The Tread Podcast Tread Athletics

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
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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 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

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.