Ahead Of The Curve with Jonathan Gelnar

Billy Berry on using tradition to ingrain the culture every year, how he helps players to own their career and holds them accountable, and how to “att...

Today we have on Billy Berry, Head Baseball Coach at Tennessee Wesleyan University Billy was the head coach of TWU from 2005-2015 and then returned to TWU in July of 2017 after a two year coaching stint at the Baylor School. Billy and TWU have won 2 NAIA national championships during his 2 stints and In his twenty + years of coaching, He has seen over forty former players move on to professional baseball. He wants to continue to help young men use baseball as an avenue to get their education, continue on the bulldog baseball success and have kids that represent the school, their families and the program with pride. So on the show we talk about how he uses the Weslyan tradition to ingrain the culture every year. How he helps players to own their career and holds them accountable, and he discusses how to “attack the day” everyday. Books: Energy Bus; Books about programs or seasons.
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Wes Brooks and Butch Chaffin on growing men in your program, culture building, and developing a system that works for your program.

Today were joined by Episode #1 and #5 guests Butch Chaffin and Wes Brooks. Wes Brooks is the head coach at Oxford HS in Alabama and Butch Chaffin, Head coach at cookeville HS in Tennessee.  I may have mentioned it several times on the podcast, but I want to reiterate it here. Butch and Wes are two of the best coaches in the country and they absolutely get the most out their guys and love them to death. So on the show, we talk about what’s important to them. We discuss what growing men in your program means, we talk all things culture building, and you can develop a system that works for your program. Contact: @oldgoldsports @gawbage29 
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Ryan Sienko on how to evaluate catchers, catching drills and how we can setup up catchers to maximize their potential, on and off the field.

This episode is sponsored by Athlete's Brand. Today we have on Ryan Sienko- Catching Coordinator for the LA Dodgers Ryan was a catcher at the University of Iowa, played professionally for the Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox and in independent baseball where he was an All-Star. His current responsibilities include catching philosophies and drills, deciphering receiving metrics, blocking philosophies and drills, throwing philosophies and drills, coordinating player plans, working with the research and development department, drills and skill work, and traveling to all affiliates to work with the catchers. On the show, we discuss how he evaluates catchers, what data and trends we can look for, and we go through several drills and thought processes with how we can setup up catchers to maximize their potential, on and off the field.  Resources Choose love not fear Getting outside of your comfort zone. “Ask other people what challenges the face, and how they overcome them." Contact @Catch_and_Throw https://www.catchandthrow.com/ Show notes courtesy of Zach Casto.
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Jason Kanzler on the art of coaching, the importance of data and subjective measurements, and conversations in the dugout.

Today we have on Jason Kanzler Jason was undrafted/unrecruited out of high school, tried to walk on at Northeastern University in Boston and Was cut after fall ball, He Went on to attend the University of Buffalo and became the first D1 player ever to win the gold glove award twice, won MAC player of year, won UB student athlete of year, then was drafted in 20th round by Twins as senior sign for $1k Jason played 3 years in twins system, during which they a Florida state league championship and then spent the next 2.5 years teaching high school physics/chemistry while also coaching baseball He was hired by with Astros last year, and was the hitting coach in high A. On the show we talk about the art of coaching, we discuss the importance of data and how subjective measurements are also important. We dig in conversations in the dugout an how we can teach the game within the game. Resources: owntheoffseason.com Antifragile- Nassim Nicholas Taleb Stuart McMillan Blog. Show Notes (Zach Casto).
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Chris Gimenez and Michael McCarthy on the pitcher/catcher relationship, how to break down data for players, and game-planning and in dugout conversati...

Today we have on Chris Gimenez from the Los Angeles Dodgers and Michael McCarthy from the Minnesota Twins. In parts of 10 seasons, Chris appeared in 386 Major League games and tallied 1067 plate appearances between the Indians, Twins, Mariners, Rays, Rangers and Cubs. While the bulk of Gimenez’s work came behind the plate, he was versatile enough to spend time at first base, in the outfield corners and, more briefly at third base. Beyond that, Gimenez took the ball for 11 relief appearances in his career.  He is currently the game planning coach for the LA Dodgers. Mike went from mowing lawns, dragging infields and “just trying to be a part of” Cal State Bakersfield’s first baseball team to being 14th round selection by the Boston Red Sox in the 2011 MLB draft and he spent parts of his final three seasons with Triple-A Pawtucket. His final season came in 2016. and is currently the pitching coach for AAA Rochester in the Minnesota Twins organization. On the showOn the show we dive deep into the pitcher/catcher relationship, we discuss how we can break down data for players into a tool thats most relevant for them, and we go over game-planning and in dugout conversations. You’re going to love this episode with Michael McCarthy and Chris Gimenez. Resources Books Smart baseball MVP Machine Make your bed Jocko Willink Fortitude https://www.baseballmiracles.org/ Contact Chris Gimenez https://twitter.com/ChrisGimenez5 Michael McCarthy https://twitter.com/mmccarthy35 Show notes courtesy of Zach Casto.
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Aaron Bates on the process and what that means to the Dodgers minor league system, game planning, simplification, and what he has learned during COVID...

