Wayne Hills RHP Chris Cundari (Class 2026) joined us during the fall of last year in the Pitching Lab for off-season training. In general, Chris was looking to improve his velocity as well as get healthy. We got right into attacking his off-season training by finding out what Chris’ most readily achievable goals were. After 4 months of hard work, Chris is healthy again with a refined pitch arsenal and an increase in velo from T87 to T90.
How did he do it?
This year will be the 8th year we’ve run our Elite Summer College Program for pitchers. The program can be done here at RPP (in-house), 100% on a remote basis, or as a hybrid program, where athletes join us on bullpen days, and do other portions of the program at a local gym near their home. Who is it for?
And best of all, in both cases, it can be adjusted for those playing summer ball.
But, how do we get those big gains?
Continue reading “Summer College Throwing Program — How Do We Get Those Big Gains?”
Mobility can sometimes be treated as the un-wanted stepchild to an athlete. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. So, today we’re going to address Mobility… what it is, what it isn’t and why it’s important. Topics Include:
Continue reading “Podcast #138: What it is, What it isn’t and Why It’s Important”
Today, I’m sitting down with Division I Wofford College Head Coach J.J. Edwards. This is his 2nd year as The Terrier’s Head Coach. Topics Include:
Here at RPP, we take great pride in getting our athletes in the best possible overall shape to succeed, and mobility work plays a big role in our roadmap to getting them there. Without adequate mobility an athlete will not be able to get into efficient and successful positions and will likely lack the ability to optimize the strength and power in his movements. Full Stop!
So, let’s review…
Continue reading “Mobility… What it is, What it isn’t and Why It’s Paramount!”
I’m flying solo today, discussing plyometric training and some of the “Pros” of training it correctly… and” Cons” of training it poorly. Topics Include:
Continue reading “Podcast #136: Training Explosive Power Through Plyometrics”
Today we’re sitting down with Monmouth University Pitching Coach Mike Russo. This conversation covers a lot of bases. Topics Include:
Coach Russo joined the Monmouth Baseball program in August 2022. He came to Monmouth after six seasons at Princeton University working with the pitching staff.
Elite pitchers and baseball players are not only strong but also explosive. This requires not only strength but the ability to apply that strength quickly and can be a bit more involved than simply training strength only. This is where plyometrics come in. Plyometric exercises typically involve rapid, powerful jumping and/or hopping movements preceded by a preloaded countermovement. This targets the fast-twitch muscle fibers, the primary muscles that are responsible for generating force rapidly, as in throwing or hitting a baseball or the initial take-off when attempting to steal a base.
Let’s get into it…
Continue reading “Increasing Speed and Power for Pitchers and Baseball Players through Plyometrics”
Fairfield University Baseball RHP Kyle Lesler joined us last summer in our Collegiate Summer Throwing Program. The 12-week program is 100% customized to the needs of the individual athlete, whether it be increasing velocity, improving command and control, improving pitch-arsenal, or simply getting better across the board. In general, Kyle was looking to add more velocity to his heater while improving his overall pitch ability. He started the program in early June and by departure in August, his top-end velo had improved from 88 mph to 91 mph, and he substantially improved his changeup and breaking balls to compliment his 4-seam.
How did he do it?
Continue reading “Summer Athlete Highlight: Fairfield’s Kyle Lesler Velo up from 88 mph to 91 mph”
I’m flying solo today and discussing a topic that doesn’t get addressed nearly enough. I’m talking about the importance of ankle strength and stability and how I’ve seen it to be a game changer in training athletes to get them to be more explosive. Topics Include:
Continue reading “Podcast #134: Training the Missing Link… Ankle Strength and Stability”
