The D1Baseball Podcast

Latest Episodes:

SEC Parity: Why One-Year Turnarounds Can Happen in College Baseball [D1 Daily] Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the D1 Daily, Burkie and Roons discuss how SEC football’s week-to-week volatility mirrors modern college baseball parity, driven by the spread of impact transfer-portal talent and the SEC’s disproportionate NIL resources. They emphasize that NIL and the portal are different forces, noting mid-majors can thrive via portal-driven roster age and experience, and arguing the concentration of money in the SEC can still produce MLB-like parity because top transfers get distributed across many motivated programs. The conversation explores how thin margins can hinge on a few under-the-radar players, citing Oklahoma’s title run and other examples of unexpected player development, while also noting how this era complicates evaluating coaches and raises expectations for rapid turnarounds. They close by highlighting fall ball as a “time of hope” and interest in programs like South Carolina under Kevin Schnall and Vandy’s fall trip culture.

00:00 Welcome Back To The D1 Daily

00:05 Thank You AstroTurf!

00:41 NIL & Portal Realities

03:21 Parity In The SEC Like In The MLB?

05:05 College Football Upsets Example

07:16 Coaches and Turnarounds

10:29 Coaching Staffs Build Winners

15:05 Finding Hidden Stars

22:04 Hopes For The Fall + Portal Talk

24:02 Vandy's Vegas Story

24:54 Wrap Up

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like:

T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU
Retro-style jackets for every part of the season
Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone
And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MLB Playoff Lessons for College Baseball [D1 Daily] Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the D1 Daily, Roons and Burkie dive into the MLB postseason, highlighting how elite relief pitching and heightened playoff focus mirror college postseason pressure. They break down key late-inning at-bats against Mason Miller, emphasizing pre–two-strike vs. two-strike approaches, pitch selection, taking walks, and the importance of baserunning, citing moments from players like Jackson Chourio, Christian Yelich, and Sal Frelick. The conversation shifts to MLB’s competitive health, noting that several remaining playoff teams rank low in payroll and arguing baseball’s structure produces more parity than football and basketball. Roons shares a Conor Jackson story, and Burkie recalls pinch-hitting against Bobby Jenks in the World Series to illustrate the difficulty of postseason roles.

00:00 Welcome Back D1 Daily

00:41 Thank You AstroTurf!

01:23 MLB Postseason

02:44 Playoff ABs And Pitching

07:08 Lessons For College Players

10:37 Conor Jackson Comp

11:37 A Prime Postseason Bat

12:00 Conor Jackson Cycle Story

14:35 Andrew Vaughn Bounceback

15:07 Pinch Hitting vs Heat

17:30 October Baseball: Margins of Victory

18:35 Payroll Parity Debate

21:30 Cap Floor Stalemate

22:49 Why Baseball Stays Fair

25:21 Baseball: A Sport At Its Peak

25:43 Wrap Up

T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU
Retro-style jackets for every part of the season
Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone
And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE D1BASEBALL PODCAST

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Mike Martin: The Legacy of '11' [Sunday Night Conversations] Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

Coaching 40 years, earning 17 College World Series appearances and becoming the NCAA's all-time winningest head coach are enough to create a legacy. But, Mike Martin's passion for college baseball cements his name in history beyond the record books. On this episode of Sunday Night Convos, Mike Rooney is joined by Link Jarrett, Chris Hart, James Ramsey and Mike Bell to remember the life and impact of Martin, also known as "11."

Sunday Night Conversations are presented by Netting Pros & Stadionic. Netting Professionals is the Official Netting Partner of D1Baseball. Netting Pros' netting and wall padding products are featured in the top collegiate facilities throughout the country: Florida, North Carolina, Binghamton, Texas, and many more. From design to fabrication to installation, Netting Pros is "Improving Programs One Facility at a Time." Learn more at https://nettingpros.com/

And proudly presented by Netting Professionals is STADIONIC. STADIONIC is proud to partner with D1Baseball. For all your major projects and facility needs, with projects featured by top-tier collegiate programs, high schools, parks & recreation, and tournament complexes, STADIONIC helps elevate your facility with the best products and accessories in the industry. STADIONIC is making sports facilities iconic. Learn more at https://stadionic.com/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The College Players to Watch in the MLB Playoffs [D1 Daily] Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the D1 Daily, Burkie and Roons take a look at the former college baseball players expected to make an impact in the MLB playoffs, highlighting stars from programs across the country — including Cam Schlittler (Northeastern), Parker Messick (Florida State), Chase DeLauter (James Madison), Drake Baldwin (Missouri State) and Drew Rasmussen (Oregon State).

They also discuss Kyle Schwarber, Alex Bregman, Sonny Gray and others, while giving flowers to standout seasons from players who missed the postseason, including Alec Burleson, Nolan McLean and Pete Alonso. Plus, a look at the remarkable diversity of college backgrounds represented across today's Major League rosters.

