Episodes
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In this episode, I sit down with Clay Martin, pitching coach at the University of Pittsburgh, to talk about what it really takes to compete on the mound at the highest level of college baseball and what separates pitchers who get there from those who don't.
Clay breaks down his journey from Division III to the ACC, what he learned building one of the best pitching staffs in Division II at Seton Hill, and what the biggest adjustments have been in his first year coaching in the ACC at Pitt.
We also get into the development side, why Clay believes failure is the most underrated tool in a pitcher's growth, what he would do completely differently if he could coach young pitchers over again, and what he saw in national Pitcher of the Year Ian Korn before anyone else did.
This conversation is especially valuable for pitchers and families trying to understand what the jump to elite college baseball really looks like and what coaches are actually evaluating when they recruit at the highest level.
Topics Covered:
0:00 Intro
0:05 What it was like competing at the ACC Tournament for the first time
2:00 The biggest adjustments Clay has made coaching in the ACC at Pitt
3:47 How TrackMan is changing the strike zone in college baseball and what it means for pitchers
5:45 What made Seton Hill one of the best Division II programs in the country
7:37 The biggest lesson Clay took from his time at Seton Hill
8:57 What is Seton Hill's secret sauce for recruiting good players year after year
10:51 The real talent difference between Division II and ACC baseball
13:00 How Clay recruits pitchers to fit the park and the program at Pitt
14:37 Is struggling to put hitters away a mental problem or a mechanical one
16:09 Command first or velocity first and which pitcher Clay would rather recruit
18:00 The resources at Pitt that give pitchers a real developmental edge
19:46 The one thing Clay wants to do better as a pitching coach next season
22:02 The biggest coaching lesson Clay learned working with 14U travel ball players
24:37 Why keeping it simple is the most underused tool in player development
25:51 When Clay realized Ian Korn had what it took to become national Pitcher of the Year
28:22 Was there ever a hidden gem Clay found that other schools overlooked
31:00 Why Clay calls Pittsburgh a dream job and what makes Pitt a special place to play
Follow Clay Martin and Pitt Baseball:
Twitter/X: @ClayMart_
Instagram: @therealclaymartin
Twitter/X (Pitt Baseball): @Pitt_BASE
Check Out Patrick's Stuff:
• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit
• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, I sit down with Nick Flesher, recruiting coordinator and pitching coach at Milligan University, to talk about what it really takes to get recruited as a pitcher and what college coaches are actually evaluating when they get you on the phone.
Nick breaks down how Milligan builds their recruiting classes, why transparency with recruits matters more than selling a dream, and how their unique stackable aid system makes a high-academic school more affordable than most families expect.
We also get deep into the development side, why Nick doesn't call pitches during games, how he builds relationships with pitchers before he builds their mechanics, and what he's learned from being wrong in front of his players.
This conversation is especially valuable for pitchers, parents, and families trying to understand what coaches are really listening for during that first phone call and what separates the guys who get offers from the ones who don't.
Topics Covered:
0:00 Intro
0:04 What late May looks like for a coaching staff after the season ends
1:02 Why JUCO guys wait longer to commit and how Milligan operates around that
2:09 How Milligan's recruiting process works across all three coaches
3:35 The stackable aid system and how Milligan makes tuition more affordable
4:41 How late Milligan will go on a recruiting class and why
6:00 FaceTime campus tours and how Nick started using them for out of state recruits
7:22 Nick's personal portal journey from JUCO to Southeastern Louisiana to Tuskegee
8:26 Why Milligan is fully transparent with recruits about roster spots and roles
9:33 What Nick listens for the moment a pitcher picks up the phone
11:00 Why Milligan doesn't call pitches and the thumbs in vs index out philosophy
14:00 How Milligan's catchers are trained to become an extension of the pitching coach
14:57 The pitcher who went from struggling starter to a key contributor and what changed
18:20 What it looks like when Nick admits he was wrong to a pitcher mid-season
19:46 The hardest conversation Nick has had with a player and what he learned from it
22:39 Why getting to know a pitcher as a person comes before developing him as a player
23:10 What Nick attributes Milligan's 40-plus win seasons to over the last several years
24:32 Nick's favorite pitch to teach and why the knuckle ball is his secret dream
26:01 How Nick teaches a seam-shifted changeup to supinator pitchers
27:00 The hardest pitch to improve and what Nick does to fix a dead-zone fastball
28:00 Velocity or command first in recruiting and the minimum velo Nick will consider
29:15 The most underrated trait in a pitcher
29:52 The biggest recruiting red flag Nick sees
31:23 The most unexpected thing Nick has witnessed at a showcase or recruiting trip
Follow Milligan Baseball:
Twitter/X: @BuffBallMBB
Twitter/X (Nick): @CoachFlesh
Check Out Patrick's Stuff:
• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit
• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, I sit down with Justin Ebert, hitting coach and recruiting coordinator at Greensboro College, to talk about what it really takes to develop as a hitter at the college level and what high school players and families should be doing right now to prepare.
