Notes
A place for my short notes, thoughts and links. See full notes archive here.
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Ben & Jerry's
Ben & Jerry's is the best ice cream and I don't think it's particularly close.
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Writing in the library
I'm heading to the library today to just switch things up and get into a different writing environment. I'm not sure if it's the same for other work-from-home people, but I get a little stir-crazy if I'm constantly working from the same desk by myself over and over again.
This is always a nice hack to get me into a productive zone. Big library fan here.
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Need more time in the day
Lately I've been feeling like I need more time in each day.
So much to do, not enough time to do it.
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Reign Cherry Limeade
I was pumped to see this Cherry Limeade version of Reign at a recent visit to Sheetz. My current favorite energy drink is Ghost's Cherry Limeade, and Reign does a nice job with their flavors as well.
This one... was not the one. It's actually one of my least favorite energy drink flavors I have had. Shocking considering the flavor they were shooting for. I think it's because the cherry is more forward in this drink compared to Ghost's version, which is a lot more lime forward.
Probably won't be getting this one again. I am giving it a 30.
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Keep MLB Front Offices Away From the Field by Ben Lindbergh
At some point I need to get my own thoughts down about this new trend of dugout pitch-calling in the major leagues. For now, this piece from Ben Lindbergh on that topic is an excellent read. I agree with most of it:
āI think itās actually a really good thing for baseball,ā Kapler said about his cards in 2018. Years ago, I found common ground with Kaplerāwhoās now the general manager of the Marlinsāwhen we commiserated over our mutual affliction with skinny calves. But when it comes to cards and pitch-calling, we couldnāt disagree more. Once games begin, let players play. And make coaches and front-office analysts stay out of the way.
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Pollen season is here
It seems like pollen season has officially landed here in Northern Virginia.
I've only been outside once today and I can already feel the stuff all over my eyes. Just brutal. I'll head down to North Carolina for a baseball tournament this week and I know it's going to be even worse there.
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Future Projection Episode 172
Future Projection Episode 172: Spring Training Prospect Buzz
Ben and Carlos give their final thoughts on an epic World Baseball Classic, then turn their eyes towards prospects and spring training. The two talk about some of the top hitters who have played well this spring, plus a couple of notable pitching prospects who might have made key additions to their arsenals for 2026.
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UNC out in the first round
Once Caleb Wilson got hurt, my expectations for UNC's March Madness run diminished quite a bit, but last night's loss was still pretty tough to see considering the lead we had.
Hoops program is in a bit of a lull. We need to figure something out. Fortunately I am too busy to be too depressed about it.
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Ten Early Season Draft Risers To Know
Today's draft analysis piece is on 10 early-season draft risers you should know about.
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Reign Watermelon Sour Gummy
I've been seeing this Reign Watermelon Sour Gummy flavor recently and both times I've had it I've really liked it. The flavor isn't super loud and it's also not super sour, but it is pleasant.
I think a solid 55.
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Future Projection Episode 171
Episode 171 of Future Projection: MailbagāYoung Shortstops & Draft Broadcast Changes
Ben and Carlos break open the listener mailbag and answer questions on a trio of young Cardinals shortstops, why Brady Harris might be slipping in the draft and how his risk and upside compares to Kevin Roberts Jr., whether or not Elian Pena has a chance to be a top 25 prospect and what changes we would make to the draft broadcast.Ā
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Getting back on the running grind
Today is the day I get back on the running grind. I've been slacking too much on exercise/training recently, which is a common theme for me as soon as the college baseball season gets started.
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Nine years at Baseball America
I started full time at Baseball America nine years ago today.
Crazy how time flies.
I'm still loving every second of it, and glad to be a part of such a passionate, knowledgeable and curious team of baseball nerds. With a BA audience that is much the same.
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Future Projection Episode 170
Future Projection Episode 170: Debating The Top College Outfield Prospects.
Ben and I compare and contrast AJ Gracia, Derek Curiel, Sawyer Strosnider and others.
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Sucker: My year as a degenerate gambler by McKay Coppins
I think we had our laws on gambling right in a previous era. This is a tremendous read on the current reality of gambling in the states. One of the best reads I've had in a while:
Practically overnight, we took an ancient viceālong regarded as soul-rotting and civilizationally ruinousāput it on everyoneās phone, and made it as normal and frictionless as checking the weather. What could possibly go wrong?
