In this premiere Travel Team Spotlight episode of The Most Valuable Agent podcast, we sit down with Andy Burress—former Reds draft pick and founder of Five Star National, one of the most successful and expansive travel baseball programs in the country.
From his playing days to building a 50+ location organization (spanning the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and Australia), Andy opens up about the realities of youth baseball—the wins, the mistakes, and the deeper mission behind it all.
You'll hear how his son Drew Burress (a Georgia Tech standout) developed as a player, and why Five Star's model focuses on accountability, structure, and long-term growth—not just exposure or trophies.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
How Five Star National became a standout in the world of travel baseball
The biggest misconceptions about "development vs. showcasing"
What really helps players succeed in college recruiting
Why failure, structure, and accountability matter more than early wins
How Andy approached his own son's development—and what you can learn from it
Key advice for parents navigating the travel ball journey
⚾️ Know a baseball parent or coach who needs to hear this?
📤 Share this episode and help spread insights from one of the game's most respected voices.
👍 Like if you've ever struggled with balancing development and exposure.
💬 Drop a comment with your biggest takeaway—we read every one!
Resources & Mentions:
Five Star National: https://www.fivestarnational.com
Georgia Tech Baseball: https://ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-basebl/
PG Baseball (Perfect Game): https://www.perfectgame.org/
Subscribe to Most Valuable Agent Youtube Channel for more content
https://www.youtube.com/@mostvaluableagent/
___
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
5 Star National Baseball: @5starnational
Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford
