Mauricio Dubón’s Underdog Journey to the Big Leagues

They said he was too small. Too quiet. From a country that "doesn’t play baseball." Mauricio Dubón was never supposed to make it. But he did — and he didn’t just make it. He became a World Series champion.

In this episode of Most Valuable Agent, MLB agent Matt Hannaford sits down with Houston Astros utility star Mauricio Dubón to uncover the real story behind one of the most unlikely journeys in baseball.

From shagging balls in Honduras to stepping in for José Altuve and going on a 20-game hit streak, Dubón’s story is about more than baseball — it’s about identity, grit, adaptability, and never waiting for permission.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to flip rejection into motivation

• Why being a “utility guy” is a mindset — and an edge

• What separates players who rise from the ones who fade

• The mental shift that changed Dubón’s entire career

• How to lead with hunger, not ego — and why that matters

If this story hits home, subscribe and drop us a 5⭐️review on Apple or Spotify. Your support fuels conversations like this one.

Guest Bio:
Mauricio Dubón is a professional MLB utility player for the Houston Astros and 2022 World Series champion. Born in Honduras, he became the first MLB player from his country and has played for the Red Sox, Brewers, Giants, and Astros.

🎙️ About the Show:
Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford dives deep into the stories, mindset, and behind-the-scenes realities of elite athletes, coaches, and decision-makers in baseball and beyond.
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RESOURCES + LINKS

ALIGND Sports: Elite Representation. Strategic Growth. Maximum Impact.

From contract negotiations to career development, we put athletes first—helping you secure your future on and off the field.

Ready to take your career to the next level? Book a 1:1 consultation with Matt HERE.

FOLLOW

Mauricio Dubón: @mauriciod10

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

The dream isn’t just to be seen—it’s to be ready.

In this can’t-miss episode, agent Matt Hannaford sits down with Kris Gross, Scouting Director for the New York Mets, to reveal what really goes on behind the scenes of the MLB Draft.

You’ll get an unfiltered look at how scouts evaluate talent, why some prospects never make it, and what separates the good from the great. From coachability and curiosity to signability and character, this episode uncovers the critical traits that matter most—and why they’re often overlooked.

Whether you're a travel baseball parent, college athlete, or high school hopeful, this conversation will change how you think about exposure, development, and what it truly takes to make it in pro ball.

• The truth about exposure vs. readiness

• What scouts really look for beyond talent

• Why most prospects fail (and how to avoid it)

• What parents do that unintentionally hurt their kid’s path

• The emotional rollercoaster of Draft Day decisions

• How to evaluate transfer portal choices and NIL deals

• What makes a player stand out: character, patience, grit

💥Loved this episode? Don’t miss the next one. Subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast app for weekly insider access to the minds behind the game.

Subscribe to Most Valuable Agent Youtube Channel for more content

https://www.youtube.com/@mostvaluableagent/

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RESOURCES + LINKS

ALIGND Sports: Elite Representation. Strategic Growth. Maximum Impact.

From contract negotiations to career development, we put athletes first—helping you secure your future on and off the field.

Ready to take your career to the next level? Book a 1:1 consultation with Matt HERE.

FOLLOW

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

Unlock pro-level baseball insights with Zack Scott—ex-Red Sox GM—on draft prep, development, and mastering the mental game. Subscribe now!

What really goes on inside the mind of an MLB GM?

Former Red Sox and Mets executive Zack Scott takes us deep into the front office to reveal how data, mindset, and real-world player development decisions shape big-league rosters. From how prospects are evaluated to what separates the guys who make it, Zack explains what most coaches, players, and parents get wrong—and what GMs are actually looking for.

🎯 Whether you're a coach, a travel ball parent, or a serious player trying to reach the next level, this is your masterclass in thinking like a pro.

💥 Loved this episode? Don’t miss the next one. Subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast app for weekly insider access to the minds behind the game: https://www.youtube.com/@mostvaluableagent/

👉 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts—it helps us reach more coaches, players, and future pros.

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RESOURCES + LINKS

ALIGND Sports: Elite Representation. Strategic Growth. Maximum Impact.

From contract negotiations to career development, we put athletes first—helping you secure your future on and off the field.

Ready to take your career to the next level? Book a 1:1 consultation with Matt HERE.

FOLLOW

Zack Scott: @zackscottsports

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford