The Baseball Bar-B-Cast crew is on the road for this episode of the podcast, coming to you live from Chase Field in Arizona where Major League Baseball is holding the 2024 edition of the Draft Combine. Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about their experience watching potential draft picks go through drills, the importance of the combine for teams and why there is a need for more attention on this event for baseball. The guys are then joined by West Virginia baseball’s JJ Wetherholt to talk a...
Jun 20, 2024•48 min•Ep. 286
On Tuesday night, the sports world learned of the passing of Hall of Famer and baseball legend Willie Mays at the age of 93 years old. Often referred to as one of the greatest baseball players of all time, the “Say Hey Kid” was a truly one-of-a-kind personality and talent in the game of baseball, on and off the field. Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman share their thoughts on the passing of Mays and talk about the lasting impact he has on the countless number of baseball fans who got to watch him ...
Jun 19, 2024•19 min•Ep. 285
The Los Angeles Dodgers were a heavy favorite to win the World Series this season, with superstars in their lineup and in their rotation. However, this past weekend, they took a double gut punch when they were forced to place shortstop Mookie Betts and starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the injured list. Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the hit that these two injuries might have on the Dodgers for the rest of the season, why they’ll need Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman to step i...
Jun 17, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 284
The Men's College World Series has finally arrived and the Baseball Bar-B-Cast crew is here to give you an extensive breakdown on the 2024 edition, whether you’re a college ball fiend or someone who’s a casual fan but wants to get in on some of the wildest, most unpredictable action we’ll see all year in baseball. Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman take a look at all eight teams in the tournament this year and give you the rundown of their seasons, identify some of the players and coaches you shou...
Jun 14, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 283
The Atlanta Braves came into the 2024 season with lofty expectations after winning the most games in baseball last season. However, things have taken a bit of a turn for Atlanta in their last 40 games — they’ve gone 17-23 and have fallen 10 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the National League East. Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman examine what exactly has gone wrong for the Atlanta Braves this season and why there is still hope for them to make the postseason despite los...
Jun 12, 2024•53 min•Ep. 282
For only the fourth time during the regular season, the Los Angeles Dodgers came to Yankee Stadium to take on the New York Yankees and everyone in the baseball world was hyped for this possible World Series match up. Normally, a series of this magnitude doesn’t live up to the hype. However, this one did. Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the epic three game series that saw Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Teoscar Hernandez lead the Dodgers to a 2-1 series win, the electric atmosphere in the Bron...
Jun 10, 2024•54 min•Ep. 281
The 2024 edition of the Major League Baseball All-Star game is a little over a month away which means that it’s time for fans to start sending in their picks for who they want to see represent the American and National League squads. Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman do their best to put together the most fun and deserving teams for the mid-summer classic, set to take place in Arlington, Texas this July. While there are a few obvious selections like Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Kyle Tucker in the A...
Jun 07, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 280
For the second time this year, a major betting scandal has been uncovered in Major League Baseball that includes four players being suspended for one year and one receiving a lifetime ban. Although the names aren’t as noticeable as the previous scandal, MLB made a swift and impactful ruling on these five players. Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman break down the scandal including some background on Tucupita Marcano, who received a lifetime ban, and why his punishment was much harsher than the four...
Jun 05, 2024•55 min•Ep. 279
When the New York Yankees play on the road, there’s always some buzz because of the superstars that come along with them. However, this past weekend in San Francisco, there was a little extra buzz in Oracle Park because of Aaron Judge’s first time playing where he almost signed prior to the 2023 season. Jake Mintz and the newly-moved Jordan Shusterman talk about the Yankees' Bay Areas sweep of the Giants, where the Major League Baseball player of the month for May, Judge, helped lead his squad w...
Jun 03, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 278
The New York Mets are no strangers to making headlines on and off the field. On Wednesday, they managed to do it again with the actions of their now-former reliever Jorge Lopez and his meltdown after being ejected from the game. Jake Mintz is joined by national baseball reporter from the Washington Post, Chelsea Janes, as they talk about what led up to the incident on the field, the miscommunication in Jorge’s postgame scrum and why it seems like the Mets let him down for the backlash he receive...
