In this of the Sweet Spot Podcast, coaches Daylan Gil and Albert Carmenates sit down with one of their own youth baseball players for a candid and inspiring conversation about the game, family, and life beyond the diamond.

From laugh-out-loud stories on the field to pressure-packed moments on the mound, this episode captures the highs and lows every young athlete experiences. He shares how baseball has boosted his confidence, taught him to manage his nerves, and even influenced his decision-making in school.

More than just baseball, this conversation dives into the balance of being a student-athlete, the difference between tough love and encouragement at home, and the importance of friendships and teamwork. And when it comes to dreams? His goal is to play professionally — but he’s also ready to chase a future as a lawyer or sports agent if baseball doesn’t take him to the Major Leagues.

If you’re a player, parent, or coach, you’ll see yourself in these stories and walk away with tips on how to make the youth sports journey a positive one.

👉 Don’t forget to like & comment for more episodes that inspire and educate players, parents, and coaches.

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In this episode of the Sweet Spot Podcast, we sit down with Miguel Zulueta (@lifestyle_miami) — the founder of Lifestyle Miami, one of South Florida’s most influential community platforms.

Miguel shares how Lifestyle Miami went from a small Instagram page to a hub for culture, sports, community, and giving back. From hurricane relief efforts to toy drives, beach cleanups, and highlighting local artists, Lifestyle Miami has become more than a brand — it’s a movement.

💡 In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• How Lifestyle Miami started and the challenges of growing a niche community page.
• Why Miami’s culture and community inspired Miguel to give back in unique ways.
• The role of social media during crisis moments like hurricane relief.
• How Miguel got involved in sports and the Miami Chargers, and why giving back to local teams matters.
• The importance of mental health, balance, and learning to say no in a fast-paced social world.
• Miguel’s vision for the future of Lifestyle Miami and how community platforms can evolve.

From highlighting local talent to creating opportunities for those without access to big platforms, Miguel explains why accessibility and authenticity are core to Lifestyle Miami’s mission. This episode isn’t just about social media growth — it’s about building culture, inspiring others, and using influence for good.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we dive into our journey at the Ripken Tournament in Pigeon Forge. From traveling with the team and bonding as families, to competing on some of the best fields in youth baseball, we cover it all — the highs, the lessons, and the memories that will last a lifetime.

💡 You’ll Learn:

⚾ What makes the Ripken facilities stand out — from turf fields to professional-style setups.

⚾ Why team culture matters more than short-term wins.

⚾ Lessons kids gain when they’re put in pressure situations.

⚾ How parents, coaches, and players together shape the Sweet Spot culture.

⚾ Why creating memories — rafting, dinners, 4th of July in Nashville — builds stronger teams.

⚾ Insights from Billy Ripken on competition, family, and supporting each other.

💡 Key Takeaway: The Ripken Experience is about more than baseball. It’s about building character, strengthening relationships, and teaching kids to love the game. Wins and losses fade — but the culture and memories last forever.

👉 Have you ever been to a Ripken Tournament? Or had a youth sports trip that shaped your team’s culture? Drop your story in the comments — we’d love to hear it.

#SweetSpotPodcast #RipkenTournament #YouthBaseball #BillyRipken #BaseballCulture #playerdevelopment

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Softball isn’t baseball — and coaching young female athletes requires a completely different approach. In this episode of the Sweet Spot Podcast, Coach JC Gutierrez, Head Softball Coach at St. Thomas University (STU), shares his journey from baseball to becoming a two-time Coach of the Year in college softball. We explore the challenges and opportunities in youth softball, why early access to the game matters, and how community involvement can transform the sport for young athletes.

From his roots in competitive baseball to leading one of the top softball programs in the country, JC opens up about the unique dynamics of coaching girls, building strong team culture, and the role of mentorship in player development. He discusses why youth softball participation lags behind baseball, the importance of practicing fundamentals, and how to create more opportunities for young female athletes to succeed.

💬 In This Episode:

• Why softball coaching requires a different mindset than baseball.
• The biggest youth softball challenges and how to fix them.
• How mentorship and leadership shaped JC’s coaching career.
• The power of relationships in building winning programs.
• Why fundamentals and teamwork beat chasing early wins.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final part of our eye-opening conversation with former MLB executive Adrian Lorenzo, we unpack the deeper issues behind today’s game—from skyrocketing pitcher injuries and scouting pressure to player development pitfalls and broken team economics.

