The PBSCCS Podcast

This episode of The PBSCCS Podcast is a group discussion on blending the weightroom and on-field skill development. This is Part Two of the interview.

Speakers:
-Logan Jones (Chicago White Sox)
-Nate Friedman (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Questions/topics covered in this episode:
-Assessments and training qualities
-Representative training and transfer of skill development
-Training under fatigue

Quotes:
-"To me, you're looking for outliers. You're looking for things that stand out on a normative scale" - Nate Friedman (6:29)
-"My first thought is I would be very skeptical of anyone that communicates in absolutes" - Logan Jones (16:31)
-"The best programs I've ever written were basically written by the player themselves through conversations" - Logan Jones (19:19)
-"I think there's ways we can come up with better drills and better, more representative practice design to help mimic what the situations are going to be like in-game" - Nate Friedman (20:31)

If you would like to learn more from the guests on this episode, you can follow them on social media:

Instagram:
@logan_jones95 - Logan Jones

Twitter:
@Logan_Jones95 - Logan Jones

This episode of The PBSCCS Podcast is a group discussion on blending the weightroom and on-field skill development. This is Part One of the interview.

Speakers:
-Logan Jones (Chicago White Sox)
-Nate Friedman (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Questions/topics covered in this episode:
-General thoughts on how strength and conditioning coaches can influence on-field performance
-Discussing player development plans with on-field coaching staff
-Involving the player in the planning process

Quotes:
-"For me, first and foremost, I think it starts with leaving no stone unturned and committing to doing whatever it takes to help the player" - Nate Friedman (3:00)
-"I think we always need to realize that no matter what the situation, our field is a field of service. And no matter who we're dealing with, whether it's players, front office, pitching coaches, hitting coaches, the mindset needs to be 'How can I help?'" - Nate Friedman (13:39)
-"At the end of the day our guys are here professionally to play the game of baseball, to win games at the Major League level, to win a World Series championship" - Logan Jones (24:38) 
-"It's an entertainment industry, but we entertain by winning baseball games" - Logan Jones (24:59)

If you would like to learn more from the guests on this episode, you can follow them on social media:

Instagram:
@logan_jones95 - Logan Jones

Twitter:
@Logan_Jones95 - Logan Jones

Brett Platts just completed his second season in professional baseball. He spent this last year in both Low A (Down East Wood Ducks), & High A (Hickory Crawdads) in the Texas Rangers organization. Prior to his time in Texas he was with the Chicago Cubs organization where he spent the 22’ season in the Dominican Summer League. Previous stops include an internship at the University of Iowa (2022), and a full-time position at the Okotoks Dawgs Academy in Okotoks, Alberta, Canada (2019-2022). Platts has a MS in Exercise Science from Liberty University, and a BA in Psychology from Carleton University. Platts is from Albany, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Education & Certificates:

Liberty University: Masters of Science, Exercise Science, Fitness & Performance

Carleton University: Bachelors of Arts, Sport Psychology

National Strength & Conditioning Association: Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

National Strength & Conditioning Association: Registered Strength & Conditioning Coach (RSCC)

Topics covered in this episode:
-Advice for others
-Finding success as a strength and conditioning coach 
-Continuing Education Resources

Quotes:
-"The realm of strength and conditioning is transitioning into the sports science field. I do envision many strength coaches probably having to have a sports science background or a sports science certification" (2:53)
-"Get as much experience as you possibly can" (7:01)
-"I think you have to be a coach; that's definitely the job you signed up for" (13:42)

If you would like to learn more from Brett, you can follow him on social media:

Instagram:
@BrettPlatts

or read his Simplifaster article:

https://simplifaster.com/articles/athlete-monitoring-program-jump-data/

Brett Platts just completed his second season in professional baseball. He spent this last year in both Low A (Down East Wood Ducks), & High A (Hickory Crawdads) in the Texas Rangers organization. Prior to his time in Texas he was with the Chicago Cubs organization where he spent the 22’ season in the Dominican Summer League. Previous stops include an internship at the University of Iowa (2022), and a full-time position at the Okotoks Dawgs Academy in Okotoks, Alberta, Canada (2019-2022). Platts has a MS in Exercise Science from Liberty University, and a BA in Psychology from Carleton University. Platts is from Albany, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Education & Certificates:

Liberty University: Masters of Science, Exercise Science, Fitness & Performance

Carleton University: Bachelors of Arts, Sport Psychology

National Strength & Conditioning Association: Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

National Strength & Conditioning Association: Registered Strength & Conditioning Coach (RSCC)

Topics covered in this episode:
-His best professional baseball story
-Athlete monitoring and his Simplifaster article (https://simplifaster.com/articles/athlete-monitoring-program-jump-data/)
-Finding appropriate load and stimulus for in-season athletes

Quotes:
-"Reflection can be kind of a hard aspect to grasp. So kind of taking those moments and just making sure you're present for once" (3:20)
-At the end of the day we're prepping them to play 162 games" (7:44)
-"There's a lot of data out there. I think it's just about creating relationships with everybody and then displaying the data that you have" (16:53)

If you would like to learn more from Brett, you can follow him on social media:

Instagram:
@BrettPlatts

Donny Gress just completed his 2nd season in professional baseball. He works for the Boston Red Sox as a minor league strength coach for the High-A Greenville Drive. He recently worked in the Arizona Fall League with the Glendale Desert Dogs. Prior to the Red Sox he was a coaching assistant and summer intern at the University of Kentucky with the Olympic Strength Staff and worked directly with baseball, softball, gymnastics, and started the strength training for Stunt. Other stops include Graduate Assistant for University of Kentucky Human Resources under their MoveWell division, Cape Cod Baseball League, John Carroll University, and Speed Strength Systems. 

Education, Awards & Certificates:

2023 South Atlantic League MiLB Strength Coach of the Year

University of Kentucky – Master of Science: Exercise Physiology & Graduate Certificate in High Performance Coaching

John Carroll University – Bachelor of Arts: Exercise Science (Magna Cum Laude)

National Strength and Conditioning Association – Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

OnBaseU – Level 1 Hitting

Topics covered in this episode:
-Working the Arizona Fall League
-Advice for others and continuing education resources
-Attending his first Winter Meetings

Quotes:
-"Arizona itself that time of year is incredible" (12:40)
-"You never really know what door's gonna open" (22:38)
-"I know I have a reminder on my phone every day to read or do my Duolingo" (31:41)

If you would like to learn more from Donny, you can follow him on social media:

Instagram: dontron41

or email him:

Email: [email protected]

Donny Gress just completed his 2nd season in professional baseball. He works for the Boston Red Sox as a minor league strength coach for the High-A Greenville Drive. He recently worked in the Arizona Fall League with the Glendale Desert Dogs. Prior to the Red Sox he was a coaching assistant and summer intern at the University of Kentucky with the Olympic Strength Staff and worked directly with baseball, softball, gymnastics, and started the strength training for Stunt. Other stops include Graduate Assistant for University of Kentucky Human Resources under their MoveWell division, Cape Cod Baseball League, John Carroll University, and Speed Strength Systems. 

Education, Awards & Certificates:

2023 South Atlantic League MiLB Strength Coach of the Year

University of Kentucky – Master of Science: Exercise Physiology & Graduate Certificate in High Performance Coaching

John Carroll University – Bachelor of Arts: Exercise Science (Magna Cum Laude)

National Strength and Conditioning Association – Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

OnBaseU – Level 1 Hitting

Topics covered in this episode:
-Working with gymnasts
-His best professional baseball stories
-Winning SAL Strength Coach of the Year

Quotes:
-"We know that winning is as much a part of development as anything we do in the weightroom" (13:37)
-"At the end of the day it's a team sport. It has individual pieces to it, but you have to do the best you can with your ability to help the team win" (19:01)
-"I think a lot of it comes down to two things: communication and feel" (29:09)

If you would like to learn more from Donny, you can follow him on social media:

Instagram: dontron41

or email him:

Email: [email protected]

Phil Hartt just completed his 8th season in professional baseball.  He worked for the Minnesota Twins from 2016-2018 before coming to the Detroit Tigers in 2019.  He has completed internships at Coastal Carolina University, University of Michigan Olympic Sports, University of Missouri Football, and a sport’s science position with the University of Minnesota M&W Hockey.  Other stops include coaching high school baseball for three seasons and working at three private sector facilities.

Pro Ball Resume

2016 Elizabethton Twins (rookie)

2017 Cedar Rapids Kernels (low a)

2018 Chattanooga Lookouts (AA)

2019 West Michigan Whitecaps (Low a)

2020-2021 Erie Seawolves (AA)

2022-Present Toledo Mudhens (AAA)

Topics covered in this episode:
-Advice for others in the field
-Being named International League Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year
-Continuing Education Resources

Quotes:
-"It's not your way or the highway like some people think. I mean you can be out of a job a lot quicker than them with that kind of mindset" (3:47)
-"I don't ever want to turn a guy away from the weightroom" (10:19)
-"Always be open to working with the other team" (16:35)

If you would like to learn more from Phil, you can follow him on social media:

Instagram:
@harttsandc

Phil Hartt just completed his 8th season in professional baseball.  He worked for the Minnesota Twins from 2016-2018 before coming to the Detroit Tigers in 2019.  He has completed internships at Coastal Carolina University, University of Michigan Olympic Sports, University of Missouri Football, and a sport’s science position with the University of Minnesota M&W Hockey.  Other stops include coaching high school baseball for three seasons and working at three private sector facilities.

Pro Ball Resume

2016 Elizabethton Twins (rookie)

2017 Cedar Rapids Kernels (low a)

2018 Chattanooga Lookouts (AA)

2019 West Michigan Whitecaps (Low a)

2020-2021 Erie Seawolves (AA)

2022-Present Toledo Mudhens (AAA)

Topics covered in this episode:
-Getting a Master's Degree from Australia
-His best professional baseball story
-Aerobic training
-Building a level system of development

Quotes:
-"I think that's how strength coaches should operate, you know, be the test dummy for yourself. See how you respond to different methods and stimulus" (2:22)
-"I just love learning. I'm not the best student, but I love learning" (5:32)
-"There's no reason everyone does the same program. A 17-year old Latin player compared to a potential Hall of Famer - they have different needs" (20:53)

If you would like to learn more from Phil, you can follow him on social media:

Instagram:
@harttsandc

Drew Weidner is currently a strength and conditioning coach within the Seattle Mariners organization. He was named the 2023 Northwest League Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year. Prior to the Mariners, Drew has stops along the way at the University of Wisconsin and University of Minnesota - Duluth.

Topics covered in this episode:
-His journey and best professional baseball story
-Being named Northwest League SCOTY
-Advice for others and continuing education resources

Quotes:
-"Do the simple things very well, very consistently" (6:03)
-"In the Minor Leagues rarely does it go to plan" (14:54)
-"You don't know until you're in it" (23:46)

If you would like to learn more from Drew, you can follow him on social media:

Instagram:
@dweid6

Mia Salvemini is a Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Tampa Bay Rays organization. Salvemini was originally hired by the Rays in 2020 after graduating from the University of Tampa in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Performance. During her time at the University of Tampa, Salvemini completed an internship with Cressey Sports Performance, a mecca for baseball strength and conditioning. She also worked in the University of Tampa weight room and helped oversee a variety of teams ranging from women’s tennis to men's baseball.  After spending the majority of the 2021 season with the Florida Complex League Rays, Mia moved up to the Low-A Affiliate, the Charleston Riverdogs to finish out the last six weeks. Salvemini spent the 2022 season with the Riverdogs in which they posted the best record in Minor League Baseball and earned back-to-back championships. She was also the strength coach for the Riverdogs for the 2023 season earning another championship. Mia is passionate about optimizing athletic performance. She has experience working with athletes of all levels ranging from youth to professional. Salvemini is also involved with Baseball For All, a non profit organization that helps build gender equity in baseball by providing girls with real opportunities to play, coach, and lead in this sport. This includes coaching young women via zoom about opportunities in this industry.  Mia’s goal is to help pave the way for future females in the professional sports industry and one day earn the title of Major League strength coach. 

Topics covered in this episode:
-Having won 3 Minor League championships already
-Crossfit
-Charleston, SC

Quotes:
-"I feel like at the end of the day we spend more time with these people than we do with our own family and they become part of our family" (14:42)
-"I think the more experience you get under your belt the better it becomes" (20:14)
-"I would say one big thing is if you want to be successful in baseball, learn Spanish" (26:21)

If you would like to learn more from Mia, you can follow her on social media:

Instagram:
@mia.salvemini

Twitter:
@Mia_Salvemini