The Sweet Spot

S2:EP8 - The Road To 100 MPH w/ Conner Griffin

Jake sits down with current D1 RHP Conner Griffin [https://www.instagram.com/conjgriff1/] from Binghamton University [https://www.instagram.com/binghamtonbase/]. Conner, a long time remote athlete of Jake's, has transformed himself as a pitcher and person over the past couple of years. From sitting 88 MPH, touching 90 MPH, as a young HS athlete... to now sitting 95 MPH, touching 100 MPH, as a college athlete... Conner has lots of insights on his journey to D1 Baseball. Topics covered in this episode include: how mechanical optimization & gaining strength, size, & power maximized performance, how to process "feel" vs "feedback" when integrating data, how pitch overlaying techniques improved his arsenal, the benefits & differences between in-person vs remote training, advice for the "next Conner Griffin", & much more...Tune in to this exciting & informative episode to learn all things "Road to 100 MPH" from D1 RHP Conner Griffin! (0:00) Intro (0:48) Development Path: 88-100MPH (2:06) Conner's Thoughts On Remote Training (3:57) Blending "Feel" & "Feedback" (6:15) Overlaying Technique (10:22) Managing Tech "At School" (13:18) Evolving Your Mindset (18:38) Processing Feedback Loops (23:07) Recovery Protocols To Maintain Health (25:39) Advice To The "Next Conner Griffin" (29:22) Conner's Favorite Part Of Remote Training

S2:EP7 - Major League Level Insights w/ Joey Greany

Jake sits down with former MLB, & current MiLB, strength & conditioning coach Joey Greany [https://www.instagram.com/joeygreany/]! Joey spent 9 seasons at the minor league level with the Kansas City Royals Organization & 8 season at the major league level with the Tampa Bay Rays Organization; before transitioning to his current role as an Arizona Complex League Performance Coordinator with the reigning WS Champs, the Los Angeles Dodgers Organization. Topics covered in this episode include: evolution of technology over the years, if players seeing their data could be a negative?, examples of in-season/pre-season training feedback loops, the reactive strength index, & much more... Tune in to this exciting & informative episode to learn all things s&c from pro coach Joey Greany! (0:00) Intro (0:39) Joeys Background (2:04) Evolution of Tech (4:16) Negatives of Tech? (5:32) In-Season Training Feedback Loop (8:10) Most Favorable Metrics (9:50) Reactive Strength Index (12:23) Organizational Collaboration (16:42) Biggest Misconceptions (20:31) Looking Ahead 5-10 YRS (22:26) Joey's Speed Accelerator Program [https://www.joeygreany.com/speed-accelerator]

S2:EP6 - All Things Hitting: Pro Ball To Player Development - w/ Zach Racusin

Jake sits down with 8 year pro hitter & Owner of Rax Hax Pro Performance [https://www.instagram.com/rax_hax/], Zach Racusin [https://www.instagram.com/zachracusin/], to discuss all things hitting. Zach has been playing professional baseball in the highest independent baseball leagues for 8 years now. He's played against, & along side, tons of current & former MLB players while simultaneously running his player development company. Topics covered in this episode include: how hitting approaches have changed, striking a balance w/ data & feel, most valuable metrics, incorporating data into player development, how hitters can keep evolving, creating the right mindset, & future trends in hitting development. Tune in to this exciting & informative episode to learn all things hitting from pro hitter & coach Zach Racusin! (0:00) Intro (1:50) How Hitting Approaches Have Changed (5:06) Striking A Balance w/ Data & Feel (11:25) Most Valuable Metrics (17:25) How Hitters Can Keep Evolving (21:26) Creating The Right Mindset (33:23) Future Trends In Hitting Development (37:21) Zach's Advice For Hitters

S2:EP5 - The Evolution Of Pitching Development w/ Tim Leveque

Jake sits down with St. Louis Cardinals [https://www.instagram.com/cardinals/] Pitching Analyst Tim Leveque [https://www.instagram.com/umwolverine21/] to discuss the evolution of pitching development over the past couple of years. Tim has been a coach within the cardinals organization for over 19 years. Tim has had many roles throughout his years in the organization, some of which include: pitching coach, pitching coordinator, rehab coordinator, & pitching analyst. Topics covered include: shifts in development over the years, utilizing data in pitching development, possible over reliance of data, utilizing data in the draft process, injury prevention, the next frontier of pitching development, & his advice for young coaches. Tune in to this exciting & informative episode to learn more about the evolution of pitching development from MLB coach Tim Leveque! (0:00) Intro (0:25) Tim's Background (1:19) Pitching Coach vs Coordinator vs Analyst (3:05) Shifts In Development Over The Years (5:34) Utilizing Data In Pitching Development (9:36) Over Reliance Of Data? (11:39) Utilizing Data In The Draft Process (15:20) Injury Prevention (19:34) The Next Frontier Of Pitching Development (23:13) Advice For Young Coaches

S2:EP4 - Transitioning To The Big 10 w/ Ryan Butler

Jake sits down with Ohio St. Buckeyes [https://www.instagram.com/ohiostatebase/] pitcher Ryan Butler [https://www.instagram.com/ryanmbutler2/] to to discuss transitioning to a power 5 program in the Big Ten Conference. After playing at Liberty University, Ryan transferred to Ohio St. looking to build on his success & development he had previously. Topics covered include: the transition & competition level, development & coaching differences, different environment & expectations, & on-field adjustments. Tune in to this exciting & informative episode to learn more about transitioning & adjusting to power 5, Big Ten baseball! (0:00) Intro (0:38) Biggest Initial Differences (1:48) How Do Lineups Compare? (4:11) Personal Development Changes (9:37) Utilization of Data (15:41) Coaching Differences (18:30) Biggest Cultural Differences (27:00) Ryan's Word of Advice