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
226
Episode 261: 2020 Draft preview, Marlins' JJ Bl...
Tyler and Sam preview the 2020 First-Year Player Draft coming this week on Wednesday and Thursday by touching on the new five-round format and the likelihood that Spencer Torkelson goes first overall. Also, Marlins No. 2 prospect JJ Bleday joins the show to discuss his Draft experience from last year and his early tastes of pro ball.
40 min
227
Episode 260: Royals' Nick Heath, Mariners' Jarr...
Kansas City Royals No. 26 prospect Nick Heath talks extensively on life in the wake of George Floyd's death, peaceful protests, the ways he uses his platform for good and his career in baseball. Seattle Mariners top prospect and Nationwide ambassador Jarred Kelenic also breaks down his road toward the Major Leagues, and MiLB.com's Benjamin Hill details how the Rocky Mountain Vibes have found a new way to draw fans safely to the ballpark.
102 min
228
Episode 259: Dodgers' Josiah Gray
Los Angeles Dodgers No. 3 prospect Josiah Gray joins The Show Before the Show to discuss his preparations in Arizona, his past as a Division II two-way player and his proximity to the Majors. Also, Ben brings some Southern League fun facts, and MiLB.com's Andrew Battifarano shares the Minor League history of NHL legend Doug Harvey.
68 min
229
Episode 258: Royals' Kris Bubic
Sixth-ranked Kansas City Royals prospect Kris Bubic joins The Show Before the Show to talk about his big-game experience and the growth that made him the 2019 Minor League leader in strikeouts. Also, Benjamin Hill brings some Eastern League fun facts to the podcast, and MiLB.com's Jordan Wolf discusses the forgotten story of Minor League legend Elliot Bigelow.
74 min
230
Episode 257: Rockies' Ryan Vilade
Fourth-ranked Colorado Rockies prospect Ryan Vilade joins The Show Before the Show to talk about his improved hitting in 2019 and his hope to find a defensive home in Denver. Also, Benjamin Hill brings Pacific Coast League facts and opens a set of Major League cards from 1988 on air, and Josh Jackson dives into the history of the Miami Sun Sox.
86 min
231
Episode 256: Giants' Sean Hjelle
Ninth-ranked San Francisco Giants prospect Sean Hjelle joins this week's The Show Before the Show episode to discuss what's made him an effective pitcher at 6-foot-11 and how he's climbed through the ranks toward the Bay Area. Also, Ben brings some International League fun facts from his latest MiLB.com piece, and Gerard Gilberto goes deeper into his story on New York Mets pitching prospect Tommy Wilson and his father who you might know as Biff Tannen.
80 min
232
Episode 255: Astros' Korey Lee
Houston Astros No. 8 prospect Korey Lee calls into The Show Before the Show to talk about how water polo may have made him a better catcher and what it's like to play as himself in MLB The Show 20. Also, Benjamin Hill brings Minor League book recommendations, and Josh Jackson tells the tale of the long-gone Fort Worth Cats.
56 min
233
Episode 254: Top Prospect Team Draft
Sam and Tyler draft their teams for an upcoming simulated prospect showdown on MLB The Show 20. Plus, Benjamin Hill comes on this week to talk about how fans can join the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, and MiLB.com's Andrew Battifarano tells the tale of Minor League legend Buzz Arlett.
63 min
234
Episode 253: Reds' Tyler Stephenson
Third-ranked Cincinnati Reds prospect Tyler Stephenson joins the podcast to talk about how he's staying sharp and what it was like being in Spring Training as a member of the 40-man roster. Also, Benjamin Hill shares the promos that would have been from this week, and MiLB.com's Michael Avallone gets into his story of how Dave Hoskins broke the Texas League color barrier.
70 min
235
Episode 252: Rangers' Josh Jung
Top Texas Rangers prospect Josh Jung joins the show for a lengthy discussion of the start to his pro career and the circumstances of 2020. Also, Tyler and Sam share memories of Opening Days past, and Ben brings more Minor League staffers' work-from-home stories.
