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, velocity, and the knack for limiting free bases. MacDonald also sheds light on the importance of player development, emphasizing the need for coaches who can provide candid feedback and facilitate player enhancement.

0:00 Current role as a recruiting coordinator. 5:36 Evaluating talent at the high school level. 9:22 What college coaches look for. 19:23 Recruiting at a smaller school. 25:01 The misconception of division one baseball. 28:51 Recruiting 47:04 Red flags for high school players. 50:45 How coaches use high school athletes' social media in the recruiting process. 54:03 Common misconceptions high school players have about college. 1:01:24 Is it worth it to play on showcase teams? 1:08:43 The transfer process.

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 for rock bottom to make positive changes. If you struggle with mental health and addiction, reach out to Carter Hope at carterhope1995@gmail.com - 0:00 Introduction 6:14 Drafted in the third round 13:43 Drugs and Alcohol 16:40 Strategies for the next generation of players 22:20 Mental Battles for Men and Athletes 25:23 Being a people pleaser vs. being an athlete 32:32 Learning to fall in love with baseball again 35:50 Living a life of purpose and meaning 45:19 Reinventing your mindset

In this episode, we debunk myths about in-season training for athletes and pitchers. We highlight the importance of balancing workout routines and acknowledging different player types, from everyday performers to hybrid-focused players. We emphasize effective workload management, problem-solving techniques, maintaining positivity, and adjusting weight training during the season. Tune in for key insights into optimal in-season training!

Neil Ramirez embarks on a nostalgic journey through his illustrious baseball career, starting from his draft in 2007 and his dynamic stint with multiple teams. Delve into the momentous day of his major league debut and the trials that followed. Dive deeper as he shares invaluable insights on the pivotal role of self-belief and mindset, especially during his post-surgery comeback. Get a glimpse of his training at Tread and his perspective on the fine balance between relentless dedication and the need to engage in diversions to avoid being wholly absorbed by the game.

0:00 Introduction 1:03 Major League Debut 5:01 Being drafted from High School vs College 6:31 The confidence of being a Major League Pitcher 8:09 Adversity 11:02 Social Media & Coverage 13:41 Feeling Good 15:07 Coming back from Injury 19:56 What's your why? 21:10 Walking David Ortiz 23:00 Toughest Hitters to face 24:31 Learning from other pitchers 25:58 MLB the Show Rating 27:16 Started to work with Tread 30:42 95 MPH ain't what it used to be 35:44 You have to get hitters out 40:10 Live ABs 44:50 Life outside of Baseball

Alan Carter dives into the subtle nuances between pitching at 97mph vs 100mph. Listen as he shares insights on optimizing his delivery for efficiency, fluidity, and timing. Discover the stark contrast between the adrenaline rush in a bullpen session versus a live game. Alan also recounts his compelling journey from high school through college and his pivotal decision to transfer to Lee University. He discussed his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, as he researched and experimented with techniques to boost his pitch velocity.

0:00 Introduction 1:56 Alan Carter's Background 18:35 Started working with tread 19:20 Pro Day 22:20 Signed with the Los Angeles Angels 26:05 Splitter 33:44 Playing for Team China in World Baseball Classic 2023 40:50 Goals for this year 2023 43:21 Division 2 Baseball 56:32 Motivation for Baseball 59:40 Be Yourself 1:02:50 The journey starts now

Join us as we explore JT Brubaker's journey, from seeing a spike in pitching velocity during his senior high school year, to his rewarding time at the Pittsburgh Pirates facility. Despite the hurdles faced in the minor leagues, including injuries, Brubaker persevered and showcased remarkable performances, particularly with his slider.

