Stop Chasing Early “Stars”: How Coaches and Parents Develop Late Bloomers

What does it take to stick with baseball when you’re undersized, overlooked, cut, or “behind” everyone else?

In this episode of Unleashing the Baseball Mindset*, Dr. Kyle Stull, Coach Dylan Gautreaux, and Coach Chris Pike sit down with *Andy Pendleton to unpack a development journey that every player, parent, and youth coach needs to hear—from being a 4th-string catcher and equipment manager to finding a path on the mound, earning college opportunities, and eventually coaching a group of kids from 10U all the way into college (including a drafted player).

This is a candid, practical conversation about what actually develops ballplayers over time:

Why late growth spurts change everything—and why youth evaluations often miss future studs
The real issue behind pitching + catching (hint: it’s not just “arm safety,” it’s workload and preparation)
How overuse and year-round schedules quietly derail athletes across sports
Why kids should play multiple positions and multiple sports (and how that translates directly to high school tryouts)
Coaching strategies that build “grit” without crushing confidence—plus how to handle emotions after failure
The parent/coach communication reality: timing, expectations, and the “24-hour rule” after games

If you coach youth baseball (or parent a player), this episode will challenge the “win-now” mindset and give you a more sustainable framework: develop the athlete, protect the body, grow the competitor, and keep the love of the game alive.

Subscribe for more conversations on performance psychology, athlete development, and practical coaching that actually transfers to the field.

Topics include: youth baseball development, late bloomers, high school tryouts, specialization, arm care, workload management, multi-sport benefits, mental toughness, and building culture.