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
201
#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
202
#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
203
#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
204
#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
205
#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
206
#294: Mets farm director Kevin Howard
New Mets farm director Kevin Howard shares his philosophies on player development, and Tyler and Sam break down the Nolan Arenado trade.
65 min
207
#293: Mariners Triple-A manager Kristopher Negrón
Mariners Triple-A manager Kristopher Negrón talks to the Minor League Baseball podcast about his expectations for the role, his recent experience as a player and his excitement for leading a roster filled with top Seattle prospects. Also, Tyler and Sam break down recent trades, and Ben shares stories of Hank Aaron’s brief time in the Minors.
74 min
208
#292: Rangers prospect Justin Foscue
Texas first-rounder Justin Foscue joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to discuss his early pro-ball lessons, his surge at Mississippi State and how he uses video games to help him at the plate. Also, Tyler and Sam break down the latest Pirates-Padres-Mets trade, and Ben brings stories about Minor League mementos. 
68 min
209
#291: Pirates prospect Wil Crowe
Right-handed pitcher Wil Crowe shares the story of his December trade from the Nationals to the Pirates in this week’s Minor League Baseball podcast. Also, Tyler and Sam look at some AL East rookie projections, and Ben remembers some ballpark legends the Minor League community lost in the last year.
70 min
210
#290: Nationals prospect Cade Cavalli
Nats prospect Cade Cavalli recounts his first year, Sam and Tyler break down the Lindor trade and Ben shares his favorite MiLB bobbleheads.
73 min
211
#289: 2020 in review
Tyler, Sam and Ben look back at what was lost, what they missed most and what they learned about Minor League Baseball in 2020.
66 min
212
#288: Invitations and Rule 5
Tyler and Sam recap the partner invitations sent by MLB clubs and the Rule 5 Draft. Ben discusses what's missed from the Winter Meetings.
64 min
213
#287: Cubs' Ed Howard
Cubs prospect Ed Howard breaks down what it's like playing for his hometown team. Tyler and Sam discuss the Pioneer and MLB Draft Leagues.
82 min
214
#286: 2020 hindsight
Tyler and Sam revisit their Major League preseason prospect predictions with MiLB.com's Kelsie Heneghan and Josh Jackson.
78 min
215
#285: Angels' Chris Rodriguez
Angels prospect Chris Rodriguez details his road back from major back injuries, and Tyler and Sam preview the 40-man protection deadline.
54 min
216
#284: A's prospect Greg Deichmann
A's prospect Greg Deichmann discusses what it's like to await Rule 5 protection on the 40-man roster. Also, Ben reviews 2013 promotions
71 min
217
#283: Twins prospect Aaron Sabato
Twins first-rounder Aaron Sabato discusses his intro to pro ball at instructs, and Ben details how ONEOK Field became a Tulsa polling place.
60 min
218
#282: Dodgers' Triple-A manager Travis Barbary
Oklahoma City manager Travis Barbary shares the secret behind the Dodgers' player-development success. Tyler and Sam recap the World Series.
112 min
219
#281: World Series edition
Tyler and Sam discuss whether the Dodgers or Rays are better set up for the next five years. Ben breaks down the BlueClaws' new look.
84 min
220
#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
221
#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
222
#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
223
#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
224
#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
225
#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