In this episode, we sit down with AJ Gonzalez, a rising name in the world of college baseball coaching. AJ’s journey has taken him from standout player to player development leader, and now into key coaching roles at the collegiate level. Most recently, the Interim Head Coach at St. Peter’s University. AJ is now stepping into his next challenge as Assistant Coach at SUNY New Paltz.

We explore his standout playing career across programs like SUNY Ulster, Concordia, STAC, and SUNY Oneonta, and how those experiences built the foundation for his transition into coaching. From his early work with NY Silverbacks and Brewster Baseball Garage to running JV and Varsity development at Dominican University, AJ breaks down what it means to lead, to build a culture, and to help players succeed on and off the field.

AJ shares lessons from his time as a head coach, his approach to recruiting, and how he sees college baseball evolving. This episode is full of practical takeaways for young coaches, college hopefuls, and anyone who believes in the value of development over destination.

In this episode of Behind The Lineup, we dive into the value of fall ball — not just as a preseason warm-up, but as one of the most critical development windows of the entire year.

Whether you're a high school player trying to get recruited or a college athlete fighting for a spot in the lineup, this is the time to get uncomfortable, take risks, and build championship habits.

For high schoolers, especially 2026 grads, we talk about:

• Why fall reps matter more than you think

• How to find fall camps and local college programs still recruiting

• What you can do now to get on a school’s radar

For college guys, this is your time to:

• Show coaches you belong in the lineup, on the mound, or in the bullpen

• Build elite habits in the weight room, nutrition, and sleep

• Use the fall to fail forward — test your limits, dive for balls, make tough throws, steal bases, try back picks

And for coaches?
Fall is your chance to create an environment where players can push themselves without fear of failure — because if we don’t challenge them now, they won’t be ready when it matters in the spring.

Fall ball isn’t fluff. It’s the foundation.

In this episode of Behind the Lineup, I sit down with Anthony Williams, the head baseball coach at Frostburg State University, who has quietly built one of the premier programs in NCAA Division II baseball. Entering his seventh season at the helm, Coach Williams is coming off a historic 2024 campaign where he led the Bobcats to their first-ever NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional appearance, a 37–16 record, and a 24–4 mark in Mountain East Conference play, earning MEC Coach of the Year honors.

We dive deep into Coach Williams’ journey — from his playing days at Slippery Rock under legendary coach Jeff Messer, to his early coaching stops at Frostburg, UMBC, Pitt-Greensburg, and Clarion, where he became the winningest coach in program history. He also shares valuable insights from his time working in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ video advance scouting department and managing in the Coastal Plain League.

In this conversation, we cover:

• How Coach Williams built Frostburg State into a championship-level program

• Lessons from working in pro baseball and how they shaped his coaching style

• How he develops players to maximize their potential and builds a winning culture year after year

• His approach to recruiting, utilizing the transfer portal, and helping players thrive on and off the field

• What prospective student-athletes need to know about playing at Frostburg State

• His vision for the program’s future and advice for young coaches building programs of their own

Whether you’re a coach, player, or parent, this episode is packed with lessons on leadership, player development, and what it takes to build a winning program from the ground up.

In this episode of Behind the Lineup, we break down one of the most fundamental — yet most misunderstood — aspects of baseball strategy: how to build a lineup. We explore how traditional lineup construction has evolved in today’s analytics-driven game, diving deep into the roles and expectations of each spot in the order.

We compare the old-school model to the modern approach — from what it used to mean to bat leadoff or cleanup, to why the two-hole has become a spot for your best hitter. With player comparisons like Derek Jeter vs. Jeremy Peña, Joe Mauer vs. Aaron Judge, and Prince Fielder vs. Seiya Suzuki, we illustrate how philosophies have shifted over time and what coaches and players need to be thinking about when they write a lineup card.

We also explore how the bottom of the order has transformed — from a dumping ground for weaker bats to a place of strategic opportunity.

To close the episode, I share my personal 1–9 lineup philosophy and how I would build a batting order based on modern concepts and intentional decision-making.

Finally, we wrap with this week’s book recommendation — The Why Is Everything by Michael Silver — and connect its core message to today’s topic: if you’re not asking “why,” you’re probably not building it right.

In this episode of Behind The Lineup, we sit down with Marquay Mayo, Assistant Coach for infielders and outfielders at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), a D1 program in the America East Conference. A New Jersey native with experience across high school, collegiate, and professional sports, Coach Mayo has built a career around player development and winning cultures.

We start with his playing days at Centenary University and hear about his recruiting process, lessons learned, and the experiences that shaped his coaching philosophy. From there, Coach Mayo walks us through his path from high school coaching to the college ranks, sharing the challenges, adjustments, and opportunities along the way.

We dive into his current role at NJIT, where he works daily with infielders and outfielders to sharpen their defensive skills, and reflect on the Highlanders’ record-tying 27-win 2025 season. Coach Mayo offers insight into what fueled that success, the culture within the program, and what NJIT looks for when recruiting players—plus how the transfer portal fits into their long-term plan.

To close, he shares valuable advice for high school players looking to play at the college level, giving a candid look at what it truly takes to compete and succeed in today’s game.

Whether you’re a player, parent, or coach, this conversation is packed with takeaways you can use right now.

This week on Behind The Lineup, we’re diving into one of the most impactful leadership books ever written for building strong, cohesive teams – The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni.

In this episode, we break down each of the five dysfunctions that hold teams back:

• Absence of Trust

• Fear of Conflict

• Lack of Commitment

• Avoidance of Accountability

• Inattention to Results

We’ll not only explain what each dysfunction means, but also connect it directly to baseball. From clubhouse culture to on-field execution, we discuss how these dysfunctions can tear a team apart – and how great coaches and players overcome them.

Whether you’re a coach building a winning culture or a player striving to be a great teammate, this episode gives you actionable lessons to take back to your team today.

Plus, this week’s Book Recommendation spotlights The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, showing why it’s a must-read for anyone serious about leadership and long-term success in sports.

In this episode of Behind the Lineup, we sit down with Coach Joey Noro, the newly named Head Baseball Coach at California University of Pennsylvania, as he enters his 10th season with the program and first at the helm. A Pittsburgh native and former standout pitcher, Noro shares his journey from Western PA to Alabama, his transition from player to coach, and the lessons he picked up during his early years away from home.

Coach Noro offers a deep dive into:

• His path to playing college baseball in Alabama

• The turning point that led him into coaching

• His experiences developing All-PSAC arms and future MLB draft picks

• The recruiting process for high school players—what metrics matter, how to reach out, and what college coaches are really looking for

• How he built one of the top pitching staffs in the PSAC

• His vision for the Vulcans as he takes over as head coach

We wrap the episode with a book recommendation: Mindset by Carol Dweck. We explore the power of a growth mindset for coaches and players, and why avoiding a fixed mindset is essential to long-term success on and off the field.

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In this episode of Behind The Lineup, we break down the full 2025 MLB Draft—rounds 1 through 20—with a deep dive into the trends, numbers, and key takeaways for players, parents, and coaches.

We’ll cover:

• 📊 Total players drafted and where they came from (college vs. high school)

• 💪 Why pitchers dominate the board—especially RHP

• 📈 The most drafted positions across all levels

• 🧠 Key differences in how college and high school players are valued

• 🕵️ When teams are most likely to draft high school talent

Whether you're chasing the draft or developing the next wave of prospects, this episode is packed with insight you can’t afford to miss.