Baseball Recruiting Deep Dive

Seton Hall associate head coach and recruiting coordinator Giuseppe Papaccio tells the story of his journey from player to coach, his recruiting strategy in the Big East and the Northeast, and how the program builds rosters that fit its needs. He explains day-to-day life for players, the balance between analytics and relationships, the emphasis on defense and fundamentals, and the importance of me...

Nick Puccio walks through his coaching journey to Penn State and how major investments — new facilities, nutrition and recovery centers, and a strong player-development staff — are shaping the program’s identity. He explains the recruiting focus on Pennsylvania high-school talent, the balance between analytics and simplicity, and the cultural traits (work ethic, competitiveness, teammate-first ene...

Will Craig walks through his playing career from small-town Tennessee to Wake Forest, the MLB, and overseas, then explains his rapid transition into coaching at Duke. He discusses the challenges of rebuilding a roster in three weeks, Duke’s strict admissions and recruiting constraints, what he looks for in hitters and pitchers, the role of mental makeup, and how he uses modern analytics and video...

Arizona pitching coach John DeRouin shares his coaching journey from private-sector development to pro and college roles, explaining his data-driven approach to pitch design, player development, and in-game strategy. The episode covers recruiting, building pitching culture, preparing freshmen for college baseball, and how focused adjustments and staff development helped Arizona reach Omaha and sus...

A concise interview with Northwestern Recruiting Coordinator and Hitting Coach Tyler Rost covering his coaching journey, Northwestern’s recruiting philosophy, the role of data (Blast Motion, motor preferences) in player development, portal strategy and academic fit, and why the freshman fall matters for on-field roles.

Auburn Associate Head Coach Carl Nonamaker walks through his baseball journey to Auburn and explains how summer, fall and the new realities of the transfer portal, NIL and the draft shape roster-building today. He outlines what scouts look for in hitters and pitchers (athleticism, swing quality, command, and in‑zone effectiveness), how Auburn evaluates high school vs transfer recruits, the pressur...

Ryan Forrest discusses his path to Boston College, the pitching staff’s development approach, and how the program blends analytics with traditional scouting. He explains recruiting priorities (speed, competitiveness, academics), the August 1st timeline, daily life for freshmen, BC’s facilities, and the team’s unique small-ball offense.

Welcome to the Baseball Recruiting Deep Dive podcast! In this episode, we are thrilled to have John Toppa, a distinguished member of Cornell's baseball coaching staff, joining us. John shares his fascinating journey from his playing days at UConn to his transition into coaching, revealing the pivotal moments that led him to Cornell. Throughout the conversation, John discusses the influential figur...

Join us in this episode of the Baseball Recruiting Deep Dive podcast as we chat with Sean McSheffery, the Director of Player Development at Arizona State University. Sean shares his journey through various coaching roles, including his time with the San Diego Padres and Chipola College, leading up to his current position at ASU. Dive deep into the new strategies implemented at ASU, including the i...

In this episode of the Baseball Recruiting Deep Dive podcast, we welcome Thomas Hughes from Kansas State. Thomas shares his journey through the world of college baseball recruiting, offering insights into the evolving landscape over the past few years. We discuss the challenges coaches face with the transfer portal, the importance of evaluating both high school and transfer players, and the signif...

Welcome to another episode of the Baseball Recruiting Deep Dive Podcast, where we're joined by Josh McDonald, UConn's esteemed pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. With a storied career that includes a notable honor as the 2022 D1Baseball.com Assistant Coach of the Year, Josh offers a deep dive into the dynamic and often chaotic world of college baseball recruiting. In this episode, we explo...

Welcome to another episode of the Baseball Recruiting Deep Dive Podcast, where we're joined by Josh McDonald, UConn's esteemed pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. With a storied career that includes a notable honor as the 2022 D1Baseball.com Assistant Coach of the Year, Josh offers a deep dive into the dynamic and often chaotic world of college baseball recruiting. In this episode, we explo...

In Episode 3 of the Baseball Recruiting Deep Dive Podcast, we sit down with CJ Suarez, the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Maine. CJ shares his unique journey from coaching at a prep school to his current role in collegiate baseball. Dive into the complexities of college baseball recruiting as CJ discusses his path from IMG Academy to the University of Maine, highlig...

Join us in this exciting episode of the Baseball Recruiting Deep Dive as we welcome George Brown, St. John's Associate Head Coach and Pitching Coach, for an in-depth discussion on the evolving landscape of baseball recruitment. Coach Brown shares insights on adapting to new recruiting timelines, evaluating talent, and the importance of adaptability both on and off the field. We explore the intrica...

Join us as we dive into the world of college baseball recruiting with Zeke Pinkham, the recruiting coordinator at Kent State. A former player at Louisville and coach at Georgia Tech, Zeke provides unique insights into the challenges and strategies of college recruiting. From handling the summer circuit to understanding the importance of culture and player evaluation, this episode is packed with va...

In this episode of Baseball Recruiting Deep Dive, we welcome Navy's pitching coach, Tim Reilly, who shares his extensive journey through various coaching roles, culminating in his current position at the Naval Academy. Tim discusses the unique environment of Navy Baseball, emphasizing the integration of athletic and leadership training that prepares players for both the field and future service to...

Join us for Episode 2 of the Baseball Recruiting Deep Dive podcast by Elite Sports Advising, featuring a conversation with Matt Riebesell, the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator at Franklin and Marshall. Explore the unique aspects of the Division III recruiting process, learn how these coaches scout and recruit talent, and understand how high academic standards influence player selection and...

This episode features an insightful conversation with Ryan Luke, recruiting coordinator and hitting coach at Lafayette College. Fresh off his fourth season, Ryan shares his experiences and strategies in college baseball recruiting. From transitioning between regular season play and summer recruiting to utilizing the transfer portal, Ryan delves into the complex balancing act coaches face in shapin...