Congratulations to the UCLA Bruins who are headed to the College World Series! Jaeger Sports student Trevor Bauer pitched "six solid innings" for UCLA on Saturday in a dramatic win against Fullerton.
UCLA baseball players celebrate after they beat Fullerton to reach the College World Series. photo:AP Photo/Jason Redmond
Tigers pitcher Joel Zumaya has "blazed back" this season and his "new lease on life" is the subject of an excellent profile by the Detroit News. Joel is currently 2-0 with a 1.95 ERA and 32Ks in 32 innings for the Tigers.
In the minors, Padres prospect James Darnell is recovering from a hand contusion. He's been on rehab in single-A Fort Wayne where he went 2-4 on Sunday. James is expected to rejoin AA San Antonio this week.
Brewers prospect Evan Anundsen should make his first start of the season this week for the Class A-Advanced Brevard County Manatees (their real slogan: "Fear the sea cow!").
Scott Beerer, a former All-American pitcher at Texas A&M who appeared in 89 games mostly as a reliever, has reinvented himself as a hitting Rockies' OF prospect. His 2009 numbers: .385/.443/.594 Minorleaguebaseball.com has a great article on his transition from the mound to the outfield. Click the picture to read it.
Jeff Kobernus has five multi-hit games so far this season for the Hagerstown Suns (Nationals' A). And Jeff, Washington's 2nd-round selection in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, has yet to commit an error at second base.
Spring (Training) is in the air: Photo's from Alan's recent trip to Spring Training
Alan with Nolan Ryan at the Rangers complex in Surprise, Arizona
Alan, Michael Montgomery and Dave Montgomery
San Diego Padres James "Repulse the Monkey" Darnell meditating at home plate
Alan with San Diego Padres Anthony "Grimes" Bass
Channel 4's (Padres) Jenny Cavnar interviewing James Darnell after Rockies game
Turn about is fair play: Alan having fun interviewing Jenny
James Darnell Sr., Amy Jackson and Alan
Brian "Weesy" Wilson in deep contemplation (maybe about that 2 year extension?). Congrats!
Alan with White Sox' Mark Kotsay and Tim "Flan" Flannery at the rehearsal for the "Wood Jock" Benefit that featured Flan, Bernie Williams, Gordon Beckam, Bronson Arroyo and hosted by Barry Zito and Jake Peavy, who also performed.
Up Close: Let's go golfing -- Alan with Padres Scout Scott Lonergan
Sue with current Toronto Scout and former Cub's GM Ed Lynch
Let the YadhtriB Ytrap (that's Birthday Party backward) begin!!! March 19 at our "local" in Scottsdale, Frasher's Restaraunt (Thanks George)
Dave Montgomery, Joe Zito, Barry Zito and Alan
Alan, Cynthia Darnell, Sue, James Darnell Sr, Anthony Bass, Ryan Tacker, James Darnell, Chris Gruler
Scott, Alan and Angels Scout and Baseball Legend Bill Pintard
Group Shot! Brittney Pintard, Lily, Alan, Brok Butcher (Angels) and Susan Jaeger-Turner
Graham Miller (Dodgers), Alan and David Iden (Dodgers)
Former student Chris Gruler (Reds) , Alan and Sports Illustrated writer Jonah Keri
Michael Montgomery (Royals), Alan, Anthony Bass (Padres) and James Darnell (Padres)
Jaeger is a proponent of having pitchers throw as far as they can. Many of his students throw from 360 feet. His program seems extreme to most major-league teams and coaches, as the common practice is having pitchers throw from 120 feet. Jaeger believes that 120 feet limits a pitcher’s ability to reach his potential.
"Over the past 15 years of working with baseball players, I can tell you that if you take the time and distance constraint restrictions off a player, quite simply, their arm will have a chance to grow and evolve naturally," Jaeger said. "Over time, this process allows the arm to maximize its strength, endurance, and recovery period; over time, players tend to be more athletic and intimate with their arms. And yes, even mechanics can be benefited through proper training when long tossing."
Jaeger represents one side of the long-toss paradigm, but he faces significant opposition in MLB. One front office executive, who asked not to be identified, sees many problems with throwing from the seemingly extreme distances.
The 2010 Off-Season Pro Camp just came to a conclusion. Once again, we had an amazing group of new and returning players join our camp this year, including players from the states of Colorado (Jason Hirsh/Evan Anundsen), Kansas City (Justin Page), Texas (Ryan Tacker) and San Diego (James Darnell/Anthony Bass). Returning players Chris Seddon, Michael Montgomery were joined by Ryan Platt, Graham Miller, David Iden and Pitching Coach Scott Lonergan. See Photos below.
Studio Group Shot Back Row: Chris Seddon, Mike Montgomery, Jason Hirsh, Scott Longergan, Justin Page Front Row: Ryan Platt, Alan Jaeger, Graham Miller, Jim Vatcher, Ryan Tacker
Baseball Field Group Shot Special appearance by Stuuuuuuuuuu Jaeger (back row, far left)
Ryan Platt (Brewers) in "Warrior 3"
Chris Seddon (Mariners) and Alan in "Warrior 3"
Scott Lonergan and Justin Page in "Up Dog"
Michael Montgomery (Royals), Jason Hirsh (Yankees) and Alan in "Warrior 2"
Ryan Tacker in "Reverse Right Angle"
Chris Seddon in "Toe Stretch" (Sedasana)
Anthony Bass (Padres) and James Darnell (Padres) doing Arm Circle
and their J-Bands
Speaking of J-Bands, Jason Hirsh and Evan Anundsen (Brewers) in action
as are Ryan Platt, Michael Montgomery and Chris Seddon
Jim "lengthening" Justin Page's side
Graham Miller getting a pointer from Scott Lonergan
Here comes the sun -- to the field we go -- Jim taking the boys through Arm Circles
Chris Seddon and Mike Montgomery get started for their Long Toss Throwing Program at Birmingham HS
A lighter moment -- "Seddy" playing around
Speaking of lighter moments -- Ryan Tacker chilling out
