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With the first couple of weeks of the Minor League season over with, the guys are back and ready to discuss all the fun, interesting, and quirky things they have observed already in 2014. So the spectacle that is Opening Day may be behind us, but the fun of the season is only just underway! Thanks for your patients as well as the guys get settled into their broadcasting routines for 2014. It's good to know that we have been missed! Here's what you'll get in this episode: A lot of observations amongst the guys so far. Sam witnessed how the Yankees new approach to infield shifts are not just taking place in the Bronx. Andrew touched on the early-season usage of the six-man rotation, while also discovering that he may (or may not) be Jay's 31st favorite broadcaster to listen to! With some of the Minor League's best talent progressing towards the bigs, the never-ending debate on when to start a player's Major League service clock has reached The Minor League Report. With the Astros calling up George Springer, does that give any indication of how highly they value fellow power hitting prospect Jonathan Singelton? We'll be bringing back our "Get Out of Town" segment, do you have any candidates you feel should be getting out of town? Thank you again to everyone that participated in the Ask Sam Anything Q&A on Facebook! However, the questions don't have to end there, as you can send questions or comments to us at ANYTIME at feedback@mlrpodcast.com! Don't forget to rate and review the show on iTunes as well! Want more show updates? Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/theminorleaguereport or follow us on Twitter @mlrpodcast! SUBSCRIBE TO THE MINOR LEAGUE REPORT WITH THESE PROGRAMS The Minor League Report is now available on the TuneIn app on iOS and Android devices. You can download the TuneIn app from the App Store and Google Play on your mobile phones and tablets today. Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

We're celebrating our 3rd MiLB Opening Day this week on the podcast. This podcast is awesome because the guys fill you in on life working in Minor League Baseball, not just from their perspective but they can give you a glance of what these prospects must go through when the season starts. Opening Day is upon us and we look forward to another successful season of the podcast! Here's what you'll get in this episode: The Minor League season starts this week and that means team assignments and rosters have begun to trickle out. What does the team do from arrival to the start of the season? Media day, an opportunity to introduce the team to the media and fans, is just one of many responsibilities crammed into a short window of time. One team has committed to going through the whole season with two Pitching Coaches. You will find we have finalized our top ten list. Myrtle Beach gains some ground and Richmond and Charleston sneak into the back end. Here is how the list shakes out: 1. Iowa Cubs 2. Lancaster JetHawks 3. Myrtle Beach Pelicans 4. Tulsa Drillers 5. Tennessee Smokies 6. Memphis Redbirds 7. Wilmington Blue Rocks 8. Pawtucket Red Sox 9. Richmond Flying Squirrels 10. Charleston RiverDogs We're also hosting our very first "Ask Me Anything" on our Facebook page on Friday April 4th at 1 PM ET. Make sure you like us at The Minor League Report and post your questions to our very own Sam Sigal there. Remember, you can ask Sam ANYTHING! Let us know your thoughts, email us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com and don't forget to rate and review the show on iTunes as well! Want more show updates? Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/theminorleaguereport or follow us on Twitter @mlrpodcast! SUBSCRIBE TO THE MINOR LEAGUE REPORT WITH THESE PROGRAMS The Minor League Report is now available on the TuneIn app on iOS and Android devices. You can download the TuneIn app from the App Store and Google Play on your mobile phones and tablets today. Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

The makings of The Minor League Report's Top Ten Most Exciting MiLB Teams to Watch List. Could the Chicago Cubs have two affiliates in the top five? Javier Baez and Kris Bryant believe so. We narrow down the list, with your input, to a group of teams that should be intriguing to watch at the start of the season. Bradenton, Tulsa, Pawtuckett and others are in and on the bubble. The completed list should be available once camps break. Here's what you'll get in this episode: Our very own Sam Sigal makes an annoucement about his broadcasting career. Sam has been named the Play-by-Play voice of the Tri-City ValleyCats (Houston) of the New York-Penn League. Sam should have a good summer as he'll hopefully be able to see the #1 Overall Draft Pick in 2014. The guys start breaking down some of the potential teams in our Top 10 Most Exciting Affiliates to Watch in 2014. What teams do you have in this top 10? Mike is designing parking lot signage just weeks before the season's first pitch. MiLB is almost here, even though snow is on the ground in most areas of the country Let us know your thoughts, email us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com and don't forget to rate and review the show on iTunes as well! Want more show updates? Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/theminorleaguereport or follow us on Twitter @mlrpodcast! SUBSCRIBE TO THE MINOR LEAGUE REPORT WITH THESE PROGRAMS The Minor League Report is now available on the TuneIn app on iOS and Android devices. You can download the TuneIn app from the App Store and Google Play on your mobile phones and tablets today. Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

We look to start the foundation of the "Top Ten MILB Teams to Watch" in the 2014 season. We ask for listener input in attempting to discern what affiliates will be worth checking out once Spring Training comes to a close. Who has the most talent? The largest amount of upside players? The most intriguing story? Let us know what you think and we will comprise the list for release before the MiLB season begins. Here's what you'll get in this episode: Bacon Uniforms. Yes Lehigh Valley has done it again. Click here to see the new uniforms for the Ironpigs. The pending lawsuit against MLB by former MiLB players. While Jay, Mike, Sam and Andrew don't pretend to be lawyers, most can sympathize with the low wages of the MiLB players. In this segment we kick around some easy solutions and dig into the vague depths of the FSLA. Altoona's mascot, Steamer, is on ESPN and the world comes to a slow stop. This was one of the #funner episodes to produce. You're welcome Passo. Let us know your thoughts, email us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com and don't forget to rate and review the show on iTunes as well! Want more show updates? Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/theminorleaguereport or follow us on Twitter @mlrpodcast! SUBSCRIBE TO THE MINOR LEAGUE REPORT WITH THESE PROGRAMS The Minor League Report is now available on the TuneIn app on iOS and Android devices. You can download the TuneIn app from the App Store and Google Play on your mobile phones and tablets today. Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

This week we have the full compliment of the denizens of MiLB back and ready to talk some baseball as Spring Training sites around the U.S. open in anticipation of the Opening Series in Australia. It also wouldn't be an MLR podcast if the guys didn't throw a complete screwball into the show and talk about everyone’s favorite Winter Olympic sport, curling. Thankfully it happened after an insightful and informative chat with Mike Bauer, who is the General Manager of Roger Dean Stadium. Here's what you'll get in this episode: Just as we planned it..... the guys breakdown the Top-10 prospects from the Baseball America 2013 Top-100 list just before BA is about to release its 2014 Top-100 list. Who do you think will sit atop the perch of the BA Top-100 list for 2014? Tweet us your thoughts (@mlrpodcast) or drop us a line at feedback@mlrpodcast.com The fearsome foursome talk with Roger Dean Stadium General Manager Mike Bauer about how everything operates at the multi-team baseball facility. For those that don’t know, Roger Dean Stadium hosts both the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals for Spring Training and that’s just the beginning. It also serves as the site for both Advanced-A affiliates (Jupiter Hammerheads and the Palm Beach Cardinals) as well as both clubs’ GCL affiliates on the backfields. Here is the link to the great write up friend of the show Ben Hill posted about Bauer and the park. We wrap the show with a little Olympics talk. Curling anyone? Let us know your thoughts, email us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com and don't forget to rate and review the show on iTunes as well! Want more show updates? Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/theminorleaguereport or follow us on Twitter @mlrpodcast! SUBSCRIBE TO THE MINOR LEAGUE REPORT WITH THESE PROGRAMS The Minor League Report is now available on the TuneIn app on iOS and Android devices. You can download the TuneIn app from the App Store and Google Play on your mobile phones and tablets today. Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

This week Jay, Andrew and Sam all talk some Minor League Baseball while Paso was in Jersey to watch an NBA game? Did I say Jersey? I meant Brooklyn. Still trying to get used to that. Hard to believe we're just a few weeks from MLB Pitchers and Catchers reporting to Spring Training. How many of you are heading out to Spring Training this year? Stuck in a Polar Vortex? Warm up with us and talk some Hot Stove here on The Minor League Report! Here's what you'll get in this episode: Just how many seats, toilets and purse shelves are required when building new Minor League stadiums? A well thought out email leads us down the path of the 2008 Professional Baseball Agreement, the document that binds MLB and MiLB. For those who have the time, and may be curious as to what percentage MiLB teams pay for each baseball used during the season, the link is here. We also continue the drawn out reflection of the top 100 prospects of 2013 and where they might fit for 2014. Where will Jameson Taillon, Carlos Correa and the other best-of-the-best rank? MLB.com has already released their list

