Diggle’s Diamonds

Ep. 9: Parental Advisory

Hosts Ben Diggle and David Bentley welcome their 1st HS player, Chicago Taft’s Joe Falkowski, this week.
Part 1:  Diggs takes time to remember Illinois Pitching Coach Mark Allen
Part 2:  DB & Diggs highlight Illinois’ representatives on the Baseball America Preseason All-American High School teams:  LaGrange Park Nazareth’s Jaden Fauske (LSU commit) & Chatham Glenwood’s Cameron Appenzeller, a Tennessee commit
Part 3:  #FJeff-Diggs goes in on former big leaguer Jeff Frye for being a miserable jerk and tearing down hard-working coaches and kids. There is an F bomb in here folks. I know this is going to shock folks:  there’s a lot of cussing in baseball.
Part 4:  A look back at Coach K’s Pro Day which produced a facility-record 101.4 mph fastball from now Royals signee Isaiah Jackson.

Episode 8: Drew Locascio of PBR-Illinois

Drew Locascio, the state director for PBR-Illinois — the flagship state in PBR’s armada of evaluators & events — joins the show to discuss…
His journey playing (& not playing) college baseball
 
His coaching time
 
Explains how PBR ranks players
 
When a kid should go to a PBR showcase and what to expect
 
He and Bentley  discuss their sons entrances into youth sports & concerning parent behavior
 
The state of recruiting
 
Favorite PBR memories

Ep. 7: Potential 2026 Breakout Candidates

Ep. 6: Chatting with Diego Solares of ScoutConnect

Diego Solares is an up-and-comer in the baseball world! He’s the go-to guy in the STL area for all things baseball! Check out ScoutConnect at https://scout-connect.org/ and follow Diego on X/Twitter at @DeegsBaseball

Ep. 5: Diamonds in the Rough

Co-hosts Ben Diggle & David Bentley discuss some of the more intriguing uncommitted baseball players in the Class of 2025 here in Illinois!

Ep. 4: Been Caught Stealing

Co-hosts Ben Diggle & David Bentley break down who they think were the biggest steals at each collegiate level!

Episode 3: ABCA Convention preview with ABCA’s Ryan Brownlee

Ryan Brownlee, the Assistant Executive Director, Coaching Outreach. High School, Youth & Travel Baseball Divison Liaison for the American Baseball Coaches Association jumps on the pod to preview the annual ABCA Convention taking place this week in Washington, D.C.
As a former D1 head coach and longtime assistant, he also gives some advice for players and parents in the process right now!
And if you can’t make it to DC, don’t forget you can attend virtually! 

Ep. 2: Talking recruiting classes

Diggs & DB discuss the recruiting classes that featured players from around Illinois and piqued their interest!

Episode 1: Common Sense & MLB Hot Stove

Co-hosts Ben Diggle & David Bentley talk about catcher Kyle Teel joining the White Sox, Illinois natives Nathan Lavender & Mason McCoy find their MLB homes for 2025 and, finally, react on the fly to the Diego Pavia/junior college eligibility ruling and what might be in store.