Justin shares how his background in psychology shapes the way he communicates with hitters, why mental resilience matters just as much as mechanics, and how he builds individualized routines that set guys up for success from day one.
We also get into the recruiting side of things, how Greensboro evaluates players, what intangibles they look for beyond tools and stats, and how the transfer portal has changed the landscape for high school showcases.
This conversation is especially valuable for high school players and families who want to understand what college coaches are actually looking for and how development, attitude, and fit can matter more than rankings or division level.
Topics Covered:
0:00 Intro
0:53 Justin's origin story and path from player to coach
3:46 Why psychology changed how Justin coaches and communicates
4:45 How he helps hitters manage failure and stay mentally even
6:10 The biggest gap for incoming freshmen, building a routine
7:31 How Justin builds individual drill routines for each hitter
8:30 Tee work and underhand toss philosophy at Greensboro
9:55 Where Justin learned his hitting philosophy and who influenced him
11:13 Using visual cues instead of mechanical adjustments
11:48 Batter's box positioning and two-strike approach
14:38 Justin's experience playing travel baseball with the Canes
16:31 What Justin learned coaching travel ball with Team Elite and the Canes
18:34 How the recruiting landscape has changed since he played
19:46 Players who surprised him during the recruiting process
21:10 How the transfer portal has changed showcase baseball
21:17 When Greensboro starts recruiting and how they build their classes
25:37 The type of player and person Greensboro looks for
26:58 Why Greensboro College baseball is a family and what makes it different
29:03 Life in Greensboro, the city, campus, and culture
30:16 Best local food spots in Greensboro
32:10 Campus life, housing, and living situation for players
33:46 Facilities and why coaching matters more than resources
35:27 What Justin will do differently in his second year as hitting coach
Follow Greensboro Baseball:
Twitter/X: @GCPrideBaseball
Instagram: @GreensboroCollegeBaseball
TikTok: @GCBaseball
Check Out Patrick's Stuff:
• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit
• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, I sit down with Nate Cole, recruiting coordinator and pitching coach at Harvard University, to talk about what it actually takes to play baseball at one of the most selective schools in the country.
Nate walks through Harvard’s recruiting process, what they look for academically, how they evaluate players beyond stats and rankings, and why being a great student alone is not enough to play at the Division 1 level.
We also get into the development side of Harvard baseball, including how Nate works with pitchers, how they use technology and data, why some players need more simplicity instead of more information, and what separates players who succeed at the college level.
This conversation is especially valuable for players and families who want to understand the balance between academics, baseball ability, work ethic, and finding the right fit in the recruiting process.
Topics Covered:
What Harvard looks for in baseball recruits
How academics filter the recruiting process
Why GPA, SATs, and AP classes matter
The importance of challenging yourself early in high school
How Harvard evaluates players in person
Why Harvard recruits nationally for small classes
What families misunderstand about Ivy League recruiting
Why being “an Ivy League kid” is not specific enough
The type of player Harvard baseball wants
Why players need to be self-driven
How Nate develops pitchers at Harvard
Using technology, data, and video in player development
Why some players overthink and need to simplify
The role of passion, work ethic, and love for baseball
How baseball can open academic opportunities
The biggest mistakes families make in recruiting
Why fit matters more than logos, rankings, or scholarships
Follow Nate Cole:
X: https://x.com/NateCole33
Check Out Patrick's Stuff:
• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit
• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, I sit down with Maryville College head coach Clint Helton to talk about Division III baseball, recruiting, player development, and what it really takes to build a winning program.
