Onsted Varsity Baseball Coach. Former Pitcher at Adrian College. #35. Fitness Addict. Triathlete.
Adrian
Joined April 2011
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Holden Branch retweeted
Had a great visit and conversations with Coach Rainey and Coach Sullivan @AdrianBaseball
Even got to see Coach @HBranch35 name on the record board! @OnstedBaseball
Holden Branch retweeted
2027 3B/C Jack Tessier
@adrianlookouts
Tessier chops this one to the SS hole and legs it out for an infield 1B.
#michiganchamp #pb39
Holden Branch retweeted
2027 SS/RHP Lucas Arnold
@lukea511 | @adrianlookouts
Arnold lines this one into CF for the RBI 1B to put the Lookouts on the board early.
#michiganchamp #pb39
Holden Branch retweeted
Players: Before you worry about getting recruited by colleges, make sure you make your varsity high school team. Not only make the team, but you should be owning the high school game. Don't be delusional & think you will get looks if you aren't tearing it up in high school. High school guys that make waves as soon as they step on campus as a frosh are usually hitting .450 plus with multiple homers in high school & have the tools to go with the stats.
Holden Branch retweeted
Bat weight suggestions by grade level:
• High School = -3 BBCOR (required)
• 8th grade = -3 (give them a whole season to prepare for the bat weight required in HS.
• 7th grade = -5
• 6th grade = -8
• 5th and lower = -10
Obviously every kid is different and these are just suggestions. I personally think this becomes most important in those 7th and 8th grade seasons. The transition to a -3 as a freshman can be quite a shock if they’ve only been swinging a -10. Also, if a player is strong enough at the younger ages to go to a heavier bat, no need to hold them back. Heavier bats can be good for encouraging proper swing mechanics too.
**There are some states who have middle school (7th & 8th grade) baseball programs that require -3 BBCOR bats. If this is in their future, get a -3 bat in their hands sooner than later. That can be a huge adjustment those late bloomers at those ages.
Holden Branch retweeted
Another view of @luk3manders grand slam.
Absolutely crushed.
Holden Branch retweeted
Going to be a big time addition to a lineup at the next level!
2025 C Luke Manders
Team Toledo 2025 | @luk3manders
Absolute no doubter Grand Slam homerun to left field
#pbnwofc #pbr35
Holden Branch retweeted
Sitting back recognizing curve and sending it pull side for a knock off a mid 80s arm @onstedbaseball @HBranch35 @mchdscout_17 @coachott7 @CoachBezel @coachCrainey
Holden Branch retweeted
Players & parents... if you need a reality check on the current recruiting landscape in college baseball, here it is. Hint: it isn't getting any easier.
Impending D1 baseball roster changes will cut the current 40-man spring roster down to a 34-man yearly roster with no scholarship limit. That's around 1,800 spring roster spots in D1 baseball that will no longer be available.
Then you have to factor in the fact that the fall roster is often higher than the spring roster cap. Redshirts, guys that are cut, etc. Let's assume the average D1 program is bringing in 45 guys (just an estimate... some schools have fall rosters below 40 and others are above 55). That is another approx. 1,500 guys that will no longer have a spot in the fall at a Division 1 program.
That's plus or minus 3,300 spots that will no longer be available in D1 baseball. That's an almost 25% decrease in D1 opportunities.
Then we look at the trickle down effect from level to level. The 35th-50th+ guy on the roster at the Power 4 school will now be making his way to a mid-major school. The 35th-50th+ guy at the mid-major school will make his way to a different school, and so on...
There is a consolidation of talent that has already occurred in the past few years with shortened MLB Draft, NIL money, & the transfer portal. And an even greater constriction is on its way with these new roster changes.
College baseball at every level will be more competitive than ever. With smaller rosters, coaches will be less likely to "gamble" on young players, players with bad track record, and players that aren't physical enough. Coaches won't have the luxury of recruiting 8-20 non-scholarship guys to be ready for depth purposes, redshirt spots, etc.
If I could give one piece of advice to families going through the recruiting process right now... take the ego out of it, go find a place that you will enjoy being on campus & have an opportunity to develop and play. An opportunity at any level is an opportunity to develop, produce, and prove yourself.
Mid-major D1, D2, D3, JC, NAIA.... you name it. There is good baseball being played everywhere. Guys at every level of college baseball are getting opportunities at high level programs.
Production is the name of the game. Get better, produce, prove that you are deserving, and don't expect any handouts along the way.
@KendallRogers
@aaronfitt
@Mike_Rooney
Holden Branch retweeted
Kid can do it all! JT will be a contributor at the next level. Always a tough out!
2025 OF JT Hill
@adrianlookouts
Lays down a bunt and legs his way to first for a single
#pbmuc #pbr35
Holden Branch retweeted
@64xavierr goes the distance against Elite Baseball 17u.
7IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 0 ER, 7 K.
@adrianlookouts win 3-1 over Elite Baseball 17u.
Holden Branch retweeted
🚨 MLB Defense: Bucket Tagging Drill
• Let the ball travel - Don't reach for it
• Catch the ball over the base & drop the tag down
• Smother all picks right into the tag
⭐️ Catch the ball first. Most mistakes happen when we try to initiate the tag too soon.
Holden Branch retweeted
Red Sox Triston Casas making a physical adjustment with 2 K’s by widening his base. Something worth experimenting with in BP. We are in 2 K counts in 50% or more of our at bats. What % of the time do you practice hitting with 2 K’s? Do you make a physical or mental adjustment?
Holden Branch retweeted
Dugout Culture
• Position players, study the opposing pitchers. Look for patterns in pitch selection. Tells in their delivery. How they handle hold times and pick off moves with runners on. See if they pay attention to the runner on third.
• Pitchers, study the opposing hitters. Are they on time with the load phase of their swing. What do they chase with two strikes. Do they swing first pitch. Does their approach change with runner on vs no runner on. Are they a base stealer.
• Position players, pick up your teammates. Know where everyones hat and glove is and when they are the last out of the inning someone be ready to take their stuff to them (unless they are the catcher).
• Coaches, they are watching. Your body language, your energy, your support. Establish a culture of responsibility and accountability. Be the example of what you preach.
• Pitchers, if there is a long inning (with your team batting) make sure to keep your body moving. With two outs do some band work, arm circles or maybe even go to the bullpen to play a little catch. Keep that arm loose.
• Catchers, unless you were at bat, on base or on deck, make sure you are ready to go when that third out is made. Team, if your catcher needs to get their gear on, make sure some is ready to go out and warm up the pitcher.
• All Players, talk baseball. There is plenty of time away from the field to goof off. Create an atmosphere of supporting one another. Watching the game together. Cheer your teammates on but be careful letting your “cheers” be the only thing you’re thinking about. The dugout is a place to prepare for your next opportunity.
• Everyone, bust your butt to your position. NO WALKING out to your position!!
Holden Branch retweeted
Parents
Coaches and teachers that don't have high expectations for your child and-or don't push them to be the best version of themselves are a waste of time.
