Things I Did to THROW HARD (Part 2 of 3) | HEAT CHECK 8

This is Part 2 of a 3-part Heat Check Series where I walk through different points in my career journey in which I threw hard. There's been 4 specific occasions throughout my journey where I threw hard, but each experience entailed completely different approaches to the same goal — so it's fun to reflect, unpack it all, and hopefully it's of value to those listening in.In this episode, I pick up where Part 1 left off and dive into the Winter of 2017 moving into 2018. I'll set the stage with the full context — Big League Spring Training with the Cardinals, getting released, Indy ball, Hurricane Maria hitting Puerto Rico, and then the specific mechanical approach that unlocked some of the best stuff I've ever had. This one gets into the loading phase, Hector Barrios, and the biggest lesson I learned about trust in this game. Experience-based, not absolute. Hope this helps someone!👇Part 1 of “Things I Did to Throw Hard”Apple PodcastSpotify PodcastEpisode Timeline 👇02:39 – Back in the Sauna Blanket
We're rolling. Heat Check is back, Part 2 is here, and Robby dives right into the #RobbyRowsJourney — find his throwback Instagram posts under that hashtag.04:35 – Recapping Part 1 & Why He Started Filming
The 2015 revival (84-85 → 94-95 mph), why he started recording everything, and how proving himself to scouts became the foundation of his content journey.05:09 – Comeback at 35? The "12-Month Plan" Idea 
A teaser for a future piece of content — what Robby would do if he organized a comeback and had 12 months to execute it.06:10 – Setting the Stage: Winter 2017 Moving into 2018
Today's episode is laser focused on this specific window. Four different stages of his career, four different approaches to throwing hard.06:52 – Big League Spring Training 2017 (Cardinals)
First official Big League spring training participation. Coming off the 2016 bone spur surgery, a re-sign from his agent mid-winter ball, and a Big League invite negotiated on the spot from a rental car place.09:48 – Feeling Elite Going In
Pre-spring training bullpens were some of the best he'd ever thrown. Confidence was through the roof heading into camp.11:00 – Getting Released
Second cuts, minor league camp, a mediocre outing, and a walk into the office he didn't see coming. Plans evaporated fast.13:38 – Signing with the Lincoln Saltdogs (Indy Ball 2017)
The decision to go back to Indy ball and — crucially — the decision to pitch as a starter. How that one choice changed everything that followed.14:00 – Starter vs. Reliever: The Velocity Gap
Robby throws it out there — he genuinely throws 5+ mph harder as a reliever. The starter life was fun, but the velo wasn't the same.15:12 – Getting Traded to the Southern Illinois Miners
Shoutout to manager Mike Pinto. Some of the most fun baseball he's ever played. The season ends and the unknown sets in.15:51 – Hurricane Maria & the Puerto Rico Call
The winter ball team's stadium was destroyed. Season restructured. Games moved to one venue, 11am start times. Robby gets the call mid-November that they're running it back.17:48 – Enter: Hector Barrios
The individual who changed everything. An Instagram connection that turned into daily FaceTimes and a completely new approach to throwing. Hector is now Aroldis Chapman's pitching coach with the Red Sox.18:07 – The Setup: FBK1, Northern California, & the Daily Grind
Living at his parents' place in NorCal, throwing at KC's cage (FBK1) from 1pm to 9pm, 5am gym sessions, manual labor job, carnivore diet with a portable grill. Psycho mode.21:15 – The Hector Barrios Method
Head over the back hip. Hands separated over the rear hip. Patient load, aggressive late intent. A drastically different way of throwing — and why it felt so foreign at first.22:38 – When It Started to Click
One night in the cage, the ball started jumping. The load was right. The timing was dialing in. Two weeks before leaving for winter ball.23:10 – The Frustration: Radar Said 88-91
Even when it felt good, the gu