Clint shares his path from playing at Maryville to becoming the head coach, how the program has grown, and what he looks for when recruiting players. We also dive into the misconceptions around Division III baseball, why the right people matter as much as talent, and how Maryville has built a culture where players take ownership of their development.
We also get into pitching strategy, why pitchability matters more than velocity at certain levels, how Maryville uses data, and what makes the school and Knoxville/Maryville area such a unique place to play college baseball.
Show NotesClint’s background as a Maryville player and coachHis transition from assistant coach to head coachWhat he would tell his younger coaching selfWhy recruiting is about finding the right player and the right personHow Maryville evaluates makeup during the recruiting processWhat high school players misunderstand about Division III baseballWhy D3 baseball can be much better than people thinkThe importance of self-directed work outside team practiceHow Maryville structures its fall development periodWhy pitchability, command, and off-speed usage matterHow Maryville’s staff tracks competitive pitches and uses dataWhat makes Maryville College and the surrounding area appealingThe history of Maryville baseball, including its 150th seasonGuest Twitter/XClint Helton: @CHelt29
Check Out Patrick's Stuff:
• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit
• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, I sit down with former Division 1 head coach Steve Rodriguez to talk about recruiting, player development, leadership, and what actually separates players at the college level.
Steve shares lessons from decades in baseball—from coaching at the highest levels of college baseball to developing relationships with players, assistant coaches, and families throughout the recruiting process.
We dive into the mental side of player development, why communication matters more than most people realize, and the biggest mistakes players and parents make during recruiting.
This conversation goes way beyond mechanics and tools—it’s about mindset, adaptability, leadership, and understanding how successful players actually operate.
Topics Covered:
Traits successful college players consistently have
Why some players respond to coaching—and others don’t
Biggest recruiting red flags from both players and parents
Why body language matters so much to college coaches
The importance of learning how to fail and adapt
How Steve evaluated recruits beyond stats and metrics
Why communication is one of the most underrated skills in recruiting
The role parents should (and shouldn’t) play in the recruiting process
Transfer portal realities and common mistakes players make
NIL, scholarships, and making long-term decisions
Why development paths are rarely linear
What assistant coaches need to do to grow professionally
The importance of hip mobility, speed, and nutrition for players
Key Takeaways
Great players refuse to stay stuck
The best competitors are obsessed with improvement
Recruiting is about much more than talent alone
Players need to focus on development—not just labels and rankings
Parents can either help the process… or completely derail it
Follow Steve on Twitter: https://x.com/UTCoachRod
Check Out Patrick's Stuff:
• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit
• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jimmy Martin, a college baseball coach at North Lake College, comes on the show to break down what actually matters in recruiting, player development, and making it to the next level.
Jimmy gives a behind-the-scenes look at how college coaches evaluate players, what makes players stand out (and what instantly turns coaches off), and why so many players struggle to move up levels—even when they have the talent.
If you’re a player, parent, or coach trying to understand how recruiting really works, this episode is packed with real, practical insight.
Jimmy's Twitter: https://x.com/_CoachJMartin
Patrick's Twitter: https://x.com/pjonesbaseball
Check Out Patrick's Stuff:
• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit
• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, I’m joined by Doug Latta and Dr. Ismael Gallo for a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood areas of baseball: player development.
We break down why most hitters struggle—not because of mechanics, but because of flawed movement patterns that are developed early and reinforced over time. From youth baseball to the highest levels of the game, this conversation challenges a lot of conventional thinking around hitting, training, and long-term development.
Doug shares insights from decades of working with hitters at every level, while Dr. Gallo explains the science behind movement, coordination, and how the body actually learns to perform in game environments.
If you’re a player, parent, or coach trying to understand what really matters in development, this episode will give you a completely different lens to look through.
