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Artwork for Most Valuable Agent

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
Coaching
NIL
Mental Health
Player Evaluation
Professional Baseball
Development
Draft
Mental Conditioning
MLB
Transfer Portal
Athlete Development

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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Artwork for Most Valuable Agent

Latest Episodes

Weeknight practices and weekend tournaments three hours away, and now your son's grades are slipping. An MLB agent explains why that report card is a baseball problem, and how slipping grades quietly cost players scholarships and draft money.

What ... more

Your son used to live and breathe baseball. Now he seems exhausted, disconnected, or less excited about playing. Does he need a break, or is he losing his love for the game?

In this episode, Matt answers a question from a baseball dad facing that e... more

Your son's travel program has him throwing basically year-round, and every headline about a teenager needing Tommy John surgery makes you flinch. An MLB agent explains how much throwing is too much and how to push back without being "that parent."

... more

You are paying real money for travel ball, the coach's son gets the prime spot, and you are left wondering if the whole thing is rigged. Before you pull your son off the team, an MLB agent breaks down how to tell favoritism from a development gap.

... more

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Recent Guests

David Norrie
Speaker/coach discussing player makeup and communication
Episode: The Line In An MLB's Scouting Manual Most Parents Never See
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

Host

Matt Hannaford
Host of Most Valuable Agent, veteran MLB agent with extensive experience in contract negotiations and player representation.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 84 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 Statesa year 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 States2 years 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.

Real-world examples and actionable tips make complex topics approachable.
Insightful and practical take on travel baseball and development.
Loved the emphasis on development over exposure; very helpful for parents planning for college or pro paths.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#212
United States/Sports/Baseball
Apple Podcasts
#241
Canada/Sports/Baseball
Apple Podcasts
#54
Germany/Sports/Baseball
Apple Podcasts
#34
South Africa/Sports/Baseball
Apple Podcasts
#123
Mexico/Sports/Baseball
Apple Podcasts
#150
New Zealand/Sports/Baseball

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is Your Son Burned Out on Baseball—or Does He Need a Break?
Q: How do I tell the difference between a kid who needs rest and a kid who's ready to walk away for good?
Hannaford suggests first considering that fatigue and aches may be related to a growth spurt, then talking with the player about his goals, physical readiness, and willingness to agree to a clearly explained plan. Families should monitor how he feels and whether their baseball choices are meeting their goals.
What Year-Round Throwing Is Doing to Your Son's Arm (MLB Agent)
Q: Renee asks about a 14-year-old pitcher whose travel program has him throwing year-round and how to push back on workload without feeling like an overprotective mom. What should she consider and how can she assess the throwing program?
The host emphasizes pausing to assess pain signals, consulting an expert throwing program, and verifying that there is a clear, age-appropriate plan with rest days and progression. He also suggests gathering more information from the son about his arm and body, and evaluating the coach's plan for specificity and evidence-based structure, rather than relying on generalities or what 'everyone else is doing.'
Why the Coach's Kid Plays Over Yours (An MLB Agent Explains)
Q: Is there real favoritism in travel baseball, and how do I tell if it's happening to my child?
Favoritism can exist, but it's not universal. Parents should compare their child's current abilities and areas for improvement against a fair baseline, have focused conversations about development, and assess whether the program is helping achieve realistic goals rather than simply chasing playing time or recruitment.
How to Avoid Wasting Money on the Wrong Travel Baseball Program
Q: Yolanda asks which events are worth the money for exposure and which are not, given the many showcases and costs.
Matt emphasizes that exposure alone isn't enough; prioritize events where the targeted college coaches will be present and ensure the player can actually showcase well, using a planned, evidence-based approach rather than attending every available showcase.
How to Avoid Wasting Money on the Wrong Travel Baseball Program
Q: Curtis asks how to tell when it's smart to switch teams if the current program isn't delivering on development promises.
Matt recommends getting very clear on what isn't working, whether the player is following the coach's plan, and whether there is a real plan in place; if not, consider leaving, but only after understanding the reasons beyond emotion.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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 program offers an inside look at the business side of baseball, with episodes covering contracts, the draft, player development, and the economics of the sport. Hosted by a veteran MLB agent, it blends practical guidance for players and families with interviews from scouts, players, and insiders to unpack how teams evaluate talent, how signings are negotiated, and what really drives opportunities in pro baseball. Noteworthy strengths include actionable coaching tips for youth and travel ball, a focus on development over exposure, and real-world examples that connect family decisions to long-term outcomes. The show's approachable style and emphasis on parent–child dynamics, budgeting for travel baseball, and strategic planning for colle... 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. To the Majors
4. The D1Baseball Podcast
5. Josh Pate's College Football Show

How many episodes of Most Valuable Agent are there?

Most Valuable Agent launched 2 years ago and published 125 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. David Norrie
2. Danny Espinosa
3. Mike Liguori
4. Johan Martinez Killian
5. Will Lawler
6. Zach Cole
7. Dr. Nicole Levina
8. Craig Holman

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