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
176
#280: Braves prospect Michael Harris
Braves No. 12 prospect Michael Harris shares what it's like to watch Atlanta's playoff run. Tyler and Sam preview the 2021 Draft order.
86 min
177
#279: Rays prospect JJ Goss
Rays No. 13 prospect JJ Goss joins this week's Minor League Baseball podcast to discuss his time at instructs, his development in what could have been a lost year and what it's like to watch the playoffs as a member of the Tampa Bay system. Also, Tyler and Sam break down what has made rookies Randy Arozarena and Ian Anderson so successful in the postseason, and MiLB.com's Kelsie Heneghan and Josh Jackson call in to talk about their recent stories about "Gilmore Girls" star (and former Minor League pitcher) Scott Patterson and Erie owner Fernando Aguirre.
75 min
178
#278: Prospects in the playoffs
Tyler and Sam draft squads of top prospects playing in the Major League postseason, and Ben recaps the MiLB Innovators Summit.
72 min
179
#277: MiLB's Biggest Fan
Tyler and Sam are joined this week by winner of the MiLB’s Biggest Fan contest Jodi Compton. Jodi shares stories of her early connections to the game in Pawtucket and how she has passed on that love of baseball to her son on trips that have helped them see over 50 ballparks across the country. Also, Benjamin Hill is back to discuss Iowa’s tradition of holding a naturalization ceremony at Principal Park, and MiLB.com’s Jordan Wolf joins to share the story of El Paso manager Edwin Rodriguez, who served as the Majors’ first Puerto Rico-born manager.
60 min
180
#276: White Sox exec Chris Getz
White Sox farm director Chris Getz talks about Chicago's prospect contributions in 2020. Also, Ben breaks down Beloit's team name options.
85 min
181
#275: Amarillo manager Phillip Wellman
Padres Minor League manager Phillip Wellman joins this week’s episode to look back at Double-A Amarillo’s run to a Texas League title in 2019. He also discusses the many prospects from that club that have been traded to other organizations. Also on the show, Tyler and Sam break down what’s missed without a 2020 Minor League postseason, Benjamin Hill reviews what clubs did during the season that wasn’t and MiLB.com’s Josh Jackson shares the story of Smead Jolley, a Monster of the Minors.
75 min
182
Episode 274: Red Sox prospect Connor Seabold
#274: Boston Red Sox prospect Connor Seabold
57 min
183
Episode 273: Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore
No. 61 overall prospect Matthew Liberatore joins The Show Before the Show to provide an update from the Cardinals' alternate site in Springfield and to give advice to any Minor Leaguer who could be traded before Aug. 31. Tyler and Sam also preview next week's Trade Deadline, and Benjamin Hill shares a story about one man's plan to tattoo his body with Minor League logos.
56 min
184
Episode 272: Jon Paul Morosi on prospect impact...
Jon Paul Morosi of MLB Network and MLB.com joins this week's episode of The Show Before the Show to discuss the impact of top prospects on the MLB season, the upcoming Trade Deadline and more. Also, Benjamin Hill shares the joy of Minor League mystery boxes, and MiLB.com's Katie Woo talks about how the A's and Giants came together for Oakland's alternate site in San Jose.
79 min
185
Episode 271: What's going on in Minor League ba...
From Lansing's Lemonade League to the Toronto Blue Jays setting up shop in Buffalo, there's action in some Minor League ballparks across the country as summer draws late. Benjamin Hill and MiLB.com's Joe Bloss join Tyler and Sam to break down stadium news from the Minor League landscape.
55 min
186
Episode 270: Brewers' Garrett Mitchell
Milwaukee Brewers first-round pick Garrett Mitchell joins The Show Before the Show to discuss his Draft experience coming out of UCLA and how he's starting his career in the middle of a Minor League stoppage. Also, Benjamin Hill joins Tyler and Sam to discuss a potential name change in Beloit, and MiLB.com's Josh Jackson shares a story about one Minor League fan who has spanned the country collecting sundae helmets.
72 min
187
Episode 269: Buffalo Bisons on hosting Blue Jays
Mike Buczkowski of the Buffalo Bisons joins the show to talk about his team playing host to the Toronto Blue Jays' 2020 home games plus Gerard Gilberto on Rays prospect Esteban Quiroz.
59 min
188
Episode 268: Tigers' Spencer Torkelson, MLB Ope...
Tigers prospect and 2020 No. 1 overall pick Spencer Torkelson joins The Show Before the Show to discuss his early days in Detroit's Summer Camp, his move to third base and his potential readiness to debut this season. Also, Tyler and Sam are joined by MiLB.com's Kelsie Heneghan and Josh Jackson to preview the upcoming Major League campaign, and Benjamin Hill brings along some of the best Minor League crooked numbers from years past.
