Choosing The RIGHT Travel Baseball Team - What You Need To Consider
Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford
Release Date: 12/01/2025
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The Biggest Gamble of Austin Riley’s Career.
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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, recruiter, evaluator, and someone who has navigated the pressure,...
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The Truth About Baseball Development (According To MLB Scouts)
Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford
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 Sox Together, they break down the essential (and often misunderstood)...
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3 Steps To Fix the Parent-Player Relationship In Youth Baseball
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Choosing The RIGHT Travel Baseball Team - What You Need To Consider
Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford
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 evaluate a program’s philosophy, how to separate hype from real development, how...
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Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford
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MLB GM Secrets: The Part They Don’t Share with Fans
Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford
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 how clubs weigh high school vs. college talent, why certain pitchers carry heavy risk...
info_outlineEvery 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 evaluate a program’s philosophy, how to separate hype from real development, how to avoid the exposure trap that hurts young players, and how to make sure your son is coached by the right person — not just the organization’s most famous name.
If your family is debating whether to stay, leave, or join a new team… this episode will give you the clarity and strategy you’ve been missing.
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WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
• Why travel coaches are recruiting you just as much as your son
• How to identify the real reason you’re looking for a new team
• The #1 mistake families make when chasing “exposure” too early
• Why development—not showcases—matters before age 16
• How to assess your son’s physical, skill, and mental readiness
• What a realistic travel baseball budget actually looks like
• How to talk to an organization honestly about your financial limits
• Why your son’s actual coach matters more than the program’s brand
• The four non-negotiable questions every parent must ask before committing
THE FOUR QUESTIONS EVERY TRAVEL BASEBALL PARENT MUST ASK
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Why are we looking for a new team? Understand what went wrong or what you truly need.
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Where is my son developmentally? Development first (≤15). Exposure later (≥16).
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What is our actual budget and sustainable schedule? Be honest. Protect your time, energy, and finances.
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Who will coach my son week-to-week? The coach matters more than the organization’s name.
ABOUT MATT HANNAFORD
Matt Hannaford is a 25-year MLB agent and founder of Aligned Sports. He has represented Hall of Famers, negotiated landmark contracts, and now helps families navigate the development and business of baseball with clarity, honesty, and strategy.
CONNECT WITH MATT
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mfhannaford/
Website: https://www.aligndsports.com/
YouTube (subscribe!): https://www.youtube.com/@mostvaluableagent
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