Chasing Baseball Dreams

Your son gets a Perfect Game grade. His hitting instructor says he looks great. His travel coach says he belongs on a national team. What does any of that tell you about what he needs to work on?

Former MLB hitter Chris Colabello and hitting instructor Bobby Tewksbary join Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast to talk about evaluating players, measuring improvement, and helping parents understand what they’re paying for.

At Pelotero, they’re building a Universal Rating System, or URS, around standardized testing. They explain what goes into the rating, how they validate testing data, and why a player’s tested tools and his performance in games can tell different stories.

In this episode we cover:

• What Chris learned from not playing varsity until his junior year and spending seven seasons in independent ball
• How to tell whether hitting lessons are helping your son in games
• Why hitters have to be on time twice
• How Pelotero’s rating differs from a ranking or a subjective grade
• Why testing conditions matter when comparing player metrics
• What a rating can tell you, and where baseball IQ and game performance still matter
• How parents of smaller, later-developing players should think about today’s physical differences
• Why the right competition matters more than the label on the team

Before you pay for another evaluation, change teams, or decide your son is behind, understand what the information in front of you actually measures.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor
Guests: Chris Colabello and Bobby Tewksbary

Learn more about Pelotero: https://www.pelotero.com
Follow Pelotero: @peloteroapp on Instagram and X

🔔 Subscribe to the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss an episode.

#BaseballParents #TravelBaseball #ChasingBaseballDreams

How hard should you push your son in sports? And how do you know when you're pushing too hard?

Matt Barnes spent 14 seasons in the NBA, won a championship with the Golden State Warriors, and helped build All The Smoke into one of the biggest names in sports podcasting. But some of his strongest opinions have nothing to do with professional basketball. They're about parents and what's happening in youth sports.

In this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Bobby Minor sits down with Matt to talk about raising his own sons, why he waited until his twins were ready to take training seriously, and why he believes too many parents are turning their kids' sports into a job before they're ready.

Matt also shares a pretty incredible story about Kobe Bryant training his twins, explains why he wouldn't make a 10-year-old specialize in one sport, and talks about the pressure parents put on kids who aren't developing as quickly as their teammates.

In this episode, we talk about:

⚾ Why Matt believes parents are one of the biggest problems in youth sports

🏀 Why he waited until his twins were 13–14 before pushing them into serious training

🔥 What Kobe Bryant told Matt's sons about their basketball dreams

⚾ Why he believes 10-year-olds should still be playing multiple sports

💪 Why young athletes need to learn how to compete for playing time instead of immediately changing teams

👨‍👦 How Matt handled coaching his own sons without giving them special treatment

💰 Why he believes youth sports have become too focused on making money

🏆 What Matt learned about Kobe Bryant as a teammate, friend, and father

⚾ Why he launched All The Smoke Baseball and what he hopes to bring to the game

❤️ What he hopes his sons remember about him, regardless of how far they go in sports

One thing that really stood out to me was how Matt handled his twins' development. He knew exactly what it took to play professionally. He had the experience, the connections, and the ability to start training them seriously at a young age.

But he waited.

He wanted them to show him they loved the game enough to put in the work themselves.

That's something worth thinking about if you're a baseball parent trying to decide when to push your son, when to back off, and how much of this journey should be driven by him.

Whether your son is playing 9U travel baseball or getting ready for high school, there's a lot in this conversation that will make you think.

ABOUT THE PODCAST

The Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast is hosted by Bobby Minor, a former Division I baseball player, longtime coach, and college baseball dad. Through conversations with professional athletes, coaches, and people who've lived the game, Bobby helps baseball parents think through the decisions they're making for their sons.

Subscribe for new episodes and conversations about player development, travel baseball, recruiting, and raising young athletes.

🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

#MattBarnes #YouthSports #BaseballParents

What if your son isn't getting playing time because he needs to get better? And what if his college baseball opportunities don't come until the spring of his senior year?

2025 Mexican Baseball League MVP Nick Torres joins Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast to share his journey from an overlooked high school player to a fourth-round MLB Draft pick, professional baseball in Mexico, and an MVP season that earned him another opportunity with the New York Yankees organization.

Nick's junior year of high school, he barely played and was used only as a pitcher. His senior year, he won conference Player of the Year. He didn't receive his offer from Cal Poly until late April of his senior year.

After more than a decade in professional baseball, Nick has plenty to say about what young players need to develop and what parents should be paying attention to.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why Nick wishes he'd played multiple sports longer
• How he went from barely playing as a junior to conference Player of the Year as a senior
• Why his college recruiting process came down to the final weeks of his senior year
• What parents should consider before leaving a team over playing time
• Why hitting approach and the mental game can separate players at higher levels
• How parents can help their sons handle slumps without adding more pressure
• Why comparing your son to other players can hurt his development
• What Nick learned from being released twice, playing in Mexico, and eventually winning league MVP
• The characteristics Nick believes make a player somebody coaches want on their team

If you're raising a young baseball player and wondering whether he's on the right team, developing fast enough, or falling behind other kids his age, this conversation is worth your time.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor | Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast

⚾ Guest: Nick Torres | 2025 Liga Mexicana de Béisbol MVP

📱 Follow Nick on Instagram: @n_torres93

#ChasingBaseballDreams #BaseballParents #TravelBaseball #NickTorres #YouthBaseball #CollegeBaseball

From an undersized high school player with almost no recruiting interest to playing Banana Ball in front of 81,000 fans. Party Animals infielder Mikey Ballard's baseball journey didn't follow the path most parents expect.

