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In this episode, we sit down with Murray State pitching coach Steve Adkins to break down how one of college baseball’s top pitching staffs is built. Coach Adkins shares his coaching background, reflects on Murray State’s historic College World Series run in 2025, and explains how his staff identifies resilient, competitive pitchers in the recruiting process.   We dive into what Coach Adkins looks for when recruiting pitchers in the 2026 class, including the ability to get outs, swing-and-miss metrics, pitch ability, and overall stuff. He also outlines what a typical week looks like for a pitcher in the Murray State program—covering throwing schedules, weight training, nutrition, sleep, and recovery.   The conversation also breaks down the development process for starters vs. relievers, why college teams need more relievers than starters, and how pitchers can earn opportunities at the college level. Coach Adkins closes with practical recruiting advice and actionable tips for families navigating the college baseball recruiting process.   If you’re a high school pitcher, parent, or coach looking to understand what college programs value and how to prepare the right way, this episode is a must-listen.  Presented by: Kali Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Diamond College Showcase Camps - www.diamondcollegeshowcase.com Team Match Sports - www.teammatchsports.com  Chapters (00:00:02) - Kevin Smith's Gloves(00:01:10) - Keith Glasser(00:01:49) - Murray State Assistant Coach Steve Atkins on the Podcast(00:08:37) - Can You Handle The Day-to-Day of Baseball?(00:13:49) - Offense Recruiting: Strength, Weight, and More(00:24:44) - Murray State Pitcher Discusses His College Path(00:33:06) - Tyler Thornburg on His Changeup Shift(00:42:41) - Pitchers Need a Routine(00:49:57) - Pitchers on the New Era(00:55:28) - Pitching as a Freshman(01:01:41) - Leading with resiliency(01:08:22) - Pitchers on College Baseball(01:12:41) - ESPN College Baseball: Advice for High School Recruits(01:22:11) - How To Sit Down With a Coach During the Recruiting Process

In this episode, we deliver our annual PSA on why high school baseball players and families should be watching college baseball. We talk about how much the college game has grown, why it’s more accessible than ever, and where to watch college baseball throughout the season.   If your goal is to play college baseball, watching games—both live and on TV—is one of the easiest and most effective ways to understand what level you realistically fit in at and how good you need to be to compete. Seeing the speed of the game, the quality of play, and the overall environment provides valuable perspective for the recruiting process.   We also emphasize why getting out to see college baseball games in person this spring is a must, how to find local schedules, and how to follow games nationally on platforms like ESPN. This episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about college baseball recruiting and player development. Follow us on Instagram and Youtube: @emdbaseball Presented by: Kali Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Diamond College Showcase Camps - www.diamondcollegeshowcase.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Kevin Smith's Gloves(00:01:11) - College Baseball Recruitment: How to Watch College Baseball(00:12:15) - College Baseball

In this episode, we break down our top five college baseball recruiting tips for the Class of 2028 as the high school season approaches. We start in the weight room and with nutrition, explaining why physical development matters early, how it helps keep players healthy, and why it impacts performance and recruiting throughout your entire baseball career.   Next, we dive into the high school baseball season and why having a productive, developmental season is more important than simply making the varsity roster. Consistent **playing time and skill development—whether on varsity or JV—**are critical for long-term growth and future recruiting opportunities.   Our third tip focuses on getting an honest evaluation of your current ability, and how that assessment should guide your training, summer schedule, and decisions around college visits, camps, showcases, and clinics. Fourth, we emphasize the importance of academics in college baseball recruiting, including why strong grades expand opportunities and keep more programs on the table.   Finally, we discuss on-campus camps and exposure opportunities, including proper timing, recent recruiting rule changes, and why the recruiting process is slowing down earlier commitments. This episode is a must-listen for 2028 baseball players and parents looking to prepare for the high school season and build a smart, long-term recruiting plan. Follow us on Instagram and Youtube: @emdbaseball Presented by: Kali Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Diamond College Showcase Camps - www.diamondcollegeshowcase.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Kevin Smith's Gloves(00:01:10) - 5 Tips for the 28 Class(00:11:30) - How to Make the College Baseball Team in 2028(00:18:32) - Top 25 MLB Prospects: The 2028s(00:27:06) - Diamond College Showcase Baseball Camp(00:28:29) - Offseason Baseball Coach: Academic Focus(00:38:26) - Pitching Prospects: How to Plan Out the Summer(00:48:05) - Reasons Not to Recruit a 0-Star Player

