We're excited to welcome Cleveland Indians pitcher Aaron Civale to the latest podcast. He shares some awesome insights related to pitch design/execution, competitive mentality, and the benefits of strength and conditioning.

A special thanks to this show's sponsor, Marc Pro. Head to www.MarcPro.com and enter the coupon code CRESSEY at checkout to receive 10% off on your order.

Show Outline

• What type of pitcher was Aaron in high school and how earned a spot at Northeastern University
• What the biggest adjustment Aaron had to make as he transitioned into a college pitcher was
• Why Aaron chose to embrace the natural cut of his fastball instead of fixing this unique trait that allowed him to put away hitters
• How Aaron stumbled upon the feel for a slider mid-game
• What adjustments Aaron had to make as he transitioned to pro ball after three years at Northeastern
• How Aaron’s approach of pounding the zone and eliminating walks is contradictory to today’s baseball world
• How Aaron arrived at his 6-pitch arsenal and how he has worked to differentiate each pitch
• Why Aaron has always felt more comfortable throwing his two seam fastball and what work he has been doing this offseason at CSP to improve his four seam for 2020
• How Aaron ended up finding a more comfortable slider grip while playing around with his two seam grip
• How Aaron has developed a natural feel for spinning the ball from a young age and what he has done to ensure the differentiation of his two breaking balls
• What traits Aaron thinks helped to give him immediate success at the Major League level
• How possessing a process-oriented mindset and unwavering demeanor has inspired confidence in Aaron and provided the trust in his ability necessary to be dominant at any level
• What made working with CSP-FL physical therapist Eric Schoenberg so impactful while rehabbing from a lat strain in 2018
• What Aaron’s 5-day throwing and training routine looks like between starts
• How Aaron’s game day routine is structured

Sponsor Reminder

This episode is brought to you by Marc Pro, a cutting-edge EMS device that uses patented technology to create non-fatiguing muscle activation. Muscle activation with Marc Pro facilitates each stage of the body’s natural recovery process- similar to active recovery, but without the extra effort and muscle fatigue. Athletes can use it for as long as they need to ensure a more full and quick recovery in between training or games. With its portability and ease of use, players can use Marc Pro while traveling between games or while relaxing at home. Players and trainers from every MLB team - including over 200 pro pitchers - use Marc Pro. Put Marc Pro to the test for yourself with their new "Try Before you Buy" program, and use promo code CRESSEY at checkout at www.MarcPro.com for 10% off on your order.

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!

Sign-up Today for our FREE Baseball Newsletter and Receive Instant Access to a 47-minute Presentation from Eric Cressey on Individualizing the Management of Overhead Athletes!

We're excited to welcome Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Tim Collins to this week's podcast. Tim has a great story of not only getting to pro ball, but ascending to the big leagues at the height of 5-7. He's been a Cressey Sports Performance athlete for 13 years now, so it's a great discussion of long-term athletic development as well. 

A special thanks to this show's sponsor, Marc Pro. Head to www.MarcPro.com and enter the coupon code CRESSEY at checkout to receive 10% off on your order.

Show Outline

• How Tim transformed from a 4-7, 82 lb high school freshman into a 5-5, 120 lb MLB high school senior
• How deception, great stuff, and dominance on the field earned Tim a draft spot out of high school with the Toronto Blue Jays despite being undersized
• How impactful strength training and attention to detail in the kitchen were for Tim’s progression from a low 80s high schooler to a mid 90s pro arm
• How Tim navigated minor league baseball as he climbed the ranks of the Jays minor league system
• How being exposed to Alan Jaeger’s throwing philosophies in his time with the Blue Jays allowed him to appreciate the value of long toss, build arm speed, and recover adequately between outings
• What the average person doesn’t understand about the minor league baseball lifestyle and how most players journey to the big leagues is far more difficult than most can comprehend
• How pitching fearlessly and understanding he had nothing to lose propelled Tim through the minors and gave him the consistency he needed to keep advancing through the ranks
• What differentiated Tim as a minor leaguer and what he did to “stick” in Major League Baseball
• How young talent comprising the Kansas City lineup provided a unique chance for Tim to play a major role in 2011
• Why developing a changeup was such an key factor in Tim’s MLB success, and what strategies he implemented to find consistency with this pitch after years of struggles
• What mechanical changes Tim made between ’11 and ’12
• How Tim developed the ability to spin the baseball and throw an elite curveball
• What Tim’s mental cues are when throwing his curveball
• After enduring the longest season of his career, a World Series run with the Royals in 2014, why Tim chose to have a nagging hernia repaired and what the implications were for this decision heading into the 2015 season
• How recovering from hernia surgery into the 2015 season forced him to have a quick ramp up into 2015, resulting in a torn UCL in his first outing of spring training
• After rehabbing for 12 months, why Tim had to undergo a UCL revision surgery
• Why Tim quickly learned to appreciate that every rehab is different and how understanding to listen to his body over the experiences of other athletes turned out to be vital to his rehabilitation process the second time through
• How Tim’s arm responded to the rigors of professional baseball after being completely out of competition for two years
• What struggles Tim faced in 2017 as he climbed through the minor leagues again
• What impact Mark Campbell, director of mental conditioning for the Washington Nationals, had on Tim’s return to the big leagues in 2018
• What the biggest lessons Tim has learned from his injuries are

