The Podcast About Division-III Baseball

Welcome to Episode 28 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. We took six months off but we're back in the middle of December because this is exactly when everyone is talking about D-III baseball. Okay, not really, but our real reason for returning is that we wanted to talk to two of the best players in the country during the 2018 season and hear about how they got to where they are now.

First (at 2:42), we talk to the d3baseball.com 2018 National Player of the Year, Daytona Bryden. Daytona graduated this spring after an exceptional career at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and recently announced that he has signed with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association for the 2019 season. Topics include:

• giving Jake credit for predicting him winning Player of the Year before the season started (on Episode 9)
• how he ended up signing with the Explorers after not getting drafted
• when he realized he was pretty good at this whole baseball thing
• how he developed at Whitewater
• the epic extra-inning regional game between Whitewater and WashU in 2016 (click here for the box score)
• whether his dad records every single at-bat or just most of them (YouTube link)
• his professional life outside of baseball
• the pros and cons of growing up with the name "Daytona Speed Bryden"
• how good he thinks Whitewater will be in 2019
• and more!

Next (at 25:49), we bring on Tommy Parsons, one of the most successful pitchers in D-III history and current member of the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Topics include:

• how a kid in Ohio ended up at a school in Michigan
• when he realized he was pretty good at this whole baseball thing
• how is velocity progressed during his time at Adrian
• why it was helpful to have another college teammate go into pro ball
• the end of his career at Adrian featuring our story of screaming "WHERE'S PARSONS??!?!?!?" in a car in Pennsylvania
• the insane five day adventure of becoming a professional baseball player after not getting drafted
• what his pro debut was like
• and more!

Thanks to Daytona and Tommy for coming on the show!

Follow us on Twitter @d3baseballpod (DMs are open if you want to reach us there) and @CespedesBBQ.

Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to [email protected]

Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759

Welcome to Episode 28 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. We took six months off but we're back in the middle of December because this is exactly when everyone is talking about D-III baseball. Okay, not really, but our real reason for returning is that we wanted to talk to two of the best players in the country during the 2018 season and hear about how they got to where they are now. 

First (at 2:42), we talk to the d3baseball.com 2018 National Player of the Year, Daytona Bryden. Daytona graduated this spring after an exceptional career at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and recently announced that he has signed with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association for the 2019 season. Topics include:

• giving Jake credit for predicting him winning Player of the Year before the season started (on Episode 9)
• how he ended up signing with the Explorers after not getting drafted
• when he realized he was pretty good at this whole baseball thing
• how he developed at Whitewater
• the epic extra-inning regional game between Whitewater and WashU in 2016 (click here for the box score)
• whether his dad records every single at-bat or just most of them (YouTube link)
• his professional life outside of baseball
• the pros and cons of growing up with the name "Daytona Speed Bryden"
• how good he thinks Whitewater will be in 2019
• and more!

Next (at 25:49), we bring on Tommy Parsons, one of the most successful pitchers in D-III history and current member of the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Topics include:

• how a kid in Ohio ended up at a school in Michigan
• when he realized he was pretty good at this whole baseball thing
• how is velocity progressed during his time at Adrian
• why it was helpful to have another college teammate go into pro ball
• the end of his career at Adrian featuring our story of screaming "WHERE'S PARSONS??!?!?!?" in a car in Pennsylvania
• the insane five day adventure of becoming a professional baseball player after not getting drafted
• what his pro debut was like
• and more!

Thanks to Daytona and Tommy for coming on the show!

Follow us on Twitter @d3baseballpod (DMs are open if you want to reach us there) and @CespedesBBQ. 

Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to [email protected]

Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759 

Welcome to Episode 27 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. This episode covers the twelve D-III players selected in the 2018 MLB Draft, and goes over what these guys did to earn the rare achievement of being drafted out of a D-III school. Before we dive into the draft, our podcast immediately goes off the rails when Jake finds a weeks-old piece of dried okra in his rug (at 2:40). Then we begin! We discussed each of the 12 draftees, in order of their selections:

• Junior RHP Hugh Smith, Whitworth -- 6th round, Tigers (at 4:20)
• Junior RHP Christian Cosby, Chapman -- 14th round, Royals (at 6:31)
• Junior RHP Colin Selby, Randolph-Macon -- 16th round, Pirates (at 8:46)
• Junior SS Michael Wielansky, Wooster -- 18th round, Astros (at 10:28)
• Junior 3B Michael Mateja, North Central (Ill.) -- 25th round, Braves (at 13:55)
• Senior RHP Colin Morse, Shenandoah -- 26th round, Nationals (at 17:07)
• Senior RHP Heath Renz, UW-Whitewater -- 27th round, Rays (at 18:18)
• Senior RHP Joel Condreay, Whitworth -- 21st round, Rockies (at 20:14)
• Senior C Rainier Aguilar, Redlands -- 33rd round, Padres (at 22:06)
• Junior RHP Charlie Ruegger, Stevens -- 33rd round, Yankees (at 24:29)
• Junior RHP Cory Heitler, Ramapo -- 34th round, Reds (at 26:10)
• Senior LHP Victor Cavalieri, Houghton -- 36th round, Braves (at 28:11)

Then we have a quick discussion about the guys we were most surprised were not drafted (at 30:29). Then we say goodbye. Thanks for listening!

Follow us on Twitter @d3baseballpod (DMs are open if you want to reach us there) and @CespedesBBQ.

Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to [email protected]

Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759

Welcome to Episode 27 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. This episode covers the twelve D-III players selected in the 2018 MLB Draft, and goes over what these guys did to earn the rare achievement of being drafted out of a D-III school. Before we dive into the draft, our podcast immediately goes off the rails when Jake finds a weeks-old piece of dried okra in his rug (at 2:40). Then we begin! We discussed each of the 12 draftees, in order of their selections:

• Junior RHP Hugh Smith, Whitworth -- 6th round, Tigers (at 4:20)
• Junior RHP Christian Cosby, Chapman -- 14th round, Royals (at 6:31)
• Junior RHP Colin Selby, Randolph-Macon -- 16th round, Pirates (at 8:46)
• Junior SS Michael Wielansky, Wooster -- 18th round, Astros (at 10:28)
• Junior 3B Michael Mateja, North Central (Ill.) -- 25th round, Braves (at 13:55)
• Senior RHP Colin Morse, Shenandoah -- 26th round, Nationals (at 17:07)
• Senior RHP Heath Renz, UW-Whitewater -- 27th round, Rays (at 18:18)
• Senior RHP Joel Condreay, Whitworth -- 21st round, Rockies (at 20:14)
• Senior C Rainier Aguilar, Redlands -- 33rd round, Padres (at 22:06)
• Junior RHP Charlie Ruegger, Stevens -- 33rd round, Yankees (at 24:29)
• Junior RHP Cory Heitler, Ramapo -- 34th round, Reds (at 26:10)
• Senior LHP Victor Cavalieri, Houghton -- 36th round, Braves (at 28:11)

Then we have a quick discussion about the guys we were most surprised were not drafted (at 30:29). Then we say goodbye. Thanks for listening!

Follow us on Twitter @d3baseballpod (DMs are open if you want to reach us there) and @CespedesBBQ. 

Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to [email protected]

Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759 

Welcome to Episode 26 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. The season has come to an end, and it's time to review what we learned during the 2018 season and take a moment to appreciate the incredible run of the Texas-Tyler Patriots. Here's what we've got in this episode:

• World Series review (at 1:32)
  • How the Patriots won it all
    • They proved rather loudly that they deserved the at-large bid they received
    • Notable performers: Blake Maddox, Alex Bishop, Simon Sedillo, Alexander Masotto
    • Why many of these players are used to winning national championships
  • Texas Lutheran coming up just short (at 6:30)
    • The Bulldogs were our Team of Destiny, and they almost pulled it off
  • General takeaways from watching the games in Appleton (at 8:00)
• Season in review (at 9:15)
  • What did we learn from doing a podcast about D-III baseball this season?
• Draft Preview (at 11:30)
  • A small number of D-III players will be selected in next week's MLB Draft -- who are some of the guys that have a shot to get picked?
    • The four we are most closely watching (link to Cut4 article)
      • Junior RHP Hugh Smith -- Whitworth
      • Senior RHP Tommy Parsons -- Adrian
      • Junior SS Michael Wielansky -- Wooster
      • Senior OF Daytona Bryden -- UW-Whitewater
    • Some other guys we think could get picked on Day 3 (at 17:20)
  • Discussing the four categories of D-III draftees (at 20:10)

Then we abruptly say goodbye. Actually we don't even say goodbye. But thanks for listening!

Follow us on Twitter @d3baseballpod (DMs are open if you want to reach us there) and @CespedesBBQ.

Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to [email protected]

Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759

Welcome to Episode 26 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. The season has come to an end, and it's time to review what we learned during the 2018 season and take a moment to appreciate the incredible run of the Texas-Tyler Patriots. Here's what we've got in this episode:

• World Series review (at 1:32)
  • How the Patriots won it all
    
    • They proved rather loudly that they deserved the at-large bid they received
    • Notable performers: Blake Maddox, Alex Bishop, Simon Sedillo, Alexander Masotto 
    • Why many of these players are used to winning national championships
  • Texas Lutheran coming up just short (at 6:30)
    • The Bulldogs were our Team of Destiny, and they almost pulled it off
  • General takeaways from watching the games in Appleton (at 8:00)
• Season in review (at 9:15)
  • What did we learn from doing a podcast about D-III baseball this season?
• Draft Preview (at 11:30)
  • A small number of D-III players will be selected in next week's MLB Draft -- who are some of the guys that have a shot to get picked?
    • The four we are most closely watching (link to Cut4 article)
      • Junior RHP Hugh Smith -- Whitworth
      • Senior RHP Tommy Parsons -- Adrian
      • Junior SS Michael Wielansky -- Wooster
      • Senior OF Daytona Bryden -- UW-Whitewater
    • Some other guys we think could get picked on Day 3 (at 17:20)
  • Discussing the four categories of D-III draftees (at 20:10)

Then we abruptly say goodbye. Actually we don't even say goodbye. But thanks for listening!

Follow us on Twitter @d3baseballpod (DMs are open if you want to reach us there) and @CespedesBBQ. 

Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to [email protected]

Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759 

Welcome to Episode 24.5 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. This is a mini-episode featuring a brief interview with Concordia-Chicago right-hander Mike Formella, who came up absolutely huge for the Cougars in the Midwest Regional, throwing a complete game vs. UW-Oshkosh to send them to Appleton in his first start of the year. We talked to Mike about the concept of #PitchingForYourChildhood, the Cougars' incredible run to this point, what they learned in Appleton last year, and more.

Follow us on Twitter @d3baseballpod (DMs are open if you want to reach us there) and @CespedesBBQ.

Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to [email protected]

Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759

Welcome to Episode 24.5 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. This is a mini-episode featuring a brief interview with Concordia-Chicago right-hander Mike Formella, who came up absolutely huge for the Cougars in the Midwest Regional, throwing a complete game vs. UW-Oshkosh to send them to Appleton in his first start of the year. We talked to Mike about the concept of #PitchingForYourChildhood, the Cougars' incredible run to this point, what they learned in Appleton last year, and more. 

Follow us on Twitter @d3baseballpod (DMs are open if you want to reach us there) and @CespedesBBQ. 

Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to [email protected]

Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759 

Welcome to Episode 25 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. This is our World Series preview pod, in which we prepare ourselves mentally, emotionally, and statistically for the final eight teams remaining in the 2018 D-III baseball season to battle it out in Appleton. Before we dive into World Series talk, we offer some brief thoughts on last weekend (at 1:33) and some of the most notable story lines from the eight regionals. We also offer another round of important disclaimers (at 7:35) regarding how we talk about the World Series field. Then, we break down each of the eight teams. In order:

• Oswego State (at 8:41)
  • The Lakers made winning the New England regional look far easier that it should have been. Now back in Appleton for the second straight year, can this squad have more success than their 2-and-Q showing in 2017?
• Texas-Tyler (at 13:18)
  • The Patriots pulled off the improbable, winning 5 in a row to capture the Central Regional title. They are clearly clicking at the right time; can they ride this hot streak to a national championship?
• Randolph-Macon (at 18:22)
  • The team we've been touting all year as elite looked appropriately awesome in the regional. Now in the World Series for the very first time, can the Yellow Jackets put it all together and make a serious run?
• Misericordia (at 23:23)
  • The Cougars stormed back in the Mid-Atlantic Regional to earn their ticket to Appleton, and look to ride that momentum to a strong World Series showing.
• Concordia-Chicago (at 27:47)
  • The Cardiac Cougars have had their fair share of miracle victories this season, but that shouldn't overshadow how good they can be. A strong coaching staff will look to lead Concordia to a better showing than their 2017 Appleton appearance.
• Swarthmore (at 32:40)
  • The Garnet loudly proved that their historic regular season was no fluke by knocking off three of the best teams in the country in the blink of an eye. Will they make their next tough task look just as easy?
• Wooster (at 37:23)
  • Now finally in a tournament that doesn't involve Wabash, the Fighting Scots will look to ride the nation's best offense and an increasingly impressive pitching staff to its first national title.
• Texas Lutheran (at 41:15)
  • Our official Team of Destiny, the Bulldogs have two of the best starting pitchers in the country and the offense to support them.

Then we mention the players we are most excited to watch in Appleton before begrudgingly making our picks for who will be the last team standing (at 47:10).

Thanks for listening!

Follow us on Twitter @d3baseballpod (DMs are open if you want to reach us there) and @CespedesBBQ.

Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to [email protected]

Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759

Welcome to Episode 25 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. This is our World Series preview pod, in which we prepare ourselves mentally, emotionally, and statistically for the final eight teams remaining in the 2018 D-III baseball season to battle it out in Appleton. Before we dive into World Series talk, we offer some brief thoughts on last weekend (at 1:33) and some of the most notable story lines from the eight regionals. We also offer another round of important disclaimers (at 7:35) regarding how we talk about the World Series field. Then, we break down each of the eight teams. In order:

• Oswego State (at 8:41)
  • The Lakers made winning the New England regional look far easier that it should have been. Now back in Appleton for the second straight year, can this squad have more success than their 2-and-Q showing in 2017?
• Texas-Tyler (at 13:18)
  • The Patriots pulled off the improbable, winning 5 in a row to capture the Central Regional title. They are clearly clicking at the right time; can they ride this hot streak to a national championship?
• Randolph-Macon (at 18:22)
  • The team we've been touting all year as elite looked appropriately awesome in the regional. Now in the World Series for the very first time, can the Yellow Jackets put it all together and make a serious run?
• Misericordia (at 23:23)
  • The Cougars stormed back in the Mid-Atlantic Regional to earn their ticket to Appleton, and look to ride that momentum to a strong World Series showing.
• Concordia-Chicago (at 27:47)
  • The Cardiac Cougars have had their fair share of miracle victories this season, but that shouldn't overshadow how good they can be. A strong coaching staff will look to lead Concordia to a better showing than their 2017 Appleton appearance.
• Swarthmore (at 32:40)
  • The Garnet loudly proved that their historic regular season was no fluke by knocking off three of the best teams in the country in the blink of an eye. Will they make their next tough task look just as easy? 
• Wooster (at 37:23)
  • Now finally in a tournament that doesn't involve Wabash, the Fighting Scots will look to ride the nation's best offense and an increasingly impressive pitching staff to its first national title.
• Texas Lutheran (at 41:15)
  • Our official Team of Destiny, the Bulldogs have two of the best starting pitchers in the country and the offense to support them. 

Then we mention the players we are most excited to watch in Appleton before begrudgingly making our picks for who will be the last team standing (at 47:10). 

Thanks for listening!

Follow us on Twitter @d3baseballpod (DMs are open if you want to reach us there) and @CespedesBBQ. 

Send us your best D-III stories or any other comments or questions to [email protected]

Subscribe + rate/review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-podcast-about-division-iii-baseball/id1342691759