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
51
#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
52
#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
53
#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
54
#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
55
#452: Erie rings in '24
#452: Erie SeaWolves ring in 2024
83 min
56
#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
57
#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
58
#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
59
#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
60
#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
61
#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
62
#445: Jacksonville celebrates the public domain
Promo director David Ratz discusses the Jumbo Shrimp's jersey featuring public-domain characters.
50 min
63
#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
64
#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
65
#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
66
#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
67
#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
68
#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
69
#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
70
#437: Five favorite MiLB things from 2023
Ben, Sam and Tyler each present their five favorite Minor League or baseball-related things from the 2023 season
75 min
71
#436: Spring Breakout, Akron merchandise manage...
Ben, Sam and Tyler talk about the new Spring Breakout series coming in 2024 and the Oklahoma City Baseball Club identity revealed this week.
51 min
72
#435: Winter Meetings chatter, Braves' David Mc...
Winter Meetings moves, including Juan Soto’s trade to the Yankees and the Rule 5 Draft.
67 min
73
#434: Bowie home clubhouse manager Jon Weinberg
Eastern League Home Clubhouse Attendant of the Year Jon Weinberg takes us behind the scenes of the Bowie Baysox and the successful Baltimore Orioles farm system. Also, Ben shares the story of how Italian chef Alessandro Buccino ended up working at the ballpark in Lehigh Valley, Sam and Tyler preview the Winter Meetings and Josh takes a hike through history in Ghosts of the Minors
68 min
74
#433: The Gratitude Guys
Ben, Sam and Tyler interview each other about their pasts, presents and futures on a Thanksgiving episode of the Minor League podcast.
104 min
75
#432: Logo designer Dan Simon on Rome’s rebrand
Veteran design artist Dan Simon discusses his work on the Rome Emperors rebrand, and much more. Ben runs down other new looks and dishes on concessions from his Southern ballpark trip, and Josh looks back at a particularly slick team for Ghosts of the Minors
59 min