162 - Andrew Cresci - You fail more than you win in baseball

Andrew Cresci is the Hitting Coach for the Houston Astro. Focusing on the development pathway, Andrew's role is to develop players ball striking ability with the aim of them having success ready for Major League progression.

Michael Wright and Andrew Cresci had a wide-ranging conversation covering various topics related to sports coaching and player development.

The conversation also touched on the evaluation process for baseball talent and development, including the challenges of identifying talent in different competition levels and the importance of player development. They discussed the differences between scouting in the United States and internationally, as well as the strategies used by different organizations to identify and develop talent. They also explored the challenges and pitfalls of youth development in sports, particularly in baseball and football, and advocated for a shift in priorities towards the development of well-rounded individuals who enjoy sports for the sake of the experience.

Michael and Andrew also delved into the topic of what makes a good hitter, discussing the importance of output ceiling, bat-ball skills, and decision-making. They explored the challenges of measuring these skills and emphasized the importance of finding good coaches who have the interest of the children at heart and can help players develop their skills to reach their potential. Finally, they discussed the role of data in baseball coaching, particularly in player development, and the importance of focusing on the process and identifying areas of improvement, rather than just the outcome.

Show notes

Evaluating Baseball Talent and Development

Andrew Cresci, a minor league coach for the Houston Astros, explains the evaluation process for baseball talent and development, including scouting, player projection, and the challenges of identifying talent in different competition levels. He also discusses the importance of player development and the success of the Houston Astros in scouting and player development.

Youth Development in Sports

Andrew Cresci and Michael Wright discuss the issue of youth development in sports, particularly in the United States and Europe. They agree that the focus should be on positive experiences and skill development rather than the unrealistic goal of becoming a professional athlete. They also discuss the challenges of pay-to-play models and the vested interests of some academies.

Characteristics of a Good Hitter and Measuring Them:

Michael and Andrew delve into the specifics of what makes a good hitter, including the importance of output ceiling, bat-ball skills, and decision-making. They also touch on the challenges of measuring these skills and how they vary depending on the environment and competition level, with baseball being a reactive sport.

Using Data in Baseball Coaching

Michael Wright and Andrew Cresci discuss the challenges of using data in baseball coaching, including the need to balance data-driven models with real-life player development. They explore how coaches can use data to identify weaknesses in players and create personalized programs to help them improve. They also discuss the importance of communication and minimizing the difficulty of the task at hand for players.

Understanding Success in Baseball Metrics

Andrew Cresci emphasizes the importance of understanding success beyond just box score stats and how metrics can help players and coaches identify areas of improvement. He also discusses the role of luck and randomness in baseball and how it can affect a player's success.

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