Dugout Dish Baseball Recruiting Podcast powered by EMD Baseball

Andy Kiriakedes & Keith Glasser
  • 4.9 (50)
  • Baseball
  • Weekly

With a combined 25 years of collegiate coaching experience at the Division I, II, and III levels we will bring you the latest insights, analysis, and interviews about the world of college baseball recruiting. Each week, we will break down topics relevant to the college baseball recruiting landscape. In addition to breaking down the latest recruiting news, we'll also be speaking with coaches and players around the country. Our guests will provide valuable insights into what it takes to make it as a college baseball player and share their experiences and knowledge of the recruiting process.Whether you're a high school player, parent, or coach looking to learn more about the recruiting process or gather insights from college coaches this podcast has something for everyone. So join us each week as we dive deep into the world of college baseball recruiting.

  1. 1d ago

    The Next Eight Months of Recruiting — Weight Room, Academics & Defense That Give You an Edge | Ep. 191

    The recruits who give the best account of themselves next spring and summer are the ones who use the next eight months well. In this episode of Dugout Dish, Andy and Keith lay out the reality of the recruiting process between now and the 2027 spring and summer seasons, and what players should be doing every week to give themselves the best possible advantage.   What we cover:   The reality of the next eight months of the college baseball recruiting process and why this stretch matters so much The weight room and why getting your body more physical improves your skill set, not just your strength numbers Building a body that can hold up through a long spring and summer in 2027 so you can perform when coaches are watching Academics — staying on top of your grades, or improving them, so you can get into the most schools possible Skill set acquisition on the offensive side of the ball Why defense needs to be a priority this offseason, not an afterthought Catching bullpens and daily infield or outfield prep that will raise your game How the work you put in over these eight months shows up when it is time to perform in front of college coaches Whether your son is a 2027 entering a critical spring or a younger player laying the groundwork — this episode is the plan for making the next eight months count. New episodes of Dugout Dish drop every week. Subscribe so you never miss recruiting and development intel that could change your player's future. Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Diamond College Showcase Camps - www.diamondcollegeshowcase.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Intro: Cali Gloves Sponsor(00:00:57) - Welcome to the Dugout Dish Podcast(00:01:26) - The Critical 8-9 Month Recruiting Window(00:05:34) - Planning Summer Schedules and Getting Seen(00:08:28) - Weight Room Importance and Swing Mechanics(00:12:25) - Balancing Tools vs Swing-and-Miss in Recruiting(00:15:43) - Defensive Work and Daily Reps Matter(00:18:29) - Throwing Programs and Arm Care(00:21:23) - Diamond College Showcase Sponsor Break(00:22:25) - World Series Defense Lessons for College Ball(00:25:44) - Catch Play, Pitching Development, and Quality Throws(00:27:27) - Making Varsity: The First Checkpoint(00:29:12) - Lineup Spots, Roles, and College Off-Season Reality(00:33:38) - Time Management and Preparing for College Workload(00:36:27) - Timing Your Exposure: Don't Rush Showcases(00:38:46) - Avoiding the January Showcase Trap(00:42:30) - Working Hard When No One's Watching(00:46:10) - Closing Thoughts and Sign-Off

    The Next Eight Months of Recruiting — Weight Room, Academics & Defense That Give You an Edge | Ep. 191

  2. 4d ago

    Challenge Yourself in the Cages — Offseason Hitting That Gets Position Players Recruited | EMD Shorts

    The hitters who get recruited next spring and summer are being built right now in the cages. In this episode of Dugout Dish, Andy and Keith talk about why position players need to spend the next six months challenging themselves instead of taking feel-good BP — and how the technology available to hitters in 2026 makes it possible to train against the velocity, breaking balls, and changeups they will face in games, from both right- and left-handed looks.   What we cover:   Why the next six months of offseason work are critical for a position player’s recruiting process Why feel-good BP builds confidence but not the skills that hold up against quality pitching How to be honest about your weaknesses at the plate and build your cage work around improving them How the rise of technology and better pitching machines has changed what hitters can train in the offseason Training against velocity, breaking balls, and changeups so game at-bats feel familiar instead of overwhelming Why seeing both right- and left-handed looks in the cage prepares you for what coaches will watch you face How challenging offseason work translates into a better account of yourself next spring and summer Why the way you train this winter could be the difference between being recruited or not  Whether your son is a 2027 trying to make a final push or a younger hitter building his foundation — this episode is your guide to making the offseason count in the cage. New episodes of Dugout Dish drop every week. Subscribe so you never miss recruiting and development intel that could change your player's future. Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Diamond College Showcase Camps - www.diamondcollegeshowcase.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Cali Gloves Ad(00:01:11) - Intro and Off-Season Focus(00:02:37) - Making Practice Hard: Lessons from College BP(00:04:12) - Modern Technology and Pitching Machines(00:05:35) - Challenging Yourself to Prepare for Games(00:06:34) - Diamond College Showcase Ad(00:07:53) - Metrics vs. Game Performance(00:08:51) - Overreliance on Tees and Front Toss(00:10:17) - Simulating Real Pitches to Improve Hitting(00:11:19) - Closing Thoughts and Sign-off

