My name is Jimmy Titus, and I've lived through the emotional rollercoaster of baseball. From a .260 batting average freshman and sophomore year in high school to becoming Connecticut's only two-time Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior and senior. From doubters suggesting I stick to pitching only to hitting .588 with 6 home runs, 13 doubles, and 29 RBIs my senior year. I shattered school records for hits, home runs, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and extra-base hits. My career was only just beginning but no one could have predicted the next few years.
Bryant University was my next stop, and my freshman year was nothing short of historic. I earned titles like Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American, and several conference awards. But just when things were looking up, a torn ACL in my sophomore year threw a wrench in my dreams. It was a setback, but it couldn't break my spirit.
I came back stronger during my redshirt sophomore year, earning more accolades like NEC All-Conference, NEIBA All-Star, and ABCA All-Northeast First Team. Finally, the moment I had dreamed of arrived when the Los Angeles Dodgers selected me in the 22nd round of the 2019 MLB Draft.
From having college coaches tell me to stick to third base because I had “slow feet” to being a Division I conference rookie of the year as our starting shortstop. From tearing my ACL the first game of the season my sophomore year to coming back as New England’s top shortstop a year later. From the 12-year-old who was the 3rd string shortstop in travel ball to the 21-year-old who got drafted as a shortstop in the MLB Draft. From the 126 wRC+ season I had my first year of professional baseball to minor league baseball being sidelined in 2020.
For more on Jimmy's ACL story check it out here.
From there, the unpredictable world of professional baseball had more surprises in store. In just four months, I went from spring training with the Dodgers to a trade and subsequent release by the New York Mets. The journey had its ups and downs, but it taught me invaluable lessons about the game.
I may not have had a long-lasting professional career, but I discovered something even more significant: my true passion for coaching and mentorship.
Throughout my career as a player, I was never the fastest or strongest person on the field. There was always someone more physically imposing, someone quicker, someone who hit the ball harder, someone smoother on defense. I did have a naturally strong arm, but my passion was being a position player - I always wanted to be the best hitter and defender on the team. I worked tirelessly day in and day out to improve my skills. Hours in the cage, hours fielding and throwing with my dad, hours in the gym trying to get bigger and stronger. I couldn’t tell you how many hours a week I spent training - I woke up, went to school, went to the gym, went to the cage, went home, and went to bed. Every single day for 4 years.
Throughout my playing career, I was dedicated and passionate, but I often felt lost. I wished for a mentor to guide me, someone who had been through the trials and tribulations of the game. That mentor was what I needed to reach my full potential.
Now, I'm filling those shoes. As the Director of Hitting at Connected Performance, I'm the mentor I wished I had during my formative years in baseball. I've experienced the highs and lows of the game, and I'm here to share my knowledge and experience with players across the country.
Whether you're a college athlete aiming to improve your draft prospects, a high school player chasing a college scholarship, or a middle schooler striving for varsity, I've walked in your shoes. I understand the feeling of being unprepared, and I'm committed to helping you work smarter, not just harder.
Connected Performance provides individualized hitting programming, strength and conditioning, mobility, and arm care through specialized software. With me as your mentor, the sky's the limit. I'm dedicated to helping you become the best player you can be and achieve your dreams.
My journey from a “too slow” and “stick to pitching” to professional shortstop is a story of relentless determination, resilience, and the discovery of a greater purpose. Whether you're looking to transform your game or a parent seeking the best for your child, I'm here to guide you on your path to success.
Let's get after it, together.
Jimmy Titus
Director of Hitting
Connected Performance
Podcast feature linked here.