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 profiles, and how "force multipliers" — not just stars — shape long-term success. Thad breaks down how front offices think, how organizations develop prospects, and what separates players who survive the grind from those who stall out. If you've ever wondered how the baseball development pathway really works behind closed doors, this conversation exposes the hidden criteria that actually move players up draft boards.
Subscribe for weekly MLB draft strategy and baseball development insights.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
-
MLB draft strategy breakdowns teams use to separate elite prospects
-
Baseball scouting insights that go far beyond tools or showcase numbers
-
How MLB teams evaluate players on makeup, adaptability, and character
-
Risk profiles of high school vs. college players, especially pitching
-
Why leadership, habits, and mindset drive long-term player development
-
How the baseball development pathway really works inside MLB organizations
Matt Hannaford is a 25-year veteran MLB agent and founder of Aligned Sports. He's represented Hall of Famers, negotiated blockbuster contracts, and now shares his wisdom weekly on The Most Valuable Agent.
Connect with Matt Hannaford:
https://www.instagram.com/mfhannaford/
https://www.aligndsports.com/
Subscribe for weekly coaching on the mindset of baseball https://www.youtube.com/@mostvaluableagent
#MLBDraft #ThadLevine #BaseballScouting #PlayerDevelopment #MLBInsights #BaseballParents #MostValuableAgent
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.