Podcast Summary

Podcast: Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford
Episode: One Last Shot At MLB: Anthony Banda’s Journey to The World Series
Date: August 20, 2025
Guest: Anthony Banda, Los Angeles Dodgers Pitcher
Host: Matt Hannaford

Episode Overview

This episode gives listeners a raw, detailed exploration of Anthony Banda's winding, often grueling journey through professional baseball. From being a lesser-known prospect and battling injuries, to reinventing himself and ultimately playing a meaningful role in a World Series-winning Dodgers bullpen, Banda and Hannaford break down the realities of “making it” in MLB—dispelling common myths, sharing mental and mechanical lessons, and offering practical advice for players, parents, and fans aiming to truly understand the business and psychology of baseball.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Pathway to the Big Leagues: Dispelling Misconceptions

• Not a Straight Line: Banda’s journey highlights that most MLB careers are not linear or easy, contrary to what many parents or young players might assume.
• Early Years:
  • Drafted out of junior college (San Jacinto) in 2012, not viewed as a top-tier prospect at the start.
  • Gained recognition through grinding in the minors, eventually viewed as a top prospect with Arizona after being traded.
• Quote:

  "I think most people... have a preconceived notion of what the minor leagues is like, what the big leagues is like, what the pathway looks like. There's this...false assumption that the majority of guys in the big leagues...spent maybe a couple years in the minor leagues, and when they get to the big leagues, they stay. And that's obviously the goal, but...I don't think everybody really understands how much sacrifice goes into actually being able to stay." — Matt Hannaford (00:12)

2. Injury Setbacks and Mental Struggles

• Tommy John Surgery:
  • First major injury at 23 derailed his ascent.
  • Initial optimism gave way to the harsh reality of rehab, mental hurdles, and changing mechanics.
  • Banda describes feeling lost and trying to “chase” his pre-injury form for years.
• Key Insight: The grind is not just physical—mental health and identity issues loom large during injury.
• Quote:

  “When I was trying to do [what I did before injury], I wasn't moving the same. Everything was off. When we did a mechanical breakdown, I had zero knowledge.” — Anthony Banda (05:49)
  "Watching your guys play, achieve more, and like, you kind of falling behind...was the hardest thing for me." — Anthony Banda (05:14)

3. The Business of Baseball: Team Changes, DFA, and Free Agency

• Multiple Teams and Role Changes:
  • Banda moved through 9 teams in 4-5 years, played for four MLB teams in one year.
  • Noted the paradox: being repeatedly acquired means teams see value, though the instability is tough.
  • Insights on leveraging minor league free agency and analyzing teams for opportunity (e.g., choosing the Nationals for clearer MLB path over the Dodgers’ depth).
• Quote:

  “Funny enough, it's actually a good thing...that many organizations would say, ‘I know this guy is good; we want this guy, because we believe we can unlock where it should be.’” — Matt Hannaford (11:23)

4. Confidence, Coaching Communication & Personal Responsibility

• Organizational Fit Matters:
  • Banda describes lack of connection and unclear feedback from some teams.
  • Highlights importance of supportive, individualized coaching (compares Nationals vs. Dodgers experiences).
• Quote:

  "There's people that need a specific way of talking...For me, it was like, okay, there's something going on mechanically that I cannot...feel good. Every time I talked to the pitching coach, he just seemed exhausted." — Anthony Banda (13:36)

• Reassurance and External Support:
  • The need for positive feedback, sometimes just to keep an athlete moving forward, not to “sugarcoat” but to steady confidence.
• Advice for Parents: Don’t constantly pick at failures—provide reassurance when needed.

5. Career Inflection Point: One Last Shot & Rediscovering Enjoyment

• Decision to Continue:
  • After a rough 2023 season with little MLB interest, Banda considered retiring.
  • Regained perspective by finding joy in small things, e.g., YouTube videos about van conversions.
• Key Moment:
  • Invited to a pro bullpen showcase; performed impressively, rekindling belief and drawing MLB attention (Cleveland Guardians signed him).
• Memorable Moment:

  "It was like the movie 'The Rookie'...the facility was full...When I walked off, everyone was like, 'Whoa.' I was just like, oh man, I can still throw 95." — Anthony Banda (25:31)

6. Mechanical Breakthrough with the Dodgers

• Developmental Coaching:
  • Upon Dodgers call-up, coach Connor McGinnis overhauled his slider grip and approach based on Banda’s strengths (heavy pronation).
• Immediate Positive Results:
  • Success snowballed, thrust him into key bullpen role; contributed to Dodgers’ World Series win.
• Quote:

  “No one's ever told you that before?”
  "Nobody…They've always told me, you can't throw a breaking ball because you're pronation heavy." — (33:51)

7. The Changing Game & Importance of Personal Development

• Modern Pitching & Player Development:
  • Discusses how critical it is to find programs/teams that value individual growth and keep up with evolving pitching analytics.
  • References “third-party” facilities like Tread that rescue or unlock value missed by MLB teams.
  • Compares Tyler Glasnow’s development post-Pirates trade as an example.
• Quote:

