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
326
#106: Charlotte manager Mark Grudzielanek
Triple-A Charlotte manager Mark Grudzielanek joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about his loaded squad that features five of the top seven prospects in the White Sox system. (He also discusses Skee ball and his appearance on Saturday Night Live.) Sam and Tyler expound on what Starling Marte's suspension could mean for top Pirates prospect Austin Meadows, and Ben previews his trip to Frisco.
68 min
327
#105: Rangers' Jose Trevino
Rangers No. 7 prospect Jose Trevino calls into the Minor League Baseball podcast from the Double-A Frisco bus to discuss a loaded RoughRiders pitching staff and his work to become an impressive defensive catcher and leader behind the plate. Tyler and Sam break down the first week's standouts, and Ben previews the best upcoming Minor League promos, including Daytona's unique Jackie Robinson tribute.
67 min
328
#104: Season preview featuring Cubs' Ian Happ
Tyler and Sam are joined by MiLB.com's Kelsie Heneghan and Josh Jackson to offer up their predictions for the 2017 Minor League Baseball season. Cubs No. 2 prospect Ian Happ is this week's guest to discuss how his productive spring led to him being pushed to Triple-A Iowa, and Ben previews the first week of Minor League promotions.
78 min
329
#103: Israel/Hartford manager Jerry Weinstein
Fresh off his stint as Team Israel's manager during the World Baseball Classic, Double-A Hartford manager Jerry Weinstein joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to discuss his club's surprising run through the WBC, his expectations for the Yard Goats in 2017 and why he could never have managed the club last season. Also, Tyler and Sam continue to get you primed for Opening Day while Ben previews two more of his upcoming road trips.
73 min
330
#102: Phils', Canada's Pivetta
Phillies No. 12 prospect Nick Pivetta joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to discuss his experience pitching for Canada in the World Baseball Classic and his preparation for the 2017 season. Tyler and Sam also get you set for MiLB.com's Prospect Primer series, and Ben previews where he'll be hitting the road in the coming months.
72 min
331
#101: This Minor League Life
This week's Minor League Baseball podcast is a special one, not just because Tyler, Sam and guest host Josh Jackson bring you Spring Training interviews from top overall prospect/Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi, No. 5 White Sox prospect Carson Fulmer, No. 9 Braves prospect Max Fried and No. 6 Rangers prospect Joe Palumbo. No, it's special because this week's episode takes a little different format than the previous 100 episodes. (We hope you're proud, Ira Glass.)
53 min
332
#100: Yankees' Kyle Higashioka
Yankees catching prospect Kyle Higashioka talks about playing in Major League camp as a member of the 40-man roster and how he plans on continuing his 2016 power surge. Tyler and Sam preview their own Spring Training trips and discuss the latest in MiLB.com's Farm System Rankings.
55 min
333
#99: MLB Pipeline's Jim Callis
MLBPipeline.com senior writer Jim Callis joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about his site's prospect ranking lists and how he evaluates the Minor League talent pool entering the 2017 season. Tyler and Sam have a great debate on which farm system has the better pitching group between the White Sox and the Braves, and Ben discusses the life of longtime Norfolk general manager Dave Rosenfield following the news of his death.
74 min
334
#98: Rays' Willy Adames
Rays top prospect Willy Adames calls into the Minor League Baseball podcast from Spring Training to discuss his baseball roots in the Dominican Republic and what he needs to do to make the jump to Tampa Bay soon. Tyler and Sam start breaking down MiLB.com's Farm System Rankings, and Ben rounds up what he learned about rebranding this offseason.
73 min
335
#97: Orioles' Hunter Harvey
Orioles No. 3 prospect Hunter Harvey joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about his injury history and his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Tyler and Sam preview some Spring Training storylines, and Ben discusses a strange Valentine's Day promo in Myrtle Beach.
67 min
336
#96: Giants' Tyler Beede
Top Giants prospect Tyler Beede calls into the Minor League Baseball podcast to discuss his roots in Massachusetts and Vanderbilt and what he needs to do in 2017 to jump to the Majors. Tyler and Sam also discuss the new GCL and AZL extra-inning proposal, and Ben looks back at 2016 attendance numbers.
73 min
337
#95: Yankees' Justus Sheffield
Yankees left-hander Justus Sheffield, who was named MLB.com's No. 79 overall prospect last week, joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to discuss his first offseason in pinstripes and his sibling rivalry with brother and Dodgers prospect Jordan Sheffield. Tyler and Sam break down the rest of the new top 100, and Ben brings the update on Lowell's new logos.
