The Tread Podcast

Craig Stem and Paul Hall have both lived the pitcher development journey from high school arms to professional baseball. In this episode, they break down everything they wish someone had told them at 18. The mechanical habits, the mindset traps, and the training principles that took years to figure out the hard way.If you're a high school or college pitcher trying to fast-track your development, this one is for you.In this episode:- What Craig and Paul got wrong early in their careers- The mechanical and mindset lessons that changed everything- What they'd tell every 18-year-old pitcher today

In this episode, we sit down with Grant Manning, a Washington Nationals signee out of the 2026 Tread Pro Day, to tell his underdog story. Grant started his career as a skinny 6'6" freshman throwing 84 MPH at Division III Chapman University. Through years of gradual development, relentless work, and one perfectly timed email, he earned a spot at Virginia Tech in the ACC.We trace the full journey from his early days at Chapman where he first learned about his mechanics, to competing in a top 25 ACC program against future MLB draft picks, to transitioning into a closer role in the MLB Draft League after going undrafted, to finally earning his shot at Tread Pro Day and getting the call from the Washington Nationals while stranded in a Nashville snowstorm.Grant breaks down his complete arsenal, including his fastball that touches 95, his hard gyro slider, and the "Ghost Pitch" changeup that generates 60 to 65% whiff rates and left Virginia Tech hitters completely baffled.This is a story about what happens when you refuse to let your ceiling be defined by where you started.

David Hess was a 4th round pick out of Tennessee Tech who worked his way to the big leagues with the Baltimore Orioles. In this episode he breaks down the full journey, from decommitting as a high school recruit to his MLB debut, the minor league grind, and what it actually takes to stick at that level. Hess also talks openly about battling cancer, the treatment, and why he's not done with baseball yet.

Kenny Serwa sits down with Co-Founder Ben Brewster and his former teammate, now Tread Performance Coach Cody Whitten, to reflect on the past year since signing with the Detroit Tigers. Kenny Serwa signed after participating in Tread Athletics Annual Pro Day in 2025.

Ryan Flippo and John Lantigua sit down with Tread Performance Specialist and VP of Pitching for the Chicago Cubs, Tyler Zombro, for a deep dive into how pitching development really works at the highest level. They break down the difference between training and competing, how college and pro ramp-ups should actually be structured, and why most players peak at the wrong time. The conversation also covers workload management, deload timing, body changes, and how MLB organizations evaluate arms in today’s tighter roster landscape. If you want an honest look at what separates pitchers who move up from those who get left behind, this episode delivers.

Are taller pitchers always better? Or do shorter pitchers have a hidden edge? In this video, we discussed the differences between tall and short pitchers. We compared delivery, mindset, and development challenges pitchers can go through depending on their height. We also delved into the concept that optimal lifting and power metrics can vary based on a player's size and physical leverage.

Time Stamps:0:00 Intro6:30 How Do We Determine Mobility Targets?15:00 How Matt Marsili Moved As A Tight Mover31:50 How Past Injuries Can Affect Mobility46:16 Mechanical and Mobility Links46:50 The Linear Move51:20 Rotation55:00 Areas To Check Mobility In The Arm57:05 The Block1:00:08 The Arm Acceleration Phase1:05:05 The Arm Deceleration Phase1:07:45 North/South Vs. East/West Pitchers

Thanks for watching - it's been a wild ride over the last decade. We appreciate you all for joining us on this journey. Questions or comments? Let me know below.

Three former upper 90 mph arms break down the mistakes they've made when they were athletes trying to throw harder and what to do instead.Timestamps: 0:00 The dangers of over-analyzing baseball throws with video3:06 The importance of understanding one's body8:33 The importance of video analysis for pitchers13:17 Long Toss18:40 The importance of training on a mound26:08 Lower Body Mechanics34:34 Implementing new theories41:03 Planning offseason throwing phases44:29 Importance of combining velocity and command training52:20 Mass = Gas?55:58 Weight Gain For Pitchers1:03:52 Balance between strength and mobility The episode was originally posted 5/1/2024.

Why do some changeups miss bats at the highest levels while others get hammered?In this episode, Tyler Zombro sits down with Ryan Flippo and Leif Strom to break down what makes elite changeups work, from velocity separation to vertical attack angle.We cover:🔹 Why vertical separation and VAA often matter more than raw movement🔹 Front-to-back velocity differential vs. angle manipulation for high-slot arms🔹 The kick change -- when it plays, when it doesn’t, and how to cue it🔹 Pronator vs. supinator grips and cues🔹 Splitter vs. changeup: trade-offs, finger dominance, and consistency concerns🔹 Common pitfalls like “pushy” catch-play changeups and slot deviations🔹 Practical starting points for remote athletes without advanced techIf you’re chasing a reliable offspeed pitch, this episode will give you a framework to evaluate your changeup, simple grip adjustments to try, and actionable cues that carry into real games.

Why is command so tough to train and why do so many pitchers get it wrong?In this episode, Ben Brewster speaks with Tread coaches Craig Stem and Turner Givens to unpack the mechanics, mindset, and drills that actually move the needle on command.We cover:🔹 Why you can (and should) train velocity and command together🔹 Mechanical red flags: direction, early torso, late/low arm timing🔹 How anatomy and mobility can limit command potential🔹 The role of vision, focal points, and effort level in consistency🔹 Case studies of arms who tightened up their misses without losing velocityIf you’ve ever been told to “just throw strikes,” this episode shows you a practical framework to identify your biggest command leaks, and how to fix them.

Why is command such a difficult, often-overlooked part of pitching development?In this episode, Ben Brewster chats with Tread Athletics performance coaches Craig Stem and Turner Givens to unpack the layers of command training, from biomechanics to the mental game.We cover:Why command is harder to quantify (and train) than velocityThe difference between command vs. controlKey metrics (walk %s, in-zone %, competitive location %, race to 2 strikes)Case studies of pros, college, and high school arms who transformed shaky command into consistencyCommon mistakes when blending velocity work with command trainingThe mental side: pre-pitch routines, focal points, and handling pressurePractical drills (bridge pitches, variability training, nine-pocket work)If you’re struggling to throw consistent strikes, this episode will give you a framework to identify your biggest command issues and actionable strategies to fix them.

Carter Hope's journey from being a third baseman in high school to becoming a highly regarded pitcher and getting drafted in the third round by the Royals. Carter's transition to the professional level led to a destructive path fueled by addiction, which eventually led him to rock bottom. Carter emphasizes the importance of admitting the issue, seeking positive influences, and not waiting for rock bottom to make positive changes. If you struggle with mental health and addiction, reach out to Carter Hope at carterhope1995@gmail.com - 0:00 Introduction 6:14 Drafted in the third round 13:43 Drugs and Alcohol 16:40 Strategies for the next generation of players 22:20 Mental Battles for Men and Athletes 25:23 Being a people pleaser vs. being an athlete 32:32 Learning to fall in love with baseball again 35:50 Living a life of purpose and meaning 45:19 Reinventing your mindset