Coach Beede Podcast

1d ago

In this episode of the Coach Beede Podcast , Walter Beede sits down with Bill Cilento , Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Wake Forest , to break down what truly separates elite college baseball programs from the rest. Coach Cilento shares how Wake Forest blends culture, development systems, and technology to consistently produce high-level players — including multiple first-round MLB draft picks. The conversation goes deep into recruiting philosophy, player development, training at game speed, and preparing athletes for the realities of modern college baseball. Why talent is just the baseline — and what Wake Forest looks for beyond tools How Wake Forest uses technology and pitching/hitting labs within real development systems Training hitters at game-level velocity and why bat speed is king Using ProLine training balls for hitters, catchers, and in-game simulation Why aggressive mistakes beat passive swings every time Recruiting in today’s world: high school vs transfer portal The real value of summer college leagues like the Cape Cod League Advice for younger players and parents navigating early exposure Why failure is necessary — and how elite players seek it out This episode is a must-listen for players, parents, coaches, and trainers who want a real look at what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of college baseball. ProLine Training Balls – Trusted by elite college and professional programs Bluebook Sports – The official directory connecting the entire game 👉 Download the Bluebook Sports app today Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 11

Sponsored by ProLine Training Balls and Bluebook Sports Train with ProLine. Connect with college coaches on Bluebook Sports. In this powerful episode of the Coach Beede Podcast , Walter is joined by one of the most authentic voices in college baseball — Coach Matt Tyner , head coach at Towson University. What unfolds is a masterclass on today’s recruiting landscape, roster caps, the transfer portal, preparation, development, and the realities families need to understand as college baseball continues to evolve. Coach Tyner brings blunt honesty, decades of wisdom, and a fresh dose of perspective every parent and player needs. The Roster Cap Reality (34 players): Why roster limits are changing everything — scrimmages, depth charts, cuts, development, and year-to-year planning. Transfer Portal Chaos: How the December 1 roster deadline conflicts with portal timing, why the NCAA may have miscalculated, and how this affects thousands of players. DSA (Designated Student Athlete) Loopholes: Why some programs may carry 40+ players and how DSA spots impact recruiting and retention. Why Older Players Dominate: From 23–25-year-olds to former pro players entering college baseball — what this means for incoming freshmen and recruiting classes. Is Division I Becoming MiLB Rookie Ball? Insight into MLB’s desire to reshape the development pipeline, shorten the draft, eliminate levels, and use college baseball as its feeder system. Summer Ball, Tampering & Retention: The real impact of summer leagues, player poaching, and how teams try to protect their culture and roster integrity. Recruiting Breakdown (Coach Tyner’s Ideal Mix): ✔️ 1/3 High School ✔️ 1/3 JUCO ✔️ 1/3 Transfer Portal A balanced strategy for success — and survival. The Value of Strength, Size & Tools: Why college baseball is bigger, stronger, faster than parents realize — and why strength training is no longer optional. Hit Tool vs. Speed: Can you hit? Then someone will find a place for your bat — but you still need a role, a skill, and a way to help a team win. Reality Check for Families: Most players in the portal will NOT find a lateral home. Coaches don’t cut with malice — they manage rosters, scholarships, rules, compliance, and performance. The Purpose of College Baseball: Growth. Maturity. Education. Competition. Identity. Not chasing illusions of the next level. Players and parents — build your profile, upload your video, and get in front of college coaches inside Bluebook Sports . Download Bluebook Sports today. Train smarter with ProLine Training Balls — velocity, defense, catching, softball and baseball tools trusted nationwide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 4

In this episode of the Coach Beede Podcast , Walter Beede welcomes Andy Partin , founder of the legendary Dirtbags Baseball organization and one of the most respected voices in amateur baseball. With nearly 30 years in the game — now also navigating the recruiting world as a parent — Andy brings a unique dual perspective on what families are facing in today’s college baseball landscape. Walter and Andy dig into the real pressures on high school athletes, the confusion parents face navigating camps and showcases, and why the Class of 2027 has become the “guinea pig” for the new NCAA recruiting rules. Andy explains how shrinking roster spots, delayed recruiting timelines, and the rise of older, more physical college rosters have completely reshaped the path for high school players. They also break down: Why 2028s and 2029s must stop chasing exposure and start chasing development How automated emails and showcase noise overwhelm families — and what actually matters What college coaches REALLY look for: the outliers, not the averages Why physicality and strength are now the great separators How to build a proactive development plan at home (not just pay for more events) The role of social media, video quality, and communication in today’s recruiting The truth behind “fit, need, and opportunity” at every level — D1, D2, D3, NAIA, JUCO This episode is loaded with actionable advice for parents and players who want clarity instead of chaos in the recruiting process. Andy delivers honesty, experience, and perspective every family needs to hear. Sponsored by: ⚾ Bluebook Sports — The most comprehensive directory in sports. Download Bluebook today! 💪 CorVive Nutrition — Elevate your performance with 30% off your first order using code BLUEBOOK . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 4

