Chasing Baseball Dreams

Bobby Minor
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Parenting

You're spending thousands a year on travel baseball. A better team. A bigger showcase. More lessons. A higher ranking. And you still have no way to know if any of it is actually working. ⠀ That's not an accident. That's the machine. ⠀ Chasing Baseball Dreams is the only baseball parent podcast hosted by someone with no financial stake in where your money goes. I don't run a travel team. I don't sell lessons. I don't coach for an org. I have no reason to steer you in the wrong direction. I'm Bobby Minor... former Division 1 player, 35+ years coaching select baseball and high school, former travel organization director, over 1,000 college recruiting assessments, and a college baseball dad who almost lost 2 sons to this game for 2 very different reasons, with one currently playing college baseball. ⠀ Every episode, I sit down with former Major League players, college coaches, scouts, and baseball dads who've lived through the same grind you're in right now. People who've been inside this industry long enough to tell you the truth about how it actually works. ⠀ Here's what you can expect. ⠀ Real conversations about what actually matters at each age from 8U to signing day. The questions you should be asking before you commit to a team, a coach, or a showcase. The stuff the industry doesn't want you to hear, from people who've been inside it long enough to say it out loud. And the truth about recruiting, development, and where your money is actually going. ⠀ No hype. No recruiting promises. No "get your son seen" nonsense. Just the one voice in this space with full-stack credibility and no financial tie to the machine that's taking your money. ⠀ New episodes weekly. Follow @chasingbaseballdreams on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook for daily content between episodes.

  1. 16h ago

    Episode #20 Lou Collier | Reclassing, Playing Up & What Baseball Parents Get Wrong

    Is your son dominating youth baseball because he’s developing, or because the competition isn’t challenging him anymore?  Former MLB player Lou Collier joins Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast to talk about reclassing, playing up and the decisions behind his son Cam Collier’s path to the MLB Draft.    Before the Cincinnati Reds selected Cam 18th overall, his family made the decision to have him graduate early and play junior college baseball against older competition. Lou explains what he saw in Cam, how he used feedback from experienced baseball people and why the decision involved much more than his son’s ability on the field. We also get into what would’ve told him they’d moved too soon.    That leads to a conversation about reclassifying in the other direction. Lou shares his concerns about older players dominating younger competition and what happens when the game finally gets tougher. He also makes an important distinction: challenging a player doesn’t mean putting him at a level he isn’t physically ready to handle.    We talk about the challenge of being both a coach and a baseball dad, including what Lou learned about backing off as Cam matured. Later, he explains why a younger player needing encouragement isn’t the same as an older teenager refusing to put in the work his goals require.    For parents thinking about baseball training and player development, Lou gets specific about infield fundamentals, learning multiple positions and what working alongside Ron Washington taught him about instruction. He also discusses baseball access for young African American players, his work with MLB Develops and the training behind the Hillboys program. His explanation of practice reps versus game reps gives parents something to consider before filling another weekend with games.    Cam’s path gives us a real decision to examine. The question for your family is what your son needs, how you’re evaluating that and whether his baseball environment is preparing him for tougher competition.    Timestamps    00:00 Meet Lou Collier, former MLB player and Cam Collier’s dad  02:25 Being a baseball dad without always being the coach  05:02 Why Cam Collier reclassified and played junior college baseball  10:50 What would’ve told Lou they moved too soon  12:19 College baseball beyond the “D1 or bust” mentality  13:41 Infield fundamentals and learning multiple positions  17:05 What Ron Washington taught Lou about infield development  19:47 Recognizing when a player needs tougher competition  20:47 When should your son take ownership of his baseball goals?  23:09 Growing up playing baseball on Chicago’s South Side  25:31 African American players, baseball costs and access  31:30 MLB Develops, Dream Series and Breakthrough Series  36:38 Reclassing down and the temporary age advantage  41:52 What separates players who keep getting better  43:10 The toughest MLB pitchers Lou faced  44:19 Favorite ballparks and playing back home in Chicago  46:41 In-and-Out with Lou Collier  48:29 A Wrigley Field home run and a favorite baseball movie  50:44 Lou’s message to parents: Be honest about your son  52:54 The Hillboys and Lou’s approach to youth baseball training  55:22 Practice reps versus game reps  56:31 Closing thoughts    Subscribe to the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss the next episode.    #BaseballParents #YouthBaseball #ChasingBaseballDreams

