Most Valuable Agent with Matt Hannaford11 Feb 2025

Tyler Zombro on Pitching Development, Data Analytics, and Navigating the Business of Baseball

Pitching development has changed dramatically over the last decade. In this episode, I am joined by Tyler Zombro, the Special Assistant to the Cubs Pitching Director. We talk about the biggest developments in pitching – why velocity isn't everything, how pitch shapes and biomechanics change the way pitchers train, and how organizations like the Cubs use data to maximize every arm in their system. Plus, we dive into the critical aspect of transparency between teams and players, the mistakes players and parents are making in youth baseball, and what free agents need to consider before signing with a team.

HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 What are the controllables that determine pitching success?

06:15 The mental shift that pitchers must make to survive in pro baseball.

10:30 The turning point that made Tyler realize he wanted to help other pitchers succeed.

17:00 What happens when a pitcher walks into Tread Athletics for the first time?

20:15 The difference between private pitching development vs MLB front office.

28:00 One thing every free agent should demand from teams before signing.

36:30 Why the right organization matters more than the signing bonus.

43:00 How minor adjustments in pitch usage turned pitchers into multi-millionaires.

47:45 The risks of forcing mechanical changes that don't fit a pitcher's body.

50:00 What parents of young pitchers need to stop doing immediately.

52:00 The surprising pitch that's dominating modern baseball.

53:15 The pitching metric that reveals if a pitcher will succeed in the big leagues.

58:15 When is the right age for a player to start throwing a breaking ball?

RESOURCES + LINKS

Learn more at aligndsports.com

Book a 1:1 Consultation HERE

FOLLOW

Matt Hannaford: @mfhannaford

Tyler Zombro: @t_zombro42

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