Elite Baseball Development Podcast: Recent Episodes
Eric Cressey
The Elite Baseball Development Podcast is a one-stop-shop for baseball development. Please subscribe to get updates for every new show!
In this episode, Eric sits down with Cressey Sports Performance - Florida Director of Pitching Austin Henrich. They discuss findings from the CSP-FL motion capture lab with amateur and professional pitchers, and how this technology can help different pitchers in different ways. Austin speaks to key long-term development strategies for youth pitchers, and how professional players can sometimes learn as much from amateurs as the young guys can pick up from the veterans.
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In this episode, Eric talks about the Pillars of "Athlete Diagnosis." In order to best serve an athlete, sports medicine and strength and conditioning specialists need to look comprehensively at a number of factors and work as a team. To illustrate, he shares a case study of an athlete with a history of shoulder pain and glenoid dysplasia and the entire associated process unfolded.
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In this episode Eric talks with Brewers left-handed pitcher Shane Drohan. Shane is Florida State University grad who made his major league debut in 2026. He's recorded 13 appearances in his rookie campaign to the tune of a a 3.11 ERA in 37.2 innings pitched. Shane has been training at Cressey Sports Performance since his junior year of high school.
In the episode Eric and Shane discuss his development as a pitcher, the challenges of hypermobility, the difference between coming out of the bullpen vs as a starter in the majors, and more.
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In this podcast, Eric discusses the physiological and biomechanical interplay among joint hypermobility, psychosocial stress, and joint loading. These considerations are important for anyone who coaches or rehab athletes, as well as individuals who always seem to get injured during stressful periods of life.
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In this episode Eric chats with MLB veteran and hitting coach Sean Casey. They speak to the mental side of the game and how hitting in the big leagues has evolved.
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In this episode, Eric talks about how each training case is unique, and coaches and rehab professionals need to make sure they've got a variety of strategies - exercises, coaching cues, and a professional network - to best support their clients and athletes.
In this episode, Eric shares insights on how important quality control is in the rapidly evolving fields of health and human performance. Learn more about the new CSP Amplify app at www.CSPAmplify.com
In this episode, Eric shares training, nutrition, and recovery insights for aging athletes who want to preserve high levels of performance. This information has merit for not only athletes, but also parents and coaches in this age demographic.
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In this episode, Eric welcomes long-time Vanderbilt pitching coach Scott Brown for a far-reaching conversation on pitching development. Scott shares insights on how college baseball has evolved over his 14 seasons in the SEC, speaks to his own insights as a baseball dad, and identifies key competencies that separate the ones who have success at Vanderbilt and beyond.
In this episode, Eric highlights five ways that pitchers - especially in the amateur ranks - can safely build pitching velocity in a short amount of time. With summer ball approaching, this information is very timely.
In this episode, Eric welcomes Dr. Robby Sikka, who brings a wealth of sports medicine research experience across a variety of sports. Robby shares insights about the dramatic rise in injuries in professional tennis while also speaking to the broader landscape of sports medicine trends across high level sports.
In this podcast, Eric reviews some recent research on the utility of the Functional Movement Screen in predicting upper extremity injuries in baseball players. More importantly, he speaks broadly to the goal of doing assessments, and why what's predictive in one population might not hold up in a different group of athletes.
In this podcast, Eric welcomes Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Slade Cecconi, who speaks about not only his path to the big leagues, but his strategies for continuing to improve while at the highest level. Slade shares his late bloomer story, and outlines key developmental strategies he employed - including leaning on the wisdom of MLB veterans.
In this episode, Eric talks about the sports medicine challenges facing collegiate baseball players, and highlights injury trends that don't seem to be letting up. If you're a player, parent, or coach in the college setting, you don't want to miss this timely podcast!
In this episode, Eric welcomes Dr. Michael Freehill - team doctor for the Athletics and Stanford Baseball - to the show. As a shoulder and elbow expert, avid researcher, retired player, and baseball father, Dr. Freehill has unique insights about the direction in which baseball sports medicine is headed. They cover flexor injuries and what the industry needs to do to prevent and treat them.
In this episode, Eric discusses the unique circumstances surrounding the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft. It's been said this draft underperformed in terms of producing big leaguers, and there are some important player development lessons we can learn from this outcome.
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In this episode, Cressey Sports Performance - MA co-owner and Director of Performance John O'Neil sits down with Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ian Seymour. They touch on a wide variety of topics, ranging from offseason planning, to college recruiting, to Tommy John rehabilitation, to Ian's avoidance of social media. Ian's worked incredibly hard to get to the big leagues and has many excellent lessons to share with a larger audience.
In this podcast, CSP-FL pitching coach Matt Minnick shares insights on how players, coaches, and parents can work together to break down bad outings and create a plan for improvements. These lessons are applicable across all levels.
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In this episode, frequent guest Will Waterman from Proteus Motion shares some new insights on power development. He highlights the screens that have the most predictive capabilities if you're trying to build elite rotational athletes.
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In this episode, Eric outlines the four types of sleep profiles that researchers have investigated, and speaks to the importance of taking an individualized approach to optimizing this important part of their preparation and recovery.
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In this podcast, Eric emphasizes the need to remain openminded to different philosophies and viewpoints that may conflict with your own personal status quo. He speaks to looking past minutia to determine the actual meaning of the information we consume.
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In this episode, Eric outlines what an anconeus epitrochlearis is and how it can contribute to medial elbow pain, especially in overhead throwing athletes. Just as importantly, he speaks broadly to why it's important to consider anatomical variants in addition to medical and movement diagnoses.
In this episode, Eric highlights the importance of pitchers employing high-low models to their routines in order to optimize recovery and reduce the risk of injury. Additionally, he shares examples of how this structure works in the real world.
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In this episode, Eric looks at how adding load can actually improve movement quality for certain individuals in specific situations. It might seem counterintuitive, but this knowledge can be a powerful tool in your coaching toolbox when applied in the right scenarios.
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In this podcast, Cressey Sports Performance - Florida hitting coach Ronnie Bernick discusses how often young players should train various aspects of skill development. This is a helpful podcast for not only players, but also coaches and parents looking to make efficient training decisions for the athletes they "manage."
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In this episode, Eric reviews a study of professional pitchers that saw a link between cervical spine range of motion and shoulder and elbow injuries in overhead throwing athletes. He speaks to how this loss of motion occurs, and more importantly, how it relates to overall movement dysfunction and the pitching injuries we commonly see.
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In this episode, Eric highlights the need for athletes to recognize that every rep can contribute to both short- and long-term outcomes - but the attention to detail is what determines whether that impact is positive or negative.
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In this episode, Cressey Sports Performance – Florida hitting coach Ronnie Bernick discusses how young hitters can take their foundational swing mechanics to a hitting approach that plays in game scenarios under different circumstances.
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In this episode, Eric interviews Dr. Peter Kriz about the results of a recent study he co-authored: "Do Pitching Restriction Policies Reduce Shoulder and Elbow Injuries in High School Baseball Players?" This discussion examines the history of pitcher usage recommendations over the past decade, and outlines where and how pitch count and frequency guidelines can be used to keep athletes safe.
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In this episode, Eric answers a listener's question about whether rotational athletes should include anti-rotation and anti-extension core exercises in their programs.
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In this episode, Cressey Sports Performance - Florida hitting coach Ronnie Bernick talks about how hitters can use data to shape their long-term development rather than just getting hung up on a few numbers. These are important lessons for coaches and hitters (and parents!) alike.
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In this episode, Eric highlights four ways that you can evaluate whether your training programs are creating the wrong adaptations. While we work heavily with rotational athletes, several of these lessons are applicable across all sports.
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In this podcast, Eric speaks to planning out the yearly calendar, prioritizing certain qualities, and accounting for the differences in warm vs. cold weather climates.
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In this podcast, Cressey Sports Performance - FL hitting coach Ronnie Bernick highlights the differences between random and blocked practice, and just as importantly, outlines how each can fit into overall development plans for hitters.
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In this episode, Eric interviews two Emory Healthcare sports medicine physicians, Dr. Eric Wagner and Dr. Robert Bowers, on the complexities of diagnosing and treating thoracic outlet syndrome and peripheral nerve entrapment syndromes. They discuss relevant functional anatomy, the etiology of these conditions, and conservative and surgical management.
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In this episode, Cressey Sports Performance - Florida hitting coach Ronnie Bernick discusses the key principles in youth hitting development and addresses the misconceptions within the space. He further emphasizes the need for coaches to focus on helping athletes develop body awareness and feel, not just replicate movements.
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In this episode, Eric chats with Boston Bruins Director of Performance, Kevin Neeld. They discuss the lengthy competitive hockey season, strategies for managing stiff hips, the skill-specific nature of work capacity, and how teams are evaluating and developing hockey athletes. There are many parallels to the baseball world, so this is a great listen for players, parents, and coaches.
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In this episode, Cressey Sports Performance - Florida pitching coach Matt Minnick takes a quick dive into what pitchers should know about spin - and more importantly, how they often overvalue spin rate. Matt shares insights on what really matters for creating pitch shape and, in turn, success.
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Renowned golf instructor and PGA Tour consultant Mark Blackburn shares fascinating insights on how the baseball world can borrow a variety of key competencies from the golfing community. From technology, to individualization, to long-term athletic development, this conversation delivered a lot of value for athletes, coaches, and parents alike.
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In this episode, Eric reflects on the yearly baseball calendar and how we're at a crucial point in time where players, parents, and coaches may need to make tough decisions regarding developmental paths.
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In this episode, Eric interviews Alabama Baseball strength and conditioning coach Brett Price. They discuss how strength and conditioning has changed in college baseball over the past decade. From technology, to recruiting, to collaboration among support staff, Brett shares some of the key components of Alabama's success.
In this episode, Eric discusses both the challenges and benefits youth athletes experience during adolescent growth spurts.
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In this episode, Eric goes into detail on the sports hernia diagnosis, from symptoms, to functional anatomy, to preventative training and treatments, to surgical interventions. Also known as athletic pubalgia and core muscle surgery, this is a modern sports medicine challenge that all practitioners should seek to understand.
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In this episode, Eric discusses the findings of a recent study that looked at the injury implications of scapular positioning in a population of baseball pitchers. More importantly, he offers a rationale for how these injuries occur, and what training modifications need to be in place to keep pitchers healthy.
In this episode, retired MLB relief pitcher Steve Cishek returns to the podcast to reflect on his career, share insights for up-and-coming players, and comment on what he's learned as he's transitioned into coaching youth and high school sports.
