Struggling to make sense of travel ball, recruiting, and what actually matters? This episode is your guide. Subscribe for weekly real-talk.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to evaluate costly academies and private coaching

• What scouts and college coaches truly care about

• Why failure, character, and timing matter more than hype

• When to start showcases, hire an advisor, or stay local

Raising a young athlete in today’s baseball landscape can feel overwhelming—especially when decisions carry high emotional and financial weight. In this post-2025 Draft Q&A episode of The Most Valuable Agent Podcast, Matt answers questions straight from baseball families navigating the real challenges of development, recruiting, and identity in the game.

Whether you're debating if your 11-year-old should join an elite academy, wondering if skipping multi-sport seasons will hurt recruiting, or navigating the buzz around your son’s college commitment or draft potential, this episode offers grounded, honest advice. Matt draws from agent experience, scout conversations, and SEC coach insights to guide you through what really matters: development, timing, and your family’s unique values.

💬 Have a question for Matt? Drop a comment or DM!

Subscribe for weekly insights on parenting in competitive baseball.

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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.

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Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

In this episode of Most Valuable Agent, Matt Hannaford sits down with former pro player and Excel Baseball co-founder Matthew Maniscalso to talk all things youth baseball. From how to choose a travel baseball organization to smart college recruiting tips for travel baseball families, this is the honest conversation every sports parent needs. 

They go deep on how to evaluate a travel baseball coach, how to support your kid without burnout, and why balancing travel baseball and family life is more important than ever. Whether you're new to the scene or already in the grind, this episode delivers practical, real-world insights.

Drop a comment with your biggest takeaway—and share with a fellow sports parent! Subscribe for more athlete-first conversations with Matt Hannaford.

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

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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

Excel Baseball: @excelbaseball

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

Ever wonder what scouts actually think during the MLB Draft Combine? Former MLB scout Trevor Haley reveals insider perspectives that could change how families, players, and advisors approach the draft. If you're navigating the world of amateur baseball, this episode is a must-listen. Subscribe now and prepare smarter!

What You’ll Learn:

• What happens behind the scenes at the MLB Combine

• How scouts prepare and evaluate top 350 prospects

• Why interviews can matter more than on-field performance

• How players and families should handle pre-draft phone calls

• The importance of showing curiosity and authenticity in team meetings

In this powerhouse episode, host Matt Hannaford sits down with former MLB scout Trevor Haley to demystify the high-stakes world of the MLB Draft Combine. They break down what organizations are really looking for—and it's not just spin rate and exit velocity. Trevor explains how interviews can become game-changers, sometimes even more impactful than on-field performance. Learn how meetings are structured, who players will face, and what kind of questions to expect.

You'll also hear crucial advice for families and players: how to approach decision-making, what kind of impression really counts, and why being yourself can be your strongest asset. This isn't just about getting drafted—it's about being prepared for a big-league future. The conversation also dives into post-combine preparations, draft day chaos, and how signability plays a pivotal role.

Whether you're a player, parent, or advisor, this episode provides an unfiltered look at the nuances of baseball's most scrutinized stage. It’s about more than tools—it’s about mindset, maturity, and making the right impression when it counts most.

Enjoyed the behind-the-scenes insights? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode! Got draft questions? Drop them in the comments.

💥Loved this episode? Don’t miss the next one. Subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast app for weekly insider access to the minds behind the game.

Subscribe to Most Valuable Agent Youtube Channel for more content

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

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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

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

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. 

• 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

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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

Ever wonder how baseball players get their own trading cards? What makes a rookie card valuable—or even collectible at all?

In this episode, Matt sits down with Kevin Eger, VP of Athlete Partnerships at Fanatics Collectibles (Topps), to pull back the curtain on the trading card industry. Subscribe and explore the business behind the cardboard!

What You’ll Learn:

• How athletes get selected for trading cards

• What makes a rookie card officially a “rookie”

• The behind-the-scenes timeline from draft day to card release

• Why autographs and “on-card” signatures matter

• How NIL and social media are reshaping sports collectibles

• Tips for players and families navigating the evolving card space

Trading cards have been part of childhood for generations—but the business behind them is anything but child’s play. Kevin Eger, a key player at Fanatics (Topps), gives us a rare look inside how athletes—from MLB stars to college prospects—become collectible icons.

Kevin shares how he started his career as a baseball editor, choosing which players appeared on cards and what images represented them. Now, he manages partnerships with athletes and agents, coordinating deals that range from autograph signings to storytelling content and social media activations. It’s about more than cardboard—it’s about crafting legacy and connecting athletes with fans.

Parents of rising stars will also find value here: with the rise of NIL deals and social influence, players can build personal brands earlier than ever. But for Topps, the journey usually begins with the MLB draft—then flows through the minor leagues, rookie cards, and eventually, superstar status.

Enjoyed this insider peek at the trading card world? Subscribe now, leave a review, and share this episode with a baseball fan or aspiring pro in your life!

Learn more: https://fanatics.com

Subscribe to Most Valuable Agent Youtube Channel for more content

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

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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

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

Mauricio Dubón’s Underdog Journey to the Big Leagues

They said he was too small. Too quiet. From a country that "doesn’t play baseball." Mauricio Dubón was never supposed to make it. But he did — and he didn’t just make it. He became a World Series champion.