On this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Bobby Minor sits down with Mikey to talk about his journey from Lake Mary High School to Division II Eckerd College, his transfer to Division I Louisiana Tech, independent professional baseball, and eventually the Party Animals.

Mikey shares how he nearly gave up on playing college baseball before one final showcase changed his opportunities. He also explains why playing time mattered more than the name on his jersey, how growing up undersized affected his recruiting, and why his parents' simple advice, "Be Mike," still matters to him today.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why Mikey nearly gave up on college baseball before receiving a late walk-on opportunity
• How playing Division II baseball prepared him for success at Louisiana Tech
• Why he believes actual game experience matters more than chasing a Power Five roster spot
• How backyard Wiffle ball, multiple sports, and playing with friends helped develop his athleticism
• Why teaching young hitters big-league mechanics can sometimes do more harm than good
• The two words his parents taught him that he still puts on his glove
• How he went from independent baseball to playing in front of 81,000 Banana Ball fans
• Why he believes 80 to 100 games a year can be too much for 10-, 11-, and 12-year-olds

If you're a baseball parent wondering whether your son is falling behind, whether he's on the right team, or whether a Division I offer should be the ultimate goal, Mikey's story gives you plenty to think about.

The decisions you make for your son should be based on what actually helps him develop, not what looks impressive to everybody else.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor | Chasing Baseball Dreams

⚾ Guest: Mikey Ballard | Party Animals, Banana Ball

📱 Follow Mikey: Instagram @michael_ballard14 | TikTok @mike.b14

🔔 Subscribe to the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast for conversations with professional players, coaches, and baseball parents about the decisions that matter throughout the baseball journey.

#BananaBall #PartyAnimals #BaseballParents #TravelBaseball #CollegeBaseball

Why are baseball parents flying 8-year-olds across the country for travel baseball? Former MLB pitcher Jay Jackson questions the youth baseball rankings, expensive tournaments, and pressure that have become so common at an early age.

Jay spent 17 years playing professional baseball, including time with six Major League teams and in Japan. In this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, he joins Bobby Minor to share what he learned about player development, choosing the right opportunities, handling disappointment, and helping young players enjoy the game.

In this episode we cover:

• Why Jay believes parents put too much importance on baseball rankings for 8U–12U players
• The money families spend flying young players across the country for travel baseball tournaments
• How Jay went from being projected as a second-to-fourth-round draft pick to getting selected in the ninth round
• Why he chose Furman University and how academics, family, and his relationship with the coach influenced that decision
• What playing professionally in Japan taught him about fundamentals and the quality of practice
• What Jay looks for in young pitchers that parents often overlook
• What a dad should say to his 12U pitcher after giving up six runs
• The emotional story of his son spending 166 days in the NICU and what Jay hopes his children remember about him

Jay also shares the years he spent waiting for his Major League opportunity, what happened when he didn't make Toronto's Opening Day roster despite a strong spring training, and why he created the S.M.I.L.E. Zone to help young players with the mental side of baseball.

If you're a baseball parent trying to decide which teams, tournaments, rankings, and opportunities are actually worth your money, this conversation will give you plenty to think about before you spend another dollar.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor

⚾ Guest: Jay Jackson, former MLB pitcher and founder of the S.M.I.L.E. Zone

🎧 Podcast: Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast

Connect with Jay Jackson:

Instagram: @jaxland58

S.M.I.L.E. Zone community: https://smilezone.app/

🔔 Subscribe to Chasing Baseball Dreams on YouTube so you don't miss future interviews with Major League players, coaches, and baseball parents. You can also listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

#JayJackson #YouthBaseball #TravelBaseball #BaseballParents #ChasingBaseballDreams

Ben Jacobus started in center field, hit leadoff as a freshman, and helped Corona del Sol win the 2025 Arizona 6A state championship. Now he's committed to TCU.

His dad, Brian Jacobus, played professional baseball after being drafted by the San Diego Padres. He's coached high school baseball, run travel baseball organizations, and experienced the recruiting process firsthand as a parent.

One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation? Brian built Ben's baseball development around preparing him for high school, and he believes there are things high school baseball provides that travel ball has a hard time replicating.

In this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Brian shares the decisions they made along the way, including some he'd handle differently.

