Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford

450 MLB Draft Picks: Inside the Canes Baseball Dynasty


Listen Later

Have you ever faced that crossroads—losing your competitive edge but gaining a higher calling in the game you love? In this episode, Jeff Petty shares how an average college player found purpose as a coach and built one of the nation’s top travel baseball programs. 

What You’ll Learn
  • How to shift from playing to coaching with purpose

  • Why truth-telling in evaluations is key for athlete development

  • How elite travel programs prepare players mentally and physically

  • What coaches and college scouts truly look for in players

  • Balancing roles, failure, and obsession on the path to the big leagues

From the outset, Jeff unpacks his journey—from being a strong but not standout high school player to playing Division II baseball, where he realized professional play wasn’t in his future. That moment became his life’s pivot: “I knew there was no world where I wasn't in baseball—I loved it too much,” he explains. Early on, Jeff committed to coaching, driven by passion and the mentorship of coaches at UNC Pembroke.

Fast-forward to 2005, when Jeff co-founded Cane’s Baseball: a revolutionary travel program that went national in pursuit of elite prospects. By venturing beyond regional borders and partnering with brands like EvoShield, Jeff expanded his network, built credibility, and now boasts over 40 MLB draft picks and 4,000+ college scholarship athletes.

One of the most compelling insights Jeff shares is Cane’s truth-first evaluation process. “If you can’t handle someone telling you the truth, we won’t take you,” he says, highlighting that it’s not about prestige, but performance and honest communication. This ethos empowers kids to understand their true ceiling and how to reach it—whether that lands them in Division I, II, or D3 programs, junior colleges, or pro leagues.

Jeff and Matt dive deeper into the player-coach-parent dynamic, emphasizing role clarity and development over superficial exposure. Preparation isn’t just on the field—it’s mental. Elite programs treat athletes like professionals: using early scrimmages, strength coaches, iPad communication systems, and detailed preparation routines. Their goal? Make failure a safe learning environment so players are dialed in when it counts.

They also address character—team-first mentality versus selfishness—as a non-negotiable trait. College coaches don’t just want talent; they want humility, resilience, and accountability. Jeff’s mantra for players: ask hard questions of your coaches. Know who's evaluating you. Know the commitment expectations. Own your path.

This episode is a masterclass in elite youth baseball culture—combining storytelling, strategic insight, and practical advice for players, parents, and coaches alike.

Loved Jeff’s passion for honest player development? Be sure to subscribe, hit like, and leave a comment on what resonated most—“truth evaluation” or “performance preparation”? Share this video with a teammate or coach who could benefit!

___

Jeff Petty – CEO and Head Coach at Cane’s Baseball, one of the country’s leading travel organizations. With over two decades of coaching and mentorship, Jeff has guided more than 4,000 players to college baseball and helped over 40 athletes reach the MLB draft.

Subscribe to Most Valuable Agent Youtube Channel for more content

https://www.youtube.com/@mostvaluableagent/

___

RESOURCES + LINKS

ALIGND Sports: Elite Representation. Strategic Growth. Maximum Impact.

From contract negotiations to career development, we put athletes first—helping you secure your future on and off the field.

Ready to take your career to the next level? Book a 1:1 consultation with Matt HERE.

FOLLOW

Canes Baseball: @thecanesbb

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Most Valuable Agent with Matt HannafordBy Matt Hannaford

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

58 ratings


More shows like Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford

View all
Money Guy Show by Brian Preston and Bo Hanson

Money Guy Show

3,197 Listeners

Baseball America by Baseball America

Baseball America

426 Listeners

The Joe Rogan Experience by Joe Rogan

The Joe Rogan Experience

225,926 Listeners

Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth by Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer, Justin Andrews, Doug Egge

Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth

11,863 Listeners

The D1Baseball Podcast by D1Baseball Staff

The D1Baseball Podcast

224 Listeners

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk by Ryan Hawk

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

1,292 Listeners

The Ben Shapiro Show by The Daily Wire

The Ben Shapiro Show

153,298 Listeners

THE ED MYLETT SHOW by Ed Mylett | Cumulus Podcast Network

THE ED MYLETT SHOW

14,083 Listeners

Way of Champions Podcast by John O'Sullivan

Way of Champions Podcast

270 Listeners

Elite Baseball Development Podcast by Eric Cressey

Elite Baseball Development Podcast

288 Listeners

Bussin' With The Boys by Bussin' with the Boys

Bussin' With The Boys

9,106 Listeners

The Pure Athlete Podcast by Jeff Francoeur

The Pure Athlete Podcast

205 Listeners

Deuces Wild with Eric Byrnes & Will Clark by No Filter, Bleav

Deuces Wild with Eric Byrnes & Will Clark

101 Listeners

The Tucker Carlson Show by Tucker Carlson Network

The Tucker Carlson Show

15,615 Listeners

Diggin' Deep Shows by MoonBall Media

Diggin' Deep Shows

162 Listeners