The Show Before the Show

<p>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.</p>

#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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12-19
57:18

#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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12-12
50:37

#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 and Tyler chat about the Rule 5 Draft ahead of next week’s Winter Meetings To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12-05
01:04:40

#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 fit best on fans’ plates this Thanksgiving. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11-25
43:39

#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 Richmond and Sam and Tyler break down a big week for prospect transactions after the Rule 5 Draft roster deadline. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11-21
01:21:34

#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 the latest developments in the Arizona Fall League and Ben shares his interest in the baseball history of Columbus, Georgia. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11-14
44:56

#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. Also, Ben, Sam and Tyler look at Halloween-themed alternate identities, and Sam and Tyler break down Trey Yesavage’s World Series dominance. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10-31
01:31:31

#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 for the Frederick Keys, Sam and Tyler preview the World Series and Sam provides an AFL update. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10-24
01:46:41

#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 gives a look at the Carolina Reapers identity for Winston-Salem To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10-17
01:01:57

#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 fourth-rounder Miguel Sime Jr. as he begins his first professional offseason To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10-10
01:17:10

#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 Prospect of the Year Jonah Tong from Citi Field To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10-03
01:21:47

#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 into retirement and Lehigh Valley sponsorship director Peter Schiffert, who played an unexpected role in a recent Phillies game To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

09-26
01:33:05

#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 postseason updates from across the Minor Leagues. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

09-19
01:04:38

#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 what will be on his mind around the ballpark in the coming days. Also, Ben and Sam look at High-A West Michigan’s dominance in 2025, and Sam breaks down the initial Arizona Fall League rosters. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

09-12
01:07:17

#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 says goodbye to Carolina and Modesto. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

09-05
01:24:11

#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 Benjamin Hill recaps his trip to Lake County and Akron. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

08-29
01:15:50

#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, including ones for Pirates right-hander Bubba Chandler and Rays shortstop Carson Williams.   To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

08-22
01:11:04

#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 Crooked Numbers from July. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

08-15
01:13:20

#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's Awful Night. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

08-08
49:14

#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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

08-01
48:41

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