The Tread Podcast

Craig Stem and Paul Hall have both lived the pitcher development journey from high school arms to professional baseball. In this episode, they break down everything they wish someone had told them at 18. The mechanical habits, the mindset traps, and the training principles that took years to figure out the hard way. If you're a high school or college pitcher trying to fast-track your developme...

In this episode of the Tread Podcast, Performance Coach Chase sits down with Dylan Cumming and Grant Umberger to break down their full journeys. Dylan Cumming and Grant Umberger were never highly recruited. Grant was underperforming and cut at Virginia Tech. Dylan was bouncing between schools and barely getting looks. Then they both found their way to pro ball after the Tread Annual Pro day. Now t...

In this episode, we sit down with Grant Manning, a Washington Nationals signee out of the 2026 Tread Pro Day, to tell his underdog story. Grant started his career as a skinny 6'6" freshman throwing 84 MPH at Division III Chapman University. Through years of gradual development, relentless work, and one perfectly timed email, he earned a spot at Virginia Tech in the ACC.We trace the full j...

MT Morrissey wasn't drafted. He transferred twice. He battled inconsistency throughout his collegiate career. Then he hit 98 MPH in a bullpen, and the Phillies signed him. In this episode of the Tread Podcast, Pro Development Lead Turner Givens and S&C Lead Ethan Dyer sit down with MT to break down his full journey: - His mindset shift that changed everything - His Pro-style buildup at NJI...

David Hess was a 4th round pick out of Tennessee Tech who worked his way to the big leagues with the Baltimore Orioles. In this episode he breaks down the full journey, from decommitting as a high school recruit to his MLB debut, the minor league grind, and what it actually takes to stick at that level. Hess also talks openly about battling cancer, the treatment, and why he's not done with bas...

In this episode of the Tread Podcast, John Lantigua, Trey Goodrich, and Zach Warren break down how all three of them increased their velocity post-retirement. The answer comes down to this: years of coaching taught them what actually matters in a throw, and retirement gave them the freedom to fully apply it. The conversation digs into the real reasons behind their gains, simplifying their approach...

Kenny Serwa sits down with Co-Founder Ben Brewster and his former teammate, now Tread Performance Coach Cody Whitten, to reflect on the past year since signing with the Detroit Tigers. Kenny Serwa signed after participating in Tread Athletics Annual Pro Day in 2025.

Sayer Diederich went from getting cut in indy ball and nearly walking away from baseball to becoming a prospect in the Baltimore Orioles organization. In this episode of the Tread Podcast, we break down his unconventional path, from velocity struggles and mechanical overhauls to refining an arsenal that finally got him noticed.

Ryan Flippo and John Lantigua sit down with Tread Performance Specialist and VP of Pitching for the Chicago Cubs, Tyler Zombro, for a deep dive into how pitching development really works at the highest level. They break down the difference between training and competing, how college and pro ramp-ups should actually be structured, and why most players peak at the wrong time. The conversation also c...

What does pitchability actually mean and how do you train it? In this discussion, Tread Athletics coaches Craig Stem, Lucas Still and Chase Cunningham break down what separates pitchers who just throw hard from pitchers who consistently get outs. As velocity continues to rise across all levels of baseball, pitchability continues to be the true separator. This conversation covers how pitchability i...

Are taller pitchers always better? Or do shorter pitchers have a hidden edge? In this video, we discussed the differences between tall and short pitchers. We compared delivery, mindset, and development challenges pitchers can go through depending on their height. We also delved into the concept that optimal lifting and power metrics can vary based on a player's size and physical leverage.

We've all seen "velo hacks" on the internet. Here are a handful of variables to experiment with that we have seen add small but significant bumps in velocity with certain pitchers. Don't view these as guaranteed quick fixes - view them as mini-experiments to quickly uncover if they can help clean up various pieces of your delivery. Sizable gains in velocity take time, and everyone has a different...

