In episode 55 of The Layback Podcast, Jacob Kmatz, a minor league right-handed pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays and Oregon State alum, shares his journey from Albuquerque to professional baseball. He discusses his early days in baseball, the challenges he faced during college, including injuries, and his experience being drafted by the Rays. Jacob also delves into his offseason training, work with Albuquerque Baseball Academy, the importance of analytics in pitching, and the influence of his wife on his career. The conversation highlights the dedication and hard work required to succeed in baseball, as well as the personal aspects of being a professional athlete.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Jacob Kamatz06:22 The Journey Begins: Early Days in Albuquerque11:28 High School Recruitment and Commitment to Oregon State17:23 Freshman Year Experience at Oregon State24:49 Sophomore Year Challenges and UCL Injury30:07 Recovery and Lessons Learned31:13 Rehab and Team Dynamics33:22 Draft Process and Team Success34:58 Joining the Tampa Bay Rays36:40 Offseason Training and Development40:23 Velocity-Based Training and Pitch Design42:03 Finding the Right Training Facility44:31 Improving Pitching Mechanics48:34 Insights from Christian Wonders51:36 Balancing Analytics and Game Performance56:54 Personal Life and Relationships
