We had the opportunity to interview former Central College Baseball Player and current New York Yankees Minor League Hitting Coach Jake Hirst. Jake provided great insight into his career. Enjoy!
Question: What is your current role in the Yankees organization and what does that entail?
Jake: I am the rookie league hitting coach for the Yankee’s West team in the Gulf Coast League. The job entails working with the organizations younger players who are receiving their introduction to professional baseball. As a hitting coach my primary objective is to develop future major league hitters.
Q: What is your gameday routine?
Jake: When I arrive at the complex my first task is to review video from yesterday’s games. This is followed by a few meetings to confirm the schedule and organize personnel responsibilities for the day. Following our meetings, we begin early work, for some this is hitting, for others it may consist of defense. This involves individualized work aimed to improve specific areas of an athlete’s game. This is followed by a team workout consisting of offensive rotations and batting practice, as well as team and individual. Batting practice is then a time for our hitters to apply their work from the small group setting. Following the workout, there is typically down time for lunch prior to the day’s game.
Q: How has your experience playing at the college level helped in your role?
Jake: Playing college baseball allowed me to develop and strengthen my ability to work toward things which I am passionate. I was never the most talented or athletic player on the field, so where I lacked in God-given ability I compensated for with diligent preparation. The same principle applies in my current role. When attempting to develop a good hitter to a sustainably great hitter the methodology should not be reactionary, but rather a deliberate progression.
Q: In what ways did your time at Central prepare you for a career in baseball?
Jake: Apart from the on-field lessons mentioned in the previous question, the course-work and practical experience I received at Central was invaluable. Whether it’s anatomy and kinesiology, physiology, or strength and conditioning the real-world application of these principles was at the forefront of the curriculum. Moreover, research was built into the course-work and additional independent endeavors were encouraged. These opportunities allowed me to begin looking at baseball through a non-traditional lens of player development and think critically regarding long-held methodologies.
Q: How did a role with the Yankees become possible?
Jake: For me to be where I am countless events took place that were simply out of my control—in short, I had the right conversations, with the right people, at the right time.
The more embellished story begins during my time at Central College where I majored in Exercise Science. Following my freshman year, I was offered the opportunity to return to Assumption High School to help coach hitters and outfielders. I accepted the opportunity, although not expecting much to come from it. At this point my plan was to become a physical therapist, and therefore coaching was more so a means to an undetermined end. After completing a handful of the shadow hours required for PT school, I concluded that it was not the route for me. Some minor soul searching shifted my gaze toward strength and conditioning, and therefore took the steps required to become a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) in the winter of 2016.
Fast forward to my senior year and the commencement of my job searching. Countless applications were completed for baseball and strength and conditioning internships and graduate assistantships, but with avail. As a last-ditch effort, I applied for the Master’s of Exercise Physiology program at Saint Ambrose University, and was accepted into the inaugural cohort. Being back in my hometown afforded me a few connections which resulted the opportunity to coach hitters at Augustana College, and sports performance at a local gym.
My first season with the Vikings came and went and the end of my master’s coursework was drawing near. During the fall of the 2018-2019 college season my plan was to remain as the hitting coach at Augustana but decided to throw out a handful “long shot” applications, with the simple aim of getting my name out. In addition, I attended the Slugfest Coaches Clinic which allowed me to network with professional and college personnel alike. At Slugfest, the weekend culminated with a conversation with Yankee’s Hitting Coordinator, Dillon Lawson. One thing led to another and I before I knew it, I was a Yankee.
Q: What are a few things about working in baseball that you know now that you wish you knew before working in baseball?
Jake: There is a lot more down time than I remember when playing. Therefore, being able to use this time productively is huge. Even if it is just 10 minutes here and there, micro-dosing projects, reading, or video work will serve to beneficial in the long run.
Q: What advice would you give a current college student wanting to work in baseball?
Jake: As a general piece of advice, I would suggest first and foremost finding the intersection of your passions and your strengths. At this intersection you will likely find your highest level of potential contribution. Rather than trying to recreate yourself for a given title within baseball, or any field for that matter, find a way to add value considering your naturally occurring talent. I’m not a mathematician, I also don’t find math enjoyable, therefore becoming a statistician isn’t a viable option. Baseball is going through a transition where previous playing experience is beneficial, but not necessarily a requirement. At the end of the day the question will be where and how you can bring value to an organization.
Q: What would Yankees coach Jake Hirst say to Central baseball player Jake about his hitting?
Jake: Looks great, sign here please!
That wraps up this interview. We would like to thank Jake for taking the time to do the interview, you can check out more of Jake's work on his Twitter (JakeHirst15).
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