Born To Baseball

Ep. #009: Jason Michaels- 10 Year MLB Veteran/ Owner of “The Big League Approach” 

Join Evan and Jason Michaels as Jason shares his baseball journey, his decision to stay in college versus going pro, hitting tips and the value of staying within yourself.  Jason also talks mental toughness and “The Big League Approach” Philosophy.  

What You’ll Learn:

01:30-  Jason’s baseball journey

05:00-  Choosing JUCO after being selected in the Draft

06:45-  Playing in the College World Series

10:20-  How college helped him mature as a player

13:08-  Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies

14:18-  Getting called up to the Big Leagues

23:12-  Advice on overcoming challenges

24:43-  Mental approach in the game

26:12-  Mentor Roving Coach experience

27:52-  “The Big League Approach” Philosophy

Thank you for being here with us!  Evan and the Born To Baseball Team are looking forward to celebrating your success and sharing this journey together.
 
If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a rating or review on Apple or wherever you're listening here. This will help other ball players find the Born To Baseball Podcast and give us more chances to shout out our listeners!  
 
Now, let’s play ball!

Read show notes here.

Show Links:

Instagram: @thebigleagueapproach

Website: https://thebigleagueapproach.com/

Born To Baseball Links:

Born To Baseball Website

BTB Travel Team & Training Tracker

Instagram: @borntobaseball 

Facebook

Twitter: @bornto_baseball

Born To Baseball App (BETA Test) on Apple

Born To Baseball App (BETA Test) on Google Play

Ep. #008: Join Evan and John Rodriguez as John takes us through his baseball journey, talks some hitting including his thoughts on hand path and launch angle, and shares his World Series experience. 

What You’ll Learn: 

01:20-  John’s baseball journey 

05:06-  Road to the majors

07:40-  Hitting in front of Albert Pujols

11:45-  How he felt when he was signed by the NY Yankees

13:30-  Keys to success when it comes to hitting

14:50-  Good hand path

15:50-  Thoughts on Launch angle

20:04-  Tradeoffs on the road to success

22:50-  The importance of Mindset

26:27-  Playing in the World Series

Thank you for being here with us!  Evan and the Born To Baseball Team are looking forward to celebrating your success and sharing this journey together.
 
If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a rating or review on Apple or wherever you're listening here. This will help other ball players find the Born To Baseball Podcast and give us more chances to shout out our listeners!  
 
Now, let’s play ball!

Read show notes here.

Show Links:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.yyaa.org/yorkville-baseball-academy

Born To Baseball Links:

Born To Baseball Website

BTB Travel Team & Training Tracker

Instagram: @borntobaseball 

Facebook

Twitter: @bornto_baseball

Born To Baseball App (BETA Test) on Apple

Born To Baseball App (BETA Test) on Google Play

Ep. #007: Join Evan and Shea Hillenbrand, 2X MLB All Star, Founder of Against All Odds Foundation and 2V’s Apparel, Realtor and Peak Performance Coach.  

In this interview, Shea’s energy shines through as he shares insight into his determination and practice routine on the road to the Bigs, his Four Step Focus Formula to take your hitting game consistently to the next level, and offers advice to players on dreaming big, taking responsibility and living on purpose.

01:15- Shea’s Journey 

03:28- Tips on making your dream tangible

04:26- His dream of owning a zoo 

05:16- The role being a multi sport athlete played in his development

09:35- Learning to play multiple positions as a Pro

12:03- Key advice he received from Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez

14:10- The Four Step Focus Formula

16:22- Advice for youth players managing distractions & responsibilities

20:20- Being part of the 1%

26:11- 1st Major League All-Star Game experience

32:40- Staying relaxed & focused while hitting

39:20- Failing your way to success 

Thank you for being here with us!  Evan and the Born To Baseball Team are looking forward to celebrating your success and sharing this journey together.
 
If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a rating or review on Apple or wherever you're listening here. This will help other ball players find the Born To Baseball Podcast and give us more chances to shout out our listeners!   
 
Now, let’s play ball!

Read show notes here.

Show Links:

Instagram: @shea_hillenbrand

Facebook: @Shea Hillenbrand   @Shea Hillenbrand – Rewrite Your Story

Website: http://sheahillenbrand.tv/

Born To Baseball Links:

Born To Baseball Website

BTB Travel Team & Training Tracker

Instagram: @borntobaseball 

Facebook

Twitter: @bornto_baseball

Born To Baseball App (BETA Test) on Apple

Born To Baseball App (BETA Test) on Google Play

Ep. #006: Listen to the interview with Luis Lopez, Former MLB Player, Varsity Coach at the Harvey School and Coach of the New York Nighthawks. Luis shares lessons he’s learned throughout his pro career, advice on balancing academics and sports, the value of having a strong work ethic and how mindset is the game changer in baseball and in life.

