The D2 Baseball Podcast

In this episode, host Robert Frey sits down with special guest Tanner Spencer, the newly appointed head baseball coach at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS).Coach Spencer, the reigning NSIC Coach of the Year from his time at the University of Mary, shares insights into his transition to the Mountain Lions' program. He discusses the unique aspects of the UCCS campus and ballpark, transitioning from the NSIC to the RMAC conference, his approach to recruiting high school athletes and developing pitchers, and what fans can expect from the team in the 2027 season. Tune in to hear about his coaching philosophy, his roots growing up on a Canadian cattle ranch, and the mentors who shaped his career.Timestamps:00:01 - Welcome and guest introduction.00:40 - Transitioning to UCCS and moving closer to family.01:58 - First impressions of the scenic UCCS ballpark and campus.03:07 - Shifting game management styles from the NSIC to the RMAC.04:45 - Recruiting strategy and balancing offensive/defensive needs.05:55 - Coach Spencer's hands-on role in developing the pitching staff.07:22 - Navigating weather challenges and outdoor training in Colorado.09:06 - Roster evaluation, the transfer portal, and focusing on high school recruitment.11:38 - Breakdown of the upcoming 2027 non-conference schedule.13:10 - The differences between a condensed five-game week and a four-game weekend script.14:40 - Establishing a team identity and expectations for the 2027 season.16:20 - Personal mentors and growing up on a cattle ranch in Saskatchewan, Canada

In this episode, host Robert Frey is joined by special guest Wes Timmons, the newly appointed head baseball coach at Union University.Coach Timmons sits down to share the incredible story of his transition to Union, his deep roots in Division 2 baseball, and his vision for building a culture of servant leadership on and off the field.In this episode, we discuss:00:18 – The Journey to Union: How a surprise call from the athletic director and a "two-day date" with his wife led to clear spiritual alignment and a calling to Jackson, Tennessee.06:15 – Teaching the Game: Why Coach Timmons prefers the instructional and developmental focus of D2 baseball over the financial "rat race" of D1.10:04 – Roster & Recruiting Challenges: Navigating a late summer hire, analyzing the existing roster, and understanding what it takes to win in the ultra-competitive Gulf South Conference.12:14 – The Foundation for Success: Utilizing Union’s fully funded program, strong university support, and beautiful facilities to build a postseason contender.16:49 – Mentors & Relationship-Driven Coaching: Looking back at his minor league playing career and the coaches—including his father, Bobby Moore, and Dave Brundage—who taught him that coaching is ultimately about trust and relationships.Best of luck to Coach Timmons and the Union University baseball program as they prepare for the 2027 season!

In this episode, host Robert Frey is joined by special guest Tanner Gordon, the newly appointed Head Coach of Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) baseball. Coach Gordon returns to his alma mater to lead the Warhawks into an exciting new era.Episode Chapters0:06 – Welcome & Introduction0:28 – Returning to AUM & Playing Under Q.V. Lowe and Marty Lovrich02:09 – Pro Ball Experience: Pitching Coach in the Seattle Mariners Organization03:58 – Blending Professional Background with AUM Roots04:56 – Transitioning from Division I Pitching Coach to Division II Head Coach06:56 – Role and Alignment with the AUM Pitching Staff08:19 – Roster Construction, Recruiting & Finding the Right People10:38 – Program Pillars: Academic Success and Life After Baseball12:36 – Team Identity: Player Development & Playing Style14:21 – Embracing the Challenge of the Gulf South Conference (GSC)16:11 – Career Mentors & Transition Support

In this episode, host Robert Frey is joined by special guest Elliott Cribby, the newly hired head coach for the Hawaii Hilo Vulcans!Coach Cribby discusses his journey to Hilo and what drew him to this historic program. We dive deep into the rich baseball history of the islands—from Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees training in Hilo to Ichiro Suzuki starting his historic career on the campus field.Coach also shares his insights on:Honoring the Past: How the Vulcans are celebrating their 50th year of baseball while balancing deep Ohana traditions with a new vision.Recruiting & Roster Building: The unique advantages of recruiting to Hawaii, leveraging the transfer portal, and bringing in a dynamic 13-player class for the upcoming seasons.Developing Elite Talent: With 58 total MLB draft picks recruited or developed in his career, Coach Cribby discusses what it takes to build a "total pro," sharing stories of coaching current MLB stars like Tarik Skubal and Jansen Junk.Navigating the PacWest: Preparing the roster for a brutal conference gauntlet and tackling a massive 17-day mainland road trip.Don't miss this exclusive look into the new era of Vulcan baseball!

