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We're officially on #HugWatch, Mike Passanisi's favorite Twitter hashtag. We have seen some deals go down over the past few days, particularly Matt Garza getting out of the friendly confines of Wrigley and heading to Arlington to join the Rangers pitching staff. If you're the Indians, you are in quite the precarious position, just 3 games back at the deadline with a loaded farm system. Do you make a move now that could jeopardize the next 3-4 years? Does a deal now even help you come September? Ahhhh the life of a general manager! Here's what you'll get in this episode: Jay, Eric, and Sam talk about MiLB.com's Mascot Mania and Sam Sigal's striking resemblance (by name only) to a mascot in Corpus Christi, Sammy the Seagull. With the trade deadline approaching, Bud Norris and Jake Peavy have both been linked to the Braves in potential deals. But what would the haul be for either of those two pitchers? Who would you give if you were Atlanta and how much of your future would you hedge on? Consecutive #1 overall draft picks on the same team? Yup. We check up on Mark Appel and Carlos Correa both playing for the Quad City River Bandits in the Midwest League. Bandits Director of Media Relations Marco LaNave drops in to discuss the star-studded roster and the future of the Astros. Marco's appearance was inspired by an email to the show. Let us know who you want to hear from at feedback@mlrpodcast.com. We also kick around some more "Get Out of Town" candidates and Nick still needs to make that trip to Toledo to engorge himself in ice cream. Many thanks to all who have emailed in and rated the show on iTunes! 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 did it!!! We have exceeded 30 iTunes reviews and that means one thing, our producer Nick will head up to Fifth Third Field, home of the Toledo Mudhens, to eat the Fantastic Freeze. Nick will be chowing down on Fifteen scoops of ice cream and a tower of toppings served in a Mudhens batting helmet! More like BRAIN FREEZE! We'll be sure to snap plenty of photos of Nick's trip to Fifth Third Field to take on the winners of this year's MiLB Foodfight contest. Now, on to the show! Here's what you'll get in this episode: While there may have not been a guest this week, the guys still found a lot to talk about. Thanks to all the feedback sent to us, we were able to delve into the mailbag and discuss topics such as the breakout season of Rockies prospect Rosell Herrera and “organizational guys” that have opened up eyes around baseball. The peculiar decision the Seattle Mariners made to switch their AA and AAA pitching coaches. We had a full crew this week, as Eric returns with newfound wisdom towards “staying in school”. Jay and Mike discuss MiLB’s “Mascot Mania” and Mike reveals his plan for the “League of Extraordinary Mascots”. Sam discovers the new secret to pulling a tarp (hint: boy scouts!) Of course, no episode is complete without our “Get Out of Town” picks! If you have suggestions for guys YOU think should “Get Out of Town”, maybe you have some ideas for future shows, or just want to chime in on something we’ve already talked about? Let us know! E-mail us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com! Don't forget we're also on Google+ so come join our MLR podcast community today! Just because we got 30 reviews doesn't mean we don't need more! Keep spreading the word and keep leaving those iTunes reviews! 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.

