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Colton Hahn is the hitting coach at Transylvania University and brings experience coaching at both the Division I and Division III levels. In this episode, Colton shares his perspective on coaching and recruiting across different levels of college baseball, stories from his time in the game, and what makes Transylvania University and Lexington, Kentucky, a unique place for student-athletes. We discuss: The differences between coaching at the Division I and Division III levelsColton’s approach to hitting and player developmentRecruiting at the Division III levelLessons and stories from his coaching careerWhat Transylvania University offers student-athletesBuilding a career in college baseball Follow Colton on Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Phil Shallenberger shares insights on building a values-driven baseball program at Messiah, emphasizing character, culture, and strategic recruiting. He discusses how focusing on individual growth and team culture creates sustainable success and how parents and coaches can support young athletes. Chapters 00:00 The Savannah Bananas Experience 03:00 Building a Culture at Messiah College 06:03 Recruitment Philosophy and Team Dynamics 09:10 The Importance of Character in Recruitment 11:57 Creating a Supportive Environment for Players 14:48 Niche and Identity of Messiah College Baseball 17:59 Facility Upgrades and Future Aspirations 22:18 Recruiting Strategies and Geographic Reach 26:04 Balancing Family and Coaching Life 30:07 Navigating Parental Involvement in Recruitment 37:17 Encouraging Youth Sports Participation and Identity Resources Messiah College Baseball - https://www.messiah.edu Phil Shallenberger on Twitter - https://twitter.com/philshallenberger Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with Cam Lanzilli, college pitching coach and former professional pitching development specialist with the Baltimore Orioles, to talk about what elite pitching development actually looks like behind the scenes and what most coaches and families are getting completely wrong. Cam breaks down why recruiting pitchers who "throw strikes" is the wrong way to think about command, what focal point training is and why it changes everything, and how he uses data and movement profiles to develop pitchers individually rather than forcing them into a one size fits all system. We also get into the Tommy John epidemic, why low volume training in the fall is actually the smartest thing a pitcher can do. He also mentions what he saw in a preferred walk-on that nobody else wanted that turned him into a scout magnet by the end of the season. This conversation is a must listen for pitchers, parents, and coaches who want to understand what modern elite pitching development actually looks like and why uniqueness beats everything else in recruiting. Topics Covered: 0:00 Intro 0:08 Is "recruit guys who throw strikes" actually true or just a social media trend 3:55 What acquiring strikes actually means and why zone rate alone is misleading 4:45 How focal point training works and why pitchers should stop throwing to their target 7:35 What the average pitch miss differential is in the MLB and what it means for development 8:39 What Cam would teach hitters knowing everything he knows as a pitching coach 10:35 A simple breakdown of focal point vs target and how pitchers can use it today 13:45 What Cam learned about patience from his mom being an English teacher 15:58 The biggest differences between developing college pitchers and professional pitchers 19:00 Why Cam keeps fall workloads intentionally low and what he is actually building toward 21:39 The real reason Tommy John injuries spike at the start of every season 25:03 How Cam gets pitchers to buy in when they are resistant or listening to someone else 25:36 Why Cam always has a reason before asking a pitcher to make a change 27:43 When is the right time for a pitcher to get a biomechanics assessment and 3D motion capture 29:42 The preferred walk-on nobody wanted who became a scout magnet by the end of the season 32:34 What Cam looks for first when he watches a pitcher and why uniqueness beats everything 36:53 The advice Cam would give every player and family navigating the recruiting process today Follow Cam Lanzilli: Twitter/X: https://x.com/LanzilliCam  https://x.com/eckerdbaseball Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with Clay Martin, pitching coach at the University of Pittsburgh, to talk about what it really takes to compete on the mound at the highest level of college baseball and what separates pitchers who get there from those who don't. Clay breaks down his journey from Division III to the ACC, what he learned building one of the best pitching staffs in Division II at Seton Hill, and what the biggest adjustments have been in his first year coaching in the ACC at Pitt. We also get into the development side, why Clay believes failure is the most underrated tool in a pitcher's growth, what he would do completely differently if he could coach young pitchers over again, and what he saw in national Pitcher of the Year Ian Korn before anyone else did. This conversation is especially valuable for pitchers and families