60 min
338
#94: Marlins' Thomas Jones
Marlins No. 7 prospect Thomas Jones joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to discuss his decision to choose pro ball over a baseball scholarship at Vanderbilt or a football scholarship at Clemson. Tyler and Sam also talk about this week's trade involving Jose De Leon, and Ben breaks down what's happening in Las Vegas.
59 min
339
#93: Rangers' Josh Morgan
Rangers No. 12 prospect Josh Morgan discusses life as a utility infielder, his potential move to catcher and what it was like to play the final season in High Desert. Tyler and Sam also break down NL East rookie projections, and Ben discusses Triple-A Memphis's new look.
65 min
340
#92: Cardinals' Carson Kelly
St. Louis prospect Carson Kelly calls into the Minor League Baseball podcast from the start of the Cardinals Caravan to discuss his growth as a catcher, his Major League debut and his "little black book." Also, Tyler and Sam break down the latest Mariners-Braves swap, and Ben discusses the new Down East Wood Ducks logos.
61 min
341
#91: Twins' Alex Kirilloff
In the first Minor League Baseball podcast of 2017, Twins 2016 first-rounder and No. 4 prospect Alex Kirilloff guests to talk about his road from Western Pennsylvania to Minnesota's farm system. Also, Tyler and Sam give their Minor League resolutions for the new year, and Ben previews some potential anniversary promotions for the coming season.
62 min
342
#90: Best of 2016 - Newsmakers
Tyler and Sam wrap up the calendar year with more of their favorite interviews from 2016, this time featuring some of the Minor Leagues' biggest newsmakers such as first overall pick Mickey Moniak and Minor League journeyman/Major League debutant Matt Buschmann.
99 min
343
#89: Best of 2016 - Players
Tyler and Sam begin a two-part "Best of 2016" series with their favorite podcast interviews involving former prospects who made their Major League debuts this past season, including World Series champions Willson Contreras and Albert Almora Jr. and former top overall prospect Alex Bregman.
78 min
344
#88: Detroit's Dan Lunetta
Sam and Tyler break down the particulars of the Adam Eaton/Lucas Giolito/Reynaldo Lopez trade and the Rule 5 Draft while Ben closes the loop on the Fayetteville Astros. Tigers director of Minor League operations Dan Lunetta guests after winning the 2016 Sheldon "Chief" Bender Award for his work in player development.
60 min
345
#87: Live from Winter Meetings
It's certainly been a busy 2016 edition of baseball's Winter Meetings, and Tyler, Sam and Ben are here to catch you up on all the Minor League Baseball and prospect-related goings-on from National Harbor, Maryland. White Sox scouting director Nick Hostetler guests to break down the package of prospects his organization picked up for All-Star left-hander Chris Sale, including top overall prospect Yoan Moncada and impressive right-hander Michael Kopech.
52 min
346
#86: Louisville groundskeeper Nielsen
Triple-A Louisville head groundskeeper Tom Nielsen calls into the Minor League Baseball podcast to discuss his long career in turf management and how the job is a lot more than just cutting the grass. Tyler and Sam also break down two Mariners trades, and Ben previews the Winter Meetings.
79 min
347
#85: Brewers' Lewis Brinson
Brewers top prospect Lewis Brinson calls into the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about his recent addition to the 40-man roster, his trade from the Rangers and, of course, his favorite Thanksgiving dishes. Also, Tyler and Sam discuss other prospects added to 40-man rosters, and Ben is back from vacation to bring you updates on the Buies Creek Astros.
58 min
348
#84: Nationals' Spin Williams
Nationals senior advisor of player development Spin Williams joins the podcast after winning the 2016 Mike Coolbaugh Award for his work mentoring prospects. Tyler and Sam also give their AFL MVP picks and discuss the newly named New Orleans Baby Cakes.
57 min
349
#83: Braves' Kolby Allard
Back from a one-week break, the Minor League Baseball podcast returns with Braves No. 4 prospect Kolby Allard, fresh off his first full season in the Minors, as our guest. Tyler and Sam also break down the Arizona Fall League and all the MiLBY winners while Ben catches you up on some of the game's newest names like Fire Frogs, Rumble Ponies and Jumbo Shrimp.
56 min
350
#82: Fall League Spectacular
Tyler scored interviews from Twins No. 2 prospect Nick Gordon, Dodgers top prospect Cody Bellinger and Mets signee Tim Tebow down at the Arizona Fall League. Tyler and Sam also break down some of the recent Organization All-Stars, and Ben previews Minor League rebranding season.
83 min