The RosterPilot Show
by Patrick Jones
The RosterPilot Show is built for baseball and softball coaches who want to get better at evaluating, recruiting, developing, and managing their programs. Hosted by Patrick Jones, former professional hitting coach and founder of RosterPilot, the show features conversations with college coaches, professional coaches, scouts, and other people shaping the game. We go inside how coaches actually operate — from evaluating and recruiting players to player development, roster construction, managing a staff, and building a successful program. You’ll hear real conversations about what’s working, what’s changing, and how coaches are adapting across every level of the game. Evaluate. Recruit. Manage. Learn more about RosterPilot at rosterpilot.com.
Episodes
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Why Talent Isn’t Everything in Travel Baseball | Chris Thompson
Guest: Chris Thompson | Senior Manager of Baseball & Softball Programs, Cubs Charities Travel baseball and softball have become increasingly expensive, but what if families didn't have to pay thousands of dollars for their kids to compete? Chris Thompson oversees baseball and softball programming...
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The D1 Baseball Path Nobody Talks About: Logan Hullette
What does it take to play at one of the top junior college baseball programs in the country? In this episode of the RosterPilot Show, Patrick Jones sits down with Logan Hullette, Recruiting Coordinator at Walters State Community College, to discuss how the program recruits, develops, and prepares...
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Why 18-Year-Old Recruits Are Being Left Behind | ft. Colton Hann
Colton Hahn is the hitting coach at Transylvania University and brings experience coaching at both the Division I and Division III levels. In this episode, Colton shares his perspective on coaching and recruiting across different levels of college baseball, stories from his time in the game, and...
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Messiah University Head Coach: Phill Shallenberger
In this episode, Phil Shallenberger shares insights on building a values-driven baseball program at Messiah, emphasizing character, culture, and strategic recruiting. He discusses how focusing on individual growth and team culture creates sustainable success and how parents and coaches can…
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The Pitching Secret No One is Talking About | Cam Lanzilli
In this episode, I sit down with Cam Lanzilli, college pitching coach and former professional pitching development specialist with the Baltimore Orioles, to talk about what elite pitching development actually looks like behind the scenes and what most coaches and families are getting completely...
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What It Really Takes to Pitch in the ACC | Clay Martin
In this episode, I sit down with Clay Martin, pitching coach at the University of Pittsburgh, to talk about what it really takes to compete on the mound at the highest level of college baseball and what separates pitchers who get there from those who don't. Clay breaks down his journey from...
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Why Command Beats Velocity Every Time | Nick Flesher
In this episode, I sit down with Nick Flesher, recruiting coordinator and pitching coach at Milligan University, to talk about what it really takes to get recruited as a pitcher and what college coaches are actually evaluating when they get you on the phone. Nick breaks down how Milligan builds...
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The Mental Side of Hitting No One Talks About | Justin Ebert
In this episode, I sit down with Justin Ebert, hitting coach and recruiting coordinator at Greensboro College, to talk about what it really takes to develop as a hitter at the college level and what high school players and families should be doing right now to prepare. Justin shares how his...
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What It Really Takes to Play Baseball at Harvard | Nate Cole
In this episode, I sit down with Nate Cole, recruiting coordinator and pitching coach at Harvard University, to talk about what it actually takes to play baseball at one of the most selective schools in the country. Nate walks through Harvard’s recruiting process, what they look for academically,...
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Maryville Head Coach Clint Helton
In this episode, I sit down with Maryville College head coach Clint Helton to talk about Division III baseball, recruiting, player development, and what it really takes to build a winning program. Clint shares his path from playing at Maryville to becoming the head coach, how the program has…
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What Parents Get Wrong About Recruiting | Steve Rodriguez
In this episode, I sit down with former Division 1 head coach Steve Rodriguez to talk about recruiting, player development, leadership, and what actually separates players at the college level. Steve shares lessons from decades in baseball—from coaching at the highest levels of college baseball…
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JUCO Coach Jimmy Martin on What It Really Takes to Get Recruited
Jimmy Martin, a college baseball coach at North Lake College, comes on the show to break down what actually matters in recruiting, player development, and making it to the next level. Jimmy gives a behind-the-scenes look at how college coaches evaluate players, what makes players stand out (and...
