#481: Knoxville Smokies, AFL Fall Stars

Ben, Sam and Tyler take turns sharing their favorite memories of 2024 from Minor League Baseball and the larger baseball world. Also, Ben details one Athletics prospect’s video-game prowess, Sam breaks down Caleb Durbin’s prospect profile and Josh shines in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors. 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

Sam and Tyler discuss the movement at the Winter Meetings, including in the Garret Crochet blockbuster trade and the Rule 5 Draft. Also, Ben previews what the California League will look like in 2026, Michael Marcantonini chats about the Arizona Fall League and Orioles system and Josh namedrops the latest Ghost of the Minors. 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

No. 24 Red Sox prospect Connelly Early chats with Sam and Tyler about his offseason prep and the lessons he learned from his successful first full season. Also, Ben details the Lake County Captains’ refreshed look, Sam and Tyler preview the Winter Meetings and Josh ends on a high note in Ghosts of the Minors. 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

A lot has happened across the Minor Leagues since our last episode. Ben and Sam chat about rebrands, renamings and refreshes announced by MiLB clubs over the last few weeks. The cohosts also share what they’re thankful for from the 2024 season ahead of Thanksgiving in the United States. 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

Ben shares details of the Smokies’ official name switch to Knoxville in the Southern League, and Sam and Tyler chat about big weekend coming up in the Arizona Fall League. Also, Josh shares the dirt in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors. 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

Ben brings details of the new Oklahoma City Comets identity that will land for the 2025 season, and Sam shares excerpts from interviews with Drake Baldwin (Braves) and Edwin Arroyo (Reds) from the Arizona Fall League before discussing more AFL news with Tyler. 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

Ben details the Hickory Goat-Karts alternate identity coming in 2025, Sam and Tyler chat about the Arizona Fall League, Tommy Troy stops by to talk about his AFL turnaround and Josh understands the assignment in Ghosts of the Minors. 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

The postseason clip shows continue! The Show Before the Show reshares previous interviews with more players from this Major League postseason including Jazz Chisholm, Alec Bohm, Tarik Skubal, Adley Rutschman, Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino 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

The gang is off the next two weeks, but the Major League postseason is very much on. The podcast revisits interviews with stars of  this year’s playoffs from back when they were Minor League prospects, including ones with Brandon Nimmo, Kyle Higashioka, Will Smith and Pete Alonso. More talks with similar players coming on next week’s edition of The Show Before the Show. 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

Salt Lake broadcaster Tony Parks shares memories of the final game at Smith’s Ballpark ahead of the Bees’ move to a new facility nearby next spring. Also, Tyler recaps the Triple-A National Championship, Ben reviews Crooked Numbers, Sam previews the Arizona Fall League and Josh detonates an explosive edition of Ghosts of the Minors. 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