On this episode of Dirt From the Dugout, Karl Ravech and Justin Musil welcome former big-league reliever Adam Ottavino, who pitched for the Rockies, Yankees, Mets, and more over a 15-year career. Ottavino breaks down just how unhittable modern pitching has become, pointing to the explosion in repertoire size, pitch design, and sheer volume of arms hitters now face. He traces his own path from a Brooklyn kid obsessed with emulating big leaguers in Wiffle ball games to a late physical bloomer who got DH'd for as a high school freshman second baseman, through the growth spurt at 15 that finally let his skill catch up to his body.

Ottavino opens up about the mentors and tough-love coaches who shaped him, the advice that convinced him to turn down signing out of high school in favor of Northeastern, and how playing up against older, more advanced competition in New York's travel ball scene toughened him for the grind ahead.

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On this episode of Dirt From the Dugout, Karl Ravech and Justin Musil welcome former big-league reliever Adam Ottavino, who pitched for the Rockies, Yankees, Mets, and more over a 15-year career. Ottavino breaks down just how unhittable modern pitching has become, pointing to the explosion in repertoire size, pitch design, and sheer volume of arms hitters now face. He traces his own path from a Brooklyn kid obsessed with emulating big leaguers in Wiffle ball games to a late physical bloomer who got DH'd for as a high school freshman second baseman, through the growth spurt at 15 that finally let his skill catch up to his body.
Ottavino opens up about the mentors and tough-love coaches who shaped him, the advice that convinced him to turn down signing out of high school in favor of Northeastern, and how playing up against older, more advanced competition in New York's travel ball scene toughened him for the grind ahead.
Join our growing community today! <a href="https://theparentdugout.com/">https://theparentdugout.com/</a>&nbsp;
Subscribe to the podcast! <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dirt-from-the-dugout/id1895617382">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dirt-from-the-dugout/id1895617382</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0TYMMgoNypFpff5xMkBI98">https://open.spotify.com/show/0TYMMgoNypFpff5xMkBI98</a>&nbsp;
Follow our social media channels for more content! <a href="https://x.com/dirtfromthedug">https://x.com/dirtfromthedug</a>

ESPN’s Karl Ravech and Justin Musil launch Dirt From The Dugout, a podcast as part of their groundbreaking ecosystem, The Parent Dugout. The Parent Dugout provides unmatched resources and strategies to demystify the often overwhelming journey of youth and high school baseball. Hear expert advice through interactive discussion to help empower parents navigating through their kids’ baseball journeys.

ESPN&rsquo;s Karl Ravech and Justin Musil launch Dirt From The Dugout, a podcast as part of their groundbreaking ecosystem, The Parent Dugout. The Parent Dugout provides unmatched resources and strategies to demystify the often overwhelming journey of youth and high school baseball. Hear expert advice through interactive discussion to help empower parents navigating through their kids&rsquo; baseball journeys.

Dirt From The Dugout

Part 1 | Adam Ottavino on Mentors, Mistakes & Making the Majors

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/db197f42-b99f-44ef-aaf8-b4db00139b62/transcript