Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford

This episode is your survival guide from your young athlete's crazy summer schedules to the mental and physical preparation it takes to sign and thrive in the big league. In this episode I sit down with my client and friend, Braves superstar Austin Riley to discuss his journey from youth baseball to negotiating and signing a life changing contract in MLB. Austin shares invaluable lessons on developing your skills, whether your young athlete should be involved in multiple sports, and navigating the recruiting process. He also provides a behind-the-scenes look at his contract negotiations with the Braves and how he prioritizes being a husband, father, growing his brand, and developing as a player in his career. If you want real tips for the journey to pro baseball, and what set Austin apart in each stage got him to where he is today - you don't want to miss this episode.

00:00 Austin Riley's journey from youth baseball to the pros.

09:00 Should young athletes play multiple sports?

13:34 What age do youth baseball players start hearing from college and pro scouts?

23:30 Things parents can do to set their athlete up for success.

29:00 Tips for choosing a player advisor you can trust.

31:15 What is the college recruitment and commitment process like?

37:00 Pros of playing college baseball and navigating draft decisions.

39:00 Making off-field money and its impact on on-field performance.

45:15 How do you balance prioritizing your career, growing your brand, and endorsements?

49:45 Sacrifices and work ethic through the demands of the summer schedule that made a difference to where Austin is today.

52:00 What did your parents guide you to do that was a factor in your success?

55:15 The most influential moment during the draft experience that changed how Austin showed up.

01:00:00 How did you handle the mental pressure of proving yourself in the minor league?

01:04:00 The time Austin made himself impossible for the major league to ignore.

01:10:00 Turning down a $100M offer, and what the negotiation process was like.

01:16:00 Qualities the best of the best players have that sets them apart.

01:22:15 How do you balance being an amazing husband and father as you travel for your career?

01:27:00 How has your life changed since signing your contract?

RESOURCES + LINKS

Learn more at aligndsports.com

Book a 1:1 Consultation HERE

FOLLOW

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

Austin Riley: @austin_riley27

Ready for the tools and knowledge to guide your player on their journey to pro baseball? I'm Matt Hannaford, and in this very first episode of "The Advocate," you'll get an inside look at my journey from aspiring baseball player to top-notch sports agent. I was interviewed by my podcast producer about the grit and persistence it took to break into the business, lessons I've learned working with some of the biggest names in the game, and why I decided to create a new kind of agency. If you're a competitive baseball player or a parent of one, this episode is packed with insights on navigating the business side of baseball, the importance of personalized representation, and how to truly advocate for a player's unique needs and goals. Tune in to understand what it means to be a true advocate in sports and how you can apply these principles to achieve excellence both on and off the field.

00:00 How did you get your start in the industry as a baseball agent?

03:30 Red flags of traditional sports agencies and how to get better support for your player.

06:15 How to know if an agent is putting the players best interest before their own.

11:15 How important is it to focus on the mental preparation of baseball.

13:30 Ways to support your athlete to reach their full potential.

16:30 What role does an agent play in a players life and career?

19:40 How much time do you get to spend with your players?

22:30 Educating and advising players on what deal is best for them long term.

30:48 How do you help players not take it personally when GMs come in with low numbers?

RESOURCES + LINKS

Learn more at aligndsports.com

Book a 1:1 Consultation HERE

FOLLOW

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

This is your go-to source for navigating the world of Major League Baseball and your road to get there. I'm Matt Hannaford, a former collegiate baseball player turned agent to some of the game's best major league players. Each week we immerse ourselves in the world of baseball like never before. We'll we go behind the scenes with pro players, scouts, and more pulling back the curtain on the business of baseball. Get ready for everything you need to support your athlete every step of the way from developing as a player to navigating the major league.