Wow, 50 episodes! Thanks to everyone who has downloaded the show, sent emails, tweeted us, EVERYTHING. We enjoy doing this show for fans of Minor League Baseball and we're thankful that you continue to support the podcast. Here's to another 50 episodes! Now, on to the show! Here's what you'll get in this episode: We received a fantastic email this week from a listener regarding "The Sandlot" and other baseball films. Can you believe that movie is 20 years old? Time sure does fly. Kinda like that guy who stole home at the end of the movie. What baseball movie do you think is the best of all time? Make sure you vote in our poll on our home page. Good friend of the show Ben Hill of Ben's Biz Blog joins in for the first time this season and has some thoughts on puns, the Second Amendment and the elusive "White Wall Ninja". Ben, by far, had the funniest guest appearance we've had on this show. Laughter ensues. Sam, Mike and Jay discuss some difficult scoring plays in addition to a peak at how the process works at the minor league level. Top prospect Francisco Lindor gets promoted to Akron for the Indians, posing an interesting conundrum as to what to do with current Akron shortstop, 20 year old Jose Ramirez, who has been lights out. We bring you our Get out of Town segment as always and, oh yeah, Mike becomes an internet sensation. WHOA! We need ONE more iTunes review for Nick to go stuff his face at the Mudhens with 15 scoops of ice cream. Got ideas for future shows? Want to chime in on something we've already talked about? Let us know! E-mail us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com! 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 hope everyone had a fantastic Fourth of July weekend and that you had the chance to see some great baseball at a minor league ballpark near you! The guys are back this week with another action packed episode. Here's what you'll get in this episode: Mike, Sam and Jay discuss what a "stat pack" is and how you need more of them this time of the year. A brief discussion on the transition from the minors to the majors is ensued by discovering how long Mike has waited around in rain delays the past couple weeks. A behind the scenes look at how 16 year-old Julio Urias is adapting and thriving at Single-A with a visit from the voice of the Great Lakes Loons Brad Golder. According to Golder, Urias was only supposed to be around for a start or two but his instant success has made the Dodgers decision to keep him ahead of the pack an easy one. Find out where Golder feels Urias could rank in next year's prospect lists. What were you doing at 16? A couple of new Get Out of Town candidates are unveiled. If you have any prospects you feel should be promoted send us your emails at feedback@mlrpodcast, or send them to us on Twitter @mlrpodcast. We still need three more iTunes reviews for Nick to go stuff his face at the Mudhens with 15 scoops of ice cream. Got ideas for future shows? Want to chime in on something we've already talked about? Let us know! E-mail us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com! 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 - NOW AVAILABLE ON STITCHER! Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

Sorry for the delay in getting a show posted for you folks. Producer Nick here had a few weddings he was in over the past few weeks. His wedding season is over now though and we should be good to go from here on out! Hope everyone has safe Fourth of July this week! Now on to the show! Here's what you'll get in this episode: We try (successfully?) to shoehorn a show in between rain outs, doubleheaders and other obstacles such as family time on a Monday afternoon. Mike and the Altoona Curve are feeling the vibe of MLB's best team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Even if that vibe is through a rough internet connection in Binghamton, New York. A quick break down of Pirates prospect Gregory Polonco and his first two weeks in Double-A. Plus a nice behind the scenes setting of the coaches and players in an organization heading in the right direction. Eric, Jay and Mike discuss how Twitter has changed the way teams, businesses and people need to alter the way they consider disseminating information. The Huntsville Stars were set to raffle off a pair of guns during the first ever "Second Amendment Night" and we discuss if this is a good idea or over the line? However, directly after recording Huntsville called off the promotion so the conversation will be continued next week. Sam has introduced the term "to Appy League" something. We wrap up the show with our "Get Out of Town" picks. If you have any prospects you feel should be promoted send us your emails at feedback@mlrpodcast, or send them to us on Twitter @mlrpodcast. Got ideas for future shows? Want to chime in on something we've already talked about? Let us know! E-mail us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com! 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 - NOW AVAILABLE ON STITCHER! Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

Thanks to everyone who left us a review on our iTunes page last week. If we can get to 30 reviews I will be heading up to Fifth Third Field in Toledo to eat the Fantastic Freeze, this years MiLB Foodfight winner. To get to our iTunes page just click here or search for "The Minor League Report" in the iTunes store. Also, from everyone here at MLR we want wish all you Dads out there Happy Fathers Day and hope that you got to enjoy some baseball sometime this weekend. Now on to the show! Here's what you'll get in this episode: This is the time we start seeing some of the bigger names promoted from High-A to Double-A and Double-A to Triple-A. We talk about some of the high profile names moving up. Guys like Miguel Sano (Twins), Eddie Rosario (Twins), Xander Bogaerts (Boston), Gerrit Cole (Pirates) among others. Robbie Aaron from the Daytona Cubs stops by to discuss Javier Baez, who recently hit 4 home runs in one game. Robbie fills us in on how he thinks the Cubs will be contending in the National League in just a few years. We wrap up the show with our "Get Out of Town" picks. If you have any prospects you feel should be promoted send us your emails at feedback@mlrpodcast, or send them to us on Twitter @mlrpodcast. Got ideas for future shows? Want to chime in on something we've already talked about? Let us know! E-mail us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com! 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 - NOW AVAILABLE ON STITCHER! Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

