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
#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
402
#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
403
#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
404
#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
405
#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
406
#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
407
#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
408
#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
409
#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
410
#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
411
#77: Blue Jays' Bo Bichette
A packed edition of the Minor League Baseball podcast this week. Kelsie Heneghan makes a guest appearance to talk about her trip to the Triple-A National Championship, and Blue Jays No. 12 prospect Bo Bichette calls in to talk about his first pro season, his upcoming appearances with Brazil in the World Baseball Classic qualifiers in Brooklyn and a health scare involving his appendix. Also, Tyler, Sam and Ben bring you the rest of the week in Minor League news.
80 min
412
#76: Pirates' Mitch Keller
Fresh off winning a Florida State League title, Pirates No. 5 prospect Mitch Keller joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to discuss getting the late call to Bradenton and his breakout 2016 season. Also, Tyler and Sam break down the rest of the remaining postseasons, and Ben presents two tales he collected from his trip to California.
64 min
413
#75: Cardinals' Dylan Carlson
The Minor League playoffs have begun in earnest, and Tyler and Sam give you what to look for in postseasons across the Minor League landscape. Cardinals first-rounder Dylan Carlson also stops by after claiming a Gulf Coast League title, and Ben breaks down the new Staten Island team name possibilities.
71 min
414
#74: Phillies' Mickey Moniak
No. 2 Phillies prospect Mickey Moniak joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about his road to the top spot in the 2016 Draft and his introduction to professional baseball. Also, Tyler and Sam go over the importance of the September roster expansions, and Ben discusses one of the biggest secrets in the Minors.
65 min
415
#73: On Minor League realignment
It was a big week in Minor League Baseball with the news that two California League teams (High Desert, Bakersfield) would be contracted to make way for two new clubs in the Carolina League. Sam, Tyler and Ben break the movement down from all angles, and Bakersfield broadcaster Dan Besbris joins the show to provide the perspective of a front office and community that is losing its baseball club.
65 min
416
#72: Yankees' Nick Solak
New York Yankees second-round pick Nick Solak joins the show from the New York-Penn League All-Star Game to talk about the start to his pro career and his time at Louisville. Tyler and Sam also talk about Dansby Swanson and the end of Francisco Mejia's hitting streak while Ben is back from his trip with more tales from the Pacific Northwest.
71 min
417
#71: Reds prospect T.J. Friedl
Reds prospect T.J. Friedl joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about how he found out he was Draft eligible and how he ended up signing with Cincinnati. Ben joins the show from the road to talk about his west coast swing, and Tyler and Sam discuss two big Cardinals promotions.
64 min
418
#70: Trade Deadline Recap
In the first podcast of August, Tyler and Sam break down a big week in prospect movement following the Trade Deadline. Which farm systems improved? Which took the biggest hits? Also, Benjamin Hill calls in from California to give an update on his trip to the west coast.
56 min
419
#69: Fort Wayne mgr. Contreras
Fort Wayne manager Anthony Contreras joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about new Padres prospects Anderson Espinoza and Chris Paddack and what it's like to coach young players after they've come over in a trade. Tyler and Sam also break down a big week in Major League promotions, and Ben previews his West Coast road trip.
60 min
420
#68: Rockies prospect David Dahl
Rockies No. 2 prospect David Dahl talks to the Minor League Baseball podcast about his scorching start at Triple-A Albuquerque and what life on the road was like with Double-A Hartford. Tyler and Sam also preview the trade deadline, and Ben discusses his own merchandising.
60 min
421
#67: Oakland's Ryon Healy
Oakland Athletics prospect Ryon Healy joins the Minor League podcast to discuss his Futures Game experience in San Diego and his breakout 2016 season. Sam and Tyler also break down the first half while Ben talks about potential new names in Lynchburg.
59 min
422
#66: Futures Game preview
Sam and Tyler take their hands at starting their own farm systems using only players that will appear in this year's All-Star Futures Game while Ben wraps up his trip through the Appalachian League.
53 min
423
#65: Reds prospect Amir Garrett
Cincinnati Reds No. 4 prospect Amir Garrett joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about his upcoming second trip to the Futures Game, his recent transition to Triple-A ball and how he chose baseball over basketball. Tyler and Sam also break down the rest of the Futures Game rosters while Ben calls in from his Appalachian League road trip.
49 min
424
#64: Mariners' Kyle Lewis
Mariners top pick Kyle Lewis joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about his experience entering the 2016 Draft, his dominant time at Mercer and his introduction to pro ball. Sam and Tyler also break down the latest prospect promotions, and Ben previews his upcoming Appalachian League trip.
46 min
425
#63 Indians first-rounder Will Benson
Before being taken by the Indians in the first round of the 2016 Draft, Will Benson talked with Sam about the Draft process and what type of player he hopes to become. Tyler and Sam also break down the Draft and preview short-season ball. Ben joins to talk top merchandising sales.
48 min