Our smba Coaches!
LA Dodger Tim Leary
Former UCLA and Los Angeles Dodgers standout Tim Leary is a graduate of UCLA , was a three-year letterman on the mound. He finished his career with a 21-15 record and a 3.09 ERA with 258 strikeouts, the fourth highest total in school history. Leary pitched 16 complete games while at UCLA, which is still the school’s all-time record. He was selected to The Sporting News All-America squad and earned Academic All-American honors in 1979. In 1991 Leary was elected to the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame, joining Jackie Robinson and former American League President Dr. Bobby Brown as the only baseball inductees.
Leary was selected by the New York Mets with the second pick of the first round in the 1979 baseball draft. He pitched professionally for 15 years, and spent 10 of those years in the majors with the New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers.
His best season was in 1988 when he helped lead the Dodgers to the World Series Championship. He was named as the National League Comeback Player of the Year, finishing the season with a 17-11 record and a 2.90 ERA. He ranked second in the National League in shutouts (six), fifth in complete games (nine) and sixth in wins (17) and strikeouts (180). He allowed just one run over six and two thirds innings (1.35 ERA) in two World Series. Currently available catching lessons fielding lessons Pacific Palisades West Los Angeles Santa Monica hitting lessons pitching lessons
Coach Hoffman
Outfield & Hitting Coach
Jihad was a stand out varsity player out of Fairfax high school, who took his talents to Cal State University Dominguez Hills, played summer league at West Los Angeles College and is a former player for San Francisco State University! He coached our 12U Club Team during the Spring and Summer and now coaches our SMBA 14U Club Team, the Santa Monica Pony Fall Ball 14U team and the SMBA 10U squad!
He is the hitting coach for our 16U and 18U National Pony Teams and the current hitting coach for the Santa Monica Little League Allstars and Select team.
SMBA Coach Justin
Coach Justin played 10 years of professional baseball, making his professional debut in 2018 with the Tampa Bay Rays. Throughout his career, he has been an All-Star at every minor league level. He has also played in the majors with the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies. He has built a strong reputation in professional baseball and brings that reputation to SMBA with our camps and clinics!
Your SMBA Team!
Bruce Yamamoto - Pitching Coach
SMBA
Coach Bruce
Coach Bruce is a former Venice High School varsity player who turned professional right out of high school. He played in the Japanese minor leagues and has now moved up to Triple AAA baseball with a professional team in the Mexican baseball league, Tigres de Quintana Roo, formally known as Tigres Del Mexico. Coach Bruce has been coaching in the off season with SMBA and has brought an elite level of coaching to our camps, clinics and travel teams!
Coach Myles Babitt
Coach Myles is a former professional baseball player with stints with the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) league and the Arizona Diamondbacks. He coaches our 16U National Team and our 18U National Team. He is currently the assistant Varsity baseball coach at Brentwood high school. Coach Myles is on a mission for SMBA to elevate all aspects of our player's game!
Coach Johnny - Catchers Coach
A former high school defensive player of the year, this outstanding catcher took his talents to UC Irvine. He took his fifth year to Cal State LA where he had an outstanding 2023 season for the Golden Eagles and was one of the team’s best hitters. He earned All-California Collegiate Athletic Association honorable mention. Was third on the team with a .322 batting average and was tied for second in runs batted in with 38. Led the team in runs scored with 37 with home runs. Was second on the team in hits with 66 and second in triples with five. He joined the SMBA staff coaching camps in the off season and is now coaching the Santa Monica Pony 16U National Team as a member of the SMBA coaching staff!
Coach Braydon
SMBA Middle Infield & Hitting Coach Max Price
Coach Braydon is a former professional baseball player playing in the Independent Baseball League and in Eurpope. Aformer varsity high school player, he played at West LA college where he was an academic All American and received D1 offers for pitching! He played at Holy Names university and Whittier University. He is truly passionate aboutbaseball and looks forward to sharing his passion and knowledge with the players at SMBA!ms!
SMBA Middle Infield & Hitting Coach Max Price
SMBA Middle Infield & Hitting Coach Max Price
SMBA Middle Infield & Hitting Coach Max Price
Max Price is a former division one shortstop with coaching expertise that focuses on middle infield and hitting. Max began his collegiate career at Cypress College, he then took his talents to Morehead State University, a D1 program in the Ohio Valley Conference, located in Kentucky. Max began the season as a starter then became injured. After rehabilitation, Max transferred to Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks where he was a two year starter at shortstop and helped lead the top nationally ranked Kinsmen to back to back league tittles! Max is excited to bring his coaching and playing experiences to SMBA and helping the next generation of young athletes achieve their goals and become great young adults on and off the field!
Your SMBA Team!
Coach Anthony
Coach Anthony
Is a veteran coach who knows his way around the diamond! He is the Junior Varsity coach at Santa Monica high school and was an assistant coach with the Santa Monica National Team that made it to the 2023 Pony Internationa World Series! Coach Anthony is dedicated to he game he loves and is now coaching with SMBA!
Coach Julian
Coach Julian Boyd is currently a professional Baseball player with the Grand Junction Jackalopes in the Pioneer League. He is from Los Angeles, California and went to St. John Bosco High School a former varsity player in both baseball and football (Quarterback). He attended University of Nevada Reno on scholarship, and Colorado Mesa University.
- Accomplishments:
2018 MLB Draft Pick
Division 1 Baseball Player
2022 MLB Draft Combine Attendee
2023 Division 2 National Player of the Year
Colorado Mesa Single Season Stolen Base Record Holder
Coach Cole
Coach Cole Van Helder is a former Division 1 baseball athlete at University of Oregon, UC Irvine, and OCC. He is the pitching coach for our 16U & 18U National Pony Teams and currently coaches our 13U and 10u SMBA Club Teams!