Chapters
00:00 The Foundation of Movement Patterns in Young Athletes
07:10 The Importance of Early Development in Athleticism
10:19 Guiding Parents in Youth Baseball Training
10:51 Throwing Mechanics: The Key to Hitting Success
18:30 Balancing Mechanics and Athleticism in Hitting
24:53 The Debate on Hitting Off the Tee
32:46 The Importance of Efficient Movement Patterns
35:38 Understanding Movement in Hitting and Pitching
38:18 The Role of Timing and Vision in Hitting
44:09 Movement Capacity vs. Strength Training
48:54 The Dangers of Muscling Up in Hitting
54:49 Advice on Bat Speed Training and Weighted Implements
01:00:15 The Significance of Timing in Hitting
01:07:42 Understanding Player Development and Movement Patterns
01:10:15 The Psychological Impact of Failure in Sports
01:14:12 Parental Influence and Support in Youth Sports
01:15:50 Coaching Your Own Kids: Balancing Roles
01:19:01 The Importance of Athletic Flow and Energy
01:24:40 Navigating Parental Expectations and Player Performance
01:29:37 The Role of Coaches and the Learning Process
01:37:08 Life Lessons from Baseball: Embracing Failure and Growth
Doug Latta Twitter: https://x.com/LattaDoug
Dr. Ismael Gallo Twitter: https://x.com/flowsdoc
Movement Flows App: https://baseballflows.com/
Check Out Patrick's Stuff:
• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit
• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jordan Gates is the Midwest Crosschecker for Perfect Game, covering key recruiting hotbeds across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, and Michigan. His role puts him on the front lines of amateur baseball—evaluating players, building reports, and identifying both top-tier prospects and under-the-radar talent.
Gates began his journey with Perfect Game as an intern in the Ohio Valley, working events while also gaining hands-on experience inside a training facility environment. He later moved into a full-time role as a Southeast Tournament Director, where he built relationships with players, coaches, and organizations while getting exposure to high-level competition across the region.
After a stint working with the Cincinnati Reds organization, Gates returned to Perfect Game in a full-time scouting capacity. Known for his detailed evaluations and balanced perspective on projection vs. performance, he combines in-game observation, video analysis, and industry collaboration to assess players at every level.
His work emphasizes not just tools, but how those tools translate into real game performance—making him a trusted voice in the evolving landscape of player development and recruiting.
"Projection is a fickle game.""Most overrated stat is batting average.""Deception in pitch tunneling is a key trait."Chapters
00:00 Jordan Gates: Journey to Scouting
04:48 A Day in the Life of a Scout
09:59 The Art of Scouting: Finding Hidden Gems
14:43 Evaluating Players: The Perfect Game Scale
21:53 Showcase Insights: Maximizing Opportunities
36:36 Understanding Arm Injuries in Young Athletes
42:39 The Impact of Mental Health on Performance
47:30 Spotlight on Rising Baseball Talents
54:16 Evaluating Player Metrics and Traits
ResourcesPerfect Game Official WebsiteJordan Gates on Twitter/XCheck Out Patrick's Stuff:
• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit
• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, I sit down with Tyler Rubasky, first-year head coach at Anderson University, a D3 program in Indiana with a rich baseball history, including three D3 World Series appearances. We dig into:
What it's actually like transitioning from assistant to head coach, and what he misses mostWhy he believes D3 baseball is the purest form of the game right nowHis approach to playing time transparency and keeping an open doorThe mental performance program that's changing how his players handle failure and pressureWhy Anderson doesn't run a 60-yard dash, and what they measure insteadWhy Anderson baseball is "data supportive, not data driven"Follow Tyler Rubasky and Anderson University baseball on X:
Tyler Rubasky: @tyrub3
Anderson University baseball: @AURavensBSB
Connect with Patrick Jones Baseball:
On X: @pjonesbaseball
📬 Sign up for the Recruiting Times, my weekly baseball recruiting newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches.
https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/blog
⚾ Need help with college recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult.
https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Check Out Patrick's Stuff:
• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit
• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Estes, assistant coach at Weatherford College, one of the top junior college baseball programs in the country.
Jonathan grew up in a town of 648 people in Arkansas, graduated in a class of 50, and worked his way through multiple small college stops before joining Weatherford this year. We dig into:
How he structures batting practice to challenge hittersWhat he's looking for when he shows up to watch a high school playerHow fine the line really is between a junior college freshman and a Division I freshman. The sliding scale for pitching recruitsWhy making a JUCO roster isn't the same as playingWhat usually separates guys who succeed after transferring to a D1 from guys who struggleWe wrap up with the most important advice he'd give any high school player going through the recruiting process right now: Love the game.
