Dugout Dish Baseball Recruiting Podcast powered by EMD Baseball

Every baseball family has questions about the recruiting process — and in this episode of Dugout Dish, EMD Baseball answers the ones we hear most. From understanding the difference between camps and showcases to knowing exactly what to put in your first email to a college coach, this episode covers the recruiting fundamentals every player and parent needs to know. What we answer:   Camps vs. Showc...

Act Like a College Baseball Player Before You Are One — What Being Recruitable Really Means   The players who get recruited to play college baseball don't wait until they arrive on campus to start acting like college players — they do it years before anyone offers them. In this episode of Dugout Dish, EMD Baseball breaks down exactly what that means and how you can apply it to every area of your g...

We've hit the halfway point of the 2026 college baseball season and the EMD Baseball crew is breaking it all down. In this episode of Dugout Dish, we give you our honest midseason report — the surprises, the disappointments, the players turning heads, and a preview of what could be the best weekend of college baseball so far this spring. What we cover:   The teams and players who have exceeded exp...

College baseball coaches evaluate more than just your player's tools — they're watching your family too. In this episode of Dugout Dish, EMD Baseball breaks down the most common recruiting mistakes parents make and exactly how those mistakes can damage their son's chances of getting an offer.   What you'll learn:   Why parents must support the process without becoming the one being recruited How u...

What does it take to build a program with 447 wins in 15 years — and what does that winning standard mean for the players being recruited into it? In this episode of Dugout Dish, EMD Baseball sits down with St. John Fisher Head Coach Brandon Potter to break down his recruiting philosophy, what he looks for in players, and how he builds a culture that consistently wins.   What you'll learn:   Why C...

If you want to get recruited, you need to understand how college baseball coaches actually spend their time on the road. In this episode of Dugout Dish, EMD Baseball breaks down the college baseball recruiting calendar — when coaches leave campus, where they go, and how they decide which events to attend.   What you'll learn:   The March 1 rule and what it means for off-campus recruiting Why coach...

College baseball recruiting doesn't have to feel overwhelming — but for most families, it does. In this episode of Dugout Dish, EMD Baseball breaks down the recruiting process from the inside so players and parents can replace anxiety with a clear, confident game plan.   We cover the most common stress points families face — confusing timelines, expensive showcase schedules, and the pressure of ca...

In this episode, we explore the importance of student-athlete agency in the recruiting process and how parents can support without taking control. We discuss why athletes need to be in the driver’s seat, actively owning their recruitment by hitting, throwing, pitching, lifting, emailing coaches, posting on social media, and engaging in every aspect of the process. We also break down the role of pa...

In this episode, we break down the latest D1 college baseball data on run scoring, ERA, and run prevention — and what it means for the recruiting process. We discuss why coaches are prioritizing athletes at every position, players who can not only hit but also defend at an elite level. We also cover what it really takes to pitch at the Division 1 level — because velocity and stuff alone won't cut...

In this episode, we break down the growing debate around transfer rules in college athletics and why many coaches and athletic departments believe the current NCAA transfer portal system needs reform.   Over the past several months, frustration has been building across college sports as coaches and administrators deal with the reality of athletes transferring multiple times with immediate eligibil...

In this episode, we sit down with former MLB infielder Kevin Smith for an in-depth conversation on elite infield defense, footwork, positioning, and baseball development. Since retiring from professional baseball, Kevin has launched Kali Gloves and built a strong presence on social media, where he teaches modern infield play and shares insights to help the next generation of players improve their...

In this episode, we sit down and talk about the Quiet Period ending and the evaluation period starting on March 1st and dive into what players should be doing in preparation for the spring and summer. Kali Gloves -  www.kaligloves.com Diamond College Showcase Camps - www.diamondcollegeshowcase.com Team Match Sports - www.teammatchsports.com   Chapters (00:00:00) - The Quiet Period Effect on Prospe...

