Jorge Araiza, the driving force behind Bat and Root LLC and Throwdown Academy, brings a lifetime of passion and expertise to transform baseball training in South Orange County. With a B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Chico, an M.S. in Physical Education from Azusa Pacific University, and a 250-hour Yoga Certification, Jorge is currently pursuing a Sports Psychology certificate to deepen his mastery of mental performance. His holistic approach weaves mental skills, nutrition, yoga, and meditation into a powerful formula that unlocks athletes’ full potential.

A former professional baseball player in the Golden, Frontier, and Veracruz (Mexican) Winter Leagues, Jorge also represented the Ecuador National Team as a player-coach (2005-2012), competing in South American Championships (’05, ’07, ’12) and the 2006 Pan-American Games in Cuba. His amateur career boasts two World Series finalist appearances, a California JUCO State Championship in 2004, and a runner-up finish in 2003.

With over six years of collegiate coaching as Lead Assistant at Vanguard University (2010-2012) and Head Pitching Coach at Saddleback College (2013-2015), Jorge has mentored countless athletes to success. He was part of the foundational coaching staff during the first few years of the Saddleback Cowboys (10u-14u) development program, serving as Lead Pitching Coach.

Through Bat and Root LLC, Jorge offers dynamic baseball clinics and private lessons in South Orange County and international programs in South America, empowering athletes to excel on and off the field. At Throwdown Academy in Lake Forest, California, he runs an innovative independent study center where young men balance academics and baseball, preparing mentally, emotionally, and physically to compete at the varsity level as freshmen. Throwdown Academy is a modern rite of passage for Orange County student-athletes, where every session turns dreams into reality through hard work and faith.

Ready to elevate your game or your athlete’s future? Join Jorge at Bat and Root or Throwdown Academy for transformative clinics, private coaching, or our varsity-prep program.