Royals' Zobac talks spring, two-way past on podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other podcast-listening apps. This episode can also be found on Minor League Baseball's official YouTube page. Send questions or feedback to podcast@milb.com, and follow hosts Sam Dykstra (@samdykstramilb.bsky.social) and Tyler Maun (@tylermaun.bsky.social) on Bluesky and Benjamin Hill (@bensbiz) on X.
Intro/Ben's Biz Banter (0:00)
The podcast is back this week, and there's a lot to catch up on. Ben recaps some of the Minor League alternate identities unveiled recently, from the silly (New Hampshire Space Potatoes) to the serious (Little Rock Nine).
Spring Training check-in (39:52)
Sam and Tyler review the news coming from Cactus and Grapefruit League games across Arizona and Florida, including the introduction of the ABS challenge system to Spring Training play.
Steven Zobac intervew (1:00:10)
Royals pitching prospect Steven Zobac talks to Sam about his first Spring Training in Major League camp, his overall development on the mound and his two-way past going back to his days at Cal.
Wrapping up/Ghosts of the Minors (1:22:01)
Josh hops to it in the latest edition of Ghosts of the Minors, and the rest of the group plays the latest game of Name that Dude.
Fireflies Late Rally Falls Short Sunday
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Fireflies rallied late, but fell short 3-2 to the Charleston RiverDogs Sunday night at The Joe. Columbia lost five of six games to Charleston this week, which marked their first six-game series loss of the 2025 season. The Fireflies got on the board in the top
Homestand Preview: May 13-18
Columbia, SC— The Fireflies have had a strong start to the 2025 season and at the quarter-pole, they are sitting in first place in the South Division. Cheer on the Fireflies as they defend their position against the Augusta GreenJackets at Segra Park in a six-game series. Ticket Links and
Early Offense Not Enough in 10-6 Loss
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Fireflies bats were hot early, but it wasn’t enough as the club fell 10-6 to the Charleston RiverDogs Saturday night at The Joe. Charleston drove ahead in the bottom of the fourth. Nathan Flewelling and J.D. Gonzalez hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. After recording
Marte Leads Way as Fireflies Hold on to 3-2 Win
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies used five scoreless innings from Yunior Marte to lead the way in a 3-2 win over the Charleston RiverDogs Friday night at The Joe. Marte worked five strong innings, striking out a 2025 Fireflies-best nine RiverDogs to keep Charleston off the board. Marte wrung
5/9 Day Sale: Get 25% Off New Era Fitted Hats
It’s 5/9 Day—and we’re celebrating the iconic New Era 59FIFTY series, the same hat our Fireflies wear under the lights at Segra Park. Now’s your chance to own a piece of the game. Take 25% off all Fireflies New Era Fitted hats through 11:59 PM on May 11.
Fireflies Fall 5-1 in Charleston Thursday
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies scored first, but fell 5-1 to the Charleston RiverDogs Thursday evening at The Joe. The RiverDogs tied the game in the third and didn’t look back after. Theo Gillen provided the bulk of the scoring. He slapped an RBI single to left in the
Russell's Three-Hit Performance Not Enough in 3-2 Loss
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Stone Russell led the way offensively for Columbia, notching three hits, but the Fireflies fell short 3-2 to the Charleston RiverDogs Wednesday night at The Joe. The Fireflies cracked the score column first. Stone Russell lined a double to right field with one out. After that, Jorge
Fireworks with the SC Philharmonic Returns to Segra Park
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies and the South Carolina Philharmonic today announced that Fireworks with the Phil, presented by Prisma Health, is returning to Segra Park for the fifth annual Orchestral Independence Day Celebration on Wednesday July 2. The event will include a concert with the SC Philharmonic and
Fireflies Blanked 4-0 in Opener in Charleston
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies bats were silenced for a second-consecutive game as they fell to the Charleston RiverDogs 4-0 Tuesday night at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park. Charleston got on the board in the bottom of the first inning. The RiverDogs scored a pair of unearned runs after
Gonzalez Named Carolina League Player of the Month
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, today announced that Asbel Gonzalez has been named the Carolina League Player of the Month for April. Gonzalez led the Carolina League in average (.398), hits (33), runs (23) and stolen bases (30) across April. The center fielder
Help Us Honor Our Heroes on Military Appreciation Night
