The PBSCCS Podcast

This episode of The PBSCCS Podcast is a group discussion on the 2026 World Baseball Classic. This is Part Two of the interview. Speakers: -Alexa Garcia (Houston Astros) -Jose Salas (Milwaukee Brewers) Topics covered in this episode: -All things related to working the World Baseball Classic Quotes: -"It's kind of like a balance of having that feel and understanding where to push and pull" (1:27) -...

This episode of The PBSCCS Podcast is a group discussion on the 2026 World Baseball Classic. This is Part One of the interview. Speakers: -Alexa Garcia (Houston Astros) -Jose Salas (Milwaukee Brewers) Topics covered in this episode: -All things related to working the World Baseball Classic Quotes: -"I think they did a great job of supplying the players with what they needed" (26:02) - Jose Salas -...

Megan Pierro is in her 3rd year as a Strength & Conditioning Coach with the Tampa Bay Rays organization (seasonal in 2024, full-time in 2025 and 2026). She is originally from Lutz, FL and attended the University of South Florida, where she played 5 seasons as a D1 softball player (2019-2023). She graduated with a B.S. in Biomedical Health Science and a Minor in Nutrition. She is a Certified St...

Megan Pierro is in her 3rd year as a Strength & Conditioning Coach with the Tampa Bay Rays organization (seasonal in 2024, full-time in 2025 and 2026). She is originally from Lutz, FL and attended the University of South Florida, where she played 5 seasons as a D1 softball player (2019-2023). She graduated with a B.S. in Biomedical Health Science and a Minor in Nutrition. She is a Certified St...

Blaine Taylor is a strength and conditioning coach currently working in Lake Tahoe, California. Prior to his current role, he has had stops with both the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies organizations, working in various roles throughout their Minor League systems. Topics covered in this episode: -Advice for others -Continuing education resources -Lightning Round Quotes: -"I think as an a...

Blaine Taylor is a strength and conditioning coach currently working in Lake Tahoe, California. Prior to his current role, he has had stops with both the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies organizations, working in various roles throughout their Minor League systems. Topics covered in this episode: -Life outside of professional baseball -Ikigai -Finding success Quotes: -"Some jobs don't alw...

Blaine Taylor is a strength and conditioning coach currently working in Lake Tahoe, California. Prior to his current role, he has had stops with both the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies organizations, working in various roles throughout their Minor League systems. Topics covered in this episode: -His journey to his current role -Firefighting, martial arts, gymnastics, and climbing -His b...

This episode of The PBSCCS Podcast is a group discussion on Spring Training. This is Part Three of the interview. Speakers: -Logan Jones (Chicago White Sox) -Grace Cullen (Tampa Bay Rays) Questions/topics covered in this episode: -Ways to stay sharp in the off-season -Collaboration amongst departments -Ways to improve Spring Training Quotes: -"I need to be coaching or doing something and working w...

This episode of The PBSCCS Podcast is a group discussion on Spring Training. This is Part Two of the interview. Speakers: -Logan Jones (Chicago White Sox) -Grace Cullen (Tampa Bay Rays) Questions/topics covered in this episode: -Excitement for the upcoming season -Navigating the World Baseball Classic -Current stressors and how they are navigating them Quotes: -"Obviously, as a strength coach, you...

This episode of The PBSCCS Podcast is a group discussion on Spring Training. This is Part One of the interview. Speakers: -Logan Jones (Chicago White Sox) -Grace Cullen (Tampa Bay Rays) Questions/topics covered in this episode: -Daily responsibilities during Spring Training for the strength and conditioning coach -Intake testing and assessment during Spring Training -Programming and individualizat...

Alexa Garcia, the Lead Florida Complex Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Houston Astros. Now entering her fifth season in professional baseball, Alexa has specialized in elite athlete development, a touch of rehabilitation, and long-term performance optimization.  Prior to her current role, she served two seasons as the Rehabilitation Strength & Conditioning Coordinator with the Astros...

Alexa Garcia, the Lead Florida Complex Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Houston Astros. Now entering her fifth season in professional baseball, Alexa has specialized in elite athlete development, a touch of rehabilitation, and long-term performance optimization.  Prior to her current role, she served two seasons as the Rehabilitation Strength & Conditioning Coordinator with the Astros...

