We sat down with CSN Pitching Coach, Bryan Gidge, to discuss a variety of topics that will provide some insight into the current Coyote pitching staff and knowledge for our Nevada prospects to trying to stay prepared as baseball is set to come back in the near future. Coach Gidge has helped mold players ranging from unknown walk-ons to high levels bounce backs into legit professional and Division 1 prospects using today's latest technology, in TrackMan, to help break down the areas needed for improvement and increased consistency, speaking volumes to the benefits of this data retrieval system provides.

Following our discussion of the current state of the CSN pitching staff we dove into a handful of topics that would apply to our Nevada prospects. Coach Gidge broke different throwing programs they have set for their pitchers in the three different "seasons" including the preseason, in-season and off-season programs, the program's bullpen formats as well as warm-up and cool down routines to maintain proper arm health. These notes should give prospects, throughout our state, an idea or plan on how to approach each throwing session with a proper pre, intra and post throwing routine. 

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What does your throwing program usually entail? Every person is different, but what are you trying to get your guys to achieve during their throwing session?

Our throwing program changes daily and weekly.  We always have a plan before the week or day begins.  We may be working on balance, locking in the back hip, separation etc. that will dictate the throwing for that day.  We have days were the pitchers have a build day in which they get max arm speed at 250-300 feet.  This is not an every day routine.  Most days we stick to 200-250 feet and throw through our partners’ head.  Our goal for our throwing program is conviction. Every time we pick up a ball it’s for a purpose.  You cannot pick up a ball and throw it with out a care then expect to become the pitcher you want.  Excellence comes with routines and repetition.  

What does the CSN pre-throwing routine consist of? Do you have certain pitchers that deviate from that plan because they know of certain exercises that work for them?

Our pre-throwing routine consists of static and dynamic stretches with some mobility and stability aspects involved.  I do not have a one size fits all pre-throwing routine.  We discuss the importance of a routine and go through different types of routines.  I don’t believe that one routine can fit every guy.  I have guys that like to run a lot before; some do plyo balls (I am a big fan of these).  Regardless of the routine we discuss what we are doing and why.  I want guys to find a routine they like and will stick to. Our bodies and joints need to be warmed up and loosened up before we can ever pick up a ball.  Beyond the physical portion of warming up we are mentally warming up as well.  Some guys like to see pitches in their heads and some like to see batters.  Feeling confident and ready for the day.  When its time to get on a mound it’s a workday so we teach our pitchers how to turn on that switch to compete.  We never throw to warm up, we warm up to throw.  Every ball thrown is done with conviction.  

Before a bullpen, what type of warm up do you have your players go through to achieve their best performance in their bullpen?

I like our guys to stick to the same type of routine for a bullpen as they would for a game.  If they want to do plyo balls before they throw then that’s what they will do.  A pitcher for us never comes to the bullpen before they have done their warm-up and catch play.  The catch play may involve grip catch, flat ground, or a mechanical drill designed to get their mind ready to compete.

What would a typical bullpen session entail? 

We run bullpens differently than most teams.  We have some mechanical portions of the pen yet we mainly throw competitive bullpens.  The pitcher will throw pitches according to counts and what type of hitter they are facing.  We could be working on sliders that day so the pitcher will throw wipeouts, pressure sliders and back foot sliders of lefties/righties.  These bullpens we talk about tunneling our pitches and angles.  How to angle pitches and tunnel them is important for the pitcher to understand how to attack hitters.  We also challenge our pitchers to throw pitches they may not be comfortable with.  We can’t call a pitch in a game if that pitch has not been worked on over and over.

After throwing a bullpen or in a game, is there a cool down routine your players go through?

After a scrimmage or bullpen we have a stability and mobility routine our guys do.  This gives them time to wind their minds down and build on the places we need.  If a pitcher is not mobile enough or stabile enough we cannot ask our pitchers to hold positions through the delivery.  Every pitcher is different and needs individual adjustments along the way.  A skinnier pitcher that is limber may need more stability exercises then a stronger pitcher and vice versa.  

On a gameday, what is the pregame routine that you have set for your guys?

On a game day the routine is what they have already set for themselves.  We spend a lot of time knowing how much time we need to warm up our bodies and mentally warm up.  My job on game day is to manage time for the pitcher.  He knows how much time he wants to throw and how long he will need in the pen.  We will change things if need.  The relievers know to leave the starter alone on game day and let him prepare how they need to.  When a pitcher leaves the pen they have physically and mentally thrown their arsenal and are ready to compete.  

The College of Southern Nevada continues to develop high level arms with the plans and routines noted above. Coach Gidge has dived into the metrics and data analysis movement that has taken place over that past few years and has seen his staff flourish because of the availability to pin point what is causing success or struggle in a pitchers delivery or pitch arsenal. Since 2015, the Coyote program has produced three pitchers taken in the top 6 rounds and have the potential to add to that total with two power arms in Jonny Cuevas and Chase Silseth that are eager with the potential to hear their names called in this year's MLB Draft. 

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2024-2025 RISING STARS SHOWCASE

The PBR Nevada Rising Stars Showcase is coming Wednesday, June 24th to Desert Oasis High School. The event is open to Class of 2024 & 2025 Prospects. 

This event will have four main functions. For most participants, this will be their first showcase event - an initial step toward achieving a player’s baseball goals. Part of this event is educational. There will be a lecture about what scouts look for, how to comport themselves, what to expect in the recruiting process, and the overall landscape of playing at the next level. The second function of this event will be for players to create baseline numbers for themselves to improve. The third reason for this event is for PBR to have an in-depth look at the best young players and the future of the state.  The fourth function of the event is to identify players to represent Nevada at the PBR Junior Future Games held at LakePoint in Cartersville, GA.

PBR Junior Future Games Selection Process

The Junior Future Games Trials will be used to identify players to represent Nevada at the 2020 PBR Junior Future Games at LakePoint. The PBR Junior Future Games is national event that will take place July 29 - August 2 at LakePoint in Emerson, Georgia. The event will run in accordance with the PBR Future Games, which attracts over 300 college coaches from across the country.

The 2020 Junior Future Games will feature the best 2024 & 2025 prospects in the country. Players will participate in a pro-style workout and game-play during the duration of the event.

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