In this episode, we break down why evaluating the high school pitcher has become easier in today’s college baseball recruiting landscape. We discuss how the explosion of data, analytics, and player-tracking technology has transformed the way college coaches evaluate and recruit pitchers compared to a decade ago.   We dive into how tools like TrackMan, Rapsodo, and other pitch-tracking technologies give coaches a complete picture of a pitcher’s profile—from velocity and pitch movement to how pitches play in and out of the strike zone. Metrics such as swing-and-miss rate, strike percentage, and overall pitch efficiency now allow coaches to make more thorough and confident evaluations.   Combined with in-game scouting and player development knowledge, this data makes it easier for coaches to assess where high school arms currently stand, how they project, and how they compare to the needs of their program. This episode is a must-listen for pitchers, parents, and coaches looking to understand how modern analytics impact pitching evaluations and recruiting decisions. Follow us on Instagram and Youtube: @emdbaseball Presented by: Kali Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Diamond College Showcase Camps - www.diamondcollegeshowcase.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Kevin Smith's Gloves(00:01:10) - Why It's Much Easier to Evaluate High School Pitchers(00:11:03) - Outliers in Baseball(00:18:35) - How To Recruit Your Child

In this episode, we break down our top five college baseball recruiting tips for the Class of 2027 as the high school season approaches and summer recruiting ramps up. We start with the importance of an honest evaluation of your current skill set and how that assessment helps you build a realistic, informed recruiting plan and identify the right college baseball programs to target.   We also dive into the weight room and nutrition, explaining why physical development plays a major role in the recruiting process and long-term performance. From there, we discuss the high school baseball season—why setting clear goals, competing daily, and showing growth over the course of the season is critical to being prepared for the summer recruiting window.   Next, we cover how to build an effective target school list, what actually makes a school list useful, and how to pair it with efficient and professional college coach outreach. Finally, we break down how to supplement your summer schedule, including which showcases, camps, and clinics are worth attending to get in front of the right college coaches and programs.   If you’re a 2027 baseball player or parent navigating the recruiting process, this episode provides a clear roadmap for maximizing the high school season and positioning yourself for a successful summer. Kali Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Diamond College Showcase Camps - www.diamondcollegeshowcase.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Kevin Smith's Gloves(00:01:11) - Top 10 College Recruitment Tips For The 2027 Class(00:11:01) - Do Division 1 Pitchers Need to Lose Weight?(00:19:10) - Do You Need to Be Physical to Play Division 1 Baseball?(00:25:30) - Do You Need to Be Recruited? (4 of 5(00:34:05) - 4 Things to Do To Build a Recruitment List(00:43:29) - 5 Things You Need To Focus On To Recruit In 2020

In this episode, we break down why evaluating the high school hitter has become one of the biggest challenges in today’s college baseball recruiting landscape. We discuss the key factors that make it difficult for college coaches to get a true evaluation of high school position players, including the level of competition hitters face, recruiting calendar timing, limited in-game exposure, and the lack of reliable data on at-bats and opposing pitchers.   We also dive into how the transfer portal has shifted the timing of high school recruiting and why the data now available to college coaches makes evaluating college hitters far easier than evaluating high school hitters. From advanced analytics to larger sample sizes, we explain why college hitters often present less risk in the recruiting process.   This episode covers the many variables impacting high school hitter evaluations in 2026 and is designed to educate players and parents on why the recruiting process can feel challenging—and what that means for hitters trying to get recruited. Follow us on Instagram and Youtube: @emdbaseball Presented by: Kali Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Diamond College Showcase Camps - www.diamondcollegeshowcase.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Kevin Smith's Gloves(00:01:12) - It's Very Difficult to Evaluate High School Hitters(00:12:36) - Diamond College Showcase(00:22:21) - How To Evaluate High School Hitters

In this episode, we sit down with Brian Murphy, Head Baseball Coach at Merrimack College and a longtime mentor of Andy, to break down how college baseball recruiting really works. Coach Murphy shares how his staff evaluates talent, which positions are the most difficult to assess in the recruiting process, and what he truly values when identifying potential college baseball players.   We dive into the importance of networking in college baseball recruiting and discuss how Merrimack builds its roster each year in today’s evolving recruiting landscape. Coach Murphy explains how his program balances high school recruiting, the transfer portal, and JUCO baseball to meet roster needs and stay competitive.   We also cover the role of on-campus camps in the recruiting process, how Merrimack utilizes camps to evaluate prospects, and practical recruiting advice for families navigating college baseball recruiting right now. This episode is a must-listen for high school players, parents, and coaches looking to better understand what college coaches are looking for and how to stand out in the recruiting process. Follow us on Instagram and Youtube: @emdbaseball Presented by: Kali Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Diamond College Showcase Camps - www.diamondcollegeshowcase.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Kevin Smith's Gloves(00:01:13) - Former Merrimack College Coach Brian Murphy on The Dugout Dish(00:06:07) - Merrimack Baseball Coach on the Recruiting Process(00:14:59) - Leading with a Harder Heart(00:21:09) - High School Baseball: The Expectations(00:29:55) - Transfer Portal and the Recruiting Process(00:36:48) - Offense: Let's See How Good We Can(00:42:08) - How To Evaluate a Prospect?(00:48:40) - ESPN College Baseball Recruiting Tips

