Stephanie Mock Grubbs (Astros MLB) - How to Implement New Systems in Team Sports

Episode 188: In this episode of the Inform Performance Podcast, Andy McDonald is joined by Stephanie Grubbs, a Strength & Conditioning Coach and Sport Scientist currently working with the Houston Astros in Major League Baseball. With prior experience across top-tier programs including the University of Pittsburgh, Clemson Athletics, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Stephanie brings a diverse and practical perspective on applied sport science in elite sport.

In this conversation, Stephanie shares her journey through high-performance environments and reflects on the strategies, systems, and relationships that have shaped her approach to athlete development.

Topics Discussed:

• The evolution of sports science in the U.S. high-performance landscape

• Building strong relationships and implementing impactful ideas

• Designing effective systems and processes in sports science programs

• The use of microdosing in strength training

• Adapting training methods to the unique demands of baseball

• The importance of intent and communication in daily training

• Exploring innovative recovery strategies

• Thoughts on career development and mentorship in elite sport

Key Points: 

• Establishing effective systems in professional sport begins with a deep understanding of the sport’s unique demands and the identification of key performance indicators (KPIs) that matter most to both performance and injury risk. For example, in baseball, KPIs might include speed, lower body power, rotational power, and upper extremity function, with particular attention to site-specific issues like oblique or hamstring injuries. By focusing on these KPIs, practitioners can design targeted testing and monitoring protocols—such as force plate assessments or limb-specific strength tests—that directly inform individualized training and rehabilitation strategies. This ensures that interventions are always aligned with the sport’s requirements and the athlete’s needs, supporting both performance optimization and injury prevention.

• The evolution from data accumulation to actionable system design is a hallmark of mature sports science practice. Early in a practitioner’s career or when a program is first being established, there is often an urge to acquire as much technology and collect as much data as possible—force plates, GPS, velocity-based training devices, and more. However, with experience comes the realization that not all data is equally valuable. Practitioners learn to prioritize metrics that are most actionable and relevant, focusing resources on those that truly inform decision-making. This shift away from “collect everything” toward “collect what matters” streamlines workflows, reduces unnecessary athlete burden, and ensures that every data point serves a clear purpose in supporting athlete health and performance.

• Implementing systems in collegiate sport often provides more flexibility and room for experimentation compared to professional sport, due to larger athlete populations, broader budgets, and a culture that encourages innovation. In contrast, professional sport environments demand a higher level of precision, efficiency, and justification for any intervention or monitoring system. Athletes’ time is at a premium, and organizations have significant investments in player availability and performance. As such, any system or technology introduced must be carefully vetted, with clear evidence of benefit and minimal disruption to athletes’ routines. This environment fosters a culture of accountability, where practitioners must be able to articulate the “why” behind every system and ensure it delivers tangible value.

• The most successful approach to system implementation is to start small, build proof of concept, and scale up gradually. Rather than overwhelming coaches, athletes, or the broader performance team with multiple technologies and protocols at once, practitioners should introduce one tool or process—such as force plate testing—demonstrate its value through clear, actionable insights, and then layer in additional systems as trust and curiosity grow. This incremental approach allows for small wins that build buy-in, reduces resistance to change, and ensures that each new element is fully integrated before moving on to the next. Over time, this creates a robust, adaptable system that is embraced by all stakeholders.

• Collaboration and communication across the performance team are essential for effective system implementation. This involves engaging physiotherapists, strength and conditioning coaches, and other practitioners in conversations about their specific needs, challenges, and goals. By organizing and presenting data in formats that are accessible and meaningful to each discipline, practitioners can ensure that information is not only collected but also translated into actionable strategies. Regular dialogue fosters a shared understanding of priorities and enables collective decision-making, ultimately enhancing the impact of sports science and medical interventions on athlete outcomes.

• Macrodosing, in the context of system implementation, refers to the deliberate introduction of significant, organization-wide changes or interventions, rather than small, incremental tweaks. This approach can be effective when there is a clear, strategic need for a step change in performance, injury prevention, or operational efficiency. However, successful macrodosing requires careful planning, robust communication, and a strong evidence base to justify the shift. It is crucial to establish mechanisms for evaluating the impact of these changes, gathering feedback from all stakeholders, and making necessary adjustments to ensure the intervention delivers on its intended goals without unintended negative consequences.

• With experience, practitioners develop a more refined and efficient approach to both systems and macrodosing. Early in their careers, they may be tempted to implement every available technology or protocol, but over time they learn to focus on interventions that deliver the greatest impact with the least complexity. This maturation leads to systems that are simpler, more effective, and less burdensome for athletes and staff. The emphasis shifts from novelty and quantity to clarity, quality, and relevance, ensuring that every element of the system serves a defined purpose and contributes to athlete health and performance.

• Athlete autonomy and respect for their time are foundational principles in professional sport system implementation. Every new protocol or system must be justified to athletes, with a clear explanation of its benefits and a commitment to minimizing disruption to their routines. Practitioners should be responsive to athlete feedback, willing to adapt or streamline systems as needed to ensure they are both practical and perceived as valuable. This athlete-centered approach not only enhances compliance but also fosters a culture of mutual respect and collaboration, which is essential for long-term success.

• Systems in professional sport must be designed for adaptability and scalability. What works for one team, sport, or athlete cohort may not be directly transferable to another, so systems should be flexible enough to accommodate different contexts, evolving evidence, and changing organizational needs. Regular review and iterative adaptation, informed by feedback from athletes and staff as well as new research, ensure that systems remain relevant, effective, and capable of supporting ongoing performance and health goals.

• Sustaining and improving systems over time requires continuous curiosity, open communication, and a commitment to ongoing learning. Practitioners should actively seek input from colleagues across disciplines, stay informed about emerging technologies and methodologies, and be willing to question and refine their own practices. By fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, performance teams can ensure that their systems remain at the forefront of best practice, delivering consistent value in the dynamic and high-stakes environment of professional sport.

Where you can find Stephanie:

• LinkedIn
• X (Twitter)
• Instagram

Sponsors

VALD Performance, makers of the Nordbord, Forceframe, ForeDecks and HumanTrak. VALD Performance systems are built with the high-performance practitioner in mind, translating traditionally lab-based technologies into engaging, quick, easy-to-use tools for daily testing, monitoring and training

Hytro: The world’s leading Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearable, designed to accelerate recovery and maximise athletic potential using Hytro BFR for Professional Sport.