Baseball Recruiting Deep Dive
New podcast with Kyle Wren and John Murphy of Elite Sports Advising talking about the realities of college baseball recruiting with coaches across all levels of college baseball. The goal is to educate parents and players about how the recruiting process truly works straight from actual coach’s mouths.
Episodes

Monday Jul 14, 2025
Monday Jul 14, 2025
Welcome to another episode of the Baseball Recruiting Deep Dive Podcast, where we're joined by Josh McDonald, UConn's esteemed pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. With a storied career that includes a notable honor as the 2022 D1Baseball.com Assistant Coach of the Year, Josh offers a deep dive into the dynamic and often chaotic world of college baseball recruiting.
In this episode, we explore the tumultuous summer recruiting season, often likened to 'portal hell,' and discuss strategies for identifying and nurturing high school talent in an increasingly competitive landscape. Josh shares candid insights into the ever-evolving challenges coaches face, the importance of building a resilient team culture, and the rigorous evaluation process that separates promising recruits from the rest.
Whether you're an aspiring athlete, a coach, or a college baseball enthusiast, this episode provides an invaluable behind-the-scenes look at the intricacies of building a successful college baseball program. Don’t miss out on Josh’s expert advice and unique perspectives that illuminate the path for future baseball stars.

Monday Jul 14, 2025
Monday Jul 14, 2025
Welcome to another episode of the Baseball Recruiting Deep Dive Podcast, where we're joined by Josh McDonald, UConn's esteemed pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. With a storied career that includes a notable honor as the 2022 D1Baseball.com Assistant Coach of the Year, Josh offers a deep dive into the dynamic and often chaotic world of college baseball recruiting. In this episode, we explore the tumultuous summer recruiting season, often likened to 'portal hell,' and discuss strategies for identifying and nurturing high school talent in an increasingly competitive landscape. Josh shares candid insights into the ever-evolving challenges coaches face, the importance of building a resilient team culture, and the rigorous evaluation process that separates promising recruits from the rest. Whether you're an aspiring athlete, a coach, or a college baseball enthusiast, this episode provides an invaluable behind-the-scenes look at the intricacies of building a successful college baseball program. Don’t miss out on Josh’s expert advice and unique perspectives that illuminate the path for future baseball stars.

Monday Jul 14, 2025
Monday Jul 14, 2025
In Episode 3 of the Baseball Recruiting Deep Dive Podcast, we sit down with CJ Suarez, the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Maine. CJ shares his unique journey from coaching at a prep school to his current role in collegiate baseball.
Dive into the complexities of college baseball recruiting as CJ discusses his path from IMG Academy to the University of Maine, highlighting the importance of connections and the unorthodox path he's taken. He sheds light on the process of identifying potential recruits from a crowded portal and how the University of Maine is managing its recruiting strategies to build a strong team.
Discover how the University of Maine approaches high school versus transfer recruits and the essential traits they look for in aspiring players, both on and off the field. CJ also talks about the importance of family commitment in the recruiting process and offers valuable advice to high school players navigating their own baseball aspirations. Whether you're an athlete, parent, or coach, this episode offers an insightful look into the world of baseball recruiting at the collegiate level.

Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
Wednesday Jul 02, 2025
Join us in this exciting episode of the Baseball Recruiting Deep Dive as we welcome George Brown, St. John's Associate Head Coach and Pitching Coach, for an in-depth discussion on the evolving landscape of baseball recruitment. Coach Brown shares insights on adapting to new recruiting timelines, evaluating talent, and the importance of adaptability both on and off the field.
We explore the intricacies of forming a college team, the significance of athletes' development, and how to handle the mental challenges players face. Coach Brown also reveals the traits that make a player standout and the red flags that coaches watch for during recruitment.
Dive into an engaging conversation about the dynamic world of college baseball, St. John's unique offerings, and the characteristics that make an athlete a perfect fit for their program. Whether you're a player, coach, or recruit, this episode delivers valuable insights into achieving success in baseball both on the field and in the classroom.

Monday Jun 23, 2025
Monday Jun 23, 2025
Join us as we dive into the world of college baseball recruiting with Zeke Pinkham, the recruiting coordinator at Kent State. A former player at Louisville and coach at Georgia Tech, Zeke provides unique insights into the challenges and strategies of college recruiting. From handling the summer circuit to understanding the importance of culture and player evaluation, this episode is packed with valuable information. Learn about the traits coaches look for in recruits and the behind-the-scenes decision-making processes that shape college baseball teams. Whether you're an aspiring player or a coach looking to gain an edge, this episode is a must-listen.

Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
In this episode of Baseball Recruiting Deep Dive, we welcome Navy's pitching coach, Tim Reilly, who shares his extensive journey through various coaching roles, culminating in his current position at the Naval Academy. Tim discusses the unique environment of Navy Baseball, emphasizing the integration of athletic and leadership training that prepares players for both the field and future service to the country.
Coach Riley delves into the recruitment process at service academies, highlighting the rigorous academic and character expectations for prospective players. He also offers insight into the daily life of a Navy baseball player, balancing typical college student activities with unique military duties.
Listeners will also learn about the opportunities and challenges presented by the transfer portal and how these institutions provide a stable, long-term commitment. The episode concludes with a look at how professional baseball opportunities are managed for Navy players under current policy changes.

Monday Jun 02, 2025
Monday Jun 02, 2025
Join us for Episode 2 of the Baseball Recruiting Deep Dive podcast by Elite Sports Advising, featuring a conversation with Matt Riebesell, the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator at Franklin and Marshall. Explore the unique aspects of the Division III recruiting process, learn how these coaches scout and recruit talent, and understand how high academic standards influence player selection and development at F&M.
In this episode, Coach Riebesell discusses the Division III baseball season's impact on recruiting timelines, insights about identifying talent in high school players, and the challenges and advantages of recruiting in today’s competitive environment. Hear firsthand about the influence of the transfer portal on recruiting at Franklin and Marshall, and discover what they seek in potential players both on and off the field.
This episode is an essential listen for families navigating the recruiting process, offering valuable advice and perspectives to help prepare athletes for collegiate baseball. If you're considering Division III baseball, this episode demystifies the level's competitiveness and what it takes to succeed.

Tuesday May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
This episode features an insightful conversation with Ryan Luke, recruiting coordinator and hitting coach at Lafayette College. Fresh off his fourth season, Ryan shares his experiences and strategies in college baseball recruiting. From transitioning between regular season play and summer recruiting to utilizing the transfer portal, Ryan delves into the complex balancing act coaches face in shaping a successful team.
The discussion also explores the impact of recruiting high school players, the role of academic and family considerations in recruitment, and how Lafayette maintains its prestigious academic standards while developing its baseball program. Ryan's insights provide a deep understanding of the recruiting pressures and priorities at a Division I school, making this a must-listen for aspiring athletes, coaches, and baseball enthusiasts.