trying to understand what the jump to elite college baseball really looks like and what coaches are actually evaluating when they recruit at the highest level. Topics Covered: 0:00 Intro 0:05 What it was like competing at the ACC Tournament for the first time 2:00 The biggest adjustments Clay has made coaching in the ACC at Pitt 3:47 How TrackMan is changing the strike zone in college baseball and what it means for pitchers 5:45 What made Seton Hill one of the best Division II programs in the country 7:37 The biggest lesson Clay took from his time at Seton Hill 8:57 What is Seton Hill's secret sauce for recruiting good players year after year 10:51 The real talent difference between Division II and ACC baseball 13:00 How Clay recruits pitchers to fit the park and the program at Pitt 14:37 Is struggling to put hitters away a mental problem or a mechanical one 16:09 Command first or velocity first and which pitcher Clay would rather recruit 18:00 The resources at Pitt that give pitchers a real developmental edge 19:46 The one thing Clay wants to do better as a pitching coach next season 22:02 The biggest coaching lesson Clay learned working with 14U travel ball players 24:37 Why keeping it simple is the most underused tool in player development 25:51 When Clay realized Ian Korn had what it took to become national Pitcher of the Year 28:22 Was there ever a hidden gem Clay found that other schools overlooked 31:00 Why Clay calls Pittsburgh a dream job and what makes Pitt a special place to play Follow Clay Martin and Pitt Baseball: Twitter/X: @ClayMart_ Instagram: @therealclaymartin Twitter/X (Pitt Baseball): @Pitt_BASE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with Nick Flesher, recruiting coordinator and pitching coach at Milligan University, to talk about what it really takes to get recruited as a pitcher and what college coaches are actually evaluating when they get you on the phone. Nick breaks down how Milligan builds their recruiting classes, why transparency with recruits matters more than selling a dream, and how their unique stackable aid system makes a high-academic school more affordable than most families expect. We also get deep into the development side, why Nick doesn't call pitches during games, how he builds relationships with pitchers before he builds their mechanics, and what he's learned from being wrong in front of his players. This conversation is especially valuable for pitchers, parents, and families trying to understand what coaches are really listening for during that first phone call and what separates the guys who get offers from the ones who don't. Topics Covered: 0:00 Intro 0:04 What late May looks like for a coaching staff after the season ends 1:02 Why JUCO guys wait longer to commit and how Milligan operates around that 2:09 How Milligan's recruiting process works across all three coaches 3:35 The stackable aid system and how Milligan makes tuition more affordable 4:41 How late Milligan will go on a recruiting class and why 6:00 FaceTime campus tours and how Nick started using them for out of state recruits 7:22 Nick's personal portal journey from JUCO to Southeastern Louisiana to Tuskegee 8:26 Why Milligan is fully transparent with recruits about roster spots and roles 9:33 What Nick listens for the moment a pitcher picks up the phone 11:00 Why Milligan doesn't call pitches and the thumbs in vs index out philosophy 14:00 How Milligan's catchers are trained to become an extension of the pitching coach 14:57 The pitcher who went from struggling starter to a key contributor and what changed 18:20 What it looks like when Nick admits he was wrong to a pitcher mid-season 19:46 The hardest conversation Nick has had with a player and what he learned from it 22:39 Why getting to know a pitcher as a person comes before developing him as a player 23:10 What Nick attributes Milligan's 40-plus win seasons to over the last several years 24:32 Nick's favorite pitch to teach and why the knuckle ball is his secret dream 26:01 How Nick teaches a seam-shifted changeup to supinator pitchers 27:00 The hardest pitch to improve and what Nick does to fix a dead-zone fastball 28:00 Velocity or command first in recruiting and the minimum velo Nick will consider 29:15 The most underrated trait in a pitcher 29:52 The biggest recruiting red flag Nick sees 31:23 The most unexpected thing Nick has witnessed at a showcase or recruiting trip Follow Milligan Baseball: Twitter/X: @BuffBallMBB Twitter/X (Nick): @CoachFlesh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with Justin Ebert, hitting coach and recruiting coordinator at Greensboro College, to talk about what it really takes to develop as a hitter at the college level and what high school players and families should be doing right now to prepare. Justin shares how his background in psychology shapes the way he communicates with hitters, why mental resilience matters just as much as mechanics, and how he builds individualized routines that set guys up for success from day one. We also get into the recruiting side of things, how Greensboro evaluates players, what intangibles they look for beyond tools and stats, and how the transfer portal has changed the landscape for high school showcases. This