The Show Before the Show

In "The Show Before the Show," MiLB.com writers Tyler Maun and Sam Dykstra break down Minor League Baseball's biggest storylines with guests from around the Minors including players, managers and player development experts. They'll also have a weekly look at what's going on outside the lines with business of the Minors expert Benjamin Hill.

Sports
Baseball
1
#487: Bathtub Donkeys, Top 10 prospects lists
The Show Before the Show journeys to the Eastern League with interviews about the Binghamton Bathtub Donkeys identity and Erie’s new mascot book. Also, Ben shares which celebrities have Minor League pasts, Sam and Tyler break down new prospects lists and Josh harvests another edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
90 min
2
#486: A resolute beginning to 2025
Ben, Sam and Tyler share their 2025 resolutions for the baseball industry as well as others for their professional work and personal lives. Also, Josh lays low in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors, and the group takes a cinematic look at the career of a former Minor Leaguer.
57 min
3
#485: Recapping 2024 in Minor League Baseball
Ben, Sam and Tyler take turns sharing their favorite memories of 2024 from Minor League Baseball and the larger baseball world. Also, Ben details one Athletics prospect’s video-game prowess, Sam breaks down Caleb Durbin’s prospect profile and Josh shines in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
62 min
4
#484: Winter Meetings recap
Sam and Tyler discuss the movement at the Winter Meetings, including in the Garret Crochet blockbuster trade and the Rule 5 Draft. Also, Ben previews what the California League will look like in 2026, Michael Marcantonini chats about the Arizona Fall League and Orioles system and Josh namedrops the latest Ghost of the Minors.
95 min
5
#483: Red Sox prospect Connelly Early
No. 24 Red Sox prospect Connelly Early chats with Sam and Tyler about his offseason prep and the lessons he learned from his successful first full season. Also, Ben details the Lake County Captains’ refreshed look, Sam and Tyler preview the Winter Meetings and Josh ends on a high note in Ghosts of the Minors.
78 min
6
#482: Recapping Logovember in the Minors
A lot has happened across the Minor Leagues since our last episode.
38 min
7
#481: Knoxville Smokies, AFL Fall Stars
Ben shares details of the Smokies’ official name switch to Knoxville in the Southern League, and Sam and Tyler chat about big weekend coming up in the Arizona Fall League. Also, Josh shares the dirt in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
53 min
8
#480: Oklahoma City Comets; AFL's Arroyo, Baldwin
Interviews with Drake Baldwin (Braves) and Edwin Arroyo (Reds) from the Arizona Fall League.
63 min
9
#479: Hickory Goat-Karts, Arizona Fall League u...
Ben details the Hickory Goat-Karts alternate identity coming in 2025, Sam and Tyler chat about the Arizona Fall League, Tommy Troy stops by to talk about his AFL turnaround and Josh understands the assignment in Ghosts of the Minors.
77 min
10
#478: We Knew Them When, Part II
The postseason clip shows continue! The Show Before the Show reshares previous interviews with more players from this Major League postseason including Jazz Chisholm, Alec Bohm, Tarik Skubal, Adley Rutschman, Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino
139 min
11
#477: We Knew Them When, Part I
The gang is off the next two weeks, but the Major League postseason is very much on. The podcast revisits interviews with stars of this year’s playoffs from back when they were Minor League prospects, including ones with Brandon Nimmo, Kyle Higashioka, Will Smith and Pete Alonso. More talks with similar players coming on next week’s edition of The Show Before the Show.
74 min
12
#476: Salt Lake broadcaster Tony Parks
Salt Lake broadcaster Tony Parks shares memories of the final game at Smith’s Ballpark ahead of the Bees’ move to a new facility nearby next spring. Also, Tyler recaps the Triple-A National Championship, Ben reviews Crooked Numbers, Sam previews the Arizona Fall League and Josh detonates an explosive edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
63 min
13
#475: Birmingham Barons broadcaster Curt Bloom
Double-A Birmingham broadcaster Curt Bloom shares stories from the Barons' improbable run to a Southern League title this week. Ben, Sam and Tyler also discuss more Minor League postseason news and results, and Josh checks in with the latest Ghost of the Minors.
