Chris Welsh

I’m excited to announce something I’ve been building for a year — the new Baseball Rules Academy Online Rules Course. A true labor of love. The Baseball Rules Academy website remains free, but the new video-based course comes with a premium membership. Take a look 👇 …leseducation.baseballrulesacademy.com

Thanks to @DavidLaurilaQA for including me in his always excellent Sunday Notes on @fangraphs. I got to sneak in a little ditty about Matt McLain. Which player is the key to the Cincinnati Reds’ success this season? I asked that question of Chris Welsh, who is entering his 34th season as one of the team’s broadcast analysts. “When the Reds plucked Matt McLain out of UCLA in the first round of the 2018 draft, they wanted him badly enough to pay $1 million over slot at No. 17 to make him a Red,” said Welsh, a former big-league pitcher who along with serving as an analyst operates the interactive website Baseball Rules Academy. “He delivered right away, lighting it up as a rookie in 2023 with a .290/.357/.507 line, but a torn labrum wiped out his 2024 season. When he returned last year, the production wasn’t there: .220/.300/.343. The swing just wasn’t right. Right-handed sliders, in particular, gave him fits. “This offseason, McLain worked with Reds hitting coach Chris Valaika and made lower-half adjustments. The changes are subtle but important. He’s using a slightly longer bat, setting up with his left toe turned inward and, most noticeably, keeping more weight on his back leg through the swing. The added stability has him staying through the baseball and covering right-handed sliders much better. The early returns have been eye-opening. He’s been the hottest hitter in the Cactus League [.529/.571/1.020]. Fans will come to watch the 6-foot-6 De La Cruz, but it might be the 5-foot-8 McLain who makes this lineup go.”

@AMOZONS Thanks Jon. I’m ready for some real baseball

Cindy and I are excited about the new season!! I miss are chats…Hope you are well and we send our love.

Yeah, but what really happened and what's the rule here? baseballrulesacademy.com/batter-goes-de…

Ready for some @Reds baseball? Coming up right now. Join @JimDayTV and me for some afternoon baseball fun!

Whitlock / Suarez matchup. Look for it again first week of the season.

There are worse places to be…oh, and with USA/VZ dialed in…

@Bigjbunch Jeez I said Blue Angels, my bad. Thanks for the correction.

@thinkpitch Chris.... nice job today Thunderbirds at Luke AFB March 21st and 22nd

Having a beer with @thinkpitch after his hole in one, number 4, Wigwam Gold #6 @wigwamresort , congrats buddy!

On the occasion of his passing, here’s Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, and our old pal Tim Flannery singing the National Anthem. 🙏🏼

Congratulations to my friend and broadcast partner, @RedsCowboy on winning the Ohio Sportscaster Award. Well done!

@ekinn3 @Super70sSports Scary!

@Super70sSports @thinkpitch

Name a random 80s major leaguer. And, yes, I’ll start this party:

@Athletics Doesn't happen without good scouts like Rich Sparks

Congratulations to A’s Director of Scouting Eric Kubota, who has won the Tony Gwynn Lifetime Achievement Award! 💚 💛

Tonight is the night! Brookville, IN, fundraising dinner for Franklin County Baseball, a great cause. I'll be talking baseball, Reds, broadcasting and telling good stories. Please c'mon over and join us. $60 per ticket. WALK UPS ARE WELCOME!

@TheRealJeffRuby Doug is legit farmer. Others, imposters.

You became my first friend in Cincinnati. You became my first partner at the Precinct and you became my best man in my wedding. Thank you for helping make my restaurant career possible. Happy birthday brother ❤️

@TheRealJeffRuby Love this guy.

Proud of you son ❤️👏👍

Olivia Bricker WPBL draft with Boston! youtu.be/bNHFtYAFd3U?si… via @YouTube

@thinkpitch Tickets are available. We are very excited for December 11th and hope to see everyone there, should be a very fun night

Headed to Brookville, IN, Thursday, Dec 11 to speak at the annual Franklin County Baseball Dinner. It's a fundraiser, so c'mon out and join the fun. If you don't like my speech, I'll make sure you almost get your money back.

Jesse Jackson passed away this week. He was our stage mgr for @Reds TV for more than 30 years. His job was to keep order in the booth and be sure guests weren't making too much noise while we were on the air. So, instead of telling people to quiet down, he would say in a deep base tone "STAND BY." The booth would go silent. We commemorated that saying a few years ago with his own T-shirt. Love you, Jesse.