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Why Most Hitters Fail: Movement Patterns, Not Mechanics | Doug Latta & Dr. Ismael Gallo
In this episode, I’m joined by Doug Latta and Dr. Ismael Gallo for a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood areas of baseball: player development. We break down why most hitters struggle—not because of mechanics, but because of flawed movement patterns that are developed early and…
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How to Spot Future Stars in Baseball | Jordan Gates
Jordan Gates is the Midwest Crosschecker for Perfect Game, covering key recruiting hotbeds across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, and Michigan. His role puts him on the front lines of amateur baseball—evaluating players, building reports, and identifying both top-tier prospects and...
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Why Anderson University Doesn't Run the 60 | Tyler Rubasky: Head Coach, Anderson University
In this episode, I sit down with Tyler Rubasky, first-year head coach at Anderson University, a D3 program in Indiana with a rich baseball history, including three D3 World Series appearances. We dig into: What it's actually like transitioning from assistant to head coach, and what he misses most...
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How Does JUCO Compare to D1? | Jonathan Estes
In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Estes, assistant coach at Weatherford College, one of the top junior college baseball programs in the country. Jonathan grew up in a town of 648 people in Arkansas, graduated in a class of 50, and worked his way through multiple small college stops before...
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Fastball or Cutter? How to Classify a Pitch | Dr. Adam Maloof of Princeton
In this week's podcast, I sit down again with Dr. Adam Maloof, Princeton professor of Geosciences and athletics fellow for the baseball team. This time he’s tackling one of the most overlooked problems in baseball analytics: pitch classification. If you’ve ever looked at a scouting report and...
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Travel Ball vs. High School
In this conversation, Nathan Collier and I sit down to talk about travel ball and high school baseball, and how both play a role in getting players recruited. We dig into what makes each one valuable — like how high school coaches can really vouch for a player's character and how competitive they...
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Be Process-Driven, Not Outcome-Driven
This week, I sit down again with Nathan Collier, Recruiting Service Operations Director here at Patrick Jones Baseball. Together, we discuss the importance of mindset and process orientation in baseball, particularly during the in-season period. We explore common challenges players face, such as...
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School Ball Has Started: Here's What Aspiring College Players Should Focus On Now
In this episode, I'm joined again by Nathan Collier, a former sports journalist and our Recruiting Service Operations Director here at Patrick Jones Baseball. Nathan and I chat about what high school players should be doing to continue the recruiting outreach process to college coaches now that...
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The Mental Game Is the Game | Ryan Gipson
In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Gipson, Oregon State Assistant Coach, who coaches hitting for the Beaver program. Ryan takes us through his journey playing baseball as a teen, redshirting at a JUCO, then playing two years at Oregon State before getting into coaching. Ryan shares what he…
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The Mindset of a Major League Hitter | Curtis Granderson
This week we welcome 16-year MLB pro Curtis Granderson to the podcast. Curtis does a great job breaking down what worked for him as a hitter, his approach at the plate, routines, and some of the key lessons he learned as a hitter during his career. He also reflects on his time playing college...
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Baseball Nutrition for Strength and Performance | Nick Lemke
In this episode, I sit down with Nick Lemke, a registered dietitian who specializes in nutrition for baseball players. We talk about why nutrition plays such a critical role in athletic performance, with a specific focus on muscle gain and healthy weight management. We cover practical topics like...
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Separation is in the Preparation | Giuseppe Papaccio: Associate Head Coach, Seton Hall
In this episode, I sit down with Giuseppe Papaccio, Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for Seton Hall University. Giuseppe is one of the most disciplined coaches I've come across. We got into his daily routines, how he defines success as a coach, and why the mental game matters just…
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Unlocking Mental Performance | Zach Brandon
In this episode, I sit down with performance and leadership advisor Zach Brandon. Zach spent seven years leading mental performance and coach development initiatives with the Arizona Diamondbacks and now works directly with professional and collegiate coaches. Zach takes us through his journey.…
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The Patrick Jones Story (And My New Community!)