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In this episode, Cressey Sports Performance - Florida physical therapist Eric Schoenberg emphasizes how realistic it is to achieve outstanding results through small, repeated actions. These lessons are especially important in the world of baseball sports medicine, where health and high performance are predicated on controlling movement in narrow windows.
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In this episode, Cressey Sports Performance - Florida chiropractor Dr. Tera Giroux covers a wide variety of sports medicine topics. We discuss the management of acute vs. chronic low back pain, the role of diagnostic imaging, and the who/what/when/where/why of manual therapy interventions.
In this episode, physical therapist Eric Schoenberg outlines the dangers of returning to play too soon following an injury or surgery. He digs in on the rationale for rushing, research surrounding expedited recovery, and discusses why patience pays off.
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In this episode, Cressey Sports Performance - Florida pitching coach Spencer Stockton covers a wide variety of topics. Spencer reflects on the training and mechanical cues that benefited him the most as a hypermobile pitcher. Taking it a step further, he digs in on the power of motion capture technology, and coaching with a combination of data and "feel."
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In this episode, Eric comments on the new MLB Amateur Recovery Period Policy, and outlines the specific reasons it'll help to attenuate the rapid increase in pitching injuries over the past 20 years.
In this episode, two-time guest Walter Beede shares new developments since his 2022 appearance with respect to name-image-likeness deals and the transfer portal. Walter also makes predictions on where college recruiting is headed in the years ahead.
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In this episode, Eric outlines the acute programming variables for any training regimen, and then discusses how coaches should prioritize each of these components for safe, effective programs.
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In this episode, Eric chats with Adam Rolf and Matt Tometz from 1080 Motion, an innovative technology that assists with both testing and training acceleration and deceleration. From performance enhancement to injury prevention, this conversation offers some tremendous insights on how to individualize training prescriptions for athletes who want to move faster safely.
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In this episode, Eric discusses the findings from a recent study that looked at weighted baseball usage and pitching injuries in professional baseball players.
This is a hot topic, so it's important to understand all the factors that influence whether a pitcher gets hurt using weighted balls.
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In this episode, Eric covers the important inclusions in an athlete's approach to recovery, and more importantly, how each component should be prioritized for comprehensive recovery environment.
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Medicine ball workouts are essential for any rotational sport athlete, but that's not to say that there aren't a lot of programming and technique mistakes that can interfere with their benefits. In this podcast, Eric covers his top five mistakes with medicine ball exercises.
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In this episode, Eric talks about how an offseason calendar should be structured for baseball players of all ages, with a specific focus on how to make the most of the first month of the offseason.
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In this episode, Cressey Sports Performance - Florida pitching coach Spencer Stockton highlights five unfavorable practices that prevent athletes from reaching their potential. These are some great lessons for athletes of all ages and levels of competition.
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In this episode, Eric discusses structural maladaptation during youth athletic development, and how early sports specialization is high-risk with unproven long-term payoff.
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In this episode, Eric shares his experiences in dealing with little league elbow, and outlines important considerations for parents and coaches when managing an injured player with this diagnosis.
In this episode, Eric shares six key approaches for efficiently writing effective training programs. Whether you work in the rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, general fitness, or sport-specific realm, these strategies are universally applicable.
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In this episode, Eric highlights the three levels of rehab success: return to play, return to same level of play, and return to performance. These are important "levels" to understand as we manage athlete expectations during rehabilitation programs.
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In this episode, Eric provides suggestions for athletes looking to optimize sleep and, in turn, their performance. Prioritizing sleep is a high-payoff activity not only for athletes, but anyone looking to improve quality of life.
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Elite rotational qualities are what make many athletes great, but traditional strength and conditioning approaches sometimes limit the expression of this superpower. In this episode, Eric shares how to identify, preserve, and develop rotational patterns for athletes that leverage these proficiencies for high-level performance.
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In this episode, Eric highlights traits he sees in players who aren't just successful on-field over the long haul, but also durable in the process.
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Summer baseball is here! In this episode, Eric shares insights - from staying healthy to optimizing performance - on how to make the most of this experience.
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In this episode, Eric highlights the shortcomings of one-size-fits-all arm care programs in our quest to keep pitchers healthy. At a time when pitcher injury rates are soaring, we need to avoid excessively reductionist thinking.
In this episode, Eric highlights the challenges facing parents of young athletes today, and offers guidance on how to handle the pressures of being pulled in many directions for youth sports participation.
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In this episode, Cressey Sports Performance - Florida pitching coach Austin Henrich digs in on the most common mistakes he sees with baseball players doing plyo throws. From poor technique, to incorrect drill selection, to incorrect intensity, he shares insights that can improve any throwing program.
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In this episode, Eric talks about why it's vital to have both objective and subjective measures to evaluate athlete adaptation to training interventions. He also digs in on why individualization becomes even more important as athletes progress in their development.
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In this episode, Eric talks about why variability is a bell curve that's particularly challenging to manage in a sport like baseball that, at times, demands so much precision. Learn about random vs. blocked practice and what long-term athletic development strategies parents and coaches can employ with youth baseball players.
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In this episode, Eric talks about the differences between favorable and unfavorable stressors and how they each drive different adaptations. Before you try to add something that may help, start by removing things that definitely hurt.
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In this episode, Eric talks about both causes of oblique strains and preventative strategies for rotational athletes looking to avoid them in the first place.
In this podcast, Eric discusses the challenges that come with over-recruiting the neck musculature during arm care exercises. He also shares some positioning and coaching strategies to reduce neck tone.
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In this episode, Cressey Sports Performance - Florida pitching coach Spencer Stockton and strength and conditioning coach Brandon Holup highlight actionable strategies for high school athletes to quickly make progress. Whether you're a player, coach, or parent, these recommendations can be difference makers!
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In this episode, Eric highlights important anatomical considerations in the throwing shoulder. Learn about arthrokinematics and osteokinematics and what they mean for keeping overhead athletes healthy.
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In this episode, Eric is joined by LSU Baseball Strength and Conditioning Coach Chris Martin. He discusses the differences in both job responsibilities and player development between professional and college baseball, reflects on his use of technology in his current role, and offers advice to up-and-coming players who aspire to compete at the Division 1 baseball level.
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In this episode, Eric shares three key considerations for developing baseball speed and agility programs.
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In this episode, Eric discusses the Law of Repetitive Motion, which helps to explain why traumatic and overuse injuries occur. The I = NF/AR equation can be an invaluable tool for programming and coaching healthy and injured athletes alike.
In this episode, Eric talks about the concept of recency bias and how it can lead athletes to make poor decisions with both their strength and conditioning and baseball preparation routines.
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In this episode, Eric interviews Cressey Sports Performance - Florida Director of Pitching Nathan Mirochnick. They talk about the wealth of information pitchers can draw from motion capture assessment of the pitching delivery, highlighting the key concepts of sequencing that underpin every healthy, high-level delivery.
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In this episode, Cressey Sports Performance - Florida pitching coach Ryan Conroy speaks to the importance of having a solid between-pitch routine and offers insights on how pitchers can go about establishing this crucial process for themselves.
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In this episode, Eric interviews world-renowned muscle physiology researcher Dr. Keith Baar to apply his tendon- and ligament-specific research to the world of baseball sports medicine.
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In this episode, Eric discusses the importance of continuing to safely train athletes during post-surgical periods, including those involving immobilization. In particular, he highlights the benefits of the cross-transfer effect.
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In this episode, Eric discusses spondylolysis, the clinical term for a stress fracture of the spine. These issues are commonly seen with adolescent athletes involved in extension and rotation sports, and he highlights causes, diagnoses, treatments, and prevention strategies for both spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis.
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In this episode, Eric speaks to the differences between training and competition maxes in strength sports like powerlifting, but applies these principles to developing pitchers.
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Eric is joined by Joey Wolfe, who shared a wealth of knowledge surrounding the development of catchers. From game-calling, to receiving, to blocking, to throwing, to pitcher and umpire relationship, this episode has a lot to offer for players, coaches, and parents.
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In this episode, Cressey Sports Performance pitching coach Ryan Conroy discusses the value of tracking velocity in throwing programs rather than just adhering rigidly to distance.
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In this episode, Eric welcomes Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Sean Guenther for an in-depth discussion on how he reinvented his career with a new pitching arsenal, a mentality shift, and a new awareness of why his stuff is unique and effective. He shares insights on Tommy John surgery rehab and speaks to key long-term athletic development strategies from his improvements during college baseball.
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In this episode, Eric highlights seven key variables to consider when examining the overall throwing-specific stress a pitcher encounters.
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In this episode, Eric chats with Alan Jaeger and Randy Sullivan about their proposed adjustments to classic long-term throwing programs after elbow and shoulder surgeries.
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In this episode, guest contributor and Cressey Sports Performance pitching coach Spencer Stockton discusses some of the key considerations for managing pitcher workloads. He digs in on "big rock" principles, the need for auto-regulation, and an awareness of when in the yearly calendar pitchers are most susceptible to injury.
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We welcome Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Tyler Phillips to the latest podcast for an awesome conversation on his path to the big leagues. Tyler speaks to his initial struggles in professional baseball as a high school draft pick, and adjustments he had to make as both a teammate and pitcher. He discusses the importance of mentorship from veteran players, and leaning on mental skills coaches to help with the sports psychology aspect of his preparation. Tyler shares lessons learned from Tommy John surgery rehab, and reflects on both training and pitching adjustments that have favorably shaped his path to the big leagues.
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In this episode, Eric - using the example of a CSP MLB pitcher client - highlights the need for peaks and valleys of various athletic qualities over the course of an athlete's long-term development. It's okay to take a step back to take two steps forward!
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We welcome Texas Rangers team doctor and renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister for a conversation on baseball's injury epidemic. Dr. Meister shares how injuries have evolved in the overhead throwing athlete over the course of his career; outlines causative factors; and proposes some potential solutions to attenuate the problem.
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In this episode, Eric shares some thoughts on making the most of inseason training. He digs in on the different approaches needed for beginner vs. advanced athletes, and how his perspectives have changed over the years on a few different inseason training considerations.
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Eric often gets questions from the parents of 9-12 year-old athletes about when and how kids should get started with formal strength and conditioning. In this episode, Eric discusses key considerations and outlines best practices for setting the stage for making progress and cultivating a favorable relationship with exercise for the long haul.
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In this episode, Eric discusses how the mathematical concept of order of operations can be applied to assessing, programming, and coaching at the shoulder.
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In this episode, Eric digs in on the concept of "scap loading," a portion of the pitching delivery that's been heavily misunderstood and, in turn, coached incorrectly by those evaluating pitching mechanics.