84 min
236
Episode 251: MiLB.com's Hill, Heneghan, Avallone
Three MiLB.com writers join the show this week. Benjamin Hill is here with updates from Minor League front-office staffers and their work-from-home situations. Kelsie Heneghan joins to tell the legend of Jackie Mitchell and her strikeouts of both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig for the Chattanooga Lookouts. Michael Avallone discusses how former Mariners prospect Adam Law is doing his part to help during the coronavirus pandemic.
57 min
237
Episode 250: The ICYMI Episode
MiLB.com writers Andrew Battifarano, Michael Avallone and Rob Terranova join the show to talk about some of their top stories from the offseason. Plus, Benjamin Hill discusses how Minor League teams are adapting to the delayed season.
60 min
238
Episode 249: D-backs' Kristian Robinson
Top Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Kristian Robinson joins The Show Before the Show to talk about how coronavirus protocols have affected his last week and what he did to make a jump in 2019. Also, Benjamin Hill is back with a discussion on baseball movies, and MiLB.com's Rob Terranova brings some background on his feature about White Sox hard-throwing prospect Zack Burdi's return to the mound.
72 min
239
#248: Top Twins prospect Royce Lewis
Top Minnesota Twins prospect -- and baseball's No. 9 overall -- Royce Lewis joins the show from Spring Training in Florida plus early reassignment updates and more.
43 min
240
#247: MiLB.com's Katie Woo and Josh Jackson
MiLB.com writers Katie Woo and Josh Jackson, Katie from Spring Training in Arizona and Josh to discuss his story on the 2020 Hometown Collection plus a look at overall farm system rankings and more.
65 min
241
#246: Early Spring Storylines
Sam and Tyler discuss some early news from Spring Training camps in Arizona and Florida plus Benjamin Hill joins the show.
46 min
242
#245: Blue Jays' Woods Richardson
Sixth-ranked Blue Jays prospect Simeon Woods Richardson joins the show plus big league camps we're keeping an eye on and 26th roster spot impact.
65 min
243
#244: New York Yankees No. 5 prospect Clarke Sc...
Fifth-ranked Yankees prospect Clarke Schmidt joins the show from the early days of big league camp plus listener questions and more.
75 min
244
#243: Pittsburgh Pirates No. 8 prospect Brennan...
Eighth-ranked Pirates prospect Brennan Malone joins the show plus reaction to the Mookie Betts trade and its potential impact on prospects.
61 min
245
#242: St. Louis Cardinals No. 17 prospect Trejy...
St. Louis Cardinals No. 17 prospect Trejyn Fletcher joins the show heading into his first full season plus Benjamin Hill on defunct ballparks and a discussion of MLB Pipeline's new Top 100 list.
71 min
246
#241: Everett AquaSox manager Louis Boyd
Class A Short Season Everett manager Louis Boyd talks about his new gig coming at just 25 years old plus Hall of Fame discussion with Sam and Tyler and Benjamin Hill on all 2020's new logos.
65 min
247
#240: Checking in around MiLB.com
MiLB.com's Kelsie Heneghan and Josh Jackson join the show. Kelsie talks about some of the best-selling hats in the Minors while Josh dives into his wild longform two-part series on the 1919 Vernon Tigers. Plus Sam and Tyler on the Astros' punishment and Benjamin Hill on Winston-Salem's new look and more.
74 min
248
#239: No. 13 Atlanta prospect Tucker Davidson
Atlanta's 13th-ranked prospect Tucker Davidson joins the first show of 2020 plus a look at resolutions and prospect projections.
56 min
249
#238: Detroit Tigers No. 4 prospect Tarik Skubal
Fourth-ranked Detroit Tigers prospect Tarik Skubal joins the show to talk about his breakout first full season plus a look back at the Rule 5 Draft and trades.
58 min
250
#237: Live from the Winter Meetings in San Diego
Sam Dykstra, Benjamin Hill, and Fort Wayne TinCaps broadcaster John Nolan join this week's show from the Baseball Winter Meetings in San Diego
54 min