Six Tool Baseball News and Updates (March 31, 2026)

Pitchers- April 2026

High School and College Pitchers

PRIOR TO ALL GAMES, KNOW IF YOU ARE HOT OR COLD. Your Coach should tell you with at least 24 hours notice so you can prepare.

April 2026-

All High School Pitchers should be able to go 80+ pitches in an outing (per program). A DAY THREE bullpen option (12-15 pitches) is considered in game or side. On cold days, make sure to extend your warm-up as needed as you should have a sweat going as you are walking to the mound for your first pitch. Game and Bullpen preparation prior to throwing is mandatory (Bands, Long Toss, Running, Stretching etc.). Preparation should begin 30-45 minutes prior to Game/Bullpen. Remember, we warm up to throw, NOT throw to warm up.

Active Recovery should take place after bullpens including Shoulder and Hip Circuit combined with Sprints (Minimum 10). Ice when needed per program. Day One activities to follow the next day per Individual Pitching Plan (Heavy Leg Day+).

NOTES-

- Utilize the "21 pitch bullpen theory" by working to a 1-2 count every three pitches. Vary stretch times (1-5 seconds) and change pitch speeds while switching eye levels. Work at least 25% of your Bullpen by working in ZONE 3 (Freeze) and 3+ (Chase).

- Utilize Visualization Techniques the night before you are HOT to pitch.

- Pitchers should carry a Pitchers Bag. Some teams designate the Starter to manage and "keep track of" a team Pitchers bag, but all pitchers should have one. This bag should have two game balls, a towel, bands, shoulder circuit weights (Usually five pounds), a water bottle, roller, and ice packs when available.

- Pitch to your strengths first and the opponents weakness second.

Six Tool Baseball News and Updates (March 25, 2026)

Collegiate Summer Baseball Leagues- Summer 2026

Summer Collegiate Baseball Coaches will begin to contact student-athletes with College eligibility and high school seniors to fill roster spots. Everyone should evaluate the contracts offered for these teams very carefully. When a contract is received you must ask for the teams roster size, player fees, and the refund policy. It is recommended that you do this via email so the rules can't change as you have the answers in writing. The best summer collegiate baseball leagues include,

1. Cape Cod Collegiate Baseball League

2. Northwoods Collegiate Baseball League (High number of games)

3. Valley Collegiate Baseball League (In the Virginia Mountains)

4. Prospect Baseball League (Many States and extensive travelling)

The key is to find the league that is best for your talent level (potential playing time) as playing time in these leagues based on if you can win a starting position. Pitchers are always utilized as every team always seems to end up looking for additional Pitchers as the summer season progresses.

Traditionally, when Coach Long coached in these leagues ( a distant past), roster size was limited to 25 players including 12-13 Pitchers. In the past few years we have seen roster sizes balloon to nearly 50 in some cases. This is an obvious "money grab" and these teams should be avoided at all costs. Player fees of ~$500 + cost of housing appears to be the norm. Learn who your Coach for the Summer will be. Often you can tell the quality of the Coaching Staff by researching their current Collegiate job. These leagues range from high quality Coaches looking to improve their resume to a person off the street that is helping the Team Owners who are in it "for the wrong reasons".

Know the programs refund policy and get a copy in writing. Some teams count on making money from the players who get little or no playing time by having a NO REFUND POLICY.

Additional Questions to ask include,

1. Are the players "on their own" for food or do the teams provide a meal after games. The best programs have a policy where the HOME team provides a meal after games for both teams. Your not getting Lobster tails and steak, but more likely a few hot dogs and hamburgers with a side (The NORM).

2. Does the team offer you a workout facility locally or at the College Dorms where you may be housed.

3. How many roommates are in each dorm or at each community housing situation (host families). Some host families are great and often want a college baseball player to positivley influence their kids while other are looking for the players to do chores (Yes, this has actully happened).

4. What are the unexpected costs associated with the Summer Program you are considering?

5. Know the transportation policy. What games are you provided a team bus and when will you be required to drive yourself to away games. This is the primary reason for a Player Fee.

Remember that playing time is based on your ability to produce on the field! Any questions, feel free to ask.

Six Tool Baseball News and Updates (January 19, 2026)

FYI- College Coaches looking to advance their career.