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In this podcast, Eric outlines the challenges we face with training tall athletes, and highlights important training and nutrition strategies to employ with this population. Finally, he emphasizes the need for patience when training these athletes, as they are typically longer-term projects - but ones with very high (bad pun) upside.
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In this podcast, Eric discusses some of the findings from MLB's recently released report on pitching injuries, and shares his opinion on the most crucial takeaway and actionable items.
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In part 2 of this podcast series on assessments, Eric shares ten more important strategies for making the most of athlete assessments to set the stage for better programs and coaching interventions.
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In this podcast, Eric discusses important strategies for making the most of athlete assessments to set the stage for better programs and coaching interventions.
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Happy Thanksgiving!
We're often asked by athletes what they should do for training when they're away from the gym for a bit, whether it's for a holiday, vacation, wedding, honeymoon, bachelor party, or something else. In this podcast, Eric discusses the merits of mixing in some training while you're on the road - and also highlights how to get in the most important work in the most efficient way possible. With the holidays upon us, this episode is timely.
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In this podcast, Eric discusses how the impact of poor nutrition isn't often appreciated until it's too late in an athlete's career.
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Ever wondered why an athlete might have pain even though a MRI or x-ray was "clean?" In this podcast, Eric discusses some potential outside-the-box causes of weird sports medicine challenges.
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In this episode, Eric discusses the functional anatomy of the thumb and outlines its importance for both pitching and hitting - and how taking care of it can both improve performance and reduce the risk of injury in a baseball population.
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Cross-training is an important inclusion in any long-term athletic development model, but that doesn't mean that every athlete is prepared for every endeavor. Eric shares insights to optimize this key strategy for all strength and conditioning coaches and programs.
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In this episode, Eric outlines the factors that create the feeling of "tightness;" the difference between stiff and short tissues; and how some joints develop bony overgrowth over time.
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The weight room isn't just a place to get strong; it's also a realm in which we can build a rich proprioceptive environment and enhance transfer to sport skills - all while reducing the risk of overuse injuries.
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In this installment, Eric talks about some of the "bad outcome categories" you may see when rehabilitation programs aren't approached correctly. This is a follow-up to last week's installment relating to Tommy John Surgery rehabilitation failures.
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Many folks think that Cressey Sports Performance only works with professional athletes, but the truth is that we have a long history of training kids in the middle, high school, and college ranks, too. In fact, since 2012, we've had 251 Major League Baseball draft picks from this amateur pool, so you could say that we've seen our fair share of "what works" for young athletes. Unfortunately, we've also seen what doesn't work, and that's the focus of today's podcast.
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We welcome Cressey Sports Performance chiropractor and manual therapist Dr. Ryan Hansen to the podcast to discuss all things foot and ankle. Ryan speaks to both the structure and function of the foot, with specific focus on common injuries in this region, and the impact of footwear.
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We welcome physical therapist and Proteus Motion Director of Performance Will Waterman to the latest podcast. Our first ever three-time guest, Will has some exciting Proteus data collection results to share. Will speaks to predictors of hitting and pitching velocities, and shares some compelling data that demonstrates how a rotational athlete's height may impact how they need to attack the force-velocity curve. We talk about "powerpenia" and male/female differences in power production trends as well. This is a great conversation that has already impacted the way I program for athletes.
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We welcome Wake Forest Pitching Coach Corey Muscara for a far-reaching discussion of developing pitchers. He speaks to leveraging technology, attacking hitters, optimizing pitch arsenals, and embracing outlier qualities. Corey also shares invaluable insights on college recruiting and how the transfer portal and NIL dynamic have dramatically changed the recruiting landscape.
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We welcome San Diego Padres outfielder David Peralta to the latest podcast for an awesome conversation on the hard work, adjustments, and perseverance it's taken for him to get to 10 years of MLB service time. David speaks to converting from a pitcher to outfielder; how hitting has evolved during his career; and key lessons he emphasizes to up-and-coming players. He also shares insights on the challenges young Latin American players face when they first enter pro ball.
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We welcome accomplished strength and conditioning educator, researcher, and practitioner Dr. William Kraemer to the latest podcast. With over four decades of experience, Dr. Kraemer shares a fascinating history of the evolution of the strength and conditioning and - just as importantly - insights on where it's headed.
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It’s time for another listener Q&A! In this week's podcast, Eric covers three questions from our audience relating to scapular winging/dyskinesis, diminished pitching velocity, and toe spacers.
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We welcome Kevin Vance to the latest episode of the podcast. He was a two-way All-American player at UCONN and a MiLB pitcher for both the White Sox and Diamondbacks for over five seasons. Once he finished his professional career, Kevin obtained his masters degree in sports leadership, in which he used to work his way through the coaching ranks at the University of Rhode Island. He recently acquired his current position at the University of Arizona as an assistant and pitching coach. In this episode, we'll discuss how the mind of a player adjusts during the recruitment process, address the change in culture Kevin has seen as a college coach, and examine expectations of bullpen frequency.
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We welcome wildly experienced MLB pitching coach Dave Wallace to the latest podcast. With over five decades in professional baseball – beginning with a career of his own – Dave has served in roles ranging from minor league pitching coach all the way up to MLB General Manager. “Wally” has played an important role in the development and success of some of the best pitchers in the game since the 1980s, and in this interview, you’ll see why he’s so well respected across the game and still sought out for his expertise even as baseball has evolved tremendously. We discuss pitching non-negotiables, the current pitching injury epidemic, and important competencies for all coaches.
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We welcome process and development coach Justin Su'a to the podcast for a deep dive into how athletes can establish good processes, separate out bad outcomes, and build unshakable confidence. Justin brings a wealth of knowledge from his work with a variety of sports and the military, so there's something for everyone in this discussion. I found myself intrigued as a coach, business owner, father, and husband throughout the entire conversation.
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We welcome strength and conditioning coach Luka Hocevar to the podcast for a thorough discussion on a variety of physical preparation topics, ranging from coach development, to program design, to athlete assessment. Luka also spoke to some key factors that contribute to so much athletic success in his native country of Slovenia as well. If you’re an up-and-coming coach, you’ll find this to be an extremely beneficial episode. And, if you’re a player, Luka’s story will yield a lot of perspective on how hard you have to chase your dreams.
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This week’s podcast might be the most important one that I’ve ever done, as it outlines a list of questions that I think every baseball family should have in the back of their minds as they approach the college recruiting/selection process. At Cressey Sports Performance, we’ve worked with countless high school kids who’ve gone through this process, and we’ve learned a lot of the norms, seen a lot of the common mistakes, and helped a lot of folks navigate these challenging times.
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Joining Eric on this week's episode is Mike Boyle, a leading expert in Strength and Conditioning with a career spanning over four decades. He co-founded Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning in 1996, focusing on training athletes from junior high to professional levels. Before this, Boyle was the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Boston University for 15 years and has since served as an assistant coach, primarily for the ice hockey team. He has also worked with the Boston Bruins, the 1998 US Women's Olympic Ice Hockey Team, and for the World Champion Boston Red Sox. He shares good insight into long-term athletic development, inseason training, and training your own kids.
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It’s time for another listener Q&A, Eric covers three questions from our audience in this week’s podcast that touch on Sleep Tracking, Work Capacity, and Tendinopathy Wordplay.
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We welcome recently retired 13-year MLB veteran first baseman Eric Hosmer to the latest podcast. We discuss his path to being a #3 overall MLB draft pick, and what made him not only a fast riser through the minor leagues, but also a guy who immediately “stuck” in the big leagues. Eric speaks to how a young Royals team ascended to a World Series championship, and how the game evolved – especially for hitters – over the course of his career. He also reflects on what strategies kept him durable, and how various coaches impacted him along the way.
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Joining Eric on today's podcast is former college baseball coach turned entrepreneur and business coach, Pat Rigsby. He shares his journey which included becoming the youngest head college baseball coach in the country and how those early coaching days made a massive impact on his business to help him be a successful entrepreneur.
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We're excited to welcome Bill Parisi back to the podcast for a second appearance. He speaks to his expanded view on the fascia system, and some practical applications for improving training programs with "fascia aware" training. Bill highlights some excellent takeaways from his new book, "Fascia Training in Application."
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We welcome Rockies' pitcher Ryan Feltner to the latest podcast. A Cressey Sports Performance athlete since college, Ryan speaks into his development, from growing up in the Midwest, to attending Ohio State, to being drafted by the Rockies. He shares the complexities of pitching at altitude and also discusses how the cancelled MiLB 2020 season prepared him to jump from single-A to the MLB in 2021.
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After a brief podcast hiatus to stockpile some content, we are back with a new episode, this time with Cressey Sports Performance – MA co-owner and Director of Performance John O’Neil as my co-host. We dig in on key competencies with developing college pitchers, highlighting the important considerations that have paved the way for success in our summer development programs (you can learn more about them: Massachusetts and Florida). This is an invaluable listen for players, coaches, parents, and support staff alike.
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Joining Eric on this week's podcast is Dan Swinscoe, a physical therapist and strength and conditioning specialist. With over 30 years of experience treating and learning from his patients, and having faced several substantial injuries of his own, Dan brings a unique perspective to solving movement problems. He has been entrusted with the rehabilitation and training of athletes from the NFL, MLB, WNBA, professional golf, as well as many local doctors and their families. Dan is specialty trained and certified by the Titleist Performance Institute and Golf Digest as a Golf Medical and Golf Fitness Professional. Additionally, he holds certifications from NSCA, Functional Movement Screen, SFMA, FRR, FRC, USAW, OnBase University, and many others.
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We welcome Astros' pitcher Bennett Sousa to the latest podcast. A CSP athlete since his high school days, Bennett touches on how that experience impacted his development. He speaks to the importance of routine, and also delves into why the big leagues is so much different than pitching at any other level of baseball, yet the adjustment from high school to college is actually the biggest. There are some great pearls of wisdom for players, parents, and coaches who are looking to optimize their long-term development plans.
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It’s time for another listener Q&A, Eric covers three questions from our audience in this week’s podcast:
- What are your thoughts on high school students playing a winter sport? My son has played basketball and baseball since he was 4. He wants to play college baseball and decided as a sophomore he wants to quit all sports but baseball and focus on that. We think he is too young and should play basketball this winter and still attend his indoor baseball session (pitching). Thoughts?
- Rotator cuff drills are a key part of rehabilitation and prevention programs, but I’m struggling to see where all the different kinds fit into my program. Do you have any ideas?
- You previously talked about lessons learned in terms of Tommy John timelines. I know a lot of surgeons and rehab specialists have adjusted their approaches to surgeries and the associated timelines well. What are some of your key takeaways now that there have been some changes to the way elbow surgeries were approached in recent years?