59 min
14
#474: Charlotte superfan LaMichael Mitchell, St...
Bobbleheads are on the brain this week. Charlotte superfan LaMichael Mitchell and vice president of communications Tommy Viola swing by to chat about how the Knights honored the club’s biggest supporter, and St. Paul executive vice president/general manager Derek Sharrer speaks on how the Saints got creative with this year’s edition of their Bobblelection giveaway. Also, Ben looks at the MiLB Awards nominees for Best Alternate Identity, Sam checks in on the Minor League postseason and Josh lights up the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
67 min
15
#473: Say bye to M-Braves; Meet the Clingstones
Ben details the Columbus Clingstones identity coming to the Southern League in 2025, and Mississippi director of group sales David Kerr helps bid adieu to the M-Braves with stories from Pearl. Also, Josh goes deep into history in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
59 min
16
#472: Remembering Toledo’s Jim Weber
Toledo broadcaster Matt Melzak speaks to Ben about the legacy of longtime Mud Hens voice Jim Weber. Also, Ben previews September promos, Sam looks at Single-A and High-A storylines from the 2024 season and Josh takes a knee in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors
67 min
17
#471: Tigers prospect Max Clark
Top Tigers prospect Max Clark talks to Ben from High-A West Michigan about what it’s like to be a player wearing alternate-identity uniforms
89 min
18
#470: Phillies prospect Aidan Miller
Top Phillies prospect Aidan Miller talks to Sam about his first full season, his recent turnaround and his 2023 Draft experience following a broken hamate injury that spring. Also, Ben previews his upcoming trip to Michigan and other parts of the Midwest, and Josh delivers an epic edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
61 min
19
#469: MLB Pipeline’s in-season prospect rerank
Sam and Tyler chat about the updated Top 100 overall and Top 30 organizational prospect rankings for MLB Pipeline. Also, Ben talks with Durham VP of baseball ops Mike Birling about his tenure with the Bulls, and Josh gives an honest account in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
67 min
20
#468: Braves prospect Hayden Harris, Fowl-well ...
Braves No. 30 prospect Hayden Harris shares how LinkedIn got him an opportunity in pro ball, and Down East general manager Jon Clemmons discusses the final season in Kinston. Also, Ben and Sam go through some of the Minor League news of the week, and Josh cracks wise in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
70 min
21
#467: Trades and Trips
Sam and Tyler chat about how prospects and farm systems were affected by this year’s Trade Deadline, and Ben returns from his North Carolina road trip with stories from Down East, Durham and more. Finally, Josh finds good fortune in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
53 min
22
#466: Cubs prospect Matt Shaw
Cubs No. 2 prospect Matt Shaw talks about his time at Double-A Tennessee from the MLB Pipeline Prospect Showcase. Also, Ben discusses a league swap in the Rangers system, Sam and Tyler preview the Trade Deadline and Josh hops to the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
65 min
23
#465: 2024 Draft, Futures Game, West Coast League
Sam and Tyler break down this year’s MLB Draft results and discuss the All-Star Futures Game. They also chat about their work together broadcasting the West Coast League All-Star Game in Bellingham, Washington.
33 min
24
#464: Midsummer podcast
Ben and Tyler look at some recent Minor League Crooked Numbers, Sam previews the All-Star Futures Game and 2024 Draft and Josh releases a sick edition of Ghosts of the Minors
70 min
25
Fourth of July special: Futures Game rosters
During a short holiday week, Sam jumps in quick to chat about Futures Game rosters, MLB Pipeline’s updated Top 100 prospect ranking and James Wood’s callup to the Nationals.
25 min