Sponsor Reminder

This episode is brought to you by Marc Pro, a cutting-edge EMS device that uses patented technology to create non-fatiguing muscle activation. Muscle activation with Marc Pro facilitates each stage of the body’s natural recovery process- similar to active recovery, but without the extra effort and muscle fatigue. Athletes can use it for as long as they need to ensure a more full and quick recovery in between training or games. With its portability and ease of use, players can use Marc Pro while traveling between games or while relaxing at home. Players and trainers from every MLB team - including over 200 pro pitchers - use Marc Pro. Put Marc Pro to the test for yourself with their new "Try Before you Buy" program, and use promo code CRESSEY at checkout at www.MarcPro.com for 10% off on your order.

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!

Sign-up Today for our FREE Baseball Newsletter and Receive Instant Access to a 47-minute Presentation from Eric Cressey on Individualizing the Management of Overhead Athletes!

For this week's podcast, in lieu of a guest, I'm going to do a Q&A on a collection of baseball training questions that were submitted by listeners.

A special thanks to this show's sponsor, Athletic Greens. Head to http://www.athleticgreens.com/cressey and you'll receive a free 10-pack of Athletic Greens travel packets with your first order.

Show Outline

• Why pitch counts are important, and how that importance relates to the SAID (specific adaptation to imposed demand) principle
  ● What coaches should consider when incorporating vertical pulling exercises with athletes who have a history of lat injury
  ● What the best exercises are for strengthening the deceleration muscles of the throwing motion
  ● What professionals should assess in an athlete when personalizing an arm care program

Sponsor Reminder

This episode is brought to you by Athletic Greens. It’s an all-in-one superfood supplement with 75 whole-food sourced ingredients designed to support your body’s nutrition needs across 5 critical areas of health: 1) energy, 2) immunity, 3) gut health, 4) hormonal support, and 5) healthy aging. Head to www.AthleticGreens.com/cressey and claim my special offer today - 20 FREE travel packs (valued at $79) - with your first purchase. I use this product daily myself and highly recommend it to our athletes as well. I'd encourage you to give it a shot, too - especially with this great offer.

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!

Sign-up Today for our FREE Baseball Newsletter and Receive Instant Access to a 47-minute Presentation from Eric Cressey on Individualizing the Management of Overhead Athletes!

We're excited to welcome Seattle Mariners pitcher Justin Dunn to this week's podcast. A special thanks to this show's sponsor, Athletic Greens. Head to http://www.athleticgreens.com/cressey and you'll receive a free 10-pack of Athletic Greens travel packets with your first order.