conversation is especially valuable for high school players and families who want to understand what college coaches are actually looking for and how development, attitude, and fit can matter more than rankings or division level. Topics Covered: 0:00 Intro 0:53 Justin's origin story and path from player to coach 3:46 Why psychology changed how Justin coaches and communicates 4:45 How he helps hitters manage failure and stay mentally even 6:10 The biggest gap for incoming freshmen, building a routine 7:31 How Justin builds individual drill routines for each hitter 8:30 Tee work and underhand toss philosophy at Greensboro 9:55 Where Justin learned his hitting philosophy and who influenced him 11:13 Using visual cues instead of mechanical adjustments 11:48 Batter's box positioning and two-strike approach 14:38 Justin's experience playing travel baseball with the Canes 16:31 What Justin learned coaching travel ball with Team Elite and the Canes 18:34 How the recruiting landscape has changed since he played 19:46 Players who surprised him during the recruiting process 21:10 How the transfer portal has changed showcase baseball 21:17 When Greensboro starts recruiting and how they build their classes 25:37 The type of player and person Greensboro looks for 26:58 Why Greensboro College baseball is a family and what makes it different 29:03 Life in Greensboro, the city, campus, and culture 30:16 Best local food spots in Greensboro 32:10 Campus life, housing, and living situation for players 33:46 Facilities and why coaching matters more than resources 35:27 What Justin will do differently in his second year as hitting coach Follow Greensboro Baseball: Twitter/X: @GCPrideBaseball Instagram: @GreensboroCollegeBaseball TikTok: @GCBaseball Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with Nate Cole, recruiting coordinator and pitching coach at Harvard University, to talk about what it actually takes to play baseball at one of the most selective schools in the country. Nate walks through Harvard’s recruiting process, what they look for academically, how they evaluate players beyond stats and rankings, and why being a great student alone is not enough to play at the Division 1 level. We also get into the development side of Harvard baseball, including how Nate works with pitchers, how they use technology and data, why some players need more simplicity instead of more information, and what separates players who succeed at the college level. This conversation is especially valuable for players and families who want to understand the balance between academics, baseball ability, work ethic, and finding the right fit in the recruiting process. Topics Covered: What Harvard looks for in baseball recruits How academics filter the recruiting process Why GPA, SATs, and AP classes matter The importance of challenging yourself early in high school How Harvard evaluates players in person Why Harvard recruits nationally for small classes What families misunderstand about Ivy League recruiting Why being “an Ivy League kid” is not specific enough The type of player Harvard baseball wants Why players need to be self-driven How Nate develops pitchers at Harvard Using technology, data, and video in player development Why some players overthink and need to simplify The role of passion, work ethic, and love for baseball How baseball can open academic opportunities The biggest mistakes families make in recruiting Why fit matters more than logos, rankings, or scholarships Follow Nate Cole: X: https://x.com/NateCole33 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with Maryville College head coach Clint Helton to talk about Division III baseball, recruiting, player development, and what it really takes to build a winning program. Clint shares his path from playing at Maryville to becoming the head coach, how the program has grown, and what he looks for when recruiting players. We also dive into the misconceptions around Division III baseball, why the right people matter as much as talent, and how Maryville has built a culture where players take ownership of their development. We also get into pitching strategy, why pitchability matters more than velocity at certain levels, how Maryville uses data, and what makes the school and Knoxville/Maryville area such a unique place to play college baseball. Show NotesClint’s background as a Maryville player and coachHis transition from assistant coach to head coachWhat he would tell his younger coaching selfWhy recruiting is about finding the right player and the right personHow Maryville evaluates makeup during the recruiting processWhat high school players misunderstand about Division III baseballWhy D3 baseball can be much better than people thinkThe importance of self-directed work outside team practiceHow Maryville structures its fall development periodWhy pitchability, command, and off-speed usage matterHow Maryville’s staff tracks competitive pitches and uses dataWhat makes Maryville College and the surrounding area appealingThe history of Maryville baseball, including its 150th season Guest Twitter/XClint Helton: @CHelt29 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with former Division 1 head coach Steve Rodriguez to talk about recruiting, player