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Joining Eric is Oakland Athletics' rising star, Zack Gelof. A Cressey Sports Performance athlete since his teenage years, Zack offers some awesome insights on chasing long-term athletic development; seeking out competition; visualizing goals; adapting training approaches; and improving defensive performance on the diamond. Gelof made his MLB debut last July and put up historic numbers in his first 69 career games, he also earned AL Rookie of the Month honors in August.
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In this solo episode, Eric shares key insights into an important – but underappreciated – topic in the worlds of health and human performance: warm-ups. Eric shines some light on the goals of warm-ups, as well as the research on both injury reduction and performance benefits. Most importantly, I make some practical recommendations for how to structure an efficient, effective warm-up for not only baseball athletes, but a variety of other populations as well.
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This week, Eric sits down with Chicago Cubs pitcher Julian Merryweather. A CSP athlete for several years now, he shares insights on his journey to the big leagues, the advantages junior college afforded him; what factors were key to his velocity improvements; and the strategies he employed to have a career year in performance and durability.
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The focus is on force plates in this episode as Eric is joined by Drake Berberet, the VP of Performance & Brand at Hawkin Dynamics. With over 10 years of experience in educating and training athletes from youth sports to the professional levels, Drake has worked with business executives and athletes in the US Olympics, NFL, NBA, MLB, UFC, and the NCAA as he provides data-driven insights for performance and health. Prior to Hawkin, Drake was the Applied Sport Scientist for the University of Illinois Men’s & Women’s Basketball teams for 2 seasons.
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In today's episode, guest host John O'Neil is joined by Doug Kechijian, a distinguished physical therapist and the CEO and co-founder of Resilient Performance Systems. Resilient seeks to systematically explore the continuum between acute rehabilitation and athletic performance, catering to a diverse clientele, including MLB, NBA, and Olympic athletes, as well as law enforcement and military special operations. Doug, a former U.S. Air Force Pararescueman and nationally certified paramedic, was recognized as one of the U.S. Air Force’s Outstanding Airmen of the Year in 2015.
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Joining Eric is a right-handed pitcher who was drafted by the Rockies in the second round of the 2017 MLB draft. The two discuss a number of different topics ranging from the college recruitment process, how taller athletes can approach long-term success strategies, as well as his rehab journey after a major shoulder surgery on his way back to the big leagues. Welcome to the show, Tommy Doyle.
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Eric chimes in with a solo episode, discussing some common incidental findings on diagnostic imaging - MRI, x-ray, CT scans - in baseball players. These are very important considerations both for player advocacy purposes, and also for us appreciating how to keep the next generation of players healthy in an era where sports medicine has struggled to keep up with the pitching injury epidemic.
Joining Eric today is a pitcher, who was selected in the 21st round of the 2009 MLB draft. After a stellar rookie season, in the years that followed he established himself as one of the most dominant closers in the MLB. Since 2017, he has had a few injuries and battled his way around the big leagues. He is currently a free agent during his rehab. Welcome to the show Trevor Rosenthal.
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Joining Eric is one of the coaches on staff at CSP. He has had an array of coaching experiences after his playing career and has participated in some fashion at every level of baseball. Welcome to the show Ethan Westphal.
Today's guest is a CSP OG, who is now the game planning and strategy coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates, welcome to the show Radley Haddad.
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Eric is tackling some listener questions in this episode! The three questions he will be addressing are:
1. Swimming in between starts for a pitcher
2. Detailed explanation of 'core muscle surgery
3. What do you do for someone who may be over-training?
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Today's guest is the Pitching and Associate Head Coach for the University of Alabama baseball. Welcome to the show Jason Jackson!
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Eric is solo today and ready to tackle a largely important topic, that will reach everyone in the baseball community which is velocity. He will discuss some of the downstream effects it has on the game, across all positions.
Joining Eric today is a long-time mentor and friend. He is the Director of strength and conditioning at Quinnipiac University for all 21 Varsity sports. Welcome to the show Brijesh Patel.
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Joining Eric today is a catcher who grew up in Tennessee and attended the University of North Carolina. He was drafted in 2012 MLB draft and made his big league debut in 2016. In 2019 he established himself as an MLB regular with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2021 he won his first golden glove as the catcher in the National League. Welcome to the show Jacob Stallings.
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Joining Eric today, is a New York Times Best Selling author of the book "You Can't Screw This Up" to discuss all things behavioral change, and optimize your efforts to become a better you.
We are back from a little break, and joining today is the podcast's first-ever two-time guest. He is the VP of Customer Success & Industry Solutions at Proteus Motion, please welcome to the show, Will Waterman.
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Today's guest played college ball as a two-way pitcher at the University of Oregon, and was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2011 MLB draft. Over the course of the next 7 years, he played for Marlins, Orioles, and Rockies. In 2018 he went overseas and played in Japan for four years. He is currently signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Welcome to the show Scott McGough.
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Today's episode is hosted by a guest Dan Rosen. Dan is a CSP strength and conditioning coach as well as a nutrition coach. He is going to tackle 10 topics for high school athletes to consider. The topics are:
Consistency
Calories
Macronutrients
Hydration
Grocery Shopping
Cooking
Liquid Calories
Supplements
Meal & Nutrient Timing
Variety
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Today's guest is in his 5th season as the head strength and conditioning coach with the Atlanta Hawks. He has previously worked for the Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, and Golden State Warriors. Please welcome to the show Mike Irr.
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Joining Eric today is a human performance scientist at Cal State University, and received his PhD. in human bioenergetics from Ball State. He has over 100 peer-reviewed publications and presentations. As a practitioner, he has worked with elite athletes in the UFC, MLB, Golf, NBA, NFL, Boxing, Olympics, and Military & Special Forces. Welcome to the show Dr. Andy Galpin.
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Joining Eric today is a human performance scientist at Cal State University, and received his PhD. in human bioenergetics from Ball State. He has over 100 peer-reviewed publications and presentations. As a practitioner, he has worked with elite athletes in the UFC, MLB, Golf, NBA, NFL, Boxing, Olympics, and Military & Special Forces. Welcome to the show Dr. Andy Galpin.
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Eric is solo today, tackling a few questions that have come across his inbox. The topics tackled in this Q&A are:
Tommy John Training (3:10)
Clean MRI's (20:56)
Shoulder surgery struggles (29:36)
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Joining Eric today is the assistant Athletic Director, and Direct of Olympic Sports Strength and Conditioning at Clemson University. He is also directly responsible for the strength and conditioning of the Clemson baseball team. Welcome to the show Rick Franzblau.
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Today's guest is the VP and Co-Founder of Cressey Sports Performance Florida. He specializes in manual therapy, where he works on athletes from Baseball, Tennis, Golf, and Football. Welcome to the show Shane Rye
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This week Eric is solo and dives dep into how pitching injuries occur.
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Today's guest is a sports medicine physician who has 41 peer-reviewed articles to his credit. He has been the team physician at Brown University since 2012, and is an active member of the Pediatric Research and Sports Medicine Society. Please welcome to the show, Dr. Peter Kriz
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Today's guest has served as the vice president of performance at the UFC performance institute in Las Vegas since 2017. Before that, he was the director of performance sciences at the University of Notre Dame. He is the author or co-author of over 50 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts. Welcome to the show, Dr. Duncan French.
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Today's guest served as the head strength and conditioning coach for the Denver Broncos for the previous 5 seasons. He is also the co-founder of Landow Performance, where he has trained the best of the best athletes in all sports. He has authored two books, lectured around the world, and more. Welcome to the show, Loren Landow.
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Joining Eric is a right-handed pitcher who was drafted by the Brewers in the second round of the 2013 MLB draft. He endured a Tommy John surgery in 2017, but has since made 158 MLB appearances, been named Reliever of the Month multiple times, and has now taken over the Brewers Closer role. Welcome to the show, Devin Williams.
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On this week's episode of the podcast, Eric has on someone who has been training at CSP for several years. He was drafted in the 11th round of the 2016 MLB draft by the Colorado Rockies. He made his MLB debut on September 5th of 2021. In 2022 he was picked by the Baltimore Orioles, where he is now a regular in their bullpen. Welcome to the show Bryan Baker
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Today's episode is the January Q&A, the questions Eric addressed are:
- Is there any big principles you try to keep in mind as you go through an assessment to guide your programming priorities?
- What are the key components of a warm-up?
- Can you please elaborate on Thoracic Outlet Syndrome?
- What do you think when you see a young kid throwing with such high velocity
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Today's guest is a left-handed pitcher from Alabama. After a stand-out high school career, he was selected 7th overall in the 2016 MLB draft by the Florida Marlins. After a tough start with Tommy John surgery after just four starts. He then made his MLB debut in 2020 and has now established himself as a big league regular. Welcome to those, Braxton Garret
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Today's guest holds the highest win percentage in the history of Commodore baseball. Vanderbilt has made 16 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, 5 world series appearances, 4 trips to the finals, and 2 National Championships. Since 2003 Vanderbilt has produced 54 All-Americans, and 29 players have made their major league debuts. Welcome to the show, Head Coach of Vanderbilt Baseball, Tim Corbin.
Eric is solo on today's episode heading into the New Year, and is tackling a topic that is highly important to him, which is, the problem with averages as they pertain to baseball development.
Thanks for another great year, and we will see you in 2023!
Today's episode is guest hosted by John O'Neil. The guest joining him is a left-handed pitcher who was drafted by the Blue Jays in 2016, and now plays for the Florida Marlins. Welcome to the show Jake Fishman
Joining Eric for today's episode of the podcast is a right-handed pitcher who played at the University of South Florida. After the 2018 MLB draft, he signed with Milwaukee Brewers as an undrafted free agent. He was called up to the big leagues on May 30th, 2022. In his first year, he made a total of 30 appearances. Welcome to the show Peter Strzelecki
Today's guest is a left handed pitcher from Boston, who pitched for the University Oregon for three years, where he holds the record for the most strikeouts in a single game, 20… In 2017 he was drafted 20th overall by New York Mets. He was called up to the bigs in July of 2020 where he has since become a regular in the Mets pitching lineup. Welcome, David Peterson!
Eric is solo on today's episode and he answering a few listener questions for this month's Q&A. The questions are:
- Please elaborate on the checks and balances of the throwing shoulder?
- What are some non-traditional predictors of injury we need to keep in mind in the baseball world?
- What are some next frontiers in baseball that get you excited?