In this episode we cover:

• What Ben experienced winning a state championship as a freshman and why high school baseball was so important to his development
• What high school coaches look for when deciding whether a freshman is ready for varsity baseball
• Why Brian believes choosing the right coach matters more than playing for a famous travel baseball organization
• How Brian handled being both Ben's dad and his coach, including the mental side of the game
• Why Ben reclassified from the 2028 to the 2027 graduating class, and Brian's concerns about holding players back to gain an age advantage
• How TCU recruited Ben, what happened when other schools entered the picture, and why Ben ultimately chose TCU over Arizona State
• The red flags parents should watch for before committing to a travel team
• Why Brian believes families waste money on national tournaments and showcases before their sons are ready

Brian also shares something he wishes he'd emphasized earlier in Ben's development, even with all his years of experience playing and coaching baseball.

If you're spending money on travel baseball, preparing your son for high school, or starting to think about college recruiting, this conversation will give you plenty to think about before making your next decision.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor

⚾ Guest: Brian Jacobus

🎧 Podcast: Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast

Subscribe for conversations with players, coaches, and baseball people who can help parents think more clearly about the decisions they're making for their sons.

#ChasingBaseballDreams #TravelBaseball #BaseballParents

Some Major League players were more afraid of talking to their dads after a bad game than facing the media.

Former MLB All-Star Shane Greene saw it firsthand. And he has a lot to say about what baseball parents need to understand.

Shane spent 10 seasons in the big leagues with teams including the Yankees, Tigers, and Braves. But his journey was anything but typical. He didn't pitch a single varsity inning as a sophomore, received just one college offer, underwent Tommy John surgery, and took the JUCO route before being drafted in the 15th round. He eventually became an MLB All-Star in 2019.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why your son's performance at 12U tells you very little about where he'll end up
• How Shane handled sitting on the varsity bench for an entire season and what his dad did differently
• Why some Major Leaguers were still afraid of disappointing their fathers
• How too much mechanical instruction can hurt a player's ability to compete
• Why Shane believes the mental side of baseball is being overlooked
• What playing Cosmic Baseball and Banana Ball taught him about competition and having fun

Shane also shares what helped him through injuries, setbacks, and the pressure of professional baseball, along with his advice for parents who are worried their sons are falling behind.

If you're a baseball parent trying to figure out what actually matters for your son's development, this is a conversation worth hearing.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor
⚾ Guest: Shane Greene, 2019 MLB All-Star

🎧 Watch or listen to the full Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast episode on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe so you don't miss future conversations with people who've experienced the game at the highest levels.

#ChasingBaseballDreams #BaseballParents #ShaneGreene

Your son's team plays tournaments on Sundays. Your family wants to be in church. And you're worried that missing games could cost him playing time or put him behind.

How do you handle that?

Savannah Bananas star RobertAnthony Cruz, better known as Coach RAC, joins Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast for a conversation about faith, family, and the decisions baseball parents face.

Coach RAC shares his journey from UC Riverside to the Washington Nationals, the heartbreak of being released from professional baseball, and how his faith helped him find purpose beyond the game.

We also talk about Sandlot Revival, the faith-based movement that grew from a Savannah Bananas team Bible study into worship nights in more than 20 cities.

In this episode we cover:

• Whether missing Sunday tournament games really puts your son behind
• How Christian parents can handle the conflict between church and travel baseball
• What conversations parents should have with coaches before committing to a team
• Practical ways families can maintain their faith and church community during a busy baseball season
• How parents sometimes make their sons feel like their love depends on baseball performance
• What Coach RAC learned about identity and faith after being released by the Washington Nationals
• How Sandlot Revival started and the impact it's having across the country
• Why Coach RAC believes developing your son's character matters more than his baseball career

Coach RAC also shares his personal testimony, what fatherhood has taught him, and why his biggest accomplishments on the baseball field don't compare to what matters most in his life.

Whether you're a Christian family struggling with Sunday tournaments or a parent trying to keep baseball in perspective, this conversation will give you plenty to think about before your next season.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor
⚾ Guest: Coach RAC (@coach.rac)
🎧 Podcast: Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with players, coaches, and baseball people who can help you think through the decisions you're making for your son.

#ChasingBaseballDreams #CoachRAC #SavannahBananas #TravelBaseball #FaithAndBaseball

Six games in three days. That's the kind of schedule that makes Will Armijo question what we're doing in youth baseball.

Will believes youth baseball should be 90% focused on development and only 10% on playing games. That's a pretty strong opinion coming from someone who runs a baseball academy.

Will is a former Division II pitcher at Grand Canyon University who went through Tommy John surgery and some serious setbacks during his playing career. Today, he's the CEO and co-founder of Legendary Prep Academy in Scottsdale, Arizona, which was featured on the Paramount+ reality series Team Moms: Baseball.

In this episode we cover:

• Why Will believes young players are playing too many games and spending too little time developing
• The D1 obsession and why a bigger-name college isn't always the better opportunity
• What parents misunderstand about 13U and 14U rankings and predicting college baseball potential
• Reclassifying young players and whether an extra year actually helps
• The injury concerns that come with heavy tournament schedules and inadequate recovery
• How parents can measure whether the money they're spending is actually helping their son improve
• What Will has learned about parents, playing-time complaints, and the pressure placed on young athletes

Will also shares what it was like growing up playing baseball in New Mexico, including a high school coach who told him he'd never be good enough to play beyond high school.

