Behind The Lineup

Is youth baseball becoming more about money, status, and exposure than player development?In Episode 52 of Behind The Lineup, we take a closer look at the new Perfect Game Moms Instagram account and the larger issues surrounding the commercialization of youth baseball. From expensive travel tournaments and showcases to the growing pressure on families to spend thousands of dollars chasing college scholarships and professional opportunities, we examine how the business of youth baseball continues to create financial barriers for players and families.Are companies selling legitimate opportunities, or are they profiting from the hopes and dreams of young athletes? And at what point did the cost of playing baseball become a status symbol?Then, we turn our attention to the NFL for a full Week 9 breakdown, starting with the Jacksonville Jaguars' aggressive moves to strengthen their defense through three major trades. We also discuss Green Bay's continued success developing quarterbacks, the 49ers' emergence as a top contender, Chicago's offensive resurgence under Ben Johnson, and the growing concerns surrounding struggling franchises like the Chargers, Jets, and Cowboys.From NFL coaching questions and quarterback development to the teams separating themselves from the competition, we cover the biggest storylines from around the league.Youth baseball, NFL football, and the systems, decisions, and business shaping the sports we love. It's all on this week's Behind The Lineup.

Episode 51 of Behind The Lineup is here, and we've got plenty to talk about across the sports world.We kick things off with a firsthand look at the madness surrounding youth hockey. From obnoxious parents to coaches berating officials, we discuss the growing problem of poor behavior in youth sports, the example it sets for young athletes, and why some adults need a serious reality check.Then, we shift to the NFL for a full breakdown of another wild Sunday. Are the Broncos taking control of the AFC West? Have the Chiefs lost their edge? Can the Bills capitalize on Baltimore's struggles? We also dive into the Lions' victory over Minnesota, Pittsburgh's momentum, the Bengals' defensive concerns, Jacksonville's emergence, and the Cowboys' ongoing problems. Plus, with the trade deadline approaching, we discuss major moves around the league and where Jonathan Taylor could land.Finally, we head to the NHL, where Nikita Kucherov's reported trade request has sent shockwaves through the hockey world. What does this mean for Tampa Bay, where could he end up, and just how massive would a move like this be?Youth hockey chaos, NFL shakeups, and major NHL drama. It's all on Episode 51 of Behind The Lineup.

Episode 50: We're Back! NFL Coaching Hot Seats, Blockbuster Trades & Baseball's Biggest ProblemBehind The Lineup is BACK!After a brief hiatus filled with some major life changes, we're returning with Episode 50, a fresh look, and an exciting new direction for the podcast.We're expanding beyond baseball to cover the sports we love most: football, hockey, and baseball. From the NFL and NHL to Major League Baseball and college athletics, Behind The Lineup will deliver weekly conversations, predictions, analysis, and opinions on the biggest stories in sports.This Week's Episode:NFL Coaching Hot Seats: Who Stays and Who Goes?We're going division by division through all 32 NFL teams, predicting which head coaches will survive the season and which organizations could be preparing for major changes. From Aaron Glenn and the Jets to Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers, we're breaking down the coaches under pressure, the organizations facing difficult decisions, and a few potential surprises.Top 5 NFL Trade CandidatesWith the NFL trade deadline approaching, we're identifying five players who could find themselves on the move:Jonathan Taylor – Indianapolis ColtsTony Pollard – Tennessee TitansSaquon Barkley – Philadelphia EaglesKhalil Mack – Los Angeles ChargersGrover Stewart – Indianapolis ColtsWe discuss why each player could be available, what their teams might receive in return, and how these potential moves could impact the playoff picture.The World Series: A Win for Baseball, but a Problem for Fans?The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays have demonstrated what smaller-market organizations can accomplish through strong player development, intelligent roster construction, and fundamentally sound baseball.But could their success actually hurt fans?With MLB's collective bargaining agreement approaching expiration and the possibility of a lockout looming, we're examining how a World Series featuring two lower-payroll organizations could influence negotiations surrounding salary caps, salary floors, and overall team spending.Could their success give owners another reason to avoid investing heavily in their rosters?A New Era of Behind The LineupWe're excited to bring the podcast back with a renewed focus on delivering entertaining, relevant sports content throughout the year.New episodes drop every Tuesday, with additional clips, analysis, and conversations available throughout the week on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.Thanks for listening, and welcome back to Behind The Lineup!

