The Show Before the Show
Sports
About
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.
Episodes
- #552: Louisville’s Nothing Night; Top 100 prospects update
Ben brings the sights and sounds from Louisville’s Nothing Night, and Sam and Tyler chat about MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects ranking update. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- #551: Get your kicks at Springfield’s Route 66 Stadium
Ben interviews Springfield GM Dan Reiter about the newly renamed Route 66 Stadium and discusses how the change could start a trend across the industry. Also, Sam and Tyler talk about prospects pushing for promotions within the Minors at th…
- #550: Nationals prospect Devin Fitz-Gerald
Sam interviews Nationals No. 9 prospect Devin Fitz-Gerald about his aggressive push to High-A, Washington’s loaded infield group and his work with his dad at Stoneman Douglas High School. Also, Sam and Tyler look at the Lehigh Valley Squon…
- #549: Mapping the path in the Minors
Mathew Burns talks to the show about his history of taking long Minor League road trips with his father before they embark on their next journey through the South. Also, Ben, Sam and Tyler discuss Minor League Baseball’s national $10 ticke…
- #548: 1968 Dodgers -- Best Draft class ever?
Ben interviews author Eric Vickrey about his book "Before They Wore Dodger Blue: Tommy Lasorda and the Greatest Draft Class in Baseball History" that covers Los Angeles' legendary 1968 crop. Also, Sam and Tyler look at Kevin McGonigle's ex…
- #547: Columbus Scrambled Dogs; Mets prospect Mitch Voit
Ben, Sam and Tyler look at interesting promotions and early prospect standouts from the beginning of the 2026 Minor League season. Also, Ben chats with Double-A Columbus general manager Pete Laven about the club’s Scrambled Dogs identity,…
- #546: 2026 Minor League Opening Day Draft
Ben, Sam and Tyler are joined by fellow Minor League experts Josh Jackson and Kelsie Heneghan to create their own clubs in a draft format ahead of the opening of the full MiLB regular season this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Vis…
- #545: Triple-A Opening Day 2026
Ben, Sam and Tyler review the games to watch, prospects to know and storylines to follow as Triple-A begins the 2026 regular season. This episode also features Spring Training interviews with Royals No. 2 prospect Blake Mitchell and Nation…
- #544: Spring Breakout; Cardinals prospect Joshua Báez
Sam previews the upcoming Spring Breakout games and interviews Cardinals prospect Joshua Báez about his big turnaround in 2025. Also, Tyler and Ben discuss new Copa de la Diversión identities for 2026 and the World Baseball Classic. Learn…
- #543: WBC update, Ben's Biz, Spring Training interviews
Tyler, Ben, and Sam each come at you solo this week with a World Baseball Classic update, news from the business of the Minors, and two top prospect interviews from Spring Training. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch…
- #542: Top 30s, Spring Breakout, WBC preview
Sam and Tyler discuss the release of MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 prospect lists and this year’s preliminary Spring Breakout rosters. They also look ahead to the 2026 World Baseball Classic with Tyler in Puerto Rico as a broadcaster for Pool A pl…
- #541: Utah Dirty Sodas
Salt Lake GM Ty Wardle and Miller Sports VP of marketing Ashley Havili explain the Dirty Sodas brand. Also, Sam talks Konnor Griffin's Spring Training dominance, and Ben and Tyler take a look through recent Minor League news, including a r…
- #540: Guide to Spring Training
Sam and Tyler break down which Top 100 prospects are worth following in this year's Spring Training and point out spots to see in both Arizona and Florida. They also dive into the details of four new alternate identities coming to the Mino…
- #539: Glory of the Denver Bears
Bob Burris, former general manager of the Denver Bears, reminisces about working for (and ultimately running) a Minor League team that played in a 75,000-seat stadium. Also, Ben shares a new team name in Lynchburg, and Sam and Tyler look a…
