The Farm System

In this conversation, I sit down with two experienced hitting coaches — Ryan Cooper (Hitting & Catching Coordinator at Push Performance in Arizona) and Pat Biondi (founder of Elevate Hitting in the Detroit area and former University of Michigan + Mets player). Ryan and Pat share their journeys into deeper hitting development and how they balance going deep on movement, anatomy, posture, and rotational training with the need to keep things simple and freeing for their athletes. We discuss: Why coaches must understand the “why” behind the swing so they can deliver clear, simple cues and feels to players The power of constraint-based training tools (farm boards, bands, water bags, etc.) to help hitters feel correct movement without overthinking Bridging the gap between the cage and the weight room — training rotation, deceleration, and addressing physical restrictions instead of just adding strength How to progress and regress skills effectively, especially when moving from low-velocity drills to live BP and games “Feeding the mistake” with constraints so athletes learn to solve problems themselves The importance of collaboration between hitting and strength coaches, and how immediate feedback loops improve results Helping athletes compete with freedom instead of over-cueing or fighting their own body Whether you coach one-on-one privately, run group sessions, or work in a facility with strength staff, this episode highlights a key truth: the best coaches go deep on knowledge so they can coach simply and effectively. Great coaching isn’t about sounding smart — it’s about helping athletes move better, think less, and perform freely. If you’ve ever felt stuck between “old school” and “new school” approaches, or wondered how to make complex ideas usable for your players, Ryan and Pat’s honest perspectives will give you practical insight and encouragement to keep growing as a coach.

In this episode, we dive deep into real in-season hitting development with a college slugger who's batting .330+ but leaving power and consistency on the table. Despite his gargantuan size and 480-foot bombs earlier in the year, lower launch angles, reduced spin, directional leaks, and a pelvis asymmetry were causing him to jump forward, open early, hook balls, and miss the sweet spot—issues he'd battled most of his career. We break down how we addressed his structural asymmetries with targeted prep work and drills to create more space behind the ball and better rear hip engagement. Then, we explored orientation adjustments—specifically closing off the stance—to work around his current movement patterns without massive overhauls during a grueling travel-heavy season. Drawing inspiration from Giancarlo Stanton's 2017 MVP year, when he progressively closed his stance to stay on the ball longer, improve direction, and explode to all fields, we tested it live. The results? Immediate improvements in depth, barrel control, adjustability, opposite-field pop, and a huge 4-for-5 day with a homer and double—his best hitting performance of the season. We also discuss: Why you don't have to wait until the offseason to make meaningful changes. The art of timing adjustments with an athlete's temperament, coaching staff, and game plan. Finding what has worked for a hitter in the past and connecting it to similar movers. The bigger picture: sequencing your coaching cues, adding clarity instead of clutter, and the power of in-person mentorship and real-world experience. Whether you're a hitting coach, player, or parent, this episode shows how thoughtful, constraint-aware tweaks in the middle of the season can stack hits, skyrocket averages, and help athletes reach their true ceiling—without blowing up their routine. Success leaves clues. Sometimes the unlock is as simple as changing foot orientation.

In Episode 217, we sit down with UC San Diego Softball head coach Nikki Palmer for an honest conversation about what it truly takes to lead a program. Coach Palmer shares her journey through different schools and roles, breaking down how the responsibilities of a head coach shift depending on staff size, experience, and structure. From wearing multiple hats to building trust within a coaching staff, she dives into what matters most when developing culture, managing people, and making tough decisions. We also unpack the lessons she’s learned as she’s grown in the head coaching role—covering leadership, communication, staff development, and the small details that often get overlooked. Whether you’re an aspiring head coach, current assistant, or player looking to better understand the leadership side of the game, this episode offers practical insight straight from someone living it at the Division I level. If you care about program building, staff dynamics, and long-term leadership growth—this one’s for you.

In this episode, Joey sits down and covers his take aways from the 2026 ABCA Convention. Where is the game at now? Where is it headed? If we really want the game to move forward, if we really want to make progress... it takes work.

Let me tell you a secret — I wasn’t some standout player. I was a below average JUCO player. A below average Division I player. A below average NAIA player. No one was looking at me back then and thinking, “That guy’s going to work with MLB All-Stars one day.” But at 27, I was interviewing for MLB hitting coordinator jobs. Not because I was a great player. Not because of connections or status. It was because I got access — access to mentors, information, and resources that changed my life. In this episode, I break down what really separates great coaches from everyone else. It’s not pedigree. It’s not where you played. It’s how hungry you are to learn, reflect, and grow. We’ll talk about: The myth of needing a big résumé to make an impact Why mentorship accelerates growth faster than anything else How to find mentors — even from afar — and learn from them daily Breaking limiting beliefs that hold coaches back Why curiosity and consistency matter more than talent How faith, humility, and perseverance shape long-term success You don’t need status to change your trajectory — you need commitment to growth. Whether you’re 23 or 63, your story isn’t finished. So lean in. You’re closer than you think. 🙏 “Your past doesn’t decide your ceiling. Your commitment to growth does."

🎙 Episode 211 – Micah Franklin (7 to 22)  Hitting a baseball is often called the hardest skill in sports—and in this episode, we dive into why. Micah, with over 31 years in professional baseball and experience working with players like Cody Bellinger and James Wood, shares hard-earned wisdom from both the field and the […]

🎙 Episode 209 – From the Lab to the Field: Biomechanics, Rehab, and Performance with Dr. Emily Ferree In this episode, Joey Cunha reconnects with an early mentor and former collaborator, Dr. Emily Ferree — a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist, biomechanics consultant, and strength & conditioning coach. They dive into Emily’s […]

Episode 207: The Ups & Downs of Hitting Hitting is a game of highs and lows, and whether you’re a coach or a player, navigating the mental side of the game is just as important as the mechanics. In this episode, we dive into the challenges that come with hitting slumps, the frustrations of feeling […]

Episode 205: What Is Our Real Job? In an industry that can be full of magic tricks and “truths” we can often lose sight as coaches of what our job is with athletes. Is it to tell them exactly how something should be done? Is it build relationships? Is it ti help build skills that […]

Episode 203: Dugout Chatter Have you ever heard of “playing the game within the game”? In this episode we sit down and chop up all the minor details that may come into play during a single at bat, pitch, game, weekend, etc. From setting the pitcher up, to basic approach and mindsets going into the […]

Episode 201: Action Types – Motor Preferences In this episode we dive into Action Types & Motor Preferences. Taking a science and putting it into a digestible curriculum for others to understand can be tricky, so we decided to chop it up for over 2.5 hours discussing the benefits, misconceptions, and much more when profiling […]

Episode 199: Rick Franzblau (Clemson University Assistant AD and Olympic Sports Performance) In this episode, we sit down with the Assistant Athletic Director of Sports Performance at Clemson University to dive deep into the world of human movement and high-level performance training. From bone structure and biomechanics to cutting-edge weight room strategies, this conversation unpacks […]

Episode 197: Dennis Sales In this episode of The Farm System podcast: We sit down with Dennis Sales and chop it up about the similarities and differences between golf and baseball. From concepts when it comes to training as well as numbers and data from force plates, this is definitely and episode you won’t want […]