Mark Bell's Power Project From Powerlifting to Pro Baseball: Eric Cressey on Building Elite Athletes
Jun 18, 2025
Eric Cressey, a renowned strength and conditioning coach and Director of Player Health for the New York Yankees, shares invaluable insights on athletic performance. He discusses the integration of powerlifting principles into baseball training and highlights the importance of mobility and rotational capacity. Cressey emphasizes injury prevention techniques, particularly for common shoulder issues, while critiquing traditional lifting methods. He also explores the significance of individualized training and the impacts of early sports specialization on young athletes.
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Avoid Early Sports Specialization
- Avoid early sports specialization before puberty; play multiple sports to build athleticism and protect growth plates.
- Baseball throwing adaptations depend on early exposure and natural bone retroversion preserving shoulder external rotation.
Footwear for Natural Strength
- Use minimalist but padded footwear like Palova to allow natural toe splay and foot strength.
- Proper footwear enhances foot mobility and protection during running and sprinting activities.
Baseball Faces Injury Crisis
- Baseball injury rates have skyrocketed due to specialization, excessive throwing, and a velocity arms race.
- Injuries occur earlier, with younger athletes having multiple surgeries, risking career longevity.
