team
On Nov. 2, 504 minor‑league players became free agents, five days after the 2026 World Series. The Mariners lead with 36 free agents, while the Blue Jays have the fewest at eight. By level, 326 are at Triple‑A and 103 at Double‑A. Right‑handers dominate the pool (225), followed by left‑handers (64) and outfielders (64). Notable names include AAA right‑handers Jonatan Bernal (AZ), Isaiah Campbell (AZ), and Tommy Henry (AZ); AAA left‑hander Dallas Keuchel (LAD); and AAA catcher Moisés Alcalá (AZ). The list spans every organization, offering teams a wide talent base for the upcoming offseason.
MLB Proposes Delaying Salary Cap Until 2028, Adjusting Cap Totals
MLB proposes delaying any salary‑cap and floor system until the 2028 season, leaving the 2027 offseason uncapped amid ongoing CBA talks. The league’s plan sets a $258.2 million cap and a $180.2 million floor, with 12 clubs (including the Marlins and Guardians) below the floor and eight clubs (such as the Dodgers and Yankees) above the ceiling. It also raises the minimum salary to $900,000, boosts the pre‑arbitration bonus pool to $65 million in 2027, and revises free‑agency and international draft rules. The MLBPA opposes the cap, warning it would cut player earnings and amateur signing bonuses.
Aidan Miller Joins & 2027 Top 10s Are Here | Hot Sheet Show
In the latest Hot Sheet Show, Baseball America’s Jacob Rudner, J.J. Cooper, and Ian Cundall break down the 2027 Top‑10 prospect lists for the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins, reviewing each club’s farm system. The episode also welcomes Phillies shortstop prospect Aidan Miller, who chats with the hosts early in the broadcast. Full timestamps include the intro, Miller’s segment, the Braves and Marlins analyses, and a viewer Q&A.
Top 15 MLB Free Agent Relief Pitchers For 2027
Baseball America ranks the top 15 MLB free‑agent relievers for the 2027 offseason, projecting contracts for those worth $10 million or more. The list leads with David Bednar, a 32‑year‑old closer expected to command a three‑year, $54 million deal after posting sub‑2.00 ERAs and a reliable splitter. Raisel Iglesias follows with a one‑year, $16 million offer, while Bryan Abreu, Evan Phillips, and Kenley Jansen round out the top five despite health concerns or age‑related declines. The article uses Statcast metrics and performance trends, noting Adrian Morejón’s potential starter conversion and Pete Fairbanks’ likely season‑long injury. Each pitcher’s ERA, K%, walk rate, and recent stats help gauge market value.
How Baseball America Graded 2026 Gold Glover Winners’ Defense As Prospects
Baseball America reviews how its prospect defensive grades measured up against the 2026 Gold Glove winners. Out of 18 awardees, the outlet rated 10 as plus defenders or better and two as average at tough positions, noting Pete Crow‑Armstrong as the sole 80‑grade prospect. The analysis highlights hits—Matt Olson’s standout first‑base defense and Dillon Dingler’s strong catching—and misses, such as Christian Walker and Caleb Durbin, who were projected as average but earned multiple Gold Gloves. The piece also revisits grades for players like Alex Bregman, Taylor Walls and Cody Bellinger, suggesting Baseball America may need to adopt more aggressive defensive tool grades in future prospect reports.
How Do We Evaluate MLB Prospect Risk? | Future Projection Mailbag
In this Future Projection mailbag, Baseball America’s Ben Badler and Carlos Collazo break down how they apply risk penalties to MLB prospects, compare scouting challenges across different international markets, and discuss the rarity of relief‑only pitchers with top‑10 reliever potential. They also evaluate the recent trends of Nationals infielder Ronny Cruz and Pirates outfielder Derek Curiel, weighing Cruz’s upward trajectory and whether Curiel will develop power or stay a center‑field defender. The episode offers a concise look at prospect evaluation methodology for scouts and fans alike.
MLB Draft Scouting Intel On Brendan Lawson & Landon Hairston | College Podcast
In the latest College Baseball Podcast, Jacob Rudner and J.J. Cooper share fresh scouting intel on Florida shortstop Brendan Lawson and Arizona State outfielder Landon Hairston—both top 2027 MLB Draft prospects and candidates for College Player of the Year. The hosts break down in‑person evaluations, discuss how elite college production translates to professional potential, and examine a star’s impact on championship aspirations. The episode also highlights three freshman standouts making early impressions. Timestamps guide listeners through the key takeaways on each player and the freshman spotlight.
Scouting Landon Hairston, ASU-UC Irvine Notes & UCSB’s Quest To Replace Jackson Flora | College Fall Ball Intel
Baseball America’s College Fall Ball Intel spotlights Arizona State’s junior outfielder Landon Hairston, the 2026 College Player of the Year who slugged .400/.509/.860 with a record 28 homers, 20 doubles, 2 triples and 81 RBIs. Scouts evaluated him in two seven‑inning scrimmages at UC Irvine, noting his elite contact, 100+ mph exit velocity and a new, quieter swing mechanics. The big question is whether his metal‑bat power will translate to wood, given his stocky 5‑11 frame and limited speed (grade 45). Defensive concerns linger as he’s a below‑average corner outfielder with modest arm strength, prompting experiments at first base. The piece also updates on UC Santa Barbara’s rebuild after ace pitcher Jackson Flora’s departure.