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I don't want to convert to a table
No, Google Sheets, I do not want to convert my spreadsheet into a table. I promise.
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2026 Mock Draft V 1.0
Everyone loves a good mock draft, and today we rolled out our first of the year. Hopefully Roch Cholowsky being entrenched in the 1-1 spot makes this one a bit more accurate down the line.
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Future Projection Episode 168
Future Projection Episode 168: Should Kevin McGonigle & JJ Wetherholt Start 2026 in the Majors?
-A double first base bag dilemma
-McGonigle/Wetherholt talk
-Looming CBA implications
-ABS system in college?
-Is Vance Honeycutt heating up?
-Plenty more -
Ghost Electric Limeade
I am a few days late on logging this one, but I remember enjoying this Ghost Electric Limeade solidly. It seems like I tend to have a favorable reviews of lime-flavored energy drinks. This is going to the top of my 50-grade tier:
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MLB Draft Buzz: Roch Cholowsky Vs. Justin Lebron & 19 other names to know
Draft notes from another loaded week in Texas:
-Roch Cholowsky vs. Justin Lebron
-What is up with Will Gasparino
-College hitters & pitchers to know
-A pair of Texas committed HS arms -
Future Projection Episode 166
On today's episode of Future Projection, Ben and I talked about a few spring training pitchers who are notable then talked about whether Dax Whitney was the best pitching prospect since Paul Skenes.
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C4 Green Apple
I typically stay away from Green Apple flavored drinks, and I was reminded why after getting this C4 version.
I am just not a fan of the super tart flavor. This gets a 40 for me.
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Draft notebookāarsenal changes & Dax Whitney
Today I wrote a pitcher-heavy draft notebook and had a lot of fun with it:
-Updates on some of the top arms in the class, like Cameron Flukey, Jackson Flora, Liam Peterson, Joey Volchko, Tegan Kuhns and Gabe Gaeckle.
-Plus a few pitchers with notable velocity upticks.
-And then an entire section on how absurd Oregon State RHP Dax Whitney is looking for the 2027 class. -
Thankful for good writing days
Iām thankful for good writing days. Sometimes the words just seem to come easier and you get into that flow state for a long time.
Today was one of those for me. Itās always so satisfying.
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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?
I'm annoyed that I'm feeling the pressure to watch A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
How many times will George fool us?
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Scouting 101: Eric Booth Jr.
Today we rolled out another of our Scouting 101 pieces for the 2026 draftāthis time on Eric Booth Jr., who has a high-upside toolset and one of the most dynamic profiles in the class.
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Ghost Cosmic Rainbow
If you ever wanted an energy drink that just tastes like Skittles, this is the one. I can't decide if I like it more or less than Ghost Sour Strips, which is also a Skittles-esque flavor.
I think this one has a better mix of sweet and tart flavors. It doesn't feel as overpoweringly sweet as the Sour Strips does for me. A solid 55.
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Alani Orange Kiss
I've never had this orange-flavored Alani drink before. It tastes pretty similar to what I remember Orange Fanta soda tasting like. Not bad. 50-grade for me.
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An attempt to write about The Fall-Off
I tried to put some words together about The Fall-Off today, but I'm not sure I could ever express how the album really resonates with me or makes me feel.
It's so great. One of my favorites of all time. And watching J. Cole promote the album and interact with fans on his Trunk Tour has been the coolest thing ever. The man snuck a music video in his latest episode and then played pickup.
I'll never get tired of watching that series and listening to this album.
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Future Projection Episode 164
Episode 164 of Future Projection:Evaluating Week One Baseball & The Two-Way Debate.
-What matters + what doesnāt in early looks
-Scouting Grady Emerson
-Players trending up
-Should baseball have more two-way players?
-Where will Jared Grindlinger rank? -
A Ferrari upside down wing?
Donāt get my hopes up again in preseason Ferrari!
An upside down wing?? This is crazy looking.
Iām ready for the season to startāand ready for the next season of Drive to Survive to drop.
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What's the point of having a low traffic blog? by Brittany Wilson
I enjoyed this piece on the value of blogging for an audience, even without a goal of getting as many eyeballs as you can.
There is something about organizing your thoughts for other people that is valuable to your own thinking, but (and I think this is more important) it makes them more real for you, too.
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Future Projection Episode 163
Happy DI opening day to all who celebrate!