If you're spending thousands on travel baseball, considering a prep academy, or wondering whether your son needs to play more games to keep up, this conversation will give you plenty to think about before making your next decision.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor
⚾ Guest: Will Armijo, CEO & Co-Founder of Legendary Prep Academy
🎧 Podcast: Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast

Subscribe to Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts for more conversations about the decisions baseball parents face.

#ChasingBaseballDreams #TravelBaseball #BaseballParents

Ty Buttrey got cut from a travel baseball team, was sent down to JV in high school, and still became a fourth-round draft pick who made it to the big leagues.

Then, in 2021, he walked away from baseball.

What surprised me most during our conversation was hearing Ty admit that he never really loved pitching, even though he loved playing baseball.

Ty spent years battling performance anxiety, struggling with his mechanics, and pushing himself to get better. He eventually reached the Major Leagues with the Los Angeles Angels, but getting there didn't make those struggles disappear.

In this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Ty and I talk about his journey from getting cut to pitching in the big leagues, what he learned about himself along the way, and what baseball parents can take from his experience.

In this episode we cover:

• How Ty went from getting cut and being sent down to JV to becoming a fourth-round draft pick
• Why the wrong training program caused him to lose velocity early in his professional career, according to Ty, and what he changed
• Why Ty believes the mental side of pitching accounts for as much as 70% of success
• What parents should look for when choosing a pitching instructor, hitting coach, or personal trainer
• Why being one of the best players at 12U or 13U doesn't tell you how good that player will be years later
• How the pressure to prove other people wrong contributed to Ty's performance anxiety
• Why Ty believes American youth baseball spends too much time playing tournaments and too little time developing skills
• What he wishes he'd done differently growing up, and his advice to parents about pushing their sons without belittling them
• Why parents of 12- and 13-year-olds should think carefully before chasing social media attention and NIL opportunities

One of the most interesting parts of our conversation came when Ty talked about how much he loved playing baseball but never really enjoyed the part of the game that became his profession.

He also shares what parents should pay attention to when their sons start putting too much pressure on themselves, and why he'd encourage parents to help their sons develop interests outside of baseball.

If you're a baseball parent with a son who's serious about playing at the next level, this is a conversation worth hearing. Especially if you're trying to figure out how hard to push him, what kind of training he needs, and whether he's still enjoying the game.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor

⚾ Guest: Ty Buttrey, Former MLB Pitcher | Los Angeles Angels

🎧 Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast

Subscribe for more conversations with former Major Leaguers, professional coaches, and people who've lived the game, with lessons that can help you make better baseball decisions for your son.

#BaseballParents #YouthBaseball #TravelBaseball

Your son looks great hitting in the cage. Then he gets into a game and can't buy a hit. So what's the answer? More hitting lessons? Change his swing? Find a different instructor?

Corey Hart spent 18 years coaching professional hitters in the Milwaukee Brewers, Miami Marlins, and Toronto Blue Jays organizations. He's worked with hitters like Christian Yelich and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and he's now an assistant softball coach at Syracuse University.

In this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Corey and I talk about what parents need to understand before spending more money on hitting instruction. We get into the mental side of hitting, what separates good hitters from great ones, and why some of the advice parents give from the stands might be making things harder for their sons.

In this episode we cover:

• Why a good-looking swing in the cage doesn't always translate into success during games
• How to tell whether your son's hitting instructor is actually helping him, beyond his batting average
• What Corey saw in Christian Yelich and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. that made them such special hitters
• Why getting hitting advice from multiple coaches can leave a young player confused
• The mechanical advice Corey wishes parents would stop yelling during at-bats
• How one simple hitting drill helped Martín Maldonado make an adjustment in the minor leagues
• When hitting lessons make sense for younger players and why Corey believes mindset is just as important as mechanics
• Why Corey would rather send his sons to the right college camp than spend money on showcases hoping they'll get discovered

Corey also shares what he believes separates players who eventually reach the big leagues from those with similar talent who never get there.

If you're a baseball parent spending money on hitting lessons, this conversation will give you a better idea of what to look for in an instructor and what actual progress should look like.

And the next time your son steps into the batter's box, you might want to think twice before yelling another swing tip.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor

⚾ Guest: Corey Hart, Former Professional Hitting Coach | Syracuse University Softball

🎧 Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast

Subscribe for more conversations with former Major Leaguers, professional coaches, and people who've lived the game, with lessons that can help you make better baseball decisions for your son.

#BaseballParents #YouthBaseball #HittingLessons

Are baseball parents spending thousands of dollars on travel teams, national rankings, and private lessons without knowing whether any of it is actually helping their son?

