We’re excited to welcome Chicago Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks to this week’s podcast. A special thanks to this show’s sponsor, Rawlings. We’re ecstatic to announce a new partnership between Rawlings and Cressey Sports Performance, and they’ve set up a 20% off discount code on select products for our listeners. Just head to www.Rawlings.com and enter coupon code CRESSEY20 and you’ll receive 20% off on your order. Certain items are excluded, but there’s still a ton of great baseball training gear to make you a better player and coach.

Show Outline

• Why Kyle chose to move across the country out of high school and attend Dartmouth College
• How Kyle has developed his ability to manipulate the baseball to create movement
• How Kyle worked diligently to develop his changeup and how players can better develop this feel pitch
• How throwing a quality changeup actually helped Kyle learn to throw a two seam fastball
• How grip, specifically pinky position on the baseball, impacted the effectiveness of his changeup
• What Kyle’s thought process is when throwing his changeup and how late hand speed out front trumps early, forced pronation with the pitch
• How Kyle developed a cut changeup, which is differentiated from his “regular” changeup
• How Kyle approaches attacking hitters and why he emphasizes throwing first pitch strikes and controlling counts against hitters
• Why Kyle’s four seam fastball usage increased in 2016 and why this change allowed him to have more margin for error and improve the effectiveness with his fastball
• How Kyle learned to read swings and bat paths in pro ball and how this has influenced how he competes against hitters
• How Kyle prepares by utilizing coaches’ scouting reports along with video to develop a plan for success against the opposition
• Why Kyle has always been intrigued by the mental side of baseball and how he has used it to develop an edge in the game
• How simplification has revolutionized Kyle’s ability to master his mentality, control the game, and play to his highest ability
• Why Kyle works to find a balance between using analytics and relying on his intuition
• What pitch clicks in the bullpen when Kyle is set to have a great game and how Kyle knows when he is locked in
• How Kyle attacks throwing his various pitches in his daily throwing progression
• How individuals who lack elite velocity can identify their strengths and learn to separate themselves from the competition

Sponsor Reminder

This episode is brought to you by Rawlings. If you want to develop faster, and train better, you need the best gear. Well, we have some good news for you. The #1 baseball brand in the world, Rawlings, has partnered with Cressey Sports Performance to make getting the best training gear for you more affordable. Simply head to www.Rawlings.com and use the code, CRESSEY20, at checkout and you’ll save 20% off your order! This offer is only valid on select items, but there’s a ton of great gear you’ll save 20% on that will help you become a better player, so shop now!

Podcast Feedback

If you like what you hear, we’d be thrilled if you’d consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving us an iTunes review. You can do so HERE.

And, we welcome your suggestions for future guests and questions. Just email elitebaseballpodcast@gmail.com.

Thank you for your continued support!