johnny graham

Coaching baseball, selling Saas, and flipping homes

[johnny graham @jdegraham2]

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

[Chase Edwards @chase_edwards47]

Stats from yesterday’s double header vs Yakima Valley:

4-9 (.444), 2 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB

Video of 2-strike single vs lefty:

[johnny graham @jdegraham2]

First fix and flip is on the market. About time. Working on a write up that will summarize what worked, what didn't, and what I need to do for the next one

https://t.co/fL14jTQum6

[Stanford Baseball @StanfordBSB]

TEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDYYYYYYYY!

@TeddyTokheim's second homer of the game is a go-ahead three-run shot 😤

📺 » ACC Network Extra | #GoStanford

[Walla Walla Sweets @WWSweets]

We are excited to announce Leo Rivera as the next Head Coach of the Walla Walla Sweets!

Full Story: https://t.co/1Jg7xvaaGX

[johnny graham @jdegraham2]

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

[Anderson Miller @AndersonLMiller]

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.

[johnny graham @jdegraham2]

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

[Prep Baseball Washington @PrepBaseballWA]

𝐖𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐎𝐍 𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

'𝟮𝟲 𝗢𝗙 𝗝𝗔𝗞𝗢𝗕 𝗙𝗢𝗪𝗟𝗘𝗥

The senior was seen at the Seattle Summer ID - Session II this July⤵️

🔗 https://t.co/wZq64psATT

@Jakobfowler14

[johnny graham @jdegraham2]

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

[SkillShow @SkillShow]

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

[Chesapeake Baysox @BaysoxOfficial]

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

[William Rohrbacher @WillRohrbacher]

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

[johnny graham @jdegraham2]

@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

[Chase Edwards @chase_edwards47]

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

[Chris Clegg @ChrisCleggMiLB]

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

[Cody Fowler @CodyFowlerHit]

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!

[William Rohrbacher @WillRohrbacher]

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.

[johnny graham @jdegraham2]

Almost that time of the year again

[Bloomsburg Huskies Baseball @BUHuskiesBase]

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

[johnny graham @jdegraham2]

@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