In this episode of Most Valuable Agent, MLB agent Matt Hannaford sits down with Houston Astros utility star Mauricio Dubón to uncover the real story behind one of the most unlikely journeys in baseball.

From shagging balls in Honduras to stepping in for José Altuve and going on a 20-game hit streak, Dubón’s story is about more than baseball — it’s about identity, grit, adaptability, and never waiting for permission.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to flip rejection into motivation

• Why being a “utility guy” is a mindset — and an edge

• What separates players who rise from the ones who fade

• The mental shift that changed Dubón’s entire career

• How to lead with hunger, not ego — and why that matters

If this story hits home, subscribe and drop us a 5⭐️review on Apple or Spotify. Your support fuels conversations like this one. 

Guest Bio: Mauricio Dubón is a professional MLB utility player for the Houston Astros and 2022 World Series champion. Born in Honduras, he became the first MLB player from his country and has played for the Red Sox, Brewers, Giants, and Astros.

🎙️ About the Show: Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford dives deep into the stories, mindset, and behind-the-scenes realities of elite athletes, coaches, and decision-makers in baseball and beyond. Subscribe now. These stories change the game.

Subscribe to Most Valuable Agent Youtube Channel for more content:  https://www.youtube.com/@mostvaluableagent/

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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

Mauricio Dubón: @mauriciod10

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

The dream isn’t just to be seen—it’s to be ready.

In this can’t-miss episode, agent Matt Hannaford sits down with Kris Gross, Scouting Director for the New York Mets, to reveal what really goes on behind the scenes of the MLB Draft.

You’ll get an unfiltered look at how scouts evaluate talent, why some prospects never make it, and what separates the good from the great. From coachability and curiosity to signability and character, this episode uncovers the critical traits that matter most—and why they’re often overlooked.

Whether you're a travel baseball parent, college athlete, or high school hopeful, this conversation will change how you think about exposure, development, and what it truly takes to make it in pro ball.

• The truth about exposure vs. readiness

• What scouts really look for beyond talent

• Why most prospects fail (and how to avoid it)

• What parents do that unintentionally hurt their kid’s path

• The emotional rollercoaster of Draft Day decisions

• How to evaluate transfer portal choices and NIL deals

• What makes a player stand out: character, patience, grit

💥Loved this episode? Don’t miss the next one. Subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast app for weekly insider access to the minds behind the game.

Subscribe to Most Valuable Agent Youtube Channel for more content

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

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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

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

Unlock pro-level baseball insights with Zack Scott—ex-Red Sox GM—on draft prep, development, and mastering the mental game. Subscribe now! What really goes on inside the mind of an MLB GM?

Former Red Sox and Mets executive Zack Scott takes us deep into the front office to reveal how data, mindset, and real-world player development decisions shape big-league rosters. From how prospects are evaluated to what separates the guys who make it, Zack explains what most coaches, players, and parents get wrong—and what GMs are actually looking for.

🎯 Whether you're a coach, a travel ball parent, or a serious player trying to reach the next level, this is your masterclass in thinking like a pro.

💥 Loved this episode? Don’t miss the next one. Subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast app for weekly insider access to the minds behind the game: https://www.youtube.com/@mostvaluableagent/

👉 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts—it helps us reach more coaches, players, and future pros.

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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

Zack Scott: @zackscottsports

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

Ever wondered what it really takes to catch the eye of a Major League Baseball scout? In this powerhouse episode of the Most Valuable Agent podcast, host Matt sits down with Gus Quattlebaum, VP of Scouting Development & Integration for the Boston Red Sox, and Johan Martinez-Khalilian, elite coach to athletes and artists.

Together, they reveal how pro teams evaluate talent—from advanced data and video review to the critical role of mindset, failure, and intangibles that can't be measured. Whether you're a player, parent, or baseball fanatic, this episode offers an insider view into modern scouting and the path to the pros.

🏆 You'll learn:

• What scouts look for beyond stats

• The biggest mental hurdles players face

• Why emotional maturity is a game-changer

• The true story behind Ryan Brasier’s big-league comeback

• How to assess the right development path for your kid

Plus: Gus opens up about his journey with MS and how he's giving back through MS4MS.

Subscribe to Most Valuable Agent Youtube Channel for more content

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

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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

Gus Quattlebaum: @egqiv

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

What if the most important part of the game... can’t be measured?

In this powerful episode of Most Valuable Agent, Matt Hannaford sits down with elite mindset coach Johan Martinez-Khalilian to explore the spiritual side of sports—the “invisible game” that every athlete must confront.

From flow state and fear-based thinking to identity, surrender, and purpose, Johan reveals the deeper truths behind performance, burnout, and growth. This episode isn’t about stats or medals—it’s about becoming the kind of person who can thrive on and off the field.

🎯 For athletes, parents, coaches, and anyone chasing greatness, this is your invitation to redefine what success really means.

What You'll Learn in This Episode: • The real meaning of “flow state” and why it’s spiritual • How fear, blame, and pressure block performance • A daily practice for grounded, resilient athletes • Why "get mine" culture leads to burnout and disconnection • How to model spiritual values for the next generation • Why every sport is an invitation to deeper personal growth • Johan’s powerful story: From Chicago’s streets to global stages

Subscribe to Most Valuable Agent Youtube Channel for more content

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

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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

Johan Martinez-Khalilian: @johanspeaks

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford