Patrick Jones Baseball

In this episode, I sit down with Clay Martin, pitching coach at the University of Pittsburgh, to talk about what it really takes to compete on the mound at the highest level of college baseball and what separates pitchers who get there from those who don't. Clay breaks down his journey from Division III to the ACC, what he learned building one of the best pitching staffs in Division II at Seton Hi...

In this episode, I sit down with Nick Flesher, recruiting coordinator and pitching coach at Milligan University, to talk about what it really takes to get recruited as a pitcher and what college coaches are actually evaluating when they get you on the phone. Nick breaks down how Milligan builds their recruiting classes, why transparency with recruits matters more than selling a dream, and how thei...

In this episode, I sit down with Justin Ebert, hitting coach and recruiting coordinator at Greensboro College, to talk about what it really takes to develop as a hitter at the college level and what high school players and families should be doing right now to prepare. Justin shares how his background in psychology shapes the way he communicates with hitters, why mental resilience matters just as...

In this episode, I sit down with Nate Cole, recruiting coordinator and pitching coach at Harvard University, to talk about what it actually takes to play baseball at one of the most selective schools in the country. Nate walks through Harvard’s recruiting process, what they look for academically, how they evaluate players beyond stats and rankings, and why being a great student alone is not enough...

In this episode, I sit down with Maryville College head coach Clint Helton to talk about Division III baseball, recruiting, player development, and what it really takes to build a winning program. Clint shares his path from playing at Maryville to becoming the head coach, how the program has grown, and what he looks for when recruiting players. We also dive into the misconceptions around Division...

In this episode, I sit down with former Division 1 head coach Steve Rodriguez to talk about recruiting, player development, leadership, and what actually separates players at the college level. Steve shares lessons from decades in baseball—from coaching at the highest levels of college baseball to developing relationships with players, assistant coaches, and families throughout the recruiting proc...

Jimmy Martin, a college baseball coach at North Lake College, comes on the show to break down what actually matters in recruiting, player development, and making it to the next level. Jimmy gives a behind-the-scenes look at how college coaches evaluate players, what makes players stand out (and what instantly turns coaches off), and why so many players struggle to move up levels—even when they hav...

In this episode, I’m joined by Doug Latta and Dr. Ismael Gallo for a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood areas of baseball: player development. We break down why most hitters struggle—not because of mechanics, but because of flawed movement patterns that are developed early and reinforced over time. From youth baseball to the highest levels of the game, this conversation challenges a lot...

Jordan Gates is the Midwest Crosschecker for Perfect Game, covering key recruiting hotbeds across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, and Michigan. His role puts him on the front lines of amateur baseball—evaluating players, building reports, and identifying both top-tier prospects and under-the-radar talent. Gates began his journey with Perfect Game as an intern in the Ohio Valley, working events...

In this episode, I sit down with Tyler Rubasky, first-year head coach at Anderson University, a D3 program in Indiana with a rich baseball history, including three D3 World Series appearances. We dig into: What it's actually like transitioning from assistant to head coach, and what he misses most Why he believes D3 baseball is the purest form of the game right now His approach to playing time tran...

In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Estes, assistant coach at Weatherford College, one of the top junior college baseball programs in the country. Jonathan grew up in a town of 648 people in Arkansas, graduated in a class of 50, and worked his way through multiple small college stops before joining Weatherford this year. We dig into: How he structures batting practice to challenge hitters Wh...

In this week's podcast, I sit down again with Dr. Adam Maloof, Princeton professor of Geosciences and athletics fellow for the baseball team. This time he’s tackling one of the most overlooked problems in baseball analytics: pitch classification. If you’ve ever looked at a scouting report and thought, “This guy doesn’t throw seven pitches,” you’re not alone. Dr. Maloof explains why existing pitch...

In this conversation, Nathan Collier and I sit down to talk about travel ball and high school baseball, and how both play a role in getting players recruited. We dig into what makes each one valuable — like how high school coaches can really vouch for a player's character and how competitive they are, while travel ball helps kids get seen by more coaches. We also talk about how youth baseball is c...