May 31, 2024•57 min•Ep. 277
On Wednesday, Major League Baseball announced the historic news that stats from the Negro Leagues would be integrated into the baseball all-time record book. This huge step will forever change the way that the overall story of baseball is told. Now, some of the most important players of the game who were never fully recognized for their contribution to the sport, will finally be recognized among their fellow greats. Jake Mintz is joined by National MLB Insider Russell Dorsey as they discuss the ...
May 29, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 276
Coming into the 2024 season, the Atlanta Braves had high hopes to make another run at a World Series title. While they’ve done a good job so far despite losing ace pitcher Spencer Strider for the season, losing star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., for the remainder of the season will be just another test. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss why the loss of Acuña Jr. sucks not just for the Braves but for baseball fans and for the league, as well as why there’s a chance the 2024 National Leagu...
May 27, 2024•55 min•Ep. 275
The Texas Rangers won their first-ever World Series in 2023 and it was in part to their scorching hot month of May, when they went 18-9. That was also when fans started taking notice that it could be a special year for them. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case this season for the Rangers as they currently sit below .500 with a negative run differential. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman talk about what’s going wrong with the defending World Series champs, including if they can afford to wa...
May 24, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 274
The Pittsburgh Pirates made headlines recently when they called up Paul Skenes, the No. 1 pick of the 2023 MLB Draft. Well, the Buccos are making headlines again and this time, it’s thanks to someone in the batters box. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss Oneil Cruz’s historic Statcast night on Tuesday, when he smashed three balls over 115 miles per hour, including two over 120 MPH. Cruz, who missed the majority of the 2023 season due to injury, made an error earlier in the game, which le...
May 22, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 273
The two teams with the most wins in baseball did what they’ve done pretty often this season: win. The Philadelphia Phillies, who lead the National League with 34 wins, and the New York Yankees, who lead the American League with 33 wins, both had successful weekends walking away with sweeps of their opponents. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman talk about how the Phillies have taken advantage of their schedule for the first two months and why they could be in for a rude awakening when the competi...
May 20, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 272
After the New York Yankees did what they always seem to do, continuing their 20+ years of obliterating the Minnesota Twins, the team made some noise off the field when owner Hal Steinbrenner said he’s looking to possibly extend superstar Juan Soto during this season. That might be easier said than done due to the usual negotiating tactics of Soto’s agent, Scott Boras. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman kick off the podcast discussing the upcoming negotiations between Soto’s representation & ...
May 17, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 271
For the longest time in baseball we have had some of the most detailed pitching metrics thanks to Major League Baseball’s Statcast technology, but now we are privy to a little more in-depth information in how hitters swing and make contact thanks to the newly released data and updated tech at ballparks. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss and explain what these new metrics are and how they will be useful for teams, writers and even fans in evaluating players. With the use of bat speed, sw...
May 15, 2024•58 min•Ep. 270
This weekend at PNC Park, the baseball world got their first glimpse of the future for the Pittsburgh Pirates when Paul Skenes made his long awaited debut. And boy did it have everything and more. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman give their review of the start from the 21-year-old future ace, as well as discuss the wacky and crazy game that would ensure once Skenes came out of the game. While the Pirates were able to get the win, it would all come after one of the weirdest innings of baseball ...
May 13, 2024•59 min•Ep. 269
Get pumped Pittsburgh Pirates fans, Paul Skenes is on his way to PNC Park. After it was announced on Wednesday, the number one overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft will make his first start for the club on Saturday against the Chicago Cubs. After dominating in the minors in less than half a full season, the powerful righty has proven that he’s ready for the show. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman get fans hyped up for baseball’s number three overall prospect, dishing what kind of player Skenes is...
May 10, 2024•50 min•Ep. 268
The Houston Astros have been one of the best teams in baseball since 2015. With multiple World Series wins and four American League pennants, they’ve been a model of success in MLB. However, all things must end eventually. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman talk about the Astros dynasty and if their trip to the Bronx this week could result in the final death knell on this season. Between their underperforming offense and their disappointing pitching, after a pounding by the New York Yankees on T...
