In The Layback Podcast Episode 57, host Adam Moreau interviews Dayne Pengelly, a senior right handed pitcher at the University of New Mexico. Dayne shares his journey from an injured high schooler to a mid 90s slinging mechanical engineering student with a passion for rockets. Pengelly discusses his early experiences in baseball, the challenges he faced with a significant elbow injury, and his rehabilitation process. Dayne also reflects on his transition to college baseball, the impact of COVID-19 on his recruiting, and his aspirations for the future. In this conversation, the two discuss the importance of strength training and Dayne's progression in pitching velocity. He emphasizes the mental aspects of the game, sharing strategies for overcoming challenges and improving performance. The conversation also covers his response to a tough start to the season and his aspirations for the future, both in sports and academics.

Will Carroll, a renowned writer and media member in the baseball world, headlines episode 56 of The Layback Podcast. Will discusses his journey in the sporting world, the complexities of understanding injuries, and the importance of transparency in reporting injuries to fans. Will shares insights on the misconceptions surrounding injuries, the recovery timelines, and the need for teams to tell the stories behind player injuries. The conversation also touches on the impact of information on gambling and the drama of failure in sports, emphasizing the value of context in injury reporting. In this conversation, the discussion revolves around the impact of FlexPro Grip on performance, the implications of the six ounce ball proposal in baseball, innovative ideas for the future of the sport, and the exploration of psychological assessments in sports performance. Adam and will delve into biomechanics research, injury prevention, and the importance of mental strength in athletes, highlighting the need for research and experimentation in the field.

In episode 55 of The Layback Podcast, Jacob Kmatz, a minor league right-handed pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays and Oregon State alum, shares his journey from Albuquerque to professional baseball. He discusses his early days in baseball, the challenges he faced during college, including injuries, and his experience being drafted by the Rays. Jacob also delves into his offseason training, work with Albuquerque Baseball Academy, the importance of analytics in pitching, and the influence of his wife on his career. The conversation highlights the dedication and hard work required to succeed in baseball, as well as the personal aspects of being a professional athlete.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Jacob Kamatz06:22 The Journey Begins: Early Days in Albuquerque11:28 High School Recruitment and Commitment to Oregon State17:23 Freshman Year Experience at Oregon State24:49 Sophomore Year Challenges and UCL Injury30:07 Recovery and Lessons Learned31:13 Rehab and Team Dynamics33:22 Draft Process and Team Success34:58 Joining the Tampa Bay Rays36:40 Offseason Training and Development40:23 Velocity-Based Training and Pitch Design42:03 Finding the Right Training Facility44:31 Improving Pitching Mechanics48:34 Insights from Christian Wonders51:36 Balancing Analytics and Game Performance56:54 Personal Life and Relationships

Weston Germain, Director of Pitching at Minnesota’s Mash Baseball, kicks off Year 2 of The Layback Podcast with Episode 54. This episode dives into workload management, education, program structure, and the advantages and drawbacks of facility-based baseball. Germain shares his journey—from a junior college pitcher to a public school teacher, D3 pitching coach, and now overseeing pitching development for one of the nation’s top youth baseball programs. He reflects on pivotal moments in his career, including the 2019 ABCA convention and his throwing experiments of 2020, which helped shape his programming philosophy. A Michigan native with a deep passion for education, Germain’s relentless pursuit of growth is evident throughout the conversation.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/07VP4VxhvJw

FlexPro Grip's Adam Moreau and Gavin Keipp-Stroud get together on the momentous 1 year anniversary episode of The Layback Podcast. After releasing one episode per week for an entire calendar year, Gavin and Adam look back on some of the highlights, learning moments, and takeaways from the previous 52 episodes. The two shoutout the top 5 most consumed episodes, in addition to a few of their own favorite stories, topics, and memories along the way.There is no way FlexPro Grip or The Layback Podcast would be where we are today without the help and support of our community. Thank you to all of the users and listeners who are making the waves for this arm care revolution. Because of you, we, together, are changing baseball.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NTZ8CK0b8-U

Brandon Golden of Ghost Lab NC and Carolina Ghost Baseball joins The Layback Podcast for episode 52. With an extensive background in strength and conditioning, human performance, and athlete development, Golden has worked with numerous colleges, 5 Tool Connection, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. His experience shines as he discusses global athlete development, general preparedness, and sport specificity. Throughout the episode, themes of skill acquisition and training economy emerge, as Brandon and Adam explore the opportunity costs behind decisions made in the realm of performance training. Movement and learning drive much of their discussion, likely sparking more questions than answers on these complex topics. Golden’s knowledge and growth-oriented mindset are on full display as he reflects on his evolution as both a coach and educator, demonstrating his commitment to continuous learning and development.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TBCUbRCRh34

Director of Pitching at Rockland Peak Performance, Niko Leontarakis, CSCS, headlines episode 51 of The Layback Podcast. Niko shares his own journey through player development, reflecting on the key moments that shaped him as a coach. With an up-and-down college career and brief professional opportunities, he highlights the lessons and relationships that influenced his approach. His passion for human performance and strength training is evident, as he emphasizes athletic movements tailored to individual needs. Leontarakis’ coaching philosophy blends science and experience, making for an insightful conversation on player development and performance optimization.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8CdgWWLfCAc

Ryan Yoshida, PT, DPT, CSCS, founder of Armored Heat and former Major League Physical Therapist for the Los Angeles Dodgers, joins The Layback Podcast for its milestone 50th episode. Yoshida shares his journey from PT school to securing a role with the Dodgers, highlighting key learning experiences along the way. The conversation covers positive and negative adaptations from throwing, the mechanics of layback, common injuries players face throughout the season, and stories of business growth and development. Yoshida also offers insights into the evolving nature of arm care, discussing how his own programming has adapted over time. Additionally, he emphasizes the role of individualization and specificity in training prescriptions, providing a fresh perspective on player development and rehabilitation.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/22P3JJvlzig

11th-round draft pick turned Development Coach with Connected Performance and owner of Feole Pitching LLC, Mason Feole, joins The Layback Podcast for episode 49. The former Padres pitcher has transformed the challenges of his injury-ridden career into valuable insights for his coaching journey. Spending more time on the Injured List than the Active Roster gave Feole a unique opportunity to dive deep into the factors that drive player performance. In this episode, Adam and the UConn alum explore athlete case studies, player development strategies, and evolving training methodologies. Feole shares key insights and memorable phrases that can reshape how pitchers approach their careers, including "Hitters are a virus" and "compound interest."

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

Episode 48 of The Layback Podcast features MLBPA Certified Player Agent and Vice President of Ball Players Agency, Alex Hinz. As the Director of Baseball for BPA, Hinz leads efforts in the amateur draft, free agency, and arbitration. A Colorado native with experience on both sides of the negotiation table, he has also spent time in professional front offices. Alex and Adam dive into the many roles agents play, shedding light on the often-overlooked services they provide. Hinz shares his perspective on the current state of arm injuries in professional baseball and the risks athletes face with every decision they make. He also walks us through the full timeline of injury and recovery from an agent's point of view, offering insight into the financial impact of injuries and the crucial role agents play in navigating a player's career.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/v8KkyPDU3o8