Mississippi Braves Radio Network: Recent Episodes
Chris Harris
The Mississippi Braves Podcast is all things M-Braves, Braves, and minor league baseball. Hear from key players, coaches, front office execs, and more as you get behind the scenes information regarding the team.
David McCabe had Tommy John Surgery in February and is back playing six months later. McCabe has served as a DH through 13 games and talks about his return to live action after surgery.
Drue Hackenberg became the first pitcher in minor league baseball to strike out 16 this season and just the 23rd since 2005, setting the Mississippi Braves club record in the process. Hackenberg discusses his relationship with Lucas Braun and being part of the next wave of Atlanta Braves pitching prospects. He also speaks on his relationship with his brothers, who all have played pro sports.
Atlanta Braves No. 9 prospect Lucas Braun talks with Chris about his first five Double-A starts. The Los Angeles native talks about his love of baseball and shifting from being a Dodgers fan to joining the Braves. Also, his inspiration for his unique pitching delivery.
Mississippi Braves first-year pitching coach talks about the 2024 staff, seeing Hurston Waldrep and Spencer Schwellenbach get the majors and the organization's wealth of pitching talent.
Former Major League infielder David Fletcher turned in his fifth quality start in eight Double-A outings on Saturday, earning his first pitcher win. Fletcher reacts to his first win and the development of the knuckleball.
Tyler Tolve hit the 21st walk-off home run in club history on Saturday night, and went 3-for-4 at the plate. The catcher also caught 8.2 innings of David Fletcher's knuckleball.
M-Braves manager Angel Flores talks with Chris about the season's first half, as well as being back at Trustmark Park for the first time since June 2.
David Fletcher talks with Chris about his career shift to throwing a knuckleball and how it became possible. He explains what he has learned from this experience and what he's hoping to gain while pitching and playing the infield three days a week.
Cal Conley has had a solid first half of the 2024 season, posting 10 doubles, 19 RBI, and 18 stolen bases through his first 56 games. Chris talks with Cal about his season, his chemistry with Nacho Alvarez and David Fletcher, plus his return to switch-hitting.
M-Braves catcher Tyler Tolve is up to 14 doubles and nine in his last 15 games. The 23-year-old from Marietta, GA, has also caught David Fletcher's knuckleball a few times and talks about the fun challenge of adjusting to it.
Meridian, MS native, Pearl River CC and Southern Miss product Landon Harper joined the M-Braves in late May and is settling in at the Double-A level.
Hurston Waldrep, the Braves' No. 2 overall prospect, talks to Chris about his start to the 2024 season, pitching in the same rotation as Spencer Schwellenbach, and what makes him tick while he's on the mound.
Two of Atlanta's top three prospects, Hurston Waldrep (#2) and Spencer Schwellenbach (#3), dominated their respective starts en route to a Mississippi Braves sweep of visiting Biloxi at Trustmark Park on Wednesday night. In his Double-A debut, Schwellenbach struck out a career-high nine and scattered three hits and a walk over six frames in a 1-0 win—the Nebraska product talks about the night and his journey to Mississippi.
From using LinkedIn to get a pro baseball job, Hayden Harris was invited to MLB camp this spring, and he's off to a brilliant start to the season. He's given up one run in 11.2 innings to start his season with 20 strikeouts to five walks. He talks it over with Chris Harris about why he's been so successful.
Ian Mejia might not have been on many Braves fans' radar, but the M-Braves right-hander was named Southern League Pitcher of the Week after seven shutout innings on May 4 vs. Pensacola.
Bo Henning, the Mississippi Braves pitching coach in 2022 and 2023, now the Atlanta Braves minor league pitching coordinator, talks about his new role in the organization, plus arms like Hurston Waldrep on the Mississippi roster, plus Spencer Schwellenbach, Owen Murphy, and others.
Manager Angel Flores breaks down the Mississippi Braves' first 20 games of the season. We discuss the hot starts for Nacho Alvarez and Drake Baldwin, among many others.
The fan favorite, Nacho Alvarez Jr., joins the pod to talk about his name, game, bat speed, and influences in baseball.
