Host David Kahn is joined by Corey Brock from The Athletic Seattle to break down the Mariners' 2020 draft class. David and Corey delve into how the shortened draft played out, the Mariners' strategy with only 6 picks to make, how those selections will play into Seattle's rebuilding process and more. Later on, they also discuss MLB's return-to-play negotiations and how those ramifications are changing the state of the game.

Expanding The Grid

Expanding The Grid Episode 16 - Corey Brock - June 15, 2020

Host David Kahn is joined by former Power players Nick Kingham (1:17) and Mel Rojas Jr. (31:38) to discuss their journeys to the Korean Baseball League (KBO). Kingham delves into how he ended up on the SK Wyverns in 2020 (2:44), some of the differences he has dealt with between MLB and the KBO (5:13), including battling the language barrier, learning the culture in Korea and what life has been like during a pandemic in a foreign country. Kingham also details how helpful it has been to have his wife, Logan, with him during all of this (17:30), who he reached out to for advice when he got to the KBO (20:07) and his favorite Korean foods he's tried (22:20). Kingham then relives his MLB debut in 2018 (26:50) and season spent in Charleston (27:30).Rojas reveals the reasons he ultimately decided to come to the KBO in 2017 (32:11), seeing the KT Wiz develop as a new franchise during his four years in Korea, and how it feels to be playing in the only consistent live sports right now (40:00), including playing with no fans and different types of entertainment around the park. He also talks about which new players he has given advice to when they joined the KBO (47:00), his favorite KBO mascots and stuff to do in Korea (51:15) and his best memories from his time in Charleston (54:15). 

Expanding The Grid Episode 15 - KBO Edition - May 28, 2020

Host David Kahn is joined by former voice of the Power, and current voice of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Adam Marco, to look back at his 10-year tenure in Charleston. Marco discusses how he ended up in The Capital City (5:04), his favorite memories and players during his time in West Virginia (7:38), including Cole Tucker (16:05), as well as shares his top adventures with Power General Manager Jeremy Taylor (24:36). Marco also gets into the evolution of his blog-turned-Twitter-hashtag Minor League Kerouac (28:33), and what his initial impressions were of The Toastman, as well as how they evolved (39:17).

Expanding The Grid Episode 14 - Adam Marco - May 14, 2020

Host David Kahn is joined by the inaugural voice of the West Virginia Power, Andy "The Bull" Barch, to revisit the first few years of the Power and discuss Andy's time in The Capital City. Barch talks about opening Appalachian Power Park (7:10), what it was like to witness Ryan Braun (14:40) and 2020 Power manager Eric Farris (27:30) in West Virginia, Eric Fryer hitting the only cycle in Power history (30:35), changing affiliates from Milwaukee to Pittsburgh (42:05) and the 2009 All-Star Game in Charleston (47:45). He also relives some of his greatest memories with Power General Manager Jeremy Taylor (57:50).

Expanding The Grid Episode 13 - Andy Barch - May 7, 2020

Host David Kahn is joined by 2020 Power hitting coach Rob Benjamin, who talks about his career in coaching, how he adjusted to life as a Minor League coach (6:00) and who he reached out to for advice while in the DSL, as well as his thoughts on Mariners prospects Noelvi Marte and Jonatan Clase (12:22) and their relationship with former Power player Julio Rodriguez. Benjamin also delves into how he founded the RIOT Hitting Academy (16:54), how much his mom has influenced his life (22:00), his All-Time Puerto Rican baseball team and favorite food recommendations and his best mantras as a hitting coach (31:50). Finally, Dominick Lorenz quizzes David to see if he can guess the baseball movie by only hearing its greatest hit (41:38).

Expanding The Grid Episode 12 - Rob Benjamin - April 30, 2020

Host David Kahn is joined by the Assistant Hitting Coach of the Seattle Mariners, Jarret DeHart, who discusses his rapid shift from playing to coaching (5:20), how he's providing assistance during the COVID-19 crisis (13:15) and advice he's received from Mariners' hitting coach Tim Laker and his college coaches in regards to his new role (21:10). DeHart also delves into his favorite memories from Tulane (29:20), his biggest coaching influences and being in Japan with the Mariners for Ichiro's final games of his career in the Tokyo Dome in 2019 (37:15). Finally, David and Dominick Lorenz pay tribute to the greatest beards in MLB, including DeHart's, with a draft-style pick-em (45:00).

Expanding The Grid Episode 11 - Jarret DeHart - April 23, 2020

David Kahn is joined on the podcast by returning guest Bryan Pall (1:50), who talks about how he's adjusting to life in quarantine, including an odd story about his flight home from Spring Training (3:10). He also provides updates on former Power players Nolan Hoffman and Jamal Wade, who are rehabbing from injuries, and gives a preview of what to expect when Sam Carlson and Max Roberts make their way to West Virginia (8:35). Pall also discusses MLB hitters he wants to face (14:40), his off-season training regimen (24:40), pranking Charlie McConnell (31:30) and other clubhouse games the team played in 2019, as well as his thoughts on Tiger King and building LEGO sets (38:10). Finally, David and Dominick Lorenz share their favorite baseball memories from their respective seasons (44:45).

Expanding The Grid Episode 10 - Bryan Pall - April 16, 2020

2020 Power pitching coach Nathan Bannister joins David Kahn on the podcast in the inaugural episode of Season 2. Bannister delves into his transition from player to coach in a matter of months in 2019, relives some of his fondest memories from his time as a professional player and at Arizona, including his wild draft day experience, discusses his love of golf, ping pong and Westworld and so much more!

Expanding The Grid Episode 9 - Nathan Bannister - April 9, 2020

In a preseason edition of Expanding The Grid, David Kahn previews the 2020 coaching staff, led by a familiar face, Eric Farris, who was the team's hitting coach in 2019 and also played for the Power in 2008. Later on in the show, Farris answers questions from the media during a conference call leading up to the 2020 season about becoming the manager, the rest of his staff and his expectations for this year. 

Expanding The Grid Episode 8 - Eric Farris - February 10, 2020

Hosts David Kahn and Kyle Youmans are joined by Power outfielder Charlie McConnell (2:30), who discusses how he developed into such a great defensive outfielder (5:20), how he's worked through some of his slow offensive starts the last few years, his relationship with Bobby Honeyman, Ryan Ramiz and Ryne Ogren (14:55), getting drafted and how being at Northeastern and playing summer ball helped him rediscover his love of baseball (22:30). He also recounts a marathon 18-inning game (26:20) against the school he almost went to, delves into his love of community service and reveals how much he's really broken down his swing since his sophomore year of college (33:10). Lastly, he also tries to remember every time he's sleep talked with Bryan Pall.

Expanding the Grid Episode 7 - Charlie McConnell - August 7, 2019

Hosts David Kahn and Kyle Youmans are joined by Mariners prospect Julio Rodriguez (2:45), who delves into his rehab process from his wrist injury (4:48), his adjusted hitting approach in the South Atlantic League, his relationship with his family (9:43) and Jarred Kelenic (13:11), how much he loves robbing home runs (17:47), as well as the first time he played baseball [and got hit by a pitch] (24:37). Julio also unveils the story of how he realized baseball could be a future for him, when he found out the Mariners were going to sign him (29:36), his love of the English language and when he first came to the United States (34:50), his interesting pregame rituals (41:15) and the origin of "The J-Rod Show" (46:17). Finally, David and Kyle break down the slew of 2019 draft picks and free agent signees that have made their way to West Virginia this season (53:00).

Expanding The Grid Episode 6 - Julio Rodriguez - July 22, 2019

Hosts David Kahn and Kyle Youmans break down the end of the first half (2:20) and the South Atlantic League All-Star Game, discuss the clutch gene of Jake Anchia (6:35) and how good it is to have Julio Rodriguez back and in the lineup. Bryan Pall joins the podcast (9:45) and delves into his thoughts on his first pro season, as well as his relationship with Power pitching coach Alon Leichman (12:25), Michigan's run through the College World Series (23:40), the worries he had during his bout with Tommy John (31:00), the influence his family has had on him (40:40) and so much more. Lastly, David and Kyle test their knowledge of boy bands (44:30) to pay homage to Bryan Pall's iconic Backstreet Boys warmup music.

Expanding the Grid Episode 5 - Bryan Pall - July 3, 2019

Hosts David Kahn and Kyle Youmans dissect the team's struggles in the month of May (2:04), detail Jarred Kelenic's torrid first half and look at Deivy Florido's emergence as a possible future Mariners prospect. Also, Power catcher Jake Anchia joins the podcast (9:30) and discusses how he creates such durable relationships with pitching staff, his work with Mariners catching coordinator Dan Wilson (15:20) and MLB All-Star J.D. Martinez (28:32), his bond with Dean Nevarez (16:45) and his thoughts on Nick Rodriguez the pitcher (19:30), how to play Fortnite and who the best player on the Power is (40:00), and so much more. Finally, Jake answers a multitude of fan questions submitted over social media (43:50).

Expanding the Grid Episode 4 - Jake Anchia - May 27, 2019

Hosts David Kahn and Kyle Youmans break down the team's red-hot start at home (1:30), dissecting the incredible starting pitching, Jarred Kelenic's remarkable turnaround and a special story around Dean Nevarez's walk-off homer against Asheville (5:15). Also, Power reliever Devin Sweet joins the podcast (9:20) and delves into where he learned his change up (11:00), the Mariners' players he idolized growing up, playing with current teammate Cesar Trejo in Greensboro (22:45) and his love of chocolate. Finally, David, Devin and Kyle help choose which Power players are suited to be The Avengers (32:45).

Expanding the Grid Episode 3 - Devin Sweet - April 29, 2019

Hosts David Kahn and Kyle Youmans break down the Power's 5-1 homestand and 8-5 start to the year. Then, Power infielder Bobby Honeyman joins the program and delves into his time at Stony Brook, his family life, how he models himself after Derek Jeter and so much more. Finally, David and Kyle try their hand at saying and spelling some of the most iconic names in baseball with honey in their mouths.

Expanding the Grid Episode 2 - Bobby Honeyman - April 18, 2019

David Kahn and Kyle Youmans chat with various guests to discuss all things West Virginia Power baseball, as well as get into some antics around Appalachian Power Park.

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Expanding The Grid

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