Training Days is a new series this preseason, aimed to be more of an informative piece, showing how some of the top players in the state of Indiana prepare for their upcoming PBR Showcase, and the upcoming high school season. Recently, we caught up with 2024 3B RJ Cromartie from Penn High School. RJ participated in the PBR Future Games in 2022, making his commitment to Notre Dame shortly after that event. We discussed Penn looking to defend their 4A State Title, what his offseason training looks like, goals for the upcoming Preseason All-State showcase, the 2023 high school season, and more.

PBR: What does a training day look like during the offseason?

Cromartie: “I wake up at about 5:30 AM and hit before school starts with fellow Notre Dame commit, Jayce Lee. After that, I head to school and get my lifting done at school. After school, I head home to eat before I either head to practice for Penn, or to hit with my hitting coach, Mike Marks.”

PBR: How often are you training each week?

Cromartie: I hit at least four times a week and lift three times per week, on top of hitting with my hitting coach and my high school team’s practices. 

PBR: What are you working on this offseason?

Cromartie: “As far as my swing goes, my main focus is just to better understand my swing from both sides. I’m trying to better understand my miss-hits and make adjustments based on those. In the weightroom, I have a few goals I’m trying to reach, including a 365 pound front squat and 285 pound power clean. Aside from that, I’ve been doing a lot of lower body and rotational explosive work in the weightroom to prepare for the upcoming season. I have also been focusing on improving my mobility and agility throughout this offseason as well.”

PBR: What are your personal goals for the upcoming season? 

Cromartie: “Some of my personal goals for this season are to make the all-conference team and all-state team. My goal metrics for the PBR Preseason All-State showcase is to hit a 96 exit velocity from both sides of the plate, run a 6.9 60 yard dash, and throw 92 across the infield. Finally, a classroom goal of mine is to maintain a 4.0 GPA and make high honor roll.”

PBR: Give us a quick preview of the 2023 Penn Kingsmen and your expectations for the season.

Cromartie: “The squad we have this year is elite, the team has great chemistry and a lot of experience that could help us succeed this season. Our goal is to win another state title, and we are very confident in our ability to be a contender in this year’s state tournament. We have been grinding this off-season to become better players.”

MORE TRAINING DAYS