The D1Baseball Podcast

On this episode of the D1 Daily, Burkie and Roons discuss early 2027 draft outlooks, focusing on a standout group of sophomore (rising junior) hitters. They start with Brendan Lawson’s combination of power and strike-zone control, debate his long-term defensive home, and note improved defense late in the year, contrasting traditional stats with underlying data.
They cover Landon Hairston’s elite at-bats and top-10 potential despite a smaller left-field profile, then break down West Virginia’s Gavin Kelly as a rapidly improving bat with emerging power and possible catcher/second-base versatility.
The conversation highlights Chase Fralick’s case to stay at catcher, left-handed impact, elite in-zone contact, and below-average chase.
They close on Tague Davis’s massive home-run production, strong first-base defense, elite barrel rate, and the draft risk created by high chase and low in-zone contact, before tabling pitchers for a future episode.

00:00 Welcome and Thank You AstroTurf!
00:47 2027 Draft Prospects
01:19 Florida's Brendan Lawson
05:51 Arizona State's Landon Hairston
06:50 West Virginia's Gavin Kelly
09:24 Auburn's Chase Fralick
12:36 Louisville's Tague Davis
19:56 Wrap Up and Next Episode(s)

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

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Is your favorite team in the SEC? Make sure to check out our Highway To Hoover podcast with Joe Healy and Mark Etheridge on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/h2h-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/41nyqSv

Or maybe you're a fan of ACC baseball? Then you need to check out the ACC Baseball Etc. podcast with Daron Vaught and Bradley Smart on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/etc-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/4tBUuF9
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the D1 Daily, Burkie and Roons discuss upcoming rules aimed at speeding up college baseball, including ABS (automated balls and strikes) approved for 2027 and two experimental conference-only rules: a two-disengagement limit and a three-batter minimum for pitchers.

Burkie shares observations from Hoover, explaining how ABS may effectively expand the strike zone via a buffer area, leading to more called strikes, and how challenge strategy can influence outcomes.

They also cover practical implementation details for schools with TrackMan but limited video board capabilities. The duo debates which experimental rule will have the biggest impact, arguing that limiting pickoffs will reduce stalling, increase game action, and potentially boost stolen-base attempts, while the three-batter minimum may curb unnecessary pitching changes.

00:00 Welcome Back!
00:51 ABS Rollout and Logistics
03:17 How ABS Changes the Strike Zone
05:20 Challenges Strategy and Catcher Value
12:35 Experimental Rules: Pickoffs and Pitching Changes
19:40 Wrap Up: Get On With It

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE
Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple
Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq
YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

Is your favorite team in the SEC? Make sure to check out our Highway To Hoover podcast with Joe Healy and Mark Etheridge on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/h2h-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/41nyqSv

Or maybe you're a fan of ACC baseball? Then you need to check out the ACC Baseball Etc. podcast with Daron Vaught and Bradley Smart on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/etc-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/4tBUuF9
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the D1 Daily, Burkie and Roons discuss the winners of the draft and go through notable college players returning to school or going undrafted.
The duo highlights top players returning to college baseball in 2027, led by Oklahoma State slugger Kollin Ritchie (31 HR) and several UNC returners, plus names like Ryan Zuckerman, Ricky Ojeda, Jarren Purify, Tyler Minick, Caden McDonald, and Ethan Mendoza.
They discuss how NIL money, extra eligibility, and changing draft economics are keeping players in college longer, and debate what that means for MLB development and today’s faster-moving minor league system.
The episode shifts to draft/recruiting “winners,” highlighting Tennessee, Vanderbilt, LSU, Mississippi State, Kentucky, and Arkansas, as well as non-SEC programs Oregon State, Stanford, and Oklahoma State. They close by noting Mario Pesca as a gritty ninth-round pick.

2026 MLB Draft Tracker: https://d1ba.se/26draft

00:00 Welcome Back!
00:38  Big Names Returning
03:37 Why Stay in College?
04:57 MLB Pipeline Debate
09:29 Draft: Winners & Losers
12:37 Tennessee Class Breakdown
15:08 Vanderbilt and Corbin Buzz
18:06 Non-SEC Winners Wrap
18:23 Mario Pesca Shoutout
18:54 Take A Hike!

D1Baseball's MLB Draft coverage is presented by MAI Capital. If you are a player (or parent) navigating NIL, the draft, or your first contract, MAI Capital can help. MAI has spent over 50 years cultivating deep relationships with a network of successful athletes and performers — helping them simplify and manage the complex challenges they face across different stages of their careers. A quick conversation can help you gain clarity on your next financial decision, identify costly mistakes early, and understand what you should be doing now. Get real guidance from advisors who’ve worked with over 110 first-round picks. https://d1ba.se/MAI
D1Baseball is proud to partner with MAI Capital to provide college baseball players with real financial guidance.