  2. 1d ago

    Episode #19 Niko Goodrum | What Baseball Parents Rush...Travel Ball, Development & MLB Lessons

    Former MLB player Niko Goodrum joins Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast to talk youth baseball, travel baseball, player development, versatility, mindset, and what parents may be rushing too soon. Niko was a second-round pick out of high school and played seven seasons in Major League Baseball with the Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Angels. One of the most surprising parts of his journey: he didn’t grow up playing travel baseball. He played local summer ball, attended a few showcases and still developed into a Major League player. For baseball parents, some of Niko’s strongest advice comes when he talks development. He says he wouldn’t rush power, exit velocity, throwing velocity or strength with young players. Niko was 168 pounds when he was drafted and eventually played at 220. Physical development comes with time, but the skill of actually playing baseball still has to be there. Niko also talks about when a player may be ready for travel ball, why parents should watch how much their son is driving his own development, and why decisions should fit the individual kid instead of what everybody else is doing. We also get into how versatility helped Niko reach and stay in the Major Leagues, playing multiple sports, becoming a switch hitter in high school, professional baseball in Korea, the moment he knew his playing career was over, and what separates talented players who keep moving from those who stall out. Niko shares what he learned from Victor Martinez, why the mental side matters more as the level rises, and what it was like facing Jacob deGrom and Chris Sale. If you’re a baseball parent trying to make better decisions about travel baseball, training, strength, player development, versatility or your son’s long-term path, this conversation is for you. TIMESTAMPS 00:50 Meet Niko Goodrum and his MLB journey01:34 Why Niko chose Kennesaw State over bigger-name programs03:11 Getting drafted in the second round vs. going to college04:30 Why development can take years, even for elite players06:17 Niko reveals he never played travel ball07:02 Why playing basketball helped his baseball development08:53 How versatility became Niko’s path to the Major Leagues11:23 Playing when your role and future aren’t guaranteed12:42 What playing professional baseball in Korea was really like17:05 The morning Niko knew it was time to retire19:11 Adjusting to life after professional baseball22:08 What separates talented players who keep advancing24:02 Becoming a switch hitter in high school26:08 What parents of talented 12 and 13-year-olds should focus on27:43 Why parents shouldn’t rush strength, exit velo or throwing velo29:10 When should a kid start playing travel baseball?31:41 Facing Jacob deGrom, Chris Sale and MLB’s toughest pitchers32:30 Niko’s favorite Major League stadiums36:00 In-and-Out: earning trust, development, technique and simplifying the game38:50 Why mindset becomes the separator at higher levels42:05 What Niko learned from Victor Martinez45:14 Niko’s favorite baseball memories47:42 His favorite baseball movie48:24 Where to follow Niko Goodrum

  3. 2d ago

    Episode #18 Lewis Brinson | What Baseball Parents Get Wrong About Stats, Pressure & Development

