Elite Baseball Development Podcast

Eric answers your submitted Instagram questions including: how pitchers should model their training in a 7-day rotation, what are the risks and specific considerations for using blood flow restriction techniques with pitchers, and what do submariners and sidearmers have to do differently in their training.

Closer for the Cleveland Indians Brad Hand discusses his development into a big leaguer after being a second round draft pick out of high school, how he learned to simplify his mechanics and find consistency on the rubber, why he decided to scrap his curveball in the minors and instead develop a slider, and how his preparation and routine has evolved since transitioning from a starting pitcher to a heavily relied on relief pitcher.

Kyle Hendricks, starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, discusses how he learned to manipulate and put movement on the baseball specifically his change up, cut change, and 2 seam, what his mental approach is for being a consistently effective pitcher, and how pitchers who don't have elite velocity can separate themselves from the competition.

NYY Pitcher Mike King talks about the lessons learned playing baseball at Boston College under Mike Gambino and Jim Foster, how pitchers can build chemistry with their catchers and create a better plan for attacking hitters, the conversation he shared with Max Scherzer about developing a slider, and how he has developed an analytical approach to preparing and performing in games.

Utility player for the Phillies Brad Miller discusses why he decided to attend Clemson out of high school, how he was able to seamlessly transition into affiliate baseball and play less than 2 years in the minors before being called up to the show, how he became a utility player despite being drafted as an elite shortstop, what valuable experiences he has learned from playing for 7 different MLB organizations, and what hip issues he was been battling prior to 2019 that forced him to have 2 major surgeries.

Former big leaguer and current CSP-FL Hitting Coordinator Will Middlebrooks reflects on the ups and downs of his professional career including: hitting a home run off Mariano Rivera, playing alongside the great David Ortiz, and the controversial obstruction call of the 2013 World Series. Beyond his playing experience, Will dives into how he has transitioned into coaching, how adjusting approach can often fix hitting mechanics, and how players can make the most of recording a hitting log.

Dr. Chris Ahmad, Professor at Columbia University, attending orthopedic surgeon, team physician for sports teams from high school to professional, and renowned author and lecturer, discusses what makes the anatomy and function of the elbow so complex for throwing populations, where challenges lie in the reconstruction, rehabilitation, and recovery of elbow injuries, and where the future of research and medical practices are heading to progress elbow treatments.

Sam Fuld, former MLB outfielder and current Player Information Coordinator for the Philadelphia Phillies, explains how analytics is being utilized to aid in player development rather than strictly player evaluation and game preparation, how coaches can learn to more efficiently disseminate data and individualize communication to athletes, what experiences and lessons Sam encounter on his journey to becoming a big leaguer, and how having the information he has available today would have impacted his career.

Renowned author and Director of National Accounts and Sports Teams for Marc Pro Gary Reinl talks about his experience in sports medicine for 40 plus years, how medical professionals are misunderstanding the mechanisms for promoting recovery of damaged tissue, why individuals should do away with icing and the RICE protocol, how e-stim helps to promote tissue preservation and regeneration, and how people can maximize the effectiveness of stim devices, like Marc Pro.

Brandon McDaniel, Director of Athletic Development and Performance Science for the LA Dodgers, discusses how he ascended through pro ball to his current role with the Dodgers, what strength coaches can do to broaden their skillset and add value to their current and future organizations, how Brandon approaches developing big leaguers, and how the Dodgers have worked to create a common, consistent culture throughout their organization to set themselves a part in baseball.