0:00 Offseason Updates 1:30 High School 5:19 College 6:30 Being a P.O. 6:44 Weight Training 10:09 Getting Drafted 17:27 The Minor Leagues 18:37 MiLB Stadiums 21:35 Climbing the MiLB Ladder 27:15 MLB Debut 29:45 Pitch Grips 32:23 JT’s Elite Slider 37:42 Training with Tread 44:44 Sinker Usage 47:26 Pitch Sequencing

Tread Athlete and Detroit Tigers RHP Will Vest talks with his coach Ben Brewster on his experience in the Big Leagues. He dives into the profound significance of respect and how it's earned in the realm of Major League Baseball. He prompts us to ponder the origins of top-tier player abilities— are they innate or is there a possibility for anyone to ascend to such heights? Vest takes us on a journey through the mindset metamorphosis from the constant struggle of securing a spot to the pursuit of becoming a dominating force in the game. Stressing on the beauty of imperfections, he encourages not to overcomplicate the game. Moreover, he opens up about his own shift from hitting to pitching, shedding light on how his athletic prowess has benefitted his pitching mechanics. Timestamps: 0:00 No one would think Will Vest would be a big leaguer 3:42 Will Vest’s transition into the big leagues 11:34 Will Vest Mentality 14:00 The biggest misconceptions of Big League Pitchers 16:03 Having Ben Brewster as a coach 18:17 Navigating throughout the season as a pitcher 19:36 The Role of pitching data and metrics 23:34 Pitchers that start off as position players 30:04 Will Vest Mechanical Gems 36:25 Will Vest’s Vulcan Changeup 40:07 Will Vest’s Slider 45:04 Will Vest’s goals for the 2023 season 51:10 Will Vest Debut 55:28 The closer mentality 1:04:31 Do guys take their craft more seriously in the big leagues? 1:12:59 Will Vest’s biggest advice for young players

A conversation with Tread Athlete and Pittsburgh Pirates Starter Mitch Keller and his coach Devin Hayes. Starting with a below-draft standard pitch in high school, Mitch Keller remarkably improved his game, earning a spot with the Pirates. After a five-year stint in the minor leagues, he made his MLB debut in 2019. Keller overcame challenges with his pitching mechanics and mindset by working with Tread and incorporating new techniques like the Kikuchi step back and figure eight rocker drills. Adding a sinker to his arsenal, he further elevated his game.

Timestamps: 0:00 Mitch Keller introduction 2:22 Mitch Keller knew he was going to be a big leaguer 3:19 How did Mitch Keller keep himself grounded 4:53 Mitch Keller Walking Guys Story 6:48 Mitch Keller 2022 Season 9:53 Mitch Keller Mentors 13:50 How did Mitch Keller handle the pressure 16:01 Mitch Keller at Tread 22:12 Mitch Keller’s favorite drills 31:55 Building out Mitch Keller’s Program 35:44 Mitch Keller Sinker 48:50 Mitch Keller’s Arsenal 51:56 Power Pitcher 57:48 Mitch Keller Most Improved Stuff 1:00:23 Mitch Keller go to feel 1:07:15 Mitch Keller’s Goal for 2023 1:11:22 Player Coach relationship at Tread 1:13:24 Mitch Keller’s lifestyle

We sat down with Brian Bannister, Director of Pitching for the San Francisco Giants and former MLB pitcher.  He is known in the baseball world as an expert in pitch design, and he has a number of notable success stories including Zack Greinke and Logan Webb.  He also has spent time coaching little league players, giving him the unique experience of being able to communicate and apply advanced concepts across the lowest and highest levels of baseball.  

You can learn more about Brian here: 

https://brianbannister.co/ 

https://twitter.com/realbanny 

https://twitter.com/ArtOfBaseball

0:00 Intro 0:43 Ryan Crotin Background 7:51 Arm Care's Mission 9:56 How does the arm care process work 19:51 Are all velocity gains equal? 23:10 Throw Fuzz Check List 27:50 Ryan Crotin deep dive into physics 40:45 Lean Mass 46:57 Do players who have a greater range of motion need strength training? 56:22 What injuries do you see with a guy that's lacking internal rotation strength 1:00:32 How do mechanics fit into injury 1:03:24 Death by the cure 1:10:57 Continue to train the arm 1:14:56 Pro Baseball Adjustment logs 1:19:13 Where do private coaches fit in the MLB model 1:32:06 You'll learn something from everybody 1:35:03 You have to figure out what are you looking for

Who is Pitching Ninja and how did he build one of the biggest brands in baseball?

I sat down with Rob Friedman to uncover the man behind the mask. 🥷

How Daniel Bard overcame the yips, his decision to retire, made a comeback, throwing 101 at 37 years old, and more.

