Patrick Jones, a former hitting coach in the Baltimore Orioles organization and founder of Patrick Jones Baseball, discusses swing decisions. In this episode, Patrick breaks down the definition of the strike zone, how to improve swing decisions, MLB hitters who have improved their swing decisions, and drills you can do with your hitters to help them improve their swing decisions.

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Website: https://patrickjonesbaseball.com

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Episode 351: Patrick Jones (https://twitter.com/pjonesbaseball) explains 6 different ways to help hitters hit slow pitching.

Timestamps:

[00:51] Managing Expectations

[04:17] Shrinking the Zone

[08:15] Overcoming the Challenge of Slow Pitching

[09:48] Balancing Aggression, Exaggerating Approach, and Staying Relaxed

[12:57] Be Specific

[14:11] Sacrificing an At-Bat

[18:47] Practice Being Late

A-Rod HR

Hit with us in Cincinnati, Ohio: https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/contact

The Hitting Chronicle Newsletter: https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/...

Website: https://patrickjonesbaseball.com

Listen to the Patrick Jones Baseball Podcast

iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/patrick-jones-baseball/id1282221540

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7lHQfrNNuqleXaMzgqr1kS?si=34f7ef6c4147456b

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In this podcast episode, Patrick Jones and Jared Gaynor delve into the intricacies of pitch development and design. Jared emphasizes mastering the fastball before introducing offspeed pitches to young pitchers, suggesting a focus on the four-seam fastball. He advocates for teaching sliders before curveballs due to their higher velocity and easier command. The discussion also covers pitch movement profiles—north-south, east-west, and combo—and the importance of spin rate. Jared introduces his course "Pitch Design U," aimed at providing coaches and players with actionable insights into pitch movement, grips, and analytics. The episode highlights a strategic, data-driven approach to pitching.

Timestamps:

[05:00] At what age should kids throw curveballs?

[10:31] Slider vs. Curveball

[14:11] Movement plots

[17:27] Understanding pitch movement

[18:20] Pitch profiles

[23:55] Understanding spin and movement

[30:55] Spin Rate

[33:06] Advice for hitters

[34:25] Pitching at different levels

[35:09] Data for off-speed pitches

[39:20] Pitch Design Course

Follow Jared Gaynor on Twitter: @PitchingCoachU

Jared's New Pitch Design Course: https://www.pitchingcoachu.com/a/2147874657/zexGvH52

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In this podcast episode, Patrick Jones continues his conversation with hitting coach Mike Brumley, delving deeper into baseball hitting mechanics. Brumley advocates for a focus on ribcage loading. He also discusses the misconceptions around hip hinges and loading the back hip, emphasizing the importance of non-verbal cues and the use of specialized training tools to improve hitting skills. Brumley shares insights from his experience coaching professional players.

TIMESTAMPS:

[03:53] Hip Hinge and Leverage

[10:04] Exit Velocity and Launch Angle

[16:58] Identifying Hitting Flaws

[19:15] Approach and Plan

[21:35] Preparation Routines

[28:34] Developing Hitting Skills

[36:50] Analogies for Hitting

[39:15] Benefits of Training Tools

Mike Brumley Website: https://brumbands.com/

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In this episode, Patrick Jones interviews Mike Brumley, a seasoned baseball coach with a rich 40-year career. Brumley shares his expertise in coaching hitters at various levels, from high school to the majors. They discuss the emotional aspects of hitting, the transition challenges for high school players, and the mental approach to the game. Brumley introduces a grading system for at-bats and emphasizes strategic game planning. He also offers unconventional insights into hitting mechanics, stressing stability and leverage over hip rotation, and the importance of the thoracic spine. Brumley's perspective challenges traditional coaching methods, advocating adaptability and a progressive mindset.

