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
476
#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
477
#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
478
#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
479
#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
480
#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
481
#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
482
#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
483
#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
484
#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
485
#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
486
#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
487
#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
488
#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
489
#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
490
#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
491
#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
492
#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
493
#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
494
#32: Interview with the Orioles' Dylan Bundy
Baltimore's No. 2 prospect Dylan Bundy made the Majors a year out of the Draft but has been derailed by injuries since. He talks to Tyler from the Arizona Fall League. That and plenty more from Sam and Ben Hill.
60 min
495
#31: Interview with the Mets' Brandon Nimmo
With the Mets in the World Series, Tyler and Sam talk to one of their top prospects, Brandon Nimmo, about watching his parent club in the Fall Classic and what baseball's like in Wyoming.
62 min
496
#30: Interview with the Pirates' Reese McGuire
Pittsburgh catching prospect Reese McGuire joins the show to discuss how he's become a top defender and his experience thus far in the Arizona Fall League. In light of the Cubs' elimination, Ben joins Tyler and Sam to consider the Minors' longest championship droughts.
46 min
497
#29: A's instructional coach Justine Siegal
Justine Siegal became the first female coach in MLB history this month. She joins the show from A's instructional league in Arizona. That and more in the latest episode.
60 min
498
#28: Announcing 2015 MiLBYs nominees
Tyler Maun and Sam Dykstra announce and break down nominees for the 2015 MiLBY awards. Ben Hill joins later to talk about the Promo Seminar and the Promo of the Year award.
73 min
499
#27: Interview with Rays No. 2 prospect Blake S...
Tampa Bay's No. 2 prospect, Blake Snell, joins the show to look back on another breakout year, plus Ben Hill checks in from the Minor League Promo Seminar in Columbus.
52 min
500
#26: Kelsie Heneghan from the Triple-A Champion...
MiLB.com's Kelsie Heneghan joins the show from El Paso to recap Fresno's victory in the Triple-A Championship Game. Benjamin Hill also talks to Tyler and Sam about both sides of the Pawtucket stadium debate now that the original plans for a Providence ballpark have fallen through. That and more storylines from the end of the 2015 season.
55 min