Today's guest signed with the Tampa Bay Rays as a free agent in 2006. For 7 years he was a catcher in the Rays organization through as high as triple-A. He played his final season in 2014 with the Detroit Tigers organization, where he then retired to pursue his coaching career. After various different coaching positions over the years, in 2019 he was brought on by the San Francisco Giants as their bullpen and catching coach, which is where he is currently working at the time of this recording. Welcome to the show, Craig Albernaz!
Today's guest is a utility player who was born and raised in Michigan and was drafted to the big leagues in the 28th round of the 2008 MLB draft. He opted not to sign, and instead went on to play at Bowling Green University where he set multiple records for their program. Fast forward to 2011 and he was drafted by the Blue Jays. He persevered through 800 minor league games, where he eventually made his major league debut in September of 2018. He was traded in 2018 to the Miami Marlins, where he has established himself as a mainstay in their lineup. Welcome to the show, Jon Berti.
Today's guest is a utility player who attended Oakland University in Michigan from 2013-2016. He was recently inducted into their hall of honor earlier this year. He made his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays on June 23rd of 2019. He was traded to the Brewers after the 2021 season and has now played in over 200 major league games. Welcome to the show Mike Brosseau
This week's guest is a coaching legend. He has coached at multiple different levels, most notably his 23 years at Sacramento City College. While there he picked 18 league championships, 2 state titles, and 1 national championship in 1998. He has been the catching coordinator and manager of various big league teams, as well as coached with the US Olympic team. These are just a small portion of his very impressive resume. Please welcome to the show, Jerry Weinstein.
Eric is solo this week for the September Q&A.
He tackles three questions which are:
-
Over the years has there been any evolution in how you approach the rehab process with players who have had Tommy John surgery?
-
What is your approach to an athlete that has a hip extern/intern rotation total motion difference of greater than 10 degrees?
-
Any tips for helping to program athletes in the baseball realm where there are so many competing demands?
Today's guest is one of CSP's own, serving as the associate pitching coordinator at the Florida facility. He was a CSP client in high school, went on to play D1 college ball, and then transitioned back into the CSP training world. He is CSP's resident expert in coaching and throwing for our youngest athletes, and takes pride in making training fun and enjoyable. Welcome to the show Matt Ellmyer.
Today's guest is Duke baseball's 25th head coach, a position which he took over in June of 2012. He has helped Duke reach new achievements they had not previously reached in program history, one of many is leading the team to three consecutive post-seasons. He was the first Duke baseball coach to reach 100 career ACC wins, one of which was the program's first ACC tournament championship. Welcome to the show, Chris Pollard.
Today's guest is the editor of study summaries at Examine.com. he has a master's degree in medical science and public health from the University of Vermont. He is fascinated by the art and science of human improvement, especially as seen through the lenses of medicine, nutrition, fitness, and mindfulness. Welcome to the show, Nick Milazo
Eric is on the show solo today, and tackling a topic that has become very popular, not just in baseball, but in various different sports, and that topic is workload management. Eric talks about how to understand it, and then how to manage it. Enjoy!
Today's guest is joining us while on the road! He was selected in the 2020 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels. He made his big league debut on August 1st, 2021. On May 10th of 2022, he pitched the 12th no-hitter in Angels history, in just his 11th major league start. Welcome to the show Reid Detmers
Today's guest is a long-time friend of Eric's, someone who has often been confused as his doppelgänger in the early days of their careers. He is the owner of iFast, a top 10 gym in the U.S., and has worked with a wide range of clients and athletes from rehab patients to the professional athlete world. He holds a master's degree in sports biomechanics, he is a prolific writer and a masterful content creator. Welcome to the show Mike Robertson.
Today's guest is a long-time CSP athlete, and one of 5 athletes who started in the program at age 15, and has now gone on to play in the big leagues. He was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 9th round of the 2017 MLB draft. He was traded to the Angels in 2020, where he made his first major league start against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021. After being designated for assignment he was picked up by the Cardinals in 2022, where he has now made 7 appearances with 2 starts. Welcome to the show Packy Naughton!
This week's episode is a Q&A with your host, Eric Cressey!
The three questions Eric addresses are:
- Can you please explain why you would rather have an athlete be too tight versus too loose?
- Is the high-low model useful for position players in the season? Or are there better strategies?
- Do you have any particular recovery method that you are really excited about right now?
This week's guest was drafted out of high school, in the 13th round of the 1981 MLB draft, by the Chicago Cubs. He eventually found his way into coaching, where he procured an impressive resume on all levels of the game. He has two sons, one of which, Tyler, was previously on the show a few episodes ago. He has now turned his attention to helping families navigate baseball development, the travel ball scene, and the college recruiting process. Welcome to the show, Walter Beede!
On this week's episode of Elite Baseball Development Podcast, our guest is a keynote speaker, performance coach and consultant, and the founder of Art Of Coaching. He has an impressive resume of clients from professional athletes, to US Special Forces. He is also the best-selling author of the book Conscious Coaching: The Art and Science of Building Buy-In. Welcome to the show, Brett Bartholomew.
This week's guest played college ball at Le Moyne College where he split time as a pitcher and a shortstop. He then turned his focus exclusively to pitching as a Sophomore. He was drafted in the second round as the 72nd overall pick by the Cincinnati Reds. That December he was traded to the Dodgers where he made his big league debut in July of 2021. Not long after he was traded to the Washington Nationals where he has established himself as a mainstay in the National's starting rotation. Welcome to the show Josiah Gray
Today's guest was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2007 and made his big league debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011. He made an appearance in the World Series with the Cleveland Indians in 2016, the same year he led the league in hit by pitches. He announced his retirement in 2020 and is now a mental strength coach and the creator of the Major League Mindset program. Welcome to the show, Brandon Guyer!
Today's guest is a longtime CSP athlete, who started working with Eric when he was a sophomore in high school. He was selected 21st overall in the 2011 draft by the Blue Jays, but ultimately decided not to sign and instead go play college ball at Vanderbilt. In 2013 as one of the most elite pitchers in college, he was selected by team USA to play for the National team over the summer. The following season at Vanderbilt he helped lead the team to win the College World Series. Finally, he was drafted into the bigs in 2014 as the 14th overall pick and made his major league debut in 2018 with the San Francisco Giants.
As a long-time friend and trainer, Eric is uniquely positioned to ask specific questions that allow Tyler to highlight some of the most important pearls of wisdom he has gained over his evidently full and memorable journey to the big leagues. Enjoy episode 122!
Joining Eric on this week's episode, we have Drew VerHagen. Drew made his major league debut in 2014 for the Detroit Tigers where he pitched until 2019. From there, Drew played ball in Japan for two years and is now back in the big leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals. In addition to talking about his journey on the field, Drew also opens up about his battle with thoracic outlet syndrome and how it changed the way he approaches the game.
This week on the Elite Baseball Development Podcast, two guests joining Eric. Please welcome Cressey Sports Performance hitting coaches, Max Rios and Tyler Wolfe.
In this episode, Tyler and Max discuss their college and pro ball scouting reports, the biggest lessons they've learned over the years, training tactics, and, of course, what advice they would give to a young player looking to improve their game.
With baseball (finally) officially underway, Eric sits down to answer a few questions he has received in the previous weeks regarding baseball development as well as the management of players; topics that are vitally important for this time of year.
Today's guest was drafted fresh out of high school, 42nd overall in 2015 at 17 years old. From the Cleveland Guardians, please welcome Dr. Sticks aka Triston McKenzie.
In this episode, Eric and Triston recollect Triston's teenage years training with Eric, the unwavering humility Triston possessed when he was drafted, and some of the wisdom imparted on Triston in the early years of his career. Triston also shares what it was like to be drafted so young, the professional and personal adjustments he had to make, advice he would give to young pitchers looking to make their way to the show, and much more!
In this episode of EBDP, Eric goes solo and tackles a heavy-hitting topic: hypermobile athletes. Emphasizing that this is a common condition among athletes, he spotlights 10 ideas that all hypermobile athletes should consider when training. Eric gets into subtopics such as why certain areas might feel tight, the proper way to stretch, the best way to coach hypermobile athletes, and more.
This week's guest is retired sidearm pitcher, Cory Gearrin. Cory grew up playing ball in rural Tennessee and was drafted in the 4th Round by the Atlanta Braves in 2007. He pitched in the bigs for 9 years, making 337 career appearances and holding a career ERA of 3.61
In this episode, Eric and Cory discuss how Cory got into baseball, the transition to pitching sidearm, what it was like coming up in the league when he did, and any advice he would give to young athletes who aspire to play at the next level.
Zach Dechant, the Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Performance at Texas Christian University, joins the podcast with guest host, John O'Neil. Zach oversees the development of baseball at TCU as well as the development and implementation of the TCU sports performance internship program which has equipped over 250 coaches to enter the world of strength and conditioning over the last 15 years. Zach also conducts off-season work with athletes at the professional level.
Attending Orthopedic Surgeon and Co-Chief Emeritus of the HSS Sports Medicine Institute, Medical Director for the New York Mets, and medical consultant for the NBA Dr. David Altchek dives into understanding anterior shoulder pain.
In the episode, CSP-MA Director of Performance John O'Neil sits down with Director of Performance Scouting and Major League S&C Coach for the LA Dodgers Eric Yavarone to discuss the relationship between scouting and player development.
CSP-FL Pitching Coordinator Matt Hinkley dives into the multifaceted nature of pitching development.
In this episode, Eric Cressey provides a framework for tackling both short and long-term power development
Hosted by CSP co-founder Pete Dupuis, CSP-MA Director of Performance John O'Neil and Director of Pitching Jordan Kraus talk about the range of options available for summer player development, how players can best evaluate their summer situation and make the best decision for their career, and how CSP-MA models their summer program to maximize the development of the individual.
In Ep. 109, we countdown our Top 5 Episodes of 2021.
5 - Should Pitchers Take Time Off From Throwing?
(https://ericcressey.com/csp-elite-baseball-development-podcast-should-pitchers-take-time-off-from-throwing)
4 - Developing Pre- and Post-Throwing Routines w/ Tanner Allen
(https://ericcressey.com/csp-elite-baseball-development-podcast-developing-pre-and-post-throwing-routines-with-tanner-allen)
3 - High Performance Nutrition Principles w/ Brian St. Pierre
(https://ericcressey.com/csp-elite-baseball-development-podcast-high-performance-nutrition-principles-with-brian-st-pierre)
2 - Understanding Asymmetry w/ Ron Hruska
(https://ericcressey.com/csp-elite-baseball-development-podcast-understanding-asymmetry-with-ron-hruska)
1 - Current Concepts in Performance Training w/ Dan Pfaff
(https://ericcressey.com/csp-elite-baseball-development-podcast-current-concepts-in-performance-training-with-dan-pfaff)
In this episode, Eric Cressey answers a few of our audience's questions including: why some individual's come back stronger from Tommy John, what are the biggest mistakes made with long toss, and is it important to perform direct strengthening work for the forearm, wrists, and hands of throwers.