development, leadership, and what actually separates players at the college level. Steve shares lessons from decades in baseball—from coaching at the highest levels of college baseball to developing relationships with players, assistant coaches, and families throughout the recruiting process. We dive into the mental side of player development, why communication matters more than most people realize, and the biggest mistakes players and parents make during recruiting. This conversation goes way beyond mechanics and tools—it’s about mindset, adaptability, leadership, and understanding how successful players actually operate. Topics Covered: Traits successful college players consistently have Why some players respond to coaching—and others don’t Biggest recruiting red flags from both players and parents Why body language matters so much to college coaches The importance of learning how to fail and adapt How Steve evaluated recruits beyond stats and metrics Why communication is one of the most underrated skills in recruiting The role parents should (and shouldn’t) play in the recruiting process Transfer portal realities and common mistakes players make NIL, scholarships, and making long-term decisions Why development paths are rarely linear What assistant coaches need to do to grow professionally The importance of hip mobility, speed, and nutrition for players Key Takeaways Great players refuse to stay stuck The best competitors are obsessed with improvement Recruiting is about much more than talent alone Players need to focus on development—not just labels and rankings Parents can either help the process… or completely derail it Follow Steve on Twitter: https://x.com/UTCoachRod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jimmy Martin, a college baseball coach at North Lake College, comes on the show to break down what actually matters in recruiting, player development, and making it to the next level. Jimmy gives a behind-the-scenes look at how college coaches evaluate players, what makes players stand out (and what instantly turns coaches off), and why so many players struggle to move up levels—even when they have the talent. If you’re a player, parent, or coach trying to understand how recruiting really works, this episode is packed with real, practical insight. Jimmy's Twitter: https://x.com/_CoachJMartin Patrick's Twitter: https://x.com/pjonesbaseball Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m joined by Doug Latta and Dr. Ismael Gallo for a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood areas of baseball: player development. We break down why most hitters struggle—not because of mechanics, but because of flawed movement patterns that are developed early and reinforced over time. From youth baseball to the highest levels of the game, this conversation challenges a lot of conventional thinking around hitting, training, and long-term development. Doug shares insights from decades of working with hitters at every level, while Dr. Gallo explains the science behind movement, coordination, and how the body actually learns to perform in game environments. If you’re a player, parent, or coach trying to understand what really matters in development, this episode will give you a completely different lens to look through. Chapters 00:00 The Foundation of Movement Patterns in Young Athletes 07:10 The Importance of Early Development in Athleticism 10:19 Guiding Parents in Youth Baseball Training 10:51 Throwing Mechanics: The Key to Hitting Success 18:30 Balancing Mechanics and Athleticism in Hitting 24:53 The Debate on Hitting Off the Tee 32:46 The Importance of Efficient Movement Patterns 35:38 Understanding Movement in Hitting and Pitching 38:18 The Role of Timing and Vision in Hitting 44:09 Movement Capacity vs. Strength Training 48:54 The Dangers of Muscling Up in Hitting 54:49 Advice on Bat Speed Training and Weighted Implements 01:00:15 The Significance of Timing in Hitting 01:07:42 Understanding Player Development and Movement Patterns 01:10:15 The Psychological Impact of Failure in Sports 01:14:12 Parental Influence and Support in Youth Sports 01:15:50 Coaching Your Own Kids: Balancing Roles 01:19:01 The Importance of Athletic Flow and Energy 01:24:40 Navigating Parental Expectations and Player Performance 01:29:37 The Role of Coaches and the Learning Process 01:37:08 Life Lessons from Baseball: Embracing Failure and Growth Doug Latta Twitter: https://x.com/LattaDoug Dr. Ismael Gallo Twitter: https://x.com/flowsdoc Movement Flows App: https://baseballflows.