Driveline Baseball Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Summer Ball or Summer Training? | The Desert Shift Podcast EP 02 Apr 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Daulton Barry and Tyler Kozlowski discuss the offseason strategies for college athletes, emphasizing the importance of self-assessment and honest evaluation of one's skills and readiness for the next level. They explore training strategies, the significance of strength and conditioning, and the role of aerobic capacity in baseball performance. The conversation also touches on the mental aspects of training and the necessity of recovery and family time for athletes. 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage 10:00 Assessing Player Development and Training Needs 20:09 The Importance of Physical & Mental Recovery 28:00 Long-Distance Running and Its Role in Baseball Training 33:50 Fun Segment: Quickfire Ratings and Wrap-Up

EP 63: Modeling the Game: How Driveline R&D Utilizes AI Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

In this special episode of the Driveline podcast, a few members of Driveline's R&D team (Kyle Boddy, Clayton Thompson, Conner Pelletier & Jack Lambert) talk through how they use AI in projects, from building pitch models to solving motion capture problems on-site with an NBA team. They share what it was like starting as interns, the mistakes they made, and what helped them grow. The episode also covers what they look for when hiring now, and why technical skills alone aren't enough. It's a look inside the systems, tools, and mindset behind Driveline's innovation.

The Best Training Tool You've Never Heard Of | The Desert Shift Podcast EP 01 Apr 11, 2025

Show notes

In this inaugural episode of The Desert Shift Podcast, Dalton Barry and Dylan Gargas discuss various topics related to baseball training, including the impact of new technologies like torpedo bats, uncommon training tools, and the importance of a supportive training environment. They share their personal journeys to Driveline, highlight success stories of athletes, and provide insights into the hiring process for interns at the facility. The conversation emphasizes the significance of hard work, adaptability, and the value of community in achieving success in baseball. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 02:42 Opening Weekend Highlights 05:54 Impact of Torpedo Bats on Pitching 11:00 Pitching Evolution and Training Insights 20:01 Training Tools and Techniques 26:01 Personal Journeys in Baseball Training 30:41 Stadium Food and Game Day Experiences 34:19 The Social Element of Baseball Games 37:12 Driveline's Evolution and Misconceptions 39:39 The Passion Behind Driveline's Success 41:00 Celebrating Athlete Success Stories 46:14 Training Philosophy and Athlete Development 51:29 Internship Insights and Hiring Criteria

Predicting Pitching Success: The Power of Advanced Models | R&D Podcast Ep 101 Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Jack, Josh & Marek explore the evolution of pitch modeling in baseball, covering key metrics like 'Stuff' and the shift to component-based approaches. They discuss how advanced models predict pitching success and how insights can be applied to both pitchers and hitters. The conversation also touches on the 'Big 3' of hitting analysis, the development of a matchup model tailored to hitters, and the limitations of current models, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement in player evaluation. This podcast offers a unique look into how Driveline combines research, analytics, and practical application under one roof to push baseball development forward. Whether you're a player, coach, or analytics enthusiast, you'll gain insights into the future of baseball training and performance.

0:00 Introduction to Pitch Modeling 3:33 Understanding Pitch Modeling Basics 6:00 Historical Context and Evolution of Pitch Modeling 6:58 The Value of Stuff and Quick Reliability 11:18 Component-Based Approach to Pitch Modeling 20:04 Philosophical Shift in Pitch Analysis 22:24 Optimization and Decision-Making in Pitching 24:04 Valuing Hitters and Pitchers Equally 28:00 The Big Three in Hitting Analysis 30:14 Understanding Swing Decisions and Run Values 33:55 Individualizing Swing Decisions for Hitters 37:00 The Matchup Model: Tailoring Pitch Values to Hitters 44:02 Pitch Physics and Its Impact on Modeling 52:45 Recognizing Model Limitations and Future Directions

EP 62: Our Most Game-Like Training Tool Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Driveline podcast, Director of Hitting Tanner Stokey, along with Hitting Trainers Brandon Dim and Jacob Hirsh, break down what Leather Smash Factor Balls are. They discuss what these unique balls are, how they're used in training, and the reasoning behind their development. 0:00 What are Leather Smash Factor Balls 6:00 Bridging Between Different Training Environments

9:29 Benefits of Leather Smash Factor Balls

11:12 Data Collected

16:05 Feedback From Hitters

25:00 Better Feedback For Coaches

27:30 Durability

EP 61: Balancing Competition and Development Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Driveline podcast, Tanner Stokey, Connor White, and Matt Kress discuss the importance of summer training for high school and college baseball players. They emphasize the need for self-evaluation, understanding personal development needs, and the impact of the transfer portal on player opportunities. The conversation highlights the balance between competing in summer ball and focusing on physical and skill development, with real-life examples illustrating the importance of making informed decisions about summer training. This conversation delves into the intricacies of player development in baseball, focusing on metrics, continuous assessment, and the strategic planning necessary for athletes, especially in the context of summer training and the transfer portal. They emphasize the importance of understanding personal metrics, maintaining a cycle of assessment and adjustment, and leveraging opportunities for visibility in a competitive landscape. They also discuss the evolving nature of college athletics, particularly with the introduction of NIL and the transfer portal, and how athletes can navigate these changes effectively.