This week, I sit down again with Nathan Collier, Recruiting Service Operations Director here at Patrick Jones Baseball. Together, we discuss the importance of mindset and process orientation in baseball, particularly during the in-season period. We explore common challenges players face, such as the "I'm Screwed Syndrome," and we talk about the need for players to adopt a process-driven mindset ra...

In this episode, I'm joined again by Nathan Collier, a former sports journalist and our Recruiting Service Operations Director here at Patrick Jones Baseball. Nathan and I chat about what high school players should be doing to continue the recruiting outreach process to college coaches now that school seasons are starting across the country. I explain how I think players can handle pressure during...

In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Gipson, Oregon State Assistant Coach, who coaches hitting for the Beaver program. Ryan takes us through his journey playing baseball as a teen, redshirting at a JUCO, then playing two years at Oregon State before getting into coaching. Ryan shares what he likes to see from prospective recruits, why having a clear identity at the plate matters, and the "1-for-1...

This week we welcome 16-year MLB pro Curtis Granderson to the podcast. Curtis does a great job breaking down what worked for him as a hitter, his approach at the plate, routines, and some of the key lessons he learned as a hitter during his career. He also reflects on his time playing college baseball at the University of Illinois Chicago. In addition to his accomplished playing career, Curtis is...

In this episode, I sit down with Nick Lemke, a registered dietitian who specializes in nutrition for baseball players. We talk about why nutrition plays such a critical role in athletic performance, with a specific focus on muscle gain and healthy weight management. We cover practical topics like tracking food intake, how often players should be eating, pre-workout nutrition, meal planning, hydrat...

In this episode, I sit down with Giuseppe Papaccio, Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for Seton Hall University. Giuseppe is one of the most disciplined coaches I've come across. We got into his daily routines, how he defines success as a coach, and why the mental game matters just as much as mechanics. Giuseppe shares how his time in professional baseball shaped the way he teaches h...

In this episode, I sit down with performance and leadership advisor Zach Brandon. Zach spent seven years leading mental performance and coach development initiatives with the Arizona Diamondbacks and now works directly with professional and collegiate coaches. Zach takes us through his journey. We discuss sports psychology, the significance of individualized mental training, and the role of coache...

This week we’re doing something a little different—my guest joins us to interview me! Nathan Collier is a content specialist and a former sports journalist. He’s also a baseball dad, middle school coach, and president of his local rec league.  Nathan takes me through my baseball story. We go through my journey from youth leagues to high school, through my time playing D1 baseball at Xavier, t...

In this episode, I sit down with M.L. Morgan, the head baseball coach at Norfolk State University. We discuss his journey from being a player to a coach, his experiences in compliance, and the importance of building a strong program. M.L. shares insights on recruiting, the significance of relationships in baseball, and what he looks for in players as a scout. On X: M.L. Morgan: @ML_Morgan Norfolk...

In this episode, I interview John Yolich, a Chicago teacher, parent, and coach in the Cubs Nike RBI program. We talk about the unique aspects of the Cubs RBI program—its inclusivity, the resources it provides for families, and its focus on developing young athletes as whole people. John shares how he got involved in the program, the importance of mindset in youth sports, the role parents play, and...

In this episode, I break down one of the biggest mindset traps I see in college baseball recruiting: the “Division 1 or bust” mentality. A lot of players tell me their plan is to go to a Division 2 or Division 3 school for a year, then hit the transfer portal to move up to D1. But in reality, that mindset usually backfires. I share why focusing only on yourself and your end goal often guarantees y...

In this episode, I sit down with Michael Wood, assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of South Alabama, a D1 program located in Mobile, AL. We dive into his path through college baseball coaching and what he’s learned evaluating players at different levels of the game. We talk about the mentality it takes to succeed, why preparation separates players who stick from those who...