My guest today is Will Franco, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Boston College, where he has been overseeing the baseball program for the past 2 years. I’ve known Will since his tenure with Maryland as well as the Orioles affiliate the Aberdeen Iron Birds. Today we will shed some light on: What’s Expected of College Freshman in Strength and Mobility In-Season / Off-Season Periodization The Importance of Training Speed Will is a 2015 graduate of University of Massachusetts Amherst wit...
Jun 30, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 57
This week’s sit down is with long time comrade Eric Supplee, recently appointed Assistant Coach at the University of San Francisco. Today we’ll be discussing: The challenges of playing and coaching in a new environment Building trust with a new group of athletes Characteristics of a great competitor Eric Supplee is the Assistant Coach at the University of San Francisco. He came to the Hilltop in the fall of 2022 after enjoying tremendous success while in New York City, which included guiding the...
Jun 23, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 56
We’re sitting down today to discuss the ins and outs of playing Division 1 baseball with Villanova Pitching Coach Jabin Weaver. Topics Include: Fastball usage in the game today Year 1 struggles for some incoming freshman Some common adjustments lifestyle-wise that can help acclimate Jabin Weaver first joined the Villanova coaching staff as a volunteer assistant during the 2019 season. After departing to serve a brief stint as the Director of Baseball Operations at Campbell, Weaver returned as th...
Jun 16, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Today we're sitting down with Jimmy Buffi, CEO of Reboot Motion. During the episode, Jimmy helps break down motion capture to players and coaches in more understandable terms and talks about how he gathers information to help create a blueprint for success. Topics include: Identifying possible Mechanical disconnects or “leaks” Predicting Injury Risk Organizing work load management Jimmy Buffi is the co-founder of Reboot Motion, a sports science company, dedicated to empowering athletes, coaches,...
Jun 09, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Today I’m flying solo, answering questions regarding playing summer ball (or not). And if so, how to train properly during the hot summer months in order to maintain athleticism. Topics will include: Pros and Cons Considerations when deciding Finding the right organization/fit Maintaining athleticism throughout the short season Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge technology, RPP Baseball takes the guesswork ...
Jun 03, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Today we’re sitting down with Mental Performance Coach Michael Huber. Mike is the founder of “The Freshman Foundation Podcast “, where he prepares and guides athletes and families through the mental side of performance through their athletic career / journey. Today’s topics include: Mental and Emotional Blocks Addressing “The Yips” Sustainable Motivation Mike is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant® accredited by the Association of Applied Sport Psychology. He is also the founder and host o...
May 27, 2023•41 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Today we answer some big questions on the nutrition side with Performance Nutrition Coach and Sports Dietitian Derek Lipton (MS, RD, CSSD and CSCC). Topics Include: Eating Strategies for “Hard Gainers” Sleep and Hydration 5 bullet points for a successful performance-based meal plan Derek Lipton is a Registered Dietitian and Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics. He completed his Bachelors of Science in Dietetics at the University of Maryland and completed his Dietetic Internship at Virg...
May 19, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 51
This week we’re sitting down with Dr. Casey Pierce, MD. He is a long time friend and one of my “go-to guys” when it comes to Tommy John repair. This is a must for athletes as well as parents in order to be better educated with the process. This week we discuss: The various levels of treatment and procedures The back-to-throw timeline for each How to determine which treatment is right for your particular situation and why Dr. Pierce is a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon, fellowship-trained in s...
May 13, 2023•41 min•Season 1Ep. 50
My guest today is Ethan Newton, Assistant Coach at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU). He joined (actually re-joined) the Knights last year after having spent over a year here at RPP as the Director of Hitting. Join us as we discuss: Value in assessments and their application in training Movement strategies and hitting mechanics Importance of the middle Prior to RPP, Ethan was an assistant coach on Rob DiToma's staff at FDU. He arrived at FDU after spending the past two seasons as a volunteer ...
May 05, 2023•41 min•Season 1Ep. 49
I am very excited to have Commissioner Chip Allen and Deputy Commissioner Justin Sellers from the Coastal Plain League on the show today. For those of you that may not be familiar with the Coastal Plain League, it is one of the premier summer college baseball leagues in the country. It is located in the southeast covering the states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Every year 100s of college baseball players congregate at the CPL from some of the most elite college baseb...
