Baseball Strong Stories

Ryan Hooper | UC Davis Baseball And Overseas Pro

“Strength and conditioning was more than just a tool to get me stronger and faster. It taught me that structure, discipline, patience and work ethic leads to success. Having a detailed plan and taking steps each day towards that goal, structure. Taking care of my body through stretching and diet on the days that I didn’t feel up to it, discipline. Not hitting my goals but continually trusting the process, unsure when/if I would reach them, patience. Sweating day in and day out, especially on the days that didn’t seem to end, work ethic.

Not all coaches will teach you these four crucial skills. Craig Miszewski taught me these, and many more through his program. After 5 years of working with him I went from a walk-on rarely seeing the field, to the team captain and a Big West All-Conference outfielder.

His focus to make me a better player physically and mentally was unparalleled. His workouts were focused specifically to the areas I needed to improve on the most and I saw a steady progression each year. The exercises were always sport specific, strengthening certain muscles areas most strength coaches don’t deem important. At times if my body didn’t feel right, he would adjust the program to ensure my safety, while still pushing me in other facets of “strength”.

I have to thank Craig for where I am in my career. Without him I do not know where I would be. He made me a better player on the field, but also a better person off the field. He engraved in me the blueprints that lead success and I will forever be grateful.”

Zach Kirksey | Ole Miss Baseball AND Detroit Tigers ORG

“Strength and conditioning is the foundation for any athlete in any sport.

I was fortunate enough to grow up in a community that emphasized strength and conditioning training from middle school all the way through high school.

This made my transition into college at Ole Miss much easier because I was much further ahead physically due to strength training by being bigger, faster, and stronger than most of my teammates. I was also mentally tougher than most because I had put in more work at doing things that aren’t always fun.

Nobody enjoys working out in the beginning because you’re not very good at it, and it’s hard. But once you see your athletic abilities increase due to resistance training, it’s something you begin to fall in love with. In my opinion, strength training is just as important to a baseball player as hitting off the tee or taking ground balls.”

Orlando Razo | UC Davis Baseball And Seattle Mariners Org

“Strength is the number one difference between a high school athlete and collegiate athlete. The weight room is where half the battle is won and it is what separates elite athletes from the pack.

If you want to hit the ball further, throw harder, win the battle at the line of scrimmage, win the battle in the paint; get your ass in the weight room and start lifting.

It's not a coincidence the best athletes in the world are also the hardest workers in the weight room.”

John Gatlin | Ole Miss BaseBall and Houston Astros ORG

“A lot of young athletes these days get caught up in other aspects of the sport, and forget the meat and potatoes that lay the foundation for their goals (strength and conditioning).

I was not a “5 star” recruit, and I had to outwork everyone to get what I wanted.  I chose to do that by falling in love with the weight room and conditioning. Throughout my career at Ole Miss I made it a personal, non-flashy goal of mine to literally do more than everyone else in the weight room. When I was given a workout of 6 sets of 10. I did 11 reps and so on. I have been doing that since early high school. That way I could leave knowing I outworked the others, humbly.

When I signed with the Astros, Tanner Mathis and Aaron Greenwood were with them as well. When we arrived for spring training we all had “fitness tests” to see what type of shape each athlete was in. They ranked every single player from top to bottom in strength, agility, speed, and overall toughness. We finished top 3, in the entire organization. Everyone asked what was in the water at Ole Miss. They just did not have the training and lifting experience that we did and it was very evident.

“In-season” bodies are made in the off-season, and maintained in-season. It’s very simple, the stronger you are the harder you throw and more bombs you hit! All that being said, thank you. Thank you for showing me how to utilize a weight room to maximize my body’s potential.”

Ryan Anderson | UC Davis BAseBall And Texas Rangers ORG

“Strength and conditioning has played a huge role throughout my career. From the agility drills and sprints, to the workouts in the weight room, strength and conditioning has gotten me stronger and more athletic.

As a position player, I want to be in the weight room on a daily basis. Whether it’s a body weight workout or some sort of yoga, I want to be doing something everyday that keeps my body active. This has helped me stay healthy and keep my body in shape, which is vital when you play everyday. In addition to keeping the body in shape, lifting and conditioning has helped me on the field as well. From the strength I have gained in the weight room I have moved from a contact hitter to more of a power hitter, I have been able to better my game defensively through speed work and conditioning, and I am able to get to more baseballs in the outfield and react better when the ball is hit.

Training has made me mentally tougher, as well as prepare me for the season each year. The baseball season is long so it’s important for me to be ready and get in shape both physically and mentally.

Strength and conditioning has been essential throughout my career and I would not be where I am today without these two important aspects.”