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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

29:08

Your Signing Bonus Means NOTHING to MLB Teams —...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2026/02/25

MLB draft or college baseball? If your son is a high school player facing this decision, don't wait until draft day to figure it out. Subscribe for weekly baseball career advice. In this episode, 25-year MLB agent Matt Hannaford breaks down exactly how families should navigate the NIL, college baseball, and MLB Draft decision — and why money alone should never drive it. ✅ Why your signing bonus size determines how much opportunity your son actually gets ✅ How college NIL offers work (revenue share

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51:24

The Arm Injury Crisis: How to Counter Rising Arm...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2026/02/20

75% of top-drafted pitchers never make it to the big leagues. If your son is a pitcher, this episode could change everything about how you approach his development. Subscribe for weekly baseball career insights. Former first-round pick Justin Orenduff had the GM of the Dodgers watching him pitch in Double-A. Then his shoulder gave out. That injury sent him on a decade-long quest to understand why some pitchers stay healthy and others break down. His answer is backed by data from 1,100 drafted

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58:32

Raising a Ballplayer in a Big-League Home

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2026/02/04

Most baseball families believe the path to success is more reps, more pressure, more seriousness — but former World Series champion and MLB manager Kurt Suzuki sees it differently. In this special episode of The Most Valuable Agent, MLB agent Matt Hannaford sits down with Kurt Suzuki and his 12-year-old son Kai for an honest, refreshing conversation about youth baseball, parenting, pressure, and what actually builds confident, resilient players. This isn't a highlight-reel interview — it's a real

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57:19

Don't Let an Injury Ruin Their Financial Future

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2026/01/21

Most baseball families think "insurance" only becomes relevant after a player signs a pro contract — but the truth is, disability insurance is already shaping decisions in high school recruiting, NIL negotiations, and college roster building. In this episode of The Most Valuable Agent, MLB agent Matt Hannaford sits down with David Brookbank, co-founder of Income Protection Consultants (IPC), one of the most trusted independent voices in the disability insurance space for elite athletes. David has

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01:16:37

Why Most Pro Athletes Go Broke - Avoid This Wealth...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2026/01/14

Most families enter youth and travel baseball thinking the goal is exposure, scholarships, or "getting paid" someday — but the financial reality of the game starts long before a player signs a pro contract. And when money finally shows up (NIL, draft bonuses, big-league paychecks), it often hits fast, loud, and overwhelming. In this episode of The Most Valuable Agent, Matt sits down with Kyle Ourso, a wealth advisor who's spent nearly two decades inside pro baseball — first helping MLB players

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01:12:55

The Biggest Gamble of Austin Riley's Career.

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/12/24

Most parents want the roadmap — the blueprint that turns a young athlete into a confident, motivated, successful player. But very few families truly understand what the journey demands emotionally, mentally, relationally, and financially. In this episode of The Most Valuable Agent, Matt sits down with MLB All-Star Austin Riley and his parents, Mike and Elisa Riley, for an unfiltered, start-to-finish conversation about development, failure, trust, and perspective — from youth baseball to the World

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16:33

Stop Being the Fixer - How to Truly Empower Your...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/12/22

Most dads step into their son's baseball journey believing they need to fix, protect, analyze, and carry the weight of every result. It comes from love — but it often creates the exact pressure, resentment, and distance they're trying to avoid. In this solo episode of The Most Valuable Agent, MLB agent Matt Hannaford reframes one of the most misunderstood roles in youth baseball: the role of the father. Your son doesn't need you to be the hero of his story. He needs you to be the guide. Matt breaks

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01:07:39

What I See as a College Softball Coach and the Dad of...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/12/17

Most parents want the roadmap — the blueprint that turns a young athlete into a confident, motivated, successful player. But very few people have lived all sides of the journey. In this episode of The Most Valuable Agent, Matt sits down with someone who has: Kevin Griffin — • Head Softball Coach at Belhaven University • Associate Athletic Director • Former college & semipro baseball player • And father of MLB's top minor league prospect, Connor Griffin Kevin brings a rare perspective: parent, coach,

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01:04:31

The Truth About Baseball Development (According To...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/12/10

Most travel ball parents focus on the wrong things — more reps, more tournaments, more lessons, more mechanics, more "fixes." But in this episode of The Most Valuable Agent, MLB agent Matt Hannaford brings together two of baseball's most respected insiders to reveal what actually develops a player: • Hugh Quattlebaum — former MLB hitting coach, coordinator, and father of three boys in the youth baseball world • Gus Quattlebaum — Vice President of Scouting Development & Integration for the Boston Red

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17:41

Parents Leading Athletes: The Conversations That Save...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/12/08

Every parent watching their son strike out in the bottom of the ninth has felt that surge of frustration — not because of the strikeout itself, but because of the unspoken expectations they carry. Expectations about effort. About performance. About gratitude. About results. But here's the problem: most parents never say these expectations out loud — and because of that, players don't know the rules, don't know the standards, and don't know how to win. The result? Disappointment for parents,