  “If you don't identify a college program that's going to do a good job developing you...the concern is if the wrong organization drafts you, who's going to help you learn these lessons?” — Matt Hannaford (43:14)

8. Routine, Preparation, and Longevity

• Banda’s Routine:
  • Focuses on maintaining a sustainable, effective routine—workouts every other day, touching the mound daily, but not over-emphasizing recovery gadgets or trends.
• Reliever Specifics:
  • Fewer pitches, game-speed reps, and learning to personalize routine over copying stars.
• Quote:

  “You develop that routine. Right. And if that works for you, great…And if you want to add some things, great. If they work out, great. If they don't, get rid of it.” — Anthony Banda (54:16)

9. Pitching Philosophy and Game Planning

• Big League Hitters' Approach:
  • Hitters eliminate pitches/locations—even 103 mph fastballs get hit if hitters know what’s coming.
  • Banda’s emphasis: strike secondary pitches early to keep hitters guessing; pitching is “chess.”
• Quote:

  “The first thing I try to do is…strike a slider…now they have two pitches to worry about…good ones eliminate the location, too.” — Anthony Banda (64:39) “If you can keep going, you're going to give yourself the opportunity to learn something, to change something—and you keep going. Just keep going.” — Anthony Banda (86:14)

10. Mentality, Resilience, and Acceptance of Business Realities

• Growth & Adapting to the Business:
  • Recognizing MLB is a business, not personal (“as much as it hurts…they're looking at the best interest…for them as far as the business”).
  • Advice for young players/families: focus on what you can control, learn from adversity, and always move forward.
• Quote:

  “Used to always take it personal. Right. But the way I learned how a business is ran is going through that…people are going to get tired of hearing you complain…All you can do…if you want to keep doing this, is keep going.” — Anthony Banda (79:46, 86:14)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On the false assumption about minor league-to-MLB journeys:
  “[There’s a] false assumption that the majority of guys in the big leagues…spent maybe a couple years in the minor leagues, and when they get to the big leagues, they stay. And that’s obviously the goal, but…I don't think everybody really understands how much sacrifice goes into actually being able to stay.” — Matt Hannaford (00:12)

• On the mental battle post-injury:
  “I didn’t know the ups and downs of the rehab process…wasn’t trusting the process. Every day was something new…I wasn’t gaining any type of ground.” — Anthony Banda (05:49)

• On getting DFA’d and bouncing between teams:
  “We're talking nine teams…As weird as that is to probably hear and even remember…It's actually a good thing…that many organizations would say…'We believe we can unlock [it].'” — Matt Hannaford (11:23)

• On the breakthrough at the pro showcase:
  “It was like the movie 'The Rookie.' Everyone's just there watching…When I walked off…everyone was like, 'Whoa.' I was just like, 'Oh man, I can still throw 95.'” — Anthony Banda (25:31)

• On nerves:
  “People have a misconception…when players think about…'Oh, I feel nerves'…A lot of times guys are like, 'No, I need to calm myself down so I don't feel it.' Like, no, if you don't feel nerves, to me, it's like, do you even care?” — Matt Hannaford (70:31)

• On embracing and learning from struggle:
  “What you're going through right now…it's preparing you for something greater. So all you can do is trust the process and keep going…It's going to matter, and you're going to look back…and say, 'I'm so happy I went through that.'” — Anthony Banda (90:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:12–04:13] — Introduction & Early Career Misconceptions
• [04:13–10:29] — Injury, Tommy John Surgery, and Mental Health Struggles
• [10:50–14:32] — Team Changes, Being DFA’d, and Instability in the Business
• [13:36–18:19] — Communication Gaps & The Need for Reassurance in Player Development
• [20:44–22:35] — Considering Quitting: Finding Enjoyment Again
• [23:47–26:25] — Pro Bullpen Showcase: “The Rookie” Moment
• [29:09–37:20] — Dodgers Breakthrough, Mechanical Evolution and World Series Experience
• [43:14–45:24] — Modern Development, College/Pro Choices, & Third-Party Facilities
• [50:04–54:34] — Daily Routine, Pre-game and Bullpen Prep
• [60:54–68:55] — Pitcher-Catcher Relationship & Pitch Sequencing
• [69:16–72:23] — Mindset & Evolution: Then vs. Now
• [76:29–78:17] — Off-Season Training, Injury Recovery, and Building Longevity
• [79:46–86:18] — Embracing the Business, Handling Adversity, "Just Keep Going"

Takeaways for Players, Parents, and Fans

• The Real Journey is Nonlinear: Most MLB stories aren’t overnight success—expect setbacks, frequent moves, and adversity.
• Mental Resilience is Key: Injuries, slumps, and instability test confidence and identity as much as talent.
• The Business is Ruthless but Not Personal: Organizations make decisions for themselves; personalizing business moves hinders progress.
• Ask for Help, Control What You Can: Communication makes a difference, and individualizing routines is crucial for career longevity.
• Keep Going: The resounding theme—through all circumstances, what separates those who stay is the willingness to adapt, improve, and persist.

*For more inside access to baseball’s hard truths and expert career guidance, subscribe to Most Valuable Agent on YouTube.