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jordan Gates is the Midwest Crosschecker for Perfect Game, covering key recruiting hotbeds across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, and Michigan. His role puts him on the front lines of amateur baseball—evaluating players, building reports, and identifying both top-tier prospects and under-the-radar talent. Gates began his journey with Perfect Game as an intern in the Ohio Valley, working events while also gaining hands-on experience inside a training facility environment. He later moved into a full-time role as a Southeast Tournament Director, where he built relationships with players, coaches, and organizations while getting exposure to high-level competition across the region. After a stint working with the Cincinnati Reds organization, Gates returned to Perfect Game in a full-time scouting capacity. Known for his detailed evaluations and balanced perspective on projection vs. performance, he combines in-game observation, video analysis, and industry collaboration to assess players at every level. His work emphasizes not just tools, but how those tools translate into real game performance—making him a trusted voice in the evolving landscape of player development and recruiting. "Projection is a fickle game.""Most overrated stat is batting average.""Deception in pitch tunneling is a key trait." Chapters 00:00 Jordan Gates: Journey to Scouting 04:48 A Day in the Life of a Scout 09:59 The Art of Scouting: Finding Hidden Gems 14:43 Evaluating Players: The Perfect Game Scale 21:53 Showcase Insights: Maximizing Opportunities 36:36 Understanding Arm Injuries in Young Athletes 42:39 The Impact of Mental Health on Performance 47:30 Spotlight on Rising Baseball Talents 54:16 Evaluating Player Metrics and Traits ResourcesPerfect Game Official WebsiteJordan Gates on Twitter/X Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with Tyler Rubasky, first-year head coach at Anderson University, a D3 program in Indiana with a rich baseball history, including three D3 World Series appearances. We dig into: What it's actually like transitioning from assistant to head coach, and what he misses mostWhy he believes D3 baseball is the purest form of the game right nowHis approach to playing time transparency and keeping an open doorThe mental performance program that's changing how his players handle failure and pressureWhy Anderson doesn't run a 60-yard dash, and what they measure insteadWhy Anderson baseball is "data supportive, not data driven" Follow Tyler Rubasky and Anderson University baseball on X: Tyler Rubasky: @tyrub3 Anderson University baseball: @AURavensBSB Connect with Patrick Jones Baseball: On X: @pjonesbaseball 📬 Sign up for the Recruiting Times, my weekly baseball recruiting newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/blog ⚾ Need help with college recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult. https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Estes, assistant coach at Weatherford College, one of the top junior college baseball programs in the country. Jonathan grew up in a town of 648 people in Arkansas, graduated in a class of 50, and worked his way through multiple small college stops before joining Weatherford this year. We dig into: How he structures batting practice to challenge hittersWhat he's looking for when he shows up to watch a high school playerHow fine the line really is between a junior college freshman and a Division I freshman. The sliding scale for pitching recruitsWhy making a JUCO roster isn't the same as playingWhat usually separates guys who succeed after transferring to a D1 from guys who struggle We wrap up with the most important advice he'd give any high school player going through the recruiting process right now: Love the game. Follow Jonathan Estes and Weatherford baseball on X: Jonathan Estes: @estesthethird Weatherford baseball: @WCoyoteBaseball Connect with Patrick Jones Baseball: On X: @pjonesbaseball 📬 Sign up for the Recruiting Times, my weekly baseball recruiting newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/blog ⚾ Need help with college recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult. https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's podcast, I sit down again with Dr. Adam Maloof, Princeton professor of Geosciences and athletics fellow for the baseball team. This time he’s tackling one of the most overlooked problems in baseball analytics: pitch classification. If you’ve ever looked at a scouting report and thought, “This guy doesn’t throw seven pitches,” you’re not alone. Dr. Maloof explains why existing pitch tagging data from popular systems (TrackMan, Synergy, and MLB’s StatCast) are often inconsistent, inaccurate, and difficult to use for data analysis. Together, we discuss: Why MLB’s pitch classifier is trained on what pitchers call their own pitches (and why that’s a problem for hitters and analysts)How Dr. Maloof analyzed nearly 5 million college pitches using a “blank slate” approach inspired by geologyThe “color wheel” analogy: why pitches within a category (fastballs, breaking balls, changeups) exist on a continuous spectrum with no natural boundariesHow Princeton’s staff uses reclassified data for scouting, pitch design, and pitching machine programmingPitch tunneling: what it is, how they measure it, and how they’re teaching it to pitchersThe role of arm slot, biometrics, and what’s next for this research Read Dr. Maloof's article on pitch tagging: How to Classify a Pitch https://medium.com/sabr-tooth-tigers/how-to-classify-a-pitch-a4805ce35082 Connect with Patrick Jones Baseball: On X: @pjonesbaseball 📬 Sign up for the Recruiting Times, my weekly baseball recruiting newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/blog ⚾ Need help with college recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult. https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.