Brandon Parker, a product of West Harrison HS and from Saucier, MS, joins Chris to talk about his start to the 2024 season, a check-in on the Parker clan, and much more.
Joe Niekro started the Mississippi Braves' final home opener and pitched six shutout innings. Niekro talks about his outings and expectations.
For the fourth time, Justin Dean joins the pod to talk about being back in Mississippi, another successful winter in Mexico, and his thoughts on the 2024 club.
New M-Braves manager Angel Flores talks about his 2024 club, and what his expectations are for the season.
Jack and Chris discuss the 2023 minor league season, and takeaways into the offseason.
2:20 - Luis De Avila a Postseason All-Star and the consistency of great pitching in the organization
9:00 - Luke Waddell a Postseason All-Star
11:00 - Junior Caminero named League MVP and is in the majors with Tampa Bay
13:45 - Drake Baldwin's late edition and impact
16:20 - Prospect Arms of AJ Smith-Shawver, Hurston Waldrep, and Drue Hackenberg
25:10 - Sleepers and Surprises from 2023 which includes Cal Conley, Drew Lugbauer, Patrick Halligan, Daniel Martinez, Jesse Franklin V, Landon Stephens, Alan Rangel, and Cody Milligan
34:15 - Eight MLB debuts by former M-Braves in 2023. Surprises in Allan Winans and Victor Vodnik
38:20 - Our Top Moments of the season
43:00 - Twitter Questions which include the reliever with the nastiest pitch, favorite giveaway, and wrapup.
M-Braves manager Kanekoa Texeira talks with Chris about the 2023 season -- the ups and downs -- and positives and negatives.
M-Braves catcher Drake Baldwin hit his first Double-A home run on September 14 in Pensacola, and the 22-year-old from Madison, WI talks about his 2023 campaign. Chris asks him about his promotion to Double-A, and also his roots as a hockey player.
Drew Campbell has reached base in 24 of 26 games, batting .363 with 17 runs scored, including four game-winners, in the last five wins. Chris asks Drew what's been the difference over the last couple of months and what his offseason looks like.
Luke Waddell is in the race for the batting title in the Southern League. It's the former fifth-rounder's first full season of minor-league baseball. Luke and Jack discuss playing every day and taking care of his body.
Luke Waddell is in the race for the batting title in the Southern League. It's the former fifth-rounder's first full season of minor-league baseball. Luke and Jack discuss playing every day and taking care of his body.
It's been an 18-month journey for Brooks Wilson since Tommy John Surgery and returning to the mound. Added to the 40-man roster in 2021, Brooks talks about his recovery with Chris and how it's impacted him on and off the field. He also talks about his famous splitter, how he developed the pitch and influences from guys like Kirby Yates, Max Fried, and others.
With video and analytics being such a large part of the game of baseball in 2023, the Atlanta Braves peg an individual to play a key role for each affiliate during the season. Landon Langston, a graduate of the University of North Alabama, is that person for the Mississippi Braves. In this episode, he explains how he landed the role and helps prepare the players and coaches daily.
Former Atlanta Braves World Series winner, Gwinnett legend, and current hitting coach for the Rocket City Trash Pandas for a Saturday conversation. Kazmar is a close friend and former teammate of M-Braves manager Kanekoa Texeira.
Javier Valdes joins Jack to discuss his transition from catcher to first base and his ups and downs of 2023, and the mental side of the game.
Saucier, MS native, West Harrison, and MGCCC product Brandon Parker has been promoted to Double-A, Mississippi. He is the first Mississippi high school product to play for the M-Braves since Austin Riley of DeSoto Central in 2018. Parker has made an immediate impact, and reflects on his career, and being back in the 'sip!
Hendrik Clementina has reshaped his body this season with a diet and is down 45 pounds. He missed two months with a hamate fracture, and talks about his goals for the remainder of the season, and offseason.
Cal Conley leads the Southern League with 108 games played this season. He talks with Jack about his durability, move to playing more second base, and relationship with Luke Waddell. He also touches on Gold Glove Charities Night where kids battling cancer hung out with the team.
