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MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions

March 28, 2025

Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other

Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other podcast-listening apps. This episode can also be found on Minor League Baseball's official YouTube page. Send questions or feedback to podcast@milb.com, and follow hosts Sam Dykstra (@samdykstramilb.bsky.social) and Tyler Maun (@tylermaun.bsky.social) on Bluesky and Benjamin Hill (@bensbiz) on X.

Intro/2025 predictions (0:00)

Ben, Sam and Tyler are joined by Kelsie Heneghan and Josh Jackson as they make Minor League and prospect predictions for the 2025 season. The predictions vary between three levels: Normal Take, Hot Take and Call Your Shot.

Triple-A opening weekend preview (52:03)

Sam and Tyler look ahead to the best matchups from Opening Day and the entire first weekend of play at the Minors' top level.

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Wrapping up/Name that Dude (1:14:29)

The gang of five gets back together to look back at the Minor League career of a prospect of yesteryear.

Small Ball Powers Spartanburgers to Series Opening Win at Wilmington 

Behind 11 hits and 10 strikeouts, Hub City moves to 3-1
April 8, 2025

WILMINGTON, De. — The Hub City Spartanburgers (3-1) again relied on putting the ball in play and putting pressure on the defense in a 6-1 win on Tuesday night, kicking off a six-game series against the Wilmington Blue Rocks (0-4) at Frawley Stadium. The Spartanburgers tallied a pair of doubles

Spartanburgers Claim First Series with 7-5 win at Aberdeen 

Hub City offense pokes 11 hits, Stark 3-for-5 in first action
April 6, 2025

ABERDEEN, Md. — Through two games at Aberdeen, Hub City’s offense had been held in check for a combined five runs. The Spartanburgers blew past that mark to win 7-5 Sunday and claim the first series victory in franchise history. Hub City did not power its way past Aberdeen. Malcolm

Spartanburgers Fall 3-1 in Pitcher's Duel at Aberdeen

Gonzalez tosses four scoreless, strikes out five
April 5, 2025

ABERDEEN, Md. — Pitching has dominated through two games between Hub City and Aberdeen; the Spartanburgers fell on the wrong side of a 3-1 ballgame Saturday night at Ripken Stadium. Despite a strong start from Spartanburgers starter Jose Gonzalez, the Hub City offense didn't come alive until the late innings.

Spartanburgers Win Inaugural Season Opener in Extras 4-3 

Brock comes up big, pitching staff sits down 15
April 4, 2025

ABERDEEN, Md. — In the first game in Spartanburgers history, Hub City battled back to force extra innings against the Aberdeen IronBirds and came out winners after 12 frames, 4-3. After the teams traded runs in extra innings, designated hitter Julian Brock singled in the go-ahead, eventual game-winning run in

Spartanburgers Announce Multi-Faceted Partnership with Ingles and WSPA/WYCW 

Ingles presents 15 Spartanburgers games on CW 62
March 31, 2025

Spartanburg, S.C. — The Hub City Spartanburgers are proud to announce an exciting new partnership with Ingles Markets and WSPA-TV/WYCW-TV, bringing fans enhanced experiences both at home and at the ballpark. As part of the collaboration, Ingles Markets will serve as the official grocer and pharmacy of the Spartanburgers, while

Fifth Third Park's Stadium Art is Just as Eye-Catching as its Baseball

March 27, 2025

Opening Night at Fifth Third Park for the Hub City Spartanburgers is less than three weeks away. When fans walk into the brand-new ballpark, they will be met by all the classic sights, sounds and smells in professional baseball’s return to Spartanburg, South Carolina. It won’t be just what is

Rangers Announce 2025 Spartanburgers Preliminary Roster 

Inaugural roster features Rangers’ top three 2024 Draft selections
March 26, 2025

SPARTANBURG, SC — In partnership with the Texas Rangers, the Hub City Spartanburgers have announced their preliminary roster for the inaugural 2025 season. The Spartanburgers begin the campaign with five of the Rangers’ top 30 prospects per MLB Pipeline, and the Rangers’ top three draft picks from 2024. To view

Hub City Spartanburgers Announce Partnership with Spartan Waste

Waste Management Partner to Sponsor Spartanburga Nights May 21
March 24, 2025

SPARTANBURG, SC – The Hub City Spartanburgers are proud to announce Spartan Waste as the official waste management partner of the Spartanburgers. Spartan Waste has teamed up with the Spartanburgers to bring various events to Fifth Third Park, including Spartanburga Nights on May 21. “Spartan Waste is a company that

“A Self-Made Coach”: How Chad Comer Got His Start in the Rangers’ Backyard

March 20, 2025

University of Texas at Arlington assistant coach Darin Thomas called a skinny freshman into his office shortly before the start of the 2007 season. A late offseason addition to a veteran roster, the local kid from Mansfield had gone through the wringer in his first year of college, warding off

Spartanburgers Announce Partnership With Carolina Miracle League

Game on July 29 to honor all who participate in America’s Pastime
March 19, 2025

SPARTANBURG, SC - The Hub City Spartanburgers are excited to announce their partnership with the Carolina Miracle League to present Baseball is For Everyone Night on July 29 at Fifth Third Park. “In 2007, the Carolina Miracle League made history for the special needs community in Spartanburg by providing a

