Miller Hogan marks the first two time guest in The Layback Podcast's short history. The Tommy John Hybrid Reconstruction survivor joins episode 41 to discuss the latter half of his rehab and his valiant return to the mound for the Gigantes de Carolina in the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente (Puerto Rican Winter League). Miller takes listeners on a journey from where we last left off in April to his December 10 debut for Carolina. Although his performance was a tad shaky, he made it through the outing feeling healthy and confident in the work he has put in. Finally feeling like a pitcher again, Miller discusses his goals for the season, as well as divulges the reality of an independent leaguer fighting for a contract, stating, "you're only as good as your last year." You can watch Hogan and the Gigantes on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@LBPRC21TV/streams.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/av8Ok0hDQzc

Highly sought after 2026 recruit and Tommy John survivor, Andrew Bennett, and his father, Thomas, joined The Layback Podcast for episode 40. The father and son duo discuss Andrew's rise in the recruiting ranks and fighting through the battle of Tommy John recovery. Andrew highlights the objective approach to his return that he feels helped him stay competitive and motivated. Thomas sings the praises of his son's routine and celebrates the circle of support that has helped Andrew with his return to the mound. The two discuss the use of FlexPro Grip and the Driveline PULSE Sensor as key components in Andrew's rehab. Andrew continues to prep for what is now his junior season, after reclassifying from the 2027 grad year to 2026, in hopes of bringing home a state title. Also on the horizon is a potential college commitment.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hrmeS79exsY

Payton Lobdell, founder of Backyard Bullpens and Pitching Coach at Hope International University, joins The Layback Podcast as we learn about his winding road through college and professional baseball. From dealing with injuries to credits not transferring, there were plenty of setbacks that could have deterred Payton from pressing on. With the onset of COVID in 2020, Lobdell stepped away from the mound and started training athletes in his backyard at his southern California home. As word of mouth spread and his clientele grew, this marked the beginning of Backyard Bullpens. Beyond his success in the private sector, Lobdell was also crowned a National Champion with the HIU Royals when they took home the NAIA title in June 2024, his first year on staff. Now, in his second year with HIU and approaching his fifth running The Yard, Lobdell is excited about what the future holds.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AfDIvGRl194

Dr. Jeff Steuck, physical therapist at Kinetic Sports Medicine (KSMP), joins episode 38 of The Layback Podcast. The Dayton Flyer Alum was a former college teammate of Adam's, and through the small world of baseball, health, and performance training the two have reconnected. Steuck is a Kenosha, WI native who has spent time both in sides of the PT world - insurance based and cash pay. These two realms offer different experiences, but have both greatly influenced Jeff's approach to patient care. Adam and Jeff spent a large portion of the show diving deep on assessments, objectivity, and long term patient/athlete care. Steuck cites the importance of relationship building, as well as being able to both talk the talk and walk the walk. Check out KSMP at KineticSMP.com.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bPJ-KsvdBOc

Erik Supplee, Assistant Baseball Coach at the University of San Francisco, joins The Layback Podcast for episode 37. Soup, as he is affectionately known, has quite the coaching resume with stops across multiple level college baseball, highlighted by a 7 year stint at Columbia. Charged with guiding the pitching staffs at his various stops, Supplee has developed quite a knack for helping pitchers discover and accentuate what they do best through the use of analytics, technology, and just plain ol' baseball acumen. Adam and Erik discuss pitcher development progressions and even take a bit of a dive into the teaching Stoicism. Learning the importance of time valuation and self-worth are two of the bigger takeaway from the episode. Soup's light hearted and introspective nature shines through with little stories along the way. Go Dons!

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LZMiOIgjQ58

Toledo Rocket Redshirt Senior right handed pitcher Logan Danziesen makes his debut on The Layback Podcast (episode 36). The Sylvania, OH native graduated from Southview High School and went on to play college ball at Purdue University, prior to transferring to University of Toledo for grad school and to finish out his college career. Danziesen started to experience some elbow issues in high school but was able to tough it out until eventually blowing out during the spring of his freshman year at Purdue. Prior to the decision to get surgery, he managed the pain and discomfort through periodic shutdowns but could never fully get out of the woods. After undergoing Tommy John surgery, he rehabbed back but never saw significant innings again as a Boilermaker. Fast forward to 2023, he earned a pivotal role with the Rockets and was throwing regularly only to be sidelined by a nerve issue, tremendously impacting his velocity and control. Once again, Danziesen went under the knife. Now rehabbing once again, Logan is throwing pens and routinely chucking in the mid 90s with improved pitch shapes. Throughout the episode, he highlights his rehab processes and the addition of FlexPro Grip to his routine, giving great insight to a career of ups and downs and battles with injury.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xlsJML3IAfE

Ian Seymour, left handed pitcher of the Triple A Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays) and Rays MiLB Pitcher of the Year, headlines episode 35 of The Layback Podcast. The Massachusetts native shares his journey through minor league baseball and stories of Tommy John rehab. After getting popped in 2nd round of the 2020 Covid shortened MLB draft out of Virginia Tech, Seymour eventually reported to Port Charlotte for instructs later that fall. He overcame some early struggles in Spring Training from a partially torn UCL dating back to his high school days and went on to have a solid year. 2022 marked the beginning of the end for his elbow as he began to notice a drastic decrease in performance and increased discomfort, eventually requiring Tommy John surgery. Seymour returned late in the 2023 season, but 2024 marks the completion of his comeback, recording record numbers in nearly all statistical categories, highlighted by 145.1 innings pitched across Double and Triple A.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MnzKG5jqrmY

South Arkansas Community College Pitching Coach and Recruiting Coordinator and long time FlexPro Grip partner, Hayden Dow, joins The Layback Podcast for episode 34. Hayden is an Arkansas native who started his coaching journey fresh out of college. Beginning his coaching career at El Dorado High School under Cannon Lester, ironically the same town as South Ark CC, prior to taking the grad assistantship at Southern Arkansas University. After just one year, newly hired South Ark CC Head Coach Cannon Lester offered Dow the Pitching Coach position.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9ghqrLuyMFw

Episode 33 of The Layback Podcast features the Athletics' newly appointed Pitching Coordinator, Mike McFerran. Formerly of Wake Forest University and Skidmore College, plus experience in the private sector, McFerran brings experience and perspective from all levels of the game. Adam and Mike talk about pitcher identities, making coaching interventions, as well as the power of doing nothing. The two take a deep dive on defining personal purpose, especially post-injury. Mike shares his excitement to review, integrate, and build systems as he enters year two with the club, but his first in the new role. Top it all off with a few analogies, anecdotes, cliches, and laughs in the mix, and you've got yourself an episode.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xVP7ZSs1KIc

Wake Forest's Pitching Lab Coordinator and Director of Player Development, Sean Fisher, lays back with us this week to primarily run through the plans for the 2024 Wake Forest Player Development Seminar. This event was previously known as the Bridge Seminar, headed up by Sean's predecessor, Mike McFerran (now with the Oakland A's). Sean details changes to this year's format and teases the renowned roster of presenters. Also in the midst of conversation, Adam and Sean discuss Fisher's journey into the player development sector and his own evolution as a pitcher and coach, leading him to where he is now. Fisher previously worked at Tread Athletics and played collegiately both at Maryland and Virginia Tech.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vH_bqO92Uqo