Chris talks it over with Kanekoa Texeira about the promotion of Drew Lugbauer to Triple-A Gwinnett. Also, discusses the recent roster moves.
Bryson Horne was promoted to Mississippi from Rome this week, and the 24-year-old made his Double-A debut Friday with two doubles and two RBI.
Trey Riley, former 5th-round pick by Atlanta in 2018, joins the M-Braves pregame show from Rocket City.
M-Braves manager Kanekoa Texeira breaks down the series with Montgomery and previews the set in Rocket City. We key in on the week from Drew Lugbauer and a few different players with big weeks.
The legend, Doug Mansolino, is this week's Sunday conversation with Chris. Mansolino has coached at every level of baseball for the past 45 years. The infield guru breaks down the Braves minor league system, and talks about developing players in 2023.
Nolan Kingham is back in Mississippi and has started twice and won twice. All he does is win. He talks it over with Chris about his season and much more.
Drew Lugbauer talks with Jack Sadighian about his (believe it or not) second career multi-homer game, and 4-for-4 night at the plate.
M-Braves starting pitcher Tyler Owens has had a rocky road to Double-A, but the 22-year-old from Ocala, FL, has become one of the top young pitching prospects in the organization.
26-year-old M-Braves reliever Ty Tice talks about his experience in Triple-A, and the automated balls and strikes system, plus his big league experience. He also shares his love of teaching the game.
Manager Kanekoa Texiera talks about the series in Chattanooga and previews the week against the Smokies. He gives an update on Drew Lugbauer, speaks on Cody Milligan's big series, and much more.
Cody Milligan returned to the M-Braves lineup after the All-Star break after being placed on the injured list on April 25. The Oklahoma native talks about his recovery, being back in the leadoff spot, and playing both centerfield, and second base.
The M-Braves pitching staff leads Double-A baseball in ERA, and pitching coach Bo Henning is a big part of that success. Jack and Bo discuss Luis De Avila, and Kyle Wilcox, and how analytics has impacted his coaching style.
Manager Kanekoa Texeira goes over the series win in Biloxi, and gets you set for the six-game series against Montgomery.
M-Braves reliever Hayden Harris earned his first win on Saturday night and is pitching at his third stop in the Atlanta Braves farm system this year. Signed in July 2022, the former Georgia Southern pitcher talks about his baseball journey from Grovetown High School to professional baseball.
M-Braves broadcaster Chris Harris sits down with catcher Tyler Tolve for a Sunday conversation. Tolve, currently on an 18-game on-base streak, is batting .308 in June.
The conversation includes his 2023 season, relationship with Javier Valdes, pitching coach Bo Henning, analytics, and more.
They also get into the new rules, dealing with umpires and his high school GPA.
M-Braves' outfielder Drew Campbell has navigated the starting centerfield role while having a multi-home run game and five extra-base hits in the series in Pensacola. Jack talks it over with the former Louisville start.
Jack Sadighian sat down with M-Braves utility man Cade Bunnell on Saturday. Bunnell talks about his first-inning grand slam against Johnny Cueto and his recent hot streak in June.
Chris Harris catches up with M-Braves manager Kanekoa Texeira on recent roster moves, his recovery from knee surgery, the surge of Landon Stephens, and much more!
Luke Waddell has been swinging a hot bat lately for the M-Braves, and Jack Sadighian caught up with the former 5th round pick by Atlanta in 2021.
Tom Goodwin had 369 stolen bases over his 14-year MLB career with six teams. He is now a roving instructor for the Braves. He talks about coaching first base while in town, his career, and the state of being a base stealer and leadoff man in his era. Plus he touches on our trip to historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham.
As of June 1, Domingo Robles leads the Southern League with a 2.32 ERA. The Dominican Republic native is in his first season with the Atlanta Braves organization, and the 24-year-old talks to Chris Harris about the addition of a new pitch, and why he's finding success this season.
