Minor League Baseball Podcast

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Houston Astros No. 8 prospect Korey Lee calls into The Show Before the Show to talk about how water polo may have made him a better catcher and what it's like to play as himself in MLB The Show 20. Also, Benjamin Hill brings Minor League book recommendations, and Josh Jackson tells the tale of the long-gone Fort Worth Cats.