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
151
#318: Rocket City clubbie Bubba Hearn
Rocket City clubhouse manager Bubba Hearn tells tales of the early days of the Trash Pandas, including ones about how he tracked down some of the firsts in the club’s history. Also, Ben returns with more stories from the road, Tyler and Sam preview the Trade Deadline and Josh gets all medical for Ghosts of the Minors.
53 min
152
#317: Back on the road with Benjamin Hill
Benjamin Hill calls in from the road for the first time since 2019 with tales of his trips to Chattanooga, Rocket City, Tennessee and Hickory. Also, Tyler and Sam recap the All-Star Futures Game and 2021 MLB Draft and preview what fans should watch for free on MiLB.TV as part of MiLB Major Fun Weekend.
77 min
153
#316: Big Fourth weekend for Fresno, MiLB
Fresno president Derek Franks joins the podcast to describe the Grizzlies’ Reopening Weekend celebrations and the relief that came with massive sellouts around the Fourth of July. Also, Ben looks ahead to his first road trip of the 2021 season, and Tyler and Sam preview the MLB Draft and the All-Star Futures Game.
56 min
154
#315: Welcoming new Americans in Iowa
Triple-A Iowa’s Scott Sailor details one of the great traditions of the Minors – the Cubs’ Naturalization Ceremony that sees Des Moines-area immigrants honored on the field before they are sworn in as American citizens. Also, Ben provides details of his first road trip since 2019, Tyler and Sam break down Futures Game rosters and Josh brings a rosy disposition to Ghosts of the Minors.
74 min
155
WanderCast: Franco debuts in MLB
Tyler and Sam gather for an emergency podcast, all about the Major League arrival of top overall prospect Wander Franco.
24 min
156
#314: Art of MiLB broadcasting
Lansing broadcaster Jesse Goldberg-Strassler talks about the #DemoCritiqueDay initiative. Tyler and Sam predict the next hyped MLB debut
61 min
157
#313: Family affair in Reading
#313: Family affair in Reading
48 min
158
#312: Bowling Green’s Karen Night
Ben and Sam talk to Bowling Green GM Eric Leach (and a special guest) about the Hot Rods’ Karen Night promotion from last week. Also, Tyler and Sam break down popup prospects, and Josh really ties the podcast together with more Ghosts of the Minors.
57 min
159
#311: A Wisconsin Udder Tuggers weekend
Ben and Sam talk to High-A Wisconsin broadcaster Chris Mehring about the club’s weekend-long Udder Tuggers promotion, Tyler breaks down prospect standouts at the Olympic qualifiers in Florida and Josh returns with a rock-solid edition of Ghosts of the Minors.
58 min
160
#310: Honoring a brother in Beloit
Tyler, Sam and Ben talk to Jim Drnec, whose family honored his recently passed brother Harry with the one-day naming rights to the Minor League ballpark in Beloit. Also, Tyler and Sam discuss which prospects are already showing signs of a breakout in 2021, and Ben details how Minor League broadcasters are calling road games from home this season.  
56 min
161
#309: Beer bats in Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach president/GM Ryan Moore talks to the Minor League Baseball podcast about how his club’s beer bats went viral and how the Pelicans are now selling the ballpark items through his personal Venmo. (Hint: It involves a lot of beer.) Also, Ben discusses how Hudson Valley found a fun solution to a high-tech problem with its videoboard over the weekend, Tyler and Sam recap storylines from Week 2 of the Minor League season and Josh Jackson returns with his throwback “Ghosts of the Minors” game-show segment.
54 min
162
#308: First week in review
Tyler and Sam review the first week of Minor League Baseball action, including early prospect standouts and Jarred Kelenic’s promotion to Seattle. The cohosts also look back at Sam’s Opening Day visit to Triple-A Worcester. Ben recaps some of the Minors’ funniest early promotions, and Josh Jackson introduces a new game-show segment. Tune in next week to find out the answer!
58 min
163
#307: 2021 Opening Day Megacast (MiLB is back!)
