413. Jonathan Mayo, MLB Pipeline Reporter

Jonathan Mayo has been with MLB.COM since 1999. He primarily covers the MLB Draft and the minor leagues, with expertise on prospects. He recently completed his second book entitled “Smart, Wrong, and Lucky: The Origin Stories of Baseball’s Unexpected Stars.” It is a unique take on how first impressions measure up to their aftermaths: the draft, years of progression, and for a talented few, major league success. Some of the players chronicled in the book are Charlie Blackmon, Albert Pujols, Lorenzo Cain, and many more. It Features exclusive interviews with scouts, players, coaches, and more, this fascinating collection of origin stories is an ode to baseball’s endless possibilities.

Mayo was Seth’s first-ever co-host on MLB Radio in March 2001. With that, they spent eight years as co-workers, with stories that could go on for days.

In this episode, Mayo reminisces about the MLB Radio days. He also explains the process of scouts in 2023, and how they look for pitchers that throw hard. He also addresses how young prospects are taught launch-angle in the early levels of the minor leagues.

Get the book “Smart, Wrong, and Lucky” here: https://a.co/d/hDsjkRu.