What You’ll Learn:

04:05-  Luis’ experience playing in Japan 

05:01-  Some things that led him to have success as a pro player

06:37-  Building a strong mindset 

07:58-  Some tradeoffs youth players make on their road to success

10:36-  Tips on how to bounce back after a bad at bat

12:40-  His preparation before an MLB game

13:50-  His unique 1st Major League at bat

16:45-  Best MLB pitcher he ever faced

20:47-  The 40 Hour Week

22:46-  Favorite hitters of all time

Thank you for being here with us!  Evan and the Born To Baseball Team are looking forward to celebrating your success and sharing this journey together.
 
If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a rating or review on Apple or wherever you're listening here. This will help other ball players find the Born To Baseball Podcast and give us more chances to shout out our listeners!  
 
Now, let’s play ball!

Read show notes here.

Show Links:

Instagram: @doublel1919 @newyorknighthawks

Twitter: @doublel1919

New York Nighthawks

Born To Baseball Links:

Born To Baseball Website

BTB Travel Team & Training Tracker

Instagram: @borntobaseball 

Facebook

Twitter: @bornto_baseball

Born To Baseball App (BETA Test) on Apple

Born To Baseball App (BETA Test) on Google Play

Ep. #005: Listen to Part 2 of the interview with Nelson Figueroa, Former Mets pitcher, Emmy Award Winning Analyst and co-host of "Amazin' But True: A NY Mets Podcast". Nelson takes us further behind the scenes into his experience as an MLB pitcher. He also shares training tips for youth players and highlights the value of maintaining a strong mindset.  

What You’ll Learn:

1:01    Winning the inning and staying focused  

4:16    A peek into the mindset of a relief pitcher entering the game in a big spot

10:52  World Baseball Classic

12:07  Favorite MLB moment as a player

13:32  Fantasy camp and building relationships built with other MLB players

14:50  Ideal arsenal of pitches for a youth pitcher to have. Master 3 pitches

17:07  Mindset of a MLB pitcher going into an at bat.

20:50  MLB players who had impressive 2019 seasons that youth ball players could learn a lot from by watching

25:40  The importance of building a strong lower half and training your body properly

28:20  Working with youth pitchers in person and virtually

Listen to Part 1 of the Interview with Nelson Figueroa here.

Thank you for being here with us!  Evan and the Born To Baseball Team are looking forward to celebrating your success and sharing this journey together.
 
If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a rating or review on Apple or wherever you're listening here. This will help other ball players find the Born To Baseball Podcast and give us more chances to shout out our listeners!  
 
Now, let’s play ball!

Read show notes here.

Show Links:

Nelson’s Twitter: @figgieny 

Listen to Nelson on the Amazin’ But True: A NY Mets Baseball Podcast 

Born To Baseball Links:

Born To Baseball Website

BTB Travel Team & Training Tracker

Instagram: @borntobaseball 

Facebook

Twitter: @bornto_baseball

Born To Baseball App (BETA Test) on Apple

Born To Baseball App (BETA Test) on Google Play

Ep. #004: Listen to Part 1 of the interview with Nelson Figueroa, Former Mets pitcher, Emmy Award Winning Analyst and co-host of "Amazin' But True: A NY Mets Podcast". Nelson shares his journey to the bigs as well as pitching and training tips specific to youth baseball players. He also discusses the importance of self-confidence.

What You’ll Learn:

1:31    Nelson’s baseball journey

4:23    Coaches and mentors on road to MLB

6:55    When can a youth pitcher start to safely throw a curve ball

8:48    Protecting your arm

13:11  His thoughts on P.O. (pitcher only) at the youth level, staying ready, competition and pushing yourself

18:01  Adding Velocity, throwing strikes, exploding to the plate

20:46  Velocity vs location

22:20  Establishing the inside part of the plate and making the hitter uncomfortable 

26:15  Mindset as a pitcher and mental prep before a game

31:16  Learning to deal with failure and looking for the silver lining

Listen to Part 2 of the Interview with Nelson Figueroa here.

Thank you for being here with us!  Evan and the Born To Baseball Team are looking forward to celebrating your success and sharing this journey together.
 
If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a rating or review on Apple or wherever you're listening here. This will help other ball players find the Born To Baseball Podcast and give us more chances to shout out our listeners!  
 
Now, let’s play ball!

Read show notes here.