In this episode, host Robert Frey kicks off the 2026-2027 head coaching changes series with special guest Jeff May, the newly appointed head baseball coach at Barton College. Coach May stops by on campus move-in day to share his journey from being a standout catcher to a successful pitching coach, his strategy for assembling a trusted coaching staff, and his vision for building a blue-collar, developmental-focused powerhouse in eastern North Carolina.Chapters00:06 - IntroductionThe show opens with host Robert Frey welcoming Barton College Head Coach Jeff May to discuss the upcoming 2026-2027 season on campus move-in day.00:21 - Conversations Leading to the Barton JobCoach May discusses his deep familiarity with Conference Carolinas and explains why taking the head coaching position at Barton College felt like the perfect fit given the community's rich baseball history.02:06 - Navigating and Winning in Conference CarolinasCoach May shares his thoughts on whether his decade-plus of experience in the conference provides an advantage, highlighting the depth and toughness of the league's coaching and programs.03:15 - Transitioning from Catcher to Pitching CoachReflecting on his playing career at North Carolina and Lander, Coach May explains how his lifelong background as a catcher helped him transition into a successful pitching coach without preconceived biases.06:16 - Head Coaching Role vs. Assistant Role & Staff InvolvementCoach May outlines his philosophy as a head coach, emphasizing the importance of taking a step back to view the program as a whole while allowing his newly assembled coaching staff to lead their respective positions.08:28 - Building the Barton Coaching StaffA look into how Coach May intentionally recruited a loyal, hard-working staff comprised of trusted peers and former players to foster natural camaraderie and continuity in the front office.10:06 - Selling Recruits on Player DevelopmentCoach May dives into how Barton navigates the shifting landscape of college recruiting, explaining his pitch to high school athletes regarding authentic relationships and a heavy focus on individual player development.12:40 - Summer Recruiting ChallengesCoach May details the quick turnaround and fast-paced challenges of utilizing summer ball leagues, video scouting, and trusted alumni networks to finalize the program's roster goals.14:36 - The Excitement of Nixon FieldCoach May shares his appreciation for Nixon Field, highlighting the stadium's premium Bermuda grass, advanced tracking technology, and the continuous support from dedicated program alumni.14:58 - Defining Traits of the Barton BulldogsLooking ahead to the Spring of 2027, Coach May establishes the exact identity he wants his team to project: a gritty, passionate, blue-collar squad that plays the game the right way.15:23 - Influential People and MentorsIn the final segment, Coach May pays tribute to the key figures who shaped his career, beginning with his father as a long-time high school coach, alongside various mentors from his playing and assistant coaching days.

In this episode of the D2 Baseball Podcast, host Robert Frey is joined by former Minnesota State standout Jake Berkland!Jake shares his incredible journey from arriving on campus as a 140-pound redshirt freshman to transforming his game in the weight room and ultimately getting selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 19th round of the 2026 MLB Draft.In this episode, we discuss:Draft Day Emotions: What it was like getting the call from the White Sox surrounded by family and friends.The Minnesota State Journey: Jake's transition from the outfield to shortstop, and the impact of the Maverick coaching staff.The "Grind" of Summer Ball: Playing three seasons in the Northwoods League with the Wausau Woodchucks and how it prepared him for the pro schedule.Moving Forward with the White Sox: His first impressions of the organization and what he is looking forward to as he heads out to Arizona.Advice for D2 Athletes: The "gritty" nature of Division II baseball and why loving the game for the right reasons is the key to success.Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more exclusive interviews and coverage of everything Division II baseball!#D2Baseball #MLBDraft

