Strength in Numbers #232 When I began working in professional baseball, what stood out immediately was not just how hard pitchers threw—but how variable they were from outing to outing. The same pitcher could: Look explosive and efficient one week Appear stiff, late, or “off” the next Report no pain, yet show clear mechanical drift…

Strength in Numbers #231 I was recently visiting Oklahoma City.  When on the plane, I was thinking about how flying affects our bodies.  In Major League Baseball, red-eye flights across time zones wreak havoc on the body.  Travel, in my opinion, is one of the most challenging aspects of pro sports to master, but there…

Strength in Numbers #229 We are in an age of instant information.  We lack patience.  We at times lack the dedication.  We can lack the humility to change… but we cannot give up on demonstrating growth mindsets, adding new tools, and getting better each day.   I had recently connected with a former D1 football strength…

Strength in Numbers #228 Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the people, the experiences, and the season behind you, and to reframe your mind for the offseason ahead.  Family gatherings are restful for some, turbulent for others.   In the past, I have communicated the importance of deloading the throwing volume and reloading the arm…

Strength in Numbers #227 We need to keep the conversation on Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s performance.  The 2025 World Series was a showcase of durability, precision, and adaptability rarely seen in modern baseball, but may be considered a new norm in years to come. In do-or-die situations, pitching on short rest — including back-to-back appearances — Yamamoto…

Strength in Numbers #226 Having worked closely with some of Japan’s most remarkable athletes, including Shohei Ohtani, I’ve witnessed firsthand the discipline, adaptability, and extraordinary work ethic that define Japanese baseball players. These athletes are masters of routine and resilience—able to handle immense workloads. However, once they come to the US, Asian players must…

Strength in Numbers #225 In last week’s Strength in Numbers, we went through the history of weighted ball training, the risk-reward aspects of it, and directed you to our Velocity Checklist.  The big picture theme is that baseball players, regardless of whether they are a pitcher, catcher, or position player, must test their arm strength.…

Strength in Numbers #224 About this time in the competitive season, I start to gulp.   Players finish a Fall season, they get itchy, and they want to immediately get off the mound and start throwing into a net with a high-powered run-and-gun. They do not give their arms a break; instead, they are ready…

Strength in Numbers #223 In our last Strength in Numbers, we hit on the problems with focused training on boosting maximum strength.  Showed evidence that the highest conversions are boosting lean mass, balancing the shoulder, and having greater contractile velocity.   However, in the high-performance world of baseball, throwing arm strength isn’t just about velocity —…