Show Links:

Nelson’s Twitter: @figgieny 

Listen to Nelson on the Amazin’ But True: A NY Mets Baseball Podcast 

Born To Baseball Links:

Born To Baseball Website

BTB Travel Team & Training Tracker

Instagram: @borntobaseball 

Facebook

Twitter: @bornto_baseball

Born To Baseball App (BETA Test) on Apple

Born To Baseball App (BETA Test) on Google Play

Ep. #002: Jefferson Infante, Former D1/ Kansas City Royals Pro Ball Player and College and Youth Baseball Coach, shares his baseball journey, coaching experience and tips on how having the right mindset will help youth baseball players take their games to the next level.

What You’ll Learn:

01:16  Jefferson’s baseball journey

08:48  Coaching experience after pro-ball

12:09  Coaching in Italy

14:01  Jefferson shares his opinion on two hitting philosophies

16:11  Thoughts on A-Rod’s video on hitting homeruns and approach at the plate

17:22  Shares how he defines “staying inside the baseball”

19:20  Importance of having a positive mindset as a youth player

22:00  Jefferson shares tips on developing a positive mindset

23:00  Having an approach at the plate

27:15  Some qualities and characteristics he believes scouts look for in players

Thank you for being here with us!  Evan and the Born To Baseball Team are looking forward to celebrating your success and sharing this journey together.

If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a rating or review on Apple or wherever you're listening here. This will help other ball players find the Born To Baseball Podcast and give us more chances to shout out our listeners!   

Now, let’s play ball!

Read show notes here.

Show Links:

Jefferson’s Instagram: @jeffersoninfante6 @noreastclippersofficial

How to Hit Home Runs/ Tips for the Best Approach at the Plate video link

Born To Baseball Links:

Born To Baseball Website

BTB Travel Team & Training Tracker

Instagram: @borntobaseball 

Facebook

Twitter: @bornto_baseball

Born To Baseball App (BETA Test) on Apple

Born To Baseball App (BETA Test) on Google Play

Ep. #003: Ryan Roman, baseball coach at Concordia College in New York and coach and board member of the Nor’East Clippers Organization, shares his baseball journey, infielder insight and tips to stay motivated.

What You'll Learn:

1:00    Ryan’s baseball journey 

12:46  How he uses psychology in baseball

14:20  Importance of good footwork and not relying on just your hands

15:38  Stronger arm vs better hands from left side of the infield

17:55  Bobby Dickerson (Infield Coach Baltimore Orioles) video reference how to turn an in-between hop into a long hop

19:26  Getting the good hop

20:16  Breakdown of slow rollers in the 2019 World Series and being athletic

21:51  MLB Infielders kids could learn a lot from just by watching

23:37  Using the count and studying a pitcher’s tendencies to help with base stealing

29:23  Favorite 5 tool players as well as role models for “smaller” guys looking to play at a high level.

Thank you for being here with us!  Evan and the Born To Baseball Team are looking forward to celebrating your success and sharing this journey together.
 
If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a rating or review on Apple or wherever you're listening here. This will help other ball players find the Born To Baseball Podcast and give us more chances to shout out our listeners!  
 
Now, let’s play ball!

Read show notes here.

Show Links:

Ryan’s Instagram: @noreastclippersofficial @coachrome_01

Bobby Dickerson instructs the left side of the infield video link.

Born To Baseball Links:

Born To Baseball Website

BTB Travel Team & Training Tracker

Instagram: @borntobaseball 

Facebook

Twitter: @bornto_baseball

Born To Baseball App (BETA Test) on Apple

Born To Baseball App (BETA Test) on Google Play

Ep. #001: Welcome to the 1st Episode of the Born To Baseball Podcast!

Born To Baseball (BTB) is a unique community dedicated to the new generation of serious youth baseball players and we want YOU to be a part of it! 

In this episode, Evan, our BTB host, shares what Born To Baseball is all about.  He offers a sneak peak into future interviews with coaches, pros and more, and ways players will be supported.

There are many places to stay connected, learn more, get free resources and connect in real time.  You can...

1. First, hit SUBSCRIBE and be the first to know when new episodes launch.  
2. Download the Born To Baseball App
3. Head over to the Born To Baseball website
4. Follow us on social media

All the links are provided below.  

Prefer reading over listening? No problem!  We offer a full transcript of the episodes as well, so feel free to click on the expand button to view.

If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a rating or review on Apple or wherever you're listening here. This will help other ball players find the Born To Baseball Podcast and give us more chances to shout out our listeners!  

Thank you for being here with us!  Evan and the Born To Baseball Team are looking forward to celebrating your success and sharing this journey together.

Now, let’s play ball!

Links:

Read show notes here.

Born To Baseball Website

BTB Travel Team & Training Tracker

Instagram: @borntobaseball 

Facebook

Twitter: @bornto_baseball

Born To Baseball App (BETA Test) on Apple

Born To Baseball App (BETA Test) on Google Play