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, that mindset usually backfires.

I share why focusing only on yourself and your end goal often guarantees you won’t get there and what kind of mindset actually leads to growth, success, and new opportunities. The players who go on to transfer successfully don’t chase D1. They buy in, go all-in on their current program, and play for the love of the game. That’s what makes them stand out to coaches at every level.

If you’re a high school player or a parent helping your son navigate recruiting, this episode will help you reframe your goals and focus on what really matters.

Follow Patrick Jones Baseball on X and Instagram

https://x.com/pjonesbaseball

https://www.instagram.com/pjonesbaseball/

📬 Sign up for my weekly baseball 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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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 talk about the mentality it takes to succeed, why preparation separates players who stick from those who don’t, and how the practice environment is different between junior college and Division I.

Michael also gives us an inside look at how NCAA and NJCAA rules shape the way he and his staff recruit, and what he’s really paying attention to when he evaluates high potential recruits. We wrap up by talking about the incredible tradition of South Alabama baseball—why it’s such a special place to play and what makes it a great fit for competitors who want to grow at the highest level.

On X:

Michael Wood: @woodromang153

South Alabama Baseball: @SouthAlabamaBSB

Patrick Jones Baseball: @pjonesbaseball

📬 Sign up for my weekly baseball 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, 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 development. Ryan shares the core values of hitting, the effectiveness of movement screens, and the significance of empathy in coaching. Ryan also shares insights on how to structure bat speed programs and the necessity of a cohesive coaching culture in youth baseball.

How to connect with Ryan Johansen:

On X: @RPJ1317

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohansenBaseball

On the web: https://www.johansenbaseball.com/

For more about Patrick Jones Baseball:

👉 Follow me on X: @pjonesbaseball

📬 Sign up for my weekly baseball 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.