Time Stamps:0:00 Intro6:30 How Do We Determine Mobility Targets?15:00 How Matt Marsili Moved As A Tight Mover31:50 How Past Injuries Can Affect Mobility46:16 Mechanical and Mobility Links46:50 The Linear Move51:20 Rotation55:00 Areas To Check Mobility In The Arm57:05 The Block1:00:08 The Arm Acceleration Phase1:05:05 The Arm Deceleration Phase1:07:45 North/South Vs. East/West Pitchers

What does it actually take to become a pro pitcher? In this episode of Around The Mound, former pros and current Tread Athletics coaches John Lantigua, Justin Nicolino, Craig Stem, and Paul Hall sit down to talk about the mindset it takes to make it, and more importantly, to stay. Each of them have a unique background that shapes their coaching philosophies. From affiliate ball struggles to redisc...

Thanks for watching - it's been a wild ride over the last decade. We appreciate you all for joining us on this journey. Questions or comments? Let me know below.

Why is the back leg such a critical, yet often misunderstood, piece of pitching mechanics? In this episode, Ben Brewster sits down with Tread coaches Lucas Still and Paul Hall to break down the foundations of efficient lower-half movement and how it impacts everything up the chain. We cover: 🔹 Why the back leg sets the tone for velocity, command, and arm health 🔹 How to convert linear momentum i...

Three former upper 90 mph arms break down the mistakes they've made when they were athletes trying to throw harder and what to do instead. Timestamps: 0:00 The dangers of over-analyzing baseball throws with video 3:06 The importance of understanding one's body 8:33 The importance of video analysis for pitchers 13:17 Long Toss 1 8:40 The importance of training on a mound 26:08 Lower Body Me...

Can you guess which MLB legend Josh Hader got his signature leg kick from? Learn about his leg kick, crossbody delivery, and how he prepares to close out MLB games in this conversation with Tread remote athlete and one of the best relievers of all time, Josh Hader.

Why do some changeups miss bats at the highest levels while others get hammered? In this episode, Tyler Zombro sits down with Ryan Flippo and Leif Strom to break down what makes elite changeups work, from velocity separation to vertical attack angle. We cover:🔹 Why vertical separation and VAA often matter more than raw movement🔹 Front-to-back velocity differential vs. angle manipulation for high...

Are you throwing the wrong fastball or just throwing it too much? We break down everything that goes into building a fastball that actually plays. From dead zone profiles and approach angles to deception, command, and usage. This is a full look at what makes a fastball effective at every level. What we covered: ✅ How to fix dead zone fastballs ✅ Vertical & horizontal approach angle explained...

Why is command so tough to train and why do so many pitchers get it wrong? In this episode, Ben Brewster speaks with Tread coaches Craig Stem and Turner Givens to unpack the mechanics, mindset, and drills that actually move the needle on command. We cover:🔹 Why you can (and should) train velocity and command together🔹 Mechanical red flags: direction, early torso, late/low arm timing🔹 How anatom...

Most pitchers lose velo during the season not because they stop training, but because they train the wrong way. In this episode of Around the Mound, Tread coaches Ethan Dyer, Matthew Jordan, and John Lantigua break down how to lift in season without wrecking your performance. They cover how to manage volume, why most pitchers overdo it, and what smart in-season training actually looks like for hig...

Why is command such a difficult, often-overlooked part of pitching development? In this episode, Ben Brewster chats with Tread Athletics performance coaches Craig Stem and Turner Givens to unpack the layers of command training, from biomechanics to the mental game. We cover: Why command is harder to quantify (and train) than velocity The difference between command vs. control Key metrics (walk %s,...

Insightful interview with Ian MacDonald, the dedicated college recruiting coordinator and pitcher coach at Indiana Wesleyan University. MacDonald shares his passion for the college game, relishing the opportunity to guide players through a transformative stage of their lives. Listen as he delves into the nuances of pitcher recruitment, revealing his key evaluation criteria: control, command, veloc...

Carter Hope's journey from being a third baseman in high school to becoming a highly regarded pitcher and getting drafted in the third round by the Royals. Carter's transition to the professional level led to a destructive path fueled by addiction, which eventually led him to rock bottom. Carter emphasizes the importance of admitting the issue, seeking positive influences, and not waiting...