00:00 Welcome and Sponsor

00:40 Playoff Focus Setup

01:19 Ben Rice Surprise Star

03:03 Schwarber Power and K Record

05:07 Zach Neto Modern Game

07:46 Max Muncy Steady Value

08:31 Cags' Breakout and Walks Debate

11:41 Chase DeLauter Rising Bat

13:35 Bregman Better in Pros

14:23 Modern Training Boosts

15:06 Drake Baldwin Breakout

17:02 Alec Burleson RBI King

19:26 Pitchers Take Over

19:52 Sonny Gray Longevity

21:02 Cam Schlittler Cy Push

22:11 Drew Rasmussen Regional Story

24:05 Parker Messick Historic Rookie

26:19 Nick Martinez Movie Plot

27:56 Nolan McLean Plus Final Thoughts

T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU
Retro-style jackets for every part of the season
Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone
And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE D1BASEBALL PODCAST

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

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Tony Vitello Leads MLB in Ejections + Roons on Brewers Manager Pat Murphy [D1 Daily] Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the D1 Daily, Roons and Burkie react to the end of the MLB regular season and discuss Tony Vitello leading the majors in ejections (seven), including a disputed check-swing call that sparked his latest toss and the dynamics between rookie managers and big-league umpires. They consider why the Giants’ difficult season and need for disruption made Vitello’s fiery style part of the hire, and argue his first year shouldn’t define his long-term outlook. Roons connects the conversation to Pat “Murph” Murphy’s path and success, sharing an anecdote about seeing Dustin Pedroia traveling with his family and recalling Murphy’s challenging interim stint with the Padres before building toward winning with Milwaukee. They close with thoughts on roster chemistry, “energy vampire” stars, and how MLB’s three-game playoff series fuels debate about NCAA tournament formats.

00:00 Welcome And Sponsors

00:36 MLB Season Wrap And Playoffs

01:24 Tony V Ejections Debate

03:58 Umpire Clip And Rookie Manager Reality

06:18 Giants Struggles And Vitello Fit

07:31 Homefield Sponsor Break

08:43 Pedroia Airport Story

10:58 Murph Perspective On Coaching

13:46 Team Building: Winners Vs The Others

15:49 College Baseball Tournament Talk

16:24 Resilience Vs Resiliency Rant

17:41 Wrap Up And Next Episode Tease

T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU
Retro-style jackets for every part of the season
Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone
And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE D1BASEBALL PODCAST

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David vs. Goliath: The 2015 VCU Rams [Sunday Night Conversations] Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

VCU entered the 2015 Dallas Regional as the No. 4 seed in a loaded field featuring Texas, Oregon State and Dallas Baptist. On this episode of Sunday Night Convos, Mike Rooney looks back with Shawn Stiffler and Sean Thompson at how the Rams pulled off one of the most unlikely regional wins of the 64-team era.

01:29 Meet the Guests: Sean Thompson & Shawn Stiffler

03:43 Dallas Regional Giants

04:29 Stiffler's VCU Origin Story

06:50 Thompson's Recruiting Journey

09:40 Building VCU Baseball

16:29 The Diamond's Wow Factor

19:23 2014-2015 Season Context

23:20 Thompson's Freshman Fall Mindset

25:13 Meet the Main Characters of the 2015 Rams

33:07 Selection Show Shock

34:18 Recruiting Vimael Machin

36:57 Regional Setup at DBU

37:56 Game One Breakthrough

42:20 Game Two vs Rasmussen

48:17 Game Three Heartbreaker

50:36 It All Comes Down to Monday

55:33 The Story of the Final Out

58:10 Legacy and Reflections

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Short-Term Victories vs. Season-Long Goals: The Coaches' Conundrum [D1 Daily] Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the D1 Daily, Burkie and Roons debate two coaching approaches in college baseball: pushing hard from February because every game matters versus pacing a roster to be strongest in the postseason.

They use the 2022 Tennessee's dominant start and later normalization, plus examples like Southern Miss, Arkansas’ Kevin Kopps and 2026 Oklahoma’s late surge, to discuss peaking too early and the difficulty of sustaining “heaters.”

The conversation then shifts to Burkie's call of a Guardians–White Sox game and how many players and coaches reached the big leagues from non-power programs or junior colleges, emphasizing that playing time and development matter and that there are many legitimate pathways to MLB.

