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
26
#462: Rickwood Field Week
Kelsie and Sam chat with Tyler about their coverage of MiLB at Rickwood Field, Willie Mays’ death and their road trip from Daytona Beach to Birmingham. They also share an interview with Jacksonville general manager Harold Craw that was recorded one day after the Jumbo Shrimp did their own Negro Leagues celebration. Finally, Ben reports the road following stops to Rome, Rocket City and Memphis.
93 min
27
#461: Remembering Salt Lake legend Steve Klauke
Former Salt Lake broadcaster Steve Klauke died this week at 69 years old. Fellow voices from around Minor League Baseball share their memories of Klauke and talk about the legacy he leaves behind in Utah and beyond. Also, Ben and Sam share itineraries for their swings through the South, and Josh strikes fear in all with the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
94 min
28
#460: Creating a Minor League team name
Ben, Sam and Tyler asked for fake Minor League team names, and listeners responded in droves. The cohosts comb through their favorite submissions before picking and designing the 2024 winner. Also, Josh rattles off another edition of Ghosts of the Minors
68 min
29
#459: Rancho Cucamonga BBQs
Rancho Cucamonga broadcaster Mike Lindskog talks about the club's BBQs alternate identity. Also, Ben shares three more new looks coming to Minor League teams soon, the podcast hosts asks for creative Minor League team names from listeners and Josh extracts the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors
69 min
30
#458: Red Sox prospect Zach Penrod
Red Sox prospect Zach Penrod talks about his journey from the independent Pioneer League to Double-A ball. Also, Sam and Josh recap the MLB Pipeline Prospect Showcase Game in Portland, Ben and Tyler look at throwback promos from across the Minors and Josh wrangles the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
72 min
31
#457: Fort Wayne's Mental Health Awareness Night
Fort Wayne TinCaps president Mike Nutter explains the importance of his club’s focus on mental health this weekend and all year. Also, Ben provides details on the Hub City Spartanburgers, Sam and Tyler look at the updated MLB Pipeline Top 100 prospects list and Josh gavels in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors
80 min
32
#456: Ben’s California adventure
Ben returns from the road to share stories from San Jose, Modesto, Stockton and Sacramento. Also, Sam and Tyler preview Paul Skenes’ upcoming Major League debut, and Josh packs in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors
84 min
33
#455: Hot starts in Triple-A, Spokane book
Sam and Tyler discuss the hottest prospect performances at Triple-A, including those of Junior Caminero and Coby Mayo. Also, Ben interviews author Erick Vickrey about his book covering the 1946 Spokane Indians bus disaster, and Josh shares another noble edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
69 min
34
#454: Paul Skenes, Song from the Jersey Shore
Sam shares an excerpt from his interview with top pitching prospect Paul Skenes, and Sam and Tyler discuss the Pirates right-hander’s early dominance. Also, Ben talks about his favorite bobbleheads and interviews Jersey Shore’s Greg Giombarrese and Gianna Fiocco about the club’s new song “ShoreTown is Your Town” that was released this week. Finally, Josh shares the fruits of another edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
86 min
35
#453: Indianapolis chat, Wichita Chili Buns
Sam calls in from Indianapolis to chat with Ben and Tyler about his visit to see top pitching prospect Paul Skenes. Also, Ben talks with Wichita general manager Matt Hamilton about the club’s new Chili Buns alternate identity, and Josh plays another round of Ghosts of the Minors.
57 min
36
#452: Erie rings in '24
#452: Erie SeaWolves ring in 2024
83 min
37
#451: Opening Day Draft, Part II
Happy second Opening Day! Ben, Sam and Tyler are joined by Kelsie Heneghan and Josh Jackson for a second draft around Double-A, High-A and Single-A teams.
91 min
38
#450: Triple-A Opening Day Draft
To celebrate the start of the Minor League season, Ben, Sam and Tyler build their own Triple-A franchises using categories like main identities, ballparks and mascots.