Coach Jason Ferber, better known as Coach Ferber on Instagram, joins Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast for a conversation every travel baseball parent needs to hear.

A former San Diego Padres scout who has worked with some of the country's top young baseball players, Coach Ferber shares what he's learned about player development, youth baseball rankings, recruiting, and the decisions parents face as their sons grow in the game.

We get into why he thinks cutting 6U and 7U players is ridiculous, what parents should investigate before joining an expensive national team, and why locking a 9-year-old into one position can hurt his long-term development.

He also shares the story of an overlooked young player who became one of the country's top prospects, explains what separates a good hitting instructor from someone who's just selling a swing philosophy, and gives parents practical advice on finding the right coach.

And when it comes to college recruiting, Coach Ferber explains why he'd start with local college programs before spending thousands chasing exposure across the country.

In this episode:

• Why early baseball rankings tell you very little about a player's future
• The problem with national travel teams for 8U, 9U, and 10U players
• What to ask a travel baseball coach before committing
• Why young players need multiple positions and other sports
• How to recognize a coach who's developing players
• Red flags to watch for with private hitting instructors
• What college coaches actually evaluate during recruiting
• When a player needs more exposure and when he needs to improve
• What Coach Ferber would prioritize for his own 10-year-old son

Episode Chapters

00:00 Meet Coach Jason Ferber
02:10 Why you can't predict a player's future at 12U
07:09 The danger of playing only one position
12:08 National teams for 8U and 9U players
14:04 What young players lose without pickup games
16:24 Coach Ferber's take on cutting 6U and 7U players
18:38 Why parents need to investigate travel coaches
22:01 Questions to ask before joining a national team
25:17 Do young players really need national exposure?
29:27 Why youth baseball rankings mean so little
33:59 What parents should focus on instead of rankings
35:38 The story of an overlooked top prospect
37:43 Winning tournaments versus developing players
40:17 What good coaches should teach during games
44:26 How to evaluate a private hitting instructor
49:46 The question to ask before paying for lessons
52:43 Why talented players still need tough coaching
53:59 Tough coaching versus tearing players down
57:16 College recruiting: When showcases aren't working
1:00:07 Why recruiting should start close to home
1:02:38 Where he'd spend money on a talented 10-year-old
1:07:07 The biggest mistake well-intentioned parents make
1:11:07 Bobby's experience with his son Julian
1:12:21 Where to follow Coach Ferber

Follow Coach Ferber:
Instagram: @coachferber

Follow Chasing Baseball Dreams:
Instagram: @chasingbaseballdreams

If you're a baseball parent trying to make the best decisions for your son, subscribe to the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast for conversations with experienced coaches, former Major Leaguers, and people who know what it takes to develop baseball players.

#TravelBaseball #YouthBaseball #BaseballParents #PlayerDevelopment #CoachFerber

Landon Bonner is committed to the University of Oklahoma and ranked No. 1 overall in Texas and No. 11 nationally by Perfect Game for the 2028 class. His dad, Marcus, will still tell you they spent money chasing exposure before Landon needed it. Some of that money would’ve been better spent helping him get better.

In this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Marcus and I talk about what he’d do differently if Landon were 10 again. We also get into the college decision. Oklahoma wasn’t initially in Landon’s top five, and Marcus explains what the coaches showed their family that set OU apart from the other schools they spoke with.

In this episode we cover:

- The money Marcus would rethink spending on showcases and exposure at 10, 11, and 12.

- What made hitting instruction worth paying for, and why going to another lesson wasn’t always the answer.

- When they started focusing on recruiting and how much Marcus thinks Perfect Game rankings factored into the interest Landon received.

- Why the Bonners looked back five years to see how many freshmen each program actually played.

- How NIL factored into the decision without becoming more important than an opportunity to get on the field.- The two years of Landon’s ABs Oklahoma’s coaches broke down and the development plan they laid out for him.

- What Marcus would change about the car ride home after a bad game, and how he learned to let Landon come to him.

Before you follow another family’s recruiting plan, hear what this family would change about its own.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor

⚾ Guest: Marcus Bonner, father of Oklahoma commit Landon Bonner

🎧 Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast

Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast platforms. Subscribe for more conversations about the decisions you’re making for your son.

#ChasingBaseballDreams #BaseballParents #CollegeBaseballRecruiting #TravelBaseball #LandonBonner

Episode description

Joey and Trina Taylor have an answer for people who watched 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐬 and decided they weren’t real baseball parents. The couple joins Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast to talk about the criticism and the years at the ballpark that came before reality TV. They also explain why they think the show portrayed them accurately, even though viewers didn’t see the whole story.

The Taylors get into the cast drama, including the confrontation Joey says never aired. They also walk through some big decisions for their family. Trina explains how their daughter’s dance opportunities factored into the Arizona move, and both parents share what they’re learning as Jett takes more responsibility for his baseball development.