CSP-MA Pitching Coordinator Jordan Kraus dives into developing pitchers of all ages from youth athletes to high schoolers to high level college and professional arms.
CEO Sam Miller and Head of Performance and Sports Science Will Waterman of Proteus Motion talk the capabilities of the company and their innovative system, their developments in power testing and assessments, and how they are working to revolutionize strength and conditioning.
Catcher for the Detroit Tigers Eric Haase talks progressing through the ranks of the minor leagues, developing at the catching position, managing playing multiple defensive positions at the big league level, and his in-season and off-season training regimens.
Pitcher for the Colorado Rockies Chi Chi Gonzalez touches on his experience as a late bloomer from southern Florida, his development into a big league arm, and his ability to excel as both a starter and reliever.
In this solo podcast, EC answers if pitchers should take time off from throwing in the off-season. Should pitchers shut it down or keep it moving?
Hosted by the PitchingNinja himself, Rob Friedman, Eric Cressey and Alan Jaeger dive into the shortcomings of current rehab throwing protocols and how ballplayers can best rebuild, revamp, and recondition their arms to return to game speed.
Catcher for the Texas Rangers, Jose Trevino, discusses transitioning to catching as a youth athlete, gaining intangible skills to excel at the big league level, and making the most of his catching development.
Renowned track and field coach Dan Pfaff joins us on the podcast to discuss current concepts in performance training including elasticity vs. stiffness in plyometrics, individualizing training regimes, managing workload and mitigating injury, and the value of strength for athletes.
Pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals Daniel Ponce de Leon joins Eric on the show to discuss his unorthodox collegiate career, his journey to the big league stage, and the details of mastering his craft.
Precision Nutrition's Director of Nutrition Brian St. Pierre touches on the foundational principles of high quality nutrition and elaborates on his journey as a dietitian delivering life-changing, research-driven health and fitness coaching.
President of HAS-Motion, Director of Research at C-Motion, and CEO of Theia Markerless Dr. Scott Selbie joins us on the show to discuss the history of biomechanical modeling in baseball, the power of data science, specifically predictive modeling, for the health and performance of athletes, and where the future of biomechanics is headed.
In this episode, physical therapist Tanner Allen elaborates on establishing pre- and post-throwing routines.
15 weeks ago Eric went under the knife for a meniscus repair on his left knee. The procedure has turned out to be one of his most coveted continuing education experiences, and in this episode, he highlights the 10 lessons he has learned in the process of his recovery.
Reliever for the LA Dodgers Jimmy Nelson talks about his progression and breakthrough into the big leagues, developing elite feel for spinning various pitches, his mentality for consistently dominating the best hitters in the game, the compounding nature of his injury history, and why he is known as a recovery rockstar at CSP.
Reliever for the Cleveland Indians Nick Wittgren discusses his transition to becoming a pitcher-only in junior college, advancing the ranks of minor league baseball, developing his pitch mix to an MLB caliber arsenal, and his training and throwing routine in and out of season.
2020 NL Comeback Player of the Year Daniel Bard talks about his journey to being a 100 mph arm, his battle with command and brief hiatus from playing, and what it took to resurrect his career and join the Colorado Rockies.
Orthopedic surgeon at Andrew's Sport Medicine and Orthopedic Center who works in affiliation with the WWE, USA Cheer, the Birmingham Barons, and Troy University Dr. Jeffrey Dugas talks about the evolution of elbow surgeries from a surgical perspective and optimizing the rehabilitation process post-procedure.
To kick off 2021, we are highlighting our Top Episodes of 2020.
#1 - 43. Optimizing Rotational Power w/ Dr. Greg Rose (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elite-baseball-development-podcast/id1457825804?i=1000463305277)
#2 - 44. Mobility Methods w/ Dana Santas (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elite-baseball-development-podcast/id1457825804?i=1000463964366)
#3 - 50. Helping Hitters to Higher Ground w/ Doug Latta (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elite-baseball-development-podcast/id1457825804?i=1000468041060)
#4 - 54. Speed Training in Baseball w/ Lee Taft (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elite-baseball-development-podcast/id1457825804?i=1000470804268)
#5 - 69. Tackling Controversial Throwing Topics w/ Mike Reinold (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elite-baseball-development-podcast/id1457825804?i=1000485708860)
#6 - 62. Safer Sprint Training w/ Derek Hansen (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elite-baseball-development-podcast/id1457825804?i=1000476648016)
#7 - 76. Performance Principles and Progressions w/ Kelly Starrett (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elite-baseball-development-podcast/id1457825804?i=1000494844373)
#8 - 47. Tim Collins (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elite-baseball-development-podcast/id1457825804?i=1000466016199)
#9 - 68. From Negative to Neutral w/ Trevor Moawad (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elite-baseball-development-podcast/id1457825804?i=1000485021184)
#10 - 46. February Q&A (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elite-baseball-development-podcast/id1457825804?i=1000465331878)
Thank you for all your support in 2020, and we look forward to bringing you more great content in 2021.
For the 2nd episode of our Sports Medicine Series on the EBDP, prolific orthopedic surgeon, professor, and researcher and Minnesota Twins Medical Director, Team Physician, and Director of High Performance Dr. Christopher Camp explains:
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his research into sports injuries, specifically in the throwing arm
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what the most common injuries are for baseball players
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why shoulder injuries are on the decline in baseball but elbow injuries are increasing reciprocally
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why more attention needs to be paid to the adjacent joints of injury sites
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the alarming fact that injury rates in youth players are increasing at a faster rate than those of professional athletes
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selling athletes on injury-prevention programs
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differentiating between UCL repair and reconstruction
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rethinking the methods of Tommy John surgery
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understanding the demands of UCL in the throwing motion
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how active restraints aid in the acceptance of force across the elbow joint
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ulnar transposition: when should medical professionals do it?
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the normal adaptations of the throwing shoulder and why no throwing arm will look healthy on an MRI
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Dr. Camp's algorithm for deciding to perform shoulder surgery
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concerns and considerations for Bennett Lesions
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Bicep-Labral Complex injuries and how sports medicine professionals can better manage the complexity of these injuries in throwing populations
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thoracic outlet syndrome and how our understanding of this injury has evolved in recent years
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what the most valuable measures for assessing the shoulder are
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why we should care about total motion at the shoulder as opposed to internal rotation deficit
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looking beyond the motion of the shoulder and into the the trunk and lower extremities for answers regarding arm injuries
-what exactly he hopes to research into the future including: optimizing Tommy John surgical practices and individualizing rehabilitation programs
Welcome to our Sports Medicine Series on the EBDP! On today's show, renowned PT, author, and speaker Kelly Starrett talks:
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becoming a savage generalist before specializing as a coach
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the power of connecting inputs and outputs for creating lasting change in our clients
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understanding when enough strength is enough and why to prioritize regaining and recoordinating ROM
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social media strategies for success in the fitness industry
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why simplification reigns supreme for creating consistent habits
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strategies for managing movement-related issues, like hyper mobility
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the language of strength and conditioning
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the shortcomings of his early coaching career and the lessons learned on the path of professional development
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the power of walking for systemic health
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mobilizing a sedentary youth
Eric Cressey sits down in this monthly Q&A to discuss if early sports specialization is worth the investment, what the potential risks and rewards for specializing early, and how parents and coaches alike can facilitate the best development for their athletes.
CSP-MA Director of Performance John O'Neil sits down with friend and Performance Coach for the Atlanta Hawks Ty Terrell. Ty's professionally journey demonstrates the power of gaining experience as he has grown from his roots of coaching youth sports camps to now developing athletes at the highest level of basketball. He discusses the need for coaches to develop a large sample size and find the true value in executing reps in their craft. Ty dives into the details of assessment and how he uses the squat specifically to understand a client's ability to unload and load their joints, and he goes on to highlight the movement competencies of elite throwers. Ty believes that all complexities of movement can be boiled down to basic, foundational principles, and he discusses the structuring of his model for movement, designing exercises that translate to performance, and implementing new learnings into practical application with clients. Ty further explains that the science of coaching is nothing without the art of it mentioning how coaches can better build rapport with athletes, evaluate an athlete's performance needs, and leverage professional networks to develop as a coach. At the end of the day, Ty emphasizes his passion for movement and developing athletes, his gratitude to the trenches, his prior experiences, and life-long mentors, and the lessons learned for building a model for movement.
Rising star for the Oakland A's Jesús Luzardo discusses his high school tribulations with Tommy John, gaining a competitive advantage by dialing in his nutrition, the development of his slider in pro ball, and how he differentiates his 4-seam and 2-seam fastball.
Former Red Sox star Kevin Youkilis talks about developing discipline in the box, making the real-time adjustments that matter at the plate, the power of being versatile defensively, the current complexity bias in professional baseball, and making youth athletics fun again.
Bill Hartman, renowned physical therapist and co-owner of IFAST Physical Therapy, discusses how his perspective has changed since first entering the world of rehabilitation nearly 30 years ago, what is infrasternal angle and how can we use this assessment tool to impact performance, how much strength is too much strength for athletes, and how professionals can continue to evolve their craft and remain curious learners.
Former big leaguer Tom Koehler discusses developing a grinder's mentality, learning to differentiate his curveball and slider, consistently starting in a 5-day rotation for nearly 8 years, and the capsular shoulder injury that ended his career.
Owner of Champion PT, senior medical advisor to the Chicago White Sox, and award winning physical therapist Mike Reinold sits down with Eric to tackle two of the most pressing baseball performance topics: the loss of shoulder internal rotation in throwing populations and the sleeper stretch, weighted ball training and maximizing your throwing development, and how Mike's research provides clarity in these areas.
Renowned mental conditioning coach and strategic advisor for elite athletes and organizations alike Trevor Moawad discusses what the current shortcomings of sports psychology are, why unconditional positivity is not the answer for developing an elite mentality, how truly impactful negativity is and why individuals need to eliminate it from their life, and what is influence and how parents and coaches can better shrive, guide, and influence their players.
Research Director of ASMI and renowned biomechanist Dr. Glenn Fleisig talks about being at the forefront of integrating biomechanics into the world of baseball, his research and what science tells us about the mechanics of throwing, where the future of biomechanics is heading, and what areas of study the industry should work to close the gap on in baseball.
Eric answers 4 listener-submitted questions including: what the best recovery drills are after pitching, how collegiate pitchers should adjust their throwing and training to prepare for the 2021 season, what advice he has for S&C coaches looking to specify in the development of baseball players, and what the focus of high school athletes' strength training should be, sport-specific or more general.
Pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers Josh Lindblom highlights finding his identity as a reliever, his experience playing baseball in the KBO and how this experience influenced his game, managing a huge usage spike in 2015, and the progression of his pitch arsenal through his career, including the development of a splitter and cutter.
Dusty Blake Pitching Coach at Duke University discusses the transformation of Duke baseball under Chris Pollard, the true definition of being blue collar, effectively using Trackman and other data resources for impacting player performance, maximizing the college recruiting process, and relying on brutal honesty and conviction to routine as the means for performing consistently.
First-base coach for the San Francisco wants Antoan Richardson dives into being the Bahamian baseball player to play in the MLB and the culture of baseball in the Bahamas, developing the skills of base stealers and outfielders, scoring the game winning run on Deter Jeter's final hit in Yankee Stadium, and how is is working to be ambassador for his home country, specifically through Project Limestone.
Speed training specialist and consultant for multiple professional and national teams Derek Hansen sits down with John Oneil to talk maximizing speed training, coaching sprint technique, rehabilitating hamstring strains, and simplifying his coaching philosophy.
Eric Cressey sits down to talk about the key factors of player development that need to be considered as baseball restarts, what lessons we can learn from others around the world who have already started playing baseball again, what insights we can gain from previous shutdowns in sports, such as the 2011 NFL Lockdown, how professionals can most appropriately manage players’ workloads as they ramp up to full competition, and how coaches can best transition their athletes into playing baseball again safely.
Reliever for the Oakland A's Lou Trivino talks about his transformation from an 89 mph starter into a 99 mph reliever, how adding a coil to his delivery allowed him to create more tension in his throwing motion and find untapped potential in his arm, how developing a cutter changed his game, how throwing a good cutter is less about grip and more about approach behind the pitch and feel for the ball out of the hand, and how he prepares for the demands of throwing daily at the big league level.
Kolten Wong second baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals talks about the culture of Hawaiian baseball and how his father has influenced his baseball career, how understanding his strengths and remaining versatile as a defender have allowed him to find continued success in baseball, how players can improve their defensive skills and manage the details of the game to develop an edge defensively, and how he prepares physically and mentally to remain one of the best defenders in baseball.
Join Eric Cressey and CSP-FL pitching coaches, Mark Lowy and Brian Kaplan, as we sit down with Corey Kluber, Blake Treinen, Adam Ottavino, Brandon Kintzler, Mike Soroka, and Steve Cishek to discuss the nuances of throwing an elite two-seam fastball.
Head of Athletic Performance and Science for the Irish Rugby Football Union Nick Winkelman discusses his interest in the art of coaching, how coaches can better train both the physiology and psychology of athletes, how professionals can maximize interventions with clients through their use of language, how coaches can leverage analogy, an athlete’s language, and emotional hashtags in the learning process to enhance memory, and where internal and external cueing fit in an athlete’s movement development.
NY Yankees Quality Control Coach and Catching Coordinator Tanner Swanson highlights the key competencies of elite catchers and how new data is redefining the significance of receiving, why coaches should prioritize teaching catchers to block and throw from their best receiving position, how catchers can find balance between comfort and functionality in their stance, why blocking should be emphasized as an extension of receiving, and how catchers can better command the bottom of the strike zone.
Mitch Haniger, outfielder for the Seattle Mariners, hops on a call to talk about why smart guys struggle to be good hitters and what he's doing to simplify his swing and hitting approach, what are the common philosophies and characteristics of the hitting coaches he has worked with, why he prioritizes controlling the controllables and what ways he practices attention, focus, and mindfulness in his daily life, and what defensive skills he emphasizes mastering to ensure he is contributing to stopping runs.
John O'Neil sits down with speed development specialist Lee Taft to discuss the 7 movement patterns for speed and how coaches can effectively teach these actions to their athletes, how stance and set up can be exploited to optimize speed as a base stealer and defensive player, the concept of a false step when starting a sprint and how we can truly evaluate if a player is accelerating properly, and how and where baseball can be better at training speed from the youth to professional level.
Head Baseball Coach at Auburn University Butch Thompson discusses what the nonnegotiable skills are that make up a great pitcher and how he works as a coach to develop the best collegiate talent, how do roles and responsibilities evolve as coaches progress through the ranks of collegiate baseball, what is fear and what are five principle for overcoming fear, and how athletes and parents alike can better relate to coaches and navigate the recruiting process more effectively.
Renowned physical therapist and co-owner of Conte Sport Performance Therapy Stan Conte highlights the rehabilitation process from Tommy John surgery and how players can best manage their return to throwing program, how long it takes a UCL graft to transform from tendon to ligament, and his role in the integration of MLB’s first injury surveillance system (HITS).
Mark Lowy, strength coach and pitching coach at CSP-FL, talks about how the CSP-FL staff went about creating personalized pitching reports for their pitchers this offseason, how he balances using analytics and preserving the human element of coaching, how understanding individuals' specific movement profiles and diverse pitching arsenals sets the stage for providing effective feedback and intervention as a coach, and why synergy amongst staff is vital for creating the best experience for your athletes.
Private Hitting Coach Doug Latta discusses why he has been a pioneer for hitting the ball in the air and what misconceptions have evolved from this belief, why having balance in a swing is crucial for the success of hitters, and where the future of hitting is headed as we progress into the new decade.
Eric Cressey sits down with Dakota Herman to discuss how bullpen arms should be lifting in season to optimize their performance both at the professional and collegiate level, how hitters can mitigate the stressors placed on the lead shoulder of their swing, what recent history and research says about bicep tenodesis and recovery and what baseball players should be aware of when considering this procedure, and what high school coaches can do to best prepare their pitchers for week one of spring season.
Starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians Aaron Civale discusses how he has developed and differentiated a 6 pitch arsenal, how the spike in strikeouts across major league baseball doesn't have to come at the cost of missing the strike zone, and what process-oriented mindset he has adopted to find continued success throughout his baseball career.
Relief Pitcher for the Colorado Rockies Tim Collins discusses how dialing in his strength training and managing the details of his lifestyle allowed him to maximize his undersized 5'7" frame and develop into a mid-90s arm out of high school, how developing a changeup in AA gave him the edge he needed to become an MLB mainstay, and how fixing a nagging hernia injury after the Royals 2014 World Series run evolved into back to back Tommy John surgeries that sat him out of the '15 and '16 season.
Eric answers your submitted Instagram questions including: why pitch counts are important despite their contradiction to the accepted belief of the SAID Principle, what coaches should consider when incorporating vertical pulling with athletes who have a history of lat injury, what're the best exercises for strengthening the deceleration muscles of the throwing motion, and what professionals should assess in an athlete when personalizing an arm care program.
Pitcher for the Seattle Mariners Justin Dunn talks about how he transformed from a runt touching 70 mph as a freshman into the low-90s arm that became drafted out of high school, how the methodology of Alan Jaeger and the implementation of long toss into his routine allowed him to capitalize on his athleticism mechanically and learn how to manage his workload throughout his career, and how simplification of his process and mastery of his secondary pitches have allowed him to develop into a big leaguer.
Mobility expert Dana Santas discusses why she chose to leave her job in corporate real estate to pursue her passion for yoga, how she marketed herself as a young instructor to be able to bring mobility techniques to professional sports organizations, and what individuals should be cognizant of when looking to work with a mobility expert and make strides in their own movement quality.
Dr. Greg Rose, Co-Founder of Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), talks about how he originally studied engineering in college but eventually found his path in the health industry through golf as a doctor of chiropractic, what it truly means for rotational athletes to move efficiently, and what professionals should consider and what strategies they can implement when analyzing and maximizing an athlete's career over their entire athletic life span.
Eric answers your submitted Instagram questions including: how pitchers should model their training in a 7-day rotation, what are the risks and specific considerations for using blood flow restriction techniques with pitchers, and what do submariners and sidearmers have to do differently in their training.
Closer for the Cleveland Indians Brad Hand discusses his development into a big leaguer after being a second round draft pick out of high school, how he learned to simplify his mechanics and find consistency on the rubber, why he decided to scrap his curveball in the minors and instead develop a slider, and how his preparation and routine has evolved since transitioning from a starting pitcher to a heavily relied on relief pitcher.
Kyle Hendricks, starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, discusses how he learned to manipulate and put movement on the baseball specifically his change up, cut change, and 2 seam, what his mental approach is for being a consistently effective pitcher, and how pitchers who don't have elite velocity can separate themselves from the competition.
NYY Pitcher Mike King talks about the lessons learned playing baseball at Boston College under Mike Gambino and Jim Foster, how pitchers can build chemistry with their catchers and create a better plan for attacking hitters, the conversation he shared with Max Scherzer about developing a slider, and how he has developed an analytical approach to preparing and performing in games.
Utility player for the Phillies Brad Miller discusses why he decided to attend Clemson out of high school, how he was able to seamlessly transition into affiliate baseball and play less than 2 years in the minors before being called up to the show, how he became a utility player despite being drafted as an elite shortstop, what valuable experiences he has learned from playing for 7 different MLB organizations, and what hip issues he was been battling prior to 2019 that forced him to have 2 major surgeries.
Former big leaguer and current CSP-FL Hitting Coordinator Will Middlebrooks reflects on the ups and downs of his professional career including: hitting a home run off Mariano Rivera, playing alongside the great David Ortiz, and the controversial obstruction call of the 2013 World Series. Beyond his playing experience, Will dives into how he has transitioned into coaching, how adjusting approach can often fix hitting mechanics, and how players can make the most of recording a hitting log.
Dr. Chris Ahmad, Professor at Columbia University, attending orthopedic surgeon, team physician for sports teams from high school to professional, and renowned author and lecturer, discusses what makes the anatomy and function of the elbow so complex for throwing populations, where challenges lie in the reconstruction, rehabilitation, and recovery of elbow injuries, and where the future of research and medical practices are heading to progress elbow treatments.
Sam Fuld, former MLB outfielder and current Player Information Coordinator for the Philadelphia Phillies, explains how analytics is being utilized to aid in player development rather than strictly player evaluation and game preparation, how coaches can learn to more efficiently disseminate data and individualize communication to athletes, what experiences and lessons Sam encounter on his journey to becoming a big leaguer, and how having the information he has available today would have impacted his career.
Renowned author and Director of National Accounts and Sports Teams for Marc Pro Gary Reinl talks about his experience in sports medicine for 40 plus years, how medical professionals are misunderstanding the mechanisms for promoting recovery of damaged tissue, why individuals should do away with icing and the RICE protocol, how e-stim helps to promote tissue preservation and regeneration, and how people can maximize the effectiveness of stim devices, like Marc Pro.
