What Makes Players Great with Zac Livingston

About this episode

Zac Livingston discusses the intricacies of developing elite catchers and the modern techniques in baseball coaching.

Ever wonder what it takes to develop elite catchers like Cal Raleigh? In this episode of the Backpick Podcast, we sit down with Zac Livingston, the former Seattle Mariners catching coordinator and current Pittsburgh Pirates minor league field coordinator, to break down the modern game behind the dish. Whether you are a coach, a player, or a fan of the craft, this conversation offers a masterclass in catching philosophy and player development. ⚾ Zac shares his unique journey of transitioning from a college pitcher to a professional catcher in just one year, eventually leading to a successful career in coaching. We dive deep into the technical evolution of the position, specifically the implementation of the one-knee-down stance and how to balance receiving value with throwing efficiency. Zac explains why context is everything when deciding how to set up behind the plate and how he uses data to help catchers maximize their performance. 📊 We also get an exclusive look at the work ethic and routines of Platinum Glove winner Cal Raleigh. Zac describes the incredible consistency and attention to detail that separates the greats from everyone else. From blocking mechanics like picking…

People in this episode

Host: Brett Thomas

Guest: Zac Livingston

Topics covered

• catching philosophy
• player development
• baseball coaching
• elite catchers
• modern game
• performance optimization

Keywords

• catching
• Cal Raleigh
• Zac Livingston
• baseball
• coaching
• performance
• one-knee-down stance
• player development

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates

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