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.
Marte Spins Third Quality Start in 2-1 Loss
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Fireflies pitching staff allowed just one earned run, but it wasn’t enough to earn the win Friday night, as Columbia fell 2-1 to the Fayetteville Woodpeckers Friday night at Segra Park. Yunior Marte (L, 3-3) worked his third quality start of the season and his second
Fireflies Game Thursday, May 29 Postponed
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies and Fayetteville Woodpeckers gmae scheduled for Thursday evening at Segra Park has been postponed due to impending inclement weather and will be made up as part of a doubleheader Saturday at Segra Park at 4:35 pm. Gates for the doubleheader will open at 4
Strong Start Falls Flat in 7-4 Loss
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Fireflies offense came out of the gates strong with three in the first, but ultimately fell 7-4 to the Fayetteville Woodpeckers Wednesday night at Segra Park. Fayetteville rallied to tie the game in the fourth inning. Max Holy scored the first run of the game on
Fireflies Blank Woodpeckers 3-0 in Opener
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies blanked the Fayetteville Woodpeckers 3-0 behind a strong start from David Shields Monday evening at Segra Park. It was Columbia’s first nine-inning shutout since September 4, 2024. David Shields (W, 1-0) worked five one-hit innings for Columbia while striking out a career-best seven opponents.
Wolters Twirls Strong Start in 3-2 Loss
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — Blake Wolters had a great start, but it wasn’t enough as Columbia dropped the series finale 3-2 to Kannapolis Sunday at Atrium Health Ballpark. Derlin Figueroa drilled his fourth homer of the season over the right field wall to score Ramon Ramirez and give the Fireflies a
Ramirez Late Homer Not Enough in 6-5 Loss
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — The Columbia Fireflies rallied from down three to tie the game in the seventh, but lost 6-5 to the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Saturday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. Ramon Ramirez completed the comeback. Columbia’s backstop slugged a 398 foot two-run homer in the seventh to score Asbel
Mark Your Calendar: 6 Nights of Baseball and Fun You Won't Want to Miss!
From princesses, parrotheads, pajamas and more, next week at Segra Park has affordable fun for all. Whether you’re bringing the whole family, your four-legged friend or your cowboy boots, we’ve got your week covered as the first-place Fireflies host the Fayetteville Woodpeckers starting with a special Memorial Day game.
Homestand Preview: May 26-June 1
Columbia, SC— The Fireflies open up a fresh, six-game homestand Monday, May 26 as the Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Houston Astros, Class-A) visit Segra Park for the only time in 2025. Columbia enters the week in first place in the Carolina League South Division as we enter the final month of the
Allende Steals Home and Fireflies Win 6-4
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — The Fireflies scored four in the ninth inning, including a straight steal of home to tie the game, to win 6-4 over the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Friday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. Henry Ramos drew a one out walk to start the rally. After that, Asbel Gonzalez
Fireflies Bats Stymied in 4-0 Loss
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — The Fireflies opened up with back-to-back hits, but the offense fell flat after. Columbia didn’t get a hit after the first out was recorded as they fell to Kannapolis 4-0 Thursday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. Grant Umberger (W, 2-0) was fantastic for the Cannon Ballers. The
BBQ, Brews and Great Deals Available Now
Kick off the Memorial Day weekend with BBQ, brews, bull rides and backyard fun — all in one unforgettable day. BBQ & Brews is coming to Segra Park tomorrow, and you don’t want to miss it! Buy your tickets today to avoid day-of price increases and save money. Here’s what’s
Four in the Eighth Beats Columbia 6-3
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — The Fireflies took a 3-2 lead to the eighth inning where Kannapolis hung four to beat the Fireflies 6-3 Wednesday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. Caleb Bonemer started the inning reaching on a fielding error from Derlin Figueroa. After that, Calvin Harris doubled to move runners to
Five-Run Fifth, Strong Pitching Combine for Win
KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — The Fireflies bats plated a handful in the fifth inning behind a strong night of pitching to beat the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 8-1 Tuesday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. The Fireflies now have a two-game lead over Kannapolis for first place in the South Division. The Fireflies
Fireflies Drop Finale 8-1 to Augusta
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Fireflies bullpen worked seven innings and allowed only a pair of runs, but the Fireflies fell 8-1 to the Augusta GreenJackets Sunday evening at Segra Park. The GreenJackets struck first Sunday night. Augusta scored two in both the first and second innings. Then got their first
Ramirez Slams Fireflies to 11-Inning Win
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Ramon Ramirez provided the pop, homering twice after the eighth inning in a 7-6 walk-off victory over the Augusta GreenJackets in 11 innings Saturday night at Segra Park. In the bottom of the 11th, Ramirez came to the plate with Asbel Gonzalez at third and Derlin Figueroa
Fireflies Backed By Big Swings, Strong Start in 5-2 Win
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies used two home runs and a quality start from Yunior Marte to take Game 4 of their six-game set against the Augusta GreenJackets, winning 5-2 Friday night at Segra Park. Columbia jumped ahead in the bottom of the third inning. After Derlin Figueroa drew
Fireflies Fall Short 4-1 vs Augusta
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Fireflies received a strong, five-inning start from Hiro Wyatt, but fell short 4-1 vs the Augusta GreenJackets Thursday night at Segra Park. Columbia hopped on the board first in the bottom of the first inning. Asbel Gonzalez and Derlin Figueroa hit back-to-back singles to start the
Shields Dazzles in Debut as Fireflies Win 20th of 2025
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Fireflies used an excellent outing from their pitching staff and a late Josi Novas blast to beat the Augusta GreenJackets 3-1 Wednesday night at Segra Park. David Shields was fantastic in his Carolina League debut. The southpaw spun four innings, wrung up five hitters and
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Late Rally Not Enough as Fireflies Fall 8-6 in Extras
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Fireflies got a late rally to tie the game in the eighth, but ultimately lost 8-6 in 10 innings to the Augusta GreenJackets Tuesday night at Segra Park. Stone Russell got the rally started. The righty fell in a 1-2 hole before fouling off nine-consecutive pitches
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