What Happens When You Face a Big Leaguer with Barrel Control
Most young athletes think elite hitters are built like machines—but sometimes, it’s the regular-looking guy who embarrasses you. In this story, Brannon Snead reflects on facing 12-year MLB veteran Reggie Jefferson—and watching him flatten a brand-new ball with a wood bat.
FROM TRAINING TO TRIUMPH - WHAT MILITARY AND SPORTS TEACH ABOUT LEADING, WINNING, AND GROWING IN LIFE
Coach Leo Young
12/11/20252 min read
The At-Bat He’ll Never Forget
Brannon Snead was in college when he faced Reggie Jefferson, a pro hitter who had returned to Tallahassee to stay sharp.
Reggie wasn’t built like Dean Palmer or David Ross—no massive frame or show-stopping size.
“Reggie just looked normal… but man, that cat could barrel it up.”
Brannon threw him a curveball and caught him way out in front. But then came the fastball.
“He hit that thing so hard, the ball came back and looked oval. I picked it up—it was brand new. I had never seen that before.”
👇 Have you or your athlete ever played against someone who didn’t look like much—until they lit you up? What did it teach you about judging talent? Share your story in the comments.
It’s Not Always the Loudest Player Who’s the Most Dangerous
What makes elite hitters different?
It’s not flash. It’s not muscle.
It’s barrel control.
Brannon grew up around great players. But that moment taught him something new: the best hitters don’t chase highlight swings—they consistently find the center of the barrel.
Reggie Jefferson didn’t need to look intimidating. His bat did the talking.
“You couldn’t use that ball again. That’s how hard he hit it.”
Even Pros Struggle with the Curve
There’s one moment that brought Brannon comfort—and kept him grounded.
“He couldn’t hit the curve. But who can? Nobody hits the curve well.”
Even elite hitters have flaws. What separates them is how they respond after missing—and how quickly they adjust.
Why This Matters to Sore to Soaring
At Sore to Soaring, we teach our players that you can’t judge talent by size, flash, or noise.
The real skill is execution, timing, and repeatability—especially under pressure.
We prepare athletes to:
Stop relying on appearance and focus on skill
Train with intent, not ego
Respect experience and learn from the ones who’ve already made it
We’re not here to create hype players.
We’re building athletes who understand the game at a deeper level—and chase consistency over attention.
👉 Learn how we train athletes to show up when it counts:
www.soretosoaring.org
Disclaimer:
The content shared is for informational purposes only. This is not a judgment of any person or program mentioned. All names and events are discussed from personal memory and are not meant to accuse or endorse. The goal is to share insight from lived experience.
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#BarrelControl #AthleteMindset #TrainToCompete #RealBaseballLessons #MLBStories
#TallahasseeBaseball #PlayTheRightWay #LuposBaseball #FromSoreToSoaring