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18:09

Choosing The RIGHT Travel Baseball Team - What You...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/12/01

Every travel team promises "elite competition," "national exposure," and "top-tier development." But when you're the parent making decisions, the real questions are much simpler — and far more important: What actually serves my son's long-term future? What protects our family's time, budget, and sanity? In this episode of The Most Valuable Agent, MLB agent Matt Hannaford breaks down the four essential questions every baseball parent must ask before choosing a travel team. You'll learn how to

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59:24

What Players REALLY Keep: The Shocking Truth About...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/11/26

Most baseball parents think only about signing bonuses, NIL money, and the path to the pros — but this episode of The Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford pulls you inside the real tax strategy, financial planning, and hidden money traps that shape a player's baseball career long before the big leagues. Former pro player and CPA Steven CASERES breaks down the real financial side of baseball development — from how players are actually paid in the minor leagues, to why state taxes can quietly take

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01:11:09

MLB GM Secrets: The Part They Don't Share with Fans

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/11/19

Most parents only see the rankings, the showcase stats, and the hype — but this episode of The Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford pulls you inside the real world of MLB draft strategy, where decisions are made long before a player ever hears their name called. Former Minnesota Twins GM Thad Levine reveals what truly drives baseball scouting insights today, from how MLB teams evaluate players beyond raw tools to why character, adaptability, and leadership quietly determine careers. You'll hear

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07:35

The Most Dangerous Part of the Agent Business

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/11/17

When families judge an agent, they usually see the polished surface—deals, clients, and big-name agencies. But this episode drags you beneath the waterline, where the real danger lies. In a story most baseball families never hear, you'll learn how a certified MLB agent secretly fed strategy and sensitive information to league officials during the chaotic 2020 COVID negotiations, working directly against the players he was supposed to protect. The leaked texts, the frustration toward the players,

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01:20:50

How Setbacks Shape Champions: The Untold Side of...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/11/12

From back-to-back strikeouts to a historic MLB debut, Houston Astros outfielder Zach Cole's story is a masterclass in resilience, identity, and unwavering belief. In this episode, he reveals how shifting from chasing approval to living with purpose helped him hit a home run on his very first pitch in the majors. 🧠 Subscribe for weekly mindset transformation stories from elite athletes. 💬 What was your biggest takeaway? Drop it in the comments 👇 What You'll Learn: Turning failure into fuel:

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01:17:56

The Dream That Predicted My World Series Win - MLB's...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/11/06

When the roar of the crowd fades, what remains? Former MLB All-Star closer Brian Wilson joins Matt to talk about life after baseball, mental health, and rediscovering purpose. Subscribe for weekly coaching on baseball mindset and youth development. In this deep, vulnerable conversation, Brian reveals why performance doesn't define peace—and why real strength begins when the spotlight ends. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN MLB Pressure Mindset: What it truly takes to handle the 9th inning in a World Series.

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11:30

The #1 Mistake Travel Ball Parents Make

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/11/03

Are you searching for the perfect travel team, coach, or showcase? The truth might hit harder than a 95mph fastball. Subscribe for weekly coaching on becoming your son's best baseball advocate. Many baseball parents fall into the same trap, believing that success lies somewhere out there: in the next program, the next expert, the next big opportunity. But in this heartfelt solo episode, Matt reveals what truly drives a young athlete's development—and it's closer to home than you think. With over 25

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01:06:54

The Real Game Behind the Game: Sports Agent Life,...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/10/29

What does it really take to succeed as a sports agent? Matt Hannaford shares his 25-year journey in this powerful behind-the-scenes episode. Subscribe for weekly coaching on how to build a career in sports From rookie to seasoned agent, from massive MLB deals to deeply personal wins—Matt opens up about the life, lessons, and legacy behind building Aligned Sports. Interviewed by his wife and branding expert, Tara Hannaford, this heartfelt conversation reveals the untold stories behind success,

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36:24

The Ultimate Travel Baseball Guide (Part 2): The...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/10/22

You’ll hear from a father who raised a first-round draft pick after his son’s battle with cancer, a Division I head coach redefining toughness and leadership, an MLB All-Star revealing the truth behind the pro grind, and a mindset expert helping parents protect their child’s confidence and love for the game. Each voice offers a different angle, but together they deliver one powerful message: in travel baseball, the real win isn’t exposure- it’s who your child becomes along the way. WHAT YOU’LL

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27:41

How Parents Can Make Smart Decisions in The Chaos of...

Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford ·

2025/10/20

What if the real game-changer in travel baseball isn’t your player’s swing-but your decisions as a parent? In this solo episode, Matt breaks down what he refers to as The Precision Process, a behavioral-psychology-based framework designed to help travel baseball families make better, calmer, and more confident choices in a chaotic environment. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the nonstop pressure of tournaments, recruiting, and exposure events, this episode will show you how to filter the noise,

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94 results

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