Spartanburgers Announce 2025 Promotional Schedule

Fifth Third Park hosts 66 unique theme nights in inaugural season
March 13, 2025

Spartanburg, SC – The Hub City Spartanburgers have released their 2025 promotional schedule, featuring 66 unique theme nights. Each of the Spartanburgers’ 12 home series will be filled with high-level talent on the field – and hysterical hijinks off it – bringing a new batch of memories to the Sparkle

Spartanburgers Partner with Mazda of Spartanburg to Honor Local Educators 

Hub City Now Accepting Submissions for “Teacher of the Game”
March 5, 2025

Spartanburg, SC — The Hub City Spartanburgers have teamed up with Mazda of Spartanburg to highlight the hard work of local teachers and educators throughout the Upstate. Mazda of Spartanburg will honor a “Teacher of the Game” for half of the Spartanburgers’ games at Fifth Third Park in 2025. “Mazda

Spartanburgers Announce Job Fair Prior to Inaugural Season 

February 20, 2025

SPARTANBURG, SC – The Hub City Spartanburgers are excited to announce their inaugural job fair, inviting locals to be a part of the team’s historic first season. The Spartanburgers job fair will take place on Saturday, March 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Spartanburg Marriott (299 N

Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Announced as Cornerstone Partner and Official Healthcare Provider of the Hub City Spartanburgers 

Partnership to sponsor Right Field Gate, Kids Zone, Sunday Games
February 19, 2025

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The Hub City Spartanburgers are proud to introduce Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System as a Cornerstone Partner and the Official Healthcare Provider of the Spartanburgers. Through the healthcare system’s Sports Medicine Institute, physicians will provide expert orthopedic care to Spartanburger players, attending home games and working with the

Unsworth Named Voice of the Spartanburgers for Inaugural Season

February 13, 2025

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — The Hub City Spartanburgers announced Thursday Ian Unsworth has joined the organization as the Broadcaster and Media Relations Manager. The resident of the Carolinas will broadcast all 132 games of the Spartanburgers’ inaugural 2025 season, with the majority of those being aired on Fox Sports Spartanburg 98.3

Spartanburgers Seeking Additions to In-Venue Entertainment Team

February 10, 2025

If you’ve ever been described as a “ball of energy,” or better yet, “the life of the party,” there’s a place for you at Fifth Third Park! The Hub City Spartanburgers’ dynamic entertainment team is looking to add two In-Game Hosts and a Music Director who will bring sizzle and

Spartanburgers Schedule Exhibitions Against Hickory Crawdads

Hub City’s First Action at Fifth Third Park Set for April 2
February 3, 2025

SPARTANBURG, SC — In partnership with their parent club, the Texas Rangers, the Hub City Spartanburgers announced Tuesday, February 4 the Spartanburgers will play a home-and-home exhibition series with the Hickory Crawdads (Rangers Low-A) April 1 and 2. The first contest will take place at L.P. Frans Stadium, the Crawdads’

Fifth Third Park to Host Historic First Baseball Game Between Wofford College and USC Upstate

January 22, 2025

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (January 22, 2025) – The Hub City Spartanburgers are proud to announce the first-ever baseball game at Fifth Third Park will showcase two of Spartanburg's local Division-I programs, Wofford College and University of South Carolina Upstate. The game is set for 6:35 p.m. ET on Tuesday, April 1st,

Chad Comer Tabbed as First Spartanburgers’ Skipper

January 6, 2025

Spartanburg, SC- The Texas Rangers have announced the field staffs for each of their minor league affiliates, including the first ever coaching staff for their newest High-A club, the Hub City Spartanburgers. Chad Comer will take the reigns as manager for the Spartanburgers in their inaugural season. Comer has spent

Hub City Spartanburgers Raise Over $12,000 for Hurricane Helene Relief 

December 13, 2024

Spartanburg, S.C. — As the communities of South Carolina and Western North Carolina prepare for the holiday season in the wake of Hurricane Helene, the Hub City Spartanburgers wish all first responders, line workers, and those impacted by the storm a happy holiday season. The Spartanburgers extend their gratitude to

Hub City Spartanburgers Announce Media Partnership With FOX Sports Spartanburg

October 28, 2024

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (October 29, 2024) – The Hub City Spartanburgers, High-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, and FOX Sports Spartanburg announced today a long-term partnership that makes 98.3FM the home of the Spartanburgers Baseball Network. The majority of the Spartanburgers’ 132 regular season games and postseason games will be broadcast

Hub City Spartanburgers Raise over $7,500 for Hurricane Helene Relief

October 9, 2024

Spartanburg, S.C. — As the community continues to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, the Hub City Spartanburgers extend a heartfelt thanks to the courageous first responders and line workers who have worked tirelessly to restore safety and power to the communities of South Carolina and Western North Carolina.

Hub City Spartanburgers Release Hurricane Helene Relief Tee to Support Relief Efforts

October 4, 2024

In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact, the Hub City Spartanburgers are releasing a limited-edition Hurricane Helene Relief Tee to raise money to support community relief efforts in Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina. “Over the past week, Spartanburg and our surrounding communities have been going through more

Fifth Third Bank to Serve as Title Sponsor of Spartanburgers’ New Education Program

September 23, 2024

SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA – As part of Fifth Third Bank’s partnership with the Hub City Spartanburgers, the Bank plans to incorporate a robust community impact initiative featuring a strong emphasis on financial literacy for local students. Fifth Third Bank signed a multi-year agreement last year with Spartanburgers owner Diamond Baseball