Finding the Edge

This week we bring back guests of the podcast Caleb Abney, Nick Ascue, and Brian Pozos to talk all things hitting. 

Find us on Twitter:

@gboyum01

@RobertFrey40

Subscribe on Youtube: https://bit.ly/34dZ7MQ

This week we talk about what we have been learning from some of the various zoom calls we have been on while we all have been sequestered at home. Additionally, we discuss the journal club we did with Rob Gray in which Brock Hammit made a cameo. While once again talking about what we are doing with the Baseball Coaches Clubhouse discord server and some of the different events we will be facilitating with it.


Find us on Twitter:

@gboyum01

@RobertFrey40

Subscribe on Youtube: https://bit.ly/34dZ7MQ

This week we were fortunate to have on the podcast Rob Gray professor at ASU and host of the Perception & Action Podcast. We discuss with Rob some of his research into virtual reality (VR) environments as well as how some of his research on drivers' perception could have implications for baseball batters. We also explore a variety of other topics as well. Rob has lots of great resources on the field of ecological psychology on his website: https://perceptionaction.com/

Find us on Twitter:

@gboyum01

@RobertFrey40

Subscribe on Youtube: https://bit.ly/34dZ7MQ

Test

This week Robert and I explore batters exit velocity based upon pitch location with R Studio. We ended up video recording a part of our podcast so you guys can see what Robert was talking about with the cool visuals he created in R Studio from Baseball Savant data on batter's exit velocity based upon pitch location. If you want to check that out link below. We also discuss the discord serve we created for coaches and athletic staff that work with baseball as a resource and place to interact, share ideas, have discussions, and grow the game of baseball. Link also included.

Join our Discord: bit.ly/3a07z1B

Find us on Twitter:

@gboyum01

@RobertFrey40

Subscribe on Youtube: https://bit.ly/34dZ7MQ

This week we had Caleb Abney who this past season was the hitting coach for Covenant College and helped guide their offense to be one of the top offenses in the country at the D3 level before their season was cut short due to the pandemic. He has coaching experience from the high school level to the professional level working most recently in 2019 with the Minnesota Twins in the Gulf Coast League. Today we explore Caleb's hitting philosophy and how to develop adjustable hitters.

Join our Discord: bit.ly/3a07z1B

Find us on Twitter:

@gboyum01

@RobertFrey40

Subscribe on Youtube: https://bit.ly/34dZ7MQ

This week we had Nick Ascue who is the Volunteer Assistant at Bowling Green University in Ohio in charge of catchers and hitters there. Today we explore how Nick develops catchers and hitters through both a games-based and ecological approach. We also explore catching through the perspective of the umpire and what their intentions and perceptions may be and how they contribute to ball and strike calls and how the catcher can exploit that information to their advantage.

Join our Discord: bit.ly/3a07z1B

Find us on Twitter:

@gboyum01

@RobertFrey40

Subscribe on Youtube: https://bit.ly/34dZ7MQ

This week we introduce Robert Frey as a co-host and discuss the intention behind the podcast and the direction moving forward. We also explore machine learning and how it could aid in scouting pitchers and how pitchers could counter it being used against them. We also touch on and give our thoughts on the cancellations of many athletes' spring seasons.   

Find us on Twitter:

@gboyum01

@RobertFrey40

Subscribe on Youtube: https://bit.ly/34dZ7MQ

This week on the podcast we have Troy Rallings who was a stand out relief pitcher at the University of Washington where he accumulated numerous awards and records as PAC-12 Pitcher of the Year, the Louisville Slugger and Rawlings First  Team All-American Relief Pitcher, and West Coast Player of the Year. While at the University of Washington he set the single season ERA record, career appearances record, and tied the school's career saves record. In this episode we explore the mental side of the game with Troy and the mindset of a closer.

This week we have on Robert Frey. Robert has created a Shiny app in R that allows teams and players to analyze practice or game data. His Shiny app also allows teams to analyze opposing teams as well and generate scouting reports. In this episode we discuss with Robert what inspired him to get into baseball analytics, ways to use R to analyze data, and what projects he's currently working.