In this episode, we sat down Pete Fairbanks where he dives deep into the trials and triumphs of his career, including overcoming the challenging ordeal of undergoing Tommy John surgery not just once, but twice. He opens up about the modifications he had to make to his pitching mechanics post-surgery, providing an insightful look into the perseverance and adaptability demanded of professional athletes. He also shares his love for collecting Pokemon cards, proving that there's more to him than just the fastball and curveball. 0:00 Introduction 2:56 Pete Fairbanks' Mentality on the mound 10:50 The balance between analytics and the fundamentals 14:18 Pitchers without plus-plus stuff can still perform well 19:46 Second Tommy John Surgery 23:17 Pete Fairbanks revamping his mechanics 29:29 The Death Pitch 33:03 Pete Fairbanks' Changeup 38:27 Competitive advantage of the Rays' organization 45:40 Taste Per Dollar 49:41Pokemon Cards and Building Legos 54:11 The importance of having off-the-field hobbies 56:55 Jeff Passan is an anti-hero 1:05:08 Advice to younger players

Co-Founder of Reboot Motion and Former Senior Analyst for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2015-2019 Jimmy Buffi joins the Tread Podcast to talk about UCL Injuries, curveballs, deception, biomechanics and more.

Ben Brewster sits down with Alan Jaeger to discuss all things change-ups.

University of Tennessee RHP Ben Joyce and I discuss his mechanics, lifting & throwing routines, TJ rehab, twin brother (who also throws upper 90's) and more. You won't want to miss this podcast!

Time Stamps:   00:00 - Intro 01:30 - Velo progressions/growing pains 07:12 - Starting vs Relieving  09:19 - TJ 12:05 - Mobility/strength 17:56 - Lifting stats 19:51- Putting on weight 23:12 - Twin Brother 25:32 - Throwing routine 29:00 - Flatground/mound work 29:40 - Offseason throwing 30:46 - In season lifting 37:24 - Data 38:36 - Mechanical Breakdown!!! 48:40 - Coaches changing mechanics 53:49 - Advice to younger pitchers

https://treadathletics.com/

Kevin Foster is one of the top Javelin coaches in the US. Not only is he still pursuing his Olympic goals, but he trains dozens of aspiring Javelin throwers remotely and runs a fantastic page called Javelin Anatomy on Instagram. I hope you all enjoy this conversation.

Kevin's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/javelin.anatomy/

Timestamps: 0:00 - Kevin's Story 10:50 -Are the top javelin throwers analytical? 12:54 - How important are genetics? 17:27 - Importance of strength training 20:31 - Mobility 25:28 - Submax throwing 40:09 - Is more mobility always better? 45:42 - Mechanical comps 47:30 - Waves of energy 53:15 - Triple extension 58:19 - Core stability  1:00:32 - ISOs 1:03:30 - Throwing Power vs weight room power 1:11:45 - Fascia 1:19:45 - Underload training 1:23:46 - What metrics do guys need to hit? 1:25:40 - Relaxing the tongue cue 1:29:22 - Soft tissue work

https://treadathletics.com/

Welcome to the first episode of The Tread Podcast. I sat down with Alan Jaeger, one of the most respected authorities on long toss in the baseball world. His J-Bands and Long Toss programs have infiltrated every level of baseball over the past 15-20 years. We discussed a number of topics, including the different styles of crow hopping, how to pull down the right way, long toss, weighted balls and more.

Time Stamps:

1:00 History of Crow hopping with Alan 7:00 How to transfer long toss to the mound 11:52 Do you need cues or will guys self organize? 17:26 Shuffle vs crow hop back leg usage 21:52 Wave of energy & efficiency 32:00 Pulldowns - the right way 39:26 Importance of throwing to a partner 42:40 Pros/cons of run and guns 45:30 When should long toss be individualized 56:20 Long toss influencing spin efficiency/VB

treadathletics.com

We sat down with Hector Berrios, who shares his remarkable journey and insights into fixing the pitching mechanics of Aroldis Chapman. He discusses his experience in the Phillies organization, his current endeavors, and the transformative techniques he employed to help Chapman regain his form. Join us as Berrios delves into the importance of body movements, hip rotation, balance, and tension in pitching. 0:00 Introduction 3:50 Hector Berrios working with the Dodgers and other big names 10:12 Learning to read and interpret metrics 18:15 Hector Berrios meeting Aroldis Chapman 20:56 Every drill has a purpose 23:50 Aroldis Chapman Coiling the back leg 31:20 The involvement of the whole body 35:06 How to apply pressure from the hip into the knee 37:51 The pelvis is what drives the knee down to the ground 40:31 Towel Drill 53:30 Fixing the arm path in the delivery 1:08:04 The idea of throwing hard, easy 1:21:04 Addressing confidence from the mental side 1:30:45 The importance of creating a deeper hinge 1:38:04 Keeping mechanical anchors in your routine

