johnny graham

Found an old Word document I was working on in college, writing everything I learned about player development and what I wish I knew when I was in HS. Will finish it over the summer and will be INCREDIBLY thorough

We are excited to announce Leo Rivera as the next Head Coach of the Walla Walla Sweets! Full Story: buff.ly/vQpBL9n

Progress so far. Painted it voyage blue with Swiss coffee trim

This is a long tweet worth reading. for context purposes (this is my former HS coach asking the question) I would say ball flight will tell you if a “swing change” is necessary. Regardless of age level. Focus on ability to consistently drive the ball through your pullside gap against different tests in your practice. Without hook, without slice. True backspin. This goal will expose & fix all “swing” problems in order to accomplish the task. Because true backspin to Pullside gap requires basically perfect swings. My entire HS career I only hit 1 HR. 1st team all state? Yes. Hit over .400? Yes. All Century Team @ WKU? Yes. 9 year minor league career w/ big league camp invite? Yes. But through my entire career my ball flight was consistently low. In HS. In College. In Pro’s. Always hit more GBs than fly balls. Especially Pullside. And most of my home runs went every except right center gap as Left Handed Hitter. Obviously, no one was thinking like this and holding it to that standard. I definitely wasn’t. But now in reflection, realizing that it wasn't a work ethic issue, it wasn't an intelligent issue, it wasn't an athletic or skills or tools issue, it was my inconsistent ball flight issue that kept my swing from being able to play at the major league level. So I guess I have deduced this idea based off the fact it was the one thing I couldn’t consistently do even when I tried. So now I just hold every hitters swing accountable to their ability to hit it there. If you can’t consistently drive the ball through your poolside gap consistently off the tee. Front toss. off of arm BP. off of machine. There is probably work to do with your swing regardless of your age level. Hindsight is 20/20. But that's how I would say it if you know your swing has work to do or not Obviously, the difficult thing is figuring out how to channel a "perfect" swing into an in-game approach and hit with it. And not be so obsessed with doing that in games that you get yourself out and pull off the ball. Which is why I say the closed skill side of hitting is fairly easy. Building a swing that can create consistent pullside gap backspin is pretty straightforward However, the open skill side is difficult. Game planning, approach in different situations, timing, effort levels, figuring out how to hit in an unpredictable environment in games is where a good coach truly shines. But pursuing consistent Pullside gap backspin at roughly 10-25° ball flight eliminates all swing flaws. It’s simple with no room for interpretation. It solves problems & is a consistent benchmark to measure the swing on any given day, at any given level. Baseball, softball. It’s the same as “can you hit the golf ball perfectly straight down the fairway consistently?” If a golfer can’t, they’ve probably got work to do before they can’t expect to compete on the PGA Tour. Hitting is no different. Hope that makes sense. TLDR: If your swing can’t consistently drive the ball through your Pullside Gap without hooking or slicing in your daily work. Your swing has work to do. Regardless of age level. If you can do that, your “swing” is good. Then it’s time figure out how to “hit” with it in-games & challenge it against high velocity & extreme shapes because in the MLB 100mph & 95mph SL will become the new normal sooner than later. Perfect & simple swings are the only way that are ready to hit from the setup are the only way for hitters to counter the extreme velocity & movements. Pitching is too good now there’s less time than ever now. Room for “individuality” is dwindling. Which is why swings have to try & be perfect now, in my opinion. The good news? I think it can be taught. That’s my job.

@OkSwings @PeterAttar33 @BSPbaseball @XenPenny you just opened my eyes. i thought baseball-fever and HSbaseball web were the only ones from that era

@PeterAttar33 @BSPbaseball @XenPenny These new-age HLPer’s pull up like they’ve uncovered baseball’s lost scrolls. Meanwhile, it’s the same recycled jargon…coil around, snap, tilt, laser the ball with the knob. Appreciate the HittingIllustrated.com cliff notes, champ. 👌🏼

This should have over 1K likes, but people would rather see a snap hook PR that doesn't play in the actual game.

