The Show Before the Show

New York Yankees second-round pick Nick Solak joins the show from the New York-Penn League All-Star Game to talk about the start to his pro career and his time at Louisville. Tyler and Sam also talk about Dansby Swanson and the end of Francisco Mejia's hitting streak while Ben is back from his trip with more tales from the Pacific Northwest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reds prospect T.J. Friedl joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about how he found out he was Draft eligible and how he ended up signing with Cincinnati. Ben joins the show from the road to talk about his west coast swing, and Tyler and Sam discuss two big Cardinals promotions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first podcast of August, Tyler and Sam break down a big week in prospect movement following the Trade Deadline. Which farm systems improved? Which took the biggest hits? Also, Benjamin Hill calls in from California to give an update on his trip to the west coast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fort Wayne manager Anthony Contreras joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about new Padres prospects Anderson Espinoza and Chris Paddack and what it's like to coach young players after they've come over in a trade. Tyler and Sam also break down a big week in Major League promotions, and Ben previews his West Coast road trip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rockies No. 2 prospect David Dahl talks to the Minor League Baseball podcast about his scorching start at Triple-A Albuquerque and what life on the road was like with Double-A Hartford. Tyler and Sam also preview the trade deadline, and Ben discusses his own merchandising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oakland Athletics prospect Ryon Healy joins the Minor League podcast to discuss his Futures Game experience in San Diego and his breakout 2016 season. Sam and Tyler also break down the first half while Ben talks about potential new names in Lynchburg. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam and Tyler take their hands at starting their own farm systems using only players that will appear in this year's All-Star Futures Game while Ben wraps up his trip through the Appalachian League. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cincinnati Reds No. 4 prospect Amir Garrett joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about his upcoming second trip to the Futures Game, his recent transition to Triple-A ball and how he chose baseball over basketball. Tyler and Sam also break down the rest of the Futures Game rosters while Ben calls in from his Appalachian League road trip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mariners top pick Kyle Lewis joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about his experience entering the 2016 Draft, his dominant time at Mercer and his introduction to pro ball. Sam and Tyler also break down the latest prospect promotions, and Ben previews his upcoming Appalachian League trip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before being taken by the Indians in the first round of the 2016 Draft, Will Benson talked with Sam about the Draft process and what type of player he hopes to become. Tyler and Sam also break down the Draft and preview short-season ball. Ben joins to talk top merchandising sales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the Major League Draft this week, Giants No. 3 prospect Phil Bickford joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about his two Draft experiences as a first-round pick with the Blue Jays in 2013 and with the Giants in 2015. Ben Hill also joins the show for during a packed week for Minor League promos while Sam and Tyler go over what top prospects will hear their names called in the first round of the Draft. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Triple-A Oklahoma City broadcaster Alex Freedman joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk Dodgers top prospect Julio Urias and the life of a radio guy in the Pacific Coast League. Ben Hill also discusses dueling Deflategate promos while Sam and Tyler go over the Triple-A All-Star ballot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Houston Astros top prospect Alex Bregman calls into the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about his incredibly hot start to the 2016 season. Benjamin Hill also stops by to discuss the Class A Advanced Lynchburg name change while Tyler and Sam bring you all the latest news and notes on prospects. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toronto Blue Jays prospect Max Pentecost joins the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about his road back from a pair of shoulder surgeries and his start with Class A Lansing. Also, Ben Hill is back from the road to discuss his trip and Binghamton's new name options. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Benjamin Hill calls the Minor League Baseball podcast from his road trip through the Carolinas to discuss all the sights and sounds from his first excursion of the 2016 season. Tyler and Sam also break down which organizations have the prospect pieces to possibly even consider a trade for Angels superstar Mike Trout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Triple-A Indianapolis Indians boast one of the most exciting pitching staffs in all of Minor League Baseball, and Indy pitching coach Stan Kyles joins the show to discuss top prospects Jameson Taillon, Tyler Glasnow and more. Plus, Benjamin Hill previews his first road trip of the 2016 season and Sam and Tyler look back on risers and fallers from the first month of the campaign. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No. 5 Chicago Cubs prospect Albert Almora stops by the latest edition of the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about his hot start in Triple-A, how his lengthy resume with USA Baseball helped him prepare for pro ball and more. Plus, Benjamin Hill has all the details on MiLB.com's Food Fight competition and the Beer City Tourists. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It took a decade in the Minor Leagues, but Arizona pitcher Matt Buschmann didn't give up on his dream of playing baseball at the game's highest level. This season, he was rewarded when he made his big league debut with the D-backs. Buschmann joins Tyler and Sam on Episode 55 to discuss his journey, plus Benjamin Hill talks early season promotions and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Benjamin Hill and Tyler Maun bring you the ear-wormiest episode of The Show Before The Show yet by highlighting some of the best team songs Minor League Baseball has to offer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Salem Red Sox are loaded for the 2016 Minor League Baseball season, and their manager Joe Oliver joins the 54th episode of The Show Before The Show. Plus, Benjamin Hill gives us his first Promo Watch breakdown of the new campaign, and Sam and Tyler discuss early breakout performances. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Minor League Baseball podcast gets you set for the 2016 season with a packed preview edition. This week's podcast features a host of MiLB.com writers going organization-by-organization through all 30 Minor League systems and noting the season's top storylines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jake Thompson is part of the core group of talent leading a rejuvenated Philadelphia Phillies system into the 2016 season. He joins this week's edition of the Minor League Baseball podcast to talk about being a centerpiece in two trades and more. Plus Sam and Tyler get you set for Opening Day with the latest big player assignments from Spring Training. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Houston Astros Latin America Strength & Conditioning Coach Rachel Balkovic joins Ep. 51 of The Show Before The Show to discuss how she broke into the game as baseball's first-ever female strength and conditioning coach. Benjamin Hill gives the lowdown on the Lehigh Valley Cheesesteaks, and Sam and Tyler talk top systems and what the thaw in relations with Cuba could mean for prospects. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After winning the Minor League home run crown, 2014 Golden Spikes Award winner and No. 5 Astros prospect A.J. Reed joins the show to talk about his explosive season. That and a breakdown of top prospects in the playoffs and Benjamin Hill joins to talk postseason promotions in this week's episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tyler and Sam have a sweeping conversation with the top pick in the 2015 Draft, the D-backs' Dansby Swanson. He talks Vandy in the College World Series, getting picked No. 1, moving to shortstop, his interest in Forrest Gump's Lieutenant Dan and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices