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
426
#56: Cubs' Albert Almora
No. 5 Chicago Cubs prospect Albert Almora stops by the latest edition of the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about his hot start in Triple-A, how his lengthy resume with USA Baseball helped him prepare for pro ball and more. Plus, Benjamin Hill has all the details on MiLB.com's Food Fight competition and the Beer City Tourists.
48 min
427
#55: Arizona's Matt Buschmann
It took a decade in the Minor Leagues, but Arizona pitcher Matt Buschmann didn't give up on his dream of playing baseball at the game's highest level. This season, he was rewarded when he made his big league debut with the D-backs. Buschmann joins Tyler and Sam on Episode 55 to discuss his journey, plus Benjamin Hill talks early season promotions and more.
70 min
428
Special Edition: MiLB Team Songs
Benjamin Hill and Tyler Maun bring you the ear-wormiest episode of The Show Before The Show yet by highlighting some of the best team songs Minor League Baseball has to offer.
62 min
429
#54: Salem manager Joe Oliver
The Salem Red Sox are loaded for the 2016 Minor League Baseball season, and their manager Joe Oliver joins the 54th episode of The Show Before The Show. Plus, Benjamin Hill gives us his first Promo Watch breakdown of the new campaign, and Sam and Tyler discuss early breakout performances.
45 min
430
#53: Opening Day Megacast
The Minor League Baseball podcast gets you set for the 2016 season with a packed preview edition. This week's podcast features a host of MiLB.com writers going organization-by-organization through all 30 Minor League systems and noting the season's top storylines.
64 min
431
#52: Phillies' Jake Thompson
Jake Thompson is part of the core group of talent leading a rejuvenated Philadelphia Phillies system into the 2016 season. He joins this week's edition of the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about being a centerpiece in two trades and more. Plus Sam and Tyler get you set for Opening Day with the latest big player assignments from Spring Training.
60 min
432
#51: Astros' Rachel Balkovec
Houston Astros Latin America Strength & Conditioning Coach Rachel Balkovic joins Ep. 51 of The Show Before The Show to discuss how she broke into the game as baseball's first-ever female strength and conditioning coach. Benjamin Hill gives the lowdown on the Lehigh Valley Cheesesteaks, and Sam and Tyler talk top systems and what the thaw in relations with Cuba could mean for prospects.
69 min
433
#50: Brewers' Denson, Rockies' Rodgers
Sam and Tyler are back from Spring Training for the 50th edition of The Show Before The Show. This week, they reflect on the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues, hear from Brewers prospect David Denson and top Rockies prospect Brendan Rodgers. Benjamin Hill is back with news about Florida ballparks and more.
69 min
434
#49: Spring Training Special
Tyler Maun, Sam Dykstra and special guest Josh Jackson bring you stories and interviews from Spring Training in Arizona and Florida including conversations with the Braves' Max Fried, the Brewers' Jacob Nottingham, the Giants' Mac Williamson and more.
62 min
435
#48: Interview with Mets prospect Dominic Smith
Mets slugger Dominic Smith discusses his unique background as a highly regarded prospect from South-Central Los Angeles. Plus, the lazy river becomes a reality in Frisco, and Sam and Tyler discuss which Minor Leaguer's story would make for an Oscar-worthy movie. It's all in this week's The Show Before the Show Minor League Baseball podcast.
59 min
436
#47: Interview with Royals prospect Kyle Zimmer
Royals pitching prospect Kyle Zimmer joins the show to discuss his time in big league camp and his hopes for the 2016 season. Plus, Benjamin Hill takes a look at the Fresno Grizzlies' Taco Tuesdays promotion, a baseball fan dedicated to covering lost Minor League no-hitters and more in the latest Minor League Baseball podcast.
58 min
437
#46: Interview with Cubs prospect Willson Contr...