Show Outline

• How Justin transformed from a 5-foot, 100-pound high school freshman into an MLB draft pick by his senior year
• How being a late bloomer affected his college recruiting process
• How developing size and strength took Justin from a 70 mph arm into the mid 90s arm he is today
• How following a structured training program allowed Justin to make the most of his natural athleticism
• Why Justin decided to attend Boston College instead of immediately entering pro ball out of high school
• How Justin made the transition from closer to starter
• Why Justin has always been a big proponent of long toss
• How promoting athleticism in his throwing motion and remaining free and loose with his arm action through long toss has helped Justin
• How Justin has learned to listen to his arm, manage his workload throughout his career, and make adjustments to his throwing routine whether throwing as a reliever or a starter
• How Justin manages soreness and tightness following a day of heavy throwing
• What differentiated Justin as a college junior that led him to be a first round draft pick out of BC
• Why throwing a changeup gave Justin trouble as he progressed into his starting role at BC and how establishing a routine of throwing his change up in catch play allowed him to develop and master this pitch
• How Justin initially learned to throw his slider and what his thought process is when throwing it nowadays to keep it consistent
• How simplifying his process on the mound and mastering his secondary pitches have allowed him to become the big leaguer he is today
• As a young big leaguer, what key competencies is Justin working to develop to ensure his longevity in the show
• How becoming immersed in the daily routine of Major League Baseball and learning from the experienced players around him will help him become a mainstay in a big league rotation
• What Justin’s pre-bullpen routine is and how he structures his bullpens
• Who Justin loved to watch dominate as a pitcher growing up and who he likes to watch now
  
  You can follow Justin on Twitter at @Dunn_Deal19 and on Instagram at @Dunn_Deal35.

Sponsor Reminder

This episode is brought to you by Athletic Greens. It’s an all-in-one superfood supplement with 75 whole-food sourced ingredients designed to support your body’s nutrition needs across 5 critical areas of health: 1) energy, 2) immunity, 3) gut health, 4) hormonal support, and 5) healthy aging. Head to www.AthleticGreens.com/cressey and claim my special offer today - 20 FREE travel packs (valued at $79) - with your first purchase. I use this product daily myself and highly recommend it to our athletes as well. I'd encourage you to give it a shot, too - especially with this great offer.

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!

Sign-up Today for our FREE Baseball Newsletter and Receive Instant Access to a 47-minute Presentation from Eric Cressey on Individualizing the Management of Overhead Athletes!

We're excited to welcome Dana Santas to this week's podcast to talk about how to fine-tune methods of improving mobility. A special thanks to this show's sponsor, Athletic Greens. Head to http://www.athleticgreens.com/cressey and you'll receive a free 20-pack of Athletic Greens travel packets with your first order.

Show Outline

• How Dana first became interested in mobility through yoga and why she grew to appreciate this practice for its emphasis on breathing and the opportunity it gave her to sit in silence and relax
• Why Dana chose to leave her job in corporate America to pursue her passion for yoga as a yoga instructor
• How a chance meeting on a business trip opened her eyes to the lack of mobility training in professional sports
• How Dana scrapped her original plan of opening her own yoga studio and instead turned her attention to bringing yoga to professional sports organizations
• How she went about establishing credibility in the athletic performance industry by creating a platform for her work and marketing her expertise as a yoga instructor
• How writing her first book and mailing individualized letters to influential players on every sports team in all major American sports got her foot in the door of professional sports
• How Dana managed the challenges of being one of the first female coaches to work in professional sports
• How coaching with humility, being confident in her skillset, and having “feel” allowed Dana to build impactful relationships with her athletes and fellow coaches and excel as a coach in professional sports
• How Dana has modified her traditional yoga background to fit the movement needs of her athletic population
• What key competencies and professional exposure do coaches and instructors need in order to develop a well rounded movement approach like Dana
• How Gray Cook and his work gave reason and explanation to the movement value Dana saw in yoga
• Why Dana is so cautious when prescribing stretches to her athletes and how she has found more effective methods to restore range of motion
• What cmovement challenges Dana sees in the baseball population and how she attacks them
• What common mistakes Dana sees individuals making as they perform yoga
• Why having context allows yoga instructors to better prescribe exercises, challenge clients without putting them in harm's way, and more effectively lead individuals through training
• What positions and poses yoga instructors should avoid implementing when working with clients, especially in group settings
• Why yoga instructors shouldn’t stray far from the basics and learn to appreciate quality movement over finding the most challenging pose to try with their classes
• What should people look for when searching to work with credible and reliable mobility experts
• What is next for Dana professionally and what valuable projects is she currently working on

You can follow Dana on Twitter at @MobilityMaker and on Instagram at @MobilityMaker. And, you can check out her website at www.MobilityMaker.com.