Tyler Zombro, Tread's data team lead, opens up about his personal journey and professional baseball career. In this episode, Z gets candid about his experiences from college recruitment to being signed by the Tampa Bay Rays without a draft. Discover his incredible comeback story after a traumatic brain injury and his resolution to keep playing post a significant surgery.

0:54 How Tyler Zombro got into Pro Baseball 11:19 Underdog Mentality 12:40 Stuff vs Results 16:08 Transparency in Pro Ball 24:03 Notorious Head Injury 35:19 Playing again after a life-threatening injury 37:49 TOS 49:53 Goals 51:04 Advice to younger players

Join us as we sit down with seasoned MLB veteran, Sam Freeman, who's graced the big leagues with his talent for 9 impressive seasons. Once a reluctant pitcher, Sam's journey of adapting to his team's needs, overcoming a difficult freshman year in college, and securing a scholarship to Marshall University is nothing short of inspiring. Drafted in the 32nd round, Sam's successful career boasts of skillful throws in the high 80s to low 90s range. Dive into his rich clubhouse tales, learn about the hurdles of professional baseball and the pivotal role of wise career decisions in this interview.

In this video, Genevieve Beacom discusses the differences between training for baseball in Australia and America. She notes that in Australia, training is less frequent and less specialized, with a focus on conditioning and repetition. She also discusses the challenges of introducing new training methods and equipment in Australia due to limited accessibility and resources. Finally, she expresses excitement about playing college baseball in America and the benefits of being part of a team environment. 0:00 Introduction 1:00 Discussion of baseball journey and starting with tee-ball 3:00 Discussion of playing on Junior Australian teams and the World Cup in September 6:00 Discussion of women's baseball in Australia and the growth of the sport 10:00 Discussion of differences in training between Australia and America 15:00 Discussion of the state of baseball facilities in Australia and the differences between American and Australian facilities

In this video, we discuss the unique challenges and opportunities for hypermobile athletes, specifically in the context of pitching. We'll emphasize the importance of proper form and technique and building strength and tension throughout a full range of motion. We'll also highlight the value of communication and individualized coaching to help hypermobile athletes develop proprioception and optimize their mechanics. 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Discussion on defining hypermobility and related terms 08:00 Assessment of hypermobility and standard tests used 11:00 Downsides of hypermobility and the importance of strength training 17:00 Importance of form and body awareness for hypermobile athletes 20:00 Increased injury risk associated with hypermobility 23:00 Discussion on hypermobility in the elbow and its effects on pitching mechanics 31:00 Discussion on hypermobility in the knee and ankle 35:00 Discussion on the importance of understanding hypermobility in coaching and training 38:00 Q&A and discussion on specific athlete cases

Inspired by his brother, Luke Bard set off on a baseball career backed by a lineage of baseball enthusiasts, including his dad, grandfather, uncle, and cousin. Navigating his brother's struggles with "Yips" and his own torn hip labrum, Luke's journey hasn't been smooth sailing. Yet, believing in both nature and nurture's impact on athletic prowess, he's keen on visual learning and modeling after successful players. Despite challenges, Luke's positivity, resilience, and commitment remain unshaken. He's all set and thrilled to continue his thrilling journey with the Blue Jays!

1:32 Father was a pro catcher 3:40 Biggest Influences 4:41 Offseason Adjustments 7:49 Sinker vs 4 seam release 9:02 Early Career 10:09 Daniel Bard 14:42 Caring too much as a Pitcher 15:15 Metal Hip 20:29 This year's focus 24:38 Art of Pitching 25:21 Buy-in 26:19 Sweeper 28:42 Reliever Routine 31:27 Advice for Younger Players

Daniel Blair takes a trip down memory lane, recalling their high school training days in Georgia, unpacking his elbow surgery journey, and detailing the complex evaluation process leading up to his reconstruction. Get an inside look at his road to recovery, right from post-op to hopping back on the training with Tread. Dive into Blair's determined pursuit of enhanced velocity and command, while also shedding light on the mental game of pitching, emphasizing confidence and execution.

