About Us
Coaching staff and philosophy
Our program philosophy is to control our effort and attitude, and play a high level of baseball. This requires commitment and focus on and off the field. Players are treated with respect and are expected to show up and be ready to contribute to the team.
We believe that everyone on the team has a role, and that everyone is important. We believe in the process and aren't looking for quick fixes.
Part of the training is developing the proper mindset to play now and at the next level.
Dugout Development National staff
Joel Hartman
Bradenton, Florida
The director of the program and lead coach is Joel Hartman, who has over a decade of experience coaching at the youth and high school level. In the summer, Joel coaches a team in a California collegiate summer league. Prior to his coaching career, Joel played college ball at Southeastern University for 3 years, winning the 2005 NCCAA National Championship, and Palm Beach Atlantic University for his senior season. After college, Joel had a 5-year minor league baseball career and played in multiple independent baseball leagues from 2007-2011.
Joel started coaching while playing minor league baseball, and ran a local travel ball program until 2015 when he launched Prospect Dugout. Joel is most known for his mental approach to the game, helping players maximize their skills through training and game strategy.
Joel coaches in the Bradenton/Sarasota, FL area.
Craig Maddox
Dallas, Texas
Craig Maddox is based in Dallas, TX. Craig played his college ball at Southeastern University, where he led his team to three consecutive NCCAA national titles. Originally signed by the Detroit Tigers, Craig played in the minor leagues for farm teams of both Detroit and the Atlanta Braves before playing in four different independent baseball leagues from 2008-19, which included an American Association championship with the 2013 Gary SouthShore RailCats. He retired as a player after the 2019 season and immediately went into coaching. He served as a hitting coach in the San Francisco Giants’ minor league system in 2021 and 2022, working exclusively with their rookie league affiliate, the AZL Giants Orange, in 2022.
Craig is known for his ability to help players improve the mechanics of their swing and teach a more disciplined approach at the plate.
Craig coaches in the Dallas, TX area.
Benjamin Lopez
San Francisco, California
Ben specializes in catching and hitting training. Ben is varsity head coach at Mountain House High School and also works with Prep Baseball Report to scout talent in the Bay Area. Ben is also an instructor at the Catching Academy.
Ben is known for his passion and love of the game and his technical and analytical coaching style.
Ben coaches in the San Francisco, CA area.
We look forward to working with your player to be the best version of themself on and off the field!
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