Elite Baseball Development Podcast Pinch Hit Friday #70 - High-Low Models for Pitchers: the Why and How
Mar 20, 2026
Discussion of structuring high and low workload days for pitchers to optimize recovery and availability. Explanation of common scheduling mistakes and a simple rule to reduce cumulative stress. Practical five- and seven-day plans for mixing intense work and spa-like recoveries. Tips on what to avoid and recovery modalities to supercharge low days.
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High-Low Model Balances Stress And Recovery
- High-low modeling alternates concentrated high-stress and restorative low-stress days to optimize adaptation and recovery.
- Eric Cressy says this lets you get the same training stress while recovering sufficiently to reduce overuse risk.
Overuse Drives Major Time Lost For Pitchers
- Overuse is the predominant injury mechanism across youth and pro levels, with UCL injuries costing pro pitchers ~1.5 years.
- Cressy emphasizes recovery must get equal focus to training to keep arms healthy.
Corey Kluber Introduced Mark Pro To Cressy
- Eric Cressy recounts how Corey Kluber introduced him to Mark Pro and used it to throw 200 innings year after year.
- That personal adoption drove Cressy to test Mark Pro with athletes and report consistently positive feedback.