Driveline Baseball Podcast

Latest Episodes:

EP 57: Revolutionizing College Baseball: In-Season Smart Reports Feb 14, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Driveline Baseball podcast, Mike Rathwell & Jack Lambert discuss the innovative in-season smart reports designed for college athletes. The conversation covers the mechanics of workload estimation for pitchers, the integration of defense-independent statistics, and the metrics used to evaluate hitting performance. The importance of data analytics in enhancing athlete performance and decision-making is emphasized throughout the discussion. 0:10 Introduction to In-Season Smart Reports

3:03 Understanding Workload Estimation for Pitchers

6:00 Incorporating Defense-Independent Statistics

9:47 Metrics for Hitting Performance

18:31 Value of Data for Collegiate Athletes

EP 56: From Driveline Baseball to the Boston Red Sox Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Director of Hitting Tanner Stokey and former Driveline Hitting Trainer and current Red Sox MiLB Hitting Coach JP Fasone discuss the transition from Driveline to professional baseball with the Red Sox, focusing on training approaches, building player relationships, and setting goals for off-season and in-season development. They explore the challenges of player engagement, long-term development, and maintaining performance throughout the season. 0:00 Intro 2:29 Off-Season Training Strategies 5:48 In-Season Training Dynamics 8:55 Adjusting Training Goals 11:32 The Importance of Education in Training 14:43 Evaluating Player Progress 17:17 Future Directions 20:10 The Importance of Self-Sufficiency in Players 29:41 Balancing Training and Game Performance 34:40 Long-Term Development vs. Short-Term Results 41:35 Building a Strong Team Culture 46:39 Training Techniques for Hitting Skills

EP 55: Training 2.0 - The Future of Player Development Nov 13, 2024

Show notes

Training 2.0 is here! In this episode of the Driveline Baseball podcast, Mike and Kyle breakdown the Training 2.0 system, emphasizing the importance of a consistent and data-driven approach to athlete development. They explore what has made Driveline the industry leader in player development for the past decade plus and highlight the coming innovations that will keep Driveline at the forefront.

00:00 Introduction to Training 2.0 02:30 The Importance of Test Retest Methodology 06:46 Innovations in Data Capture and Remote Training 10:40 The Role of Smart Reports in Athlete Development 14:50 Behavioral Changes Through Data Insights 19:32 Command Training and Intended Zones 29:09 The Future of Training 2.0 33:55 Innovative Pitching Technology 39:08 Understanding Command in Baseball 45:02 Jump Testing and Athlete Performance 52:14 The Future of Training Technology 01:00:30 Hitting Insights and Process Improvement

EP 54: All Things Return to Throw Nov 07, 2024

Show notes

In this special episode of the Driveline Baseball Podcast, Dylan Newcomer DPT, Josh Hejka (NYM MiLB Pitcher and Driveline R&D), and Luke Dziados (Throwing Trainer) discuss the rehab and return to throw process. They emphasize the importance of a structured rehabilitation program that focuses on strength restoration, the role of surgery in recovery, and the use of technology to monitor progress. This conversation delves into the intricacies of the return to throw process for athletes recovering from injuries, particularly focusing on the importance of gradual progression, managing workload, and the psychological aspects of recovery. The speakers emphasize the need for careful monitoring of throwing mechanics and intensity to prevent setbacks, while also highlighting the opportunity for athletes to reinvent themselves during rehabilitation. The discussion also touches on the significance of communication between athletes and coaches to navigate challenges effectively.

00:00 Introduction to the Team and Their Experiences 03:04 Understanding the Return to Throw Process 05:57 The Role of Surgery in Recovery 08:48 Setting Goals Beyond Recovery 12:12 The Importance of Strength Restoration 15:02 Progression in Rehabilitation 17:49 Managing Setbacks During Recovery 21:07 Utilizing Technology for Injury Prevention 26:19 Gradual Progression in Throwing Mechanics 31:58 Navigating Setbacks in the Return to Throw Process 37:49 The Psychological Aspects of Recovery 45:58 Reinventing the Athlete During Rehabilitation

EP 53: Preparing for the 34-Man Roster Challenge in College Baseball Nov 02, 2024

Show notes

We're back! In this episode, Kyle and Mike are joined by frequent collaborators Tanner Stokey, the Director of Hitting, and Connor White, the Director of High Performance to discuss the recent changes in college baseball, particularly the implications of the new 34-man roster rule. They explore how these changes affect high school players aspiring to play at the collegiate level, emphasizing the importance of physical preparation, skill development, and the need for versatility. The conversation also touches on the challenges posed by the transfer portal and the competitive landscape of college baseball.

