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PODCAST

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford

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 • Parents supporting young players • Baseball fans who want a deeper understanding of the game beyond the

sports baseball

All Episodes

58:22

Spirit of the Game

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/05/21

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

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57:36

Train Like a Top Draft Pick—The Habits of Baseball’s...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/05/14

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

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01:00:08

The Million Dollar Question: Sign Now or Go to College?

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/05/07

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

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52:49

Travel Team Spotlight: Inside 5 Star National with...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/04/30

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

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58:53

Getting the Most from Your Agent at Every Stage of...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/04/23

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

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48:35

Tony Clark on Player Power, Purpose, and the Future

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/04/17

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

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01:07:06

Pitch Smarter, Not Harder: MLB Lessons with Tyler Zombro

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/04/16

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 injuries to shaping how MLB teams develop arms today, his journey is packed with lessons for players,

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51:11

How Kurt Suzuki Beat the Odds: College Baseball,...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/04/09

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 respected catchers in the game—with an All-Star nod and a World Series ring to show for it. Whether you're a

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36:47

How Kurt Suzuki Went from Walk-On to World Series...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/04/02

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 to winning a College World Series and ultimately thriving in the big leagues. Whether you're a youth

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01:13:40

He Coached His Son to the MLB Draft—Craig Holman on...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/03/26

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 about what really matters—the relationship between parent and child, the power of presence, and how chasing

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53:59

MLB Draft or College? – Auburn Coach Karl Nonemaker...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/03/19

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 D1 coach, offering real-world advice for high school athletes, parents, and aspiring college baseball

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51:27

The Mental Trick That Made Sean Casey an MLB All-Star

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/03/12

What separates good athletes from elite performers? It’s not just talent—it’s mental discipline. In this episode of Most Valuable Agent, Sean Casey, former MLB All-Star and performance coach, breaks down the mental game of baseball and how mastering your mindset can transform your performance on and off the field. Sean shares how Harvey Dorfman’s book, The Mental Game of Baseball, completely changed his approach to the game, giving him a sixth tool—the ability to stay calm, focused, and confident

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01:42:17

Johan Martinez-Khalilian’s Life-Changing Advice to...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/03/05

What if fear wasn’t a barrier but an invitation to step into something greater? In this powerful episode of the Most Valuable Agent Podcast, Matt welcomes Johan Martinez-Khalilian—an award-winning speaker, mentor, and life coach to professional athletes—to dive deep into personal growth, resilience, and redefining success. Johan shares his profound insights on breaking free from limiting beliefs, stepping outside your comfort zone, and embracing transformation—whether you’re an athlete,

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52:30

Inside Athlete Marketing: NIL, Branding & Baseball’s...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/02/18

What does it really take to land an endorsement deal? In this episode, I sit down with Charley Stobbs, U.S. Sports Marketing Director for Adidas Baseball and Football, to break down the business of branding & sponsorships in sports — including the differences between NIL in baseball vs. football, how social media is reshaping athlete branding, and what young players need to do to build real marketing value. We talk about how brands like Adidas select their athletes, and why performance matters more

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01:09:50

Tyler Zombro on Pitching Development, Data Analytics,...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/02/11

Pitching development has changed dramatically over the last decade. In this episode, I am joined by Tyler Zombro, the Special Assistant to the Cubs Pitching Director. We talk about the biggest developments in pitching – why velocity isn’t everything, how pitch shapes and biomechanics change the way pitchers train, and how organizations like the Cubs use data to maximize every arm in their system. Plus, we dive into the critical aspect of transparency between teams and players, the mistakes players

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01:06:43

Opportunities Over Excuses: KC Royals Hitting Coach,...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/02/04

The jump from amateur baseball to the big leagues is bigger than most people realize. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Keoni DeRenne, Assistant Major League Hitting Coach for the Kansas City Royals, to break down the realities of making it to the pros. He shares the hidden struggles of big leaguers and what truly separates them from everyone else. We talk about what parents need to do differently when talking to their kids about the game, how young players should structure their training, and what

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54:31

Kurt Suzuki: From College Walk-On to World Series...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/01/28

What defines a winning player from the rest? In this episode, I’m joined again by World Series Champion and MLB All-Star Kurt Suzuki for part two of our conversation. We break down what it takes to develop a winning mindset that opens up doors to opportunity, both in baseball and in life. Kurt shares his wisdom as a player, coach, and parent in creating positive team chemistry to navigate the decision-making process of youth baseball and the business of baseball. Tune in to discover the traits and

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39:55

Kurt Suzuki: From College Walk-On to World Series...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/01/21

Get ready to discover how you go from college walk-on to World Series Champion. In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and former client, Kurt Suzuki. He shares what it takes to compete at the highest level, the critical role of mental preparation, and why short-term goals are important for long-term success. Plus, he shares the best life-changing advice he received from legendary sports psychologist Ken Ravizza to stand out and compete as an elite player. HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Meet Kurt

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44:10

The Unconventional Path to a 2X Major League Baseball...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/01/14

Get ready to learn how a player goes from good to generationally great! In this second part of our two-part conversation with Jonny Gomes, we delve deeper into the intricacies of professional baseball and the business behind the game. He shares tips on simplifying the game, leveraging preparation, and adapting to the relentless demands of professional baseball. We also discuss the fine line between analytics and instinct, coaching challenges, and how data can help prevent injuries in young

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41:25

The Unconventional Path to a 2X Major League Baseball...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/01/07

What does it take to turn untraditional beginnings into a major league career? In this first installment of a two-part series, I’m joined by the two-time World Series champion Jonny Gomes. We talk about how today’s amateur baseball landscape differs from previous generations, how to secure a college scholarship, and what it takes to grind through the challenges of minor league baseball. Jonny shares how to build confidence, the critical role of preparation, and how to make adjustments to thrive at

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89 results

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