The Cubs' Willson Contreras, who broke out in 2015 and is now rated the top catching prospect in baseball, joins this week's podcast. Benjamin Hill joins the show to discuss the Great Lakes Loons' new look, the Bowling Green Bootleggers and more. Sam and Tyler talk best pitcher-catcher batteries and more in the Minor League Baseball podcast.
53 min
438
#45: Athletics prospect Sean Manaea
Current A's and former Royals pitching prospect Sean Manaea joins The Show Before The Show Minor League Baseball podcast to, among other things, explain his Twitter handle (@BABYSMGIRAFFE). Benjamin Hill discusses a former Minor Leaguer making an impact, and Three Strikes takes a look at prospects who could make noise in the presidential race -- if only they were running.
59 min
439
#44: Interview with Twins phenom Max Kepler
The Twins' Max Kepler -- MLB.com's No. 44 overall prospect and one of 2015's breakout prospects -- discussed what it was like growing up in Germany as the son of professional dancers and as the rare German athlete to play baseball. Benjamin Hill discusses the future of scheduling in the Minors, a proposed lazy river in Frisco and more.
45 min
440
#43: Interview with logo designer Todd Radom
Graphic designer Todd Radom joins the show to discuss his redesigns of the Southern and Appalachian League logos, his nearly three decades producing iconic designs and much more. Tyler and Sam also discuss the reveal of MLB.com's top 100 prospects.
58 min
441
#42: On Devenski and more with MiLB.com's Heneghan
MiLB.com's Kelsie Heneghan joins Tyler and Sam to talk about the interesting journey of Astros pitching prospect Chris Devenski. That plus an early look at the top prospects by position and more in this week's episode.
59 min
442
#41: Talking Mariners with Andy McKay
Andy McKay has joined the Mariners from the Rockies as Seattle's new farm director. He joins the podcast to talk about the M's system, his plan for its development and the mental approach to the game. That plus more from Tyler, Sam and Ben Hill.
66 min
443
#40: Talking Reds with Jagielo, Graupe
The Reds have been active this winter, trying to bolster their system via trade. Tyler and Sam talk to one of those acquisitions, third baseman Eric Jagielo, as well as Cincy's director of player development Jeff Graupe.
66 min
444
#39: Previewing the 2016 NL
After covering the AL last week, Sam and Tyler look at how New Year's goals will stack up for National League teams in the 2016 season.
52 min
445
#38: Previewing the 2016 AL
Sam and Tyler look at how holiday wish lists and New Year's goals will stack up for American League teams in the 2016 season.
47 min
446
#37: Interview with the Braves' Aaron Blair
In the offseason's biggest trade to date, righty Aaron Blair was dealt to Atlanta as part of the package for Shelby Miller,. Tyler and Sam talked with Blair about how he found out, what the 2015 season was like and what's ahead for him as a Brave.
61 min
447
#36: Analyzing the Rule 5 Draft, Winter Meeting...
Tyler and Sam recap Thursday's Rule 5 Draft, where dozens of players changed teams. They also hear from Ben Hill, who was at the Winter Meetings in Nashville.
56 min
448
#35: Interview with MiLB homer king Hessman
After announcing his retirement last week, all-time Minor League home run king Mike Hessman joins Tyler and Sam to talk about his illustrious career and what's next for him.
41 min
449
#34: Interview with new Braves lefty Sean Newcomb
Sam speaks with pitching prospect Sean Newcomb, the biggest piece heading to Atlanta from the Angels in the Andrelton Simmons trade. Ben Hill joins to discuss logo changes and rebrands across the Minors, and Tyler and Sam talk about the Padres' prospect return in the Craig Kimbrel deal.
68 min
450
#33: Interview with the Brewers' Brett Phillips
Milwaukee's No. 2 prospect Brett Phillips talks to Tyler in Taiwan as he plays for Team USA at the Premier12 tournament. Tyler and Sam also form their Arizona Fall League dream teams with their own fun draft.
74 min