Ever wonder what it takes to develop elite catchers like Cal Raleigh? In this episode of the Backpick Podcast, we sit down with Zac Livingston, the former Seattle Mariners catching coordinator and current Pittsburgh Pirates minor league field coordinator, to break down the modern game behind the dish. Whether you are a coach, a player, or a fan of the craft, this conversation offers a masterclass in catching philosophy and player development. ⚾

Zac shares his unique journey of transitioning from a college pitcher to a professional catcher in just one year, eventually leading to a successful career in coaching. We dive deep into the technical evolution of the position, specifically the implementation of the one-knee-down stance and how to balance receiving value with throwing efficiency. Zac explains why context is everything when deciding how to set up behind the plate and how he uses data to help catchers maximize their performance. 📊

We also get an exclusive look at the work ethic and routines of Platinum Glove winner Cal Raleigh. Zac describes the incredible consistency and attention to detail that separates the greats from everyone else. From blocking mechanics like picking versus paddling to the mental toughness required to survive a long season, this episode covers it all. Plus, stay tuned for the end where Zac shares some of his favorite food spots across the country in our Baseball Bites segment! 🍔

Chapters 🕒

0:00 Welcome to the Back Pick Podcast

2:50 Switching from Pitcher to Catcher

6:15 Starting the Coaching Journey

10:45 Implementing the Knee Down Stance

15:20 Balancing Receiving and Throwing Context

20:00 The Value of Stolen Base Prevention

24:30 Trial and Error with Minor League Catchers

29:15 The Art of Blocking and Picking the Ball

33:40 What Makes a Block Successful

37:50 Lessons from Cal Raleigh’s Work Ethic

42:15 The Evolution of Hitting and Batting Average

46:40 Baseball Bites: Top Food Recommendations

49:52 End of Episode

If you enjoyed this deep dive into the greatest position in sports, please hit the like button and subscribe for more episodes every other week. You can also reach out to us at [email protected] for more information or follow us on social media! 👋

#baseball #catching #mlb #seattlemariners #pittsburghpirates