Sponsor Reminder

This episode is brought to you by Athletic Greens. It’s an all-in-one superfood supplement with 75 whole-food sourced ingredients designed to support your body’s nutrition needs across 5 critical areas of health: 1) energy, 2) immunity, 3) gut health, 4) hormonal support, and 5) healthy aging. Head to www.AthleticGreens.com/cressey and claim my special offer today - 20 FREE travel packs (valued at $79) - with your first purchase. I use this product daily myself and highly recommend it to our athletes as well. I'd encourage you to give it a shot, too - especially with this great offer.

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!

Sign-up Today for our FREE Baseball Newsletter and Receive Instant Access to a 47-minute Presentation from Eric Cressey on Individualizing the Management of Overhead Athletes!

For this week's podcast, in lieu of a guest, I'm going to do a Q&A on a collection of baseball training questions that were submitted by listeners.

A special thanks to this show's sponsor, Rawlings. We've got an awesome new partnership in place 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

• What the high-low model is and how can pitchers optimize their training on a 7-day rotation
• What the specific considerations are when looking to implement blood flow restriction techniques into training and rehabilitating throwing athletes
• What different demands sidearm and submarine pitchers impose on their body compared to more traditional, over-the-top pitchers, and how should these unique throwers adjust their training strategies to address these specific differences

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!

Sign-up Today for our FREE Baseball Newsletter and Receive Instant Access to a 47-minute Presentation from Eric Cressey on Individualizing the Management of Overhead Athletes!

We're excited to welcome Cleveland Indians pitcher Brad Hand to this week's podcast. A special thanks to this show's sponsor, Rawlings. We've got an awesome new partnership in place 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

• How Brad grew up as a multi-sport athlete in Minnesota and why he chose to prioritize baseball despite being from a hockey state
• How Brad navigated the challenges of the long Minnesota winters as he prepared for the season and gaining exposure as a young ball player
• How Brad was surprisingly unaware of how coveted a prospect he was
• What differentiated Brad as a pitcher and made him such a high draft pick in 2008
• How Brad’s skills evolved as he progressed through MiLB and into the big leaguer he is today
• How finding a simple approach to his mechanics on the mound allowed him to find a more repeatable delivery and develop more consistency as professional
• Why Brad moved away from throwing curveballs as his secondary pitch and transitioned to throwing a slider
• How Brad learned to throw his slider, and what his mindset is when throwing this pitch to make it consistently effective
• Why Brad’s seemingly apathetic delivery makes him so hard to hit
• How Brad specifically exploits tempo to facilitate late arm speed and create a delivery that hitters dread to face
• How Brad transitioned from a starter to a reliever in 2015 and what adjustments he had to make to his throwing protocols to properly manage this new workload
• How Brad approaches attacking hitters as a reliever
• How Brad plans and performs his in season training to account for the fact he needs to be ready to throw on any given day
• What Brad’s game day routine is
• How Brad deals with the pressure of being a big league closer

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!

Sign-up Today for our FREE Baseball Newsletter and Receive Instant Access to a 47-minute Presentation from Eric Cressey on Individualizing the Management of Overhead Athletes!

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!

Sign-up Today for our FREE Baseball Newsletter and Receive Instant Access to a 47-minute Presentation from Eric Cressey on Individualizing the Management of Overhead Athletes!

We're excited to welcome New York Yankees pitcher Mike King to this week's podcast. A special thanks to this show's sponsor, Athletic Greens. Head to http://www.athleticgreens.com/cressey and you'll receive a free 10-pack of Athletic Greens travel packets with your first order.