    Former MLB outfielder and first-round pick Lewis Brinson joins Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast for a conversation every youth baseball and travel baseball parent should hear. Brinson was selected 29th overall by the Texas Rangers in the 2012 MLB Draft out of Coral Springs High School. He went on to play six seasons in the Major Leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers, Miami Marlins and San Francisco Giants, and his career later took him to Japan and Mexico. In this episode, Lewis talks about the parts of the baseball journey parents rarely get to see. He explains why parents can put way too much stock in batting average, exit velocity and other metrics at 9U and 10U, what actually mattered in his development as a young player, and why youth baseball shouldn’t start feeling like a business before baseball is actually a player’s job. Lewis also gives an inside look at what being a top MLB prospect really means. More attention. More expectations. More opportunities to fail. And, sometimes, more pressure than a young player knows how to handle. He shares what he learned after being traded by the Rangers in the Jonathan Lucroy deal, becoming a centerpiece of the Christian Yelich trade to Miami, and returning home with enormous expectations placed on him. The conversation also gets into hitting development, why every kid shouldn’t be taught to swing like Aaron Judge, how parents can get more value from private lessons, what longtime big leaguers have in common beyond talent, and what a parent should say on the ride home after a bad game. If you’re raising a young baseball player and trying to make better decisions about travel baseball, player development, hitting lessons, youth baseball stats, pressure, expectations and the long-term journey, there’s a lot in this one. Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast with Bobby Minor Timestamps00:00 Lewis Brinson joins Chasing Baseball Dreams 01:13 Getting traded by the Texas Rangers 05:01 When the business side creeps into youth baseball 07:17 Lewis Brinson’s travel baseball experience 08:23 What actually mattered in his development 10:42 Why parents put too much stock in youth baseball stats 13:31 The problem with radar guns and exit velocity at 9U 14:37 How Lewis fell in love with baseball 19:29 Florida or professional baseball? Making the draft decision 24:15 How baseball recruiting has changed 26:59 What being a “top prospect” really means 31:27 The people who shaped Lewis Brinson 34:05 The Christian Yelich trade and the pressure of coming home 41:39 Why Lewis listens to players who’ve been there 44:51 Hitting instruction and copying Major League swings 49:42 The toughest pitcher Lewis ever faced 51:20 Lewis Brinson’s favorite MLB ballparks 54:16 Why baseball stays uncertain even after you “make it” 59:55 In-and-Out: advice every baseball parent can use 1:05:12 Lewis’s favorite baseball memories 1:07:24 Favorite baseball movie 1:08:16 What might have been with the Texas Rangers 1:09:36 Lewis gives Bobby some hitting advice 1:10:37 Where to follow Lewis Brinson

  4. 3d ago

    Episode #17 College Baseball Recruiting: What Coaches See vs. What Parents Live

    A coach can help a player get recruited. A parent has to live with everything attached to that decision.    In this solo episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Bobby Minor talks about the side of the college baseball recruiting process he didn’t fully understand until his own son went through it. He had already coached players and helped them through recruiting. Going through it as a dad gave him a completely different view of the same process.    For baseball parents, recruiting goes way beyond whether a player is talented enough or whether a college coach likes him. There’s the financial side. Distance from home. Playing time. Roster competition. Coaching changes. Injuries. Knowing whether a school really wants your son or is simply keeping him on the board.    And then there’s the part nobody can make easy for you: helping your son make the decision without making it for him.    Bobby talks about college baseball recruiting, JUCO baseball, scholarship and financial decisions, roster math, college coach interest, travel baseball, playing time, and the pressure the recruiting process can put on the relationship between a parent and his son.    He also shares why getting an offer isn’t the finish line, how difficult it can be to interpret what college coaches really mean, and the unexpected way Julian’s eventual college opportunity started with a conversation inside a Fort Worth gym.    If you’re looking for college baseball recruiting tips for parents, especially as your son moves through high school baseball and starts hearing from college programs, this episode will help you think beyond simply getting the offer.    TIMESTAMPS    00:01 Why recruiting feels different when you’re the parent  02:16 When the coaching staff leaves two weeks before school  04:36 The waiting, comparison, and financial pressure parents carry  07:02 Roster math and the real path to playing time  09:25 Letting your son own the decision  11:14 What college coach interest really means  13:42 What recruiting costs emotionally  16:07 How Julian actually got recruited    If your son is going through the recruiting process right now, leave your biggest question in the comments.    #CollegeBaseballRecruiting #BaseballParents #TravelBaseball

