John Spivey, MIT, Alumni Interview #13

Join Payne Kent, a 2027 graduate from St. Louis, MO, on this Rawlings Tigers recruiting podcast episode as he shares his innovative approach to getting noticed by college coaches. Tired of generic highlight reels and cold emails? Payne’s conversational format lets coaches see the real him—first baseman, pitcher, and debate team member with a passion for finance and stats. Learn how he uses YouTube interviews to research coaches, draws inspiration from MLB legends like Mark Teixeira, and balances success (topping 87 mph post-injury) with failures (walk-off losses) to grow. Perfect for high school players seeking a recruiting edge and coaches scouting versatile, personable talent. Recorded June 16, 2025.Timestamps (Chapters):0:00 - Introduction: Meet Payne Kent1:45 - Why a Podcast for Recruiting?3:06 - Positions Played: First Base, Pitching, More3:31 - College Goals: Finance and Stats on Wall Street4:47 - Debate Team: Building Persuasion Skills7:16 - Baseball as Persuasion: Umpire and Fan Dynamics8:16 - College Search: Finding the Right Program10:28 - Spring Season Recap at Lafayette High10:48 - Summer Goals: Versatility and Bonding12:06 - Player Comparison: Mark Teixeira Style13:23 - Biggest Success: 87 MPH Comeback14:56 - Biggest Failure: Learning from Walk-Offs19:08 - Hobbies: Legos, Thought-Provoking Movies21:39 - Strengths and Weaknesses as a Player24:01 - Program Priorities: Success and Coach TenureCall to Action:👍 Like and subscribe for more Rawlings Tigers recruiting tips! High school players—email [email protected] or DM @RawlingsTigers on Instagram to start your own podcast. Coaches, connect with Payne and the Tigers at rawlingstigers.com.

Step into the intense journey of Connor McCaleb, a Rawlings Tigers alum and pitcher now at Eastern Michigan University, in this gripping Rawlings Tigers podcast episode. Hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, Connor reveals how he escaped a chaotic freshman year at Christian Brothers University—plagued by academic probation and coaching turnover—to thrive at Mineral Area Junior College, where showcase games landed him a Division I scholarship. Learn his top pitcher training tips, the power of posting on Twitter for recruiting, and why he chose to forge his own path apart from twin brother Carson. Discover how JuCo baseball in 2025 offers unmatched opportunities for development and scholarships, making this a must-watch for aspiring athletes and parents!Timestamp Highlights:00:04:04 – Connor’s rocky start at Christian Brothers and transfer to JuCo00:13:44 – Dominating JuCo showcases to earn Eastern Michigan’s attention00:21:51 – Pitcher training: Throwing program and weight room growth00:23:43 – Best recruiting advice: Leveraging Twitter for exposure00:25:20 – Growing up as twins: Splitting paths with CarsonLike, subscribe, and hit the bell for more JuCo baseball and recruiting insights! Share your training or recruiting story in the comments below. Follow Connor on X for updates, and visit rawlingstigers.com to join our community!

John is a freshman at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He shares his story on his recruiting process and his approach to getting into one of the hardest schools in the United States.

Join us on the Rawlings Tigers podcast as we sit down with Carson McCaleb, a switch-hitting catcher at Mineral Area Junior College and a St. Louis native with a unique recruiting journey. From navigating COVID-era challenges to transferring from Christian Brothers University, Carson opens up about his gritty JuCo experience, the mental demands of switch-hitting and catching, and his drive to win a championship. In this episode, he shares how he’s securing scholarship offers to support his parents financially, easing their burden while chasing Division I dreams alongside his twin brother, Connor. Packed with insights on asking the right recruiting questions and balancing academics with baseball, Carson’s story is a must-hear for young athletes and families.Notes:Timestamp: 00:06:23 – Carson’s recruiting journey: High school to Christian Brothers to Mineral Area00:08:36 – The challenges of switch-hitting and catching in recruiting00:13:22 – JuCo experience: Gritty fall at Mineral Area vs. Division II00:32:04 – Securing scholarships to help his parents financially00:29:23 – Tips on asking the right recruiting questionsLike, subscribe, and hit the bell for more Rawlings Tigers podcasts! Share your recruiting or scholarship tips in the comments below. Follow Carson on X (@CarsonMccaleb) for updates, and visit rawlingstigers.com to join our community!