Hello everyone! Yes, we are in fact back! Thanks for being patient with us over the holidays and this offseason! We're really stoked about kicking off Season 3 of The Minor League Report! It's going to be a great year and we're really looking forward to bringing you more Minor League Baseball coverage from the inside perspective. As always we love hearing from YOU fans so keep sending those emails and keep leaving great reviews on iTunes! We really do appreciate the support! Here's what you'll get in this episode: We start the show off by welcoming in our newest cast member, Andrew Buchbinder, the voice of the Springfield Cardinals. He makes his podcast analyst debut in fine fashion. You can give him a follow on Twitter @abuchbinder. The guys discuss the Winter Meetings and Sam's security line run in with Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona. We continue our breakdown of the 2013 Top 100 Prospect list and touch on players 29-20. Let us know your thoughts, email us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com and don't forget to rate and review the show on iTunes as well! Want more show updates? Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/theminorleaguereport or follow us on Twitter @mlrpodcast! SUBSCRIBE TO THE MINOR LEAGUE REPORT WITH THESE PROGRAMS The Minor League Report is now available on the TuneIn app on iOS and Android devices. You can download the TuneIn app from the App Store and Google Play on your mobile phones and tablets today. Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

No, that headline is not meant to scare you off thinking we're shutting down the podcast. We are however saying goodbye to a great cast member in this week's episode. Eric Little has been with us from the beginning and he's done an outstanding job on this podcast. In this episode we say goodbye to Eric and wish him well! We know he's got a lot on his plate right now in West Virginia and we're sure that someday our paths will cross again. Here's what you'll get in this episode: We start the show off discussing ways that Minor League teams can use their stadiums in the offseason as a way to generate revenue. Our Rule 5 Draft Expert Sam Sigal drops his knowledge on some of the unprotected guys in this year's draft. He's also getting prepared for a big Nor'easter headed his way in Jersey. We continue our breakdown of the 2013 Top 100 Prospect list and touch on players 40-30. Eric Little says farewell and we share some thoughts on his impact on the show. Let us know your thoughts, email us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com and don't forget to rate and review the show on iTunes as well! Don't forget we're also on Google+ so come join our MLR podcast community today! SUBSCRIBE TO THE MINOR LEAGUE REPORT WITH THESE PROGRAMS The Minor League Report is now available on the TuneIn app on iOS and Android devices. You can download the TuneIn app from the App Store and Google Play on your mobile phones and tablets today. Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

We are back after a few weeks off to recap the latest in Minor League Baseball. Thanks to everyone who has supported our show over these past two seasons. Unfortunately, The Minor League Report fell short and was not named a finalist in this year's Podcast Awards. However, thank you to everyone who nominated our show. Hopefully next year we can get into the finals! Here's what you'll get in this episode: The new San Diego Padres Triple-A affiliate in El Paso garnered national media attention with their new team name, The Chihuahua's. Like it or hate it - we discuss. Other MILB teams such as Charlotte are also in re-branding mode and just after we finished recording word got out that the Akron Aeros changed their name as well (Up for debate next week: The Akron Rubberducks). A brief look who's leading the Arizona Fall League with the All-Star game this weekend. Also, with the World Series ending games in unique fashion, we discuss what is the oddest way we have seen MILB games come to an end. Mike gets a promotion, Eric wags his tail at a ballpark being built in Morgantown, WV and Sam likes the Pirates moving into Bristol (VA). Good times. Let us know your thoughts, email us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com and don't forget to rate and review the show on iTunes as well! Don't forget we're also on Google+ so come join our MLR podcast community today! SUBSCRIBE TO THE MINOR LEAGUE REPORT WITH THESE PROGRAMS The Minor League Report is now available on the TuneIn app on iOS and Android devices. You can download the TuneIn app from the App Store and Google Play on your mobile phones and tablets today. Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