Brandon McDaniel, Director of Athletic Development and Performance Science for the LA Dodgers, discusses how he ascended through pro ball to his current role with the Dodgers, what strength coaches can do to broaden their skillset and add value to their current and future organizations, how Brandon approaches developing big leaguers, and how the Dodgers have worked to create a common, consistent culture throughout their organization to set themselves a part in baseball.
Eric Schoenberg, Physical Therapist for the new CSP-FL location, sheds light on how the world of physical therapy has evolved since initially graduating from PT school, what rehab professionals should be focusing on to refine their practice and better serve their patients, how rehab specialists and strength and conditioning professionals can better communicate and create a more cohesive experience for athletes, and how he approaches educating his clients for a healthy life beyond the clinic.
Founder and Owner of Eleat Sports Nutrition and sports dietician to many collegiate and professional athletes Angie Asche provides clarity in the often confusing world of dietary supplementation and provides guidance on the real truths athletes should consider when looking to add dietary supplements into their daily nutritional routine.
Former MLB star Rick Ankiel talks about how battled with the yips, how he has learned to simplify the game of baseball and strengthen his mental approach, how organizations are helping young stars find security in the big leagues, and how he transitioned from a pitcher to an outfielder.
Major League Hitting Coach for the St. Louis Cardinals Jeff Albert discusses how he has worked his way through the ranks of professional baseball as a coach with minimal professional playing experience, how his background in strength and conditioning influences his ability to be an effective skills coach, and what the event SlugFest 2019 is all about and what his role is in creating this awesome learning experience for the baseball and softball world.
Aaron Barrett, relief pitcher for the Washington Nationals, talks about the injuries that forced him away from competitive baseball for four years, the hard work and determination it took to overcome one of the most unusual and catastrophic injuries baseball has ever seen, the rehabilitation process he progressed through to return to playing in the major leagues, and the routines he implements to continue to remain healthy and find success at the highest level.
CSP Strength Coach and Pitching Coach Kyle Driscoll reflects on the details of our 2019 Elite College Development Program and the lessons learned from developing these collegiate arms, why pitchers need to have realistic expectations and set obtainable goals, why pitchers should be prioritizing improving their pitchability instead being velocity hungry, and what the is synergy between training and pitching and how coaches can prioritize getting their pitchers in better positions on the mound.
Alan Jaeger, Founder of Jaeger Sports, talks about what long toss is and what its specific benefits are for throwers, how ballplayers can improve their daily catch play and the programming of their throwing regime, how professionals can improve rehab throwing programs, and how prioritizing individuality can preserve the longevity of players' careers as well as help organizations develop players more effectively.
Director of CSP-MA John O’Neil and Eric Cressey sit down to discuss their approach to off-season training for high school, college, and professional athletes including: what training qualities they prioritize throughout an off-season, how they periodize their off-season training model, and how coaches can best prepare athletes for the demands of their sport.
Logan Morrison, first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies, explains how baseball has changed since being a draft and follow in 2005, how training to be more durable and simplifying his process at the plate has allowed him to have a breakout 2017 season, how he has learned to read pitchers and take advantage of their tells, and what coaches and teammates have been most impactful to his development and career as a ballplayer.
Ben Hansen, VP of Motus Global, talks about why acute and chronic workloads matter, how we can better manage the health of pitchers, how pitching mechanics translate into arm stress on the mound, and how Motus Global has become the innovative software company it is today.
Mike Soroka, starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, discusses how he transformed from an undersized, lengthy high school ball player to one of the youngest players in the big leagues, how he mastered his deceptive delivery, how he differentiates his four-seam and two-seam fastball, and why he has embraced a growth mindset rooted failing fearlessly.
Dr. John Berardi, Co-founder of Precision Nutrition, speaks about nutritional practices, dietary behavioral modifications, coaching strategies for influencing athletes, and his business and content creation model for Precision Nutrition.
Alex Wood, starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, discusses how his experience with Tommy John surgery during his senior season of high school impacted his early career, how he quickly ascended to the big leagues after being a second round pick out of Georgia, how he has mastered his unorthodox, herky-jerky pitching delivery, how he postponed learning to throw an effective breaking ball until pitching in show ball, and what adjustments he made as a young big leaguer to have a break out season in 2017.
Eric Cressey breaks down the true value long distance running brings to baseball players and where ballplayers and coaches alike can make changes to the traditional baseball training model to achieve better results.
Brandon Kintzler, relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, discusses his journey through professional baseball from a 40th round draft pick to an MLB All-Star, his experience playing Independent League Baseball, how reincorporating his lower half into his pitching delivery after injury and training to be durable transformed his ability to be an effective pitcher, how he has learned to consistently power a two-seam fastball, and his relationship with Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer.
Closer for the Oakland Athletics, Blake Treinen, talks about his journey from playing JV at a small NAIA school to walking on and dominating at a Division 1 program, how improving his body composition and learning to throw with intent allowed him to develop into an elite arm, how he has relied on his faith in God to battle through adversity and make his dreams a reality, and how he has refined his pitching arsenal to exploit hitter's weakness and create a greater margin of success for his abilities.
Dr. Stuart McGill, former professor at the University of Waterloo and Chief Scientific Officer for Backfitpro Inc., discusses the anatomy and biomechanics of the spine, the considerations for training rotational athletes, what to consider when assessing, diagnosing, and rehabilitating back injuries, such as spondylolysis, and understanding fascia and how it impacts human movement patterns.
Bobby Tewksbary, owner and co-founder of Tewksbary Hitting and renowned hitting instructor and author, explains the evolution of hitting over the last decade, how technology is transforming the world of hitting, and his hitting philosophy.
Dr. Brandon Marcello, pro, olympic, and collegiate high performance expert, talks about the major components of quality recovery, the importance of sleep, the implications for accumulating sleep debt, how athletes of all levels, high school, college, and professional, can manage their current situations to maximize their sleep opportunities, what the modern myths and misconceptions are in the world of sleep science, and why routine reigns king when establishing impactful sleeping habits.
Starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals Miles Mikolas sheds light on why he chose to attend powerhouse Division 2 school Nova Southeastern, how his work in college propelled him to be an MLB draft pick, how he smoothly transitioned from a reliever to a starter in pro ball, why he chose to leave Major League Baseball in 2014 to play ball overseas in Japan, how he has developed to be a more consistent and efficient pitcher throughout his career, and what it is liking pitching to MLB legend Yadier Molina.
LA Dodgers outfielder AJ Pollock discusses how he was recruited as a talented hitter from Connecticut, how he seamlessly has transitioned from high school to college to pro ball and found success at each level, how the game of baseball has changed since being drafted a decade ago, how he balances the use of data analytics and sticking to his strengths to formulate a hitting approach that works for him, and why hard work and consistency trump any secret recipe to success in the game of baseball.
Relief pitcher with the Baltimore Orioles Richard Bleier discusses how he remained patient and persevered through 9 seasons in the minor leagues, how he transformed from a career minor leaguer to one of the best statistical pitchers to ever toe a big league rubber, how the implementation of more change ups and the development of a cutter transformed Richard from a solely sinker away pitcher to a more consistent hurler, and what Richard's experience was battling a lat strain last season.
Pitching Coach for the Arkansas Razorbacks Matt Hobbs discusses how aspiring college players can take ownership of their recruiting process, how players and parents can communicate more effectively with college coaches, what parents and players should be investing in to maximize their recruiting process, and what lessons he has learned through his experience as a player and coach.
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Scott Oberg talks about what his college recruiting process was like, why he chose to attend to UConn and compete in the talented Big East, how he has battled through multiple medical setbacks in his career, how becoming more self-aware has allowed him to command his pitches and become a mainstay in an MLB bullpen, and how he has become a mentor to Texas Rangers minor league pitcher Tyler Phillips.
Starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels Tyler Skaggs discusses his journey to the big leagues after being drafted out of high school in 2009, the refinement of his elite curveball as he progressed through pro ball, how the game of baseball has evolved since being drafted a decade ago, and what the characteristics are of coaches who have helped and hindered his development.
Eric Cressey and Christian Wonders sit down to discuss what scientific research says about throwing curveballs in youth populations, how and when curveballs should be integrated into a youth pitcher's development, and how pitchers can learn to develop a successful breaking ball starting at a young age.
Reliever for the NY Yankees Adam Ottavino sheds light on why he chose to attend Northeastern University, how he has developed his nasty pitching arsenal, how the tribulations of his 2017 season led to the creation of his lab in Manhattan and propelled him to a successful 2018, what his throwing routine is and how throwing with conviction transformed his catch play, and what his mental approach is to remain level headed through a big league season.
Former MLB pitcher and current Mental Skills Coordinator for the Chicago Cubs, Bob Tewksbury, talks about his professional baseball career, what led him to become a mental skills coach, ending the stigma around mental skills coaching and overcoming the reluctance players have towards discussing mental skills, the importance of self awareness and building a system to govern your mentality, and how parents and coaches can be more cognizant of the psychological environment they are fostering for their kids.
Utility man with the Cleveland Indians, Ryan Flaherty, talks about his decision to attend Vanderbilt, his early college struggles and how he became a utility player, the versatility a utility player adds to a MLB lineup, the details of his preparation in order to be ready to play any position on any given night, and his thoughts on being a manager after his playing days.
Chicago Cubs reliever Steve Cishek reveals why he chose to attend Carson-Newman and the discipline and camaraderie of college baseball that sparked his development, how he manipulates his trunk position to use his lower half in his pitching delivery, his humility and creating an atmosphere that fosters growth, and how he flips this switch To shut the door out of the bullpen.
Gold Glove second baseman, Joe Panik, discusses the challenges and criticism he faced early in his career as a hitter from the Northeast, why he chose to attend St. John’s University, his fundamental focused mindset and how he has used it to build a tool set tailored to his strengths, the culture of the San Francisco Giants, and adjustments he’s made to his training and hitting this off-season in preparation for a successful 2019.
2-time AL Cy Young Award winner, Corey Kluber, sheds light on the processes that have helped him become the pitcher he is today, his strategies for performing on game day, the mentality he has developed to become such an elite competitor, how he designed the pitches in his arsenal, and his long-term approach to development.
Welcome to the CSP Elite Baseball Development Podcast! In this episode, president and co-founder of Cressey Sports Performance, Director of Player Health and Performance for the New York Yankees, and now host of the Elite Baseball Development Podcast, Eric Cressey, explains why he is starting this podcast and gives details to the multifaceted baseball education he will provide his listeners on each episode.