In this episode of Behind The Lineup, we sit down with Justin Su’a, founder of Performance Advisory Group and an experienced advisor who has worked inside some of the most demanding environments in professional sports.Justin’s career has included work with the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Rays, WWE, and IMG Academy. Those experiences gave him a firsthand look at how elite athletes, coaches, executives, and organizations build systems, structure their decision-making, and create repeatable processes that hold up under pressure.Justin now works with individuals and organizations across the NFL, MLB, NBA, PGA, LPGA, ATP, and Division I athletics through Performance Advisory Group.During our conversation, we discuss his mission behind founding the company, the value of systems thinking, how decision-making science can improve performance, and what it means to serve as a process coach. Justin also explains what “the process” really is, why the phrase is often misunderstood, and how organizations can turn ideas into clear, consistent, and effective ways of operating.This episode offers a deeper look at how high-performing people and organizations make decisions, build better systems, and create processes that produce sustainable results.Want to learn more about GameRun? Check out the link below! https://partner.gamerun.ai/quinn-mc-grath

Dane Fujinaka joins the show to discuss his baseball journey and the process of rebuilding Hawai‘i Pacific University into one of the rising programs in the PacWest.Now entering his fifth season as the Sharks’ head coach, Fujinaka has established a program centered on player development, character, athleticism, and sustainable growth. He reflects on HPU’s historic 2025 season, which included 32 victories, an appearance in the PacWest Championship game, multiple program records, and the development of several nationally recognized players.Fujinaka also takes us through his path from growing up and playing baseball in Hawai‘i to becoming a standout catcher at Sacramento State and beginning his coaching career at Menlo College. He shares lessons from helping transform programs at William Jessup, Sacramento State, and Illinois State before entering professional baseball with the Toronto Blue Jays organization.We also explore his experience managing the Blue Jays’ Dominican Summer League team to a championship, what professional baseball taught him about developing players from different backgrounds, and how he has incorporated those lessons into the college game.Fujinaka explains the vision behind rebuilding HPU, the standards that now define Sharks baseball, and the challenges and opportunities that come with recruiting and coaching in Hawai‘i. He also discusses the type of player who fits his program, the importance of versatility and character, and what it means to create a high-level college baseball pathway for players from the islands.Interested in GameRun? Check it out now!: https://partner.gamerun.ai/quinn-mc-grathWant to play for Hawaii Pacific? Reach out to Coach Dane Fujinaka on X: https://x.com/DaneFujinaka?s=20

In this special MLB Draft breakdown episode of Behind The Lineup, we go beyond the names and draft order to examine what the numbers reveal about the current path to professional baseball.Using all 613 selections, we break down how many players were drafted from four-year colleges, high schools, and junior colleges. We also analyze the draft position by position, including how the demand for pitchers, shortstops, outfielders, catchers, and corner infielders changes between the high school and college levels.The episode also explores where college draft picks are coming from, comparing Power Four programs, mid-major Division I schools, junior colleges, Division II, Division III, and NAIA programs.Most importantly, we explain what these trends mean for players, parents, and coaches. Is college now the primary path to professional baseball? Why are high school shortstops drafted at such a high rate? How valuable is pitching versatility? Does a player need to attend a Power Four school to get selected? And where does the JUCO route fit into the modern development landscape?This episode turns the draft data into practical takeaways that can help players and families make better decisions about recruiting, development, exposure, and their long-term baseball futures.Check Out GameRun: https://partner.gamerun.ai/quinn-mc-grath

In this episode of Behind The Lineup, we are joined by Tyler Sullivan, the new Head Baseball Coach at Marietta College, one of the most historic and successful programs in Division III baseball.Coach Sullivan becomes just the 15th head coach in the 152-year history of Marietta Baseball and only the third person to lead the program since 1964. He steps into a program built on tradition, championships, alumni pride, and a standard of excellence that few programs in the country can match.Throughout the conversation, Coach Sullivan shares what it means to take over a program with Marietta’s history, how his coaching journey prepared him for this opportunity, and the lessons he learned from successful stops at Seton Hill, Eastern Michigan, and Longwood.We dive into his time at Seton Hill, where he helped the Griffins go 161-64, win championships, reach multiple NCAA Tournaments, and advance to the Division II World Series. Coach Sullivan also discusses his offensive philosophy, what he values in hitters, how he teaches aggressive but smart baserunning, and what it takes to build complete offensive players.The conversation also covers infield defense, player development, leadership, recruiting, building relationships, and the vision he has for the future of Marietta Baseball. Coach Sullivan gives great insight into what it takes to create a winning culture, develop players on and off the field, and honor the tradition of one of college baseball’s premier programs.This is a great episode for players, coaches, parents, and anyone who wants to better understand leadership, development, and what goes into building a championship-level baseball program.Check out GameRun Here!: https://gamerun.ai/?via=quinn-mc-grath&dub_id=ogpP7FKtQYeo7aKQ

Travel baseball has officially gone off the rails.In this episode of Behind the Lineup, we dive into the wild world of 10U and 12U travel baseball: the miles families are driving, the money being spent, the private coaches, the personal trainers, the lessons, the tournaments, and the never-ending pressure to keep up.We talk about how youth baseball has become a full-blown business, and we call out Perfect Game for capitalizing on the “Keeping Up With The Joneses” culture that has taken over the game. Parents are chasing rankings, exposure, status, and validation, while many kids are being pushed into a version of baseball that looks more like a showcase industry than a childhood sport.At the same time, we have to tip our cap to Perfect Game’s business model. Whether people like it or not, it clearly works, and they continue to cash in on the egos, dreams, and fears of parents who want their kids to be the next big thing.We also get into the absurd stories of parents claiming Major League organizations are paying for their kids to travel and play in tournaments, which would raise serious amateur status questions if true.This episode is about the chaos, ego, money, pressure, and absolute craziness that has become travel baseball in 2026.

