Life in the Minors: Chapter 10 -- Coaching

Episode 10: Coaching

Brooklyn Cyclones

By Joey Dayon

            With less than 20 games left for the Brooklyn Cyclones in the New York Penn league season the Cyclones sit in last place and continue to struggle. This week we caught up with some of the Brooklyn youngsters to ask them about the coaching they have received this year and in throughout their careers. We also asked about the coaches that have helped them get to where they are today as well as push them to where they need to be.

    Brooklyn Pitcher Kurtis Horne leans on his pitching coach Royce Ring to help him keep his confidence high and fix any mechanical issues he may have. He also credits his Dad for a lot of his success at a young age and for being the best coach he has ever played for. If he could play for any coach in the world, it would have to be his Dad.

     Cyclone Jeremy Wolfe depends on manager Edgardo Alfonso to keep him even and not get too high or too low. When needing to make adjustments at the plate, Wolfe turns to hitting coach Sean Ratliff to help him make key adjustments.  When Wolfe talked about whom he would want to play for if given the opportunity to play for an all time great, he replied with fiery and passionate coaches Casey Stangel, Yogi Berra and Joe Torre. Not bad choices there Jeremy.

     For all of these players coaching has been a huge part of their success and will continue to be very impactful in their careers.

Hudson Valley Renegades

By Jon DeBaro

            Playing baseball at a professional level takes a lifetime commitment. Any ball player serious about their big-league aspirations works tirelessly to enhance their skills to edge out the competition. For the Hudson Valley Renegades, coaching is an important element behind each player’s grind to the majors.

Every ball player is a product of the coaching they’ve received since their little league days, a reason Renegades pitcher Ivan Pelaez credits his high school and college coaches for letting him have fun playing the game he loves. Pelaez is also receptive to a more direct and straightforward coaching approach, which he experienced during his time in the Gulf Coast League, when it comes to his mechanics.

When it comes to coaching advice, Pelaez’s fellow Renegades pitchers Nick Padilla and and Tobias Myers most value their coaches’ pointers about the mental side of the game: staying relaxed and focused on the present.

As he’s transitioned to catcher this season, Zacrey Law has leaned on Renegades manager Craig Albernaz, a former catcher himself, for help learning a new position. Myers also had high praise for the Hudson Valley skipper, who he’s enjoyed playing for since being traded to the Renegades from the Baltimore Orioles’ system.

With constant guidance from coaches at all levels of the game, these Renegades are well positioned to achieve their goal of reaching the majors. All these guys are grateful for their coaches’ dedication to them and their careers, and what better way to thank them then to carry on what they’ve learned to the big show.