Episode 99 of The Layback Podcast welcomes Chloe Walker as she shares her journey from a high school student looking for something to do, to her current role as the Director of Pitching Development and Baseball Operations at Gardner Webb University. Chloe shares her passion for baseball analytics and massive personal growth she has experienced thus far in her short career. She discusses the importance of data interpretation in player development, the challenges of overcoming skepticism towards analytics, and the balance between team success and individual player development. Chloe also reflects on her transition from professional baseball (New York Mets / Baltimore Orioles organizations) to college coaching, the baseline needs of building an analytics department on a budget, and the significance of curiosity and problem-solving in the field. The conversation concludes with insights into the differences between pro and college baseball, and a light-hearted moment about her beloved shelter dog, Lucy.

Denton Sagerman, Assistant Coach for the University of Indiana Hoosiers baseball program, steps in for episode 98 of The Layback Podcast. His unique role on staff includes heading up player development, assisting the pitching staff, overseeing the catchers, and working deeply on scouting and analytics. Given Sagerman's background in aerospace engineering, naturally the conversation goes a mile deep on pitch design, arsenal creation, and ball flight. Later in the show, conversation spans into the rehab and development realms, discussing the individual characteristics and needs that must to be considered in throwing programs. Capping things off, Sagerman outlines IU's high hopes for the upcoming 2026 season addresses the departure of Dustin Glant and recent hire of Matt Myers.

Layback host, Adam Moreau, runs through a few points from the Nextbase presentation at the 2025 Wake Forest Player Development Seminar that needed some special attention. Two specific topics got the most love in the episode - the supposed second valgus load of the elbow, or ghost torque, and the lower moment of inertia (MOI) ball for spin development and training. These two topics are both novel and unique, thus they deserved their own dedicated time.