The CWB Player Draft is back — and this episode breaks down everything you need to know before draft night.

Michael Rubenstein and Griffin Green preview the 2026 CWB Player Draft taking place Saturday, February 28 at 7:00 PM at HVAC (Huron Valley Athletic Complex) in Milford, MI.

In this episode, they explain what the Player Draft actually is, how the live draft format works, and why it’s become one of the most unique events in Michigan high school baseball. Modeled after the MLB and NFL Draft, the CWB Player Draft gives players their true draft moment — walking across a stage, hearing their name called, and thanking the people who helped them along the way.

They also discuss:

• The origin of the Player Draft and the vision from cofounders Brian Sakowski and Brandon Justice • How the event has evolved since the first draft • Player storylines and what to watch for this year • What families can expect in the building • The sponsors who make this event possible

Every player in attendance is guaranteed to be drafted, and the event is free for players and families to attend.

Whether you’re a player, parent, coach, or simply someone who loves Michigan baseball — this episode will get you ready for draft night.

📍 Saturday, February 28 🕖 7:00 PM 📍 HVAC – Huron Valley Athletic Complex (201 Lone Tree Rd, Milford, MI) 📺 Live on YouTube via Cold Weather Bats & The Prep

This isn’t just a draft. It’s a moment.

Episode 2 of the College Baseball Preview Show gets loud in the best way — Griff Green sits down with Michigan State dudes Parker Pico and Ryan McKay to talk recruiting stories, transferring, coming home, and why this Spartan team is built on competing… and calling each other out (yes, even freshmen getting on upperclassmen).

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After taking a massive weekend vs Louisville, the guys explain why they saw it coming all fall, who’s impressed them the most so far (freshman 3B CJ Deckinga, Kyle Rudolph, Carter Monke), and why they’re heading into Texas with the “underdogs” mindset — and loving it. Plus: Big Ten talk, UCLA coming to East Lansing, and why every conference game is basically a must-win.

The college season is here, and we’re kicking things off with a deep dive into University of Michigan Baseball.

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In this episode of Cold Weather Bats, Griffin Green sits down with Noah Miller to preview the Wolverines’ upcoming season and what fans should expect this spring. Noah talks about his growth since arriving on campus, how fall ball and offseason work have shaped this year’s team, and what the mentality is inside the clubhouse heading into Big Ten play.

They also dig into his recruitment, how summer baseball in the Cape Cod League has impacted his development, and what younger players should understand about making the jump to this level.

If you’re following Michigan baseball this season, this is a must-listen. And we’re just getting started — more college previews from programs around the state are on the way.

Subscribe, follow along, and stay tuned.

NIL has officially come to the MHSAA — and the ripple effects are just beginning.

In this episode of Cold Weather Bats, we break down what high school NIL really means in Michigan: who stands to benefit, who could get left behind, and who’s quietly paying attention behind the scenes. Next, we dove into news in Alabama where they have separated private and public schools from athletic championships and how that could look here in Michigan.

We also tease what’s coming next with the CWB Player Draft, where top talent, exposure, and opportunity collide. If you’re a player, parent, or coach in the Michigan baseball landscape, this is something you’ll want on your radar.

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It’s January, and baseball season is closer than you think.

With 49 days until tryouts, we talk about what this time of year really looks like for high school baseball programs, from ABCA conversations to offseason prep and how teams are positioning themselves before tryouts even begin.

We also touch on the Cold Weather Bats Player Draft presented by AstroTurf and how to get involved. Finally, we talk about if we were the MHSAA Director of Baseball, what changes we would make.

The snow might still be on the ground and the state under a snow squall warning, but the work has already started.

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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.