JJ Cooper

Full trade writeup

www.baseballamerica.com/stories/mari...

He is definitely blocking better. And he's throwing better. He's also slowing down, which is understandable for a C.

He's 22. Good opportunity for him and a good pickup for the Nats, where he can prove he can be the main catcher.

Low risk in some ways as he has OBP skills but as of yet he hasn't show a fit at another position if he cant be an everyday catcher

You will read a lot of "Harry Ford top catcher prospect" today.

Nothing against Ford but he is not currently one of the top 10 catching prospects in the game.

He is catcher with solid OBP skills and concerns about his power and defense.

Every Player Eligible For The 2025 MLB Rule 5 Draft Baseball America presents a comprehensive list of every player eligible for the MLB Rule 5 draft next week.

I have pieced together what I believe are 99% accurate AAA rosters so this should help you on which Brewers are MLB R5 eligible vs MiLB R5 (and MLB) eligible.

www.baseballamerica.com/stories/ever...

Hunter Goodman is already arguably better than any homegrown catcher the Rays have ever produced.

How Anderson Brito Went From $10K Signing To Rising Astros Prospect The latest entry in Geoff Pontes' series on potential breakout pitching prospects spotlights Astros righthander Anderson Brito.

How Brito went from a $10k signing to rising Astros prospect: buff.ly/SFKLxje

During the AFL, Astros righthander Anderson Brito wowed scouts with his loud stuff and competitive demeanor.

He struck out 22 batters to seven walks across 11.1 innings,

Terrell Young waves.

A few theories.

1. A lot more data to compare players and see attributes that will translate to majors.

2. Smarter approaches. Teams do not draft Class A fireballers with control issues. Upper level experience carries more weight these days.

MLB teams are getting better at using the Rule 5 draft

Great question. I actually need to go and find out.

My initial without researching answer is 100% yes.

The minute a player is selected the player is on the other org's roster.

The same logic that applies to why a team with 39 players on a 40-man can only select one Rule 5 pick, just the inverse.

Every Player Eligible For The 2025 MLB Rule 5 Draft Baseball America presents a comprehensive list of every player eligible for the MLB Rule 5 draft next week.

This is not going to be interesting to 95% of you. That is perfectly understandable. Few share the fever.

For those 5%...enjoy the work of a lot of reverse engineering.

www.baseballamerica.com/stories/ever...

Want to know why Jesus Travieso is the name to know from today's Red Sox-Pirates trade? New scouting reports on all the players involved in the five-player deal.

www.baseballamerica.com/stories/pira...

How Often Do MLB Rule 5 Draft Picks Stick With Their New Teams? Think it's unlikely this year's Rule 5 Draft picks will stick with their new teams? J.J. Cooper says to think again.

Teams are doing a better job of finding and keeping talent in the MLB Rule 5 draft.

#Rule5Fevwr

www.baseballamerica.com/stories/how-...

Thanks. That was a screw up. Removed. Apologies for that.

Also Cam Cauley is part of tomorrow's 15 player update. We are trying to add 10-15 names a day.

So many names. The race to get them all written

Kevin McGonigle Is A Near-Perfect Hitting Prospect J.J. Cooper examines Kevin McGonigle's offensive profile in search of a weakness for one of MiLB's best hitters in recent memory.

Power, contact and swing decisions are the foundations of hitting. Usually hitters have 2 of 3 at best. Power and swing decisions are a great combo. Contact and swing decisions without power can be a solid combo.

Kevin McGonigle is elite at all 3.

www.baseballamerica.com/stories/kevi...

I am the rare optimistic Elliott Smith fan. Love the musicality, the lyrics, the double/triple/quintuple backed vocals. Love the later Heatmiser stuff. Love the covers. Love it all, but he doesn't get me depressed when I listen to him.

I am in the top 2% of Elliott Smith listeners.

That disappointed me until I remembered I subscribed in August and this is looks at the full year. So then it made sense.

Kevin McGonigle Is A Near-Perfect Hitting Prospect J.J. Cooper examines Kevin McGonigle's offensive profile in search of a weakness for one of MiLB's best hitters in recent memory.

And speaking of McGonigle. I geeked out a bit to try to explain just how special he is as a hitting prospect.

www.baseballamerica.com/stories/kevi...

Detroit Tigers 2026 MLB Prospects Chat We're answering your questions about Tigers prospects and the state of the Detroit farm system today at 2 p.m. ET.

I will chat about the Tigers at 2 pm. ET.

Ask your questions now.

www.baseballamerica.com/stories/detr...

2026 Detroit Tigers Top 10 MLB Prospects Presenting Baseball America's 2026 ranking of the top prospects in the Tigers system, headlined by shortstop Kevin McGonigle.

It is Tiger Top 10 Prospects day @baseballamerica.com .

This is a very impressive top of the Top 10 led by Kevin McGonigle.

www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2026...

Yes. I love that exception, and Winkler is the extreme example...Thanks I should have included it

Explaining How The MLB Rule 5 Draft Works Baseball America presents everything to know about how the Rule 5 Draft works ahead of next week's event.

If you don't understand everything about the Rule 5 draft, but you want to be prepared for next week, here's a simple explainer.

If I missed anything, ask away.

www.baseballamerica.com/stories/expl...

2025 Rule 5 Draft Preview 2.0: Top 25 Players Who Could Be Picked Baseball America presents the top eligible players to know ahead of next month's MLB Rule 5 draft.

Many more to come, but we are up to 25 names in our Rule 5 draft preview. @geoffpontesba.bsky.social is carrying the load so far. I hope I can catch up. We both have the #Rule5Fever

www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2025...

2026 New York Yankees Top 10 MLB Prospects Presenting Baseball America's 2026 ranking of the top prospects in the Yankees system, headlined by shortstop George Lombard Jr.

Have you checked out our Yankees top 10 prospects update?

See rankings, scouting reports and more:

Yankees Top 10 prospects, Spencer Jones future, AFL standouts | Hot Sheet YouTube video by Baseball America

New Hot Sheet show at 3:30 p.m. ET. Talking Yankees Top 10 Prospects, Spencer Jones' trade value and AFL Top Prospects with @geoffpontesba.bsky.social and Josh Norris.

youtube.com/live/SuqGzRS...

There's still time to take advantage of out biggest sale EVER.

Save 40% on any annual digital subscription.

buff.ly/py4Oquv

Find every top 10 list for all American League teams in our latest magazine issue, featuring No. 1 Blue Jays prospect Trey Yesavage.

Pre-order now: buff.ly/VFfWLF2

Separate CBAs. 40-man roster players covered by MLB CBA but MiLB players are under a separate CBA between MiLB players and MLB owners. No reason it should affect them.

Standard disclaimer. I am not a lawyer.