1:33 Surgery 9:11 When an athlete is ready to buy in 14:12 Pitchers that overthink 18:38 The mechanics to throw 97 22:19 Losing confidence 27:44 Not to use mechanics as an excuse 31:13 Not trusting everything a coach tells you 39:48 Advice to young players

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-slot arms🔹 The kick change -- when it plays, when it doesn’t, and how to cue it🔹 Pronator vs. supinator grips and cues🔹 Splitter vs. changeup: trade-offs, finger dominance, and consistency concerns🔹 Common pitfalls like “pushy” catch-play changeups and slot deviations🔹 Practical starting points for remote athletes without advanced tech

If you’re chasing a reliable offspeed pitch, this episode will give you a framework to evaluate your changeup, simple grip adjustments to try, and actionable cues that carry into real games.

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

✅ Fastball command vs outlier shapes

✅ How fastball usage affects velocity, pitch design & recovery

✅ College vs pro usage trends

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 anatomy and mobility can limit command potential🔹 The role of vision, focal points, and effort level in consistency🔹 Case studies of arms who tightened up their misses without losing velocity

If you’ve ever been told to “just throw strikes,” this episode shows you a practical framework to identify your biggest command leaks, and how to fix them.

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 high school, college, and pro athletes.If you want to stay strong, feel fresh, and keep your velo through the season, this episode is for you.

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, in-zone %, competitive location %, race to 2 strikes)

• Case studies of pros, college, and high school arms who transformed shaky command into consistency

• Common mistakes when blending velocity work with command training

• The mental side: pre-pitch routines, focal points, and handling pressure

• Practical drills (bridge pitches, variability training, nine-pocket work)

If you’re struggling to throw consistent strikes, this episode will give you a framework to identify your biggest command issues and actionable strategies to fix them.

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

18:40 The importance of training on a mound

26:08 Lower Body Mechanics

34:34 Implementing new theories

41:03 Planning offseason throwing phases

44:29 Importance of combining velocity and command training

52:20 Mass = Gas?

55:58 Weight Gain For Pitchers

1:03:52 Balance between strength and mobility

The episode was originally posted 5/1/2024.

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 rediscovering the joy of the game in indy ball, each coach shares how failure, adaptability, and relentless self-belief shaped their careers.Some awesome takeaways from this episode:💭 “Failures can’t define you, they’re your life lessons.”💭 “Be obsessed with keeping a jersey on your back.”💭 “Don’t lose that kid who fell in love with the game.”

Timestamps0:24 – Backgrounds and Playing Careers2:30 – Paths to Professional Baseball8:25 – Lessons from Early Struggles14:45 – Developing a Pro Mindset21:10 – Mentality and Growth as a Player28:50 – Handling Pressure and Adversity34:30 – What It Takes to Reach the Next Level41:45 – The Grind and Sacrifice Behind the Dream50:20 – Final Reflections and Takeaways

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 into efficient rotation

🔹 What “back-hip tension” actually feels like and how to train it

🔹 Drills and cues to build better sequencing from the ground up

🔹 How hip structure and foot angle change your ideal loading pattern

🔹 Common misconceptions like “pushing off” and triple extension

If you’ve ever been told to “use your legs more” but didn’t know how, this episode will give you a clear framework for understanding and developing an efficient lower half.

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 is developed over time, including command training, reading swings, sequencing hitters, and building effective game plans.

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 genetic ceiling.

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 covers workload management, deload timing, body changes, and how MLB organizations evaluate arms in today’s tighter roster landscape. If you want an honest look at what separates pitchers who move up from those who get left behind, this episode delivers.

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.

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.

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, identifying the three or four things that actually matter in a throw, and training without the pressure of a long season. From leaning into individual body types to hammering the weight room in ways they never did as players, each coach found their own path to throwing harder by finally understanding why certain mechanics work instead of just copying what looked good.