- #538: Nationals prospect Griff McGarry
Nationals prospect Griff McGarry talks about the adjustments in the Phillies system that led to him becoming a Rule 5 pick. Ben chats about alternate identities for Altoona, Great Lakes, Hartford and Wichita, and Sam and Tyler break down t…
- #537: Top 100 prospects; Rocket City goes global
Sam and Tyler break down MLB Pipeline’s newest Top 100 prospects ranking for the 2026 season, and Ben interviews Morris Morioka about Rocket City's Global Baseball Series that will bring a Japanese team of Toyota employees to Alabama this…
- #536: Royals prospect Carter Jensen
Royals top prospect Carter Jensen talks about his MLB debut, growth as a catcher and experience playing in Kansas City as a native local. Also, Ben looks back at the Minor League careers of Hall of Famers Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones, a…
- #535: National Hat Day; Top 10 positional prospects
Ben, Sam and Tyler look at some of the best-selling caps from 2025, and Sam breaks down MLB Pipeline's Top 10 positional prospect unveils. Also, Louis H. Schiff speaks to Ben about his book “Attorneys in the Baseball Hall of Fame”. Learn m…
- #534: Resolutions; Palm Beach Frozen Iguanas
Palm Beach's Sophia Monteleone shares details of the club's Frozen Iguanas identity coming this season. Ben, Sam and Tyler discuss their resolutions for 2026 and look at some of the best bobbleheads in Minor League Baseball. Learn more abo…
- #533: 2025 The Show Before the Show awards
It's the final episode of the 2025 calendar year. Ben, Sam and Tyler combine to hand out some awards you'll only find in the official podcast of Minor League Baseball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- #532: Winter Meetings recap
Ben, Sam and Tyler review Winter Meetings news, including Minor League ownership changes, the Rule 5 Draft and the general vibe in Orlando. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- #531: Tri-City manager Dann Bilardello
In a conversation from the regular season, Ben interviews Tri-City manager and longtime Minor League skipper Dann Bilardello, whose first MLB homer came off Tom Seaver. Also, the gang looks at Rancho Cucamonga’s new color scheme, and Sam a…
- #530: Unveiling the (fake) Huntington Hellbenders
Ben, Sam and Tyler finally unveil the logos for the Huntington Hellbenders, a fictitious Minor League team created via listener suggestion. Also, the gang starts the holiday week by looking at Minor League ballpark food items that might fi…
- #529: Somerset Semiquincentennials
Somerset's Hal Hansen and Dave Marek share details of the club's Semiquincentennials identity celebrating the country's 250th anniversary. Also, Ben, Sam and Tyler look at other new alternate identities and refreshes in Louisville and Rich…
- #528: Salem RidgeYaks, Myrtle Beach Pelicans pitcher Brayden Spears, AFL Update
Ben and Tyler talk about Salem’s recent rebrand from the Red Sox to the RidgeYaks. Ben shares his interview with kid cowboy turned Cubs pitching prospect Brayden Spears, who took the long route to affiliated ball. Also, Tyler talks about t…
- #527: Red Sox prospect Nelly Taylor, Salt Lake’s Derek Amicone, Halloween identities
Red Sox prospect Nelly Taylor talks with Sam from the Arizona Fall League about his childhood cancer scare and time in the Boston system, and Salt Lake operations director Derek Amicone chats with Ben about the Bees' brand-new ballpark. Al…
- #526: Blue Jays' John Schneider (from 2018), A's Joshua Kuroda-Grauer
This week’s podcast features an archival interview with Blue Jays manager John Schneider from 2018 and an Arizona Fall League chat with Athletics No. 10 prospect Joshua Kuroda-Grauer. Also, Ben, Sam and Tyler look at an updated logo set fo…
- #525: A capital season in Sacramento
Sacramento president/COO Chip Maxson chats with Ben after winning the MiLB Executive of the Year award in a season when the River Cats shared Sutter Health Park with the Athletics. Also, Sam checks in from the Arizona Fall League, and Ben…
- #524: Taking care of business; Nationals prospect Miguel Sime Jr.