Dive into the Rawlings Tigers podcast featuring Gavin Oswald, a University of North Alabama pitcher and St. Louis native, as he shares his gripping journey through college baseball. In this episode, Gavin reveals how he navigated the chaotic COVID-era recruiting process, survived multiple transfers—from junior college to Oklahoma, Wichita State, and North Alabama—and mastered the transfer portal’s high-pressure timeline. Get insider tips on decoding coach conversations, building authentic relationships, and staying in Division I baseball despite setbacks. Learn why Gavin credits his Rawlings Tigers roots for his grit and how his advice can help young athletes facing today’s recruiting challenges. Perfect for baseball players, parents, and coaches!Notes:Timestamp Highlights: 00:01:12 – Intro to Gavin’s COVID-era recruiting journey00:14:24 – Gavin’s transfer saga: Oklahoma, Wichita State, North Alabama00:50:10 – Decoding coach conversations and navigating the transfer portal01:10:56 – Advice for high school athletes on staying visible and trusting the processLike, subscribe, and hit the bell for more Rawlings Tigers stories! Share your recruiting questions in the comments, and check out rawlingstigers.com. Follow Gavin on Twitter (@GavinOswald6) for updates.

Meet JD McReynolds, a Rawlings Tigers alum and University of Central Missouri pitcher who’s thrown 95 MPH and competed in the Cape Cod League. In this exclusive interview, JD shares his journey from Sullivan, Missouri, through the chaotic COVID recruiting process, to becoming a key arm at UCM while pursuing a mechanical engineering degree. Discover how the Tigers shaped his fierce competitive mindset, his advice for young players, and why he chose UCM’s blue-collar baseball culture. Perfect for baseball fans, aspiring athletes, and Rawlings Tigers families! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more inspiring stories from the diamond.

Dual coaching lives. Ryan Lindemann shares his coaching experience in two different generations. Once, as high school baseball coach and then in two different cycles of youth baseball with his sons. He reveals what worked, what was difficult, and the opportunities we have today to develop strong players.

In an engaging and insightful podcast episode, a seasoned coach lays bare the evolving dynamics of youth sports coaching, offering a refreshing approach that prioritizes mental and emotional well-being. The conversation unfolds as a masterclass in understanding athletes’ struggles and traumas, underscoring the importance of meeting players where they are—both mentally and physically. The coach highlights the necessity for coaches to set aside personal issues, fostering an environment where individual progress fuels team success. Through anecdotes and strategies, the discussion explores the power of creativity in coaching, from designing individualized defensive drills in tight spaces to emphasizing fundamentals before chasing metrics like bat speed or power. At its heart, the episode celebrates the profound role of patience, observation, and collaboration in shaping young athletes. Coaches are encouraged to implement routines that build good habits, develop pitch recognition, and give players a sense of ownership over their training. Ultimately, this thoughtful conversation reframes coaching as an art form, where the goal is not conformity but the cultivation of unique talent and love for the game. Whether you're a coach, a parent, or a sports enthusiast, this episode offers a compelling reminder: the true essence of coaching lies in guiding players through personal growth, one step—and one pitch—at a time.

In this interview, Andrew Wilde, head coach of the Salt Lake City Tigers, delves into the organization's approach to baseball coaching, emphasizing player development over immediate wins. The discussion highlights several key areas: Player Development vs. Winning: Wilde stresses the importance of balancing player growth with competitive success. The organization focuses on building athleticism, power, and aggressiveness at the bat, prioritizing long-term player potential over short-term victories. Buy-In and Routine: A significant part of the conversation revolves around increasing player and parental buy-in through structured training routines. High school players have shown success with this approach, but there's a push to extend this commitment to younger demographics. Offseason Challenges: Winter training in Utah presents unique challenges, particularly with arm care. The organization is working on providing better access to facilities and encouraging continuous, albeit modified, arm movement to prevent injuries without taking long breaks. Training Methods: Specific techniques like using overload and underload bats for increasing bat speed, long toss exercises in confined spaces, and situational baseball IQ are discussed. The importance of differentiating between injury and soreness is also highlighted with strategies to manage the latter. Organizational Growth: There's an expressed desire for more baseball complexes in Utah and the potential for private equity investment in expanding facilities to the Midwest and East Coast. The conversation also touches on the need to enhance the program's social media presence and recruit dedicated instructors. Coaching Philosophy and Challenges: Wilde shares the coaching philosophy of continuous learning, the need for a better balance between development and winning games, and the organizational structure's challenges, including coach buy-in and managing the program's operations single-handedly. Action Items: The interview concludes with a list of actionable steps, from expanding training facilities, focusing on arm care, increasing player engagement, to exploring new competitive opportunities and enhancing the coaching staff's alignment with the program's vision. This interview not only provides insights into the operational and strategic side of running a baseball program but also offers practical advice for coaches, players, and parents involved in youth and high school baseball development.