𝐖𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐎𝐍 𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 '𝟮𝟲 𝗢𝗙 𝗝𝗔𝗞𝗢𝗕 𝗙𝗢𝗪𝗟𝗘𝗥 The senior was seen at the Seattle Summer ID - Session II this July⤵️ 🔗 loom.ly/9VAE_As @Jakobfowler14

Bought a 2/1 fixer in coastal WA. Vacant for three years, homeless been squatting doing illegal activities lol Gotta clean up and update everything. kitchen, bathrooms, lvp, paint, landscaping. new roof is big cost Planning on 3mo reno, 30-40 days on market. Flip #1 started

Andrew Mish (27 WA 3B) is a hard nosed, high energy 3B who hits for power and avg! This guy gets dirty and performs in clutch situations. @PG_PacificNW

The final line for #Orioles No. 14 prospect Nestor German here in Reading! 6.2 IP (career-high), 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7⃣ K

Excited to announce my commitment to Utah Valley University! Thank you for the opportunity Coach Rasmussen and Coach Gehring. @UVUbsb @UVUBSBRecruits @natejrazz @CoachGehring

@Kellen_the_man @LindyBoy_ Read it when I was 15 - went through the total hardo phase back then which was awesome for me. great book

@LindyBoy_ Have you read the book extreme ownership

I’m blessed bc I can mess up a million times and always land on my feet and keep going I’m cursed bc I can mess up a million times and always land on my feet and keep going It’s gonna click one day man. F*ck it, we ball

Stats from the weekend against Lower Columbia: 6-13 (.462), 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, SB, 2 BB @CCSpokaneBSB @CoachGrimes16 @PNW_CBR @PNW_Uncommitted @BUncommitted

The Baltimore Orioles roster that will face the Yankees spring breakout team. Nestor German gets the chance to shine on the big stage 👀

Fellas! You want to play ball at the next level? Great! Understand you’re competing with this ⬇️… not other 17 and 18 year olds. Plan accordingly!

Had a great time at the UVU camp yesterday. Thank you Coach @natejrazz and @CoachGehring for the opportunity. New PR exit velo of 113 mph in bp and 96 off tee.

Almost that time of the year again

How bout our guy Argo??! Way to go Coach!! 👏👊 @b_argomaniz

@SteveTeel17 challenge is when those nuggets dont click. If coach doesnt have the foundation then hes going to force the square peg to the round hole if the instructor has deep understanding, you can say the same nugget dozens of ways and 1 will click HS players, mayb dif for higher level

How simple can you keep your teaching and still get the hitter better? I’d say that’s my been my goal the last 3-4 years. I don’t want to sound smart with big words. I want to add a little nugget or 2 to make them feel something that clicks. If you’re thinking about the kinematic chain in the box you are totally screwed. I get to talk to some of the most elite athletes/movers on the planet. Why fill their brain with scientific nonsense?

@SuccessLvsClues lol mudnvine was great, always was very understanding that I was in over my head at the time. Good times back then!

@jdegraham2 I still have threads from 2005 saved on my phone from baseball fever lol boardmember. Jbooth. Mudnvine. Azmetsfan. A lot of fun contributors! Baseball Debate was one started by guys from baseball fever lol Good stuff

There are interactions on social media regarding hitting happening now in 2024 that some of us watched play out on internet message boards back in 2006-2012 or so. Lol It’s like watching remake of a good movie with different characters and a couple same main stars lol

@CC20rake Appreciate the insights Chris!

@jdegraham2 Good question. It all depends on the hitter really. I think there's a time and place... You can give yourself a round per day where you try to elevate and celebrate, but I would argue that for most hitters, they all know how to do that.

Feeling like I have to type this out. The internet is playing it fast and loose with some things as they discuss hitting. 1. Pull the ball ➡️2. In the air 3. Swing faster 4. Make good 'swing decisions' 5. Do this drill or swing 'this way'