Follow Jonathan Estes and Weatherford baseball on X:
Jonathan Estes: @estesthethird
Weatherford baseball: @WCoyoteBaseball
Connect with Patrick Jones Baseball:
On X: @pjonesbaseball
📬 Sign up for the Recruiting Times, my weekly baseball recruiting newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches.
https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/blog
⚾ Need help with college recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult.
https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Check Out Patrick's Stuff:
• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit
• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this week's podcast, I sit down again with Dr. Adam Maloof, Princeton professor of Geosciences and athletics fellow for the baseball team.
This time he’s tackling one of the most overlooked problems in baseball analytics: pitch classification.
If you’ve ever looked at a scouting report and thought, “This guy doesn’t throw seven pitches,” you’re not alone. Dr. Maloof explains why existing pitch tagging data from popular systems (TrackMan, Synergy, and MLB’s StatCast) are often inconsistent, inaccurate, and difficult to use for data analysis.
Together, we discuss:
Why MLB’s pitch classifier is trained on what pitchers call their own pitches (and why that’s a problem for hitters and analysts)How Dr. Maloof analyzed nearly 5 million college pitches using a “blank slate” approach inspired by geologyThe “color wheel” analogy: why pitches within a category (fastballs, breaking balls, changeups) exist on a continuous spectrum with no natural boundariesHow Princeton’s staff uses reclassified data for scouting, pitch design, and pitching machine programmingPitch tunneling: what it is, how they measure it, and how they’re teaching it to pitchersThe role of arm slot, biometrics, and what’s next for this researchRead Dr. Maloof's article on pitch tagging: How to Classify a Pitch
https://medium.com/sabr-tooth-tigers/how-to-classify-a-pitch-a4805ce35082
Connect with Patrick Jones Baseball:
On X: @pjonesbaseball
📬 Sign up for the Recruiting Times, my weekly baseball recruiting newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches.
https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/blog
⚾ Need help with college recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult.
https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Check Out Patrick's Stuff:
• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit
• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this conversation, Nathan Collier and I sit down to talk about travel ball and high school baseball, and how both play a role in getting players recruited. We dig into what makes each one valuable — like how high school coaches can really vouch for a player's character and how competitive they are, while travel ball helps kids get seen by more coaches. We also talk about how youth baseball is changing, what college coaches are actually looking for, and why picking the right team can make a big difference in how a player grows and develops.
Connect with Patrick Jones Baseball:
On X: @pjonesbaseball
📬 Sign up for the Recruiting Times, my weekly baseball recruiting newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches.
https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/blog
⚾ Need help with college recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult.
https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Check Out Patrick's Stuff:
• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit
• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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This week, I sit down again with Nathan Collier, Recruiting Service Operations Director here at Patrick Jones Baseball. Together, we discuss the importance of mindset and process orientation in baseball, particularly during the in-season period.
We explore common challenges players face, such as the "I'm Screwed Syndrome," and we talk about the need for players to adopt a process-driven mindset rather than a results-driven one. We also discuss the impact of social media on young athletes, the role of parents, and the significance of having both an approach and a plan at the plate.
Connect with Patrick Jones Baseball:
On X: @pjonesbaseball
📬 Sign up for the Recruiting Times, my weekly baseball recruiting newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches.
https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/blog
⚾ Need help with college recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult.
https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Check Out Patrick's Stuff:
• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit
• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, I'm joined again by Nathan Collier, a former sports journalist and our Recruiting Service Operations Director here at Patrick Jones Baseball. Nathan and I chat about what high school players should be doing to continue the recruiting outreach process to college coaches now that school seasons are starting across the country.
I explain how I think players can handle pressure during games and why success has to be defined by more than just stats in a box score. I also share practical advice on using social media the right way to create exposure that can help you get recruited. We also get into the role family support plays in the process and some of the most common mistakes I see players and parents make.
Connect with Patrick Jones Baseball:
On X: @pjonesbaseball
📬 Sign up for the Recruiting Times, my weekly baseball recruiting newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches.
https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/blog
⚾ Need help with college recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult.
https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Check Out Patrick's Stuff:
• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit
• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Gipson, Oregon State Assistant Coach, who coaches hitting for the Beaver program.
Ryan takes us through his journey playing baseball as a teen, redshirting at a JUCO, then playing two years at Oregon State before getting into coaching. Ryan shares what he likes to see from prospective recruits, why having a clear identity at the plate matters, and the "1-for-1" approach he advocates with his hitters. We also talk about how hitting mechanics have evolved over time and the role of summer baseball for his players.