In this episode we cover:

- Is Team Moms scripted? What Joey and Trina say about the drama and the editing

- Nina’s barbecue and why the singing at the field upset them

- How they’ve tried to keep disagreements between parents from affecting the boys

- Jett’s regional championship home run and what reaching Williamsport meant to their family

- Why Joey challenges the comparison between local Little League teams and national travel rosters

- Their move from Washington to Arizona and why they chose Legendary Prep Academy

- Watching for burnout, letting Jett own his development, and handling struggles against older players

For a parent wondering how hard to push, there’s a moment worth hearing: Joey describes Jett going outside to hit without being asked and without filming it. Trina is seeing him take more interest in his nutrition. They explain what those choices tell them while keeping the conversation open about needing a break.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor

⚾ Guests: Joey and Trina Taylor from 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐬

🔔 Subscribe to the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast for conversations that help baseball parents think through the decisions they’re making for their sons.

Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast platforms.

#TeamMoms #BaseballParents #TravelBaseball #LittleLeague #ChasingBaseballDreams

Texas Tailgators shortstop Jorden Hussein never planned on playing Banana Ball.

His path went from North Shore High School in Houston to Crowder College, Division I baseball at Little Rock, two seasons of independent ball, the Party Animals, and now the Texas Tailgators. At several points, the next opportunity looked nothing like what he originally pictured.

That’s exactly why I wanted him on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast.

Jorden talks about why he chose JUCO when he had a Division I opportunity, why parents need to be realistic about where their son actually is as a player, and what his own parents got right throughout his baseball career. He also gives one of the better analogies I’ve heard about what a player needs from his dad after a bad game.

We also get into Banana Ball. Is the baseball real? Are the games scripted? And after playing inside it, does Jorden believe Banana Ball is actually here to stay? His answer might surprise some traditional baseball people.

In this episode we cover:

• Why Jorden chose JUCO instead of going Division I right away
• What parents should look at beyond the school name and division
• The reality check he thinks more baseball parents need about their son
• What each jump in competition exposed about his own game
• What his parents did when he struggled
• What NOT to do on the car ride home after your son goes 0-for-4
• How a phone call he almost turned down led him to Banana Ball
• Whether Banana Ball is scripted and how competitive the games really are
• Why he believes Banana Ball is here to stay
• What Banana Ball taught him about slowing the game down defensively
• Why parents should stop obsessing over statistics
• What he wishes he could tell his high school self

Jorden’s path is a good reminder for baseball parents: your son’s best opportunity may not have the name, logo, division, or path you pictured.

Pay attention to where he can play, where he can get better, and where people genuinely want him.

🎙️ Host: Bobby Minor
⚾ Guest: Jorden Hussein, Texas Tailgators shortstop
🎧 Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast

Subscribe for conversations with players, coaches and baseball people who can help parents think more clearly about the decisions they’re making for their sons.

#ChasingBaseballDreams #BaseballParents #BananaBall

Baseball parents spend a lot of time worrying about winning, playing time and whether their son is falling behind.

Former MLB pitcher Aaron Barrett says one of the biggest things parents worry about is FOMO. Trying to keep up with what everybody else is doing instead of looking at where your own kid is right now.

Aaron has seen player development from just about every angle. He pitched parts of four seasons with the Washington Nationals, made it back to the Major Leagues after more than four years away following Tommy John surgery and a fractured humerus, and was part of Washington’s 2019 World Series team. After his playing career, he moved into player development with the Philadelphia Phillies. In his first season managing the Single-A Clearwater Threshers, his team finished 74-55 and Aaron was named Baseball America’s Single-A Manager of the Year and Florida State League Manager of the Year.

In this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Aaron and I get into what actually separates players as they move up, why consistency and handling failure matter so much, what development should look like at younger ages, and why playing catch still matters.

We also talk about youth pitching and arm health, how parents should vet coaches and instructors, multi-sport athletes, baseball IQ, analytics, player ownership, Aaron’s four MLB Draft experiences, his incredible comeback to the big leagues, and some of his favorite Major League memories.

Aaron also explains why parents need to ask more questions before handing their son’s development over to somebody else, especially when it comes to pitching and training.

His closing advice is simple: use the information and experience available to you, then bring the decision back to your child and what’s best for him right now. Development isn’t linear.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Aaron Barrett’s MLB career, comeback and move into managing

02:05 What separates players in professional baseball

05:08 Baseball IQ and how players are being developed today

08:17 Development vs. winning

11:31 What development should look like for young players

14:24 Why playing catch still matters

17:17 When parents should stop trying to fix every struggle

19:35 Helping a young player through an injury

22:25 What parents should ask about pitching and arm care

25:19 Aaron on youth arm injuries and Dr. Andrews

26:48 Aaron’s wild MLB Draft story

29:10 Growing up as a multi-sport athlete

31:02 When parents should hand ownership back to the player

35:28 Data, analytics and paralysis by analysis

39:37 In-and-Out with Aaron Barrett

40:20 What baseball parents worry about too much

41:38 What he’d tell the parents of his 12-year-old self

42:34 The toughest hitter Aaron faced in the Major Leagues

43:39 Aaron’s favorite baseball memories

50:41 Favorite baseball movie and his upcoming documentary

53:53 Aaron’s final advice for baseball parents

Is your son dominating youth baseball because he’s developing, or because the competition isn’t challenging him anymore?