2027 Miami Marlins Top 10 MLB Prospects
Baseball America reveals the Miami Marlins’ top 10 prospects for 2027, led by left‑hander Thomas White, whose overpowering arsenal earns him a No. 1 starter projection despite a limited 2026 season due to injury. Jacob Rudner will discuss White and the farm system live at 2 p.m. ET. The list includes new scouting reports and a projected 2030 Marlins lineup featuring players like Joe Mack, Brandon Compton and Jacob Lombard. The article also highlights the organization’s best tools, from White’s slider to Cam Cannarella’s hitting and speed.
Miami Marlins 2027 MLB Prospects Chat
Baseball America unveils its 2027 Miami Marlins Top‑10 prospects and invites fans to a live chat at 2 p.m. ET with analyst Jacob Rudner to discuss the state of the club’s farm system. Readers can submit questions in advance and also explore the Marlins’ projected 2030 lineup and standout tools. The session offers a deep dive into upcoming talent and future roster outlooks.
Teruaki Sato, Kaima Taira & Hiromi Itoh MLB Scouting Reports For 2027
Baseball America flags three Japanese stars—Hanshin Tigers slugger Teruaki Sato, Nippon‑Ham Fighters right‑hander Hiromi Itoh, and Seibu Lions pitcher Kaima Taira—as top targets before the MLB collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 1. Sato, the back‑to‑back Central League MVP, captured the 2025 home‑run and RBI titles and posted a Triple Crown in 2026 (.306/.383/.609, 39 HR), promising 30‑plus homers in his rookie MLB season despite defensive concerns at third base. Itoh, the 2025 Sawamura Award winner, slipped to a 3.18 ERA in 2026 but still offers a deep arsenal for a back‑end starter role. Taira, a former closer turned rotation ace, posted a league‑best 1.36 ERA and 141 strikeouts in 2026, wielding a 95‑96 mph fastball that can touch 99. All three must sign before the Dec. 1 deadline, likely drawing heavy MLB interest.
2026 Topps Red RC, MVP Buybacks: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Kevin McGonigle & More Potential Winners
Baseball America outlines the 2026 Topps Red RC and MVP Buyback programs, urging collectors to snag cards of likely award winners before announcements. Pete Crow‑Armstrong and Yordan Álvarez are projected NL and AL MVPs, with buyback values ranging from $20 for base cards to $200 for low‑numbered refractors, payable as store credit after the Nov. 12 MVP reveal. Rookie favorites include Kevin McGonigle and Sal Stewart; their Red RC Bowman cards earn $100 FanCash each when submitted after the Nov. 9 ROY announcement. The article details eligibility, submission methods, and potential extra value if winners later earn MVP, Cy Young, or Hall‑of‑Fame honors.
Top 5 MLB Free Agent Shortstops For 2027
Baseball America ranks the top five MLB free‑agent shortstops for the 2027 market, offering detailed contract projections and Statcast‑driven analysis. Leading the list is 32‑year‑old J.P. Crawford, who could accept a qualifying offer or land a two‑year, $32 million deal, with mixed defensive metrics but solid offensive consistency (wRC+ 90‑136). Mauricio Dubón follows, projected at two years, $15 million, backed by respectable WAR numbers despite valuation gaps across analytics sites. Ha‑Seong Kim, at 31, is highlighted as a potential elite option thanks to a strong 2022‑24 stretch, though his recent decline raises questions. The article compares each player to recent free‑agent comps and evaluates market value for contracts $10 million plus.
Top 100 Rookies For 2027 Fantasy Baseball Leagues
Baseball America releases its annual Top 100 Rookies list for 2027 fantasy baseball, highlighting key prospects for draft‑and‑hold and best‑ball formats. The ranking opens with Mariners left‑hander Kade Anderson and Dodgers UT Josue De Paula, and includes notable names like SS Sebastian Walcott, OF Joshua Báez, and catcher Ethan Salas. The list provides tiered breakdowns and is especially useful for 15‑team, two‑catcher leagues. Subscribers can download the full rankings and compare them to last year’s stronger rookie crop, which featured Konnor Griffin and Bryce Eldridge.
Ranking The 10 Hottest Arizona Fall League Prospects | Hot Sheet (11/2/26)
Baseball America’s weekly Hot Sheet ranks the top ten Arizona Fall League prospects, highlighting standout performances from the past week. Leading the list is Rockies outfielder Jared Thomas, who posts a .313/.421/.578 line with league‑leading triples but also a high strikeout rate. Guardians shortstop Welbyn Francisca follows, dominating with a .436 average, 22 RBIs and a league‑best 1.247 OPS. White Sox versatile infielder Colby Shelton rebounds with a .277/.379/.511 slash and 17 RBIs, while Yankees first baseman Kyle West ties for third in AFL homers, belting three 450‑plus‑foot shots. Astros rookie right‑hander Joey Dixon, despite multiple surgeries, impresses in limited innings with five strikeouts and no runs allowed. The rankings offer a snapshot of rising talents as the AFL continues into November.
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