Today we have on Aaron Bates. The Dodgers MLB assistant hitting coach, and he’s also the director of hitting for the minor leagues. Aaron was a third-round pick out of North Carolina State by Boston in 2006, and played eight professional seasons — he logged 12 plate appearances with the Red Sox in 2009 — before joining the coaching ranks. His final swings came with the Dodgers in 2014. From there he served as a hitting coach in the Arizona, Midwest, and California leagues. In 2018, he became the assistant hitting coordinator for LA’s minor league system. On the show, we discuss the process and what that means to the Dodgers minor league system. We go over game planning, simplification, what he has learned during COVID and so much more.  Favorite books Culture Code- Daniel Coyle Talent Code- Daniel Coyle Contact https://twitter.com/a33bates Show notes courtesy of Zach Casto.
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Rick Franzblau on matching hardware and software in hitting and pitching, deceleration training, and proper breathing

Today we have on Rick Franzblau. Rick is in his first year as the director of olympic sports strength and conditioning. The previous three years he served in the capacity of assistant director of olympic sports strength and conditioning. He is responsible for the supervision of the assistant strength coaches, graduate assistants and volunteer interns. Rick oversees the strength and conditioning for all 14 of the Olympic Sports an he is directly responsible for the strength and conditioning efforts of the baseball, men’s soccer and track and field teams. On the show we discuss how to match hardware and software, in both hitting and pitching. How what we find on movement screens affects in game performance. How to communicate and collaborate with on field staff and strength staff. We talk deceleration training, proper breathing and so much more. Here is Rick Franzblau! Resources Understand basic concepts of postural restoration institute Basic anatomy  Contact https://twitter.com/FranzblauRick Richarf@clemson.edu Show notes courtesy of Zach Casto. 
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Nate Fish on experiences in playing and coaching in over 20 countries, the world baseball classic, and starting the national baseball program in Israe...

This episode is brought to you by Marvbands. Use code AOTC for 10% off of team sets! Today we have on The King of Jewish Baseball Nate Fish. We go over what he has learned in playing and coaching in 20 plus countries. He also has experience in the world baseball classic, in Cape Cod and starting the national baseball program in Israel. And one of the coolest things about Nate is his experience coaching from little league, to coaching in the minor leagues with the Dodgers.  Contact https://twitter.com/kingofJbaseball Show notes courtesy of Zach Casto.
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Joe Espada on lessons learned throughout his career, working in the Yankees front office and how to build the culture in the clubhouse.

This episode is brought to you by Marvbands. Use code AOTC for 10% off of team sets! Today we have on Joe Espada, Bench Coach for the Houston Astros. Joe grew up in Puerto Rico and attended college the University of Mobile before being drafted 45th overall in the 1996 draft by the Oakland A’s. Joe played 10 years in the Minors before retiring and getting into coaching. He got his first coaching job in 2006 with the Marlins and was named the big league 3B coach in 2010. In 2014 he was hired by Brian Cashman and became an assistant to the GM and the infield coach with the Yankees, and in 2017 he was hired by the Astros to be the bench coach. On the show we discuss lessons learned throughout his professional career, we discuss how working in the Yankees front office helped him become a better on field coach and we dive deep into how to learn about and build the culture in the clubhouse. Resources Extreme ownership- Jocko Willink Measure what matters- John Doerr We’re all in this together- Mike Robbins Contact Joeespada4@gmail.com https://www.instagram.com/josueespada/ Guest Speaker PDF show notes courtesy of Zach Casto.
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Andy Haines on game-planning, pre-game routines and gaining trust with players

Today we have on Andy Haines, MLB hitting coach for the Milwaukee Brewers. Andy is in his his second season in the Brewers organization. Prior to joining the Brewers, spent one season as assistant hitting coach with the Chicago Cubs. Under Haines (and hitting coach Chili Davis), the Cubs led the National League in batting average and ranked second in on-base percentage in 2018...Served Chicago as minor league hitting coordinator from 2016-17... Spent eight seasons with the Miami Marlins, where he joined the organization in 2008 as Rookie GCLMarlins hitting coach. On the show we discuss the differences in working with big leaguers and minor leaguers and amateurs, we go over gameplanning, pre game routines and it all ties back into gaining trust with players. You’re going to love this episode with Andy Haines
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