Holistic Hitting The Podcast

He came in with zero offers—now he’s a D1 shortstop with scouts watching.Save this if you’re in the grind right now.
Tag the player who needs to hear this.What changed wasn’t talent. It was trusting the process, doing the same drills every day, and refusing to panic when the numbers weren’t there.That’s the part people skip:

• Build the swing
• Trust it in games
• Stop chasing noise

When you stop worrying about everyone else’s timeline, you give your own game room to grow.Finish strong. Keep grinding. Stay patient.Listen to the full conversation 👆#BaseballDevelopment #PlayerDevelopment #D1Baseball #GrindingSeason #HolisticHitting

Everybody wants bat speed—but what if chasing it throws off the rest of the swing? I’m not anti-bat-speed training. I’m against treating every hitter like the same machine. Some players need better mechanics. Others need approach, confidence, or a stronger connection to their movement before they need more speed. The goal isn’t to chase one metric. It’s to understand the player in front of you. Train the player, not the buzzword. What do hitters need most right now: speed, sequence, or trust? Listen to the full conversation on Holistic Hitting.

Baseball gets easier when you stop trying to impress everyone and focus on helping your team win. Players don’t need constant criticism—they need encouragement, a clear plan, and the confidence to compete. When the mind is free, the body can create. What helps you lock in when self-doubt starts talking?

Pressure is real—but the answer isn’t to “calm down.” It’s to compete. ⚾️When the moment gets loud, tap the plate, look at the pitcher, and bring it. Flip the script from feeling your way through the at-bat to attack mode—and trust your preparation. What’s your “tap the plate” moment?

Florida Gators baseball player Blake Cyr joins me to talk about his journey, preparing for the upcoming season, and the adjustments we’ve been working on together in the cage. A good conversation about his swing, his approach, and what he’s learning along the way.

In this episode of the Holistic Hitting Podcast, former Major League player and hitting coach Andy Barkett shares deeper insight into his philosophy of player development and what it really takes for hitters to improve.

Following the conversation that stirred discussion across the hitting community, Andy takes time to clarify his mission: helping players and families better understand how hitters are actually developed. Rather than focusing on debates about teaching methods, the goal remains simple—help players get better.

Andy explains why different coaches may teach similar movements using different cues and language, and why respecting different perspectives can ultimately benefit players as they search for what works best for them.

The episode also dives into some of the biggest challenges hitters face, including the emotional grind of baseball and the daily battle players experience as they try to improve. As Andy explains, baseball can feel a lot like boxing—you step into the arena every day knowing failure is part of the process.

Listeners will also learn key principles behind the Holistic Hitting philosophy, including:

• Why controlling your body is the foundation of hitting success
• How body control leads to better strike zone awareness
• The role routine and daily practice play in consistent performance
• Why learning to hit is a long-term development process
• How confidence grows as players gain control over their movements and preparation

At its core, the Holistic Hitting approach follows a simple progression:

Control your body.
Control the strike zone.
Control your mind.

For players, parents, and coaches looking to better understand the development process, this episode provides valuable perspective on the physical and mental side of hitting and the routines that help players build consistency over time.

Baseball development is a long game, and every player’s journey is unique—but with the right preparation, routine, and mindset, real progress begins to take shape.

In this episode of the Holistic Hitting Podcast, Andy sits down with renowned hitting instructor Richard Schenck, one of the most talked-about voices in the hitting world.

Known to many as “Teacher Man,” Richard has developed a large following for his unique approach to teaching hitters through feel, movement, and simple cues that help players unlock their natural swing.

In this conversation, Andy and Richard dive into the deeper ideas behind hitting instruction and why different coaches may teach similar movements using different language or drills.

