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
#477: We Knew Them When, Part I
The gang is off the next two weeks, but the Major League postseason is very much on. The podcast revisits interviews with stars of this year’s playoffs from back when they were Minor League prospects, including ones with Brandon Nimmo, Kyle Higashioka, Will Smith and Pete Alonso. More talks with similar players coming on next week’s edition of The Show Before the Show.
74 min
27
#476: Salt Lake broadcaster Tony Parks
Salt Lake broadcaster Tony Parks shares memories of the final game at Smith’s Ballpark ahead of the Bees’ move to a new facility nearby next spring. Also, Tyler recaps the Triple-A National Championship, Ben reviews Crooked Numbers, Sam previews the Arizona Fall League and Josh detonates an explosive edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
63 min
28
#475: Birmingham Barons broadcaster Curt Bloom
Double-A Birmingham broadcaster Curt Bloom shares stories from the Barons' improbable run to a Southern League title this week. Ben, Sam and Tyler also discuss more Minor League postseason news and results, and Josh checks in with the latest Ghost of the Minors.
59 min
29
#474: Charlotte superfan LaMichael Mitchell, St...
Bobbleheads are on the brain this week. Charlotte superfan LaMichael Mitchell and vice president of communications Tommy Viola swing by to chat about how the Knights honored the club’s biggest supporter, and St. Paul executive vice president/general manager Derek Sharrer speaks on how the Saints got creative with this year’s edition of their Bobblelection giveaway. Also, Ben looks at the MiLB Awards nominees for Best Alternate Identity, Sam checks in on the Minor League postseason and Josh lights up the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
67 min
30
#473: Say bye to M-Braves; Meet the Clingstones
Ben details the Columbus Clingstones identity coming to the Southern League in 2025, and Mississippi director of group sales David Kerr helps bid adieu to the M-Braves with stories from Pearl. Also, Josh goes deep into history in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
59 min
31
#472: Remembering Toledo’s Jim Weber
Toledo broadcaster Matt Melzak speaks to Ben about the legacy of longtime Mud Hens voice Jim Weber. Also, Ben previews September promos, Sam looks at Single-A and High-A storylines from the 2024 season and Josh takes a knee in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors
67 min
32
#471: Tigers prospect Max Clark
Top Tigers prospect Max Clark talks to Ben from High-A West Michigan about what it’s like to be a player wearing alternate-identity uniforms
89 min
33
#470: Phillies prospect Aidan Miller
Top Phillies prospect Aidan Miller talks to Sam about his first full season, his recent turnaround and his 2023 Draft experience following a broken hamate injury that spring. Also, Ben previews his upcoming trip to Michigan and other parts of the Midwest, and Josh delivers an epic edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
61 min
34
#469: MLB Pipeline’s in-season prospect rerank
Sam and Tyler chat about the updated Top 100 overall and Top 30 organizational prospect rankings for MLB Pipeline. Also, Ben talks with Durham VP of baseball ops Mike Birling about his tenure with the Bulls, and Josh gives an honest account in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
67 min
35
#468: Braves prospect Hayden Harris, Fowl-well ...
Braves No. 30 prospect Hayden Harris shares how LinkedIn got him an opportunity in pro ball, and Down East general manager Jon Clemmons discusses the final season in Kinston. Also, Ben and Sam go through some of the Minor League news of the week, and Josh cracks wise in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
70 min
36
#467: Trades and Trips
Sam and Tyler chat about how prospects and farm systems were affected by this year’s Trade Deadline, and Ben returns from his North Carolina road trip with stories from Down East, Durham and more. Finally, Josh finds good fortune in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
53 min
37
#466: Cubs prospect Matt Shaw
Cubs No. 2 prospect Matt Shaw talks about his time at Double-A Tennessee from the MLB Pipeline Prospect Showcase. Also, Ben discusses a league swap in the Rangers system, Sam and Tyler preview the Trade Deadline and Josh hops to the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
65 min
38
#465: 2024 Draft, Futures Game, West Coast League
Sam and Tyler break down this year’s MLB Draft results and discuss the All-Star Futures Game. They also chat about their work together broadcasting the West Coast League All-Star Game in Bellingham, Washington.
33 min
39
#464: Midsummer podcast
Ben and Tyler look at some recent Minor League Crooked Numbers, Sam previews the All-Star Futures Game and 2024 Draft and Josh releases a sick edition of Ghosts of the Minors
70 min
40
Fourth of July special: Futures Game rosters
During a short holiday week, Sam jumps in quick to chat about Futures Game rosters, MLB Pipeline’s updated Top 100 prospect ranking and James Wood’s callup to the Nationals.
25 min
41
#463: Tales from the South
69 min
42
#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
43
#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
44
#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
45
#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
46
#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
47
#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
48
#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
49
#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
50
#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