FSU pitching coach Micah Posey explains his approach to coaching pitchers

Florida State has a new pitching coach, bringing Micah Posey in from Dallas Baptist. Head coach Link Jarrett saw his staff struggle during the 2023 season, needing reinforcements. Posey is expected to help the Seminoles get back on the right track and compete in the ACC this upcoming season.

When asked about his approach with players, Posey said it’s going to be a collaboration process. He does not want to come in and only use his methods. Making sure the pitchers are comfortable with what they are working on while involving them in the process is important to him.

“I want to individualize approach,” Posey said. “The way I told the guys when I talked to them is — I want to collaborate. I want to work with them. I don’t want to be a dictator. I don’t want them working for me. I want to know what makes them tick, what they like. I love to collaborate.”

One word stands out for Posey. Leverage. Florida State players are going to be hearing it a lot during the pitching coach’s tenure in Tallahassee. Getting ahead in counts to decrease walks and increase strikeouts is Posey’s main goal.

“Our approach is going to be simple,” Posey said. “We want leverage counts and we want to be 0-2, 1-2 on hitters. Not 2-0, 2-1. I think when you do that, you’re going to clean up a lot of things. It’s going to cut down the walks, the strikeouts are going to increase. Leverage is a word you’ll hear me say quite a bit. Our guys will probably get tired of hearing that word.”

To say Florida State struggled on the mound last season would be an understatement, especially in the walk department. Only two teams in the ACC had more, with the Seminoles giving up 267 free bases. In order to get back on the right track, Posey will need to find a way to help eliminate them.

As for his personal style, Posey admits there is some “old school” coaching in him. But using technology is still an important one with analytics. He plans on tracking the stats during games so Florida State can continue to get that leverage.

“I got some old school in me from a compete standpoint but also progressive from the technology side,” Posey said. “To be able to use tech and leverage it. You’re seeing the way ball flights track.”