Tower Sports Advising Podcast #31: Thomas Jankins, Director or Player Development at Velo U

SummaryIn this episode, Thomas Jenkins—Director of Player Development at Velo University, former 7-year professional pitcher, and standout at Quinnipiac University—breaks down what it really takes to develop in today’s game.From the evolution of high school and travel baseball to the increasing competitiveness of youth sports, Thomas dives into how players can separate themselves through consistency, problem-solving, and mindset. He shares why fall baseball is a critical window for development and recruiting, how to properly manage pitching workloads and recovery, and when athletes should begin strength training the right way.The conversation also explores the balance between mechanics, intent, and mindset, the role of technology and data in training, and why communication, accountability, and culture are essential for long-term growth. Thomas gives honest insight into multi-sport development vs. early specialization, navigating high school commitments, and how families can better understand the modern recruiting landscape.If you’re a player or parent trying to develop the right way and make smarter decisions in today’s game, this episode delivers real, actionable insight from someone who’s lived it at every level.Big take away for parents & players:▪️Development isn’t linear — progress requires failure, adjustments, and patience▪️Consistency is everything — reliability gets recruited, not flashes▪️Command, routine, and durability matter more than velocity early on▪️Exposure doesn’t equal opportunity — performance and fit do▪️Fall baseball is a major recruiting window — but only if you’re ready to perform▪️Multi-sport athletes often develop better and avoid burnout▪️Technology is a tool — players must understand how to APPLY it▪️Recruiting is about projection, consistency, and fit — not hypeChapters00:00 Introduction to Player Development and Performance Coaching02:58 The Evolution of High School Baseball05:56 The Shift in Competitive Nature of Youth Sports08:50 The Importance of Problem Solving in Pitching11:28 The Role of Consistency in a Pitcher's Career14:37 The Impact of Fall Baseball on Development17:23 The Value of Multi-Sport Athletes20:06 Conclusion and Key Takeaways27:21 Balancing Sports and Training for Young Athletes28:16 The Importance of Fall Baseball for Recruitment29:43 Navigating High School Sports Commitments31:57 Managing Pitching Workloads and Recovery34:58 Utilizing Technology in Training37:52 The Role of Communication in Player Development40:37 The Value of Player Accountability43:39 Understanding Player Development Metrics53:00 The Interplay of Mechanics, Intent, and Mindset56:56 Building a Culture of Learning and Growth58:30 The Balance of Guidance and Independence in Coaching01:00:47 The Importance of Failure in Development01:04:12 Strength Training: When and How to Start01:09:30 The Shift in Youth Sports and Specialization01:10:25 Navigating the College Recruitment Landscape01:16:08 Rapid Fire Insights on Pitching01:16:54 Key Advice for Young Athletes▪️Where to find Tower Sports Advising▪️📲Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/towersportsadv📲Twitter: https://x.com/towersportsadv📲TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@towersportsadv🖥️Website: www.towersportsadvising.comTo book a consolation with Tower Sports Advising, 👇🏻https://www.towersportsadvising.com/contact