Patrick Jones Baseball

In this podcast episode, Patrick Jones continues his conversation with hitting coach Mike Brumley, delving deeper into baseball hitting mechanics. Brumley advocates for a focus on ribcage loading. He also discusses the misconceptions around hip hinges and loading the back hip, emphasizing the importance of non-verbal cues and the use of specialized training tools to improve hitting skills. Brumley shares insights from his experience coaching professional players.TIMESTAMPS:[03:53] Hip Hinge and Leverage[10:04] Exit Velocity and Launch Angle[16:58] Identifying Hitting Flaws[19:15] Approach and Plan[21:35] Preparation Routines[28:34] Developing Hitting Skills[36:50] Analogies for Hitting[39:15] Benefits of Training ToolsMike Brumley Website: https://brumbands.com/

In this episode, Patrick Jones interviews Mike Brumley, a seasoned baseball coach with a rich 40-year career. Brumley shares his expertise in coaching hitters at various levels, from high school to the majors. They discuss the emotional aspects of hitting, the transition challenges for high school players, and the mental approach to the game. Brumley introduces a grading system for at-bats and emphasizes strategic game planning. He also offers unconventional insights into hitting mechanics, stressing stability and leverage over hip rotation, and the importance of the thoracic spine. Brumley's perspective challenges traditional coaching methods, advocating adaptability and a progressive mindset.TIMESTAMPS:[02:03] Differences in Working with Players[10:55] Judging At-Bat Success[18:18] Game Planning[23:04] Developing a Hitting Philosophy[25:53] Understanding Pitcher Tendencies[32:55] Contrarian Views on Hitting Mechanics[37:30] Rotation and Separation[38:30] Understanding Hip Rotation[40:30] Impact of Body MechanicsMike Brumley Website: https://brumbands.com/

In this podcast episode, Patrick Jones interviews Mike Cunliffe, head coach of the Seattle Speed Track Club, about enhancing athlete speed. Cunliffe emphasizes the role of biomechanics, power-to-weight ratio, and proper recovery in improving performance. He discusses the importance of deadlifts, managing central nervous system fatigue, and specific training for base running in baseball. Cunliffe shares his coaching background, the impact of structural issues on performance, and the significance of cellular optimization for recovery. He offers practical advice for coaches with limited resources, including plyometric exercises and intelligent training management.Timestamps: [03:11]  Max Velocity Mastery and Unlocking Athletic Potential in Baseball[15:34] Strategies for Endurance and Sprint Performance[17:12] Cutting-Edge Recovery Techniques[20:14] In-Season Training[27:48] Power-to-Weight Ratio[29:33] Biomechanics and Acceleration[33:00] Training Schedule and Neural Stress[37:02] Mike Cunliffe's Background in Track and Field Coaching[40:29] Biomechanics for Base Running[44:55] Sprinting Prime and Training Methodologies[47:20] Biomechanics and Force Application in Running[50:07] Body Realignment and Injury Management[54:24] Recovery and Cellular Optimization[58:07] Weight Room Protocols for High School Coaches[01:10:20] Plyometric and Speed Training for Baseball Players[01:14:21] Biomechanics of Sprinting[01:18:14] Contacting Coach Mike Cunliffe

Patrick Jones talks about the transfer portal in this podcast episode. He explains how he aligns topics with the time of year and why he's discussing the transfer portal now. He shares insights based on his experience working with players navigating the transfer process, highlighting common scenarios and misconceptions. He emphasizes the importance of understanding why players want to transfer and the realities they face in finding new opportunities. Patrick delves into the criteria college coaches consider when evaluating transfer candidates, including performance metrics like strikeout-to-walk ratios for pitchers and offensive production for hitters. He also discusses the implications of different types of scholarship offers and the significance of summer collegiate baseball leagues for player exposure and recruitment. Throughout the episode, Patrick offers practical advice and cautions against unrealistic expectations in the transfer process.Timestamps:[01:49] Understanding the Transfer Portal[09:43] NCAA Rules and Regulations for Division I Baseball[12:29] Expectations & Statistical Significance in the Transfer Portal[19:37] Returning to School, Division Choices, and Scholarship Types[25:55] Summer Collegiate BaseballFollow Patrick Jones on Twitter: @pjonesbaseball

On this episode of Patrick Jones Baseball, Josh Gessner, a right-handed pitcher in the Texas Rangers organization, shares his journey from Australia and Japan to professional baseball, discussing overcoming challenges like the yips and increasing pitching velocity through training methods. Gessner advises aspiring players to know themselves and consider their development needs, emphasizing the value of education alongside athletic pursuits. They highlight personal struggles and coping mechanisms, stressing the mental aspect of overcoming fear and judgment, and discuss simplifying the pitching process and building supportive relationships with coaches. Additionally, Gessner talks about his venture into social media writing and podcasting, aiming to share his learning experiences to help others, with a focus on mental resilience, growth, and knowledge-sharing to support individuals facing similar challenges.Timestamps:[2:32] Josh Gessner’s Journey from Roots to Success[7:35] 80 to 90 MPH through DriveLine[10:07] Gessner’s Recruitment Journey in College Baseball[17:41] Advice for Young Players Choosing Between College and Professional Baseball[20:08] College Scholarships and Degrees in Pro Baseball[23:34] Reflections on Early Professional Baseball[26:13] Overcoming the Yips[31:21] Managing Persistent Challenges[33:45] Keys to Pitching Success[36:32] Insights from Training Facilities[37:46] The Value of Coaching Relationships in Training Facilities[39:41] A Dive into Writing and Social MediaFollow Josh Gessner on Twitter: @GessnerJosh

