As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Nothing gives Nate or Rhys the warm and fuzzy fuzzies like players being told they are making the opening-day roster. Without further ado, here are Nate's and Rhys's preseason playoff predictions.
Nate's Playoff Predictions
American League
1 Baltimore Orioles
2 Texas Rangers
3 Minnesota Twins
4 New York Yankees
5 Seattle Mariners
6 Houston Astros
National League
1 Los Angeles Dodgers
2 Atlanta Braves
3 Cincinnati Reds
4 Arizona Diamondbacks
5 Philadelphia Phillies
6 San Diego Padres
AL Championship: Texas Rangers vs. Seattle Mariners
NL Championship: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves
World Series: Texas Rangers vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Winner: THE Philadelphia Phillies
Reasoning: As I sit here hoping UNC Wilmington beats Texas Tech to save my March Madness Bracket, I can’t help but turn my playoff predictions into a similar underdog story. The Dodgers should win the World Series… but what if they don’t? I want to see a juggernaut offense or elite pitching in October… I believe Texas versus Seattle is the epitome of that. I expect the Mariners to improve their offense at the deadline to make this playoff push realistic. The American League is as volatile as ever, with all six of my playoff teams having realistic World Series hopes. The Phillies and Braves are the two most formidable opponents for the Dodgers in my opinion, with their lineup depth and health being their key to success this year. I end up giving the edge to the Phillies over the Braves and Rangers with a rotation that feels primed to win in the playoffs.
Rhys' Playoff Predictions
American League
1 Texas Rangers
2 Boston Red Sox
3 Detroit Tigers
4 Tampa Bay Rays
5 Baltimore Orioles
6 Cleveland Guardians
National League
1 Philadelphia Phillies
2 Los Angeles Dodgers
3 Milwaukee Brewers
4 New York Mets
5 Atlanta Braves
6 San Diego Padres
AL Championship: Texas Rangers vs. Boston Red Sox
NL Championship: Philadelphia Phillies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
World Series: Texas Rangers vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Winner: Los Angeles Dodgers
Reasoning: How could you bet against the Dodgers? Their rotation is crazy good, and the lineup is chock-full of impact hitters. A top-of-the-lineup of Betts, Freeman, and Ohtani will be awesome, as we saw last year, and maybe one of the prospects will step up and fill out the lineup. They can platoon teams to death. The Rangers lose in the World Series because they are a tier below the Dodgers. The Phillies and the Red Sox put together fantasy seasons but ultimately fell short in the championship series, as Boston just doesn’t have the pitching that the Rangers do, and the Phillies run into one of the best teams we have ever seen.
Will Wagner, 3B TOR (Grapefruit League) 2-for-2, 2B, 2 R, 2 BB
The son of Bill Wagner, in case you didn’t know, is a 26-year-old rookie who might be hitting the top of the Blue Jays lineup. It is still to be determined whether this is a good idea, but I like what might be happening here. Will Wagner get on base and have some power? And just having that steady presence at the top of a lineup with Vlad and Santander behind him might be the best move. I want a slightly better version of this archetype, but the Blue Jays only trade for glove-first hitters.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Director of Amateur Scouting, proud to lead and share the team's work. | Check out Path to the Show on Bally Sports Live and College Baseball Now everywhere! | Grateful for family, the Vols, and everyone who reads Prospects Live. | For His Glory.
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
Director of Amateur Scouting, proud to lead and share the team's work. | Check out Path to the Show on Bally Sports Live and College Baseball Now everywhere! | Grateful for family, the Vols, and everyone who reads Prospects Live. | For His Glory.
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
A Giants fan living in San Diego, been playing fantasy baseball since 2005 and dynasty since 2021. Started the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast in June 2023 and joined Prospects Live in March of 2024.
Dynasty player of 10+ years. Helping you find the building blocks of your championship rosters as a co-host on the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast since mid-season 2023, joined Prospects Live at the start of 2024.
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
Director of Amateur Scouting, proud to lead and share the team's work. | Check out Path to the Show on Bally Sports Live and College Baseball Now everywhere! | Grateful for family, the Vols, and everyone who reads Prospects Live. | For His Glory.
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