  3. Oct 22

    Maryland Pitching Coach Jimmy Jackson on NIL, the Transfer Portal & How Recruiting Has Changed | Ep. 190

    When Jimmy Jackson first joined Dugout Dish in 2023, he was the pitching coach at JMU and the college baseball world looked very different. Now the pitching coach at Maryland, Jimmy returns to talk with Andy and Keith about everything that has changed since — the 5-for-5 eligibility rule, the explosion of NIL, and the rise of the transfer portal — and how those changes have reshaped the way his program recruits and builds a roster. What we cover: • What has changed in college baseball since Jimmy's first appearance on the podcast as JMU's pitching coach in 2023 • The 5-for-5 eligibility rule and how it is affecting rosters, playing time, and recruiting decisions • The explosion of NIL in college baseball and what it means for programs and players • The rise of the transfer portal and how it has changed the way staffs build their rosters • How these rules and more have changed the way Maryland goes about recruiting • What the college baseball landscape is likely to look like over the next few years • Why the 2028 recruiting class is moving slower than classes in years past, and what that means for families of 2028 recruits • Jimmy's opinions on the transfer portal as a whole Whether your son is a 2028 recruit wondering why things feel slow or a younger player trying to understand the new rules of college baseball — this episode gives you a Big Ten coach's view of where recruiting stands right now and where it is headed. New episodes of Dugout Dish drop every week. Subscribe so you never miss recruiting and development intel that could change your player's future. Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Diamond College Showcase Camps - www.diamondcollegeshowcase.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Intro and Cali Gloves Sponsor(00:00:57) - Welcome and Guest Introduction(00:02:14) - Watching Former Players Reach MLB(00:04:23) - Kevin Kelly's Development Story(00:07:23) - Recruiting Non-Negotiables(00:08:58) - Freshman Transition and Mental Game(00:12:33) - The 'Welcome to College Baseball' Moment(00:21:04) - Learning Players' Mental Makeup(00:22:45) - Diamond College Showcase Sponsor(00:23:41) - New Five-for-Five Eligibility Rule(00:26:57) - Portal Fallout and Roster Rebuilding(00:30:29) - Misconceptions About the Transfer Portal(00:35:41) - NIL, Money, and the Wild West Era(00:41:48) - Slow 2028 Recruiting Class(00:46:41) - Recruiting Philosophy and Commitment Loyalty(00:48:22) - Rule Changes and JUCO Rumor Chaos(00:54:28) - Healthier Recruiting Landscape Today(01:03:07) - Betting on Yourself and Portal Honesty(01:05:09) - Case for Junior College Development(01:11:14) - Closing Thoughts and Sign Off

    Maryland Pitching Coach Jimmy Jackson on NIL, the Transfer Portal & How Recruiting Has Changed | Ep. 190

  4. Oct 19 ·  Bonus

    Camps During the Quiet Period | In the Clubhouse with EMD

    In this episode, we break down what student-athletes and families need to know about attending college baseball camps during the NCAA Division I quiet period. We discuss the best timing, how to prepare effectively, and what players should focus on to make the most of every camp opportunity. Whether you're navigating the recruiting process or planning your next showcase, this episode gives you the insights to stand out and succeed. New episodes of Dugout Dish drop every week. Subscribe so you never miss recruiting and development intel that could change your player's future. Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Diamond College Showcase Camps - www.diamondcollegeshowcase.com Chapters (00:00:00) - Sponsor: Cali Gloves(00:01:12) - Introduction and Listener Question on Quiet Period Camps(00:01:37) - Readiness to Perform at Camps(00:02:57) - Choosing Camps That Fit Your Recruiting Level(00:03:56) - Focus on 2027 Class and Position vs. Pitcher Considerations(00:05:55) - Setting Goals and Realistic Expectations for Camps(00:07:34) - Closing Thoughts and Sign-off(00:07:47) - Outro and Subscribe Reminder

