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.

Today, we will go over Part 1 of the interview that discusses the MLB Draft hopefuls on the current staff as well as the arm that we should be looking forward to as sophomores this next season. Also, he breaks down the use of the TrackMan System that is set up at their facility and the benefits that his players get from the technology which will be the same benefits our players will receive at all future Prep Baseball Report events. 

After working with a handful of top round Draft arms in recent years, how does Chase Silseth compare to those who have come before him?

Chase is ready to take the next step.  When Chase got to us he had an electric arm and didn’t know what to do with his body.  His FB splits were 89-97.  Our goal for him was to teach him how to efficiently use his body so we could shorten the gap of his FB.  Having that big of a gap shows how important organizing the body is during the delivery.  His ended up being 92-95 up to 96/97 every outing.  His slider was something he wanted to develop.  His slider ended up being his put out pitch.  Chase is right up there with some of the best we have ever had.  He is a hybrid between Phil Bickford and Mikey York.  He is able to throw an electric FB and command 4 pitches.  He has a competitive side just like York had, a refuse to lose mentality.

How does Johnny Cuevas stack up?

Johnny Cuevas is in his own category.  He is a two-way player for us.  As freshmen he played 3 games and we would pitch him in game 4.  I believe this took a toll on his body at times.  This year we threw him game 2 of a 4 game series.  Johnny’s growth on the mound is off the charts and still not even close to what he could become.  Johnny came in 89-91 and left touching 95-96.  He was a tremendous student of pitching.  He learned how the body is supposed to work and ran with it.  He is a very quick learner, a super athlete.  Johnny has a very high ceiling in pitching.  An organization is going to love having him.  

Are there any other arms in the system that you are expecting to make some big leap on the mound in the upcoming season?

I would say there are 3 arms I am excited about for next year.  Sam Page, Kris Bow and Jack Sellinger.  Sam was a big game pitcher for his state championship high school team in AZ.  He came in banged up so we had to shut him down for a month. He just never recovered from being behind.  He has a FB up to 91 with a plus change and evolving breaking pitch.  Kris Bow is going to be a monster.  KJ jumped from 89-90 to 94-95.  KJ has elite spin rates on the mound.  Teaching him how to use these spin rates correctly and what ride means was very important.  So many pitchers lean how to throw at the knees their whole lives, a guy with ride has to pitch up in the zone.  KJ is going to be the next big star.  Jack Sellinger is coming off TJ a year and half ago.  Jack was always a two-way player and making the transition to a pitcher only took its toll.  He didn’t have an outlet like batting practice to take frustrations out or take his mind off pitching.  Jack was up to 94 before TJ with limited off-speed pitches.  Jack now has 3 pitches and has ticked back up to 91.  Every day of learning for Jack is opening up one of the best pitchers that I have ever coached.  He makes things look easy.

How have you used the TrackMan System to help improve the performance of your staff?

The trackman has been proven to be a great asset for us.  We can see spin rates and decide how certain guys need to throw.  I also like to pay attention to release height and release side.  I like to see if certain pitches are being adjusted in their delivery.  Every guy is different as to release distance to the plate and or extension.  Shaping sliders/curveballs the trackman has been huge for us.  Knowing the spin axis on these pitches to see when the pitcher has the best break and speed is a game changer.  Every pitcher is different and finding baseline numbers is the key to using the trackman to its full potential.  Taking these numbers to the bullpen is challenging since we do not have a rapsodo or trackman in the bullpen.  That is where the work is done.

Part 2 will be available tomorrow and will include throwing programs for each season (off-season, preseason, in-season) for our Nevada prospect to be able to learn from and apply to their own game. We will also look into bullpen formats as well as warm-up and cool down routines to ensure proper recovery following any live or simulated action.

--

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.

related content