This isn’t just a conversation about WAR or fantasy stats—it’s a raw look at how baseball’s infrastructure is failing the very players it depends on. From overworked arms at the youth level to financial models that reward the wrong behaviors, this episode gets brutally honest about what’s working, what’s not, and what must change if baseball wants to evolve.

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This episode is BROUGHT to you by: *Grass: Reyes & Associates*

http://grassreyeslaw.com/

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Baseball is changing—and fast. In Part 2 of Episode 13 we continue our conversation with former MLB executive and scout Adrian Lorenzo, diving deep into the analytics-driven evolution of hitting and pitching in today’s game.

In this episode, we ask the tough question: Why is hitting so hard today?

From pitch design labs to data-informed hitting strategies, this conversation unpacks what every player, coach, and parent needs to understand in 2025.

🔎 You’ll Learn:

▪︎ How elite pitchers use analytics to dominate

▪︎ Why swing decisions and approach matter more than ever

▪︎ What stats like WAR and OPS reveal about real player value

▪︎ Why batting average is outdated—and what to track instead

▪︎ The importance of approach, pitch recognition, and hitting zones

Whether you’re a player, parent, coach, or just love baseball strategy—this one’s for you.

👉 Missed Part 1? We cover Adrian’s journey from Ivy League outfielder to MLB front office, and how collaboration and creativity shaped his player development mindset.

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This episode is BROUGHT to you by: Grass: Reyes & Associates

http://grassreyeslaw.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we sit down with Adrian Lorenzo—former MLB executive, scout, and co-founder of @Seven8SixSports —to unpack the real evolution of baseball: from scouting instincts to data-driven decisions.

Part 1 explores Adrian’s powerful journey from Hialeah to the front offices of the Red Sox and Marlins, revealing how a deep love for the game, creativity, and Cuban-American roots shaped his career in modern baseball. The conversation highlights how art, analytics, and athlete development collide, especially in a city like Miami.

We unpack the differences between scouts and coaches, the hidden art behind interpreting player value, and the challenge of simplifying advanced metrics for real player growth—especially in youth sports. Whether you're a parent, coach, or athlete trying to navigate recruiting or player development, this episode delivers real insight without the fluff.

We also dive into:

⚾How modern scouting uses data and creativity

📊 Why WAR and other metrics matter in today’s game

🧠 The key differences between instincts and analytics

🖌️ How creativity and collaboration shape player development

📉 Why many scouts still get hitting wrong (and what matters more today)

🌍 The lessons from traveling Latin America to find talent

⚾️ Adrian Lorenzo also opens up about his personal evolution—what he learned working with big-league stars like Yoenis Céspedes, and how his background in art and creativity continues to influence his work in sports today.

✅ Don’t miss part two of this conversation.

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This week, we sat down with injury prevention and performance training expert Ron Yacoub to tackle the biggest misconceptions in youth sports today.

From Coral Gables to the MLB, Ron shares 26 years of experience in sports therapy and youth development—what he’s seen, what works, and what families must stop ignoring.

This episode pulls no punches: we break down how early specialization, lack of strength training, and overuse injuries are hurting young athletes. We also dive into recovery, growth spurts, proper training cycles, and when kids need to just be kids again.

🎯 In This Episode:

• The #1 mistake parents make with young athletes

• Why multi-sport participation builds better players

• How growth spurts, poor rest, and bad nutrition lead to injury

• When supplements help—and when they hurt

• Why recovery is not optional if you want longevity in sports

This is a must-watch for any parent, coach, or player who wants to do things the right way in youth sports.

All: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi8ZKuCbe5QMYmnVot0zY_8CtOTXypGZO

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*Who are we?*

📌Daylan Gil: https://www.instagram.com/coach_daylan/

📌Albert Carmenates: https://www.instagram.com/coach__albert/

📌Guest Ron Yacoub:

Pinecrest Performance: https://www.instagram.com/pinecrestperformance

Pinecrest Physical Therapy: https://www.instagram.com/pinecrestptclinics

Follow us on our Instagram

📌 Sweet Spot Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/the_sweetspot_pod/

Listen also to Sweet Spot Podcast on:

🎙️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0jrGEMjOcKJCWyJ0j6bvqC

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.