    Camps During the Quiet Period | In the Clubhouse with EMD

  5. Oct 15

    What College Coaches Are Actually Recruiting Right Now — Defense, Athleticism & the Complete Player | Ep. 189

    Velocity gets attention. But in 2026 it is no longer enough to get you recruited. In this episode of Dugout Dish, Andy and Keith share what college baseball coaches have been telling them directly this summer and fall about what they are actually prioritizing in the recruiting process right now — and the picture that emerges is one where defense, athleticism, and the ability to do multiple things well have become just as important as any individual tool or metric a player can put on a recruiting profile.   What we cover:   What college coaches across multiple levels have been communicating to Andy and Keith directly about the recruiting process this summer and fall and why the feedback is consistent enough to be a genuine trend rather than an isolated opinion Why velocity alone is no longer a sufficient calling card for pitchers in the college baseball recruiting process and what coaches expect to see alongside it What the complete picture of a recruited pitcher looks like right now — the ability to control the strike zone, command secondary pitches, throw strikes with every pitch in the arsenal, field the position, and hold runners effectively Why coaches are recruiting pitchers who can do all of those things rather than pure velocity arms who cannot execute in game situations How athleticism has become an increasingly valued quality in the recruiting process and why coaches specifically seek out multi-dimensional athletes who give them flexibility on the roster Why athletic players allow coaches to solve defensive problems more creatively — moving players around the field to put the best defense on the diamond rather than being locked into one configuration The growing and unmistakable priority on defense in college baseball recruiting — why coaches across the country are placing more emphasis on defensive ability than they have in years and what is driving that shift Why the middle of the field — shortstop, second base, centerfield, and catcher — is where coaches are placing the highest defensive premium in the current recruiting environment Why coaches in the current roster construction landscape will not sacrifice defense for a bat — why a player who can hit but cannot field is a roster liability when you are limited to 34 players on a D1 roster What every recruit needs to understand about how their defense is being evaluated and how it directly impacts their recruiting opportunities at every division level   Whether your son is a pitcher trying to get to the next level or a position player building his recruiting profile — this episode tells you exactly what coaches are prioritizing right now and what you need to be working on to get their attention. New episodes of Dugout Dish drop every week. Subscribe so you never miss recruiting and development intel that could change your player's future. Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Diamond College Showcase Camps - www.diamondcollegeshowcase.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Intro and Cali Gloves Sponsor(00:00:57) - Catching Up and Episode Preview(00:02:34) - Velocity vs. Other Pitching Skills in Recruiting(00:04:08) - Pitching Fundamentals Coaches Demand (Holds, Looks, Game Management)(00:07:53) - Learning to Pitch in College Games and the Portal(00:11:19) - College Strike Zones and Stretch Command(00:14:23) - Reading Runners, Lefty Reads, and Tight Games(00:16:51) - Athleticism and Defense at a Premium(00:19:59) - Diamond College Showcase Sponsor(00:20:54) - Defense as the Fastest Path to Playing Time(00:25:42) - Position Flexibility and Moving Around the Field(00:28:45) - Standards and Expectations at the College Level(00:31:33) - Playing Hard and Hustle as Non-Negotiable(00:35:40) - Timing Everything: Coaches Tracking Effort(00:40:08) - Body Language and First Impressions in Recruiting(00:42:59) - Wrap-Up and Closing Thoughts(00:44:09) - Outro and Subscribe Info

    What College Coaches Are Actually Recruiting Right Now — Defense, Athleticism & the Complete Player | Ep. 189

  6. Oct 12

    Pre-Tournament Checklist for Baseball Recruits — How to Maximize Every Recruiting Weekend | EMD Shorts

