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
#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
427
#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
428
#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
429
#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
430
#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
431
#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
432
#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
433
#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
434
#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
435
#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
436
#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
437
#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
438
#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
439
#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
440
#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
441
#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
442
#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
443
#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
444
#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
445
#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
446
#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
447
#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
448
#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
449
#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
450
#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