The Charlotte Knights Podcast

Meet the Coach Behind the Bats

Charlotte Knights hitting coach Aaron Bray joins the podcast to discuss his path from coaching high school players in Waxhaw to leading one of Triple-A baseball’s top offenses.
Bray shares how preparation, player trust, and individualized coaching have helped fuel the Knights’ offensive success. He also discusses balancing analytics with baseball instincts, developing players for the major leagues, and the excitement of seeing players like Jacob Gonzalez earn their call-up.
Plus, hear the story behind the team’s popular Homer Belt celebration and the clubhouse culture driving the Knights’ strong season.

Korey Lee on Leadership, Staying Grounded, and Loving the Game

Korey Lee joined the Charlotte Knights Podcast to discuss staying grounded through the ups and downs of baseball, embracing a utility role, and leading a young clubhouse. Lee shared insights on catching, preparing for games, building relationships with pitchers, and trusting the process throughout a long season. He also talked about giving back to the Charlotte community, his favorite local spots, and why simply getting to play baseball every day still brings him joy.

Jacob Gonzalez: Locked In

Kendall Smith sits down with Jacob Gonzalez to talk about his breakout start to 2026, the swing changes behind his success, and the mindset that keeps him grounded. Jacob shares lessons from his father, the role faith plays in his life, his journey from Ole Miss Baseball to AAA, and what it takes to chase the big league dream.

Featuring Hagen Smith

In this episode of the Charlotte Knights Podcast, top Chicago White Sox prospect Hagen Smith joins the show to talk about his early-season performance, development as a pitcher, and life in Charlotte.

Darren Baker Joins the Show

This episode features Darren Baker of the Charlotte Knights, recorded just before Opening Day, capturing the excitement, pressure, and perspective of a young pro athlete. Darren shares the whirlwind leading into the season, reflects on how baseball evolves from passion to profession, and talks about the tight-knit nature of the game. He opens up about carving his own path after attending the University of California, Berkeley, navigating the legacy of his father, Dusty Baker, and staying grounded through faith and a day-by-day mindset. He also highlights the grind of minor league life, his appreciation for Charlotte, and the importance of simply being himself, offering a candid, thoughtful look at a player building his career with humility and focus.

Spring Training + The Road to Opening Day

Step inside the Camelback Ranch complex and out into the Arizona sun for the debut episode of The Charlotte Knights Podcast. In Episode 1, “Spring Training in the Desert,” host Kendall Smith brings you behind the scenes of the Knights’ preseason preparations, capturing the sights, sounds, and stories that set the tone for the season ahead. From player insights and coaching perspectives, plus a special appearance from Brooke Fletcher, this episode offers fans an all-access pass to spring training. See you in Charlotte on March 27th for Opening Knight!