0:00 Summer Season Strategies for Baseball Players 9:25 Evaluating Development Needs vs. Summer Ball 19:46 The Importance of Self-Evaluation and Training 26:40 Understanding Player Development Metrics 27:50 The Importance of Continuous Assessment 30:00 Strategizing Summer Training for Athletes 36:12 Navigating the Transfer Portal Landscape 39:12 Maximizing Opportunities for College Athletes 42:00 The New Era of College Athletics 47:19 Balancing Development and Visibility 51:11 Identifying Development Needs for Athletes

Arsenal Effects & The Death of the Sweeper? | R&D Podcast Ep 100 Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to the Driveline R&D Podcast, where we explore the cutting-edge intersection of baseball analytics, player development, and on-field performance. In this milestone 100th episode, the new R&D crew takes over following the departure of the original hosts to MLB organizations. Join Jack Lambert (Baseball Operations Director), Josh Hejka (minor league player with the Phillies and Driveline's longest-running intern), and Marek Ramilo (part-time R&D analyst and quant trader) as they dive into how research and development is transforming training in Major League Baseball and at Driveline. Episode Highlights: •0:00 - Introduction to the new R&D podcast crew and team backgrounds •8:54 - Arsenal Models: How data predicted MLB's sweeper revolution and the chess theory of pitch combinations •19:45 - Component-Based Pitching Models: Breaking down pitch outcomes to better understand performance • 28:00 - Matchup Analysis: Adding batter context to pitching models • 33:24 - The Player Perspective: How analytics data gets translated to actionable information on game day • 38:08 - The "Apple Ecosystem" of Baseball Training: Why integration of all development tools matters • 41:40 - Pulse and Workload Management: Using data to prepare pitchers and prevent early-season injuries. This podcast offers a unique look into how Driveline combines research, analytics, and practical application under one roof to push baseball development forward. Whether you're a player, coach, or analytics enthusiast, you'll gain insights into the future of baseball training and performance.

EP 60: Strategies for Success During the Season Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Driveline podcast, Tanner Stokey, Elijah Boyer, and Zach Settles discuss the significance of lifting, exercise selection, and targeted skill development, especially for those not actively playing. They emphasize the need for athletes to prioritize their training and make the most of their opportunities to improve, regardless of their current playing status. They discuss the significance of having a structured game plan for athletes, particularly in baseball. And emphasize the importance of coaching and guidance in skill development, sharing personal experiences of their own struggles and successes. The discussion transitions into specific focus areas for hitting practice, including the balance of intensity and volume, and the necessity of maintaining skills and managing workload effectively.

0:00 In-Season Training Essentials

3:17 Managing Workload and Training Intensity

6:30 Maintaining Performance During the Season

8:51 Exercise Selection for In-Season Training

12:55 Strategies for Hitters During the Season

16:46 Adapting Training to Game Schedules

20:03 Opportunities for Development When Not Playing

23:25 The Importance of a Game Plan

29:54 Focus Areas in Hitting Practice

35:37 Maintaining Skills and Workload Management

EP 59: Maintaining Peak Hitting Performance In-Season Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Driveline podcast, Mike Rathwell and Director of Hitting Tanner Stokey discuss the integration of data and technology in baseball training, particularly focusing on in-season adjustments for players with the new release of In-Season Smart Reports in the Driveline app. They explore how data can provide actionable insights for players and coaches, enhancing performance and facilitating real-time feedback. The discussion emphasizes the importance of blending training with game performance and the evolving role of technology in player development. 0:15 Introduction to In-Season Adjustments

1:45 The Role of Data in Player Development

3:11 Blending Training and Game Performance

5:56 Utilizing Technology for Real-Time Feedback

8:45 The Future of Training with Data Insights

EP 58: Pitching Smart: Managing In-Season Adjustments Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Driveline podcast, Mike Rathwell and Pitching Trainer Joel Condreay discuss the importance of in-season adjustments for pitchers with our new In-Season Smart Report feature in the Driveline app, focusing on workload monitoring, game tracking, and the significance of accurate data in training. They emphasize the need for pitchers to understand their physical and mental preparation, the impact of stress, and how to effectively manage their throwing workload throughout the season. The conversation highlights the role of technology in providing actionable insights for athletes to optimize their performance. 0:15 Introduction to In-Season Adjustments

4:25 Understanding Workload Adjustments Throughout the Season

8:40 The Importance of Accurate Data in Training

12:30 Preparing for Game Day Stress

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