Pinch Hit Friday #86: How to Evaluate Athlete Referrals

In this episode, Eric highlights the findings of a recent study on hip-shoulder separation and contact depth as they relate to bat speed in baseball hitters. This is a very nuanced discussion, so he shares insights on how to best interpret the data relative to player development initiatives. Thank you to today's sponsor 1st Phorm. 1st Phorm is an awesome supplement company with a comprehensive product offering I enjoy using myself and with our athletes. Visit 1st Phorm and get free shipping on your order of $99 or more.

In this podcast, Eric digs into the considerations you should have when evaluating where and who athletes should be referred to. A referral to a specialist is vital to athletic performance because this is where they will be spending a bulk of their time training and recovering, especially during formative years of their lives. A special thanks to this show’s sponsor, AG1. Head to https://DrinkAG1.com/cressey and you’ll receive an awesome welcome pack consisting of free AG1 travel packets, a shaker bottle, and a 600-serving bottle of Vitamin D3+K2 with your first order.

In this podcast, Eric digs in on why the timing of trunk rotation is so important for keeping pitchers healthy and helping them perform at a high level. Citing recent research on how early and late trunk rotators move differently, he highlights practical applications for players and coaches.A special thanks to this show’s sponsor, AG1. Head to https://DrinkAG1.com/cressey and you’ll receive an awesome welcome pack consisting of free AG1 travel packets, a shaker bottle, and a 600-serving bottle of Vitamin D3+K2 with your first order.

In this episode, Eric highlights a recent study on the sports medicine impacts of pitch count implementation in Japanese youth baseball.Thank you to today's sponsor 1st Phorm. 1st Phorm International is the premier supplement line in the industry. Head to https://1stphorm.com/cressey to get free shipping on orders over $75. 

In this podcast, Eric highlights the results of a recent Japanese study that examined the relationship between physical maturity and velocity and spin rate. There are some important implications for elementary, middle, and high school athletes.Thank you to today's sponsor AG1!Head to https://www.DrinkAG1.com/cressey and you’ll receive an awesome welcome pack consisting of free AG1 travel packets, a shaker bottle, and a 600-serving bottle of Vitamin D3+K2 with your first order.

In this episode, Eric sits down with Cressey Sports Performance - Florida Director of Pitching Austin Henrich. They discuss findings from the CSP-FL motion capture lab with amateur and professional pitchers, and how this technology can help different pitchers in different ways. Austin speaks to key long-term development strategies for youth pitchers, and how professional players can sometimes learn as much from amateurs as the young guys can pick up from the veterans.Thank you today's sponsor AG1. Head to DrinkAG1 and you’ll receive a free 10-pack of Athletic Greens travel packets with your first order. 

In this episode, Eric talks about the Pillars of "Athlete Diagnosis." In order to best serve an athlete, sports medicine and strength and conditioning specialists need to look comprehensively at a number of factors and work as a team. To illustrate, he shares a case study of an athlete with a history of shoulder pain and glenoid dysplasia and the entire associated process unfolded.Visit our sponsor, Ancore, and enter coupon code CRESSEY at checkout to save 10% on your order. 

In this episode Eric talks with Brewers left-handed pitcher Shane Drohan. Shane is Florida State University grad who made his major league debut in 2026. He's recorded 13 appearances in his rookie campaign to the tune of a a 3.11 ERA in 37.2 innings pitched. Shane has been training at Cressey Sports Performance since his junior year of high school. In the episode Eric and Shane discuss his development as a pitcher, the challenges of hypermobility, the difference between coming out of the bullpen vs as a starter in the majors, and more. Visit our sponsor - AG1

In this podcast, Eric discusses the physiological and biomechanical interplay among joint hypermobility, psychosocial stress, and joint loading. These considerations are important for anyone who coaches or rehab athletes, as well as individuals who always seem to get injured during stressful periods of life.1st Phorm

In this episode Eric chats with MLB veteran and hitting coach Sean Casey. They speak to the mental side of the game and how hitting in the big leagues has evolved. Visit our sponsor, AG1.