    Most baseball recruits show up to a tournament, play their games, and hope a coach was watching. The recruits who get recruited do something different — they do the work before the weekend even starts to make sure the right coaches know exactly where to find them and they show up physically and mentally ready to perform at their best when it matters most. In this episode of Dugout Dish, Andy and Keith walk through everything a recruit should be doing in the days leading up to a fall, spring, or summer tournament to maximize their recruiting exposure and make the most of every weekend on the schedule. What we cover: • Why pre-tournament preparation is one of the most consistently overlooked and most impactful parts of the college baseball recruiting process • How to get your tournament schedule in front of college coaches before the weekend begins — why waiting until you arrive at the field is too late and what to do instead • The best channels for getting your schedule out to coaches — email, text, and social media — and how to use each one effectively depending on where you are in the relationship with a particular program • What to include in your pre-tournament outreach to coaches — your schedule, recent stats, updated video from recent games, and how to package all of it in a way that is easy for a busy coach to quickly digest • How to put together a recruiting email that actually motivates a college coach to add your field to their evaluation schedule for the weekend • What recent game video to include in your outreach and how to make it as easy as possible for coaches to find, watch, and evaluate quickly from their phone or laptop • Physical preparation in the days leading into a tournament weekend — how to get your necessary work in without leaving your best performance on a practice field before the games that actually count • Rest and recovery before the tournament — why sleep, nutrition, and hydration in the two to three days before a big weekend matter as much as anything you do between the white lines • Why playing hard every single inning of every single game regardless of the score, the situation, or whether you think a coach is watching is the single most important habit a recruit can develop on the tournament circuit • The competitive mindset every recruit needs to bring to a tournament weekend where coaches may be watching from anywhere in the complex at any moment Whether your son has a fall tournament coming up this weekend or is planning for a big spring or summer showcase run — this episode is the complete pre-tournament checklist that every recruit and family should go through before every single event on the schedule. New episodes of Dugout Dish drop every week. Subscribe so you never miss recruiting and development intel that could change your player's future. Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Diamond College Showcase Camps - www.diamondcollegeshowcase.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Intro & Cali Gloves Sponsor(00:01:18) - Preparing for Fall Tournaments(00:03:45) - What Coaches Need to Know Ahead of Games(00:06:13) - Diamond College Showcase Sponsor(00:07:09) - Knowing Who to Contact & Getting Vouched For(00:08:11) - Leveraging Social Media and Outreach(00:10:09) - Taking Ownership of the Process(00:11:31) - Closing Banter(00:12:17) - Outro & Show Info

    Pre-Tournament Checklist for Baseball Recruits — How to Maximize Every Recruiting Weekend | EMD Shorts

  7. Oct 8

    2028 Recruiting Timeline Update — Why Coaches Are Slowing Down & What It Means for Every Level | Ep. 188

    The college baseball recruiting timeline for the 2028 class looks dramatically different from previous cycles at this same point — and coming out of the Perfect Game tournament in Fort Myers, the evidence is impossible to ignore. In this episode of Dugout Dish, Andy and Keith sit down with Elite National’s Jonathan Grosse to break down exactly why college coaches are taking significantly more time in the 2028 recruiting process, what is driving that shift, and why the change is ultimately making the college baseball ecosystem healthier and more functional at every level from D1 all the way down to JUCO and NAIA.   What we cover:   What Jonathan Grosse and the Elite National staff are observing on the recruiting trail coming out of Perfect Game Fort Myers and what it tells us about where the 2028 recruiting cycle actually stands right now How the current state of 2028 commitments and offers compares to where previous recruiting classes were at this same point in the calendar — and why the gap is significant Why the new NCAA roster limits and scholarship rule changes are the primary driver behind coaches slowing down their recruiting timelines across all of college baseball Why the hard D1 roster cap of 34 players has fundamentally changed how coaches think about every single recruiting decision — and why missing on an evaluation now carries a cost it simply did not carry before How coaches are shifting their approach from filling their recruiting class by Thanksgiving to making sure they have done enough evaluation to make the best possible decision for their roster Why a longer and more deliberate recruiting timeline is actually a healthier outcome for players, for programs, and for the overall college baseball ecosystem compared to the rushed commitments that defined previous cycles How the shift in D1 recruiting timelines creates a trickle down effect into D2, D3, JUCO, and NAIA programs — what it means at every level of the college baseball landscape and how families navigating those divisions should be thinking about it What 2028 families specifically should be doing right now given the new reality of a longer and more deliberate recruiting cycle — and why the slower timeline is an opportunity rather than a problem What this new recruiting norm means for the 2029 class and beyond as coaches, players, and families across college baseball adjust to the post roster cap landscape   Whether your son is in the 2028 class wondering why things feel slower than expected or a 2029 family trying to understand what the process will look like for them — this episode gives you the most current and most informed picture of where college baseball recruiting actually stands right now. New episodes of Dugout Dish drop every week. Subscribe so you never miss recruiting and development intel that could change your player's future. Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Diamond College Showcase Camps - www.diamondcollegeshowcase.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Intro and Cali Gloves Ad(00:00:57) - Welcome and Guest Introduction(00:01:50) - Fort Myers Recap and Slower Recruiting Trend(00:02:53) - 2028 Class: Uncommitted Talent and Changing Dynamics(00:07:14) - Why Commitment Numbers Are Misleading(00:10:32) - Elite Programs Not Rushing, No More FOMO(00:12:01) - National Recruiting and Big Tournament Evaluations(00:14:16) - Velocity Alone No Longer Guarantees Offers(00:17:34) - Small Sample Sizes and Patience from Coaches(00:18:33) - Roster Limits, Character Fit, and Healthier Recruiting(00:21:11) - Perspective: It's Not Doom and Gloom(00:23:12) - Portal Impact and Longer Recruiting Timelines(00:26:10) - Portal as Reaction, Not Strategy(00:28:42) - Trickle Down Effect to D2/D3 Recruiting(00:31:07) - Diamond College Showcase Ad(00:32:09) - Command and Pitchability Over Raw Velocity(00:37:09) - Hitters Adapting to Velocity, Risk of Wild Arms(00:42:07) - Coaches Watching Results Over Radar Guns(00:45:26) - Finding Out Who Truly Loves to Play(00:51:12) - Defense as a Non-Negotiable Recruiting Tool(00:54:34) - Run Prevention Wins Games(01:00:45) - Elite Defense and Game-Changing Plays(01:07:36) - Every Out Counts: Closing Thoughts on the Game(01:11:07) - Final Advice and Sign Off

