Post By: Scott Abramson

CJ Whalen, pitching coach for the Delta College Mustangs is clearly doing something right as his pitchers are number one in strikeouts and top five in ERA (Earned Run Average) in the Big 8 Conference. Just to add to the resume, they also allow the second-fewest hits in the state of California. He shares his advice, experiences, and knowledge in this episode of The Prospect Blueprint.  

Develop Guys and Moving Guys to the Higher Level

Rick Dempsey: “What do you do that gets guys so excited to play for you”

CJ Whalen: “We cover every aspect of the game in our daily routine”

Slow The Game Down and Trust Yourself

Kelly K: “What are the issues with pitchers and how do you deal with them?”

CJ Whalen: “It's all about slowing things down, trusting their ability to play”

Related: Don't Strike Out in Your Recruiting Process: 5 Tips for Baseball Recruits

Keeping Guys in Condition

Rick Dempsey: “How do you condition these guys to pitch?”

CJ Whalen: “I sync their running up with their throwing and lifts”

Be emotionless toward the umpire

Rick Dempsey: “Do you talk to your players about how to react to umpiring?”

CJ Whalen: “Be emotionless on the mound towards umpires, whether it's a call you hate or love”

Behind every great pitcher is a great pitching coach. Delta College Pitching Coach CJ Whalen shared his advice, knowledge, and experiences on this episode of The Prospect Blueprint.

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* Originally published on May 24, 2023, by Prospect Blueprint