Back from the MiLB Business Summit in Indianapolis, Ben brings interviews with award winners Eric Edelstein (Reno) and Javik Blake (Biloxi). Also, Sam and Tyler look at early Arizona Fall League standouts, and Sam interviews Nationals four…
- #523: Mets prospect Jonah Tong; MiLB Awards
Ben, Sam and Tyler recap the end of the Minor League season with last Saturday’s Triple-A National Championship and dive into offseason mode, featuring a look at Triple-A Indianapolis’ new logo set. Also, Sam interviews the Pitching Prospe…
- #522: The final podcast of the 2025 MiLB season
With the Double-A and Triple-A postseasons ending this week, Ben, Sam and Tyler review Minor League news and notes while there's still some 2025 left. Also, Ben provides interviews with Iowa general manager Sam Bernabe before his easing in…
- #521: Buffalo's connection to The Natural
Following the death of Robert Redford, Buffalo president Mike Buczkowski joins the podcast to talk about the city's connection to the baseball film The Natural. Also, Ben shares the new team name coming to Ontario in 2026, and Sam provides…
- #520: Hello, goodbye to Richmond's The Diamond
Broadcaster Dan Lovallo was behind the mic when Richmond's The Diamond opened in 1985, and he'll be there at the closing this weekend with Hartford. He shares stories from his original tenure with the Richmond Braves four decades ago and w…
- #519: A unique view of the Florida State League
Bradenton broadcaster Max Tanzer talks about his makeshift radio booth in Tampa and some of the best prospects in the Pirates system. Also, Sam and Tyler close out the High-A and Single-A seasons by highlighting top performers, and Ben say…
- #518: Texas League helps the Hill Country
Amarillo president/GM Tony Ensor talks about the Texas League’s leaguewide initiative to aid the Hill Country after devastating floods. Also, Ben Weinrib shares details from his story on the best nicknames in Minor League Baseball, and Ben…
- #517: Keeping score ... on a typewriter
Chattanooga's Adam Belford joins the show to share the unique way he keeps score for the Lookouts. Also, Ben previews his road trip to northeast Ohio, and Sam and Tyler chat about a bevy of prospect promotions to the Major Leagues, includi…
- #516: Renegades: The Musical; Discussing reranks
Hudson Valley broadcaster Joe Vasile details how the Renegades put on an original musical during a home game earlier this month. Also, Sam and Tyler talk about MLB Pipeline’s updated prospect rankings, and Ben presents some Minor League Cr…
- #515: Final storylines; Awful Night in Altoona
Sam and Tyler talk about storylines to follow in the final weeks of the 2025 Minor League Baseball season, including recent prospect promotions and closing statistical races. Also, Ben and Josh report from the road after a visit to Altoona…
- #514: 2025 Trade Deadline Special
Sam and Tyler recap this year's crazy edition of the MLB Trade Deadline that saw dozens of prospects change organizations. Also, Ben checks in from the end of his road trip to Salt Lake, Tri-City and Spokane. Learn more about your ad choic…
- #513: Phillies prospect Justin Crawford
Phillies No. 3 prospect Justin Crawford talks about his hitting ability, his time in Triple-A and how he handles the Trade Deadline as a player. Also, the group looks back at Erie’s first Moon Mammoths game, Ben previews his upcoming trip…
- #512: All-Star Week recap
It’s been one of the most loaded weeks for prospect news so far this year. Sam and Tyler check in from the madness by reviewing the All-Star Futures and 2025 MLB Draft, each of which took place last weekend in Atlanta. They also preview th…
- #511: Futures Game, MLB Draft preview
It’s a big weekend in baseball and the world of prospects. Sam and Tyler preview the All-Star Futures Game by drafting their own squads from the players participating in Atlanta on Saturday. The pair also looks at the main storylines from…
- #510: New Erie identity; New ballparks; New Top 100 prospects list
Ben brings details of Erie’s new Moon Mammoths identity, reviews his trip to visit Knoxville, Hub City and Columbus and interviews Lauren Matthews about the Spartanburgers' food options. Also, Sam breaks down MLB Pipeline's new Top 100 pro…
- #509: Texas League, Knoxville trips
Sam and Ben review their recent trips to Frisco, Knoxville and San Antonio and bring along interviews with Missions manager Luke Montz and Smokies president Chris Allen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- #508: Nationals prospect Alex Clemmey
Nationals No. 5 prospect Alex Clemmey talks about his first-half adjustments with Wilmington, his Rhode Island roots and last season’s trade from the Guardians. Also, Ben, Sam and Tyler review last week’s visit to Somerset, Sam and Tyler b…
- #507: The Show Before the Show Night with Somerset
The Somerset Patriots hosted Ben, Sam and Tyler for The Show Before the Show Night on June 11. The guys share interviews from the doubleheader against Portland and bring listeners along for a fun day at TD Bank Ballpark. Learn more about y…
- #506: Carolina dreamin'
Ben shares details from his most recent trip to the Carolinas and interviews Columbia team president Brad Shank. Also, Sam and Tyler look at promotions for first-base prospects Jac Caglianone and Bryce Eldridge, and the entire groups previ…
- #505: What to do with Roman Anthony, Jac Caglianone
Sam and Tyler look at what to do with Top 10 overall prospects Roman Anthony and Jac Caglianone given their strong performances in Triple-A. They also review a Minor League Baseball-centered episode from Season 2 of "Poker Face" on Peacock…
- #504: New Era Clash of the Caps
Ben, Sam and Tyler choose their favorite Minor League home hats from all four levels as part of the New Era Clash of the Caps contest. Also, the gang discusses John Oliver’s pick of the Erie SeaWolves, Ben previews next week’s road trip an…
- #503: Early Crooked Numbers, Reading Fightin Phils
Ben, Sam and Tyler look at some of the most interesting stats and moments of the early Minor League season. Also, Ben shares Reading player interviews with Braeden Fausnaught and Robert Moore, and Sam and Tyler discuss MLB Pipeline’s updat…