00:00 Welcome and Sponsor

00:36 All In vs Peaking Late

03:02 Tennessee 2022 Case Study

06:25 Scheduling and Learning Losses

08:50 Heaters and Postseason Timing

10:09 MLB Trip and Hidden Gems

11:00 Guardians Underdog Backgrounds

14:53 White Sox and More Pathways

19:21 Playing Time and Minor League Reality

21:24 Many Paths Closing

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How NIL, 34 Scholarships & the Portal Changed College Baseball Roster Building with Justin Seely [D1 Daily] Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

Burkie and Roons welcome Justin Seely to discuss how college baseball roster construction has changed from the 11.7-scholarship era to today’s 34-scholarship, revenue-share and NIL landscape. Seely explains how in-state vs. out-of-state tuition once shaped recruiting, how fully funded programs can now erase geography and build more like football, and how DSAs and strict roster deadlines are pushing smaller fall rosters with less margin for error. They outline what top programs prioritize (targeted portal additions, high-ceiling recruits, retention, impact starting pitching and elite pitching coaches) versus how mid-tier and lower-resourced programs lean more on older transfers, JUCO pipelines, and regional recruiting. The conversation closes on the non-linear path for players and how mid-majors can embrace development and upward movement as part of their identity.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:12 Thank You AstroTurf!

00:30 How Omaha Rosters Were Built

03:29 Scholarship Math Explained

06:34 34 Scholarships and NIL Era

08:14 Recruiting Without Geography

10:52 Blueprint for Elite Rosters

12:29 Old Roster Limits and Walk Ons

13:36 Big Rosters and Draft Reality

16:07 New Roster Math

17:02 Scholarship Rules Shift

17:43 December 1 Roster Deadline

20:11 Retention Versus Portal

22:47 Culture Risks of Transfers

25:01 Three Program Tiers

27:15 Top-Tier Blueprint

31:49 Middle-Tier Strategy

35:59 Bottom-Tier Models

39:06 Geography and Recruiting

41:34 Paths for Players

44:06 Wrap Up

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

2027 MLB Draft: Breaking Down the Top College Hitters [D1 Daily] Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the D1 Daily, David Seifert joins Burkie and Roons to break down the top college hitters in the 2027 MLB Draft class.

The group discusses Brendan Lawson, Gavin Kelly and Jimmy Janicki at the top of the board, plus rising prospects Derrick Pitts, Trent Grindlinger and Bino Watters. They also dive into why the hit tool remains so difficult to project, how swing-and-miss data is shaping the draft and why Adrian Rodriguez and Tague Davis are among the fascinating players to watch this season.

00:00 Cold Open and Guest

00:16 Fantasy Team Roast

04:28 Top 100 List Update

05:15 Top College Hitters

07:38 Why Lawson Leads

09:32 Janicki vs Fralick

11:01 Projecting the Hit Tool

16:40 Data and Whiff Rates

18:59 Biggest List Jumpers

19:16 Big Movers Recap

19:51 Derrick Pitts Breakdown

22:13 Power Data Debate

23:16 Trent Grindlinger Profile

27:27 Hitter Rankings Reality

29:47 Tague Davis Fixes

33:32 Adrian Rodriguez Outlook

36:01 Draft Class Wrap-Up

37:18 Wide-Open No. 1 Pick

38:10 Final Tease, Sign-Off

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Homefield is the industry leader in game day gear by and for true fans. Our friends at Homefield design and research EVERYTHING, from the fit and fabrics to the vintage logos, to make standout gear that defines Your Game Day. Shop the very best of Homefield, like:

T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU
Retro-style jackets for every part of the season
Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone
And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans and coaches. Use code D1 to save on your first order at kerristoncoffee.com!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE D1BASEBALL PODCAST

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cincinnati’s Cheetah Lab, the Case for a More Diverse Offense [D1 Daily] Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of the D1 Daily, Burkie and Roons spotlight Cincinnati head coach Jordan Bischel and the Bearcats’ new “Cheetah Lab,” a dedicated space for bunting and baserunning.

They reflect on how Cincinnati has weaponized bunt hits and stolen bases since Bischel's arrival in 2024. They also debate the modern game’s reliance on walking and slugging, argue offenses should be multiple and consider whether coaches have become less involved in in-game tactics.

00:00 Welcome and Sponsor

02:04 Cincinnati Cheetah Lab

05:20 Why Small Ball Matters

09:50 MLB Stats on Bunts

13:07 Favorite Inside Plays

16:11 Coaches Calling Offense

21:52 Winning Different Ways

24:31 Wrap-up

T-Shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks featuring unique designs for your school–they’ve got over 180 partner schools, which means there’s something for YOU
Retro-style jackets for every part of the season
Premium hats, with retro designs AND a fit for everyone
And, just launched: The Homefield Stadium Polo, inspired by the bold, vibrant game day polos of the 90s.

You can shop the very best in game day apparel for your team NOW with Homefield. Take 15% off your first purchase with code D15 at checkout at www.homefieldapparel.com!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE D1BASEBALL PODCAST

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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