84 min
39
#449: Minor League family life in Portland
Emma Tiedemann, Jesse Scaglion and their baby daughter Lucy join the podcast to share stories of working as a growing Portland Sea Dogs family. Also, the group looks at coming Double-A promotions for 2024 and recaps the best Spring Breakout performances. Josh fortifies the episode with the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
78 min
40
#448: Nationals prospect Brady House
Nationals No. 3 prospect Brady House checks in from Spring Training. Also, Sam previews this week’s Spring Breakout series, Ben looks at Triple-A promotions and Josh takes a swing at the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors
68 min
41
#447: Rays prospect Xavier Isaac
Rays No. 4 prospect Xavier Isaac chats with Sam about his first full season, second Spring Training and sleeper status in the 2022 Draft. Also, Ben and Tyler discuss Spokane’s King Carl campaign, Sam has the details on the Spring Breakout roster reveal and Josh glues together the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minor
57 min
42
#446: Tobacco Beetles, Spring Training battles
Ben, Sam and Tyler look at alternate identities for Winston-Salem and Great Lakes and take a certain left bovine turn into summer collegiate ball too. Also, Winston-Salem GM Brian DeAngelis gives more details on his club’s Tobacco Beetles look, and Sam and Tyler chat about early prospect performance in Spring Training. Finally, Josh revisits Babylon in Ghosts of the Minors
67 min
43
#445: Jacksonville celebrates the public domain
Promo director David Ratz discusses the Jumbo Shrimp's jersey featuring public-domain characters.
50 min
44
#444: Bowling Green Cavemen alternate identity
Bowling Green general manager Kyle Wolz chats with Ben about his club’s new Cavemen alternate identity. Also, Sam and Tyler look at Spring Training prospects to watch, and Josh goes bust in Ghosts of the Minors
68 min
45
#443: Bhutan baseball, Reading ballpark improve...
MLB.com's Michael Clair shares the story of Hudson Valley's connection with Bhutan baseball, and Reading's Jake Starr talks ballpark updates with Ben, Sam and Tyler. Also, Josh opens a box o’ joe in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
56 min
46
#442: Top 100 breakdown, Fooser Studios' Ryan F...
Sam and Tyler discuss MLB Pipeline’s updated Top 100 prospect ranking, Ben looks at the King Cakes identity coming to Biloxi in 2024 and the gang interviews MiLB logo designer Ryan Foose of Fooser Studios, who was involved in the Jersey Diners branding. Also, Josh brings a spark to Ghosts of the Minors.
90 min
47
#441: Jersey Diners, Hall of Famers in MiLB, To...
Ben, Sam and Tyler chat about Somerset’s new Jersey Diners identity and look back at the Minor League careers of the 2024 Hall of Fame Class. Also, Sam breaks down MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 shortstop and outfielder rankings, former Princeton GM Jim Holland discusses his book “My Fortunate Detour” and Josh yammers on in Ghosts of the Minors.
91 min
48
#440: Nationals prospect DJ Herz
Nationals prospect DJ Herz talks about his trade from the Cubs, 40-man roster spot and Vulcan changeup. Also, Ben, Sam and Tyler look at new food identities and Top 10 prospect lists, and Josh glows in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
65 min
49
#439: Mississippi move, Cardinals' Masyn Winn
Cardinals prospect Masyn Winn talks about making The Show, and Ben, Sam and Tyler look at Double-A Mississippi’s move to Columbus, Georgia. The gang also discusses National Bobblehead Day, and Josh wiggles his way through the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
60 min
50
#438: 2024 Minor League Baseball resolutions/goals
Ben, Sam and Tyler provide their New Year’s resolutions and goals for the 2024 season ahead in Minor League Baseball and get some help from MLB Pipeline/MiLB.com colleagues and podcast listeners alike. Also, Josh wipes the slate clean in Ghosts of the Minors
74 min