In this episode of the Coach Beede Podcast, Walter Beede sits down with Bill Cilento, Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Wake Forest, to break down what truly separates elite college baseball programs from the rest.

Coach Cilento shares how Wake Forest blends culture, development systems, and technology to consistently produce high-level players — including multiple first-round MLB draft picks. The conversation goes deep into recruiting philosophy, player development, training at game speed, and preparing athletes for the realities of modern college baseball.

Why talent is just the baseline — and what Wake Forest looks for beyond tools

How Wake Forest uses technology and pitching/hitting labs within real development systems

Training hitters at game-level velocity and why bat speed is king

Using ProLine training balls for hitters, catchers, and in-game simulation

Why aggressive mistakes beat passive swings every time

Recruiting in today’s world: high school vs transfer portal

The real value of summer college leagues like the Cape Cod League

Advice for younger players and parents navigating early exposure

Why failure is necessary — and how elite players seek it out

This episode is a must-listen for players, parents, coaches, and trainers who want a real look at what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of college baseball.

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In this powerful episode of the Coach Beede Podcast, Walter is joined by one of the most authentic voices in college baseball — Coach Matt Tyner, head coach at Towson University. What unfolds is a masterclass on today’s recruiting landscape, roster caps, the transfer portal, preparation, development, and the realities families need to understand as college baseball continues to evolve.

Coach Tyner brings blunt honesty, decades of wisdom, and a fresh dose of perspective every parent and player needs.

The Roster Cap Reality (34 players):

Transfer Portal Chaos:

DSA (Designated Student Athlete) Loopholes:

Why Older Players Dominate:

Is Division I Becoming MiLB Rookie Ball?

Summer Ball, Tampering & Retention:

Recruiting Breakdown (Coach Tyner’s Ideal Mix):

The Value of Strength, Size & Tools:

Hit Tool vs. Speed:

Reality Check for Families:

The Purpose of College Baseball:

Players and parents — build your profile, upload your video, and get in front of college coaches inside Bluebook Sports.

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In this episode of the Coach Beede Podcast, Walter Beede welcomes Andy Partin, founder of the legendary Dirtbags Baseball organization and one of the most respected voices in amateur baseball. With nearly 30 years in the game — now also navigating the recruiting world as a parent — Andy brings a unique dual perspective on what families are facing in today’s college baseball landscape.

Walter and Andy dig into the real pressures on high school athletes, the confusion parents face navigating camps and showcases, and why the Class of 2027 has become the “guinea pig” for the new NCAA recruiting rules. Andy explains how shrinking roster spots, delayed recruiting timelines, and the rise of older, more physical college rosters have completely reshaped the path for high school players.

They also break down:

Why 2028s and 2029s must stop chasing exposure and start chasing development

How automated emails and showcase noise overwhelm families — and what actually matters

What college coaches REALLY look for: the outliers, not the averages

Why physicality and strength are now the great separators

How to build a proactive development plan at home (not just pay for more events)

The role of social media, video quality, and communication in today’s recruiting

The truth behind “fit, need, and opportunity” at every level — D1, D2, D3, NAIA, JUCO

This episode is loaded with actionable advice for parents and players who want clarity instead of chaos in the recruiting process. Andy delivers honesty, experience, and perspective every family needs to hear.

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In this episode of the Coach Beede Podcast, Walter Beede delivers one of his most direct and eye-opening breakdowns of what today’s high school athletes and parents are truly facing in today’s college baseball landscape. Fresh off a Texas scout day loaded with talent and conversations from coaches at every level — Division I, II, III, NAIA, and JUCO — Walter lays out the truth: the recruiting world is changing fast, and families must adapt.

With MLB draft rounds shrinking, roster caps tightening, and the transfer portal about to explode again this December, Walter explains why the jump from high school to college is bigger than most realize. He breaks down rising standards in size, speed, strength, and skill, the surge in JUCO and NAIA competitiveness, the growing importance of base-running IQ, and why many families misunderstand exposure versus being ready.

Walter also challenges parents to build real plans — including gap years, academic priorities, and realistic pathways — instead of chasing shortcuts in a system that’s becoming more demanding every year.

A must-listen for every parent, player, and coach navigating the modern recruiting environment.