    2028 Recruiting Timeline Update — Why Coaches Are Slowing Down & What It Means for Every Level | Ep. 188

  8. Oct 5 ·  Bonus

    Save College Sports Act Explained — NIL, Eligibility, the Transfer Portal & What It Means for Baseball | EMD Shorts

    The Save College Sports Act passed the United States Senate last week — and with it moving to the House for a vote, college athletics may be on the verge of its most significant legislative moment in the history of the sport. In this episode of Dugout Dish, Andy and Keith break down exactly what the bill says, why it matters, and what it could mean specifically for college baseball and the families navigating the recruiting process right now if it is ultimately codified into law.   What we cover:   What the Save College Sports Act actually says and why its passage through the Senate marks a turning point in the long running legal and legislative battle over the future of college athletics What happens next as the bill moves to the House of Representatives for a vote and what the path to becoming law actually looks like from here How the bill addresses NIL payments at the college level — what changes for athletes, what changes for programs, and how it differs from the current landscape that has existed since the House settlement The limited anti-trust exemption granted to the NCAA under the bill — what it means in practice and why giving the NCAA the ability to make rules that cannot be challenged in court is one of the most consequential and most debated elements of the entire legislation How the five year eligibility rule that was passed last year is codified into law under this bill and what that means for the long term stability of college baseball rosters and recruiting timelines The one time transfer exemption included in the bill and the sit out requirement for athletes who want to transfer a second time — how it reshapes the transfer portal landscape that has defined college baseball roster construction for the last several years What the bill says about coaches leaving programs and what protections or limitations it creates around staff movement at the college level How Olympic sports are protected under the bill and why that protection matters for the broader health of college athletics beyond the revenue sports Andy and Keith's honest thoughts on what the Save College Sports Act could specifically do for college baseball — the rosters, the recruiting process, the NIL landscape, and the overall health of the sport — if it makes it through the House and is signed into law This is the most consequential piece of college athletics legislation in decades — and whether it passes or fails the conversation it has started will shape college baseball for years to come. New episodes of Dugout Dish drop every week. Subscribe so you never miss recruiting and development intel that could change your player's future. Gloves - www.kaligloves.com Diamond College Showcase Camps - www.diamondcollegeshowcase.com Chapters (00:00:02) - Intro and Cali Gloves Sponsor(00:00:57) - Protect College Sports Act Overview(00:02:26) - NIL Framework and Transfer Rules(00:04:38) - Eligibility Window and Transfer Details(00:06:33) - Conference Realignment, Olympic Sports, NCAA Antitrust(00:09:11) - Diamond College Showcase Camps Sponsor(00:10:14) - House Process and Impact Discussion(00:12:57) - Final Thoughts and Closing

    Save College Sports Act Explained — NIL, Eligibility, the Transfer Portal & What It Means for Baseball | EMD Shorts
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With a combined 25 years of collegiate coaching experience at the Division I, II, and III levels we will bring you the latest insights, analysis, and interviews about the world of college baseball recruiting. Each week, we will break down topics relevant to the college baseball recruiting landscape. In addition to breaking down the latest recruiting news, we'll also be speaking with coaches and players around the country. Our guests will provide valuable insights into what it takes to make it as a college baseball player and share their experiences and knowledge of the recruiting process.Whether you're a high school player, parent, or coach looking to learn more about the recruiting process or gather insights from college coaches this podcast has something for everyone. So join us each week as we dive deep into the world of college baseball recruiting.

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