Former MLB player Lou Collier joins Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast to talk about reclassing, playing up and the decisions behind his son Cam Collier’s path to the MLB Draft.

Before the Cincinnati Reds selected Cam 18th overall, his family made the decision to have him graduate early and play junior college baseball against older competition. Lou explains what he saw in Cam, how he used feedback from experienced baseball people and why the decision involved much more than his son’s ability on the field. We also get into what would’ve told him they’d moved too soon.

That leads to a conversation about reclassifying in the other direction. Lou shares his concerns about older players dominating younger competition and what happens when the game finally gets tougher. He also makes an important distinction: challenging a player doesn’t mean putting him at a level he isn’t physically ready to handle.

We talk about the challenge of being both a coach and a baseball dad, including what Lou learned about backing off as Cam matured. Later, he explains why a younger player needing encouragement isn’t the same as an older teenager refusing to put in the work his goals require.

For parents thinking about baseball training and player development, Lou gets specific about infield fundamentals, learning multiple positions and what working alongside Ron Washington taught him about instruction. He also discusses baseball access for young African American players, his work with MLB Develops and the training behind the Hillboys program. His explanation of practice reps versus game reps gives parents something to consider before filling another weekend with games.

Cam’s path gives us a real decision to examine. The question for your family is what your son needs, how you’re evaluating that and whether his baseball environment is preparing him for tougher competition.

Timestamps

00:00 Meet Lou Collier, former MLB player and Cam Collier’s dad

02:25 Being a baseball dad without always being the coach

05:02 Why Cam Collier reclassified and played junior college baseball

10:50 What would’ve told Lou they moved too soon

12:19 College baseball beyond the “D1 or bust” mentality

13:41 Infield fundamentals and learning multiple positions

17:05 What Ron Washington taught Lou about infield development

19:47 Recognizing when a player needs tougher competition

20:47 When should your son take ownership of his baseball goals?

23:09 Growing up playing baseball on Chicago’s South Side

25:31 African American players, baseball costs and access

31:30 MLB Develops, Dream Series and Breakthrough Series

36:38 Reclassing down and the temporary age advantage

41:52 What separates players who keep getting better

43:10 The toughest MLB pitchers Lou faced

44:19 Favorite ballparks and playing back home in Chicago

46:41 In-and-Out with Lou Collier

48:29 A Wrigley Field home run and a favorite baseball movie

50:44 Lou’s message to parents: Be honest about your son

52:54 The Hillboys and Lou’s approach to youth baseball training

55:22 Practice reps versus game reps

56:31 Closing thoughts

Subscribe to the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss the next episode.

#BaseballParents #YouthBaseball #ChasingBaseballDreams

Former MLB player Niko Goodrum joins Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast to talk youth baseball, travel baseball, player development, versatility, mindset, and what parents may be rushing too soon.

Niko was a second-round pick out of high school and played seven seasons in Major League Baseball with the Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Angels. One of the most surprising parts of his journey: he didn’t grow up playing travel baseball. He played local summer ball, attended a few showcases and still developed into a Major League player.

For baseball parents, some of Niko’s strongest advice comes when he talks development. He says he wouldn’t rush power, exit velocity, throwing velocity or strength with young players. Niko was 168 pounds when he was drafted and eventually played at 220. Physical development comes with time, but the skill of actually playing baseball still has to be there.

Niko also talks about when a player may be ready for travel ball, why parents should watch how much their son is driving his own development, and why decisions should fit the individual kid instead of what everybody else is doing.

We also get into how versatility helped Niko reach and stay in the Major Leagues, playing multiple sports, becoming a switch hitter in high school, professional baseball in Korea, the moment he knew his playing career was over, and what separates talented players who keep moving from those who stall out.

If you’re a baseball parent trying to make better decisions about travel baseball, training, strength, player development, versatility or your son’s long-term path, this conversation is for you.

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:50 Meet Niko Goodrum and his MLB journey
• 01:34 Why Niko chose Kennesaw State over bigger-name programs
• 03:11 Getting drafted in the second round vs. going to college
• 04:30 Why development can take years, even for elite players
• 06:17 Niko reveals he never played travel ball
• 07:02 Why playing basketball helped his baseball development
• 08:53 How versatility became Niko’s path to the Major Leagues
• 11:23 Playing when your role and future aren’t guaranteed
• 12:42 What playing professional baseball in Korea was really like
• 17:05 The morning Niko knew it was time to retire
• 19:11 Adjusting to life after professional baseball
• 22:08 What separates talented players who keep advancing
• 24:02 Becoming a switch hitter in high school
• 26:08 What parents of talented 12 and 13-year-olds should focus on
• 27:43 Why parents shouldn’t rush strength, exit velo or throwing velo
• 29:10 When should a kid start playing travel baseball?
• 31:41 Facing Jacob deGrom, Chris Sale and MLB’s toughest pitchers
• 32:30 Niko’s favorite Major League stadiums
• 36:00 In-and-Out: earning trust, development, technique and simplifying the game
• 38:50 Why mindset becomes the separator at higher levels
• 42:05 What Niko learned from Victor Martinez
• 45:14 Niko’s favorite baseball memories
• 47:42 His favorite baseball movie
• 48:24 Where to follow Niko Goodrum

Former MLB outfielder and first-round pick Lewis Brinson joins Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast for a conversation every youth baseball and travel baseball parent should hear.

