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Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford

Matt Hannaford
Baseball
Travel Baseball
Major League Baseball
Player Development
Youth Sports
College Baseball
Scouting
MLB Draft
Youth Baseball
NIL
Mental Health
Coaching
Player Evaluation
Professional Baseball
Mental Conditioning
MLB
Draft
Transfer Portal
Athlete Development
Draft Process

Welcome to Most Valuable Agent – the podcast that gives baseball players, prospects, and fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to succeed in professional baseball. Hosted by Matt Hannaford, a Major League Baseball agent with years of experience in contract negotiations and player representation, this channel is a must-watch for: • Athletes looking to advance their careers • Par... more

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Latest Episodes

You think the $45,000 travel team is buying your kid a shot at the next level. A former pro hockey player explains why that promise is youth sports' biggest lie.

Every youth-sports parent gets sold the same promise: pay for the elite travel team, t... more

If you are a baseball parent waiting on the MLB Draft, the wait is the hard part — and rushing it is the mistake. MLB agent Matt Hannaford breaks down what actually happens in the months and weeks before draft day, so you know what to do when a team ... more

A former MLB player who coaches travel baseball says winning tournaments is quietly stunting your kid. Subscribe for the insider playbook.

Most travel baseball parents measure a weekend by the scoreboard. Danny Espinosa measures it differently. A f... more

You think MLB scouts are evaluating your son. They are. But they are evaluating you just as carefully — and what they see in you can move your son's draft stock up or down by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

MLB agent Matt Hannaford sits down with... more

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Recent Guests

Danny Espinosa
Former MLB player, youth coach/owner of OC Crush
OC Crush
Episode: Danny Espinosa: How a big leaguer would develop your kid
Mike Liguori
Former media professional and guest on the show
Episode: How You Act in the Stands Affects Your Son's Draft Stock (An MLB Agent Explains)
Johan Martinez Killian
High-performance coach
Independent coach (NBA/NHL/MLB/NCAA)
Episode: Almost Every MLB Player I Work With Has the Same Wound — And It's Their Dad
Will Lawler
Deputy Athletic Director for Legal Affairs and Player Management at University of Georgia
University of Georgia
Episode: Your Son Is Being Recruited? A Deputy AD Explains How College Baseball NIL Really Works
Zach Cole
Professional Baseball Player for the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
Episode: How Setbacks Shape Champions: The Untold Side of Making It to the Big Leagues
Dr. Nicole Levina
Neuroscientist with a PhD from Princeton University, and a professor of neuroscience at Mount Sinai and at Princeton.
Episode: The Dream That Predicted My World Series Win - MLB's Brian Wilson
Craig Holman
Former pro pitcher and father of a 2024 draft pick
Episode: The Ultimate Travel Baseball Guide (Part 2): The Hidden Truth of Travel Baseball
TJ Bruce
Head baseball coach at Long Beach State
Long Beach State
Episode: The Ultimate Travel Baseball Guide (Part 2): The Hidden Truth of Travel Baseball
Derek Norris
Former All-Star and client
Episode: The Ultimate Travel Baseball Guide (Part 2): The Hidden Truth of Travel Baseball

Host

Matt Hannaford
Host of Most Valuable Agent Podcast; experienced MLB agent focused on contract negotiations, player representation, and the business of baseball.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 74 ratings
  • Great Advice

    This podcast has opened my eyes to world of travel ball. It has made me think of stuff that never would have crossed my mind. Thanks for all the great advice.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TJ505Abq
    United States7 months ago
  • Needed!

    This is a very informative podcast. The topics are always interesting. I especially like the ones with the travel ball orgs as it helps me with questions I have for my 14 yr old. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mattm1012
    United Statesa year ago
  • Kurt Suzuki is the man!

