About Us

Top Velocity is a US-born company with more than 16 years of experience in developing high-performance training, physical conditioning and rehabilitation programs for baseball players.

All of our programs are scientifically based and supported by academic studies in biomechanics, kinesiology, and sports medicine applied to baseball. Some of our most trusted sources are the National Pitching Association (NPA) and the American Institute of Sports Medicine (ASMI). This evidence-based approach allows us to educate young players, coaches, and parents to dismantle some of the most common myths of conventional baseball wisdom and develop the enormous talent that has fallen prey to it.

With these bases, we created our proprietary 3X methodology to take the performance of our athletes to its genetic limit while reducing the percentages of injury thanks to the correct use of the entire kinetic chain that is involved in the movements of throwing, batting, running and jumping. Our philosophy dictates that before being pitchers, catchers, hitters, or position players, they must first become high-performance athletes.

TOP VELOCITY CHARLOTTE MISSION

Our mission involves providing players with a unique experience that can positively impact their lives and those of the people around them like friends, family and their communities. We seek to instill in our players values such as hard work, discipline, consistency and an indomitable spirit.

Our Team

Shane Mathews

Owner & Instructor

Shane Mathews is the Owner & lead Instructor of Top Velocity Charlotte. Shane grew up in Conover, NC and attended St. Stephens High School.
He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 20th round in high school and chose to attend East Carolina University.

After a successful freshman season, he was selected as a freshman All-American and all conference freshman team. He was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 26th round in 2006. Choosing to return to ECU in 2007 to be a closer, Shane completed a successful season earning all-conference honors, conference tournament honors, and being drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 8th round. During the 2007 season, Shane established himself as a focal point of the Pirates bullpen and set the single season appearance record for ECU (39).

Shane spent 3 years in the Orioles Minor League system playing for; Aberden Ironbirds, Delmarva Shorebirds, and Frederick Keys. After ending his playing career, he took a break from baseball to focus on his family and career.

Since coming back into baseball in 2013, Shane coached specifically in the youth ages and youth organizations. After seeing the evolving game of baseball and the need for in depth training to help players achieve at the higher levels. Shane partnered with Top Velocity Inc. and has successfully integrated a full training program to assist players in all aspects of their health and game. Since starting Top Velocity Charlotte (2022), Shane has played a role and assisted 18 players commit and move on to play DI, DII, DII, and/or JUCO baseball.

Shane currently owns and operates Dirtbags Youth CLT. He currently resides in the Charlotte area with his wife and three children.

BJ HAGEN

Baseball Instructor

BJ has coached youth baseball for the last 18 years. Has given pitching/hitting/fielding lessons for the last 9 years. He played 4 years at UNC Charlotte as a RHP where he was used for numerous roles. He graduated from UNC Charlotte in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications-Mass Media. He is originally from Richmond, Va.

He played independently for the Traverse City Beach Bums of the Frontier League in 2009 and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Houston Astros in 2010.

Education:

B.S. Degree in Communications-Mass Media

Jorge Franco

Catching/Hitting Instructor

Jorge Franco is married, a father, a mentor, with more than 25 years of professional experience in the global baseball industry. His career spans roles as a professional player, scout, athletic director and coach within the Major League Baseball (MLB) minor league system, as well as in Colombia, the Caribbean and the United States.

With a Master's Degree in Business Administration with specialization in senior management of Sports Organizations and Education Based on Work Skills.

Jorge integrates advanced management principles with development methodologies for young and elite players. His experience includes talent identification, application of teaching-learning systems, and catching and hitting fundamentals and techniques.

He is recognized for creating disciplined, results-oriented programs that maximize athlete performance, accelerate competitive progression and prepare players for sustainable success at the highest levels of the game.

Abby Sagert

Softball Instructor

With over five years of coaching experience, I bring a deep passion for player development and team success to the softball field.

Abby competed at the elite travel level with Lady Lightning Gold Midwest, further sharpening her competitive edge and understanding of the game.

Abby's collegiate career as a catcher included time at the University of Illinois (2018) and Weber State University (2019–2022), where she contributed to two Big Sky Regular Season Championships, one Big Sky Tournament Championship, and two NCAA Women’s College World Series Regional appearances.

As a coach, "my top priority is to develop athletes not only as players but as people. I strive to create an environment where young women gain the confidence, discipline, and resilience needed to succeed both on and off the field. My goal is to equip them with the tools and mindset that will serve them well in life, long after their playing days are over."

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