A Mid October Roundup
A brief link-filled newsletter
Hey everyone, hope all is going well.
It’s been a while since my last newsletter so I figured I was overdue with an update on what I’ve been working on. The last month or so has been mostly about pivoting into Prospect Handbook mode on my end.1
I’m writing the Braves and Guardians chapters this year. I’ve got my Braves Top 10 largely figured out and written. Next I’ll need to move onto the Guardians and figure out a much more hitter-heavy system.
In the background I’ve also been working on the next update to our 2026 Draft Top 100 list, our annual draft report cards series and a few scouting pieces on some of the top players in the draft class.
Travel for me is entirely in the rearview mirror, so it’s going to be a lot of office days, writing days, reporting days and editing days in the coming weeks and months.
So far MLB’s postseason has delivered (format critiques not withstanding) a lot of compelling games. It has seemed like the overall defensive quality has been lacking across the board in every round, but as someone watching without a real rooting interest I’m mostly hoping to just see close games—and we’ve gotten plenty of those.2
Hopefully you guys have been able to take in a lot of the action.
That’s all I’ve got today beyond the regular links. Thanks for following. Take care.
Below is the work I’ve produced for Baseball America since my last newsletter.
Writing
Scouting Roch Cholowsky: Most Complete College SS In A Decade? This is the start of an off-season series where I’m digging into some of the top players in the class. Roch’s profile is so well-rounded. It’s hard to find a fault.
Scouting Grady Emerson: Top High School Player In The 2026 MLB Draft Class. Emerson is the next in an impressive recent line of Dallas-area high school shortstops that includes Bobby Witt Jr., Jordan Lawlar and Jett Williams.
10 Standout Pro Debuts & Other Notables From The 2025 MLB Draft Class. This is a more comprehensive piece looking into some of the best debut performances from the 2025 draft class. Huge up-arrow for Yankees shortstop Dax Kilby—who basically checked every box he could have.
2026 MLB Draft Order & Lottery Odds. If you need to know the details on this year’s draft lottery, here you go. I remain a big fan of the process. The White Sox are the sole favorites to land the No. 1 overall pick.
Podcasting/Video
Draft Pod: Digging Deep On No. 1 Draft Prospect Roch Cholowsky. Peter Flaherty and I talk through Cholowsky’s profile and try to compare him to some recent collegiate shortstops.
Draft Pod: Jupiter And The Striker Pence Experience. I ask Peter Flaherty about his day one experience at Jupiter (which was filled with rainouts) and what it was like to see Striker Pence throwing triple-digit velocity.
Future Projection Episode 138: Konnor Griffin, Rebuilding Teams & The ABS Challenge System. Ben and I talk about Griffin’s player of the year season and then look at each of the fifth-place finishers around the league and try to see which organizations are best set up for the future.
Future Projection Episode 139: Should MLB Teams Hire College Coaches As Managers? Ben and I talk a lot about the Tony Vitello to MLB rumors and wonder about the different skillsets that college head coaches need compared to MLB managers. Which managerial opening is the most and least appealing?
Future Projection Episode 140: How To Find Breakout Prospects. Ben and I talk about the Arizona Fall League, some of the standout hitters from the Dominican Summer League, and we get a number of fun listener questions to break down.
Hot Sheet Show Talking Roch Cholowsky, Grady Emerson & Draft Lottery. If you still need more info from me on Roch Cholowsky, Grady Emerson or the Draft Lottery, you can watch my recent appearance on our Hot Sheet Show.
Speaking of the Prospect Handbook, the 2026 edition is now available for pre-order. So if you’re a big prospect fan or you’re looking for Holiday gift ideas for someone the book is now available for sale at the BA Store. The physical edition of the book comes out in March, but if you pre-order with us you also get access to the PDF far sooner. I think last year that was available before Christmas, even.
This newsletter was written before the epic extra-inning Game 5 between the Mariners and Tigers. Postseason keeps on giving.