Show Outline

• How being a multisport athlete from RI impacted Mike’s athletic development and why he is such a big advocate for playing basketball
• How Mike managed his time his time and training in high school in order to always be prepared for the next sport in season
• How learning to long toss properly and stretch out the arm taught Mike to feel intent and progress his ability to throw the ball efficiently
• Why Mike chose to attend Boston College
• What the culture was like at BC during Mike’s tenure there, and how it contributed to making them a competitive ACC team
• How Jim Foster - an impactful pitching coach for Mike - facilitated relationships between his catchers and his pitchers and taught Mike important lessons about reading swings, calling pitches, and communicating
• How Mike builds rapport and a high level of trust between his catchers in pro ball
• How Mike has adopted an analytical approach for preparing to perform, and why he dives deep into data and video prior to games to inspire confidence
• How Mike communicates with catchers in game to refine his approach from inning to inning and sequence his game to be efficient and effective
• How gaining weight upon entering pro ball allowed Mike to experience a velocity jump
• What Mike’s initial experience was like playing professionally for the Miami Marlins
• What changed about Mike’s focus and perspective on development in the minor leagues after being traded to the Yankees that allowed him to feel comfortable and find success in 2018
• How a conversation Mike had with Max Scherzer at CSP helped him figure out his slider
• How Mike has developed his student-of-the-game approach and learned to apply analytics, physics, and biomechanics to improve his game
• How Mike throws his laminar two-seam fastball and what laminar flow means for the movement of his two-seam
• How Mike has learned to manage his hypermobility and what lessons has he learned about being loose jointed
• How Mike exploits his mobility on the mound mechanically to create a unique look for hitters

You can follow Mike on Twitter at @7kinger14 and Instagram at @officialmikeking.

Sponsor Reminder

This episode is brought to you by Athletic Greens. It’s an all-in-one superfood supplement with 75 whole-food sourced ingredients designed to support your body’s nutrition needs across 5 critical areas of health: 1) energy, 2) immunity, 3) gut health, 4) hormonal support, and 5) healthy aging. Head to www.AthleticGreens.com/cressey and claim my special offer today - 20 FREE travel packs (valued at $79) - with your first purchase. I use this product daily myself and highly recommend it to our athletes as well. I'd encourage you to give it a shot, too - especially with this great offer.

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!

Sign-up Today for our FREE Baseball Newsletter and Receive Instant Access to a 47-minute Presentation from Eric Cressey on Individualizing the Management of Overhead Athletes!

We're excited to welcome Philadelphia Phillies utility player Brad Miller to this week's podcast. A special thanks to this show's sponsor, Athletic Greens. Head to http://www.athleticgreens.com/cressey and you'll receive a free 10-pack of Athletic Greens travel packets with your first order.

Show Outline

• Why Brad chose to attend Clemson University out of high school even though he was drafted by the Texas Rangers
• What key competencies Brad lacked coming out of high school that made collegiate baseball the appropriate decision for his career
• How high level collegiate baseball compares to the ranks of professional baseball
• How Brad transitioned into affiliated baseball so smoothly out of college
• What memorable moments and insightful lessons Brad recalls from playing in the big leagues for seven different organizations
• How Brad became the valued utility player he is today after being drafted as a shortstop out of Clemson
• How the athleticism needed at shortstop impacts a player’s ability to move into a utility role
• How the perspective of a utility player has transformed in recent years in Major League Baseball and what opportunities this type of role offers a player, coach, and organization
• What the hardest position was for Brad to learn as he moved into a utility role
• How Brad was able to learn the ins and outs of being an outfielder as a ballplayer who grew up playing in the infield
• How Brad prepares in-season to be ready to play any defensive position on any given day
• What injuries Brad played through during the 2018 season that eventually led to him needing core muscle surgery and a hip labral surgery in order to come back for healthy for 2019
• How asking for advice from former teammates and players who have gone through similar injuries proved to be influential in Brad’s rehab
• What lessons Brad would give to any athlete who is about to have hip surgery
• Why Brad chose to adjust his weight post-surgery to ease the pain on his joints and improve the longevity of his career
• What players Brad likes to watch and learn from both defensively and offensively

Sponsor Reminder

This episode is brought to you by Athletic Greens. It’s an all-in-one superfood supplement with 75 whole-food sourced ingredients designed to support your body’s nutrition needs across 5 critical areas of health: 1) energy, 2) immunity, 3) gut health, 4) hormonal support, and 5) healthy aging. Head to www.AthleticGreens.com/cressey and claim my special offer today - 20 FREE travel packs (valued at $79) - with your first purchase. I use this product daily myself and highly recommend it to our athletes as well. I'd encourage you to give it a shot, too - especially with this great offer.

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!

Sign-up Today for our FREE Baseball Newsletter and Receive Instant Access to a 47-minute Presentation from Eric Cressey on Individualizing the Management of Overhead Athletes!