Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford

In this episode Matt sits down with Johan Martinez-Khalilian to explore a powerful and often overlooked dynamic in youth and professional sports: the role of fathers (and parents) in shaping athletes' journeys. Through raw stories, personal reflection, and lessons learned from working with elite athletes, this conversation dives into how parents can either empower or unintentionally hold back thei...

In this episode, Matt sits down with Jon Paino , longtime coach, teacher, and one of the architects behind CBA Baseball . From starting the program in honor of pioneer Mike Spears, to shaping a culture that develops players on and off the field, Jon shares the lessons that have helped CBA produce 1,400+ college commitments, 185 draft picks, and 23 MLB players (and counting ). 💡 This conversation...

What does it really take to make it in the big leagues and stay there? In this emotional and eye-opening episode, LA Dodgers pitcher and World Series Champion Anthony Banda shares his raw, unfiltered journey through baseball's toughest trials. Subscribe now for more powerful sports stories and lessons! What You'll Learn: The truth about life in the minor leagues (it's not what you think) How Antho...

Discover the truth about player development with Michael Garciaparra: former first-round pick, pro scout for the St. Louis Cardinals, and founder of GBG, a college and pro development powerhouse. Subscribe now! What You'll Learn: How MLB scouting has changed over the last 20 years The real value of rankings and how scouts filter hype Why multi-sport athletes often stand out in baseball GBG's missi...

Parents and players, STOP stressing about the travel baseball grind! In this powerful episode, Matt sits down with four insiders: Craig Holman, Andy Burress, Jeff Petty, and Matthew Maniscalco to reveal what really matters when chasing college scholarships and pro dreams. Subscribe now for real talk on youth baseball development and exposure! What You'll Learn in This Episode: The #1 mistake most...

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 i...

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...

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...

Have you ever faced that crossroads—losing your competitive edge but gaining a higher calling in the game you love? In this episode, Jeff Petty shares how an average college player found purpose as a coach and built one of the nation's top travel baseball programs.  What You'll Learn How to shift from playing to coaching with purpose Why truth-telling in evaluations is key for athlete development...

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 tradi...

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 re...

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 curios...

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 evaluate...

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 vi...

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...

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 ali...

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 sho...

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 real...

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....

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 represen...

What does it really take to go from overlooked to overachiever in professional baseball? In this episode of Most Valuable Agent, Matt Hannaford sits down with Tyler Zombro—a former undrafted pitcher who battled his way to Triple-A and now serves as Special Assistant of Pitching for the Chicago Cubs. Tyler's story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless improvement. From setbacks and inju...

In the second part, of this episode of the Most Valuable Agent Podcast , former MLB catcher and World Series champion Kurt Suzuki joins host Matt Hannaford to share his journey from overlooked Hawaii high school athlete to 16-year Major League veteran. Kurt dives into the ups and downs of walking on at Cal State Fullerton, grinding through the minors, and eventually becoming one of the most respec...

Think making it to the MLB is all about raw talent? Think again.  Kurt Suzuki's journey from an overlooked Hawaiian athlete to a 16-year MLB career proves that mindset, adaptability, and persistence matter more than anything else. In this episode of Most Valuable Agent , World Series champion Kurt Suzuki sits down with host Matt to share his unfiltered story—from walking on at Cal State Fullerton...

What if everything you thought about youth baseball, travel ball, and scholarships was upside down? In this emotional and eye-opening episode of  Most Valuable Agent , host Matt sits down with former pro pitcher, travel ball coach, and baseball dad Craig Holman—father of LSU standout and MLB Draft pick Luke Holman. This isn't just about rankings, exposure, or getting a D1 scholarship. This is abou...

Want to play college baseball or go pro? This episode is a must-hear! Auburn University assistant head coach Karl Nonemaker joins the podcast to discuss the college baseball recruiting process, the impact of the transfer portal, and how players can make the best decision between playing at the collegiate level and going pro. Karl shares valuable insights from his experience as both a player and a...