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
401
#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
402
#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
403
#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
404
#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
405
#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
406
#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
407
#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
408
#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
409
#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
410
#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
411
#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
412
#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
413
#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
414
#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
415
#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
416
#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
417
#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
418
#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
419
#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
420
#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
421
#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
422
#81: Boston's Mauricio Dubon
No. 12 Red Sox prospect Mauricio Dubon calls into the Minor League Baseball podcast from the Arizona Fall League to talk about his breakout 2016 season and his journey from Honduras to the United States as a teenager. Also, Tyler and Sam discuss the first week in the AFL, and Ben brings you lots of ballpark news.
61 min
423
#80: MiLBY preview, Angels' Taylor Ward
Sam, Tyler and Ben break down all of the nominees in the major categories of this year's MiLBY Awards. Also, Angels No. 3 prospect Taylor Ward calls in from the Arizona Fall League as this week's guest.
72 min
424
#79: Mets' Amed Rosario
Mets top prospect Amed Rosario talks to the Minor League Baseball podcast about his impressive 2016 season and his plans for the offseason. Tyler and Sam also preview the Arizona Fall League, and Ben discusses this year's Golden Bobblehead winner.
61 min
425
#78: Team Israel's Cody Decker
Minor League veteran Cody Decker joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about how he helped Israel to a World Baseball Classic qualification last week in Brooklyn. Also, Tyler and Sam share their feelings on the unfortunate death of Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez, and Ben calls in with lessons from this year's Promo Seminar.
72 min