With the Major League Postseason in full swing, Jay, Eric and Sam continue their look back at the 2013 Baseball America Preseason Top 100 Rankings and discuss the players ranked #41-50 when this season began. The guys are also joined by Ryan Kiel, who not only is the General Manager of the Appalachian League’s Pulaski Mariners, but also a former minor league player as well. Don't forget to nominate The Minor League Report for Sports Podcast of the Year starting on October 1st at PodcastAwards.com. Here's what you'll get in this episode: As we get into the top half of the Top 100 prospect rankings, the guys discuss a few players like Yasiel Puig (#47) and Julio Teheran (#44) who went from prospect status, all the way to playoff rosters. Eric and Jay take us back to 2009 and then-Red Sox prospect Casey Kelly’s attempt at becoming a two-way player. Ryan Kiel, calls in and chats with the guys about his experience moving from a Minor League pitcher’s mound, directly to a Minor League front office. Let us know your thoughts, email us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com and don't forget to rate and review the show on iTunes as well! The Podcast Awards nomination period wraps up on October 15th! Make sure you get your nominations in for Sports Podcast of the Year! If you could take a few moments to submit a nomination we would appreciate it greatly! You all rock! Don't forget we're also on Google+ so come join our MLR podcast community today! SUBSCRIBE TO THE MINOR LEAGUE REPORT WITH THESE PROGRAMS The Minor League Report is now available on the TuneIn app on iOS and Android devices. You can download the TuneIn app from the App Store and Google Play on your mobile phones and tablets today. Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

The offseason is upon us and the guys give us a little glimpse into how all those minor league promotional ideas are generated. Brainstorming sessions occur both on and off site to get the creative ideas flowing. As we move deeper into the off-season, MLR will try to crank out a show once every other week – or each fort night- however you prefer to put it. Don't forget to nominate The Minor League Report for Sports Podcast of the Year starting on October 1st at PodcastAwards.com. Here's what you'll get in this episode: The conversation continues on how the top 100 prospect list will shape up for next year. This week we discuss #51-70 and that means some big names such as Syndergaard, Crick, Giolito, Sanchez (Gary and Aaron) and Myer. How far will white Sox youngster Courtney Hawkins fall after a touch season in Winton-Salem? Let us know your thoughts, email feedback@mlrpodcast.com and tell us how wrong Eric is regarding Gregory Polanco and his wild prediction. The Podcast Awards kickoff on October 1st! Make sure you start getting your nominations in for Sports Podcast of the Year! If you could take a few moments to submit a nomination we would appreciate it greatly! The fans of this podcast all rock! Don't forget we're also on Google+ so come join our MLR podcast community today! SUBSCRIBE TO THE MINOR LEAGUE REPORT WITH THESE PROGRAMS The Minor League Report is now available on the TuneIn app on iOS and Android devices. You can download the TuneIn app from the App Store and Google Play on your mobile phones and tablets today. Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

The Minor League regular season has come to an end and players around the country are getting called up to the Majors, being sent to the Arizona fall league, or maybe just heading back home for a few months before the grind starts back up in February. Good luck to all the teams throughout MiLB that are still playing in the postseason. We will continue to pump out shows so keep downloading them and keep giving us great feedback in the iTunes store! Here's what you'll get in this episode: The Minor League season has come to a close and just a handful of teams remain active in the postseason. It begs the question: What exactly happens when everything is said and done? We discuss the last day of the year and the players scattering all over the globe to return home. Also, Sam, who is an adult, finds himself as a bat boy for the playoffs and takes in an in-depth look at what it's like to face switch pitcher Pat Venditte. The Venditte rule is back in full effect. We continue to examine Baseball America's top 100 prospect list and ponder where guys like Jesse Biddle, Yordano Ventura and Luis Heredia will be ranked next year. Let us know where you would rate the game's top prospects at feedback@mlrpodcast.com. Boogity boogity boogity, let's go racing boys! Jay attends the NASCAR race in Richmond, VA. We apologize that Nick did not get the chance to stuff his face with ice cream in Toledo. We hope to roll that over into next year! Don't forget we're also on Google+ so come join our MLR podcast community today! SUBSCRIBE TO THE MINOR LEAGUE REPORT WITH THESE PROGRAMS The Minor League Report is now available on the TuneIn app on iOS and Android devices. You can download the TuneIn app from the App Store and Google Play on your mobile phones and tablets today. Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