In this episode, we break down winter baseball showcase timing and what high school players and parents need to know before showcasing early in the year. We dive into the Division I recruiting calendar and explain why, during the winter months, only Division II and Division III college coaches are permitted to attend showcases. We also discuss why attending a winter showcase may not be the right move if you haven’t been throwing, hitting, or training consistently leading up to the event. Showcasing too early without proper preparation can hurt your recruiting process more than it helps. Finally, we get into the key differences between pitchers (arms) and position players when deciding whether a winter showcase makes sense. From physical readiness to recruiting timelines, we outline how each position should approach winter showcases strategically Follow us on Instagram and Youtube: @emdbaseball Presented by: Kali Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Diamond College Showcase Camps - www.diamondcollegeshowcase.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Kevin Smith's Gloves(00:01:12) - In the Clubhouse With The MD Baseball(00:01:35) - Timelime of the January/February Showcase(00:12:15) - Seamstress Timing: Baseball Recruitment

In this episode, we sit down with Greg Mamula, Head Baseball Coach at the University of Delaware, for an in-depth conversation on college baseball recruiting and player evaluation. Coach Mamula breaks down how Division I programs evaluate high school baseball players, what Delaware looks for in recruits, and how recruiting needs change year-to-year with the transfer portal.   We also dive into the role of junior college baseball in the recruiting process, the high level of competition in Division II and Division III baseball, and take a detailed look at how college coaches evaluate high school hitters. Coach Mamula discusses the Blue Hens’ conference transition from the CAA to Conference USA, what the academic track looks like for college baseball players, and offers practical advice on how families can find success navigating the college baseball recruiting process. Follow us on Instagram and Youtube: @emdbaseball Presented by: Kali Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Diamond College Showcase Camps - www.diamondcollegeshowcase.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Kevin Smith's Gloves(00:01:12) - Coach Manuel Mamula(00:07:11) - Delaware Coach Greg Knows How To Recruit Players(00:17:29) - Reaching the Right Fit for a Recruit(00:25:52) - Transfer Portal(00:35:31) - Do Division 2 Baseball Programs Matter?(00:43:45) - Batting Coach: Swing and Miss(00:47:45) - Delaware coach on the transition from CAA to Conference USA(00:56:50) - Does Playing Baseball Affect Your Admissions Process?(01:06:41) - Keith and Andy on the Baseball Recruiting Process(01:14:36) - Coach Rick Pitino on Recruiting

In this episode, we break down a recent study highlighted in Ohio State News by Jeff Grabmeier about parental expectations for their children’s athletic futures — research conducted by Chris Knoester and Christopher McLeod and published in the Journal of Sport and Social Issues. Ohio State News   The study found that 34% of parents believed it was somewhat or very likely their child would become a small-college athlete, 27% thought their child would earn a college athletic scholarship, and 17% believed their child would become a professional or Olympic athlete. Ohio State News   We take time to discuss these numbers and share our thoughts on how high they may be relative to the real odds. Then we explore possible reasons why parents may overestimate these outcomes, including cultural expectations, athletic identity, and the impact of youth sports pressure. Ohio State News   Finally, we talk about what it truly takes to make it to college in any sport, how difficult it is to become a professional athlete, and why there needs to be broader education for families about the realities of competing at the next level and planning for life beyond sports. Follow us on Instagram and Youtube: @emdbaseball Presented by Kali Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Kevin Smith's Gloves(00:01:12) - Report: 27% of Baseball Parents Think Their Child Will Play Division(00:12:12) - Do College Athletians Expect Their Kids to Play Division 1 Sports?

In this episode, we share our thoughts on several key topics shaping college baseball recruiting as we move into 2026. We start by discussing the weight room and why strength training is essential for high school baseball players, how it impacts long-term development, and why it matters when transitioning to the college level.   We break down the transfer portal and explain why it is not ruining college baseball recruiting, while also addressing common misconceptions families have about how it affects opportunities for high school athletes. We also dive into the importance of being a multi-sport athlete, and why we strongly believe early specialization can be limiting, especially before the later years of high school.   The conversation continues with why college baseball is more competitive than ever, what has changed over the years, and what today’s players must do to keep up. We also discuss how parents can better navigate the recruiting process by educating themselves, understanding the realities of recruiting, and recognizing that success rarely comes from trying to figure it out alone.   Finally, we tackle the intersection of academics and athletics, explaining why being talented at baseball does not automatically open every door in college—especially at high-academic baseball programs—and why strong grades alone do not guarantee a roster spot at those schools. Follow us on Instagram and Youtube: @emdbaseball Presented by Kali Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Kevin Smith's Gloves(00:01:12) - Dugout Dish: College Baseball In 2026(00:01:57) - Bradley on Sports Specialization(00:11:55) - LeBron on His Kids Playing Sports(00:18:13) - Transfer Portal(00:26:39) - Transfer Portal Impact on Baseball Recruiting(00:29:24) - Offseason Fitness and Baseball(00:37:59) - Roster Limits in College Baseball(00:47:07) - Don't Let the Baseball World Tell You You're a Division 1(00:53:28) - Just Because You're Good at Baseball Doesn't Mean You Can Get(01:02:18) - How To Recruit A Baseball Player!

