Anthony Velazquez, the 2016 and 2017 Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year, just completed his 6th year in the strength and conditioning field and his 5th season in professional baseball. Anthony is currently the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Trenton Thunder, the New York Yankees Eastern League affiliate. Prior to joining the Yankees in 2013, he served as a Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coach for Phillies High A affiliate, the Clearwater Thunders.
A native of Michigan, Anthony graduated from Romeo High School in 2000, where he earned letters in 
football and track. After high school, he attended Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, MI where he earned a BS degree in Health, Fitness and Preventive Rehabilitation in 2006. Anthony also Earned a MS in Exercise Science from Oakland University in Rochester, MI in 2015 and is currently enrolled in the doctoral program in Leadership: Health and Human Performance at Concordia University in Chicago, IL.
While at Central Michigan, Anthony gained valuable experience by working at Lifetime Fitness where he received the Most Valuable Trainer Award in 2007. From 2007-2010 he worked at the Sports Club LA in Beverly Hills, CA as a private trainer. He also completed internships at three different Division I University Athletic programs: University of Michigan (Olympic Sports – 2012, University of South Florida (Football – 2012) and University of Maryland (Olympic Sports – 2013).
He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach (RSCC) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He also holds USAW1, FMS, PES, CES and First Aid certifications.
Anthony resides in Shelby Township, MI during the off-season. He has a 4-year old son, Aiyden. His hobbies include weight-lifting, hiking, watching sports and shooting at the local gun range.
His philosophy of strength and conditioning in professional baseball is that athletes need a progressive, systematic training program designed to improve athletic performance, reduce the risk of injury and ensure optimal recovery. The program should be scientifically based and designed to maximize performance and personal health and is based off motivation, effort, intensity to help build character and work ethic to ensure that the athlete will endure the demands of a full season of baseball.
Leave a Reply