Episode 148: What It Takes to Play College Baseball in 2026: Recruiting, Training, and Academics

In this episode, we share our thoughts on several key topics shaping college baseball recruiting as we move into 2026. We start by discussing the weight room and why strength training is essential for high school baseball players, how it impacts long-term development, and why it matters when transitioning to the college level.   We break down the transfer portal and explain why it is not ruining college baseball recruiting, while also addressing common misconceptions families have about how it affects opportunities for high school athletes. We also dive into the importance of being a multi-sport athlete, and why we strongly believe early specialization can be limiting, especially before the later years of high school.   The conversation continues with why college baseball is more competitive than ever, what has changed over the years, and what today’s players must do to keep up. We also discuss how parents can better navigate the recruiting process by educating themselves, understanding the realities of recruiting, and recognizing that success rarely comes from trying to figure it out alone.   Finally, we tackle the intersection of academics and athletics, explaining why being talented at baseball does not automatically open every door in college—especially at high-academic baseball programs—and why strong grades alone do not guarantee a roster spot at those schools. Follow us on Instagram and Youtube: @emdbaseball Presented by Kali Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Kevin Smith's Gloves(00:01:12) - Dugout Dish: College Baseball In 2026(00:01:57) - Bradley on Sports Specialization(00:11:55) - LeBron on His Kids Playing Sports(00:18:13) - Transfer Portal(00:26:39) - Transfer Portal Impact on Baseball Recruiting(00:29:24) - Offseason Fitness and Baseball(00:37:59) - Roster Limits in College Baseball(00:47:07) - Don't Let the Baseball World Tell You You're a Division 1(00:53:28) - Just Because You're Good at Baseball Doesn't Mean You Can Get(01:02:18) - How To Recruit A Baseball Player!