ABOUT US
Philosophy
Facility
Online Training
COACHES
Full-Time Instructors
Joe Espinosa - Founder & Lead Instructor
Joe Espinosa brings over four decades of elite baseball experience to Espinosa Baseball as a coach, instructor, clinician, and former Major League Baseball scout. A respected figure in the baseball community, Joe is a full-time instructor at the Espinosa Baseball training facility in Wilton, Connecticut, and also leads online instruction through Espinosa Online Training.
From 2012 to 2016, Joe served as the Infield Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Amherst College, where he helped shape one of the top Division Ill programs in the country. Since 2023, he has served as the Director of Player Development for Yale Baseball, where he continues to mentor high-level student-athletes.
Joe is the founder of Espinosa Sports Club in New York City, a pioneering youth development organization, as well as the founder of the Espinosa Baseball training facility and virtual training platform. His lifelong dedication to player development has earned him the trust and respect of professional organizations, collegiate programs, and countless players and families across the country.
Jake Berry - Instructor, Espinosa Baseball Wilton
Jake Berry is a full-time instructor at the Espinosa Baseball facility in Wilton, Connecticut, where he brings energy, precision, and a deep understanding of player development to every training session. A former student of Joe Espinosa, Jake's journey from player to coach reflects his passion for the game and his commitment to teaching it at the highest level.
Jake played catcher at Fairfield Prep and continued his collegiate career at Kenyon College, where he earned a reputation as a hardworking and cerebral player behind the plate. As a coach, he is fully trained in Espinosa Baseball's advanced systems, including Rotational Hitting, the 6-F Infield System, and Movement-Based Pitching Instruction-methodologies trusted by players and coaches across the country.
Jake specializes in helping players build strong foundational skills while fostering a competitive mindset. His familiarity with the Espinosa system, both as a player and now as a coach, makes him a trusted and relatable mentor for athletes of all ages.
A Special Note from Joe Espinosa
“One of the greatest joys of my career has been the privilege of getting to know and learn from some of the most respected minds in professional baseball. Over the years, I’ve had the good fortune of building relationships with these outstanding coaches—men who have shaped the careers of some of the biggest stars in the game, and who continue to elevate the standard of teaching at every level.
It brings me tremendous pride and happiness to welcome them to the Espinosa Baseball facility. Their visits are more than just special events—they’re opportunities for our players, coaches, and greater baseball community to learn directly from those who have lived the game at its highest level. These guest instructors are not only leaders in their fields, but generous teachers who are deeply committed to helping motivated young athletes reach their full potential.
Whether you’re a member of our year-round program or a local player eager to grow, the chance to work with these professionals is truly something special. I am incredibly grateful for their time, their wisdom, and their shared belief in the power of good coaching to change lives.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us.”
– Joe Espinosa
Guest Instructors
Perry Hill – Infield Coach
Widely regarded as the premier infield coach in Major League Baseball, Perry Hill brings over three decades of elite-level experience to the Espinosa Baseball community. Now in his 33rd season at the MLB level, Hill currently serves as the infield coach for the Seattle Mariners, continuing a legacy defined by excellence, innovation, and results.
Perry is the creator of the renowned 6F System of Infield Play, a groundbreaking methodology that has revolutionized defensive instruction across professional baseball. His system has been credited with producing 11 MLB Gold Glove Awards, and has helped shape some of the finest defensive players in the game.
Throughout his illustrious career, Perry has set numerous fielding records and consistently elevated the performance of the teams he has coached. Notably, he led the Miami Marlins to 28 consecutive errorless games in 2016, and orchestrated dramatic turnarounds for the Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates, taking both from worst to first in team fielding percentage—accomplishments spanning different decades. From 2001–2003 with the Marlins, Perry coached Gold Glove winners at all four infield positions, a rare and unmatched feat in MLB history.
Affectionately nicknamed “Bone”—a nod to his childhood habit of carrying chicken bones after meals—Perry is as beloved for his personality as he is respected for his coaching mastery.
Each year, Perry spends a week to ten days at the Espinosa Baseball facility, conducting high-impact clinics for players and coaches. His visits include a limited number of one-on-one lessons, offering a rare opportunity to learn directly from the game’s most respected infield mind.
Whether you’re a young player looking to build a foundation or a seasoned coach aiming to refine your teaching, Perry Hill’s presence at Espinosa Baseball is nothing short of transformational.
Juan Nieves – Pitching Coach
Juan Nieves brings a rare combination of elite playing experience, decades of professional coaching, and a deep, individualized approach to pitcher development to Espinosa Baseball. A former Major League starting pitcher, Juan etched his name into baseball history in 1987 when he threw a no-hitter for the Milwaukee Brewers against the Baltimore Orioles, becoming the second-youngest pitcher in MLB history to achieve the feat.
Since transitioning to coaching in 1992, Juan has spent over 30 years developing pitchers across all levels of professional baseball. He has served as a Major League pitching coach for the Boston Red Sox, Miami Marlins, and currently the Detroit Tigers. In 2013, Juan guided the Red Sox pitching staff to the second-lowest ERA in the American League, helping lead the team to a World Series Championship that season.
Juan’s coaching philosophy is built around the individual needs of each pitcher. He excels at assessing natural movement patterns and tailoring instruction to maximize efficiency, health, and performance. His teaching emphasizes freedom of movement, a refined understanding of internal vs. external focus, and the importance of building capacity and stamina. He is also a leader in pitch design, helping pitchers craft and refine their unique arsenals with intention and purpose.
Known for his clarity, patience, and ability to communicate with pitchers of all ages and backgrounds, Juan is a trusted mentor and teacher throughout the game.
Each offseason, Juan brings his expertise to the Espinosa Baseball facility for a week to ten days, where he leads pitching clinics for players and coaches, and offers a limited number of one-on-one instruction sessions.
Juan Nieves is more than a coach—he’s a true developer of pitchers and a master of the art and science of pitching.
Jeff Smith – Catching Coach
Jeff Smith brings over two decades of professional baseball experience and a dynamic, hands-on approach to his role as Catching Coach at Espinosa Baseball. Currently serving as the Catching Coordinator for the Tampa Bay Rays, Jeff oversees the development of 27 catchers across all levels of the organization—from the Dominican Republic Development League to the Major League roster.
A former professional catcher himself, Jeff transitioned to coaching in 2005 following a 9-year minor league playing career. He went on to serve as the Major League Catching Coach for the Minnesota Twins from 2016 to 2018, working under Hall of Famer Paul Molitor. Beyond catching instruction, Jeff has an extensive background as a minor league manager, where he achieved an impressive 1,000 career wins, a testament to his leadership and baseball acumen.
Jeff is known for his high energy, positive presence, and deeply engaged teaching style. His coaching is rooted in practical experience and built around creating competitive, well-rounded catchers who understand every aspect of the game. In addition to his work on the field, Jeff has been a featured speaker at baseball conventions across the country, sharing insights on catching development and coaching methodology.
Each offseason, Jeff spends at the Espinosa Baseball facility, where he conducts player and coaching clinics, and offers a limited number of one-on-one sessions for catchers seeking to elevate their game with professional-level instruction.
With Jeff Smith, catchers at Espinosa Baseball receive not just technical training, but the energy, focus, and mindset of a true professional.
Dave Wallace – Pitching Coach
A respected figure in professional baseball for over four decades, Dave Wallace—known throughout the game as “Wally”—brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and mentorship to Espinosa Baseball. A former big league pitcher turned elite-level coach and executive, Dave has influenced generations of MLB pitchers with his steady leadership and renowned teaching acumen.
Dave began his coaching career in 1981 following an 8-year career as a professional pitcher in both the minor and major leagues. His coaching résumé includes serving as Pitching Coach for five Major League clubs: the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, and Baltimore Orioles. During his tenure with the 2004 Red Sox, Dave helped guide the team to a historic World Series championship, a moment memorialized in the Netflix documentary series The Comeback.
Beyond the dugout, Dave has made an impact at the executive level as well, serving as Special Assistant to the General Manager of the Seattle Mariners, Pitching Consultant for the Atlanta Braves, and Interim General Manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. On the international stage, Dave was the Pitching Coach for the U.S. National Team that earned a Silver Medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Dave’s legacy includes mentoring some of the game’s most notable pitchers, including Pedro Martinez, Ramon Martinez, Pedro Astacio, Darren Dreifort, Hideo Nomo, Chan Ho Park, Ismael Valdés, John Wetteland, and Orel Hershiser—many of whom credit their development and success to his guidance.
Each year, Dave Wallace shares his unparalleled expertise at the Espinosa Baseball facility, where he conducts small group and private instruction, as well as specialized coaching clinics, typically 1–2 times per year.
Whether developing elite arms or educating coaches, Dave Wallace continues to shape the future of pitching with the same passion and insight that made him a cornerstone of some of baseball’s most iconic teams.
Dave Jauss – Senior Advisor, Coach & Clinician
With nearly four decades of experience at the highest levels of the game, Dave Jauss brings unmatched perspective, versatility, and baseball intellect to Espinosa Baseball. Currently serving as a Senior Advisor for the Washington Nationals, Dave has spent his career helping shape championship-caliber organizations and guiding players and coaches alike with his steady leadership and deep understanding of the game.
Dave began his professional coaching career in 1988 as a manager in the Montreal Expos farm system, following a successful six-year run as a college head baseball coach. Since then, he has worn many hats across 37 years in professional baseball, including roles as Field Coordinator for Player Development, Advance Scout, First Base Coach, Minor League Field Coordinator, Bench Coach, and Professional Scout. His extensive résumé includes work with the Expos, Red Sox, Dodgers, Orioles, Mets, Pirates, and Yankees, as well as managerial experience in the Dominican Winter League.
Jauss is perhaps most famously recognized by fans as the pitcher for Pete Alonso during the 2021 MLB Home Run Derby, a performance that helped Alonso claim the title and solidified Dave’s reputation for calm, precise coaching even on the game’s biggest stages.
Dave is a trusted mentor known for his thoughtful approach, adaptability, and ability to connect with players and staff at all levels. His visits to Espinosa Baseball each offseason are highly anticipated events, where he leads clinics for players and coaches, sharing insights from decades of experience in Major League dugouts, player development systems, and international competition.
Whether instructing the next wave of players or guiding coaches in their own development, Dave Jauss continues to be a respected and invaluable presence in the baseball world—and a welcome member of the Espinosa Baseball family.