115 min
189
Episode 267: Padres' Ryan Weathers
Ninth-ranked Padres prospect Ryan Weathers joins the show from his team's Summer camp in San Diego. Plus Benjamin Hill on NYPL facts and Jordan Wolf on a former president's possible cameo in the Minors.
70 min
190
Episode 266: Mariners' Julio Rodriguez
Seattle Mariners No. 2 prospect Julio Rodriguez talked to Tyler and Sam shortly before heading to Washington state to join his organization's Summer Camp workouts. Also, Ben shares Midwest and South Atlantic League fun facts, and MiLB.com writer Rob Terranova tells the tale of Nolan Ryan's brief but dominant Minor League career.
67 min
191
Episode 265: Why we love Minor League Baseball
With the news now official that the 2020 Minor League Baseball season has been canceled, we hear from a dozen top prospects as well as every MiLB.com writer on what makes the Minor Leagues so special to all of us.
94 min
192
Episode 264: Discussing MLB's planned return
Tyler and Sam open this week's edition of The Show Before the Show with a full discussion on the impending return of Major League Baseball and what it will mean for top prospects. Also, Benjamin Hill shares an inspiring Father's Day story from Double-A Mississippi, and MiLB.com's Gerard Gilberto talks about prospects that are still awaiting their comebacks after injury-riddled 2019 seasons.
54 min
193
Episode 263: Royals' Bobby Witt Jr.
Royals top prospect Bobby Witt Jr. joins this week's The Show Before the Show to share memories of his experience going second overall in the 2019 Draft and those of growing up with his Major League pitcher father of the same name. Also, Benjamin Hill discusses the Staten Island Yankees' ties to the latest Judd Apatow and Pete Davidson movie, and MiLB.com's Brian Stultz tells the tale of Indians pick Tanner Burns and his dad Mike.
64 min
194
Episode 262: Draft recap, Orioles' Adley Rutschman
Tyler and Sam recap what was surprising and what wasn't from the first round of this year's First-Year Player Draft. Speaking of the Draft, Nationwide ambassador and last year's first overall pick Adley Rutschman swings by to discuss the process that took him to the Orioles system and his first experiences in the Minor Leagues. Also, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre broadcaster Adam Giardino discusses The Black Play-by-Play Broadcaster Grant initiative, and Benjamin Hill shares some fun facts from the California League.
87 min
195
Episode 261: 2020 Draft preview, Marlins' JJ Bl...
Tyler and Sam preview the 2020 First-Year Player Draft coming this week on Wednesday and Thursday by touching on the new five-round format and the likelihood that Spencer Torkelson goes first overall. Also, Marlins No. 2 prospect JJ Bleday joins the show to discuss his Draft experience from last year and his early tastes of pro ball.
40 min
196
Episode 260: Royals' Nick Heath, Mariners' Jarr...
Kansas City Royals No. 26 prospect Nick Heath talks extensively on life in the wake of George Floyd's death, peaceful protests, the ways he uses his platform for good and his career in baseball. Seattle Mariners top prospect and Nationwide ambassador Jarred Kelenic also breaks down his road toward the Major Leagues, and MiLB.com's Benjamin Hill details how the Rocky Mountain Vibes have found a new way to draw fans safely to the ballpark.
102 min
197
Episode 259: Dodgers' Josiah Gray
Los Angeles Dodgers No. 3 prospect Josiah Gray joins The Show Before the Show to discuss his preparations in Arizona, his past as a Division II two-way player and his proximity to the Majors. Also, Ben brings some Southern League fun facts, and MiLB.com's Andrew Battifarano shares the Minor League history of NHL legend Doug Harvey.
68 min
198
Episode 258: Royals' Kris Bubic
Sixth-ranked Kansas City Royals prospect Kris Bubic joins The Show Before the Show to talk about his big-game experience and the growth that made him the 2019 Minor League leader in strikeouts. Also, Benjamin Hill brings some Eastern League fun facts to the podcast, and MiLB.com's Jordan Wolf discusses the forgotten story of Minor League legend Elliot Bigelow.
74 min
199
Episode 257: Rockies' Ryan Vilade
Fourth-ranked Colorado Rockies prospect Ryan Vilade joins The Show Before the Show to talk about his improved hitting in 2019 and his hope to find a defensive home in Denver. Also, Benjamin Hill brings Pacific Coast League facts and opens a set of Major League cards from 1988 on air, and Josh Jackson dives into the history of the Miami Sun Sox.
86 min
200
Episode 256: Giants' Sean Hjelle
Ninth-ranked San Francisco Giants prospect Sean Hjelle joins this week's The Show Before the Show episode to discuss what's made him an effective pitcher at 6-foot-11 and how he's climbed through the ranks toward the Bay Area. Also, Ben brings some International League fun facts from his latest MiLB.com piece, and Gerard Gilberto goes deeper into his story on New York Mets pitching prospect Tommy Wilson and his father who you might know as Biff Tannen.
80 min