In this episode of the Coach Beede Podcast , Walter Beede delivers one of his most direct and eye-opening breakdowns of what today’s high school athletes and parents are truly facing in today’s college baseball landscape. Fresh off a Texas scout day loaded with talent and conversations from coaches at every level — Division I, II, III, NAIA, and JUCO — Walter lays out the truth: the recruiting world is changing fast, and families must adapt. With MLB draft rounds shrinking, roster caps tightening, and the transfer portal about to explode again this December, Walter explains why the jump from high school to college is bigger than most realize. He breaks down rising standards in size, speed, strength, and skill, the surge in JUCO and NAIA competitiveness, the growing importance of base-running IQ, and why many families misunderstand exposure versus being ready . Walter also challenges parents to build real plans — including gap years, academic priorities, and realistic pathways — instead of chasing shortcuts in a system that’s becoming more demanding every year. A must-listen for every parent, player, and coach navigating the modern recruiting environment. Sponsored by: ⚾ Proline Training Balls — Trusted by college programs and MLB athletes. Use the promo code in the description for 15% off. ⚾ Bluebook Sports — The most comprehensive directory in sports. Download Bluebook today — it’s free! 💪 CorVive Nutrition — Fuel your performance with 30% off your first order using code BLUEBOOK . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 6

In this hard-hitting episode, Coach Walter Beede exposes the truth about today’s college baseball recruiting world — what’s changed, what hasn’t, and what families absolutely need to understand. From shrinking roster spots and the transfer portal to JUCO growth and the reduced MLB Draft, Coach Beede explains why the game has taken a full-speed left turn — and why physicality, preparation, and mindset now matter more than ever. Learn what college coaches really look for, how high school players can stand out, and what separates those who make it from those who don’t. Real talk. Real experience. No fluff — just the truth behind college baseball today. 🎧 Sponsored by ProLine Training Balls — the official training ball for serious hitters and fielders. Get yours today at ProLineTrainingBalls.com and use code BLUEBOOK for a discount. 📲 Powered by Bluebook Sports — the connected network for athletes, coaches, and organizations. Download the Bluebook Sports App and get in the book today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 30

Presented by: ProLine Training Balls — the trusted choice of MLB and elite programs nationwide. Get game-real flight and durability for both baseball and softball training. Bluebook Sports — Download the app today and connect directly with college programs, coaches, and recruiters nationwide. Episode Overview: Walter Beede dives into one of the most talked-about topics in amateur baseball — the recruiting crisis that’s unfolding as college rosters fill up and top high-school players are forced to decommit or delay their dreams. Joining Walter are two of the most respected voices in the game: Rob Bruno , founder of NorCal Baseball, one of the nation’s premier travel organizations. Sergio Brown , Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator at USC , former shortstop for Cal State Fullerton’s 1995 National Championship team. Together, they tackle the changing landscape of recruiting — from the shrinking MLB Draft to JUCO alternatives, the rise of the transfer portal, and why physical development and patience are now more important than ever. Key Highlights: ⚾ Why early commitments often fail — and what to do instead. 💪 The real reason strength and conditioning matter more than showcases. 🎓 How JUCO and DII/DIII programs are becoming the new development hubs. 🔁 The impact of the transfer portal and NIL on high school recruiting. 💡 Actionable advice for the Class of 2026 and beyond. Call to Action: 👉 Download Bluebook Sports today to explore every college program, connect directly with coaches, and take control of your recruiting journey. 👉 Train smarter with ProLine Training Balls — the choice of champions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 23

On this episode of the Coach Beede Podcast , host Walter Beede breaks down what families need to understand about college baseball recruiting in today’s new era. From building a foundation in 8th–10th grade to understanding the portal, JUCO path, and realistic timelines for exposure, Walter gives families a clear, no-fluff playbook for getting recruited the right way. Key points include: What coaches are actually looking for in high school players Why hitting and speed remain the top tools recruiters value How to build strength, size, and skill the right way The new reality of JUCO and transfer portal recruiting Why game reps don’t replace smart development 🎧 Sponsors: ProLine — Train with the best. Use ProLine Balls trusted by top programs. Baseball Bluebook — The official directory of baseball since 1909. CorVive — Get 30% off your first order with code BLUEBOOK . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 16

On this episode of the Coach Beede Podcast , host Walter Beede tackles one of the most urgent topics in amateur baseball — the massive changes coming to the NCAA recruiting landscape. With the transfer portal, JUCO competition, and roster turnover shifting faster than ever, Walter delivers an unfiltered, straight-shooting message to families trying to navigate the chaos. Key topics include: The end of traditional LOI timelines and how recruiting calendars have changed How JUCO and portal players impact high school athlete opportunities The reality of camp invites — what matters and what doesn’t Why physical development and adaptability now matter more than showcase stats How families can position their athlete to compete in a rapidly changing system 🎧 Sponsored by ProLine — train with the best balls in the game — and Baseball Bluebook , the official directory of baseball since 1909. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices