Ahead In The Count

Welcome to "Ahead in the Count," presented by BIP Wealth. Our Baseball Division combines their collegiate and professional baseball playing experience with financial acumen to provide expertise in life on and off the field. We aim to give ballplayers and their families a better understanding about their unique lifestyle, the opportunities that come from playing this game, and insight into the complex financial world. This is "Ahead in the Count," hosted by Nolan Alexander, from BIP Wealth. What's Covered in This Episode How NIL and revenue share have changed the "find your number" conversation for high school and college players heading into the MLB Draft Why today's draft-eligible players have more leverage than ever The case for turning pro early: faster developmental clocks, the wood-bat transition, and the jump from a college rotation to a five-man pro rotation The exceptions: elite, "uber-talented" prospects who reach the majors within a year or two of being drafted The case for choosing college baseball: education, scholarships at prestigious schools, the College World Series experience, team camaraderie, and life after baseball How NIL has raised the overall talent level and competitiveness of college baseball, including players using the transfer portal with Power Conference (ACC/SEC) rosters Why some top college players are now earning hundreds of thousands of dollars — even approaching $1 million — in NIL money, and how that complicates the pro-vs-college decision Chase Murray's and John Hester's own paths through Georgia Tech and Stanford, and how their college experiences shaped their post-playing careers Key Topics & Themes NIL, Revenue Sharing & Player Leverage Chase Murray and John Hester explain how the draft conversation has shifted from "you get what you get" to a market where high school and college players can weigh NIL income, revenue-share commitments, and draft bonus money against each other — often with a program-backed financial floor for their first year or multiple years on campus. The Pro Ball Case: Start the Developmental Clock John Hester breaks down why front offices and player development staff often push for players to turn pro immediately: more reps, a faster transition to wood bats, and exposure to a full five-man pitching rotation rather than a once-a-week college workload. He notes the exceptions — elite prospects who are major-league-ready within a year or two — but stresses that for most players, professional development reps are hard to replicate in college. The College Case: More Than Just a Paycheck Both guests push back on the "turn pro at all costs" mindset, pointing to the value of a college degree, the buffer years between high school and adulthood, team camaraderie unique to the college game, and unforgettable moments like John Hester's freshman-year run to the College World Series at Stanford. This conversation continues in Episode 2, where Chase Murray and John Hester go deeper into how to actually calculate "your number" ahead of the 2026 MLB Draft. CONTACT For more information: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Visit: BIPWealth.com

Welcome to "Ahead in the Count," presented by BIP Wealth. Our Baseball Division combines their collegiate and professional baseball playing experience with financial acumen to provide expertise in life on and off the field. We aim to give ballplayers and their families a better understanding about their unique lifestyle, the opportunities that come from playing this game, and insight into the complex financial world. This is "Ahead in the Count," hosted by Nolan Alexander, from BIP Wealth. In this essential episode, two former professional baseball players, Chase Murray and Jeremy Hermida, provide guidance for the upcoming 2026 Major League Baseball Draft. This episode features expert insights on draft preparation strategies, mental health management, family involvement, and the transition from amateur to professional baseball. Perfect for high school and college baseball players, their families, and anyone preparing for draft season. Key Episode Topics 1. Draft Basics: The Who, What, When, Where 2. College Player Draft Preparation 3. High School Player Draft Preparation 4. Private Workouts & Team Interviews / What Teams Are Looking For 5. Mental Health During Draft Season / The Social Media Challenge / Recommended Approach 6. In-Person vs. Home Celebration Related Episodes to Listen To: Chase Murray's draft story Going pro with the Hermidas: Ep. 1 and Ep. 2 John Hester's moving story (Missoula relocation) CONTACT For more information: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Visit: BIPWealth.com

Welcome to "Ahead in the Count," presented by BIP Wealth. Our Baseball Division combines their collegiate and professional baseball playing experience with financial acumen to provide expertise in life on and off the field. We aim to give ballplayers and their families a better understanding about their unique lifestyle, the opportunities that come from playing this game, and insight into the complex financial world. This is "Ahead in the Count," hosted by Nolan Alexander, from BIP Wealth. What if someone offered you millions of dollars today in exchange for a cut of everything you earn for the rest of your career? For a growing number of professional baseball players, this isn't a hypothetical. It's a real pitch on the table. In this episode of Ahead in the Count, host Nolan Alexander sits down with BIP Wealth's baseball advisors Kyle Schmidt and John Hester — both former professional players — to break down one of the most talked-about (and misunderstood) financial trends in professional baseball: athlete revenue sharing deals, also known as future earnings investment contracts. From the minor leagues to the majors, companies are approaching ballplayers at every career stage with upfront cash in exchange for a percentage of their future professional earnings. It sounds simple, but the details — and the decision — are anything but. What You'll Learn in This Episode How athlete income-sharing deals work Third-party investment firms evaluate a player's career trajectory and offer a lump-sum payment upfront. In return, the player agrees to pay back a percentage of their future professional earnings — sometimes for the life of their contract. Who these deals are right for (and who they're not) There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Kyle and John break down how factors like career stage, signing bonus, position (pitcher vs. position player), risk tolerance, family situation, and financial discipline all influence whether a deal makes sense. The Fernando Tatis, Jr. example At 18 years old, Tatis reportedly signed over 10% of his future earnings for $2 million. With his massive subsequent contract, that decision became one of the most high-profile, and legally contested, cases in athlete income-sharing history. Kyle and John discuss what this lawsuit signals for the industry. What happens to the upfront money The advisors walk through the financial mechanics: tax implications in year one, investment strategies, long-term growth projections, and how to build that money into a lasting nest egg, because taking the deal wisely is a completely different outcome than taking it without a plan. The devil is in the details Not all deals are structured the same way. Some firms cap the total amount owed back; others don't. Some offer training resources, analytics support, and coaching tools in addition to the investment. Knowing what each firm brings to the table is critical before signing. The psychological side of the decision Does accepting outside investment create a sense of obligation or ownership? Does it relieve pressure — or add it? Kyle and John discuss how a player's motivational style (driven by hunger vs. driven by security) should shape the decision. CONTACT For more information: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Visit: BIPWealth.com

Welcome to "Ahead in the Count," presented by BIP Wealth. Our Baseball Division combines their collegiate and professional baseball playing experience with financial acumen to provide expertise in life on and off the field. We aim to give ballplayers and their families a better understanding about their unique lifestyle, the opportunities that come from playing this game, and insight into the complex financial world. This is "Ahead in the Count," hosted by Nolan Alexander, from BIP Wealth. In this episode, former pros Kyle Schmidt and Jeremy Hermida break down one of the hottest trends in baseball today: massive, long-term contracts being offered to players early in their careers, often before they've established themselves at the big league level. Teams are making bold commitments to prospects earlier than ever. Kyle and Jeremy explore both sides of the table—what it means for team financial strategy and for a young player's life, career, and wealth. Key Topics Covered The new wave of early MLB mega-contracts and what's driving the trend Risk vs. reward for both teams and players on long-term deals How young players should think about wealth when $100M+ arrives before age 21 Back-loaded contracts, and why the headline number isn't what it seems The MLB arbitration process and why early deals help players avoid it Free agency at 28 vs. 32: why age matters more than ever in today's game Financial mistakes professional athletes make, and how to avoid them Why the right financial advisory team matters as much as the contract itself Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode at the intersection of Major League Baseball and financial intelligence — built for players, families, and fans who want to understand both sides of the game. CONTACT For more information: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Visit: BIPWealth.com