October 22, 2025

Inside Eaton High’s Blueprint For 15 State Titles

36 minutes

Send us a text

What does it really take for a small farming community to build a high school baseball dynasty? We sit down with Eaton High School head coach Todd Hernandez to unpack the real blueprint behind 15 Colorado state titles, four since 2021, and a 74-game win streak that turned heads nationwide. No fluff, no gimmicks—just culture you can feel and drills you can steal.

Todd traces the roots back to youth baseball, where kids in Eaton learn varsity habits early and see role models wearing the same hat they do. That pipeline creates continuity, accountability, and pride that shows up on game day: crisp routines, hustle in and out, and players who know their jobs. We go deep on fundamentals—daily base running, bunt coverages, pick plays—and why the “boring stuff” decides playoff games. Todd breaks down his favorite multi-station defensive circuits and how he keeps every athlete moving, even indoors, using gym nets, a pop-up cage nicknamed Big Bertha, rollout carpet for grounders, and indoor mounds in a wrestling room.

Leadership and honesty sit at the center of Eaton’s success. Todd shares hard-won lessons, including a state tournament decision to save a closer for tomorrow and the philosophy that grew from it: win the next out before you plan the next day. He talks candidly about embracing the target on Eaton’s back, teaching “pressure is a privilege,” and staying process-first after a walk-off loss that ended the streak. We also explore empowering assistants to own outfield, catching, and pitching development, and how clear communication helps navigate playing time in a deep roster.

From small-town roots to a modern, resilient system, Todd shows how to build a program that survives graduation, weather, and expectations. If you’re a coach hungry for tangible practice ideas, culture foundations, and a mindset that travels, this conversation is your field guide. Subscribe, share with a coaching friend, and leave a review to help more coaches find the show. What part of Eaton’s blueprint will you try first?

Join the Baseball Coaches Unplugged podcast where an experienced baseball coach delves into the world of high school and travel baseball, offering insights on high school baseball coaching, leadership skills, hitting skills, pitching strategy, defensive skills, and overall baseball strategy, while also covering high school and college baseball, recruiting tips, youth and travel baseball, and fostering a winning mentality and attitude in baseball players through strong baseball leadership and mentality.

Support the show