Blair & Barker Early Takeaways with Jeff Passan + Player Development with Paul Janish
Apr 2, 2026
Jeff Passan, ESPN MLB insider known for league-wide reporting, and Paul Janish, White Sox director of player development who shapes minor-league growth. They talk about dugout pitch-calling and whether it yields gains. They discuss how modern prospects use analytics and evolving scouting. They cover prospect long-term contract trends and which young White Sox might impact the big club.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Dugout Pitch Calling Is A Viable Edge For Young Teams
- Calling pitches from the dugout can be a practical development tool for younger staffs and free a catcher to focus on other skills.
- Paul Janish and Kevin Barker agree it's unconventional but worth testing for clubs seeking marginal gains.
Early Analytics Exposure Shapes Today's Prospects
- Younger players arrive comfortable with analytics because they were exposed to tech-driven training early in high school and academies.
- Janish stresses communication and tailoring information to each player's capacity as the true 'secret sauce.'
Blend Analytics With In-Person Scouting Cues
- Combine objective analytics with subjective scouting like body language and confidence when evaluating prospects.
- Janish describes using peripherals (chase rate, zone control) plus observing how a player carries himself between pitches.