M-Braves starting pitcher Scott Blewett joined Chris Harris for a Sunday conversation. Blewett, drafted by Kansas City in the 2nd round in 2014, made his major league debut in 2020. He talks about his baseball career - the ups and downs - and how he feels currently in the Atlanta Braves organization.
Cal Conley, M-Braves middle infielder talks with Jack about hitting exclusively left-handed, taking on the role of a leadoff hitter, working with manager Kanekoa Texeira and this staff, and being in Double-A for the first time
M-Braves manager Kanekoa Texeira talks about his recent knee surgery, and also the improved play by his squad the past month.
Talks about the additions of Jesse Franklin V, the improvement of Cal Conley in the leadoff spot, the outfield play of Justin Dean, and steady presence of Drew Lugbauer.
On the pitching staff and despite not having many prospects, they've been among the best in minor league baseball.
How being a big league pitcher has shaped him as a manager.
Justin Dean talks it over with Jack Sadighian about his play defensively this season, including his catch on Tuesday, robbing Montgomery's Gionte Turner of a home run.
Drew Lugbauer, the M-Braves home run king, added another notch in his belt by throwing 2/3 of an inning scoreless and striking out the league's top hitter, Logan Driscol, with an 87 mph fastball.
Drew breaks down his first pitching appearance and how striking out a batter compares to hitting a home run.
AJ Smith-Shawver joins Chris for a Sunday conversation. Topics include:
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First Double-A Win on Saturday and what worked for him
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New to Pitching and development
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Draft Story and star QB at Colleyville Heritage HS
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Decision to give up football and focus on baseball
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What he did with his signing bonus and a matchup with Michael Harris II on the golf course
Hudson Potts, a former first-round pick of the San Diego Padres and Texas native, is in his first year with the Atlanta Braves organization. He visited with Jack Sadighian on a number of topics.
Jesse Franklin V, the Atlanta Braves No. 13 prospect, is back from the Injured List and homered in his first game back on Saturday. He shares his thoughts on being back, and the process of coming back from Tommy John surgery.
It doesn't happen every day...Bryson Worrell was promoted straight to Double-A when the M-Braves needed an outfielder. The rookie talks about his career at East Carolina and impression of the Braves organization.
M-Braves pitching coach Bo Henning talks about the matchup between Eury Perez and Tanner Gordon on Tuesday night and the promotion of Atlanta Braves No. 4 prospect AJ Smith-Shawver to Double-A.
Chris catches up with West Monroe, LA native Jacob Pearson on his epic walk-off grand slam last Saturday, and added another home run on Wednesday. His role, and his journey in minor league baseball.
Terry Pendleton, Minor League Instructor, and Atlanta Braves Hall-of-Famer, is in town, and Jack Sadighian sat down with him. They discuss his role in the organization, what he hopes to achieve on a visit, and how the game has changed over his playing, and now coaching career.
Chris talks it over with outfielder Andrew Moritz on his offseason, and joining the M-Braves after a short stint on the Injured List.
Larry Ward, longtime Voice of the Chattanooga Lookouts joins Chris to talk about the legacy of baseball in Chattanooga.
28-year-old Kyle Wilcox is in his first season with the Atlanta Braves and boasts a 97-100 mph sinker, and 90 mph slider. He's healthy and pitching well post Tommy John surgery. Originally drafted by Seattle, Wilcox shares his story, and about how he's battled back from injury to have success.
You know about Michael Harris II and Vaughn Grissom, but Justyn-Henry Malloy has become one of the most interesting prospects for the Atlanta Braves.
Chris talks with JHM about his jump to Double-A, position change from 3B to LF, and how he would describe himself to a Braves fan.
Javier Valdes has homered in each of his first two M-Braves games, the first to do so, and first to homer in his Double-A debut since Ronald Acuña Jr. on May 10, 2017.
The Miami native is also best friends with Vaughn Grissom, who made his MLB debut the day before this interview.
A player that doesn't get talked about enough in the organization, Cody Milligan, joins Chris to talk about his development defensively, being from a small town, and the story behind becoming an outfielder in 2022. Plus, they finally get into the grizzly hair look Milligan has embraced.