Apr 28, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 48
My guest today is Mike Boyle and there is no bigger name in the training world than Mike Boyle. It is a pleasure to sit down and talk shop with one of “the Godfathers” of performance training as well as one of my own biggest inspirations through the years. Topics include: Bullet points for training young athletes Energy system work for baseball The bilateral / unilateral controversy Mike is one of the worlds' foremost educators in the areas of performance training, personal training and athletic...
Apr 22, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Today's guest is Peter Larson, Pitching Coach for the Twins AAA-Affiliate in St. Paul. Join us as we discuss a variety of topics, including: Moving up the coaching ranks in pro ball Working with athletes going through rehab Changes in the Twins minor league programs and training Turning data into an actionable game plan, especially during the season Working with the bio-mechanists and big takeaways Peter is entering his fifth season with the Twins organization after spending the 2022 as the pitc...
Apr 14, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 46
I’m flying solo today answering some of my listeners frequently asked questions. Today’s topics: The importance of a great In-season training program When and how to start training youth athletes and why it’s important Remote training Ready to take your game to the next level? With our holistic and data-driven approach, experienced coaches, and cutting-edge technology, RPP Baseball takes the guesswork out of player development. Twitter https://twitter.com/RPP_Baseball/ Instagram https://www.inst...
Apr 02, 2023•28 min
Today we're sitting down with University of San Francisco Head Coach Rob DiToma, whom I’ve known since his days at Farleigh Dickinson University (FDU). On the menu today: Recent changes in the incoming ball player Creating a team culture on day 1 Early specialization and injury This past June, Coach DiToma was named the fifth head coach at the University of San Francisco after spending the previous three seasons as Head Coach here in New Jersey at FDU. Prior to his time at FDU, Rob spent six yea...
Mar 31, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Today's podcast is with Andy Lyon, Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach with the San Francisco Giants. Join us as discuss a variety of topics including maneuvering programming to optimize the ever changing needs of professional baseball players throughout the year. Topics include: Off-season / in-season training needs Differences between training pitchers and position players When and how to apply baseball-specific conditioning throughout the year Andy has been with the Giants since October...
Mar 24, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 43
I would like to welcome our guest today, TJ Hunt. I have known TJ for many years, going back to our days in Sloatsburg, NY and it's a great pleasure to have him in the show. TJ is the Director of Scouting and Operations for PBR in New Jersey. There is really no one better to discuss the current state of recruiting than showcase operators on the front lines and TJ is one of the best. Before we get to the show, I just want to briefly cover TJ’s background, because if there is such a thing as a bas...
Mar 17, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 42
My guest today is David Kopp, pitching coach with powerhouse University of Florida Gators, who play in the SEC and are a consistent top 10, if not top 5 national program. Join us as we discuss: Ways to shrink the learning curve When and how to make adjustments How to work with different learners and athlete frustrations Components of baseline testing on Day 1 Much More... David came to the Gators from Florida Atlantic, where he spent 4 seasons as the Owls pitching coach and recruiting coordinato...
Mar 10, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 41
My interview today is with Mike Kanen, Regional Crosschecker with the San Diego Padres. I have known Mike for several years going back to when our facility was in Sloatsburg, NY, where he used to run scouting events for the Indians inviting only a handful of players and their families for closeup meetings and evaluation. I have interviewed many college coaches during the past year and I am very interested to hear how college and pro ball perspectives can differ on the recruiting and scouting fro...
Mar 03, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 40
My guest today is Brandon Golden, former collegiate and MiLB Performance Coach, currently with 5 Tool Connection a performance science company. I met Brandon recently at the Wake Forest Bridge seminar and walked away very impressed with his unique approach. We will be discussing much of what he takes his athletes through in preparation for a long season of baseball. Topics include: Different athletes training windows Velocity-Based Training (VBT) Assessing mobility on Day 1 Brandon began his car...
Feb 24, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Todays podcast is a must listen for coaches, players and parents alike. Graeme is a strength and conditioning coach as well as a pitching coach consultant and all-around smart guy. He has developed a method for assessing pitchers in order to better individualize training through the use of what he calls a “pitcher’s profile”. More recently, Graeme served as a Remote Sports Scientist Consultant with an MLB Organization from 2017-2018 (can’t disclose due to NDA), where he helped develop initiative...