Congratulations to the Toledo Mudhens for winning this year's MiLB FoodFight! The winning dish? The Fantastic Freeze Sundae. Three flavors of your favorite Toft's ice cream x 5 scoops of each delicious flavor, topped with whipped cream, hot fudge, rainbow sprinkles, peanuts and cherries, and served in a full-sized Mud Hens helmet. Sounds awesome! Since I live in the Toledo area, I will go and try this awesome dessert if you fans help us out! If we can get 20 more iTunes reviews by the end of June, I will go up to Fifth Third Field and immerse myself in ice cream. So get reviewing peeps! Here's what you'll get in this episode: This week we saw the Rule 4 Draft take place and the Houston Astros took Stanford pitcher Mark Appel first overall. Appel was drafted a year ago in the first round by the Pirates but he refused to sign and returned to college. We see it many times where college football or basketball players decide to come back to college rather than jump to the pros and are praised for staying in school. But in Appel's case he was vilified for staying in school. Interesting debate. Adam Marco from the West Virginia Power stops by to discuss Stetson Allie, the former Power pitcher who has converted to first base and is tearing the cover off the ball in the South Atlantic League hitting .326 with 16 HR and 55 RBI. On this week's edition of Get Out of Town, we talk about someone who was promoted the night before we recorded the show. Altoona's Andrew Lambo. Do you have a player you feel should "Get out of Town?" Email us at feedback@mlrpodcast, or send them to us on Twitter @mlrpodcast. Got ideas for future shows? Want to chime in on something we've already talked about? Let us know! E-mail us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com! 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 - NOW AVAILABLE ON STITCHER! Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

Memorial Day has come and gone and that means now, more than ever, baseball fans have more time to flock to the ballpark. The "denizens of Minor League Baseball" are happy to see this and welcome summer with a jam-packed show. The guys truly cover a lot of bases this week.. Don't forget this is the LAST week to place your vote in MiLB's Food Fight! Log on to MiLB.com/foodfight to place your vote for this year's finalist! Voting ends June 6th! On Twitter? Follow @MiLB, tweet the hashtag #foodfight, and include the name of the team or food item you wish to vote for. Retweets count, too! Here's what you'll get in this episode: How young is too young? The guys discuss 16-year-old Julio Urias, a Los Angeles Dodgers farmhand pitching for the Midwest League's Great Lakes Loons. Urias has had success as the youngest player in low-A ball, but is he too young for that level? And is he damaging his chances for long-term career success? Tom Viola from the Charlotte Knights front office stops by to discuss prospects in the White Sox organization, including Josh Phegley, Jared Mitchell, Charlie Leesman and Andre Rienzo. Tom and the guys also talk about the new ballpark the Knights are building in downtown Charlotte and some of the hopes for that organization leading up to the big move. Speedsters, scrappers and lifers...this week's edition of Get Out of Town, where we highlight players that need to be promoted, has a little bit of everything. What player has drawn comparisons to Billy Hamilton with his speed on the basepaths? Which converted pitcher is blasting home runs at a noteworthy clip? Find out! Sam Sigal joins from Johnson City, Tennessee and announces his new job as Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for the Appalachian League's Johnson City Cardinals. Congratulations, Sam! One of our favorite guys in the business, Richmond Flying Squirrels manager Dave Machemer, recently celebrated a milestone win. We'll discuss this achievement. Congrats, Mac! Got ideas for future shows? Want to chime in on something we've already talked about? Let us know! E-mail us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com! 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 - NOW AVAILABLE ON STITCHER! Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