Steven Thayer enters his fifth season in the Athletics organization and third year with AAA Las Vegas as sport performance coach. He spent 2023 in High A Lansing and 2022 in Low A Stockton in the same role. Prior to joining the Athletics organization, he served as sport performance coach in the DSL with the Giants in 2021. Before his time in professional baseball, he oversaw strength and condition...

Steven Thayer enters his fifth season in the Athletics organization and third year with AAA Las Vegas as sport performance coach. He spent 2023 in High A Lansing and 2022 in Low A Stockton in the same role. Prior to joining the Athletics organization, he served as sport performance coach in the DSL with the Giants in 2021. Before his time in professional baseball, he oversaw strength and condition...

Campbell Quirk is a Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coach in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He has been with the organization for four seasons, having worked two in Low-A and two in High-A. He was named the 2025 MiLB Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year in the Midwest League. Campbell is also a former college baseball player.  Topics covered in this episode: -His journey and b...

Luis Cervantes was born in Mexico City, Mexico and was raised in Montrose, CO. He graduated in 2016 from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs with a Bachelors in Sports Training and Conditioning. After spending 3 seasons with the Colorado Rockies, Cervantes accepted an opportunity with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021. Prior to his career with Minor League Baseball, Cervantes was with the...

Luis Cervantes was born in Mexico City, Mexico and was raised in Montrose, CO. He graduated in 2016 from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs with a Bachelors in Sports Training and Conditioning. After spending 3 seasons with the Colorado Rockies, Cervantes accepted an opportunity with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021. Prior to his career with Minor League Baseball, Cervantes was with the...

Jake Kistaitis is a strength and conditioning coach in the Oakland A's organization. Jake has been with the organization since 2022, where he has worked multiple levels from the DR up to AA. Prior to joining the A's, Jake spent time in 2020 with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Jake is a former college baseball player who grew up in the Omaha, Nebraska area. He was named the Texas League Stre...

Grace is a Minor League Strength & Conditioning Coach with the Tampa Bay Rays, where she works to support athlete performance and development throughout the organization. Before joining the Rays, she served as an Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach at Queens University, working with baseball, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s tennis. Grace has also spent time in professional baseball...

Grace is a Minor League Strength & Conditioning Coach with the Tampa Bay Rays, where she works to support athlete performance and development throughout the organization. Before joining the Rays, she served as an Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach at Queens University, working with baseball, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s tennis. Grace has also spent time in professional baseball...

Joe Hudson is in his first year as a Strength & Conditioning Coach at the Major League level with the Boston Red Sox organization. He has previously spent multiple seasons at High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A within the organization and another 4 years managing private sector sports performance facilities in Massachusetts. He received his B.S. in Exercise Physiology from Plymouth State University...

Joe Hudson is in his first year as a Strength & Conditioning Coach at the Major League level with the Boston Red Sox organization. He has previously spent multiple seasons at High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A within the organization and another 4 years managing private sector sports performance facilities in Massachusetts. He received his B.S. in Exercise Physiology from Plymouth State University...

Joe Hudson is in his first year as a Strength & Conditioning Coach at the Major League level with the Boston Red Sox organization. He has previously spent multiple seasons at High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A within the organization and another 4 years managing private sector sports performance facilities in Massachusetts. He received his B.S. in Exercise Physiology from Plymouth State University...

This is a celebration of the 8-Year Anniversary for The PBSCCS Podcast. The episode is a "Year in Review" episode discussing all of the interviews over the past year: -Max Miller - Working in the Arizona Complex League and how to maximize relationships -Adam Decker - Working outside of baseball and physical literacy -Joe Leo - The value of good internships and programming for in-season athletes -R...

Goldy Simmons is currently a Head Strength and Conditioning Coach in the NBA. Prior to joining the NBA, he worked his way through the ranks in professional baseball. He spent one year in the AZL with the Kansas City Royals organization before joining the Chicago White Sox organization. He worked multiple levels with the White Sox, including three years as the Director of Strength and Conditioning...