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In this hard-hitting episode, Coach Walter Beede exposes the truth about today’s college baseball recruiting world — what’s changed, what hasn’t, and what families absolutely need to understand.

From shrinking roster spots and the transfer portal to JUCO growth and the reduced MLB Draft, Coach Beede explains why the game has taken a full-speed left turn — and why physicality, preparation, and mindset now matter more than ever. Learn what college coaches really look for, how high school players can stand out, and what separates those who make it from those who don’t.

Real talk. Real experience. No fluff — just the truth behind college baseball today.

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📲 Powered by Bluebook Sports — the connected network for athletes, coaches, and organizations.

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Presented by:
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Episode Overview:

Joining Walter are two of the most respected voices in the game:

Rob Bruno, founder of NorCal Baseball, one of the nation’s premier travel organizations.

Sergio Brown, Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator at USC, former shortstop for Cal State Fullerton’s 1995 National Championship team.

Together, they tackle the changing landscape of recruiting — from the shrinking MLB Draft to JUCO alternatives, the rise of the transfer portal, and why physical development and patience are now more important than ever.

Key Highlights:

⚾ Why early commitments often fail — and what to do instead.

💪 The real reason strength and conditioning matter more than showcases.

🎓 How JUCO and DII/DIII programs are becoming the new development hubs.

🔁 The impact of the transfer portal and NIL on high school recruiting.

💡 Actionable advice for the Class of 2026 and beyond.

Call to Action:

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On this episode of the Coach Beede Podcast, host Walter Beede breaks down what families need to understand about college baseball recruiting in today’s new era. From building a foundation in 8th–10th grade to understanding the portal, JUCO path, and realistic timelines for exposure, Walter gives families a clear, no-fluff playbook for getting recruited the right way.

Key points include:

What coaches are actually looking for in high school players

Why hitting and speed remain the top tools recruiters value

How to build strength, size, and skill the right way

The new reality of JUCO and transfer portal recruiting

Why game reps don’t replace smart development

🎧 Sponsors:

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On this episode of the Coach Beede Podcast, host Walter Beede tackles one of the most urgent topics in amateur baseball — the massive changes coming to the NCAA recruiting landscape. With the transfer portal, JUCO competition, and roster turnover shifting faster than ever, Walter delivers an unfiltered, straight-shooting message to families trying to navigate the chaos.

Key topics include:

The end of traditional LOI timelines and how recruiting calendars have changed

How JUCO and portal players impact high school athlete opportunities

The reality of camp invites — what matters and what doesn’t

Why physical development and adaptability now matter more than showcase stats

How families can position their athlete to compete in a rapidly changing system

🎧 Sponsored by ProLine — train with the best balls in the game — and Baseball Bluebook, the official directory of baseball since 1909.

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In this Coaches Corner episode, Coach Walter Beede breaks down the truth behind college recruiting and why players need to stop chasing exposure and start building impact. He explains that college coaches don’t recruit mediocre players—they recruit strong, confident, and mentally tough athletes who can make an immediate difference. Coach Beede urges parents and players to invest their time wisely by developing physicality, speed, and skill before wasting money on early showcases. Recruiting happens in short summer windows, so preparation matters far more than promotion.

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In this episode, Coach Beede welcomes Clint Hurdle—former MLB player, longtime manager of the Rockies and Pirates, and now bench coach for the Colorado Rockies. Known for his daily “Hurdleisms,” Clint shares how his son inspired him to bring positivity and life lessons to social media, and how those messages have grown into a book that blends wisdom, humor, and practical guidance.

Listeners will hear Clint’s reflections on:

The origin of Hurdleisms and how John Gordon encouraged him to publish his lessons.

Coaching insights drawn from decades in professional baseball—focusing on meeting players where they are, simplifying instruction, and avoiding “multi-mediocre” multitasking.

Guidance for parents on supporting (not coaching) their kids, and letting athletes find their own path.

Bridging “old school vs. new school” baseball with a mindset of always being in school—blending tradition with analytics to help players succeed.

His belief in humility, resilience, and the importance of focusing on the person first, athlete second.

Clint also talks about his book Hurdleisms, how to find it, and his ongoing mission to provide encouragement through faith, leadership, and service.

The Coach Beede Podcast is brought to you by Proline Training Balls – the trusted training tool for every level of the game. Visit prolineballs.com to learn more.

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