Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford

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

What makes a high school baseball program truly elite? In this episode of Most Valuable Agent, we sit down with Brandon Oliver—former Yankees coach and co-founder of FUTURES—to unpack what separates good from great in today's ultra-competitive baseball world.

From his experience at Corona High School to building FUTURES into a national model, Brandon reveals how data, mindset, physicality, and aligned coaching shape the modern elite player.

🎯 Whether you're a coach, parent, or young athlete with big dreams, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the systems that produce next-level talent.

🔹What you'll learn in this episode:

• How FUTURES Academy balances performance & academics

• Brandon's path from overlooked player to MLB coaching staff

• The role of monthly data reports and player trendlines

• Why physicality, mental toughness, and competition matter more than exposure

• How to align parents, coaches, and advisors for long-term success

• Why "development > exposure" is the mindset elite athletes follow

• Advice for families with limited resources

🌐 Learn more → FUTURESTrainingCenter.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

Futures: @futurestrainingcenter

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

What does it really take to go from high school standout to pro baseball?

In this episode of the Most Valuable Agent Podcast, former MLB player and Align Sports advisor Dylan Manwaring joins us to share the raw truths of navigating the path from youth baseball to the big leagues.

Dylan opens up about growing up with a major leaguer father (Matt Manwaring), standing out in a small town, and how showcases like Area Code Games and East Coast Pro shaped his journey to becoming an MLB draft pick.

Whether you're a parent, coach, or player trying to understand the pros and cons of going pro vs. going to college—this episode delivers rare insight and real talk from someone who's been there.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• What MLB scouts actually look for at top showcases

• How Dylan got recruited out of a small town

• The role of Prospect Link and digital scouting today

• What families should consider when weighing college vs. draft

• How to parent (and coach) through pressure without control

• The mental grind of proving yourself in pro ball

If you're a parent, player, or coach looking to better understand how to navigate the path to college or pro baseball, this is the episode for you.

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

Dylan Manwaring: @d_manwaring

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

In this premiere Travel Team Spotlight episode of The Most Valuable Agent podcast, we sit down with Andy Burress—former Reds draft pick and founder of Five Star National, one of the most successful and expansive travel baseball programs in the country.

From his playing days to building a 50+ location organization (spanning the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and Australia), Andy opens up about the realities of youth baseball—the wins, the mistakes, and the deeper mission behind it all.

You'll hear how his son Drew Burress (a Georgia Tech standout) developed as a player, and why Five Star's model focuses on accountability, structure, and long-term growth—not just exposure or trophies.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How Five Star National became a standout in the world of travel baseball

• The biggest misconceptions about "development vs. showcasing"

• What really helps players succeed in college recruiting

• Why failure, structure, and accountability matter more than early wins

• How Andy approached his own son's development—and what you can learn from it

• Key advice for parents navigating the travel ball journey

⚾️ Know a baseball parent or coach who needs to hear this?

📤 Share this episode and help spread insights from one of the game's most respected voices.

👍 Like if you've ever struggled with balancing development and exposure.

💬 Drop a comment with your biggest takeaway—we read every one!

Resources & Mentions:

Five Star National: https://www.fivestarnational.com

Georgia Tech Baseball: https://ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-basebl/

PG Baseball (Perfect Game): https://www.perfectgame.org/

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

5 Star National Baseball: @5starnational

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

Welcome back to The Most Valuable Agent podcast!

In this power-packed episode, Matt and Brian Hannaford unpack one of the most critical—but often misunderstood—aspects of a player's career: how to actually maximize your relationship with your agent.

Whether you're navigating college recruiting, exploring NIL deals, entering the MLB Draft, or managing life in pro ball—having an agent isn't enough. You need to know how to be a strategic partner in your own success.

From walking on at Arizona State to negotiating multimillion-dollar contracts, Matt and Brian share lessons learned on both sides of the player-agent relationship—along with hard truths every athlete and family should hear.

• Why college baseball is now a business—and how to approach it like one

• How NIL and the transfer portal have changed the game forever

• The "freedom point" every player should define to stay grounded

• How your honesty, interest, and communication affect your agent's ability to advocate for you

• The #1 mistake players make when choosing an agent

• What a great agent-client relationship really looks like (spoiler: it's not hand-holding)

• A behind-the-scenes look at the Austin Riley extension and what it reveals about long-term planning

• The 7 essential questions every player should ask before signing with any agent

This episode isn't just about representation—it's a masterclass in agency, alignment, and personal ownership.

If you're a player, parent, or coach looking to navigate the complex world of college recruiting, NIL, and pro baseball with clarity and confidence—this one's for you.

👉 Ready to take control of your future?

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

Brian Hannaford: @bhannafo

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

What role does the MLB Players Association really play—and why should even high school athletes and their families care?

In this episode of The Most Valuable Agent, Matt Hannaford sits down with Tony Clark, former All-Star and current Executive Director of the MLBPA, for an unfiltered conversation about the past, present, and future of baseball.

From being a first-round draft pick to now representing thousands of professional athletes, Tony shares a rare, insider look at how labor rights, player empowerment, and education off the field are just as crucial as what happens between the lines.

Together, they explore:

⚾️ The formation and purpose of the MLBPA

⚾️ The legacy of Curt Flood, Marvin Miller, and the '94 strike

⚾️ The union's role in youth baseball, NIL, and mental health support

⚾️ Why young players must understand the business of the game

⚾️ How to become the CEO of your own career

This episode is a must-listen for prospects, parents, coaches, and fans who care about the soul of the sport—and the people in it.

🔔 Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations with the game's most influential voices 📤 Share this with a teammate, parent, or coach who needs to hear it

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

MLBPA: @mlbpa

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford