#528: Salem RidgeYaks, Myrtle Beach Pelicans pitcher Brayden Spears, AFL Update

November 14, 2025·47 min·4 clips

The Salem Red Sox have rebranded as the Ridge Yaks, featuring a yak in a kayak named Mac.

This episode of the official Minor League Baseball podcast features hosts Tyler Maun and Benjamin Hill discussing offseason news and interviews. They cover recent team rebrands, provide an Arizona Fall League update, and share a conversation with a minor league pitcher. The Salem Red Sox, now owned by Diamond Baseball Holdings, have rebranded as the Salem Ridge Yaks, a name referencing the Blue Ridge Mountains and local outdoor culture. The primary logo features Mac the Yak in a kayak, with design elements incorporating mountain scenery and Appalachian Trail markers. The Modesto Nuts' replacement Pioneer League team will be called the Modesto Glow Riders, celebrating the city's car culture with a sugar skull logo. Benjamin Hill interviews Myrtle Beach Pelicans pitcher Brayden Spears, who detailed his unconventional path through three colleges and three independent league seasons before signing with the Cubs. Spears also co-owns a bucking bull that competes in the PBR. The Arizona Fall League MVP is Tigers top prospect Kevin McGonigle, who posted a .362/.500/.710 slash line. The Fall Stars Game saw the American League win 5-4 on a walk-off, with Angels prospect Rody García named MVP. A trivia segment reveals the Hickory Crawdads, Pensacola Blue Wahoos, Lake County Captains, and Bowling Green Hot Rods all have franchise roots in Columbus, Georgia. The hosts find the thoughtful design details in the Ridge Yaks' branding, like the mountain-shaped kayak and trail marker wordmark, particularly interesting. Brayden Spears' story highlights the stark contrast between the independent league's limited technology and the Cubs' highly analytical player development system. His ownership stake in a professional bucking bull, purchased almost on a whim, adds a uniquely non-baseball layer to his profile. The interconnected history of multiple modern teams originating from Columbus, Georgia, showcases the often-overlooked continuity of minor league franchises. The tone is casual and conversational, with friendly banter between the co-hosts about their absent colleague. The style is informational, blending news updates, interview clips, and historical deep dives. Minor league baseball enthusiasts and logo design fans will appreciate the detailed rebrand discussions and franchise history. Listeners interested in player development stories will enjoy Brayden Spears' journey. Those seeking only current on-field action might find the offseason focus less engaging.

As heard by us

A loose offseason baseball hangout that pairs banter with a detailed pitching comeback story.

The episode opens with a shorthanded booth, the absence of Sam Dykstra, and a run of joking that keeps the tone light. From there, it settles into Arizona Fall League talk and a pitching comeback story that gives the hour its clearest shape.

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Why you'd press play

For a loose offseason hangout with a real pitching comeback at its center.

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