Brian Whatley - Catching Coordinator Cleveland Guardians, BA Kinesiology/Sports Medicine Degree
Lodi, CA
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Been awhile since I’ve been on here. New Org and my son Cooper has grown up. He’s now a soph and taller than me. Kept him out of showcases and PG events to just go and train. Pulled him out of last semester of 8th grade to train in the DR and travel our Org catching our pitchers.
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Spot on and very cool insight!! 👇🏼
Davey Johnson asked me to learn to catch.
My first reaction: Why?
He looked at me and said, "I think it'll add value to you. And I think it'll let you see the game from a lens you've never seen before."
I trusted Davey. So I said yes.
Here's what I didn't understand until I got behind the plate:
Before becoming a catcher I was always looking in. I was watching from a distance.
Behind the plate, the whole game opens up.
Everyone is out in front of you. You can read every hitter's swing. You're building a relationship with every pitcher. You see the defensive alignment. You understand strategy from a completely different angle.
It changed everything about how I understood baseball.
And it changed what I thought I could do next.
I finally stopped trying to squeeze more out of a playing career that had run its course. I started thinking about coaching. About managing.
A few years later I was a minor league manager.
I don't think I get anywhere close to that without Davey Johnson asking me to learn a position I had no business playing and without me trusting him enough to say yes.
Two questions worth sitting with today:
Is there someone in your life who's earned your trust enough that you'd say yes to almost anything they suggested?
And is there a lens on your work you've never looked through?
@mets
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Best part about having my daughter in AZ for college! Surprise work visits when I come to the complex.
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Often throws get botched during the transfer/exchange phase and the ball gets bobbled. This is a drill to create efficiency and dexterity during the transfer. Hold two balls in your throwing hand and after the ball is released, drop the bottom ball and adjust for the incoming ball during the exchange. Should end holding two balls. Very difficult but creates efficiency with the exchange. *Make sure that C drops the bottom ball after the machine releases the ball.
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Athleticism and versatility behind the plate is king. Why…because today’s analytics can prove that different knee down set ups in certain situations has a huge impact on strikes gained. Be able to maximize your receiving ability by being versatile and comfortable receiving, throwing and blocking from any set up. Value goes up. Cooper (2028) with transfers from either knee down.
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Probably an unpopular take but Jr. Hacks for receiving are ok for learning basic C movements but often moves don’t translate to high level in game speed for a catchers development (Especially HS C’s). There is a major difference in seeing a ball travel the full 60’6” (Less if machine is at release) at game speed 90mph+ and a 70mph at the same distance or shortened to match reaction time. Catcher’s who work mainly off Jr Hacks will give you a false positive on skill set. Distance and velo matter to translate into skill acquisition at a high level.
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Development of a player is not rooted in a one size fits all (This is the way to do it) philosophy. Great coaches know how to peel the layers and utilize a holistic approach that maximizes the individual athletes ability. I’ve witnessed catchers be the best in the game and look very different from each other.
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Drill progression with my son Cooper (2028). Prior to work we sit down and watch video of catchers and what it looks like. After drill set we review the feel and what cues work for him. Then have him self evaluate the work using a 1-5 scale based on goal accomplishment for that session. Learning to be a good self evaluator is a must. Biggest blind spot and gap between player and coach happens here.
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As a father we want the best for our kids and hope the decisions they make independently are good ones. This kids discipline w/ workouts and his faith is inspiring for me. @beinbrink28 spoke to my son about getting his mind right spiritually with his faith and how that plays into his development. He reads the Bible daily. Truly thankful for those that invest into my kids in a positive manner. Your circle of friends matter. Are they adding or subtracting to who you are and where you want to go!
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Change the catchers thought process. Not a fan of the term “Soft Hands”. Coaches told me that all the time. Soft hands creates weakness within the catch and allows the ball to control you. I want “Firm Hands” representing strength into the catch. The pocket catches the ball and hands facilitate it.
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Happy National Daughters Day! Post a lot on my son but this one is my rock! Love you Kaci.
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Great talent and highly projectable. Front line starter in the future. I see a Michael King comp in him (Jared Weaver for us older guys).
A great event @AZFallClassic with an amazing team @NorCalU1 and the very talented @GaskinsShiva. Really cool experience.
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Brian Whatley (DNA Catching) retweeted
The joy of accomplishing something incredibly hard with people you care about.
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Cooper (c/o 2028) - Catching at Area Codes. Been doing this with our MiLB guys since 8th grade. The 2nd reception 👀. The P is @CassiousOrndoff @NorCalU1
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