112 Sam Roberts VMI

Bio

• HC of Virginia Military Institute
• Been pitching coach at VMI since 2017
  • As a pitching coach recruited and mentored
    • Josh Winder (7th round Twins)
    • Matt Eagle (Free agent with Dodgers)
    • Zak Kent (9th round Rangers)
• VMI’s all time hit leader
• Top 3 in 9 offensive categories
• Drafted by the Oakland A’s as an infielder and transitioned to a pitcher his last 2 seasons in pro ball
• robertsjs@vmi.edu
• https://vmikeydets.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/sam-roberts/1206
• VMI had 3 current big leaguers in the big leagues this year!!

Notes

• What works in college baseball?
• I got to get a hold of this guy!! (Learner)
• Think about more of the stuff we DO have, and not what we DON’T have
• We are trying to get our kids to be their own best coach
• Track
  • Swing and miss in the zone
  • Strike %
  • Avg miss
  • Swing and miss
• Don’t want kids to lock up due to too much information
• Kid to kid - coach needs to have an idea 
• Buy in from the information that puts kids in best position
• Information holds coaches accountable
• Coaches have an idea of what the kid can handle
• Overall goal of pitcher is to get outs efficiently
• Videos in locker rooms of guys having success
• Before any knowledge you can give them they need to know you care
• Communicating with kids is most important to build relationship
  • How was your day
  • Are you having a good day
  • Being there for them
• Talk to them outside the baseball field
• Ultimately you create more buy in based upon being there for the guys
• Be sure the information we are giving guys is allowing them to still play loose and fast.
• Do not get caught up in the negative results
• Consistently preach your message, so they don’t fear the mistake
• Get our guys in a position to understand themselves
• Practice
  • Ton of baserunning - 20/30 minutes
    • Bullpen pitcher right to the field to take reps off pitcher. Multiple lines to maximize reps.
    • Live fungo 
  • Individualized as much as we can
  • Break down each guys movements and plan how to attack it
  • Be comfortable in an uncomfortable situation
  • Relief guys don’t throw on a fresh mound!
  • Start with starters!!
  • The things that you value the teams are better at
  • Create a situation that we can help multiple guys
  • “Competitive moments”
    • Last thing we do everyday
    • Little bit uncomfortable
    • Whole team
    • Create different situations to compete and outside comfort zone
• VMI had 3 guys in the major leagues this year!!
• Your best learner is failure
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