  5. Sep 11

    Episode #16 Aiden McIntyre | The Expensive Mistake Baseball Parents Keep Making

    Aiden McIntyre was benched in high school, cut in college, and still drafted by the Oakland A’s. How much are baseball parents spending because they’re afraid their son is falling behind?    The former professional pitcher and baseball YouTuber joins Bobby Minor on the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast to talk about late-blooming players, travel baseball costs, and the pressure parents feel to keep up.    Aiden was a 5-foot-2 high school freshman who struggled throughout high school. He transferred three times in college before being selected in the 2018 MLB Draft. He shares what his parents got right during those difficult years and why being one of the best players at 12 tells you so little about what happens next.    We get into private pitching lessons, $500 baseball bats, youth player rankings, and baseball showcases. Aiden explains why he wouldn’t consider a showcase before 16, why players need something to show when they get there, and how the fear of falling behind pushes families into spending they don’t need.    For pitchers and their parents, Aiden walks through the development that took him from the mid-80s to the mid-90s, his experience with Driveline, and how baseball analytics helped him understand his strengths. He also explains why he’d rather face a hitter swinging for the fences than a scrappy hitter who refuses to strike out.    We talk about minor league baseball, the injuries that helped him decide to walk away, and how a job at vidIQ helped him build a full-time YouTube career.    And stay for his story about giving up eight runs without getting out of the first inning. A Dodgers scout was watching. What that scout told him afterward is something worth remembering the next time your son has a bad game.    TIMESTAMPS    00:00 Meet Aiden McIntyre  01:47 Late bloomers and judging players too early  05:04 Chasing big dreams while being honest about your ability  08:58 Supporting your son without adding performance pressure  14:31 Pitching development: how Aiden reached the mid-90s  17:35 Pitch design, baseball analytics, and the hitters he hated facing  22:31 Minor league baseball, injuries, and knowing when to stop  27:06 From professional pitcher to full-time baseball YouTuber  31:28 Youth baseball costs: $500 bats and private lessons  34:21 When should players attend baseball showcases?  36:38 FOMO, falling behind, and the pressure to “make it”  44:20 Why Aiden opposes ranking young baseball players  46:15 Your son doesn’t have to be the number-one player  49:11 Looking ahead to the Field of Dreams event  51:20 In-and-Out: pitching velocity, statistics, and handling failure  53:28 Going 0-for-5 and still being a great teammate  55:02 What a Dodgers scout saw in Aiden’s worst outing  58:18 Favorite baseball memories and a first-year Triple-A win  59:36 Wrigley, Fenway, and favorite MLB ballparks  1:01:44 Where to follow Aiden McIntyre    What’s one thing you’ve felt pressured to pay for because you were told your son would fall behind? Tell us in the comments.    Subscribe to the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts for more conversations that help baseball parents make better decisions for their sons.    #BaseballParents #YouthBaseball #AidenMcIntyre

  6. Sep 10

    Episode #15 Josh Reddick | What Youth Baseball Parents Get Wrong: Talent, Exposure & Development