Atlanta Braves' first-round pick Jared Shuster has been promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett. Before leaving, Jared caught up with Chris Harris to talk about his development over the past two years and his experience at the Futures Game.
M-Braves outfielder Andrew Moritz talks with Chris Harris about his current hot streak. They also get into his career at UNC Greensboro, and what he gained from the experience there, and at Providence High School
Jack Sadighian talks it over with former Atlanta Braves hitting coach and current minor league hitting instructor Greg Walker.
Mississippi first baseman Drew Lugbauer talks about becoming the club's all-time home run leader with 33 over two seasons. His 15th homer of 2022 on June 21 at Montgomery pushed him past Travis Demerritte and Connor Lien.
M-Braves manager Bruce Crabbe talks with Chris about giving Michael Harris II the news he was going to the big leagues the next day in front of the entire team. He talks about the moment and how it all went down, plus recaps the 19-run outburst on Friday night.
M-Braves outfielder Justin Dean talks it over with Chris Harris about his No. 1 play on Sports Center last month, his move back to Mississippi, and his recent flurry of outfield assists. They also get into a cool moment that happened on Wednesday when four black players were in the lineup together, and all on base at the same time - a milestone in the growth of the game in that community
CJ Alexander talks it over with Chris Harris about being back healthy again and hitting his second homer in the last eight days on Tuesday night in Chattanooga. They get into his ups and downs, and his thoughts on the new pace of play rules.
Chris talks it over with Ben Sestanovich, Assistant General Manager, Player Development for the Atlanta Braves.
Riley Delgado, Atlanta's 9th round pick in 2017 out of Middle Tennessee talks about his first Double-A home run in Montgomery, and his grind through minor league baseball.
Coleman Huntley III may have one of the best stories in minor league baseball. He quit playing after college at Point Loma Nazarene in California, not being anywhere near a draftable pitcher. But after four years off, he decided to play again, and now he's in Double-A for the Atlanta Braves at age 20.
M-Braves hitting coach Mike Bard talks about his career in coaching, and how he helps the hitters on a daily basis.
M-Braves manager Bruce Crabbe talks with Chris Harris about the first week of M-Braves baseball.
Chris Harris visits with Atlanta Braves 10th-ranked prospect Jared Shuster prior to the season opener in Biloxi.
Jack Sadighian visits with M-Braves first baseman Drew Lugbauer coming off game one of the year, and his first long ball of the new season.
In this first installment of spring training check-ins, we catch up with 2021 M-Braves slugger Drew Lugbauer. The New York native and Michigan product hit 18 home runs and became a breakout player in the organization.
Drew Lugbauer talks about the wild 11-9 win in Game 3 of the Double-A South Championship Series, and his 477-foot home run to tie the game in the sixth.
M-Braves infielder Wendell Rijo joins the show to preview Game 3 of the Double-A South Championship Series and his big three-run homer in Game 2 on Wednesday.
M-Braves outfielder Trey Harris talks about how the M-Braves can bounce back from the Game 1 loss on Tuesday night.
M-Braves manager and pitching coach Dan Meyer previews the Double-A South Championship Series.
Justin Dean talks about his 2021 season, and being named the best defensive outfielder in the Double-A South by Baseball America.
M-Braves outfielder and top prospect Trey Harris talks about the nine-day lay off and what it's like to get back to playing baseball during the final stretch.
M-Braves catcher Shea Langeliers talks about his 4-for-4 night on Tuesday, plus his fourth multi-homer game of 2021. He discusses the approach at the plate, home run tear the team is on, catching Freddy Tarnok, and handling this pitching staff.
Budding start in the Atlanta Braves organization, Bryce Elder talks about being named Double-A South Pitcher of the Month in July...his ability to go deep into games and put bad innings behind him.
Plus he gets into how he started playing baseball in high school and being offered by the University of Texas.
Freddy Tarnok talks about his career-high 12-strikeout night on July 29 at Pensacola, his first two games in Double-A, and how his stuff works at this level.
The skipper of the 2021 M-Braves, Dan Meyer, speaks on the recent power surge, Bryce Elder, and the pitching staff, Shea Langeliers, and much more.
