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 the ball to umpires and the impact of effective receiving on game outcomes.

Takeaways

1. College coaches look for seven key criteria in catchers.

2. Receiving is the most important skill for catchers.

3. Pop time, blocking, arm action, footwork, makeup, and stamina are also evaluated.

4. Effective receiving can turn balls into strikes, impacting game outcomes.

5. Catchers should present the ball calmly and quietly to umpires.

6. Sudden movements can lead to missed calls from umpires.

7. The best catchers make receiving look effortless.

8. Research shows that every 10 balls turned into strikes equals one run.

Are you a parent of a high school player hoping to get recruited?

Apply to work with me at:

https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting

Check Out Patrick's Stuff:

• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit

• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting

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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 program, Dr. Maloof blends scientific rigor with firsthand baseball experience to dig into some of the sport’s most intriguing questions.

Today’s conversation centers on Dr. Maloof’s recent wave of impactful research articles, touching on the art and value of catcher framing, the intricacies of evaluating pitching and hitting at the college level, and why traditional metrics might not be telling the whole story. We dive deep into why receiving is an underrated part of catching, how advances in data collection can help teams gain the Moneyball-style edge, and what simple statistical models like JOPS+ are teaching us about what really wins games in college baseball.

Whether you’re a coach, recruiter, player, or just a diehard baseball fan, this episode offers actionable insights and candid reflections on how the world of college baseball is evolving—and how smarter, more targeted analysis can shape success on the field. Buckle up for an engaging blend of science, strategy, and the irreplaceable human element of the game.

Check Out Patrick's Stuff:

• Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit

• Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting

Adam's research articles mentioned in this episode:

Catcher Framing

Evaluating college hitters

Evaluating college pitchers

Adam's contact information

Email: maloof@princeton.edu

03:53 Future of Automated Strike Zones

09:31 Catcher Recruitment Strategy Insights

12:56 "Evaluating Strike Count Impact"

16:13 Catcher Framing Outweighs OPS

17:13 Baseball Research Unbiased Perspective

21:58 Tracking and Improving Athletic Performance

26:12 Balancing Fit and Fitness in Science

28:51 Pitching Strategy: Efficiency Over Power

31:41 "Win Expectancy and Base Runners"

34:27 Simulated Player Performance Analysis

39:20 Evaluating Biases in Scouting Practices

41:21 Rethink Recruiting for College Success

44:41 Challenges of College Baseball Recruiting

47:43 Evaluating Athlete Intangibles and History

53:32 Overwhelmed Choices in College Recruiting

54:40 "JOPS. Simplifies Baseball Stats"

Check Out Patrick's Stuff:

• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit

• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, the evolution of competition in college baseball, and the importance of building a routine and mindset for success. He emphasizes the significance of visualization and confidence in hitting, as well as the challenges and strategies in recruiting young talent.

00:00 Brett Wallace's Journey to Coaching

02:56 Offensive Strategy and Identity

06:00 Hitting Mechanics and Drills

08:59 The Evolution of Pitching

12:07 Routine and Mental Preparation

14:53 Visualization and Learning from Experience

20:00 Mindset and Gratitude in Baseball

21:00 Evolution of Hitting Techniques

24:00 The Cat and Mouse Game of Hitting

26:07 Adjustments During At-Bats

31:51 Recruiting and Developing Young Talent

36:02 Life at Cal and Campus Culture

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Check Out Patrick's Stuff:

• 📬 Patrick's Weekly Recruiting Newsletter – Get insights on college recruiting, player spotlights, and advice for parents and coaches. Subscribe at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruit

• ⚾ Need Help with College Recruiting? – We help serious baseball players get recruited. Book a 1-on-1 consult at https://www.patrickjonesbaseball.com/recruiting

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.