Baseball is BACK! That’s right! Pro baseball is set to start up at the end of July, and we couldn’t be more thrilled! If you were thinking what we were thinking when you heard, it went a little something like this, Yes! Baseball is back! I can’t wait! Wait, I’ve done nothing but binge-watch Netflix. I’m winded after walking to my kitchen for more snacks! Will I even make it up the bleacher steps? I wonder how the players are doing. I’m sure they’ve been training this whole time. I should have been training this whole time...

We were right! The players have been training during the COVID-19 break. But just what have they been doing to stay in tip-top shape for when the season resumes? We asked Rob Kaminsky, a pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, Harrison Wenson, a catcher from the Los Angeles Angels organization, Ryan Shinn, an outfielder and first baseman in the New York Mets organization, and Hobie Harrison, a relief pitcher in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, what their “off-season” training looked like.

How Have You Stayed In Shape During the COVID-19 Break?

Kaminsky: It’s been harder to get my work in, but it is possible. I’ve made the most of it. I ordered home gym equipment and have not really missed a step.

Wenson: My brother, father, and I built a gym in our garage that includes a squat rack, free weights, pull up bar, TRX resistance bands, rowing machine, bike, treadmill, etc. The LA Angels training staff sends us workouts to complete four times a week with Wednesdays as a mobility day. Monday and Thursday are lower body days, while Tuesday and Friday are upper body. I do a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workout on Saturday and Sunday to keep my cardio up. I am playing long toss in my backyard (3 acres) three days a week and throwing to bases twice a week. I hit every day in my garage off a tee or front toss from my brother or dad. I have recently been able to go to a facility and hit live pitchers and off machines. This routine has allowed me to stay focused every day and have a plan.

Shinn: During the COVID-19 shutdown, there have definitely been some significant modifications to my normal training regimen. With gyms and physical therapy (PT) facilitates shut down, I have been forced to get my workouts and PT for my hip surgery done in other ways. Mostly bodyweight HIIT workouts in my yard and throwing bales of hay and straw (I live on a farm). For PT, I have a formatted plan that I have to follow, and I need to be disciplined in following it daily to come back from my injury stronger than I was before. 

Harris: I have stayed in shape using my off-season training regimen of lifting 3x a week, conditioning 2x a week, and mobility work on Saturdays. While my trainer’s gym was closed, I utilized medicine balls, banded resistance training, and bodyweight training techniques.

How Have You Utilized Nutrition In Your Training Regimen?

Kaminsky: Yes! We have been cooking healthier meals ever since the quarantine, and I feel great.

Wenson: Nutrition and sleep are the most important things when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. My eating habits have stayed clean, but there always has to be a balance. The pandemic has brought the inner chef out of me, and I am thankful for that. Getting at least 8 hours of sleep is important during the season but also helps when you are training hard. I am a big juicer and love celery, beet, and cherry juice. They all have different nutritional values.

Shinn: I always try and find a silver lining. And with this COVID-19 quarantine, it would be easy to let yourself lose control and snack all day and eat poorly. But I have used this time to prepare healthy meals daily, stick to a clean diet, and try out new recipes to mix things up. In addition to food, I have taken the time to better my nutrition in other ways as well, researching methods and products that could benefit my overall health.

Harris: I have utilized nutrition to help maintain my muscle mass and keep my weight around 210. By utilizing post-workout proteins, eating carbs and lean proteins, and getting natural sugars from fruits, my body has felt full of energy and very strong.

What Supplements Do You Take to Help Give You an Edge and Why Did You Choose That Supplement?

Kaminsky: I try to get my vitamins from foods, but sometimes it doesn’t happen. I take a multi-vitamin, Vitamin D, Creatine, and EyePromise®.

Wenson: I only take a few. I probably need to step up my game with them.

Shinn: Because of that research, I realized how important eye health is. For me as a professional athlete and just a person in general, eye health is so important. Blue light rays from your phone and laptop, sun rays, and all of that can affect the short- and long-term health of your eyes. So, I decided to try out Vizual Edge Pro™ as a proactive approach to eye care.

Harris: I choose to take C4 pre-workout and C4 BCAAs. The pre-workout gives me an energy boost, and the beta-alanine helps keep me driven through the entire workout. The BCAAs help replenish electrolytes, keep me hydrated, and keep me from hitting a wall after I train. I also take creatine to help hold weight and build muscle mass. Post-workout protein powder helps me maintain my weight. Taking it right after I lift, I can take advantage of my anabolic window and get the most out of my protein.

After Taking EyePromise Vizual Edge Pro, Have You Noticed a Difference In Your Performance?

Kaminsky: I’ve been taking EyePromise for 3 weeks now and feel good. I’ll continue using it daily! I’m enjoying the benefits of an NSF Certified for Sport product to help with my on-field and off-field vision.

Wenson: Vizual Edge Pro was first brought to my attention by Tommy La Stella (LA Angels infielder/all-star) and then by my eye doctor a couple of weeks later. It is not something that you take and see instant results, but if it is taken for a while and routinely, then the results are amazing. My eyes have never felt so reactionary and quick to pick things up. I feel more comfortable in the batter’s box and catching behind home plate. I am able to pick up the spin of the baseball more consistently, which ultimately brings confidence and with confidence, anything is possible.

Shinn: I’ve taken it for 3 months now and have noticed a few things. First, my eyes don’t get that throbbing feeling after a long day of looking at a laptop/phone. Second, my eyes feel much more comfortable outside without sunglasses than before. Before Vizual Edge Pro, I would squint constantly in the sun. That is extremely important for me as a baseball player because, during day games, it is often very bright at the plate. I do not like hitting with sunglasses on, so my eyes being more comfortable without them is very beneficial. I can’t wait to see more positive outcomes as I continue taking Vizual Edge Pro.

Harris: After using Vizual Edge Pro, I have felt more clarity in my eyes. My eyes don’t get cloudy; they always stay sharp when I’m on the mound, and they are more reactive whenever I have to field my position or really locate a pitch. I definitely recommend it as a product for anyone who wants to get that competitive edge!

Thanks to Rob, Harrison, Ryan, and Hobie for sharing their impressive COVID-break training regimens! We have not kept ourselves in as good of shape, but we’re excited to see what the season holds for them! Opening day is scheduled for July 23 or 24. Tune in to catch the action!

Learn more about adding Vizual Edge Pro to your training regimen.