00:00 Navigating the New College Baseball Landscape 03:09 Physical Preparation for High School Players 05:52 The Impact of the 34-Man Roster Rule 09:09 Long-Term Athletic Development Strategies 12:00 Balancing Competition and Skill Development 14:56 Pitching and Hitting: Key Differentiators 18:12 The Importance of Versatility in Player Development 20:53 Planning for Success: A Roadmap for Young Athletes 25:59 Physical Development in Young Athletes 30:16 The Importance of Off-Season Training 34:57 Academic Performance and Athletic Opportunities 37:21 Pitching Development and Command 45:32 Balancing Multiple Sports and Training

EP 52: Developing a Multi-Faceted Approach to Injury Prevention Oct 05, 2024

Show notes

Mike and Kyle are back! Also, joined this week by Director of High Performance, Connor White. This conversation delves into the persistent issue of pitching injuries in baseball, exploring the multifaceted reasons behind them and discussing potential solutions. Mike, Kyle, and Connor emphasize a multimodal approach to injury prevention, highlighting the importance of readiness monitoring, biomechanics, and long-term development strategies. They also address the challenges faced in youth baseball, the role of coaches, and the significance of data in optimizing player performance. The discussion concludes with a forward-looking perspective on the future of injury prevention in the sport.

00:00 Understanding Pitching Injuries 03:06 The Multimodal Approach to Injury Prevention 06:30 Factors Influencing Player Performance 10:25 The Role of Readiness in Performance 12:50 Youth Baseball: Challenges and Solutions 18:03 The Importance of Long-Term Development 22:48 Gamification in Training 27:07 Navigating Competitive Environments 34:20 The Role of Coaches in Athlete Development 43:45 Using Data to Optimize Performance 55:29 The Future of Injury Prevention in Baseball

EP 51: College Coaching and Pro Offseason Sep 21, 2024

Show notes

Today's episode of the Driveline Podcast features a collection of Driveline Hitting trainers including Director of Hitting Tanner Stokey and AZ Hitting Trainers Conner Watson and Elijah Boyer. This trio discusses the intricacies of fall training for college and high school players. They share insights on how to optimize player development through effective practice plans, balancing workloads, and utilizing technology to create game-representative training environments with special attention paid to Boyer's recent stint as the Hitting Coach at Lansing CC.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Fall Training and Coaching Backgrounds 03:01 The Importance of College Coaching Experience 05:47 Innovative Coaching with Limited Resources 09:06 Transitioning from Engineering to Coaching 12:02 Creating Effective Practice Plans 14:55 Setting Up Fall Training Plans 17:51 Balancing Workload in Training 20:45 Optimizing Bat Speed and Strength Training 24:08 The Role of Experience in Player Development 26:57 Building a Winning Culture in Teams 29:50 Pro Offseason Training and Development 33:13 Utilizing Technology in Training 36:10 Game-Representative Training Environments 38:59 Mitigating Slumps Through Training 41:50 The Importance of Buy-In from Players 45:04 Final Thoughts on Training and Development

EP 50: Jump Testing and High Performance Sep 14, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Mike is joined by the Director of High Performance, Connor White. The conversation delves into the significance of jump testing in athletic performance, particularly in baseball. The hosts discuss the various types of jump tests, their applications, and how they relate to overall athleticism and skill. They emphasize the importance of understanding the outputs of these tests and how they can inform training and development strategies for athletes of all levels. The discussion also touches on the future of athletic training, including remote monitoring and the use of technology to enhance performance assessment.

00:00 Introduction to Jump Testing 03:00 Understanding the Importance of Jump Testing 05:50 Types of Jump Tests and Their Applications 08:47 Interpreting Jump Test Results 12:14 The Relationship Between Athleticism and Skill 15:11 Evaluating Performance Metrics 18:06 The Role of Strength in Youth Athletes 20:55 Monitoring Athletic Development Remotely 23:49 The Future of Athletic Training and Testing

Bonus EP: Hitting Assessment Deep-Dive Sep 10, 2024

Show notes

In this special episode of the Driveline Podcast, Dan Winkler, Director of Sales, Tanner Stokey, Director of Hitting, and Connor White, Director of High Performance, sit down and discuss the intricacies of the Driveline Hitting Assessment process.

00:00 Data-Driven Approach to Hitting Mechanics 02:06 Comprehensive Assessment Process 09:44 Individualized Programming Based on Athletic Profile 17:57 Extending Players' Careers 25:29 Pushing the Boundaries of Hitting Development

EP 49: Markerless Motion Capture & Communicating Data to Athletes Sep 07, 2024

Show notes

In today's episode, Mike is joined by Director of Pitching Chris Langin and Principal Sports Scientist Kyle Wasserberger to discuss the evolution of biomechanical motion capture technology and use in baseball, including the recent shift towards markerless solutions. 00:00 Introduction to Motion Capture in Baseball Pitching Mechanics 01:07 The Advantages of Markerless Motion Capture 03:04 Markerless Motion Capture vs. Video Analysis 06:25 The Evolution of Markerless Usage at Driveline Baseball 07:48 The Value of Markerless Motion Capture Data 08:33 Markerless Motion Capture and Coaching Strategies 10:03 Maximizing Athletes' Potential with Markerless Motion Capture 11:33 Enhancing Training Efficiency with Markerless Motion Capture Retests 12:31 Making Motion Capture Data Accessible and Understandable for Athletes 29:25 Communication and Experimentation in Off-Season Training 32:10 Coaching with Humility and Knowledge 37:39 The Speed of Markerless Feedback Loop 41:29 Adding Value to Athletes through Coaching 48:01 Avoiding Information Overload in Biomechanics Analysis 49:25 The Future of Command Development in Pitching

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