In this episode of Cold Weather Bats, we welcome back one of our own — CWB co-founder and “prodigal son” Brian Sakowski, now the Director of Recruiting at the University of Virginia.

We dive into Brian’s full journey, from growing up in Michigan to his time at Duke, and now building one of the premier recruiting operations in the country at UVA. Brian pulls back the curtain on college baseball recruiting today, including how the transfer portal has changed everything, what coaches are really evaluating, and how players can best position themselves in an increasingly competitive landscape.

We also rewind to the early days of how Cold Weather Bats got started, the vision behind it, and why player development in cold-weather regions has never been more relevant. Plus, Brian shares what life is like living in Virginia, adjusting to the ACC grind, and what excites him most about the future of college baseball.

Be sure to give five stars on the episode and follow us for more fun episodes to come.

In this episode of Cold Weather Bats, we’re diving straight into why the Player’s Draft is officially returning — what it is, why it matters, how players, coaches, families, and even local businesses can get involved, and what this year’s version is going to look like. If you’re wondering how the whole thing works or where you can plug in, this episode lays it all out.

From there, we roll into the next wave of our Top 100 rankings, counting down No. 75 through 66 and breaking down what makes each of these dudes legit standouts as we inch closer to the top of the list.

We wrap things up with a look at the holiday season and share some gift ideas from companies we’re working with — Pison, JustBats, and Smackin’ Sunflower Seeds — perfect picks for baseball players, coaches, or anyone who basically lives at the field.

If you’re a player, a parent, a coach, or a business looking to plug into something fun and growing, this is a great place to start. Let’s get into it.

In this episode of Cold Weather Bats, we start with the next five names in the CWB Top 100 countdown, highlighting players ranked #85 through #81. It’s another impressive group featuring talent from across the state, including several players poised for breakout seasons this spring.

Then, we turn our attention to one of the biggest developments in the Michigan baseball community. Jake Hornbacher and Andrew Meier, who have long been key figures in the state’s tournament scene, join the show to discuss their transition from USSSA to Perfect Game. They share what led to the move, what it means for Michigan’s youth baseball landscape, and how Perfect Game’s model and technology will shape tournaments in 2026 and beyond.

In this episode, we cover:

• The next five players in the CWB Top 100 (#85–81)
• What to expect as Michigan enters the Perfect Game era
• How DiamondCast, player profiles, and new tournament technology will change the experience for families and coaches
• The outlook for Perfect Game’s expansion across the Midwest

This episode combines insight on Michigan’s top high school talent with an inside look at how the state’s youth baseball scene is evolving.

Cold Weather Bats continues to bring you the stories, people, and programs that make Michigan baseball unique.