The Five Tool Baseball Podcast

Ep 162 (presented by HITFORTH) - Recruiting/Scholarship changes and more with Loden Sports' Matt Pajak

Is now the worst time ever to be a high school baseball player hoping to be recruited by a D1? Loden Sports co-founder Matt Pajak joins Dustin McComas to discuss the upcoming changes to college baseball's scholarship limit for D1 programs and roster sizes and how that impacts high school players. Plus, the two highlight examples of big league players who didn't take the traditional power conference route, and discuss the importance of athleticism, speed and how to measure it with the help of Loden Sports. 

Ep 161 (presented by HITFORTH) - A Podcast Update... We're Back!

No, the Five Tool podcast didn't disappear. We're back. Dustin McComas shares a very quick update about the podcast and previews what to expect ahead. 

Ep 160 (presented by HITFORTH): Alex Bregman WS, Pudge Rodriguez WC winners, standouts and much more

Drew and Dustin took a brief break from being at a baseball field and are back with plenty to talk about. The two discuss the top teams, performances and 80 players who caught their eye during the recent Alex Bregman 15U World Series and Pudge Rodriguez 16U World Classic. Plus, the two give their thoughts on the College World Series, the Texas Longhorns job and more. 

Ep 159 (presented by HITFORTH): TXHSBaseball Playoffs; Recruiting Advice; Marucci, Twelve, HPBA Notes; College Baseball

Dustin and Drew are back and pack a sandwich because they have a lot to talk about. The two discuss the Texas high school baseball regional final results and look ahead to the state tournaments. Plus, they share some recruiting advice for players sand coaches this time of the year and some things players should be paying close attention to. Dustin shares player observations from his trip to Houston to see Hunter Pence Baseball Academy, Marucci Elite Texas and Texas Twelve while Drew takes you through what's happening in college baseball's postseason. 

Ep 158: TXHS Playoffs game reports, bracket thoughts and much more

Dustin and Drew return and have a ton of playoff baseball to talk about. The two share their thoughts from seeing the following teams: Dripping Springs, Rouse, Alamo Heights, China Spring, Burnet, SA Johnson, Westwood, New Braunfels, Navasota, Boerne, Flower Mound, Jesuit, Forney, Whitehouse, Pearce, St. Pius X, Central Catholic, Prestonwood, Concordia Lutheran, Prosper, Lovejoy, Hallsville. Plus, they discuss the action in California, Arizona, Hawaii and look ahead with some Texas playoff projections. 

Ep 157 (presented by HITFORTH): Playoff Game Reports, Notes, and More

Dustin and Drew managed to see eight playoff games last week and are back with reports from all of them. Teams mentioned: Dripping Springs, Cedar Ridge, Buda Johnson, Round Rock, Smithson Valley, Rouse, Lake Travis, Westwood, St. John's, Houston Christian, Kinkaid, Episcopal, Walnut Grove, Frisco Wakeland, Rockwall-Heath, and  Rowlett.

Ep 156 (presented by HITFORTH): Five Tool National Showcase Director and college baseball coach Josh Simonis

Five Tool National Showcase Director Josh Simonis joins the podcast. Owner of No Doubt Showcases and an assistant coach at Ottawa University in Arizona, Simonis explains what players/families can expect from Five Tool showcases and preseason IDs. Plus, the two discuss important advice for families going through the recruiting process and why it's critical to make IDs/showcases affordable with proper media coverage and college coach access. 

Ep 155 (presented by HITFORTH): TXHSBASEBALL Playoff Picks and Preview

Dustin and Drew give their Texas High School Baseball playoff picks and preview the action across 6A, 5A, 4A, 3A and 2A. 

Ep 154 (presented by HITFORTH): Big-time pitching performances and reports on uncommitted seniors

Dustin and Drew are back with plenty of reports from live games and the pitching performances were often excellent. Teams included: Highland Park, Richardson, Hebron, Flower Mound, Tivy, Pieper, McCallum, Bowie and Lake Travis. Plus, the two describe three uncommitted senior pitchers and look ahead to the playoffs. 

Ep 153 (presented by HITFORTH): Updated 2024 Five Tool Texas 55 and more game reports

Dustin and Drew provide commentary after the updated 2024 Five Tool Texas 55 was released. They provided thoughts about the toughest decisions, newcomers, the race for No. 1 and why certain positions and types of players are rated higher by pro scouts than others. Plus, the two shared some game reports about Southlake Carroll, JJ Pearce, Rockwall, Prestonwood Christian Academy, John Paul II, Smithson Valley, Boerne Champion, San Antonio Johnson, Reagan, Elkins and Fort Bend Travis.