    Josh Reddick was cut from his middle-school baseball team two years in a row. He went on to play 13 seasons in Major League Baseball, win a Gold Glove, collect more than 1,100 hits, and win a World Series.    So what should baseball parents take from a story like his?    In this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Josh Reddick talks about youth baseball development, travel baseball, exposure, hitting, positional development, slumps, routines, and why parents shouldn't decide what a young player can become based on what he looks like at 10, 11, or 12 years old.    Josh explains why reps matter more than where your son plays, when exposure actually begins to matter, and why talented players will eventually get found if they perform.    We also get into one of the biggest problems in youth baseball today: trying to manufacture a mechanically perfect swing instead of teaching kids how to hit. Josh explains why there is no single perfect swing, using players like Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds, Jose Altuve and others as examples.    He also shares what he actually notices when evaluating talented young players, what Ron Washington taught him about keeping baseball simple, how he handled one of the worst stretches of his MLB career, and the one trait he'd choose in a 12-year-old player over everything except talent.    If you're a baseball parent trying to figure out what actually matters for your son's development, this conversation is worth watching all the way through.    TIMESTAMPS    00:00 Josh Reddick joins Chasing Baseball Dreams  00:36 Cut from his middle-school team twice  03:03 What matters most for young baseball players  04:20 When does baseball exposure actually matter?  06:43 Being told he wasn't good enough  08:11 Why kids shouldn't specialize at one position too early  10:58 What Ron Washington did for Marcus Semien  12:29 There is no blueprint for becoming a Major Leaguer  14:42 Ron Washington and keeping baseball simple  17:18 What parents get wrong when their son starts struggling  20:18 The problem with chasing the "perfect" baseball swing  22:42 What Josh notices when evaluating young players  24:02 The sound of the bat and raw athletic ability  25:18 Josh knew Junior Caminero was different  26:17 Why you can't evaluate a player's future at 9U  27:07 Josh's three favorite baseball memories  28:04 Making his Major League debut with the Red Sox  29:56 The one trait Josh wants in a 12-year-old player  31:05 Final thoughts    Josh Reddick played more than 1,300 Major League games during a 13-year MLB career with the Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros and Arizona Diamondbacks. He won the 2012 American League Gold Glove in right field and was a member of Houston's 2017 World Series championship team.    Chasing Baseball Dreams helps baseball parents cut through the noise surrounding travel baseball, youth baseball development, recruiting, exposure, showcases and the decisions that actually matter as their sons grow through the game.    #JoshReddick #YouthBaseball #BaseballParents #TravelBaseball

  7. Sep 5

    Episode #14 Anthony Mendez | Jane the Virgin Narrator on Travel Ball, Parenting & Letting Kids Lead

    You probably know Anthony Mendez as the Latin Lover Narrator from Jane the Virgin, the role that earned him two Emmy nominations. You may also recognize his voice from Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, American Dad, Elena of Avalor, GTA V and, if you listen to this podcast, the opening and closing of Chasing Baseball Dreams. But this conversation isn't really about Hollywood. It's about being a baseball dad. Anthony's son is now a sophomore in high school, but Anthony admits he got caught up in the travel baseball machine when his son was younger. Stats. Winning. Better teams. Expensive bats. Travel. The fear that if they didn't keep doing more, his son would fall behind. Then his son told him he didn't want to play anymore. That changed everything. Anthony joins Bobby Minor to talk about pulling back, becoming Dad instead of Coach Dad, why nobody who matters is evaluating your 10-year-old, why his son hasn't attended a single showcase yet, and the baseball lesson he wishes more parents understood: Let the kid guide you. They also talk about Anthony's voice acting career, Jane the Virgin, Antonio Banderas, growing up at Yankee Stadium, Cooperstown, youth baseball expenses and why some of the memories parents worry about end up looking completely different through their son's eyes. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Meet Anthony Mendez 00:57 Becoming the Latin Lover Narrator and a voice actor 02:45 Why Anthony hasn't done much on-camera acting 04:16 Getting caught up in the travel baseball machine 06:23 When his son wanted to quit baseball 06:37 How Anthony changed from Coach Dad to Dad 09:10 What he worried about way too much when his son was younger 10:07 Expensive bats, gloves and custom cleats 11:39 The Dominican baseball swagger 12:06 Does anyone recognize THAT voice at the ballpark? 13:23 Growing up a Yankees fan 15:19 Petco Park, Dodger Stadium and favorite ballparks 17:40 What Anthony would tell the dad about to go all-in on travel ball 20:34 Why the baseball machine makes parents feel behind 22:04 “Don't let anybody tell you a freshman is behind” 24:00 The problem with comparing your son's development 26:07 Why Anthony's son hasn't attended a showcase 28:46 Don't showcase until you have something to show 29:46 IN & OUT with Anthony Mendez 29:54 The travel ball expense he'd rethink 30:16 Jersey name or playing opportunity? 30:32 What his son needs from him now 31:21 The biggest plot twist in his son's baseball journey 31:57 The Cooperstown memory that changed Anthony's perspective 32:38 Growing up at Yankee Stadium 34:30 The message every young baseball parent needs to hear 36:01 What's next for Anthony Mendez 37:17 Where to follow Anthony #TravelBaseball #BaseballParents #YouthBaseball #AnthonyMendez

