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Job Summary:
The Minor League Strength & Conditioning Coach is responsible for implementing comprehensive physical development programs within the St. Louis Cardinals player development system. This position delivers preparation routines prior to on-field practice, strength training, energy system development, nutrition guidance, and recovery interventions to enhance athletic performance and support player progression through the minor league system. Working collaboratively with sports medicine staff, the coach executes performance testing, individualized programming, and assists directly with return-to-play while ensuring seamless integration of performance department protocols.
Job Duties:
- Program Implementation: Execute Cardinals performance protocols during Spring Training, at the assigned affiliate location and during off-season camps
- Physical Development: Design and prescribe strength, power, and conditioning programs for minor league players
- Performance Testing: Organize and conduct testing sessions in collaboration with sports medicine and performance science staff
- Energy System Development: Implement position-specific conditioning programs that address baseball-specific demands
- Workload Management: collaborate with affiliate staff on practice plans via game and/or training loads and aid sports medicine and performance nutrition to optimize player readiness and optimize performance
- Data Integration: Make use of organizational resources to aid in utilization of objective metrics to guide programming decisions and track player development
Additional Key Responsibilities:
- Implement the Cardinals performance program at affiliate location, organizing all testing sessions and ensuring protocol adherence across training, conditioning, nutrition, and recovery interventions
- Design individualized and team-based training programs addressing physical development, energy system demands, movement quality, and position-specific performance requirements for minor league baseball athletes
- Collaborate daily with team manager, uniform staff, and athletic trainer(s) to integrate workload monitoring, training modifications, and recovery strategies into competitive schedules
- Conduct movement screenings identifying dysfunction and risk factors, utilize biomechanical analysis when applicable to design targeted interventions, and integrate preparation strategies into training programs
- Utilize sports science technologies monitoring training loads, recovery status, and readiness to implement workload progressions, track objective performance metrics, and provide data-driven recommendations for program adjustments
- Assist sports medicine with immediate injury support, first aid, stabilization procedures, and support crisis management protocols
- Maintain consistent communication with performance leadership group regarding player progress, program effectiveness, and affiliate operations to ensure development pipeline consistency
Education & Experience Required:
- Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, or related field
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
- Current CPR/AED certification and basic life support training
- Minimum 3+ years of strength and conditioning experience in elite-level individual and team program
- General knowledge of Microsoft Windows Suite, Google Workspace, and Slack
Education & Experience Preferred:
- Master's degree Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, or related discipline plus graduate assistant experience
- Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach (RSCC)
- 5+ years of experience working in strength and conditioning and the development of individual and team programs
- Functional Movement Screen (FMS) certification
- OnBase U hitting and pitching certifications
- Precision Nutrition certification
- Mental Health First Aid
- Practical return-to-competition experience
- Bilingual capabilities (English/Spanish) strongly preferred
- Understanding of professional baseball operations, travel demands, and scheduling constraints