Our newest segment, Get Out of Town, has been a smashing success and you can tell the guys are really having a fun time with this. So, we pose this question to you listeners, who should get out of town? Get in touch with us and let us know who YOU think should get their chance at the next level. You can email us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com or get in touch with us on Twitter @mlrpodcast. Here's what you'll get in this episode: Keith Elkins, the voice of the Lexington Legends stops by to discuss Bubba Starling and his early season struggles along with the re-branding of the franchise from the Astros to the Royals. New logos include a sweet looking mustache. If you were the Kansas City Royals and could go back and re-draft the 2011 selections, would you stick with Starling or perhaps wander to Jose Fernandez, Francisco Lindor or Anthony Rendon. Way to early to speculate, but we do anyway. Another bout of the "Get Out Of Town" segment...Can Chris Collabello's hot start in Triple-A give him a shot with the Twins? Got ideas for future shows? Want to chime in on something we've already talked about? Let us know! E-mail us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com! 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 - NOW AVAILABLE ON STITCHER! Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

After a busy weekend, we wanted to wish all of you Minor League mom's out there a Happy Belated Mothers Day. I know I can speak for everyone on the MLR crew that we hope all of you Mom's had a happy and safe Mothers Day. How many of you spent it at the park? Did you have any memorable experiences attending a Minor League baseball game on Mothers Day? We'd love to hear about them if you did so please get in touch. Here's what you'll get in this episode: You will find an in depth conversation about Indians #1 prospect Francisco Lindor with Carolina Mudcats broadcaster Darren Headric. Lindor has carried over his prolific talents to the Carolina League and the question remains how much longer the 19 year-old will play in High-A. Our newest segment, hesitantly is called "Get out of Town" and it continues as Sam tries to follow up his prognostication of Chad Becks promotion to Triple-A last week. Eric calls for Taveras to St. Louis and Jay feels Jim Negrych needs a chance Billy Hamilton hit two home runs in a game.. but that slipped under the radar in a week that featured no hitters and 10 strikeout performances. Got ideas for future shows? Want to chime in on something we've already talked about? Let us know! E-mail us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com! 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 - NOW AVAILABLE ON STITCHER! Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

Another week into the MiLB season and more unique promotions pop up around the country from specialty jerseys that are made to look like Chewbacca to team's celebrating their 2,000th franchise homer. Jay dates himself and Mike with his talk of the "Star Wars Generation" while Sam and Jay give their picks in a newly titled segment called "Get out of Town". Here's what you'll get in this episode: The crew speaks with the voice of the Brevard County Manatees Dave Walkovic to breakdown some of the Milwaukee Brewers top pitching prospects like Jed Bradley and Drew Gagnon at the High-A level in the Florida State League. Also making the cut this week was talk about Indians pitching prospect Danny Salazar, who has 30 strikeouts across his last three outings and a conversation about the Toledo Mud Hens Chewbacca-themed jerseys they'll be wearing. As a related link to today's podcast, the Pittsburgh Pirates starting lineup video that Mike references can be found by clicking here. It's a pretty sweet tribute to SNL. Got ideas for future shows? Want to chime in on something we've already talked about? Let us know! E-mail us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com! 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 - NOW AVAILABLE ON STITCHER! Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

The Altoona Curve hosted a World War II reenactment at People's Natural Gas Field this weekend. We've heard of Civil and Revolutionary War Reenactments but NOT World War II reenactments. Which got us to thinking, have you witnessed a war reenactment at your local ballpark? We'd love to hear your stories about this. Here's what you'll get in this episode: Early season pitch-count conversations along with thoughts on last week's poll question. Mike is in the middle of a MILB pre and post game World War II reenactment and an unheralded MiLB player makes his way to the Majors. Should MiLB rosters be expanded in the beginning of the year? How, if at all, can the MLB draft take a page out of the NFL's playbook. Check out the poll question on this and let us know your thoughts. Lefty Vidal Nuno goes from unknown to Major League player for the Yankees. An inspiring story for those that have toiled in the minors. Nick is geared up for the Bengals season following the NFL draft and Sam's car almost gets hit by a 500 foot homer. Good times. Got ideas for future shows? Want to chime in on something we've already talked about? Let us know! E-mail us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com! 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 - NOW AVAILABLE ON STITCHER! Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