Brinson was selected 29th overall by the Texas Rangers in the 2012 MLB Draft out of Coral Springs High School. He went on to play six seasons in the Major Leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers, Miami Marlins and San Francisco Giants, and his career later took him to Japan and Mexico.

In this episode, Lewis talks about the parts of the baseball journey parents rarely get to see.

He explains why parents can put way too much stock in batting average, exit velocity and other metrics at 9U and 10U, what actually mattered in his development as a young player, and why youth baseball shouldn’t start feeling like a business before baseball is actually a player’s job.

Lewis also gives an inside look at what being a top MLB prospect really means. More attention. More expectations. More opportunities to fail. And, sometimes, more pressure than a young player knows how to handle.

He shares what he learned after being traded by the Rangers in the Jonathan Lucroy deal, becoming a centerpiece of the Christian Yelich trade to Miami, and returning home with enormous expectations placed on him.

The conversation also gets into hitting development, why every kid shouldn’t be taught to swing like Aaron Judge, how parents can get more value from private lessons, what longtime big leaguers have in common beyond talent, and what a parent should say on the ride home after a bad game.

If you’re raising a young baseball player and trying to make better decisions about travel baseball, player development, hitting lessons, youth baseball stats, pressure, expectations and the long-term journey, there’s a lot in this one.

Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast with Bobby Minor

Timestamps

00:00 Lewis Brinson joins Chasing Baseball Dreams
01:13 Getting traded by the Texas Rangers
05:01 When the business side creeps into youth baseball
07:17 Lewis Brinson’s travel baseball experience
08:23 What actually mattered in his development
10:42 Why parents put too much stock in youth baseball stats
13:31 The problem with radar guns and exit velocity at 9U
14:37 How Lewis fell in love with baseball
19:29 Florida or professional baseball? Making the draft decision
24:15 How baseball recruiting has changed
26:59 What being a “top prospect” really means
31:27 The people who shaped Lewis Brinson
34:05 The Christian Yelich trade and the pressure of coming home
41:39 Why Lewis listens to players who’ve been there
44:51 Hitting instruction and copying Major League swings
49:42 The toughest pitcher Lewis ever faced
51:20 Lewis Brinson’s favorite MLB ballparks
54:16 Why baseball stays uncertain even after you “make it”
59:55 In-and-Out: advice every baseball parent can use
1:05:12 Lewis’s favorite baseball memories
1:07:24 Favorite baseball movie
1:08:16 What might have been with the Texas Rangers
1:09:36 Lewis gives Bobby some hitting advice
1:10:37 Where to follow Lewis Brinson

A coach can help a player get recruited. A parent has to live with everything attached to that decision.

In this solo episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Bobby Minor talks about the side of the college baseball recruiting process he didn’t fully understand until his own son went through it. He had already coached players and helped them through recruiting. Going through it as a dad gave him a completely different view of the same process.

For baseball parents, recruiting goes way beyond whether a player is talented enough or whether a college coach likes him. There’s the financial side. Distance from home. Playing time. Roster competition. Coaching changes. Injuries. Knowing whether a school really wants your son or is simply keeping him on the board.

And then there’s the part nobody can make easy for you: helping your son make the decision without making it for him.

Bobby talks about college baseball recruiting, JUCO baseball, scholarship and financial decisions, roster math, college coach interest, travel baseball, playing time, and the pressure the recruiting process can put on the relationship between a parent and his son.

He also shares why getting an offer isn’t the finish line, how difficult it can be to interpret what college coaches really mean, and the unexpected way Julian’s eventual college opportunity started with a conversation inside a Fort Worth gym.

If you’re looking for college baseball recruiting tips for parents, especially as your son moves through high school baseball and starts hearing from college programs, this episode will help you think beyond simply getting the offer.

TIMESTAMPS

00:01 Why recruiting feels different when you’re the parent

02:16 When the coaching staff leaves two weeks before school

04:36 The waiting, comparison, and financial pressure parents carry

07:02 Roster math and the real path to playing time

09:25 Letting your son own the decision

11:14 What college coach interest really means

13:42 What recruiting costs emotionally

16:07 How Julian actually got recruited

If your son is going through the recruiting process right now, leave your biggest question in the comments.

#CollegeBaseballRecruiting #BaseballParents #TravelBaseball