Topics in this episode include:

• The concept of feel vs. real in the baseball swing
• How hitters learn movement patterns through feel rather than technical thoughts
• Why many elite hitters describe their swings differently than what actually happens biomechanically
• The importance of turning, connection, and body sequence in generating power
• How instructors can communicate complex movements to players in a way they can actually apply
• The ongoing debate within the hitting community about teaching methods

While Andy and Richard may use different language and approaches when teaching hitters, both share the same goal: helping players develop movements that allow them to control the barrel, drive the baseball with authority, and perform consistently.

This episode provides an interesting and thoughtful look into hitting instruction and the different philosophies that exist within the game.

For players, parents, and coaches trying to understand the swing and player development, this conversation offers valuable perspective on how elite hitters learn and how coaches communicate those movements.

In Episode 3 of the Holistic Hitting Podcast, Andy sits down with former first-round draft pick Jimmy Gonzalez to talk about the long journey through professional baseball and the lessons learned along the way.

Jimmy’s story is one that many players can learn from. As a first-round pick with tremendous expectations early in his career, he experienced the highs of professional baseball as well as the challenges that come with development, pressure, and the grind of the minor leagues.

Now working as a minor league manager, Jimmy brings a unique perspective from both sides of the game — as a player chasing the dream and as a coach responsible for helping young players develop.

In this episode, Andy and Jimmy discuss:

• What it’s really like being drafted in the first round
• The pressures and expectations that come with being a top prospect
• Lessons learned during a professional playing career
• What organizations look for when developing young players
• The difference between talented players and players who actually succeed
• The importance of work ethic, routines, and mindset in professional baseball
• Advice for players and parents navigating the development process

This conversation offers an honest look at the realities of professional baseball and the long road of player development. It’s a valuable listen for players who want to understand what it truly takes to succeed beyond the amateur level.

Jimmy’s story is a reminder that talent might get you noticed, but development, resilience, and daily commitment are what ultimately build a career in baseball.

In Episode 2 of the Holistic Hitting Podcast, Andy sits down with his son Isaiah Barkett, who was recently at mini camp with the San Francisco Giants, to talk about the journey from an undersized travel ball player to becoming a 10th round MLB Draft pick.

Isaiah’s path wasn’t the typical “can’t miss prospect” story. He wasn’t the biggest kid on the field, he wasn’t always the most highly recruited player early on, and like many young athletes, he had to learn how to develop his game step by step.

In this conversation, Andy and Isaiah talk about the realities of growing up in baseball and the lessons learned along the way, including:

• What it was like growing up as the son of a professional baseball player and coach
• How Isaiah developed from an undersized travel ball player into a professional prospect
• The importance of work ethic, routines, and daily preparation
• The recruiting process and what college baseball taught him
• What it felt like hearing his name called in the MLB Draft
• What life is like now as a professional player preparing for his first full season

This episode is a great listen for players and parents who want to understand what the development journey really looks like—from youth baseball to professional baseball—and what it takes to continue chasing the dream.

Isaiah’s story is a reminder that development takes time, consistency, and belief in the process.

In this first episode of the Holistic Hitting Podcast, former Major League player and hitting coach Andy Barkett introduces the mission behind the show and why he decided to start this podcast.

After spending over two decades in professional baseball—as a player, coach, minor league coordinator, and private instructor—Andy has seen firsthand how confusing the development process can be for players and parents. The internet is full of opinions, swing tips, and recruiting advice, but very few people are actually explaining how real player development works.

This podcast was created to bridge that gap.

In this episode, Andy shares his perspective on:

• Why player development is often misunderstood
• The reality of the recruiting process for high school and college players
• What separates elite hitters from average hitters
• The importance of movement patterns, routine, and preparation
• How parents and players can better navigate the baseball journey

The goal of the Holistic Hitting Podcast is simple: provide honest insight from inside professional baseball and help players, parents, and coaches better understand how hitters are actually developed.

If you're a player looking to improve, a parent trying to guide your child through the recruiting process, or a coach wanting deeper insight into hitting and development, this podcast is for you.

This is just the beginning of the conversation.