TIMESTAMPS:

[02:03] Differences in Working with Players

[10:55] Judging At-Bat Success

[18:18] Game Planning

[23:04] Developing a Hitting Philosophy

[25:53] Understanding Pitcher Tendencies

[32:55] Contrarian Views on Hitting Mechanics

[37:30] Rotation and Separation

[38:30] Understanding Hip Rotation

[40:30] Impact of Body Mechanics

Mike Brumley Website: https://brumbands.com/

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In this podcast episode, Patrick Jones interviews Mike Cunliffe, head coach of the Seattle Speed Track Club, about enhancing athlete speed. Cunliffe emphasizes the role of biomechanics, power-to-weight ratio, and proper recovery in improving performance. He discusses the importance of deadlifts, managing central nervous system fatigue, and specific training for base running in baseball. Cunliffe shares his coaching background, the impact of structural issues on performance, and the significance of cellular optimization for recovery. He offers practical advice for coaches with limited resources, including plyometric exercises and intelligent training management.

Timestamps:

[03:11] Max Velocity Mastery and Unlocking Athletic Potential in Baseball

[15:34] Strategies for Endurance and Sprint Performance

[17:12] Cutting-Edge Recovery Techniques

[20:14] In-Season Training

[27:48] Power-to-Weight Ratio

[29:33] Biomechanics and Acceleration

[33:00] Training Schedule and Neural Stress

[37:02] Mike Cunliffe's Background in Track and Field Coaching

[40:29] Biomechanics for Base Running

[44:55] Sprinting Prime and Training Methodologies

[47:20] Biomechanics and Force Application in Running

[50:07] Body Realignment and Injury Management

[54:24] Recovery and Cellular Optimization

[58:07] Weight Room Protocols for High School Coaches

[01:10:20] Plyometric and Speed Training for Baseball Players

[01:14:21] Biomechanics of Sprinting

[01:18:14] Contacting Coach Mike Cunliffe

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Patrick Jones talks about the transfer portal in this podcast episode. He explains how he aligns topics with the time of year and why he's discussing the transfer portal now. He shares insights based on his experience working with players navigating the transfer process, highlighting common scenarios and misconceptions. He emphasizes the importance of understanding why players want to transfer and the realities they face in finding new opportunities. Patrick delves into the criteria college coaches consider when evaluating transfer candidates, including performance metrics like strikeout-to-walk ratios for pitchers and offensive production for hitters. He also discusses the implications of different types of scholarship offers and the significance of summer collegiate baseball leagues for player exposure and recruitment. Throughout the episode, Patrick offers practical advice and cautions against unrealistic expectations in the transfer process.

Timestamps:

[01:49] Understanding the Transfer Portal

[09:43] NCAA Rules and Regulations for Division I Baseball

[12:29] Expectations & Statistical Significance in the Transfer Portal

[19:37] Returning to School, Division Choices, and Scholarship Types

[25:55] Summer Collegiate Baseball

Follow Patrick Jones on Twitter: @pjonesbaseball

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On this episode of Patrick Jones Baseball, Josh Gessner, a right-handed pitcher in the Texas Rangers organization, shares his journey from Australia and Japan to professional baseball, discussing overcoming challenges like the yips and increasing pitching velocity through training methods. Gessner advises aspiring players to know themselves and consider their development needs, emphasizing the value of education alongside athletic pursuits. They highlight personal struggles and coping mechanisms, stressing the mental aspect of overcoming fear and judgment, and discuss simplifying the pitching process and building supportive relationships with coaches. Additionally, Gessner talks about his venture into social media writing and podcasting, aiming to share his learning experiences to help others, with a focus on mental resilience, growth, and knowledge-sharing to support individuals facing similar challenges.

Timestamps:

[2:32] Josh Gessner’s Journey from Roots to Success

[7:35] 80 to 90 MPH through DriveLine

[10:07] Gessner’s Recruitment Journey in College Baseball

[17:41] Advice for Young Players Choosing Between College and Professional Baseball

[20:08] College Scholarships and Degrees in Pro Baseball

[23:34] Reflections on Early Professional Baseball

[26:13] Overcoming the Yips

[31:21] Managing Persistent Challenges

[33:45] Keys to Pitching Success

[36:32] Insights from Training Facilities

[37:46] The Value of Coaching Relationships in Training Facilities

[39:41] A Dive into Writing and Social Media

Follow Josh Gessner on Twitter: @GessnerJosh

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