On today's Future Projection podcast, we brought in Jacob Rudner to do our annual amateur player draft with Ben and me. This one is always a lot of fun.
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Ghost Blue Raspberry
I randomly found this new Ghost Blue Raspberry flavor the other day. I think it's solid. Throwing a 50 on this one.
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Alani Watermelon Wave
I haven't had an Alani in a while, and this one was uninspiring. It's not close to the C4 Watermelon flavor I had the other day. It's a subdued and subtle flavor, which some people might appreciate.
Just a 40-grade drink for me.
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How scouting departments grade the 2026 draft class
How scouting departments grade the 2026 draft class.
This is the best-graded class we've had in the six years we've been trying to quantify it.
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C4 Watermelon
If you liquified a watermelon jolly rancher I think it would taste exactly like this C4 energy drink. The flavor is spot on. It's crisp, not overly sweet and slightly tartāwith that classic C4 beta-alanine tingle that comes with all C4 drinks.
I'm slapping a 55 on this one. Maybe my favorite C4 flavor.
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Fun & Games newsletter
The latest edition of my newsletter touches on my excitement for the college baseball season kicking off shortly and rounds up everything I have been working on recently.
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2026 first round to-do lists
How the top 30 prospects in the 2026 MLB Draft class can improve their stock this spring.
My annual first round to-do list piece.
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UNC > Duke, always
As always, it is a GDTBATH.
Seth Trimble you are an icon.
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Vacancy by Ari Lennox
Vacancy is the third studio album from R&B singer-songwriter Ari Lennox, and the second big R&B album that's been a playlist add for me in 2026.
I generally enjoy everything Ari Lennox has made, and typically try to check out anything that any Dreamville-associated artist puts out. She's a tremendous singer, and most of the songs here are super smooth and easy to listen to.
I think she can get a bit repetitive in general, and that's true for this album as well, but overall it's rock solid for me.
Overall: 50
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Future Projection Episode 161
Episode 161 of Future Projection is all about our updated 2026 farm system rankingsāplus some draft board talk.
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The Fall-Off is here
It's time:
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The Fall-Off Tonight
Congratulations to all who celebrate: we get to listen to The Fall-Off tonight.
I'm guessing tomorrow won't be my most productive day of all time.
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The Murder of The Washington Post by Ashley Parker
I didn't grow up reading the Washington Post like many others, but like anyone involved in journalismāor anyone who still values itāit's still brutal to see what's happening over there.
This piece by Ashley Parker at The Atlantic was nice read on the topic.
Weāre witnessing a murder. Jeff Bezos, the billionaire owner of The Washington Post, and Will Lewis, the publisher he appointed at the end of 2023, are embarking on the latest step of their plan to kill everything that makes the paper special. The Post has survived for nearly 150 years, evolving from a hometown family newspaper into an indispensable national institution, and a pillar of the democratic system. But if Bezos and Lewis continue down their present path, it may not survive much longer.
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Surprising joy from writing google sheets formulas
When exactly did I become someone who takes a lot of joy in writing formulas in Google Sheets?
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2026 Top 200 Draft Rankings
It's a big day over at Baseball America. We've updated and expanded our 2026 draft board to the top 200 players in the class. There's also an accompanying piece explaining the notable movers.
The season is going to be here before we know it.
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Gorilla Mind White Frost
So far, this is easily my favorite from Gorilla Mind, and a legitimate challenger to the classic White Monster. Great flavor, and no medicinal aftertaste that I tend to get with other Gorilla Mind flavors.
Pretty easy 60.
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Some Days I'm Good, Some Days I'm Not by Fridayy
I'm kind of surprised I had never heard of the R&B artist Fridayy before now. A few weeks ago I randomly stumbled upon his 2025 album Some Days I'm Good, Some Days I'm Not. It has been in constant rotation for me since.
This is a smooth, tremendously well-produced R&B record for those who like that genre, with some solid storytelling as wellāespecially on the track February '23.
Other standouts for me include: Wait For Me, Sun Comes Down, Shotgun (with a great feature from Wale) and Desert. It's only January, but this is my favorite album of the year so far.
Overall: 60
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I meal prepped 46 boring lunches to be healthier
This meal prep video from Matt DāAvella was a good one.
I would like to have meal prep like this for most of my lunches, but man it really does just get repetitive and boring. Still, the health and cost factors are compelling.