4,667 players were in the transfer portal as of June 15th. Coaches are filling roster spots faster and earlier than ever before — and if you don't have a plan, you are already behind.In this solo episode, Quinn McGrath breaks down the complete, step-by-step recruiting blueprint that every high school player and baseball parent needs right now. No fluff, no vague advice — just a clear, actionable roadmap to getting seen, getting noticed, and getting offered.Whether you are a 2027 grad trying to lock something in this summer or a 2028 grad just starting to figure out the process, this episode meets you exactly where you are.Here is everything we cover:⚾ The NCAA Clearinghouse — what it is, why it matters, and when you need to register before it costs you an opportunity at the D1 or D2 level⚾ Class year reality check — what 2027s and 2028s should realistically be targeting right now and why being honest about your level is the smartest move you can make⚾ The scholarship truth nobody tells you — D1 programs have 11.7 scholarships for an entire roster, and most players are getting partial money. Here is how to navigate that⚾ Building your Twitter/X recruiting presence — what to put in your bio, what to post, and the one critical rule that most players break without realizing it is hurting them⚾ Highlight film vs. skills video — what coaches actually want to see and why sending your recruiting email before your film is ready is one of the biggest mistakes you can make⚾ Choosing the right travel program — why coaches recruit off rosters and how to find the program that gets you in front of the right people⚾ The radius strategy — how to build a smart school list at every level using geography, academics, and realistic self-assessment⚾ Writing outreach emails that actually get responses — the difference between a personalized email that opens a door and a generic copy-paste that gets deleted instantly⚾ What to do when a coach responds — how to keep the conversation moving, when to visit, and the difference between an unofficial and official visit⚾ Camps and showcases — why they are absolutely necessary for 99% of players and exactly how to use them to maximize your exposure⚾ Red flags to avoid — the six recruiting mistakes that players and parents make that quietly kill their chances before they even get startedThis process is going to take hard work, time, and rejection. Sounds a lot like playing baseball, doesn't it? But if you execute this blueprint with focus and intention — you will get recruited.Quinn's DMs are open. If you are lost, overwhelmed, or have questions — reach out.🎙️ Subscribe to Behind The Lineup on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.📲 Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube @BehindTheLineup

What does it actually take to build one of the most dangerous offenses in college baseball — and then do it again at the next level?In this episode, Host Quinn McGrath sits down with University of Minnesota assistant coach Connor Gandossy — one of the most respected hitting coaches and recruiting minds in the college game today.Coach Gandossy takes us through his full journey — from his playing days as a standout catcher at Saint Louis University, where he won three Atlantic 10 championships and helped set the school record for wins, to his first coaching stops at Jefferson College and SLU, where he began building the player development foundation that would define his career.We walk through his seven seasons at Creighton, where he transformed the Bluejay offense from the ground up — bumping the team batting average by 11 points in his very first season, leading the BIG EAST in hitting for the first time in program history, reaching the NCAA Regional finals, and sending 28 players to professional baseball. That includes Alan Roden, who walked on in 2019 and was selected 98th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays after winning BIG EAST Player of the Year — one of the most remarkable player development stories in recent college baseball history.Then we get into the move to the Big Ten — joining Minnesota in 2024 and helping the Gophers crack the top ten in the conference in home runs while developing Weber Neels into an All-Big Ten Second Team catcher in year one.In this episode we cover:⚾ What playing catcher teaches you about hitting and player development⚾ How to completely rebuild an offense's identity from day one⚾ Turning a walk-on into a top-100 draft pick — the Alan Roden story⚾ What it takes to land Top 50 national recruiting classes at the mid-major level⚾ How data and technology have changed the way hitting is taught at the college level⚾ What the next evolution of offensive development in college baseball looks like⚾ Advice for young coaches who want to build a career in hitting and player developmentWhether you're a hitter trying to take your game to the next level, a coach looking to sharpen your development philosophy, or a recruit trying to understand what separates elite programs from everyone else — this conversation is loaded from start to finish.🎙️ Subscribe to Behind The Lineup on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.📲 Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube @BehindTheLineup