In this episode of the D2 Baseball Podcast, host Robert Frey sits down with right-handed pitcher Grayson Chappell from the University of Central Missouri (UCM) to discuss his incredible journey to professional baseball.Selected in the 18th round of the 2026 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels, Grayson shares the behind-the-scenes experience of draft day, the emotional moment he heard his name called, and the hard work that paved the way.We dive into:Draft Day Emotions: The anticipation of waiting for the call and celebrating the life-changing moment with his family.His Journey Through the Ranks: From starting at the D1 level (Miami Ohio) to grinding through JUCO at Paris Junior College, and how those experiences shaped him on and off the field.Shining at Central Missouri: His recruitment, working with pitching coach Eli, and the unforgettable experience of pitching at Daikin Park in Houston.A Championship Culture: What made the UCM pitching staff so special, navigating the highly competitive MIAA conference, and playing alongside drafted teammates like Jack Scott.Advice for D2 Athletes: Grayson's words of wisdom for Division II players hoping to catch the eyes of MLB scouts.Subscribe to the channel for more D2 Baseball content, player interviews, and draft coverage!#MLBDraft #D2Baseball

Welcome back to the D2 Baseball podcast! In this episode, host Robert Frey sits down with right-handed pitcher Jack Scott from the University of Central Missouri (UCM), who was selected in the 7th round of the 2026 MLB draft by the Colorado Rockies.

Jack shares his incredible draft-day experience, his reaction to getting drafted much earlier than anticipated, and how he is navigating his path to the big leagues while rehabbing a UCL injury.

In this video, we discuss:

The Draft Day Call: Jack talks about celebrating with family and friends and the exact moment he received the text from the Rockies.

Overcoming Adversity: Navigating a shortened season due to a UCL tear and finding support from former teammate Nathan Hall, who went through a similar injury rehab process before being drafted by the Mets last season.

UCM's Championship Run: Reflecting on his dominant 2025 season (85.2 innings pitched, All-MIAA selection) and pitching in the National Championship series.

The Mules Legacy & Coaching: How the UCM coaching staff prepares players to win and why the program has such a strong track record of getting players drafted, including Jack's teammate Greyson Chappel (Angels).

Advice for D2 Athletes: Jack’s key advice for Division II players looking to make it to the professional level.

Make sure to like, subscribe, and comment for more exclusive interviews and coverage of Division II baseball!

#MLBdraft #D2Baseball

In this episode, host Robert Frey is joined by a very special guest: Seton Hill shortstop Owen Henne. Henne was selected in the 6th round of the 2026 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, making him the very first Division II player taken off the board this year.Join us as we talk about his journey from being a "late bloomer" with only one D2 offer to becoming a top-round draft pick.In this interview, we discuss:Draft Day Emotions: Owen takes us through the moment he received the call from his agent on the back porch with his family, and what it was like waiting for his name to be streamed on TV.His Career at Seton Hill: How Coach Marrizaldi took a chance on him, dealing with an early-season hamstring injury, and the family culture that defines the program.The Talent in the PSAC: Discussing the competitive nature of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and following in the footsteps of fellow conference players making it to the pros.Player Development & Mindset: The complete swing and mindset changes he made after his freshman year to generate more power and success at the plate.The MLB Draft League: His experience facing high-level velocity in the West Virginia Draft League and how it prepared him for the draft.Advice for D2 Players: Owen breaks down his approach to hitting, the importance of in-zone contact, and why simplifying the game is the ultimate key to reaching professional baseball.Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more exclusive interviews and coverage of Division II baseball!#MLBDraft #D2Baseball

Evan Morrison, a standout shortstop from Grand Valley State University (GVSU), joins the podcast to discuss his journey from Canadian college ball to being selected by the Texas Rangers in the 10th round of the 2026 MLB Draft.In this video:The Big Call: Evan shares the surreal moment he got "the call" from the Rangers' GM while in the dugout during the Canadian Baseball League All-Star game.An Unconventional Path: From starting at the University of Waterloo in Ontario to a stint in NAIA at McPherson College, Evan reflects on the unique collegiate journey that ultimately led him to GVSU.Elite Contact Skills: A look at the eye-popping stats that caught the attention of scouts—including a 2026 season where he struck out only seven times in 288 plate appearances.Defensive Evolution: How working with GVSU assistant coach Pete Romsek helped Evan transition from a two-way player and second baseman to an elite Division II shortstopAdvice for the Next Generation: Evan offers his best advice for D2 players looking to make it to the next level: play to your specific strengths and become elite at what you do bestSubscribe to D2 Baseball for future content!#d2baseball #mlbdraft