Most top prospects think they’re making the right decision… Until they’re not playing. Every year, highly ranked players commit to Power 4 schools—some even turning down serious draft money—only to find themselves buried on the depth chart. Meanwhile? The under-recruited player goes mid-major, gets 150+ ABs, develops, and turns into a real draft prospect. Baseball doesn’t reward logos. It rewards reps. If you’re not playing, you’re not developing.If you’re not developing, you’re falling behind. The transfer portal is full of players learning this the hard way. The question isn’t: Where did you commit? It’s: Will you actually play?

Every year, players get drafted higher than expected—and most people assume it’s because teams suddenly “fell in love” with the talent late in the process. That’s rarely the case. In today’s MLB Draft, movement into the top five rounds is less about last-minute evaluations and more about positioning. Bonus pools, slot values, and team-specific draft strategies have reshaped how decisions are made. The players who move up boards are often the ones who fit a team’s financial plan just as much as their scouting profile. The old model of pre-draft deals may look different, but it hasn’t disappeared—it’s evolved. In this article, I break down how the modern draft actually works behind the scenes and, more importantly, what players, families, and agents can do to create real opportunities on draft day.

A veteran scout once told me something behind home plate that completely changed the way I evaluate players. “Jason, 70% of the guys who get drafted will be done the day they sign a professional contract.” At first I didn’t understand what he meant. Then he explained the 70/25/5 principle—a simple breakdown of how professional baseball careers actually play out. It’s one of the most important lessons I’ve ever learned in scouting and player representation. The challenge isn’t finding the superstars. It’s finding the 2.5%… and avoiding the 70%. Full article below.

How did we identified and evaluated Ben Simon long before the spotlight followed? From a mid-major program to the world stage, this piece breaks down what we look for, why it mattered, and how the process actually works.

Hey everyone — welcome to Next Pitch! I’m Jason Hoffman, President of Baseball Operations at Reliance Sports Agency, and I’m fired up to have you here. This group is built to give you real value on your baseball journey—whether it’s recruiting tips, travel ball advice, NIL updates, or insights from scouts, agents, and coaches. Make the most of it: ask questions, help others, and jump into the conversations. We’re all part of the Next Pitch team now. 💪 Don’t forget to introduce yourself in the comments—and if you want to help us grow, check out our affiliate program that gives you 40% recurring commissions for every member you bring in. Let’s build something special together!