This week we’re doing something a little different—my guest joins us to interview me! Nathan Collier is a content specialist and a former sports journalist. He’s also a baseball dad, middle school coach, and president of his local rec league. Nathan takes me through my baseball story. We go…
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From MLB Scout to Norfolk State Head Coach | M.L. Morgan
In this episode, I sit down with M.L. Morgan, the head baseball coach at Norfolk State University. We discuss his journey from being a player to a coach, his experiences in compliance, and the importance of building a strong program. M.L. shares insights on recruiting, the significance of...
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A Different Way to Play Travel Baseball: Cubs Nike RBI
In this episode, I interview John Yolich, a Chicago teacher, parent, and coach in the Cubs Nike RBI program. We talk about the unique aspects of the Cubs RBI program—its inclusivity, the resources it provides for families, and its focus on developing young athletes as whole people. John shares…
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Focusing Only on D1 Is a Massive Trap
In this episode, I break down one of the biggest mindset traps I see in college baseball recruiting: the “Division 1 or bust” mentality. A lot of players tell me their plan is to go to a Division 2 or Division 3 school for a year, then hit the transfer portal to move up to D1. But in reality…
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What a D1 Recruiting Coordinator Looks for | Michael Wood
In this episode, I sit down with Michael Wood, assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of South Alabama, a D1 program located in Mobile, AL. We dive into his path through college baseball coaching and what he’s learned evaluating players at different levels of the game. We…
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College Recruiting Plays by Shark Tank Rules — Here’s What It Means for You
In this episode, I share a story about a player who received a strong offer from a mid-major school — and the advice I gave him for navigating the current college baseball recruiting environment. For more about Patrick Jones Baseball: 👉 Follow me on X: @pjonesbaseball 📬 Sign up for my weekly...
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Increase Your Bat Speed in a Few Minutes a Day | Ryan Johansen
In this episode, I chat with Ryan Johansen, former Chicago White Sox Assistant Hitting Coordinator and current Director of Hitting/Co-Director of Player Development at Elite Baseball Training. Ryan and I discuss hitting philosophy, bat speed training, and the importance of mental skills in player...
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Coaching With Purpose | Keith Madison
In this episode, I sit down with Keith Madison, former head coach at the University of Kentucky. Keith coached at Kentucky for 25 years! In this episode, we discuss the challenges of coaching, particularly the importance of maintaining balance to avoid burnout. Keith shares personal experiences…
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2 Things Coaches Love to Hear From Recruits | Tyler Packanik
In this episode, I sit down with Tyler Packanik, the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Jacksonville State University. We talk about all things baseball recruiting — from the importance of player development to the nuances of the transfer portal and the value of junior college...
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No Wasted Reps | Kevin Soine
This week I sat down with Kevin Soine, Assistant Baseball Coach and Athletic Operations Coordinator at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, Arizona. I had a chance to visit South Mountain recently and came away extremely impressed, especially with the coaching staff's focus on player...
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Building Thomas More Baseball | Cole Shaffer
In this episode, I interview Cole Schaffer, the new head baseball coach at Thomas More University. We discuss Cole's journey to becoming a head coach, the challenges of recruiting at the Division II level, and his vision for building a competitive baseball program. Cole shares insights on the...
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Competition Brings Out the Best | Greg Mamula
In this episode, I interview Greg Mamula, head coach at the University of Delaware baseball team. We discuss the unique aspects of Delaware's campus and its athletic facilities and delve into Mamula's coaching philosophy. Coach Mamula shares insights on evaluating players, the importance of game...
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What College Coaches Really Want to See | Dean Peterson
In this episode, Dean Peterson, head coach of Division II University of Charleston, shares what college coaches are really looking for when they evaluate college baseball players. 0:00: What the summer is like for a college baseball coach 6:04: Leadership 12:49: The importance of faith and…
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How College Coaches Evaluate High School Catchers
In this episode of Patrick Jones Baseball, we focus on how college coaches evaluate high school catchers. I outline 7 key criteria that coaches consider, emphasizing the importance of receiving as the most critical skill. We discuss the nuances of receiving, including how catchers should present...
