Tower Sports Advising Podcast #31: Thomas Jankins, Director or Player Development at Velo U
Summary
In this episode, Thomas Jenkins—Director of Player Development at Velo University, former 7-year professional pitcher, and standout at Quinnipiac University—breaks down what it really takes to develop in today’s game.
From the evolution of high school and travel baseball to the increasing competitiveness of youth sports, Thomas dives into how players can separate themselves through consistency, problem-solving, and mindset. He shares why fall baseball is a critical window for development and recruiting, how to properly manage pitching workloads and recovery, and when athletes should begin strength training the right way.
The conversation also explores the balance between mechanics, intent, and mindset, the role of technology and data in training, and why communication, accountability, and culture are essential for long-term growth. Thomas gives honest insight into multi-sport development vs. early specialization, navigating high school commitments, and how families can better understand the modern recruiting landscape.
If you’re a player or parent trying to develop the right way and make smarter decisions in today’s game, this episode delivers real, actionable insight from someone who’s lived it at every level.
Big take away for parents & players:
▪️Development isn’t linear — progress requires failure, adjustments, and patience
▪️Consistency is everything — reliability gets recruited, not flashes
▪️Command, routine, and durability matter more than velocity early on
▪️Exposure doesn’t equal opportunity — performance and fit do
▪️Fall baseball is a major recruiting window — but only if you’re ready to perform
▪️Multi-sport athletes often develop better and avoid burnout
▪️Technology is a tool — players must understand how to APPLY it
▪️Recruiting is about projection, consistency, and fit — not hype
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Player Development and Performance Coaching
02:58 The Evolution of High School Baseball
05:56 The Shift in Competitive Nature of Youth Sports
08:50 The Importance of Problem Solving in Pitching
11:28 The Role of Consistency in a Pitcher's Career
14:37 The Impact of Fall Baseball on Development
17:23 The Value of Multi-Sport Athletes
20:06 Conclusion and Key Takeaways
27:21 Balancing Sports and Training for Young Athletes
28:16 The Importance of Fall Baseball for Recruitment
29:43 Navigating High School Sports Commitments
31:57 Managing Pitching Workloads and Recovery
34:58 Utilizing Technology in Training
37:52 The Role of Communication in Player Development
40:37 The Value of Player Accountability
43:39 Understanding Player Development Metrics
53:00 The Interplay of Mechanics, Intent, and Mindset
56:56 Building a Culture of Learning and Growth
58:30 The Balance of Guidance and Independence in Coaching
01:00:47 The Importance of Failure in Development
01:04:12 Strength Training: When and How to Start
01:09:30 The Shift in Youth Sports and Specialization
01:10:25 Navigating the College Recruitment Landscape
01:16:08 Rapid Fire Insights on Pitching
01:16:54 Key Advice for Young Athletes
▪️Where to find Tower Sports Advising▪️
📲Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/towersportsadv [https://www.instagram.com/towersportsadv]
📲Twitter: https://x.com/towersportsadv [https://x.com/towersportsadv]
📲TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@towersportsadv [https://www.tiktok.com/@towersportsadv?_t=ZT-8uIN02hLYgl&_r=1]
🖥️Website: www.towersportsadvising.com [http://www.towersportsadvising.com]
To book a consolation with Tower Sports Advising, 👇🏻
https://www.towersportsadvising.com/contact [https://www.towersportsadvising.com/contact]
