Nathaniel Wagner

AUSTIN HEDGES, CLE - This isn't just another session of sitting behind a machine and catching balls —it's a masterclass in pushing the limits. People watching might not fully grasp just how fast this move is; it's high velocity on another level! He might miss one, but that's not the point. The key is his mindset: constantly looking for ways to move even faster. The takeaway here is to embrace failure. Don't get down on yourself. Stretch your limits and find out what you're truly capable of.

Building upon my recent discussion of catcher maturation and skill refinement, we now turn our attention to the impressive evolution of Jake Rogers, a Gold Glove finalist in 2024. The visual difference between his college days at Tulane and his present form is striking. Rogers credits his significant development to the guidance of Tigers catching coach Ryan Sienko (@Catch_and_Throw ) during his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery in 2022. (Jake Rogers: Tell Me Everything | Have a Seat, on YouTube 25:35) While this is purely my observation, lacking any direct conversation with Sinks, my analysis suggests Rogers focused considerably on improving his setups, pre-pitch move (length at which he held it) and mitt depth, and his extension after the catch. As highlighted towards the end of the video, the enhanced vertical movement in Rogers' finishing technique is clearly noticeable.

“For me framing is catching balls in the right position, a strong position… I did a lot of RESEARCH! The pitches catchers miss the most are misfires.” — Jacob Stallings (2021 Gold Glove Winner) – at Elkhorn, NE