  8. Sep 5

    Episode #13 Todd Greene | The Truth About Travel Baseball, Rankings & Player Development

    Former Major Leaguer and current Arizona Diamondbacks special assignment scout Todd Greene has seen baseball from just about every angle. He played parts of 11 seasons in the Major Leagues, became one of the greatest power hitters in college baseball history, moved into professional scouting, and built a travel baseball program that has helped more than 350 players reach college baseball. In this episode of the Chasing Baseball Dreams Podcast, Todd joins Bobby Minor for a straight conversation every baseball parent needs to hear. Todd explains why youth rankings “mean absolutely nothing,” why the best team isn't always the best situation for your son, why kids shouldn't be playing baseball year-round, and why parents need to stop treating 10U, 11U and 12U success like a prediction of what a player will become. They also get into early specialization, showcases, playing time, choosing the right travel organization, late bloomers, multi-sport athletes, scout teams, the car ride home after a bad game, and the questions parents should ask before writing another check. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Meet Todd Greene 01:36 What does a special assignment scout actually do? 03:08 What successful players had in common as kids 04:16 The problem with the D1 obsession 06:02 Todd's path from 27th-round pick to the Major Leagues 09:39 Why youth baseball rankings mean nothing 12:14 How early is too early to specialize at one position? 15:46 What Todd learned from Derek Jeter 16:40 Why kids shouldn't play baseball year-round 19:12 When baseball specialization starts to make sense 21:41 What parents should look for in a travel baseball program 25:29 Does an 8-year-old really need travel baseball? 28:36 When young players should start facing better competition 30:05 The truth about youth “scout teams” 31:54 IN & OUT: 80-game seasons, national teams, showcases and the ride home 34:04 Better team or better reps? 36:33 Early bloomers, late bloomers and development 39:37 Were Major Leaguers always the best players growing up? 41:48 Todd's greatest baseball memory 44:00 Todd's advice for the parent of a 12-year-old 45:18 Questions to ask BEFORE choosing a travel team 47:17 How much should young players practice versus play? 48:10 Where to find Todd Greene and TG D-backs If you're raising a baseball player, this one is worth watching all the way through. #TravelBaseball #YouthBaseball #BaseballParents #PlayerDevelopment

See All (20)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

You're spending thousands a year on travel baseball. A better team. A bigger showcase. More lessons. A higher ranking. And you still have no way to know if any of it is actually working. ⠀ That's not an accident. That's the machine. ⠀ Chasing Baseball Dreams is the only baseball parent podcast hosted by someone with no financial stake in where your money goes. I don't run a travel team. I don't sell lessons. I don't coach for an org. I have no reason to steer you in the wrong direction. I'm Bobby Minor... former Division 1 player, 35+ years coaching select baseball and high school, former travel organization director, over 1,000 college recruiting assessments, and a college baseball dad who almost lost 2 sons to this game for 2 very different reasons, with one currently playing college baseball. ⠀ Every episode, I sit down with former Major League players, college coaches, scouts, and baseball dads who've lived through the same grind you're in right now. People who've been inside this industry long enough to tell you the truth about how it actually works. ⠀ Here's what you can expect. ⠀ Real conversations about what actually matters at each age from 8U to signing day. The questions you should be asking before you commit to a team, a coach, or a showcase. The stuff the industry doesn't want you to hear, from people who've been inside it long enough to say it out loud. And the truth about recruiting, development, and where your money is actually going. ⠀ No hype. No recruiting promises. No "get your son seen" nonsense. Just the one voice in this space with full-stack credibility and no financial tie to the machine that's taking your money. ⠀ New episodes weekly. Follow @chasingbaseballdreams on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook for daily content between episodes.

Information

  • Creator
    Bobby Minor
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Bobby Minor