- Accomplishments:
2019 OCC Athlete of the Year; 2019 California Baseball Junior College Championship MVP
2019 UC Irvine Athletic Scholarship
Anthony Angel - Middle Infield Coach
Coach Angel was a sandlot legend, Little League star and a high school varsity leader and baller! He's now playing collegiately at Cal State LA and looking to get to the show! In his down time he gives back and he's ready to spread his middle infield knowledge to the youth at SMBA! He coached our SMBA 10u Club Team and they loved him!
Catching and Hitting Instructor
Originally from Massachusetts, Brian Loud played varsity ball at Norton High School. He coached For the Bulldog Baseball Academy in New York City. His patience and dedication to his craft makes him and ideal coach for SMBA!
Coach Renick
Coach Renick has taught for over 25 years as a public school educator and baseball coach. Currently, the coach of the middle school baseball team at the Milken Community School in Los Angeles as well as their high school tennis program. Coach Renick has coached at baseball academies as well as travel teams and is well versed in youth baseball and the best way to get them to the next level!
Coach Joshua - Pitching Coach
Coach Joshua - Pitching Coach
Coach Joshua - Pitching Coach
SMBA
Coach Joshua
Coach Joshua is a former varsity high school player who became a successful MLB relief pitcher for the LA Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves! He also played professionally in the NPB in Japan for the Chiba Lotte Marines and with the professional team in the Mexican baseball league, Mazatlan Venados! Coach Joshua is the Head JV Coach at Brentwood High School. Coach Joshua will also be coaching our National high school teams and pitching clinics with SMBA!
SMBA Coaches
Coach Kevin
Coach Kevin
Coach Kevin
Hello my name is Kevin Medrano, I play middle infield anda former varsity player at Alexander Hamilton Hightower high school. Currently I am playing middle infield at West LA college. What I like to emphasize at SMBA is development and creating a consistent routine, because I am true believer with routines and how it helps to be a more disciplined player on and off the field.
*our coaches are subject to availability and at the discretion of SMBA for any and all camps, clinics and private lessons.*
Coach Mason
Coach Kevin
Coach Kevin
He's bringing an attention to detail and a winning way to SMBA! Coach Mason was a standout varsity high school player who helped lead his team to state! After pursuing his baseball career at Birmingham-Southern College (Birmingham, AL) , he passed the bar in California at the same time he coached the SMBA 12u to a Fall League championship! It's in his blood. Baseball thru and thru!
Coach JP
Coach Kevin
Coach JP
SMBA Coach JP Cohn A former varsity high school player, JP went on to Glendale College where he was part of a state championship team and they were the number one ranked junior college program in Southern California. He then took his pitching talents to Westmont College in Santa Barbara! He is proud to have played alongside MLB greats like Bryce Harper, Aaron Hicks and Alex Mejia! He has joined SMBA and coaches our camps, clinics and club teams!
Learn From Great Coaches!
All of the SMBA coaches Know their craft!
We train beginners, intermediate and advanced players in youth leagues, club, travel, and high school at our camps and classes.
For more info: santamonicabaseballacademy@gmail.com
One-on-One Instructions
We offer comprehensive workouts for pitching, hitting, fielding and catching, as well as in sports performance with conditioning, fitness and strength building.
Professional and Affordable!
We want our players to succeed! We try to accommodate with group rates are available upon request.
For more, please email us at: santamonicabaseballacademy@gmail.com
Coaches at SMBA!
Pitching Coach
Pitching Coach
Coach JP trains players individually and with our club teams, camp and Clinics!
Catching Coach
Pitching Coach
Coach Johnny is a former D1 college player and defensive MVP! His knowledge and skill in the catchers position is absolutely dynamic!
Fielding Coach
Strength & Conditioning
Train with our coaches on proper fielding techniques and learn elite fundamentals!
Strength & Conditioning
Certified Background Checks!
Strength & Conditioning
We help develop your speed, agility and core strength to make players stronger, faster and better at the game then they ever thought! Working one-on-on, building, strengthening and developing their game to a higher level!
Certified Background Checks!
Certified Background Checks!
Certified Background Checks!
ALL Coaches and adminstrators for SMBA are certified with background checks through LIVESCAN and are fingerprinted through the FBI and the DOJ. Your child's safety is a top priority with SMBA!
Meet the Coaches
Coach Jesse
Coach Landon
Coach Landon
Coach Jesse McKinzy is a former varsity baseball outfielder/infielder and basketball point guard from Fremont High School. He grew up playing Little League baseball across Southern California and was mentored at MLK Park Little League by the legendary Sammie Haynes. Jesse went on to play at Texas Southern University before continuing his
Coach Jesse McKinzy is a former varsity baseball outfielder/infielder and basketball point guard from Fremont High School. He grew up playing Little League baseball across Southern California and was mentored at MLK Park Little League by the legendary Sammie Haynes. Jesse went on to play at Texas Southern University before continuing his baseball and basketball career at Compton College. With a deep love for the game and years of competitive experience, Coach Jesse is excited to share his knowledge and passion with the next generation of athletes, helping them develop their skills and master their craft.
Coach Landon
Coach Landon
Coach Landon
Coach Landon Dunker brings 13 years of playing experience and 2 years of coaching to the 8U baseball team, focusing on strong fundamentals and a love for the game. He creates a positive, structured environment where young athletes can build confidence, teamwork, and discipline. Landon is passionate about developing not just better players, but well-rounded individuals on and off the field.