Did you miss us? Yes, after a few week hiatus letting the guys get settled into their season roles with their clubs, the MLR Podcast is back and we couldn't be more excited about it. Rain has plagued a lot of teams here in the midwest and east coast so far in 2013. We'd love to hear your experiences so far, have you seen any prospects so far in 2013 that we need to discuss? We've seen no-hitters, natural cycles and some prospects already called up to the big leagues. Thanks for being patient with us, we'll do our best to keep bringing you this great content from inside MiLB. Here's what you'll get in this episode: Take part in this week's poll question: Who will have a bigger impact in MLB? There have been some crazy games in MiLB so far in 2013, a game ended 27-9? Is this football? Alex Meyer is having a great year so far for the New Britain Rock Cats. Through 3 starts he's 1-0 with 1.69 ERA. Even more amazing? Meyer is 6'9" and is one of the taller prospects in MiLB. Archie Bradley has pitched 17.2 innings with 27 strikeouts and he's given up ONLY 1 earned run so far in Visalia. That's a hitters league! Andrew Lambeau (Altoona) hits for the natural cycle for the Curve. Could he see a promotion this season? After starting the 2012 season in High-A Bakersfield, Reds pitcher Tony Cingrani was a September call-up but pitched out of the bullpen. This past week he made his Major League debut as a starting pitcher and became the first Left Handed starter to make a start for the Reds since Dontrelle Willis in 2011. We end the show talking about what the guys do during rain delays. Got ideas for future shows? Want to chime in on something we've already talked about? Let us know! E-mail us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com! 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 - NOW AVAILABLE ON STITCHER! Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

We're back and better than ever this week minus Passo and Sam. Jay and Eric talk a little March Madness this week and also talk about some of the top prospects in both the Astros and Twins systems. From all of us here at MLR, we hope everyone has a Happy Easter and guess what? The 2013 season kicks off next week!!! Here's what you'll get in this episode: The first ever MLR poll question is debated this week make sure you vote and we'll discuss it on the next podcast. The Astros and the Twins organizations check in headed by #1 prospects Carlos Correa and Miguel Sano. Eric suggests a field of 64 for MILB and he is determined to create a March Madness bracket. Veteran broadcaster Jeff Dooley of the New Britain Rock Cats stops in from Spring Training and talks about Oswaldo Arcia, Alex Meyer and how the last Twins player before Aaron Hicks to jump Triple-A was a guy named Mauer. The Sacramento River Cats (read: not RiverCats) are up to some shenanigans and we are almost a week away from the MILB season. Teams should have Rosters by April 1st or 2nd. Got ideas for future shows? Want to chime in on something we've already talked about? Let us know! E-mail us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com! 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 - NOW AVAILABLE ON STITCHER! Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.

In this weeks MLR Podcast, Jay once again shows his prowess for all things language related by schooling the cast on the use of an umlaut, Mike continues his disdain for any kind of ridiculous food promotions, Eric takes the money and Sam extends his literal introduction to the show streak to two. Here's what you'll get in this episode: The quartet was joined this week by Tim Williams of PiratesProspects.com (@pirateprospects on Twitter) to break down the No. 8 organization according to Baseball America, the Pittsburgh Pirates. The gang and Williams go beyond the top two guys in the system of Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon plus touch on what the Pirates might do with their compensation pick in the 2013 MLB draft. Also in this week's episode, the guys trade the mic for a chef's hat and breakdown some of MiLB's newest food-oddities like the West Michigan Whitecaps Baco (a bacon-taco). Yum. Would you rather eat a bacon taco OR win $5,000? The Fort Wayne TinCaps of the Midwest League will be giving the cash away at their Opening Day in 2013. Sam shares updates on several Rule 5 draftees in action on major league rosters this spring. (If you don't follow our official Twitter account - @mlrpodcast - get on it! Sam does a terrific job of posting most of that update information on Twitter through the week. Got ideas for future shows? Want to chime in on something we've already talked about? Let us know! E-mail us at feedback@mlrpodcast.com! 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 - NOW AVAILABLE ON STITCHER! Or you can enter http://feeds.feedburner.com/mlrcast into which ever feed reader you choose to use.