As the Minor League season enters the final weekend of the regular season, Jay, Eric and Sam look back at how some of the highly ranked prospects have performed this year, as well a certain Houston Astros prospect’s quest for 40-40. Here's what you'll get in this episode: With the 2013 Appalachian League Regular Season now in the books, Sam joins this week’s show on the road, literally! The guys look back at 2013’s Baseball America Preseason Top 100 Prospect Rankings and discuss who out of the guys ranked 91-100 are most likely to move up or down entering 2014. Alex Freedman, the voice of the Oklahoma City RedHawks, discusses Astros stud outfield prospect George Springer’s quest for a 40-40 season. Eric shares an important piece of advice he received early on in his broadcasting career: pick your weddings wisely. It is September which means MLB roster expansion is underway. Quite a few highly rated prospects will be getting that long awaited call to “get out of town!” Who are you most looking forward to see debut in "the show" this month? Don't forget we're also on Google+ so come join our MLR podcast community today! SUBSCRIBE TO THE MINOR LEAGUE REPORT WITH THESE PROGRAMS The Minor League Report is now available on the TuneIn app on iOS and Android devices. You can download the TuneIn app from the App Store and Google Play on your mobile phones and tablets today. Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

After another week off Jay, Mike and Sam are back with another episode of the podcast. The guys are coming into the final stretch of their seasons and look ahead to the next few weeks of both the MiLB and MLB seasons. Which September call up are you most looking forward to seeing in the big leagues? Here's what you'll get in this episode: With the MiLB season wrapping up and the MLB rosters expanding, we discuss the pros and cons of September call ups and whether or not they are still needed or wanted in today's game. We also take a look at the reasons why the MiLB season ends over Labor Day and explore the idea of moving the schedule deeper into the year, with a later start in April. Additionally, the MiLB playoff chases are in full swing and we examine the roster rules protecting playoff integrity. Is it fair for an organization to stuff talent from the higher levels to those below for the purpose of winning a championship? Do teams intentionally attempt to stack a roster? The get out of town segment enjoys its first email suggestion from a listener, a worthy candidate from the Tuscon Padres. Nick still owes us a trip to Toledo, and he is running out of time. Don't forget we're also on Google+ so come join our MLR podcast community today! SUBSCRIBE TO THE MINOR LEAGUE REPORT WITH THESE PROGRAMS The Minor League Report is now available on the TuneIn app on iOS and Android devices. You can download the TuneIn app from the App Store and Google Play on your mobile phones and tablets today. Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

Well Mike Passanisi's favorite hashtag, #hugwatch, was much ado about nothing really. Only the one major deal went down during our week hiatus involving the Tigers, Red Sox and White Sox. Congratulations to the Columbus Clippers and their mascot LouSeal for winning 2013's Mascot Mania. Must be something in the social media waters in Ohio. First the Toledo Mudhens win the #Foodfight, and now the Columbus Clippers. Ohio For the Win! Now on to the show! Here's what you'll get in this episode: The August heat has caused a stir for the benching clearing in Altoona. The two teams brawled in the first game of a three game series, despite not seeing each other since May. A wild night in the California League produces a near perfect game and a 30-run, 30-hit performance for High Desert - a broadcaster's nightmare. Also we look at the Tigers, Red Sox and White Sox trade and who came out on top. Plus, a strikeout on just one pitch. Yes, the game of baseball offers the absurd. Here's the link to the one pitch strikeout Jay mentions in this week's show. Click here to watch. After a week off due to rain delays and games lasting past midnight the crew takes to Trenton to reflect on the aftermath of the Alex Rodriguez rehab assignment. Double-A Yankees broadcaster Josh Maurer joins the cast to discuss the details of what happens when 150 local and national media members descend upon a 20 year-old minor league facility. Maurer touched upon A-Rod's relationship with the fans as well as the all prospect outfield in Trenton of Ramon Flores, Slade Heathcott and Tyler Austin. Some very viable get out of town candidates try to make their way to the next level. Don't forget we're also on Google+ so come join our MLR podcast community today! SUBSCRIBE TO THE MINOR LEAGUE REPORT WITH THESE PROGRAMS The Minor League Report is now available on the TuneIn app on iOS and Android devices. You can download the TuneIn app from the App Store and Google Play on your mobile phones and tablets today. Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.