Episode 40: Danny Hultzen - The Journey From Top MLB Draft Pick To Pitching Manager

Danny Hultzen Danny Hultzen was destined for stardom. A two-time All-American and the second overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft, he was one of the most promising left-handed pitchers in the game. But after multiple shoulder surgeries and years of grueling rehab, Danny’s dream took a different turn. He made it to the majors, but his lasting impact is now being made off the field—shaping the future of the Chicago Cubs as a key leader in player development.In this episode, Danny joins Andrew Rizza and Dr. Cameron Roth to share his journey from elite prospect to front office executive. He walks us through the highs and lows of professional baseball, the toll of injury, and the unrelenting mindset it took to keep showing up. They break down what today’s top athletes need to succeed—from performance-based data to locker room dynamics, mental pressure to physical recovery, and the role of sports science in producing wins. Danny also opens up about how he mentors rising stars, tunes out media noise, and draws on his own struggles to guide the next generation.This is a conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the people who turn pain into purpose—for themselves and for the teams they help build.HIGHLIGHTS:0:00 Introduction2:08 Background8:20 Rehab Process12:26 Managing Pressure14:39 Mindset17:00 Prospective Athletes Message19:42 External Pressure21:30 Tuning out the noise25:53 Locker Room Dynamic28:05 Mentor33:00 Injury Media35:52 Nutrition & Supplementation39:32 Recovery Aids44:20 Performance Based Data Analytics48:12 Foundational Development50:36 Measuring Lower Body Strength51:45 Sports Science to Wins54:57 Passing Time56:57 Superstitions1:00:15 The Injury Report1:03:02 Advancements in SurgeryQUOTES:4:02 “I grew up as a person and as a baseball player.” 5:14 “The doctors told me that there was a very good chance that I would never throw a ball again.” 13:25 “Look at things in the long term vs just the short term.” 14:35 “99% of it came from me and it was all made up in my own head.” 19:24 “Everyone can take the action of just admitting where they’re at.” 20:28 “A lot of it is building confidence and building self assurance and how valuable it is.” 23:04 “The pressure is probably the same, it’s just more visible now.” 25:18 “Developing the skill of blocking out the noise is essential.” 28:10 “It’s inherently a selfish game because nobody in minor league baseball wants to be where they are right now.” 30:53 “Being a good teammate is vital for a team’s success.” 34:46 “That small distinction between “The” vs “My” is a very powerful thing.” 40:26 “In baseball, I don’t know if anyone’s ever playing at 100%. I don”t know if anyone's playing at 90%.” 42:50 “The only thing you can do is provide them with the information and resources that help achieve their goals.” 48:00 “From the player’s perspective, things that could be recommended by the organization, they see that as a way to be used against them.” 53:01 “The resources and the data are light years ahead of where I was.” 56:47 “Your lower body is probably the most pivotal piece for a pitcher to develop and core stability.” 1:00:10 “That’s another data point that says maybe we need to take a step back.” 1:02:13 “When we are trying to produce major league players, we are also trying to maximize a guy's performance and give him every opportunity to succeed.” 1:24:14 “Those lessons I learned as a player are applicable to everyone.”