Who is winning the World Series this year? Our state directors have the answers
October 28, 2024
The ‘Hotlist’ is a series that provides weekly insight into the high school baseball scene spanning the country, curated by Prep Baseball’s state directors who are situated nationwide, with vital intel on the prospects who are in their own backyards. Each week, we’ll publish our ‘Hotlist’ on varying topics that are timeliest to the national baseball calendar at that point in time.
This week’s topic: Since the World Series begins today, we're polling our state directors to see which team will win it all this fall, between the Dodgers and the Yankees, and we're also asking them to make their prediction for World Series MVP.
+ Learn of our directors stationed nationwide by visiting the staff directory.
+ View which Prep Baseball events are headed your way next at this page.
+ Read about previously published ‘Hotlist’ topics here.
♨️ The ‘Hotlist’ (10/25):
Canada
+ Winner: Dodgers | MVP: Shohei Ohtani
“Our staff has collectively agreed we don't want either team to raise a trophy, but the Dodgers feel to hit and extend innings will upstage the Yankees ability to hit the long ball. As for the MVP Ohtani will win - the Japanese phenom flipped to the Dodgers for this moment and he won't miss.”
– Cam Black-Araujo, West Coast Content Manager
Florida
+ Winner: Dodgers | MVP: Will Smith
“The Dodgers will win the World Series because they have a deeper roster than the Yankees. The Dodgers bullpen is lethal and their depth at the bottom of the lineup will help their stars drive in runs. Will Smith is my MVP pick. Smith is one of the best hitting catchers in baseball but hasn't had the best postseason. I think his Game 6 HR against the Mets will spark his bat and lead him on a big World Series offensive run.”
– Rocco Iervasi, Managing Director
Georgia
+ Winner: Dodgers | MVP: Mookie Betts
“High powered offense that’s experienced in the post season. ”
– Hudson Graham, Georgia State Director
Illinois
+ Winner: Dodgers | MVP: Gavin Lux
“I think the two best teams made the World Series, which as a baseball fan is what you want. I see it being a highly-contested series but I lean towards the arms that the Dodgers have. Gavin Lux is my vote for the MVP. It would be great to see him break out in the World Series. He is from neighboring Wisconsin and was a long time Prep Baseball standout in High School. He has had to fight through some tough injuries and it would be great to see.”
– Drew Locascio, Illinois/Wisconsin Scouting Supervisor
+ Winner: Dodgers | MVP: Shohei Ohtani
“The Dodgers have a talented bullpen and a lineup with playoff experience. Shohei Ohtani is winning the MVP. He's the best player in baseball, and he will be ready to dominate on the games biggest stage.”
– Gavin Smith, Content Manager
Indiana
+ Winner: Dodgers | MVP: Shohei Ohtani
“Both team have the ability to score runs in bunches, which should make for a super interesting series. I give the Dodgers the nod because of the bullpen, and I think the lineup is a touch deeper. Ohtani is the best player in baseball, and he elevates his game on the biggest stage possible.”
– Cooper Trinkle, Scouting Director
Iowa
+ Winner: Dodgers | MVP: Blake Treinen
“I like the Dodgers. Quality post season experience up and down the roster, and with the launch of Prep Baseball Dakotas; got to go with the South Dakota State alum as MVP.”
– Rob Allison, Upper Midwest Supervisor
Massachusetts
+ Winner: Dodgers | MVP: Teoscar Hernandez
“I am a Yankees fan, but I do not think the Yankees can continue to pitch at the clip they are currently pitching at. Their bullpen may be in trouble in this series. Hernandez always hurts the Yankees.”
– Dennis Healy, New England Scouting Director
Michigan
+ Winner: Yankees | MVP: Juan Soto
“Seeking their first World Championship since 2009, the Yankees embody star power as much as anyone. A balance in all areas will help them clinch another for the Bronxs faithful. Juan Soto will continue his hot streak in the postseason and will end up coming through late in a game or two for NY.”
– Adam Goodwin, Scouting Director
Minnesota
+ Winner: Dodgers | MVP: Mookie Betts
“Their offense is a combination of power and patience. The more they can turn the lineup over for their super stars the better. The pitching just needs to be good enough because the offense will score runs.”
– Andy Judkins, State Director
Mississippi
+ Winner: Dodgers | MVP: Freddie Freeman
“The Yankees have a lot of holes in their lineup. If the games are close from the 6th inning on, the Dodgers bullpen will be the difference maker. As for the MVP, Freddie Freeman has been quiet and is due to break out. ”
– Matt Miller, State Director
Nebraska
+ Winner: Dodgers | MVP: Mookie Betts
“The Dodgers have World Series experience.”
– Pascal Paul, State Director
North Carolina
+ Winner: Dodgers | MVP: Will Smith
“Pitching will play a big part in the series. Look for the starters of the Yankees, including Carlos Rodon (Holly Springs HS, NC) to play a big role. On the Dodgers side, their bullpen, and Evan Phillips (Clayton HS, NC), will be a deciding factor. As an alum of UNC Wilmington, give me the Seahawk alum... #FeelTheTeal. With pitching playing such a big role, the catchers in the series and the way they handle their staffs will be highlighted throughout the series. Big names in both orders will be pitched to carefully, giving really good "role" players a chance to grab the spotlight.”
– Brandon Hall, Mid-Atlantic Director of Scouting
Tennessee
+ Winner: Dodgers | MVP: Max Muncy
“Pitching and hitting have worked in tandem. Timely hitting with runners in scoring position, especially from Shohei. Mookie Betts is also playing complete 360 from last year's postseason run. Two of the best players in the world in Mookie and Shohei over Yankee's Aaron Judge. Muncy has been the unsung hero of the postseason for the Dodgers. I think he continues to be the spark offensively.”
– Hunter Martin, State Director
Washington
+ Winner: Yankees | MVP: Gerrit Cole
“Giancarlo Stanton is on a tear right now with 5 HR in 9 postseason games. I think his presence combined with Judge and Soto is too much offense for the Dodgers to match in a 7 game series. I'm also concerned about the Dodgers starting pitching right now and I don't think you can rely on your bullpen to carry you through an entire series. Gerrit Cole will win the MVP. I think the Yankees hitters will all contribute and essentially steal 'votes' from each other. Cole has the chance to get the ball twice and deliver 2 wins, which I think he will do. ”
– Dan Jurik, Pacific Northwest Scouting Director
Wisconsin
+ Winner: Dodgers | MVP: Shohei Ohtani
“Because here at Prep Baseball Wisconsin, we know ball, and Ohtani is winning the MVP because he's the best player on the planet.”
– Josh Fields, Lead Scout
+ Winner: Yankees | MVP: Juan Soto
"Call it a gut feeling, I don't know, but I just have to think this Dodgers bullpen magic runs out at some point here. With that, their three best relievers are right-handed, and I wonder if that opens the door for the makings of the 'Juan Soto Series' that we refer to in the years to come, especially considering he's on the doorstep of one of MLB's most massive deals ever come this winter's free agency. Maybe Soto clutches up against Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips, and/or Blake Treinen in the most high-leverage spots of the series, delivering the Yankees their 28th all-time World Series title in the process – in the year before he tries to win another one on the other side of New York next fall."
– Andy Sroka, Managing Editor, Scouting