Follow Ryan on X:
Ryan Gipson: @GipsonOSU
Oregon State Baseball: @BeaverBaseball
Connect with Patrick Jones Baseball:
On X: @pjonesbaseball
📬 Sign up for the Recruiting Times, my weekly baseball recruiting newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches.
https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/blog
⚾ Need help with college recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult.
https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Check Out Patrick's Stuff:
• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit
• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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This week we welcome 16-year MLB pro Curtis Granderson to the podcast. Curtis does a great job breaking down what worked for him as a hitter, his approach at the plate, routines, and some of the key lessons he learned as a hitter during his career. He also reflects on his time playing college baseball at the University of Illinois Chicago.
In addition to his accomplished playing career, Curtis is a wonderful ambassador for the game. If you'd like to learn more about his work giving back to the game, I highly recommend checking out the Chicago Baseball & Educational Academy: https://www.cbeauic.org/.
Follow Curtis Granderson on X: @cgrand3
Chicago Baseball & Educational Academy: https://www.cbeauic.org/
Chicago Baseball & Educational Academy on X: @CBEA_UIC
Connect with Patrick Jones Baseball
Follow on X: @pjonesbaseball
📬 Sign up for the Recruiting Times, my weekly baseball recruiting newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches.
https://www.skool.com/patrickjonesbaseball
⚾ Need help with college recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult.
https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Check Out Patrick's Stuff:
• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit
• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, I sit down with Nick Lemke, a registered dietitian who specializes in nutrition for baseball players. We talk about why nutrition plays such a critical role in athletic performance, with a specific focus on muscle gain and healthy weight management.
We cover practical topics like tracking food intake, how often players should be eating, pre-workout nutrition, meal planning, hydration, and the role supplements can (and can’t) play. We also discuss how stress impacts both nutrition and on-field performance.
Nick shares why consistency matters more than perfection and explains how players can better understand their individual nutritional needs to perform at their best.
Connect with Nick Lemke, RD
Follow on X: @nicklemkerd
Nick's Linktree: https://clutchperformancenutrition.fit/linktree
Connect with Patrick Jones Baseball
Follow on X: @pjonesbaseball
📬 Sign up for the Recruiting Times, my weekly baseball recruiting newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches.
https://www.skool.com/patrickjonesbaseball
⚾ Need help with college recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult.
https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Check Out Patrick's Stuff:
• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit
• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, I sit down with Giuseppe Papaccio, Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for Seton Hall University.
Giuseppe is one of the most disciplined coaches I've come across. We got into his daily routines, how he defines success as a coach, and why the mental game matters just as much as mechanics. Giuseppe shares how his time in professional baseball shaped the way he teaches hitters today, and we talked through the balance between swing work and mindset that every great hitter needs.
We also dug into how recruiting is changing in college baseball and what players should understand about that shift. Throughout the conversation, one theme kept coming up: preparation, mental strength, and a commitment to continuous learning, and that's true whether you’re coaching, developing hitters, or working to play at the next level.
On X:
Giuseppe Papaccio: @gpapaccio2
Patrick Jones Baseball: @pjonesbaseball
📬 Sign up for the Recruiting Times, my weekly baseball recruiting newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches.
⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult.
Check Out Patrick's Stuff:
• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit
• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this episode, I sit down with performance and leadership advisor Zach Brandon. Zach spent seven years leading mental performance and coach development initiatives with the Arizona Diamondbacks and now works directly with professional and collegiate coaches.
Zach takes us through his journey. We discuss sports psychology, the significance of individualized mental training, and the role of coaches in player development. We also talk about the nuances of breathwork, the balance between aspirational goals and process, and the importance of self-awareness and intentionality in performance.
Huge thanks to Zach for coming on the podcast and sharing his expertise with us!
On X:
Zach Brandon: @MVP_Mindset
Patrick Jones Baseball: @pjonesbaseball
Zach Brandon's newsletter: Winning With Words — playbook of stories and principles for coaches to elevate their leadership and help their players win the inner game.
📬 Sign up for the Recruiting Times, my weekly baseball recruiting newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches.
⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult.
Check Out Patrick's Stuff:
• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit
• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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