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"Every 10 balls a catcher turns into a strike = 1 run" | Dr. Adam Maloof
On this episode of the Patrick Jones Baseball podcast, we welcome back Dr. Adam Maloof, a Princeton University professor and passionate baseball researcher with a unique insider’s perspective on the college game. As a former college catcher and a current contributor to the Princeton baseball...
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Mastering the Art of Hitting with Brett Wallace
In this episode, Patrick Jones interviews Brett Wallace, the hitting coach for the California Golden Bears. They discuss Wallace's journey from a successful college player to a major league hitter and now a coach. Wallace shares insights on the role of a hitting coach, key techniques for hitters,...
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How the Savannah Bananas Are Changing Baseball Forever | Tyler Gillum
On this episode of Patrick Jones Baseball, I sat down with Tyler Gillum, head coach of the Savannah Bananas, to talk about building a brand that puts fans first and creating impact beyond just wins and losses. Tyler shares how he pivoted his coaching career to chase a bigger vision—impacting...
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Train Your Brain: The Mental Side of Hitting
In this episode of Patrick Jones Baseball, the focus is on the mental game, which is often overlooked in favor of physical mechanics. Patrick discusses how understanding the brain's function can lead to improved performance, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, identity, and focus. He...
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How to get recruited to play college baseball in (2025)
In this episode, Patrick shares the unfiltered truth behind what it really takes to get recruited to play college baseball in 2025. After talking to dozens of coaches, watching games across the country, and helping players from coast to coast, he breaks down the exact roadmap players and parents...
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How to Build a Complete Pitcher: Mechanics, Mentality, and Mindset | Jared Gaynor
In this episode, I’m joined by Jared Gaynor- founder of Pitching Coach U and former pitching coach in the Minnesota Twins organization. We dive into what actually matters in pitching development: fastball command, pitch design, identity, and the mental side of competing under pressure. We talk...
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Victor Rojas: From ESPN Broadcaster to College Recruiting Coordinator
On this week's episode of Patrick Jones Baseball, we welcome Victor Rojas, Assistant Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Ottawa University - Arizona (OUAZ). Victor has one of the most unique journeys in baseball—he played minor league ball, worked as a GM, became a broadcaster for ESPN and…
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1 Top College Program in the Midwest | Aurora University | Adam Stevens
In this episode, I sit down with Coach Adam Stevens, the Head Baseball Coach at Aurora University, one of the top Division 3 baseball programs in the Midwest. With a master’s degree in sports psychology, Coach Stevens has a unique approach to recruiting, developing players, and helping them…
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How to Develop Hitting IQ & Game Plan Like a D1 Hitting Coach (Ari Adut, Jacksonville State)
In this episode, we welcome back Jacksonville State University Hitting Coach Ari Adut to dive deep into hitting IQ, game planning, and player development. Ari shares insights from his experience in professional baseball, his transition into the college game, and how he builds individualized…
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Timing, Recruiting, and Hitting Insights: Cam Johnson’s Road to Success at Valparaiso
In this episode, I sit down with Cam Johnson, the Hitting Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Valparaiso University. Cam shares his insights on developing hitters, understanding the biomechanics of a swing, and tailoring coaching methods to individual players. We also dive into the recruiting...
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From Mid-Major to Super Regional: How Evansville Baseball Competes with the Best | Matt Wollenzin
In this episode of the Patrick Jones Baseball Podcast, we’re joined by Matt Wollenzin, the Hitting Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at the University of Evansville. Matt takes us behind the scenes of one of college baseball’s most exciting mid-major programs, sharing how Evansville has built a...
About this show
The RosterPilot Show is built for baseball and softball coaches who want to get better at evaluating, recruiting, developing, and managing their programs.
Hosted by Patrick Jones, former professional hitting coach and founder of RosterPilot, the show features conversations with college coaches, professional coaches, scouts, and other people shaping the game.
We go inside how coaches actually operate — from evaluating and recruiting players to player development, roster construction, managing a staff, and building a successful program.
You’ll hear real conversations about what’s working, what’s changing, and how coaches are adapting across every level of the game.
Evaluate. Recruit. Manage.
Learn more about RosterPilot at rosterpilot.com.
Hosted by
Patrick Jones