Most Coaches, like any other careers, want to Coach at a high level (SEC, ACC etc.). This is directed toward the Mid-Major, D2, D3, and JUCO Coaches looking to have a program of their own at the highest level. Many programs are carrying at least 35 student-athletes on their roster. When a premier collegiate baseball program is seeking a new Coach there are many variables to consider. A variable that is often “overlooked” is a Coaches ability to recruit regionally or nationwide. When I look at some rosters that have most of their players from within a 50 mile radius they are often disqualified from those elite Coaching opportunities. Coaches should consider,

1. Expand your recruiting area to different regions. Everyone can find the potential in a student-athlete in an area they have not recruited before.

2. If you bring in one of these student-athletes you may miss, but it creates a region that is aware of your program.

3. Volunteer to work in an elite programs summer camp. For instance, Vanderbilt Universities Tim Corbin has a summer camp that attracts players from a wide area. You won’t “get” the top players away from Vanderbilt, or a similar college powerhouse, but those not recruited by the top program will be available to you because you have formed this brief relationship.

4. If you “home” State can offer in-State tuition to help recruiting, let the student-athletes know. Talk about and promote the top majors your current college can offer.

5. Take a chance. If your current school is in Ohio, you are much more variable if you can recruit from Georgia, Florida, Texas, California, or Tennessee. If you’re in Florida, find the “diamond in the rough” from New York or Maine. Expand your recruiting area and take that chance.

Six Tool Baseball News and Updates (January 11, 2026)

Rochester Area High School Baseball Prospects

Rochester, NY area prospects are very RAW as they have a limited season to be outside perfecting their craft. Athletes that play several Sports is a key to recruiters who may have potential. Rochester has a group of middle infielders (SS/2B) who can play the D1 level including,

Dominic Corona 5-9, 171 (2027, McQuaid Jesuit)

Uncommitted

Henry Shutts 5-10, 165 (2026, Gananda Central)

Uncommitted

Parker Goodness 5-7, 155 (2026, Greece Athena) I

Committed to SUNY Albany

Evan Laird 5-11, 168 (2026, Sodus High),

Uncommitted

Bruce Hanna 5-8, 160 (2026, Gates-Chili)

Committed to SUNY Genesee Community College

Other Potential Prospects include:

Sam Roselli, 6-2, 178 (2026, Fairport High)

Committed to SUNY Albany (Top area prospect) OF/RHP

Dylan Dumont, 5-11, 178 (2026, Webster Schroeder High)

Committed to SUNY Albany 3B/RHP

Aidan Kress, 6-0, 190 (2026, Pittsford Sutherland)

Uncommitted, Projects as Catcher

Max Seaver, 5-10, 162 (2027, Webster Thomas)

Uncommitted, Projects as RHP/OF

Bob Rule, 5-10, 180 (2027, Churchville-Chili)

Uncommitted, Projects as an OF

Tom Bailey, 6-0, 181 (2026, McQuaid Jesuit)

Uncommitted, Projects as an OF

Ryder Froman, 5-11, 168 (2027, East Irondequoit)

Uncommitted, Projects as RHP/OF

This list will be updated throughout the Season. Southeastern Area College Coaches can Contact us for more details about the student-athletes in the Rochester, NY area.

Six Tool Baseball News and Updates (January 1, 2026)

Atlanta Area High School Baseball Prospects

1A. Malachi Washington

Parkview

6-1, 195 2026, OF

Committed to LSU

5-star 98.00

1B. Dexter McCleon Jr.

Buford

6-4, 202 2028, RHP/OF

Uncommitted

Sits 97-98 MPH Fastball w/ 6.41 60 speed

5-star 97.87

2. Keon Johnson

First Presbyterian Day

6-2, 195 2026, SS

Committed to Vanderbilt University

5-star 96.25

3. Matt Sharman

Etowah

6-3, 218 2026, SS/3B

Committed to University of Georgia

5-star 95.55

4. Deion Cole

Etowah

6-1, 200 2026, OF

Committed to Georgia Tech

5-star 95.19

5. Cade Dawson

Blessed Trinity Catholic

6-2, 211 2027, OF/RHP

Committed to University of Tennessee

4 1/2-star 93.25

6. Trevor Condon

Etowah

5-9, 159 2026, OF/2B

Committed to University of Tennessee

4 1/2-star 91.55

7. Blake Bryant

Citizens Christian Academy

6-5, 183 2026, RHP

Committed to Clemson University

4-star 89.50

8. Connor Langdon

Perry

6-2, 195 2026, LHP

Committed to University of Georgia

4-star 89.10

9. Harry Chubb Jones, Jr.

McEachern

6-4, 190 2027, RHP

Committed to Clemson University

4-star 88.75

10. Branson Crawford

North Hall

5-9. 170 2026, C

Committed to Indiana University

4-star 87.00

11. Caden Borcherding

Etowah

6-1, 188 2027, C

Committed to Clemson University

4-star 86.25

12. Reiston Durham

Georgia Perimeter Academy

6-0, 170 2026, SS

Committed to University of Texas

4-star 86.15

Six Tool Baseball News and Updates (January 1, 2026)