The Minor League Baseball regular season has returned at last. Tyler and Sam are joined by colleagues Josh Jackson and Kelsie Heneghan as they make predictions for the 2021 campaign. Also, Tyler talks to Triple-A Albuquerque’s Josh Suchon to look back at the shutdown through the lens of a broadcaster and to preview what’s ahead for the Isotopes, and Ben sneaks a peek at the promotions he’s most excited for in the year to come.
91 min
164
#306: Kannapolis general manager Matt Millward
Kannapolis general manager Matt Millward talks to the Minor League Baseball podcast about finally opening up a new stadium for baseball next week, after much anticipation. Also, Tyler and Sam preview Minor League rosters ahead of announcements coming in the next few days, and Ben gives one final breakdown of the ballpark, logo and name changes coming to the MiLB landscape in 2021.
52 min
165
#305: How to make a promo in 2021
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp director of promotions David Ratz talks to Ben, Tyler and Sam about building a 2021 promo schedule after the lost 2020 season. Also, Tyler and Sam discuss the 2021 Copa unveiling and break down the new affiliate structures for the five American League Central organizations.
61 min
166
#304: Hillsboro, Trenton play host
Members of the Hillsboro and Trenton front offices join the podcast to discuss how the clubs will host other Minor League clubs in 2021.
66 min
167
#303: D-backs prospect Corbin Martin
No. 7 D-backs prospect Corbin Martin talks to the Minor League Baseball podcast about his Tommy John surgery, his rehab process during the pandemic and his second turn at Arizona’s alternate training site. Also, Tyler and Sam break down the rookies that are stealing headlines in the Majors, and Ben reviews some facts from the new-look Double-A Northeast and Double-A Central circuits.
71 min
168
#302: 2021 MLB season preview
Tyler and Sam are joined by Josh Jackson and Kelsie Heneghan to preview the 2021 Major League season from a prospect and rookie perspective. The gang makes predictions on AL and NL Rookies of the Year, which clubs will be most reliant on their prospects and much more. Also, Ben stops by to discuss Vancouver’s ballpark arrangement with Hillsboro that will be in place to begin the Minor League campaign next month.
71 min
169
#301: Orioles prospect Gunnar Henderson
Baltimore Orioles No. 6 prospect Gunnar Henderson joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to discuss his time in camp, his basketball background and the future of his rebuilding organization. Also, Tyler and Sam preview the remaining Spring Training roster battles, and Ben talks about bringing the joys of Minor League Baseball to new audiences.
55 min
170
#300: Marlins prospect Max Meyer
No. 28 overall prospect Max Meyer joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to break down his first trip to Marlins Spring Training, his ascent to become last year's third overall pick and his multi-sport background in Minnesota. Also, Tyler, Sam and Ben celebrate the podcast’s 300th episode by looking back on what has happened in Minor League Baseball in the last six years and what they are most excited to see next.
64 min
171
#299: Reno GM Emily Jaenson
Triple-A Reno general manager Emily Jaenson joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to discuss her upcoming work on the on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and the Aces’ plans for 2021. Also, Tyler and Sam break down new rules coming to the Minors, and Ben details how Triple-A Charlotte’s dragon mascot Homer put out a city fire.
72 min
172
#298: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre president John Adams
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre president John Adams discusses the Triple-A delay and life as an alt site. Tyler and Sam break down spring performers.
58 min
173
#297: St. Paul Saints broadcaster Sean Aronson
Triple-A St. Paul broadcaster Sean Aronson calls into the podcast to help introduce one of the newest clubs to the Minor League landscape with discussions on the organization’s history, new partnership with the nearby Minnesota Twins and legendary promotional schedule. Also, Tyler and Sam preview which prospect-laden Spring Training camps are worth following and break down the new affiliations of the National League West.
61 min
174
#296: Blue Jays prospect Jordan Groshans
No. 46 overall prospect Jordan Groshans calls the Minor League Baseball podcast from Florida to share his expectations for his time in Spring Training, his hopes for cracking an increasingly loaded Blue Jays roster and his progress since he was last on a Minor League field in May 2019. Also, Tyler, Sam and Ben break down the 2021 Minor League schedule released on Thursday.
70 min
175
#295: Minor League restructure
Tyler, Sam and Ben discuss the biggest MiLB news in years: the restructuring of the Minor Leagues with 120 teams and new circuits.
46 min