May 08, 2024•54 min•Ep. 267
It’s not too often you see a big-time trade in the beginning of May, but the San Diego Padres struck while the iron was hot and acquired two-time batting champ Luis Arraez from the Miami Marlins this past weekend. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman talk about the trade made by general manager A.J. Preller, the instant impact that the two-time All-Star has already had on the Padres and why it’s a clear sign that the team is focused on making the postseason this year. Also on this episode of the B...
May 06, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 266
You never know who will become an instant celebrity in baseball. This was the case on Tuesday night at Chase Field, when the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers was delayed by two hours due to an invasion of bees. Enter bees control specialist Matt Hilton. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss what became a viral moment when Hilton eradicated the bees that gathered on the net behind home plate, which led to Hilton getting bestowed the honor of throwing out the ...
May 03, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 265
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw is one of the most accomplished MLB players of this generation and now, we have a comprehensive biography detailing the backstory of what made him the future hall of famer that he is. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman are joined by senior writer of The Athletic and author of The Last of His Kind: Clayton Kershaw and the Burden of Greatness to discuss the biography about the All-Star lefty pitcher. In their discussion, the guys get into why Andy chose ...
May 01, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 264
One of the biggest stories in all of baseball has taken a new twist and it’s something that fans and players can equally rejoice about. Major League Baseball will be reverting their uniforms back to how they were from previous seasons, as reported on Sunday night by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. While the changes could take as long as the full season to go into place, it’s a step forward that many in the baseball community were hoping for. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman express their delight in the ch...
Apr 29, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 263
When we previewed the 2024 MLB season a few months back, it was pretty clear which teams would be in the basement of the baseball standings. With teams like the Chicago White Sox and Colorado Rockies living up to their projections, it’s the Houston Astros and their 7-19 record that shocks us here on the Baseball Bar-B-Cast. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman try to make sense of how the once powerhouse Astros sit in last place in the AL West and place among some of the worst teams in the league....
Apr 26, 2024•55 min•Ep. 262
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone has developed quite the reputation within baseball as being someone who isn’t afraid to stick up to his players when they’ve been wronged by umpires. We saw that once again on Monday when he was ejected after only five pitches following a checked swing call at first base. However, it appears he was unjustly thrown from the game following a fan heckling home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss the controversial ejection ...
Apr 24, 2024•53 min•Ep. 261
Another weekend is in the books for Major League Baseball and the Baseball Bar-B-Cast is here to catch you up on all the sweeps, series wins, splits and news that you might’ve missed, which includes Cincinnati Reds young star Elly De La Cruz playing like he did last season when he was first called up. Elly’s numbers since the solar eclipse a few weeks ago should have Reds fans very excited for what the future potentially holds for their shortstop. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman break down th...
Apr 22, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 260
After a quiet Thursday in the baseball world, the Baseball Bar-B-Cast is back with a jam packed episode including a break down of the disappointing start and debut of Texas Rangers pitcher Jack Leiter and Logan Webb continuing to be a steady, fun presence to watch in the San Francisco Giants rotation. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman then talk about whether they love or hate Detroit Tigers prospect Max Clark’s custom cleats, in which they feature both positive and negative tweets, Cleveland Gu...
Apr 19, 2024•57 min•Ep. 259
Thursday marks the three week window from the start of the 2024 MLB season, so we thought this would be the perfect time to give some early season evaluations based on what we’ve seen thus far. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman go through all thirty Major League Baseball teams and discuss whether they’re feeling better, worse or the same about each club compared to how they were feeling before the season started. While clubs like the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees have lost their aces to i...
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 258
Jackie Robinson Day is considered one of the most special days on the Major League Baseball calendar every year, as teams and players honor the trailblazer who broke the color barrier in baseball and led the way for many athletes in professional sports. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss the importance of remembering Jackie's whole legacy and why it can be a little complicated for the league. Jake shares his experience as a little league coach ...
Apr 15, 2024•59 min•Ep. 257