In this episode, we sit down with Knoxville Smokies player development coach Joe Curci to break down modern hitting development in Minor League Baseball. A graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a degree in data science, Curci blends traditional baseball knowledge with cutting-edge technology to develop hitters in the Chicago Cubs minor league system.   We dive deep into hitting mechani...

In this episode, we break down exactly what 2026 graduates committed to play college baseball should be doing before arriving on campus this fall. If you're a future freshman preparing for Division I, II, III, or JUCO baseball, this episode outlines a plan for the summer.   We cover a detailed roadmap for pitchers, including innings management, pitch counts, summer ball decisions, strength and con...

In this episode, we sit down with Monroe Community College Head Baseball Coach Dave Brust to discuss his coaching journey and the principles that guide his approach to teaching and player development. Coach Brust breaks down what he believes in as a coach, how he connects with his players, and why college coaching is far more layered than just teaching the fundamentals of the game.   We dive into...

In this episode, we break down the truth about baseball camps and showcases for the 2030 class and younger players. If you’re a parent or player wondering whether 12U, 13U, or 14U athletes should attend recruiting showcases right now, this episode is for you.   We explain the current NCAA recruiting rules, who is actually allowed to attend showcases this time of year, and what college coaches can...

In this episode, we break down our annual Division I college baseball season preview with Jonathan Grosse, getting you ready for the 2026 college baseball season. We dive into the biggest storylines entering opening weekend, including major coaching changes across the SEC and ACC, where several programs will feature new—and first-time—head coaches.   We also take a close look at mid-major college...

*re-release from 1-20-25 In this episode, we talk about where high school players focus should be right now in January. Making the variety team should be your goal, however, we also talk about what to do if you don’t.  Kali Gloves -  www.kaligloves.com Diamond College Showcase Camps - www.diamondcollegeshowcase.com Team Match Sports - www.teammatchsports.com   Chapters (00:00:00) - In the Clubhous...

In this episode, we sit down with Murray State pitching coach Steve Adkins to break down how one of college baseball’s top pitching staffs is built. Coach Adkins shares his coaching background, reflects on Murray State’s historic College World Series run in 2025, and explains how his staff identifies resilient, competitive pitchers in the recruiting process.   We dive into what Coach Adkins looks...

In this episode, we deliver our annual PSA on why high school baseball players and families should be watching college baseball. We talk about how much the college game has grown, why it’s more accessible than ever, and where to watch college baseball throughout the season.   If your goal is to play college baseball, watching games—both live and on TV—is one of the easiest and most effective ways...

In this episode, we break down our top five college baseball recruiting tips for the Class of 2028 as the high school season approaches. We start in the weight room and with nutrition, explaining why physical development matters early, how it helps keep players healthy, and why it impacts performance and recruiting throughout your entire baseball career.   Next, we dive into the high school baseba...

In this episode, we break down why evaluating the high school pitcher has become easier in today’s college baseball recruiting landscape. We discuss how the explosion of data, analytics, and player-tracking technology has transformed the way college coaches evaluate and recruit pitchers compared to a decade ago.   We dive into how tools like TrackMan, Rapsodo, and other pitch-tracking technologies...

In this episode, we break down our top five college baseball recruiting tips for the Class of 2027 as the high school season approaches and summer recruiting ramps up. We start with the importance of an honest evaluation of your current skill set and how that assessment helps you build a realistic, informed recruiting plan and identify the right college baseball programs to target.   We also dive...

In this episode, we break down why evaluating the high school hitter has become one of the biggest challenges in today’s college baseball recruiting landscape. We discuss the key factors that make it difficult for college coaches to get a true evaluation of high school position players, including the level of competition hitters face, recruiting calendar timing, limited in-game exposure, and the l...

In this episode, we sit down with Brian Murphy, Head Baseball Coach at Merrimack College and a longtime mentor of Andy, to break down how college baseball recruiting really works. Coach Murphy shares how his staff evaluates talent, which positions are the most difficult to assess in the recruiting process, and what he truly values when identifying potential college baseball players.   We dive into...