    Great episode

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Favorite news app by far
    United Statesa year ago
  • Game on

    As a baseball enthusiast I appreciate the insights that Matt provides on the business of baseball that not many don’t people see.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PGrenney
    United States2 years ago
  • True Advocacy

    Really great insight you are not able to find elsewhere, these are the topics we need to hear that we often don’t have the opportunity to! Thanks for leading the conversation and bringing the value the way you do Matt.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sean-OBrien
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Great resource for parents navigating youth baseball and NIL.
Insightful, practical guidance on contracts and development.
High-caliber guests and real-world storytelling about baseball business.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#137
United States/Sports/Baseball
Apple Podcasts
#224
Canada/Sports/Baseball

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Car Ride Home Is Killing Your Son's Game (An MLB Agent Explains)
Q: Ron asks how to build mental toughness in a nine-year-old without coddling or breaking him down as he gets emotional after games.
Set clear expectations and agreements with the child about behavior and respect for teammates, coaches, and the game. Use firmness when needed (e.g., define unacceptable behavior) but pair it with supportive dialogue that helps him understand his emotions and develop self-control. Communicate these expectations as a family contract, reinforcing consistency, accountability, and the idea that success is about effort and conduct, not just outcomes.
The Car Ride Home Is Killing Your Son's Game (An MLB Agent Explains)
Q: My kid goes 0-4 with three strikeouts at a recent travel baseball tournament. I'm in the car with him. As a baseball parent, what do I actually say to him after a bad game? How do I avoid making it worse while scouts and coaches are watching?
Don't default to a script; focus on timing, energy, and questions. Check whether it's the right moment, use a calm tone, and ask empowering questions like how he feels and what would help him improve. Emphasize empowerment over blame, and avoid pushing your own agenda. Create space for him to express emotions, then guide him with constructive questions to identify concrete steps and a plan for the next practice or game.
The Car Ride Home Is Killing Your Son's Game (An MLB Agent Explains)
Q: Hey Matt, awesome podcast. I was wondering if you could speak to kids who are in their junior year already. They have an advisor, they have already committed to college, but they still need help understanding what their next steps are. As an example, which summer event should we attend in order to get in front of MLB Scouts?
There isn't a single path; use the summer events as a progression ladder. Start with events that prep you for the draft timeline (like WWBA in Atlanta) while understanding that some scouts may be tied up with the upcoming draft. Choose events based on whether you want broad exposure to decision-makers or targeted exposure for specific goals (All-American Game, PG National Showcase, Team USA, East Coast Pro/Area Codes). The key is alignment with your advisor to manage expectations and build a plan that leads to the most meaningful combines and showcases later in the summer.
Almost Every MLB Player I Work With Has the Same Wound — And It's Their Dad
Q: What is the first step in moving from expectation to agreement?
Name the expectation to bring it into the open, then clarify what is truly wanted so it can be reframed as a shared vision rather than a unilateral demand.
Travel Baseball: How Many Games Is Too Many for Your Son? | MVA Podcast
Q: A dad in Florida with a 15-year-old outfielder asks if the coach's pattern of starting in big showcases but not playing in showcase tournaments signals a need to switch teams.
The host suggests clarifying goals with the coach and ensuring those goals align with reality. If the ultimate aim is to be drafted as a top pick, the path may require a different setup, but the coach's decisions should be explained to the player and parent. If alignment remains poor after discussion, it may be appropriate to consider a different program that offers better opportunities to compete in key events and that fits the player's development trajectory.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Most Valuable Agent

What is Most Valuable Agent about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show provides listeners with inside access to the business side of baseball, including contracts, drafts, arbitration, and market dynamics. Episodes feature practical guidance from an MLB agent, breakdowns of player development, NIL implications, and real-world case studies that illuminate how teams evaluate talent and how families navigate career decisions. Notable angles include bridging the gap between on-field performance and off-field strategy, explaining complicated negotiations in plain terms, and highlighting long-term planning for players and their families. The format emphasizes actionable advice, guest insights from industry insiders, and a balance between sport-specific topics and broader career and financial guidance.

A s... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Most Valuable Agent?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Most Valuable Agent:

1. The Pure Athlete Podcast
2. Youth Inc. with Greg Olsen
3. Coach Beede Podcast
4. Talkin' Baseball (MLB Podcast)
5. Baseball Today

How many episodes of Most Valuable Agent are there?

Most Valuable Agent launched 2 years ago and published 111 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Most Valuable Agent?

Recent guests on Most Valuable Agent include:

1. Danny Espinosa
2. Mike Liguori
3. Johan Martinez Killian
4. Will Lawler
5. Zach Cole
6. Dr. Nicole Levina
7. Craig Holman
8. TJ Bruce

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