JD French

Midwest Area Scouting Supervisor at Atlanta Braves

[BillShanks @BillShanks]

Well, lefties were 1-for-6 off Dodd today, so maybe he's making progress.

Dodd has allowed only 1 run on 5 hits in 8.0 innings this season, with 1 walk and 9 strikeouts.

He's been excellent.

1.13 ERA. Dodd is going to do great. #Braves

[Doc Eisenhauer @DocEisenhauer]

Hello, Boston Red Sox fans, it is I, Doc...a really annoying guy who coined THE DURBINATOR™️! (ask Grok).

I present to you, the Ultimate Caleb Durbin Primer:

It all started on a moonlit night in 2023 when, through the fumes of potent bourbon, I stumbled upon a scrappy young 5'7 185lb Muscle Hamster by the name of Caleb Durbin. I found out he was a D3 underdog who was looked over by major schools despite showing all the signs of a great hitter despite being 4'11.

I then noticed that even with his 3'9 frame, Durb had developed some fun pull-side pop in 2024. He launched 10 bombs in 90 MiLB games while stealing 31 bases with a .388 OBP, and then rocked 5 moonshots in 24 AZ Fall League games while stealing 29 bases with a .427 OBP!

Adding in his defensive versatility of 2B/3B/SS/OF, it seemed so obvious to me that this was a major leaguer that I had no choice but to make Caleb Durbin a top-30 prospect ahead of the 2025 season, when no one dared even throw him at the end of their top-100 other than the brave @CBSScottWhite .

Of course, the 2'7 phenom has since gone on to smash all expectations by finishing as a top RoY contender, but I challenge you to dream a little bigger. Folks, this is a profile that offered great walk rates and efficient base stealing. If Durbin can keep hitting 10+ HR with 20-30 SB and *elite* ratios, he will be a very fun player for both fantasy and real life purposes.

His contact rates are through the roof, which leads me to warn you against judging him on his metrics. This is a guy who could wait on pitches, but is fine with chopping down and running out singles like the grinder he is, running as fast as his 1'5 body can take him. As fun as it is in real life, this will weaken stats like his average EV, as he can still decide to turn on a pitch and yank it out when he feels like it. I am guessing he will learn to manipulate the Green Monster quite well.

So, why did it take so long for the world to catch onto the next potential Hall of Pretty Good (@hallofgoodpod) candidate?

Again, the only conclusion to this all is a dirty, dirty word: HEIGHTISM.

If this man was even an inch taller than his 11" stature, then perhaps he'd finally garner the respect his game deserves...

...but he wouldn't be THE DURBINATOR, would he?

PS: here's a pic of his rock-hard nips bulging out of a New York Yankees shirt that you can use when he slugs a grand slam against them to win the ALCS this year.

Enjoy! 🤠

[JD French @JDFrench1]

@ken_guthrie @AndreaThome @Baseball_Naz @LeeMilano1 @NazarethLGP @FSUBaseball @landonthome25 You are very wise!

[Next Level Baseball @nextlevelbb]

High School Players
Shave your face.
Look as young as you can.
It’s called projection.
Show me a high school program with a bunch of silly ass facial hair, and I’ll show you a program that lacks culture.
Facial hair doesn't make you look tough.
It makes you look misled.
Be Smart.

[John Castleberry @johncas336]

By far the best HS summer event in the country. Ran by scouts for scouts!! The talent is unparalleled in any event. If you get invited & don’t go it’s a short tell on your desire to play at the highest level!! These scouts & Adidas do a phenomenal job. Congrats on your success!!

[JD French @JDFrench1]

Very proud of Drake and Caleb !

[Stephen Schoch @bigdonkey47]

Arkansas State begins construction soon on their brand new 40,000 square-foot baseball facility. Featuring a full-turf infield, batting cages, pitching tunnels, weight room, and premium gameday seating for fans

Awesome to see more schools investing in their baseball programs

[Gaurav @gvedak]

Crushed every projection I had for him. Unbelievable rookie season and just getting started. Congratulations to Drake Baldwin. And congratulations to the Atlanta Braves that should be getting close to an additional $4M in draft pool because of a bonus PPI pick

[Prep Baseball Wisconsin @PrepBaseballWI]

"Yeah I wanted to play D1, but I didn't want to finish playing D1. I wanted to play professionally."

Caleb Durbin talks about how finding regular playing time at a Division 3 school played a big part in him reaching the big leagues.

#BadgerStateBall

[JD French @JDFrench1]

@BillShanks Always listening and enjoy your posts You are spot on on alot of things

[Cracker Barrel @CrackerBarrel]

We thank our guests for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel. We said we would listen, and we have. Our new logo is going away and our “Old Timer” will remain.

At Cracker Barrel, it’s always been – and always will be – about serving up delicious food, warm welcomes, and the kind of country hospitality that feels like family. As a proud American institution, our 70,000 hardworking employees look forward to welcoming you to our table soon.

[Columbus Clingstones @GoClingstones]

JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED!

[JD French @JDFrench1]

@mlbbowman A great man!

[David O'Brien @DOBrienATL]

Roy was a great guy. If you met him you were entertained by his gregarious personality and blown away by his knowledge. Long considered an elite evaluator, he scouted/drafted/signed Freddie Freeman, Craig Kimbrel, Brian McCann, Charlie Morton, Adam Wainwright and so many others.

[Gavin Booker @GavinBookerPxP]

LHP Jacob Kroeger sustained his JR Ritchie-like-run of starts of allowing two or fewer earned runs on Thursday, tossing six shutout against Bowling Green.

Over 12 career starts, Jacob has gone at least 5.0 innings in 9 of the 12 and given up two or fewer earned runs in 10 of the 12.

Last year’s tenth-round selection out of Division II Maryville University now sports a 1.98 ERA across 82.0 innings this season.

[Augusta GreenJackets @GreenJackets]

We have some more new faces with the team! 😱

Please join us in welcoming Kade, Logan, and Drew to the GreenJackets after being drafted in July! Best of luck up in Kannapolis this week! 👏

[MLB @MLB]

Drake Baldwin emerges as the new No. 1 in the latest NL Rookie of the Year Poll 👀

[JD French @JDFrench1]

@JustCallMe_Duce Congrats!!!

[JD French @JDFrench1]

JD is facing a tough battle with cancer, and he needs our support. The costs are adding up. Please consider donating or sharing to help him get through this. Every little bit counts. https://t.co/oCpHNGbCt7

[Columbus Clingstones @GoClingstones]

Brett Sears Double-A debut:

6 IP // 2 H // 0 R // 0 ER // 1 BB // 7 K