Dear Fireflies Family & Faithful, On Friday, May 2 at 7:05 PM, we’re proud to host Military Appreciation Night at Segra Park — a special evening presented by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina with support from WIS 10. This night is about more than baseball. It’s our opportunity to honor
Fireflies Lose Pitcher's Duel, 1-0
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies wrapped up their six-game homestand Sunday evening in a 1-0 loss against the Hickory Crawdads at Segra Park. The 1-0 loss was the first 1-0 game since Columbia fell by that score to Charleston in September of 2024. Josh Hansell delivered one of his
Fireflies Bounce Hickory 10-0 on Bluey Night
Columbia, SC— Columbia had an offensive outburst and utlized a rain-shortened game to earn their first shutout of the season in a 10-0 victory in five innings against the Hickory Crawdads Saturday at Segra Park. The game started in a 1:15 minute rain delay before kicking-off. Then after the conclusion
Fireflies Use Novas Double, McNair Outburst in 7-5 Win
Columbia, SC— The Columbia Fireflies used a three-hit night from Brennon McNair and a three RBI double from Josi Novas to beat the Hickory Crawdads 7-5 at Segra Park Friday night. Following a one hour and fifty-four minute delay, the Fireflies bats warmed up quickly. The Fireflies loaded the bases
Acosta Plays Hero in 5-4 Walk-Off Win
Columbia, SC— Angel Acosta hit a walk-off double to score Roni Cabrera and Brennon McNair to help the Fireflies beat the Hickory Crawdads 5-4 Thursday night at Segra Park. Stone Russell started the ninth inning with a triple off reliever William Privette. After that, Roni Cabrera entered as a pinch-runner
Noah Cameron Makes Big League Dream Come True
Tampa Bay, FL— Last night, left-handed pitcher Noah Cameron made his Major League debut in a start against the Tampa Bay Rays. Cameron is the third former Fireflies player to appear in his first Major League game this year. He joins Hayden Senger and Tyler Tolbert who also got the
Jones Twirls Fireflies Second Quality Start of Season in 5-2 Win
Columbia, SC— The Fireflies used a quality start from Tanner Jones and a two-run homer from Dionmy Salon to beat the Hickory Crawdads 5-2 at Segra Park Wednesday night. Tanner Jones (W, 2-1) was fantastic Wednesday night. The righty worked the second quality start of the season for Columbia. He
Pitching Leads the Way to 3-2 Win in Opener vs Hickory
Columbia, SC— The Fireflies held the Hickory Crawdads to 1-9 with runners in scoring position to maintain a 3-2 win in the series opener at Segra Park Tuesday night. Columbia drove ahead in the bottom of the third inning. Asbel Gonzalez was hit by a pitch to start the frame.
Pre-Game Fan Experiences Announced for Upcoming May Games
Our pre-game 2025 Fan Experiences are back—and we’re kicking off the season with three unforgettable adventures, including two of the biggest this weekend. These events sell out fast so act now to guarantee your child’s spot for these once-in-a-season moments: A Fan Experience Pass is separate from your game ticket.
Bullpen works Six Scoreless in 5-2 Loss
Columbia, SC— The Fireflies fell 5-2 vs the Carolina Mudcats Sunday despite getting six scoreless innings from the bullpen. The bullpen kept the Mudcats close Sunday. Henson Leal started with a pair of scoreless innings to lower his season ERA to 0.69. After that, Yeri Perez spun a pair of
Winstreak Halted in 11-10 Rollercoaster
Columbia, SC— The Fireflies battled with the Carolina Mudcats in an 11-10 loss that saw each team score eight runs in the fourth inning Saturday night at Segra Park. It was the fifth where Carolina gained their advantage though. Trailing 10-9, Reece Walling and Blayberg Diaz drew back-to-back walks to
Fireflies Sweep Doubleheader to Win Five-Straight
Columbia, SC— The Fireflies swept the Carolina Mudcats 10-4 and 3-2 in a doubleheader Friday night at Segra Park. The pair of wins increased Columbia’s winning streak to five games as the team improved to 13-6 on the season. The Fireflies are now tied with the Carolina Mudcats for the
Join the Fireflies for Sensory Safe Sunday April 27
Fans can purchase tickets for Sensory Safe Night here.
Stone Russell’s Bat Lifts Fireflies Past Mudcats, 2-1
Columbia, SC— The Columbia Fireflies earned a gritty 2-1 win over the Carolina Mudcats Thursday night, and it was third baseman Stone Russell who carried the torch on both sides of the field. Russell went 3-for-4 at the plate and delivered both of Columbia’s RBI singles, including the go-ahead knock
April 23 Game vs Mudcats Postponed
Columbia, SC— The Columbia Fireflies games vs the Carolina Mudcats scheduled for Wednesday, April 23 has been postponed due to inclement weather and will be made up as part of a doubleheader Friday, April 25. The time for the doubleheader has yet to be determined. For updates on the first