Black Diamonds pitcher improves self with Athletics Tread training

Sallisaw Black Diamonds baseball pitcher Brock Streun wanted to better himself before he begins his college career at Crowder College in Neosho, Mo., with whom the 2024 graduating senior signed in May. So, Streun spent the last half of June at Athletic Tread in Charlotte, N.C., doing so from a pitching perspective. Streun arrived on June 15 and began his two-week training June 17. His final day of training was June 28. “Immediately when I got in there, there’s this huge facility,” Streun said. “There were so many kids working out. I found my coach, and he gave me a tour of the facility — and this was the first day.

“After that, we immediately got me warming up, stretch and do my normal dynamic warm-up — then, warm up my body and get ready for throwing. Monday (June 17) was my medium day, then we went straight to plyos (plyometrics regiment), which is like weighted balls. He would watch and video me. He gave me a few little adjustments to do, and I got those adjustments down. I was throwing like an 87 or 88 (mph) with the weighted ball, just standing there and throwing it. He said, ‘You look really good throwing. Tomorrow, we’re going to throw a bullpen and see where you’re at.’” Then, came Day 2 of training. “Tuesday (June 18), I did the same routine dynamic warmup, then plyos,” Streun said. “Then, I got over and threw my bullpen. I was just kind warming up throwing, and I hit 93 (mph) on like a little shuffle, and I felt really good because I barely threw it. My first pitch of my bullpen was 94.6 (on throwing a fastball). Then, I was sitting at 94 for the whole bullpen (session), and then I hit a 95. I really felt good throwing. Before then, I was sitting at 91 and topping at 92. Then, I got there sitting at 94 and topping at 95. My slider was around 82 to 84, and my change-up was around 83 to 85 — they both were super good. I felt like I got a lot out of it.”

At the end of Week 1, Streun did some bullpen work.

“I threw a sub-max bullpen on Friday (June 21),” he said. “Friday was a light day, like 80 to 90 percent. I was sitting at 90 to 91 (mph) at 80 to 90 percent. I was thinking, ‘I’m really starting to really click things together and feeling good.’ I was throwing a lot of strikes.”

After enjoying down time that weekend, it was back to work for Week 2 of training.

“After that, I took the weekend off, and threw medium on Monday (June 25) and threw another bullpen,” Streun said. “My body was a little sore, and I wasn’t throwing like I was Tuesday (June 18) because I kept throwing and lifting. I was sitting around 92 to 93 (mph), topping at 94. I could tell my body was a little off, but I could tell I was throwing way harder than I did when I first got there — and I was throwing strikes. My slider looked pretty good. My change-up looked really good. Colleges (who were in attendance) started to slowly notice that. They posted my video and noticed me. I got out there a little more, and that was amazing, too. I already have some more college interest to schools I really like going into my first year at Crowder.”

Streun said that during his senior season his change-up was averaging 81 to 83 mph and his slider around 77 to 80 mph. The training was solely training as a pitcher as Streun has been hitting on his own time this summer.

When Streun signed with Crowder in May, he said that at least to begin his college career that he will be doing both pitching and hitting until the time comes where he will have to choose one over the other. Last month’s two-week training at Athletic Tread opened his eyes to what he can do if he just pitches.

“As of right now, I’m still undecided,” he said. “After Charlotte, it opened my eyes, and I realized just how much I can develop as a pitcher and progress further into pitching. I’m a lot more built for pitching. I would have more success in the future about pitching, but I’m still undecided. I’m not going to let down the bat because I’m naturally good at hitting, so I’m not going to let down the bat until I like absolutely have to — until like they (Crowder or another college) say we just want you for pitching, then, I’d go pitch.”

Streun definitely has seen improvement in his pitching prowess since his high school career ended when the Black Diamonds’ season ended in the Class 4A Regional Tournament finals.

“My senior season, I was doing really good — I was throwing (my fastball) at 93 (mph), and I still felt good,” the soonto- be Crowder freshman said. “I was getting banged up with little injuries. I felt like I was out of whack because I wasn’t throwing as much. I was still throwing pretty hard, but it was like things weren’t clicking. Ever since I got done with high school ball and on to training (with Athletic Tread), I feel a lot healthier. Everything is starting to click. I’m throwing super easy and throwing a lot of strikes. I got a lot better arsenal. Overall, I think from senior year to now, I’ve developed a lot. It’s like helped me elevate my game to a whole new level going to training.”

While Streun knew he had the athletic ability to do well at the collegiate baseball level, going to the two-week training last month at Athletic Tread has made a difference in that aspect.

“There was definitely a difference, compared to before I went to Athletic Tread and after,” Streun said. “Before, I really didn’t know how good I was going to be, but I knew I’d get a lot of playing time (at Crowder) and pitch and develop. I didn’t know how far I could develop because I was stuck at a certain point. I was going to go there (to Athletic Tread), but I didn’t feel as smooth and as confident in myself pitching. After I went to Athletic Tread, I got a lot more confidence in me pitching, recovery and being healthy. I have a lot more confidence going into my freshman year (at Crowder). Colleges are starting noticing me. That also gives me a lot of confidence that I can go take this to the next level and be really good going forward. The main difference is I have a lot more confidence in myself now.”

Needless to say, the two-week trip to Charlotte to train at Athletic Tread indeed was a true business trip and not a vacation.

“It was basically a business trip,” Streun said. “I did go see some things, but I was really focused on recovering and throwing — and just focus on the next day. It was kind of like a vacation, but it really wasn’t. It was mostly a business trip for sure.”

Streun thoroughly enjoyed his twoweek training and highly recommends it for anyone who is thinking about going to play college baseball.

“I had an amazing time,” he said. “I would recommend if anyone can go there, I’d do it.”