Behind The Lineup

This week’s guest is someone who bridges the gap between the field and financial world — Dane Burkholder, a former college football player turned elite financial advisor. Dane began his playing career at the University of Pittsburgh before transferring to Millersville University, where he completed his degree in finance and wrapped up his collegiate football journey. Today, Dane is the Managing Pa...

The MLB Postseason is heating up, and so is the conversation. In this week’s episode, we dive into everything happening across October baseball — starting with a full postseason update and my honest admission that, yeah… I was way off on most of my Wild Card predictions. We’ll break down who’s still alive in both leagues, what’s surprised me the most, and why some of these division series are turn...

In this episode, I hand out my end-of-season awards for the 2025 MLB season. AL & NL Manager of the Year , Cy Young winners , and MVPs — breaking down why each of my picks deserves the hardware. From Stephen Vogt’s resilience narrative in Cleveland to Dan Wilson leading the Mariners to the AL West crown and Paul Skenes dominating the NL, I walk you through each race, the numbers, and the story...

The 2025 Cleveland Guardians have been through it all: trades of core players, losing two key bullpen arms to gambling investigations, and sitting below .500 at the All-Star break. Yet, here they are in late September, right in the thick of the playoff race. In this episode, we break down the Guardians’ journey step by step: A look back at Cleveland’s postseason DNA and their history of late-seaso...

Too often in sports, and in life, we stick to what we’ve always done, even when the results clearly aren’t working. In this week’s episode, we dive into the dangers of staying stuck in the same cycle, blaming others, and expecting different outcomes without ever changing our philosophy. To bring that idea to life, we explore the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback decisions from 2010 to 2024. From shor...

In this episode, we sit down with AJ Gonzalez , a rising name in the world of college baseball coaching. AJ’s journey has taken him from standout player to player development leader, and now into key coaching roles at the collegiate level. Most recently, the Interim Head Coach at St. Peter’s University. AJ is now stepping into his next challenge as Assistant Coach at SUNY New Paltz . We explore hi...

In this episode of Behind The Lineup , we dive into the value of fall ball — not just as a preseason warm-up, but as one of the most critical development windows of the entire year. Whether you're a high school player trying to get recruited or a college athlete fighting for a spot in the lineup, this is the time to get uncomfortable, take risks, and build championship habits. For high schoole...

In this episode of Behind the Lineup , I sit down with Anthony Williams , the head baseball coach at Frostburg State University , who has quietly built one of the premier programs in NCAA Division II baseball. Entering his seventh season at the helm, Coach Williams is coming off a historic 2024 campaign where he led the Bobcats to their first-ever NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional appearance , a...

In this episode of Behind the Lineup , we break down one of the most fundamental — yet most misunderstood — aspects of baseball strategy: how to build a lineup . We explore how traditional lineup construction has evolved in today’s analytics-driven game, diving deep into the roles and expectations of each spot in the order. We compare the old-school model to the modern approach — from what it used...

In this episode of Behind The Lineup , we sit down with Marquay Mayo , Assistant Coach for infielders and outfielders at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), a D1 program in the America East Conference. A New Jersey native with experience across high school, collegiate, and professional sports, Coach Mayo has built a career around player development and winning cultures. We start with hi...

This week on Behind The Lineup , we’re diving into one of the most impactful leadership books ever written for building strong, cohesive teams – The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni. In this episode, we break down each of the five dysfunctions that hold teams back: Absence of Trust Fear of Conflict Lack of Commitment Avoidance of Accountability Inattention to Results We’ll not only...

In this episode of Behind the Lineup , we sit down with Coach Joey Noro , the newly named Head Baseball Coach at California University of Pennsylvania , as he enters his 10th season with the program and first at the helm. A Pittsburgh native and former standout pitcher, Noro shares his journey from Western PA to Alabama , his transition from player to coach, and the lessons he picked up during his...

In this episode of Behind The Lineup , we break down the full 2025 MLB Draft—rounds 1 through 20—with a deep dive into the trends, numbers, and key takeaways for players, parents, and coaches. We’ll cover: 📊 Total players drafted and where they came from (college vs. high school) 💪 Why pitchers dominate the board—especially RHP 📈 The most drafted positions across all levels 🧠 Key differences i...

Welcome to Behind the Lineup . Everyone loves the highlight reel—but what actually wins games? In this episode, we break down the real game-changers in baseball and why consistency always beats flash in the long run. We start by talking about why players, parents, and even coaches can get caught up in metrics like exit velocity, showcase home runs, radar gun readings, and social media hype. These...

In this episode of Behind the Lineup , we sit down with Dr. Justin DiSanti, a sport psychology professor and mental performance consultant, to explore the critical role the mind plays in athletic development. We start by digging into Dr. DiSanti’s own journey into psychology: what sparked his interest, how he found his path into sport psychology, and the academic stops that shaped his career. He s...

In this solo episode of Behind the Lineup , we break down the facts and future implications of the NCAA’s House Settlement and what it means for college baseball. The settlement will distribute $2.8 billion in back pay to former Division I athletes over the next decade, and beginning in 2025, schools will be permitted to directly share up to $20.5 million annually in revenue with their athletes. T...

In this episode of Behind The Lineup , I sit down with Hadara Katarski — a coach, professor, and student-athlete wellness advocate with experience at both the Division I and Division III levels. We dive into what it really means to coach the whole athlete: not just developing physical performance, but supporting mental health, mindset, and the daily habits that drive success on and off the field....

Superstition or routine — which one do you rely on? In this episode, we unpack the difference between rituals that depend on luck and routines that build confidence through preparation. Learn how controlling the controllables and establishing a repeatable process leads to more consistent performance, especially when results aren’t going your way.

In Episode 4 of Behind The Lineup , host Quinn McGrath sits down with Logan Scheider—former Washington and Jefferson (W&J) Third Baseman, Assistant Coach at Cal U, Mental Performance Coach at Bo Jackson Elite Sports, and Owner of LS Mental Performance. Logan shares his journey from the field to the dugout, and into the mental side of the game. They discuss player development, mindset training,...

In this solo episode, host Quinn McGrath breaks down everything high school players and families need to know about the college baseball recruiting process. From building your school list to emailing coaches, filming highlight videos, and making strong first impressions—this is your guide to getting noticed and making smart decisions. Whether you're a rising junior or already in the thick of i...

In this solo episode of Behind The Lineup , host Quinn McGrath breaks down what it takes to make the most of the transition from spring baseball into the summer grind—for players, coaches, and parents alike. For high school players, Quinn outlines how to structure your summer with intention—balancing strength training, skill development, and showcase exposure while building healthy habits that car...

In this debut episode, host Quinn McGrath introduces Behind The Lineup —a podcast dedicated to the deeper conversations that shape players, programs, and performance. Quinn shares his background as a U.S. Navy veteran, college baseball coach, and player development leader, and explains the inspiration behind creating a space for coaches, players, parents, and mental performance professionals to le...