M-Braves reliever Troy Bacon, the Atlanta Braves' 4th round pick in 2018 out of Tampa, FL, joins The Big Show Podcast to talk about his season to this point. Bacon is 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA in 21 appearances this season for Mississippi.
Greyson Jenista has two homers in the current series against the Smokies and is starting to heat up for the M-Braves. We talk about his versatility, the upcoming trading deadline, and much more.
Jalen Miller grew up going to Turner Field as an Atlanta kid, now he plays for the organization after being selected in the Rule 5 draft in 2020. We talk about his journey and this 2021 M-Braves team.
Shea Langeliers talks about his first few months at the Double-A level and success, plus things he's focused on behind the plate, and as a hitter.
In this episode of The Big Show, we visit with former Mets catcher and Biloxi, MS native Barry Lyons, about his time with the Jackson Mets, facing off against the Braves and the immense talent that comes through the Magnolia State.
The M-Braves' first series is in the books, finishing with a 2-4 record, but back-to-back wins on Saturday and Sunday. Hear from Opening Day starter Hayden Deal, Shea Langeliers, and CJ Alexander.
Also, a feature interview with new M-Braves coach Devon Travis. The former Toronto Blue Jay was traded for by Alex Anthopoulos. He talks about his time at Florida State, Deion Sanders, and his brother, who is currently a QB for the Noles.
Manager Wyatt Toregas breaks down his club, lineup, and facing Max Meyer on Opening Day.
The M-Braves and Blue Wahoos were postponed for Tuesday's 2021 opener so the Voice of the M-Braves and Wahoos chatted about the sadness of 611 days without baseball. Plus, we chat about doing our jobs with COVID-19 protocols, new MLB PDL structure and the Wahoos and M-Braves on the field.
Open: Manager Wyatt Toregas
15:43: Hayden Deal
24:56: Shea Langeliers
33:50: Braden Shewmake
41:49: Matt Withrow
52:39: Trey Harris
Just five days from Opening Day in minor league baseball, M-Braves VP and GM Pete Laven joins the podcast to talk about preparations and opening at 100% capacity for the season.
We also discuss the state of the DH in minor league baseball and camps breaking.
New Mississippi Pitching Coach Dan Meyer discusses his thoughts on the return of baseball in the minors, reminisces about the early 2000s and playing for Brian Snitker, the coaching staff, and expectations from the pitching staff.
2019 M-Brave Greyson Jenista talks it over with Chris about how things are wrapping up in minor league camp and talks about teammates Shea Langeliers, Bryce Ball, Trey Harris, Braden Shewmake, Nolan Kingham, and more.
How the new Double-A rule of infielders staying on the dirt in 2021 has impacted games so far, his thoughts on M-Braves manager Wyatt Toregas and overall thoughts on the staff.
Plus, much more!
This episode features a look inside the operations of preparing a facility for a minor league opening day during a Pandemic. Also, later in the show, catch the M-Braves' home run and RBI's leader in 2021 Ryan Casteel on life at the alternate site and updates on who looks good, Cristian Pache and Orlando Arcia. Also, his future in baseball and a hypothetical player-option.
In this episode hear from Atlanta Braves minor league outfielder Justin Dean, who paced the organization with 45 stolen bases in 2019. Hear about how he almost gave up baseball in high school.
Manager Wyatt Toregas speaks on his familiarity with the Braves, how he got the job with the Braves, and his Chickasaw heritage.
Atlanta Braves Minor League Player of the Year in 2019, Trey Harris joins Chris from Florida to talk about minor league spring training. The two talk about the depth in the outfield and the first minor league games against the Rays and Orioles. Updates on Braden Shewmake, Bryce Ball. Shea Langliers, Michael Harris, Justin Dean, Logan Brown, Spencer Strider, Bryce Elder, and more.
Atlanta Braves Assistant GM/Player Development joins "The Big Show" to talk about the past year and preparing for minor league camp to begin. Ben and Chris also discuss what M-Braves fans can expect to see on the field this season.