Feb 17, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Today we’re discussing arm and shoulder pathologies with Dr. Michael Freehill, Assistant Team Orthopedic Surgeon with the Oakland A’s and also currently with Stanford University Dept of Orthopedic Surgery. Topics Include: The current arm epidemic Taking time off from throwing TJ Rehab Procedures Dr. Freehill is a board-certified, double fellowship-trained specialist in orthopedic surgery with a sub-specialty certification in sports medicine. His concentration is in shoulder and elbow. Dr. Freehi...
Feb 10, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Today's guest is University of Virginia (UVA) pitching coach Drew Dickinson. Very excited about this podcast, as Drew brings a wealth of knowledge to the table from one of the strongest and most consistent programs in the country. Topics Include: Ideal off-season throwing programs Big mistakes high school pitchers make in prepping for college ball Managing in-game stress The upcoming 2023 season is Drew's fourth year as UVA's pitching coach. During the first three seasons, the Cavalier pitching ...
Feb 03, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 36
My guest today is Corey Muscara, Pitching Coach at Wake Forest University. Corey has been a long-time friend and always a great conversation. Today's topics include: Creating a winning environment What's non-negotiables for pitchers on day 1 Building out your systems Creating routines Reverse engineering pitcher development I have known Corey for almost as long as RPP Baseball has been in existence and I can tell you that he knows the art of pitching as well as anyone with an uncanny way of expl...
Jan 27, 2023•41 min•Season 1Ep. 35
My guest today is Sam Miller, Founder and CEO of Proteus Motion. For those of you that haven't heard of Proteus, it's the ultimate training machine for rotational athletes like baseball players by measuring their power and acceleration in ways we couldn't do previously. Sam is a really interesting guy with a fascinating background. He is graduate of Vanderbilt with a degree in Economics and History. He also has a masters from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. After graduation he ...
Jan 20, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 34
My guest today is former professional baseball player and Dr. of Physical of Therapy Ismael Gallo. We’re going to discuss how to maximize baseball specific movements through a “problem solving” system of exercises created by Dr. Gallo himself. This one’s a real eye opener and something that can be done at home without any equipment. The whole podcast is a great discussion on the body as it relates to ball players. Dr. Gallo's background is unorthodox to say the least, which is what makes him so ...
Jan 12, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 33
My guest today on the podcast is Sean McGrath, who recently joined the University of Iowa baseball program as pitching coach and player development analyst. I have known Sean for nearly 10 years, and I can say that he is as forward thinking a coach as there is. He is a student of the game, who is always looking to expand his knowledge and grow as a person and a coach. Prior to Iowa, he was the pitching coach for the Seattle Mariners Double-A affiliate the Arkansas Travelers, where his staff put ...
Jan 07, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Today, we're sitting down with Coach Jeremy Sheetinger, head baseball coach at Georgia Gwinnett ("GG"). I met Coach Sheets years ago at a conference, where we were both presenting. To put it mildly, he is Mr. Positivity which I absolutely love. In a world, where it’s easy to be negative and many are, Coach Sheets always focuses on the positives which is the underlying theme of this podcast. Coach Sheets joined GG in 2020 and in 2021, he led his team to the 2021 NAIA World Series title, marking t...
Dec 30, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Today we’re sitting down with nationally renowned Texas A&M pitching Nate Yeskie. Having joined the Aggies in June 2021, he has long history of coaching at the highest echelons of college baseball. Before Texas A&M, he was with Arizona after coaching for 11 seasons with Oregon State. During his nearly 18-year career, he has chiseled out a reputation as one of the elite pitching coaches in the country. He has taken his pitching staff to the College World Series with Oregon, Arizona and Te...
Dec 23, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 30
This one is coming to you live from The Bridge Seminar at Wake Forest University, where I presented this weekend. In today’s podcast I’ll be summarizing many (not all) of the great presenters at this year’s player development seminar. It was a blast speaking with, as well as listening and learning from some of, the best in the business of baseball player development. Topics include: Creating sustainable systems – Jake McKinley (Head Coach, University of Nevada) Assessing and unlocking the athlet...
Dec 18, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Today's podcast is with Mike McFerran, Director of Player Development for the Wake Forest Baseball program and Coordinator of the Wake Forest Pitching Lab. Join us as we discuss a variety of topics, including: Marker vs marker-less mocap systems The pipeline from data testing to actual training Interpretation vs. misinterpretation when using data Deciding when a mechanical issue is a mobility problem Mike joined Wake Forest in 2021, to provide a bridge a bridge between the Pitching Lab and Wake ...
Dec 10, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 28
