The Show Before the Show

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

Members of the Hillsboro and Trenton front offices join the podcast to discuss how the clubs will host other Minor League clubs in 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

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

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

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre president John Adams discusses the Triple-A delay and life as an alt site. Tyler and Sam break down spring performers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

Tyler, Sam and Ben discuss the biggest MiLB news in years: the restructuring of the Minor Leagues with 120 teams and new circuits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Mets farm director Kevin Howard shares his philosophies on player development, and Tyler and Sam break down the Nolan Arenado trade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

Nats prospect Cade Cavalli recounts his first year, Sam and Tyler break down the Lindor trade and Ben shares his favorite MiLB bobbleheads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tyler, Sam and Ben look back at what was lost, what they missed most and what they learned about Minor League Baseball in 2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

Tyler and Sam revisit their Major League preseason prospect predictions with MiLB.com's Kelsie Heneghan and Josh Jackson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Angels prospect Chris Rodriguez details his road back from major back injuries, and Tyler and Sam preview the 40-man protection deadline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Twins first-rounder Aaron Sabato discusses his intro to pro ball at instructs, and Ben details how ONEOK Field became a Tulsa polling place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oklahoma City manager Travis Barbary shares the secret behind the Dodgers' player-development success. Tyler and Sam recap the World Series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

Tyler and Sam preview the 2020 Major League Baseball postseason by drafting separate squads of top prospects prepared to leave their marks on the game’s biggest stage. Also, Ben Hill recaps the 2020 MiLB Innovators Summit, and MiLB.com’s Gerard Gilberto discusses the long road that has taken baseball lifer Guillermo Quiroz to a managerial job at Class A Kannapolis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

White Sox farm director Chris Getz talks about Chicago's prospect contributions in 2020. Also, Ben breaks down Beloit's team name options. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

No. 23 Red Sox prospect Connor Seabold calls into the Minor League Baseball podcast to discuss his August trade from the Phillies, what it’s like to move teams in the midst of COVID-19 protocols and how a strong Arizona Fall League helped his stock. Also, Tyler and Sam review the rest of the 2020 Trade Deadline, and Benjamin Hill talks about the Negro League celebrations MiLB clubs had planned for the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

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

Major League Baseball is coming to Buffalo in 2020 as the Bisons host the Toronto Blue Jays. Mike Buczkowski, president of Rich Baseball Operations, calls into The Show Before the Show to talk about how the Triple-A club is preparing to bring the bright lights of the Majors to Sahlen Field. Also, Tyler and Sam break down prospect standouts from the first week of the season, and MiLB.com's Gerard Gilberto shares the story of Esteban Quiroz's road from the Mexican League to the Tampa Bay Rays player pool. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

San Diego Padres No. 9 prospect Ryan Weathers calls into The Show Before the Show to break down his early days in Summer Camp and his added velocity on the mound. Also, Benjamin Hill brings along some New York-Penn League fun facts, and MiLB.com's Jordan Wolf discusses his recent piece on Dwight D. Eisenhower's rumored Minor League career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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