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The Next Season Podcast

045 - How to Get Recruited the Right Way

Jun 15, 2026 · 56 min

Most players think they know what gets them recruited. They're often wrong.

Adam Schlenoff has sat in every seat this game offers. D1 college player. High school teacher. 15 years as Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Johns Hopkins — multiple College World Series appearances, D3 offensive records, a national championship game.

He's evaluated thousands of players. He knows exactly what separates the guys who make it from the guys who don't — and it's not what most players or parents think.

In this episode:

  • What coaches are really reading before you take a swing
  • Why your stats open the door but your character earns the invitation
  • What great teammates actually do
  • What it felt like to walk away from a 30-year run in the game


Now he's building something new — recruiting consulting, showcases, and a youth baseball organization built around the thing most of the industry skips: honest evaluation and real human connection.

If you're a player, a parent, or a coach — this one's for you.


Find Adam & Get Involved:

Recruiting Consulting: Jeff Burton Consulting

Showcases & Youth Baseball: schlenoffbaseball.com

Charm City Clippers: Baltimore Clippers, MCBL

Follow Adam: @Mr_Schlen

 

👉 Learn more about 1:1 Coaching for active athletes and ATLAS athletes at nextseasonathletes.com

 

00:00 Intro & Highlights

01:29 Welcoming Adam Schlenoff

02:53 Roots In Education & Influence on Coaching

05:28 Trust in the Locker Room

06:48 Early Sports Journey

10:17 Multi Sport Debate & Nuance

13:58 Realities Of College Baseball

20:17 When The Game Ends

22:02 The Beautiful Game

25:03 Coaching Breakthrough Years

29:50 Building Trust and Culture

32:35 Coaching Philosophy on Failure

38:56 Recruiting Puzzle Pieces

43:56 Stats Open the Door, Character Gets You In

47:45 Next Chapter & New Challenges

51:16 How to Connect, Support & Join Adam

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