In this podcast episode, Sean Stevens shares his remarkable journey from starting college baseball at 28 to becoming a successful coach at Middle Georgia State University, emphasizing perseverance and dedication despite challenges. He discusses the recruiting process, stressing the importance of building relationships with players and identifying talent both online and through personal interactions. Stevens also highlights the significance of summer collegiate baseball in player development, advocating for players to seize opportunities to showcase their skills and improve draft prospects. Additionally, the conversation delves into the process of selecting players for a summer baseball team, emphasizing collaboration between the head coach and general manager, and discusses player contracts, performance-based lineup decisions, and the supportive environment provided for players attending Middle Georgia State University.Timestamps:[2:06] Sean Stevens Baseball Journey From Discovery to Determination[5:48] Finding Purpose in Coaching[7:31] The Recruiting Journey at Middle Georgia State[10:25] Online Recruitment in College Baseball[13:15] The Importance of Baseball IQ in Player Success[16:22] Understanding the World of Summer Collegiate Baseball[20:31] Selecting Players for Summer Baseball Teams[22:21] Contrasting the Cape Cod League and Other Summer Baseball Experiences[25:18] Player’s Contracts in Summer Leagues[28:08] The Relationship Between Coaches and GMs in Summer Baseball[33:08] Player Performance and Immediate Impact in Summer Baseball Leagues[34:23] Navigating Lineup Dynamics[39:06] Understanding College Expenses at Middle Georgia StateFollow Sean Stevens on Twitter: @CoachStevensMGS

In this podcast, Tyler Packanik from Jacksonville State University discusses the complexities of college baseball recruiting. They explore topics such as regional recruitment strategies, the balance between high school and junior college recruits, and adapting to changes like the transfer portal. Tyler emphasizes the significance of athleticism and baseball IQ in player evaluation, particularly for infielders, and shares insights on assessing speed and base running ability. They also address challenges in evaluating players based on showcase metrics versus in-game performance and stress the importance of video analysis in scouting.Timestamps:[03:21] Developing a Diverse Recruiting Strategy in College Baseball[10:21] Infield Evaluation in Baseball Recruiting[12:01] Assessing Infield Movement in Recruitment[15:13] The Role of Home to First Time in Baseball Recruiting[17:14] Understanding Showcase Pop Times[19:03] The Overlooked Art of Base Running in High School Player Scouting[20:58] Navigating the Pitfalls of Recruiting Advice[26:59] Understanding Why Coaches Go Silent in Recruiting[28:36] The Significance of Coaches Following Players on Twitter[31:22] Inside Jacksonville State's Game Day Routine[34:55] Evaluating Season Performance and Learning from Setbacks[38:05] Managing Defensive Alignment and Base Coaching Strategies[39:11] Why Choose Jacksonville State BaseballFollow Tyler Packanik on Twitter: @Tpack5

This week we're focusing on the mental side of the game. This is what I've seen separate players over the years. Of course, you have to have the physical skills, but you'd be surprised at how many players have better physical skills but can never seem to put it all together. The reason? The mental game. In today's episode, I'm sharing 7 ways to help players with the mental side of the game.Timestamps:[ 0:44 ] A Player’s Version of Success[ 3:40 ] Plan for Failure [ 7:23 ] The Process Checklist [ 9:19 ] Be less negative, Not more Positive[ 11:18 ] The Art of Not Caring [ 13:54 ] Social Life  [ 16:17 ] Breathing 

In this podcast, Mike Brown, the recruiting coordinator at the University of Utah, discusses the details of recruiting players for college baseball programs. Brown shares insights on scholarship allocation, recruiting strategies, and evaluating player potential, emphasizing character traits. They discuss prioritizing key positions like starters, shortstops, catchers, and center fielders for scholarships and recruiting Juco players and transfers. Evaluating high school players involves assessing adaptability and attitude, with a focus on arm action for infielders and hitting mechanics for hitters. The podcast highlights the importance of generating backspin line drives and discusses player development, team culture, and the challenges of competing at higher levels.Timestamps:[2:45] Decoding College Baseball Scholarships[4:35] Scholarships, Juco Players, and Walk-Ons[7:11] Evaluating High School Players for Division One Baseball[9:19] Navigating the Shift in College Baseball Recruiting while Balancing Potential vs. Readiness[11:24] Evaluating High School Baseball Prospects[12:40] Insights and Lessons Learned from Experience[16:12] Evaluating Character and Engagement in Baseball Recruits[20:25] Essential Traits in Evaluating Infielders[24:02] What Todd Williams Looks for in Hitters When It Comes to Hitting Standpoint[26:19] The Theory Behind Low-Line Drives[27:41] What Utah Baseball Teaches Its Players[29:34] Utah's Two-Strike Philosophy[35:27] Understanding Pitching Velocity in College Baseball[37:35] Mike Brown’s College Baseball Recruitment Journey[44:53] Experience within the SEC while Playing College BaseballFollow Mike Brown on Twitter: @mikesbrown5