What’s going on, everybody? It’s your guy Mike Hughes, and on the latest episode of Pros & Joes, we sat down with two of baseball’s rising stars—Miami Marlins second-round pick Aidan May and Tampa Bay Rays fifth-round pick Jacob Kmatz.
Alongside my co-host Jim Cross, we got into draft day emotions, Spring Training life, MLB The Show cover snubs, and even a wild fake autograph scandal. These guys are the real deal, and trust me, this episode was loaded with insight, hot takes, and some straight-up hilarious moments.
Let’s break it all down.
“That Ain’t My Signature” – Jim Cross Gets Scammed
We have to start with this because Jim Cross got played, and not just a little—he got flat-out scammed.
Jim, being the baseball card fanatic that he is, bought a Chase Dander autograph that was authenticated and everything—only for Dander himself to tell him the signature wasn’t real.
Read that again. The guy whose name was on the card told Jim it wasn’t his autograph.
The best part? The seller refused to admit it. “Nah man, that’s his signature,” the guy insisted—as if Chase Dander doesn’t know how he signs his own name.
Look, I don’t know what’s crazier: the fact that this dude really thought he could argue with the actual player, or the fact that there are probably thousands of fake autographs floating around out there. Either way, Jim might be lawyering up real soon because somebody’s about to get sued.
Moral of the story? If you’re buying sports memorabilia, you might want to double-check that the guy actually signed it.
MLB The Show 25 Cover Controversy – Who Got Snubbed?
The MLB The Show 25 cover was revealed, and let’s just say—people had thoughts.
The game dropped a three-player cover featuring Elly De La Cruz, Paul Skenes, and Gunnar Henderson. Now, I love a good debate, and Aidan and Jacob definitely had their takes.
Aidan? He says take Skenes off and add Bobby Witt Jr. to complete the shortstop trio.
Jacob? He’s a pitcher, so of course, he’s rocking with Skenes staying on the cover.
Me? Elly didn’t belong there.
Look, Gunnar and Bobby Witt Jr. carried their teams last season. They were elite. Elly? He had his moments, but he wasn’t putting up MVP-level production. If we’re talking about growing the game, Skenes needs to be there, no doubt.
But let’s be real—who actually deserved it? If it were up to me, Bobby Witt Jr. is getting that spot over Elly all day long.
What do you think? Drop a comment after you watch the full episode below.
Draft Day: Stress, Excitement, and Real-Time Chaos
Every kid dreams of hearing their name called in the MLB Draft, but no two experiences are the same.
For Aidan? He spent draft day at home with his parents, chilling, eating good food, and waiting for the phone to ring. Then, five minutes before his pick came up, he got the call—Miami was taking him in the second round.
For Jacob? Absolute chaos. Four different teams were in contact minutes before the Rays picked him in the fifth round, and before he even had time to react, Aidan had already texted him “Congrats” after seeing it on the draft tracker first.
Can you imagine finding out you got drafted from a text before you even get the official call? That’s baseball for you.
Spring Training in Florida: Big Names, Big Expectations
Both Aidan and Jacob are already getting settled into Spring Training in Florida, and the experiences have been wild.
Jacob’s down in Port Charlotte with the Rays, a team known for developing some of the best young pitchers in baseball. He’s already soaking up knowledge from top pitching minds and working on his mechanics.
Aidan’s in Tampa with the Marlins, where he’s hoping to learn from none other than Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara. If you’re a young pitcher, that’s the guy you want to be around.
Both of them are adjusting to the Florida humidity (which, by the way, is no joke), and both are ready to climb the ranks and make some noise.
The Future is Bright – Keep Your Eyes on These Two
If you’re not watching Aidan May and Jacob Kmatz yet, start now. These two are future MLB starters, and their time in the minors is only going to make them sharper.
And if you missed this interview? You NEED to watch it.
We covered everything—from fake autographs and video games to draft day chaos and learning from MLB’s best.
Hit that play button below, check out the full episode, and make sure to follow these guys as they climb the ranks toward The Show.
Watch the Full Interview with Aidan May & Jacob Kmatz on Pros & Joes
This was one of the most fun and insightful conversations we’ve had yet, and trust me, these guys are only getting started.
Until next time—stay locked in, stay loud, and stay tuned for more.