Nashville Area High School Baseball Prospects

1. Jack Dugan

Lipscomb Academy

6-2, 188 2026, SS

Committed to Mississippi State University

5-star 97.75

2. Will Brick

Christian Brothers

6-2, 197 2026, C

Committed to University of Tennessee

5-star 97.68

3. Noah Wilson

McCallie

6-2, 195 2026, OF/RHP

Committed to Vanderbilt University

5-star 95.25

4. Cade Allen

South Gibson

6-1, 208 2026, RHP

Committed to University of Tennessee

4 1/2- star 93.15

5. Michael Teasley

Oak Ridge

6-0, 190 2026, 3B/RHP

Committed to University of Tennessee

4 1/2-star 92.00

6. Bo Halloway

Nolensville

6-5, 218 2026, LHP/OF

Committed to Vanderbilt University

4 1/2-star 91.55

7. Coleman Barktnick

South Walton

6-6, 259 2026, 3B/1B

Committed to Auburn University

4-star 88.98

8. Banks Addison

Evangelical Christian

6-1, 182 2027, SS

Committed to University of Tennessee

4-star 86.15

9. Lane Ayers

Wilson Central

6-4, 188 2029, LHP

Uncommitted

4-star 85.90

10. Brett Paciarek

Ravenwood

6-0, 165 2028, SS/BHP

Uncommitted

4-star 85.00

11. Jayden Pearl

Wilson Central

6-0, 195 2026, OF

Committed to University of Tennessee

4-star 85.00

12. Jason Spray JR.

Middle Tennessee Christian

6-4, 193 2030, OF/RHP

Uncommitted

3 1/2-star 81.35

Six Tool Baseball News and Updates (December 29, 2025)

21 Pitch Bullpen Variations

Variations of the 21-Pitch-Bullpen (Achieve a 1-2 count)

We work in sets of 3 pitches attempting to achieve a 1-2 count.

Focus on hitting your corners and changing eye plane and speed.

Record what zones your Pitches are hitting.

4 sets of 3 pitches = 12 pitches. How many of the 4 sets did you achieve a 1-2 count?

12 Pitch Bullpen (4 sets of 3 pitches)

15 Pitch Bullpen (5 sets of 3 pitches)

18 Pitch Bullpen (6 sets of 3 pitches)

21 Pitch Bullpen (7 sets of 3 pitches) Begin adding in Breaking Balls

Track and Record your success. Identify your Strengths and areas to improve (Zones).

What Pitches to what zones are you having success?

Example- Zone 3 will always be low and away in the StrikeZone

Six Tool Baseball News and Updates (June 15, 2025)

Pitchers must know if they are HOT or COLD for upcoming games

HOT- Will start game or likely to Pitch

COLD- No chance of Pitching in game

HOT-

- Arrive at the ballpark an hour (or more) before gametime with a hoodie/Jacket, two baseballs, water, towel, and bands.

- Begin Stretching and Band work routine. Complete your Hip Circuit. Continue hydrating as needed.

- Run your poles and/or sprints. Remember that we warm up to throw, not throw to warm-up.

- Long Toss alternating four seam fastball and change to ~100 feet (Four seam Fastball after ~100 feet)

- Go for a jog and visualize success on the mound. Review game plan and notice upcoming weather and field conditions.

- Bullpen (begin with ROM and shorten as needed / wind-up and stretch / Over spin breaking balls then locate / review signs with your catcher / review game plan with your catcher and coach) Should have a good sweat going as you enter the game.

- GAMETIME (Sit in same spot of dugout / review upcoming batters and game situations / Hydrate as needed (Sip, not Chug)).

- After game, complete (ACTIVE RECOVERY) Sprints and or poles, complete shoulder circuit, Vitamin C and water intake as needed / prepare for Heavy Leg Recovery Day tomorrow (Day One).

- Review and visualize your success throughout the game. Enter notes into your notebook (What worked or didn’t work).

COLD-

- Complete Day Three, Four or Five as plan recommends.

- Spray Chart or Pitch charting during game.

- Delivery Drills pre-game if needed.