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE
Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple
Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq
YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Burkie and Roons recap a rapidly changing MLB Draft landscape, focusing on how NIL, expanded college eligibility, and a shortened development path are influencing player leverage and pushing more talent toward college baseball. They discuss MLB’s apparent shift toward prioritizing contact and track record over swing-and-miss profiles and pure home-run totals, using examples such as Derek Curiel, Zion Rose, AJ Gracia, and the "slide" of toolsy but "lower-contact" hitters like Justin LeBron and Daniel Jackson.
The episode runs through notable first-round storylines, including Roch Cholowsky, Vahn Lackey, top arm Jackson Flora, surprise pick Jake Schaffner, Ace Reese’s landing spot, and prospect promotion incentive selections Carter Beck, Carson Wiggins, and Jack Radel. They also note draft-volume leaders and caution fans against equating draft totals with team success.

2026 MLB Draft Tracker: https://d1ba.se/26draft

00:00 Welcome
00:05 Thank you, AstroTurf!
00:39 ESPN Draft Broadcast Talk
01:51 How NIL Reshaped Leverage
03:28 Age Stigma and Player Comps
05:45 Draft Expectations & Contact Trend
07:20 Top Picks and Track Record
09:40 Zion Rose Deep Dive
13:00 Contact Over Power in Round One
15:55 Jake Schaffner: Surprise Pick
17:55 Late First Round Storylines
22:35 Daniel Jackson Head Scratcher
25:28 Draft Totals & High School Decline
28:29 Wrap + Next Episode Tease

D1Baseball's MLB Draft coverage is presented by MAI Capital. If you are a player (or parent) navigating NIL, the draft, or your first contract, MAI Capital can help. MAI has spent over 50 years cultivating deep relationships with a network of successful athletes and performers — helping them simplify and manage the complex challenges they face across different stages of their careers. A quick conversation can help you gain clarity on your next financial decision, identify costly mistakes early, and understand what you should be doing now. Get real guidance from advisors who’ve worked with over 110 first-round picks. https://d1ba.se/MAI
D1Baseball is proud to partner with MAI Capital to provide college baseball players with real financial guidance.

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE
Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple
Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq
YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike Rooney and D1Baseball/Prep Baseball’s David Seifert preview this weekend's MLB Draft. They discuss D1Baseball’s Top 250 Collegiate Prospect Ranking list, mock drafts and draft recaps, and how signability & team preferences could shuffle the top of the board among Grady Emerson, Roch Cholowsky, and Vahn Lackey.
Roons & Seif break down top college arms Jackson Flora and Tyler Bremner, Seifert’s preference for pitchers with feel for spin, and debates key top-10 talents Tyler Bell, Drew Burress, and Chris Hacopian. They also highlight late risers from Omaha and beyond, including Owen Hull, Cam Kozeal, Brendan Brock, Gavin Gallaher, Jackson Willits, Taylor Rabe, Joey Volchko, and LJ Mercurius. They end with highlighting some potential late-round value picks.

00:00 Welcome, David Seifert!
00:20 Saturday Draft Start
01:09 Why Draft Day Matters
01:56 D1 Draft Coverage Guide
03:06 Latest Mock Draft Intel
03:31 White Sox Top Three
04:13 Lackey vs Cholowsky
06:53 Fit and Signability
07:45 How Fast Pros Move Up
08:24 Flora vs Bremner
10:42 Spin vs Changeup
12:27 Bell | Burress | Hacopian
17:58 Late Risers and Helium
19:29 Owen Hull: Draft Riser
20:21 Brendan Brock: Up & Down
21:15 Gavin Gallaher: Sleeper Value
21:53 Jaxon Willits: On The Rise
22:09 Camden Kozeal: Makeup Matters
24:13 Seif's Favorites at Pitcher
25:07 Joey Volchko: CWS Breakout
26:12 LJ Mercurius: Bullpen Hero
27:55 Cade Townsend vs Taylor Rabe
30:33 Picks 51 to 100
32:57 Late Round Values
36:29 Draft Weekend Wrap

This MLB Draft Preview podcast is presented by MAI Capital. If you are a player (or parent) navigating NIL, the draft, or your first contract, MAI Capital can help. MAI has spent over 50 years cultivating deep relationships with a network of successful athletes and performers — helping them simplify and manage the complex challenges they face across different stages of their careers. A quick conversation can help you gain clarity on your next financial decision, identify costly mistakes early, and understand what you should be doing now. Get real guidance from advisors who've worked with over 110 first-round picks. https://d1ba.se/MAI
D1Baseball is proud to partner with MAI Capital to provide college baseball players with real financial guidance.

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE
Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple
Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq
YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.