In this episode, we sit down with Radford University Head Baseball Coach Alex Guerra to discuss his coaching journey and path to becoming head coach at his alma mater in June 2022. Coach Guerra shares what he values most in his college baseball program, the standards he sets for his players, and how he builds a competitive NCAA baseball culture.   We break down the key differences between college baseball, high school baseball, and professional baseball, including what college baseball practices really look like and the level of detail and preparation required to compete at the NCAA level. Coach Guerra also dives into how the college baseball recruiting landscape has changed, offering practical recruiting advice for high school baseball players and families on navigating the baseball recruiting process, communicating with college coaches, and earning opportunities to play college baseball. Follow us on Instagram and Youtube: @emdbaseball Presented by Kali Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Kevin Smith's Gloves(00:01:12) - Meet Radford Baseball Coach Alex Guerra(00:07:29) - Ex-Volunteer Keith Jones on Coaching(00:12:22) - Does Data Drive Baseball Coaching?(00:20:33) - The need for focus in college baseball(00:26:36) - Infielders on Defensive Excellence(00:31:31) - Don't assume a freshman is ready for college baseball(00:39:42) - Close Calls in College Baseball(00:47:21) - Keatts on coaching in the NFL(00:53:38) - Bradford Coach on Recruiting the Right Player(01:01:24) - Radford Coach on Recruiting(01:08:30) - High School Coach on Recruiting(01:17:05) - Radiators on a 40 Man Roster(01:25:42) - Bradley on the Transfer Portal(01:32:21) - Reaching Out Through Recruiting(01:36:34) - Bradley on the Baseball Recruiting Process(01:44:14) - Jonah Glass on College Recruiting

In this episode, we dive into the power of persistence in the college baseball recruiting process and in life. Inspired by a recent NFL moment where a special teams player made a game-changing play through relentless effort, we connect the dots between staying committed and creating your own opportunities on the field.   We break down why consistency matters — from workouts and skill development to emailing coaches, playing with high energy, and keeping your grades aligned with your goals. For athletes chasing the next level, this episode serves as a reminder that persistence can separate you from the pack and open doors to future success. Follow us on Instagram and Youtube: @emdbaseball Presented by Kali Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Kevin Smith's Cali Gloves(00:01:13) - In the Clubhouse: Elijah Clark's Persistence(00:10:21) - Elijah Clark

In this episode, we sit down with FDU-Florham Head Baseball Coach Garrett deMarrais to discuss his coaching journey, what he looks for during the college baseball recruiting process, and how he builds a culture of competition within his program.   We also share insights on the value of multi-sport athletes, what it truly takes to play college baseball, and what student-athletes can expect from the college baseball experience. We wrap up by talking about his experience winning a national championship at Misericordia as an assistant coach. Follow us on Instagram and Youtube: @emdbaseball Presented by Kali Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Kevin Smith's Gloves(00:01:12) - Meet Garrett Demaray: The youngest head coach in NCAA baseball(00:08:19) - FDU Coach Discusses Recruiting Class(00:16:24) - What Do Baseball Programs Look For In A Recruitment?(00:25:17) - The Multi-Sport Recruit(00:34:09) - Do Multi-Sport Athletes Hurt Their Development?(00:43:13) - "You earn your chance to play in the fall"(00:48:29) - What It's Like to Be a College Baseball Player(00:56:41) - William Patterson on the College Recruiting Process(01:05:14) - Emmedd Baseball Recruiting Podcast

In this episode, we break down the true value of consistency in the college baseball recruiting process. From strength and conditioning to throwing programs, hitting routines, and defensive work, we explain how daily habits directly impact your ability to be recruitable when it matters most — during the spring and summer evaluation periods.   We also discuss how developing consistent routines not only helps you stand out to college coaches, but also builds the work ethic, discipline, and competitiveness needed to succeed at the next level. If you’re serious about playing college baseball, this episode provides the blueprint for doing the work that leads to real opportunities. Follow us on Instagram and Youtube: @emdbaseball Presented by Kali Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Kevin Smith's Gloves(00:01:12) - In the Clubhouse With EMD Baseball(00:10:52) - Work To Get To College