"As a college, and now professional athlete, P3 has helped me overcome possible career-ending injuries. Without the help of P3, I would have never been able to recover the speed and strength needed to compete at the high levels of college and professional baseball after reconstructive knee surgery. P3 offered me a second chance, thanks to Marcus' dedication and skill. P3's scientific-based nervous system training has put them head and shoulders above traditional weight training programs and years ahead of their time."

Chris Valaika
Cincinnati Reds Organization

History

Valaika was named Big West Freshman of the Year and Freshman All-American after starting all 54 games at shortstop in 2004 at UCSB. He missed the majority of his sophomore campaign due to a torn ACL. After a slow rehabilitation period, Chris came to P3 for a more intensive program that would involve a more comprehensive approach to both prevent future injuries as well as improve his performance.

Training

The first objective was to stabilize the muscles surrounding Chris’s knee to prepare him for more ballistic lateral and rotational movements. As a shortstop, Chris needs to be agile and explosive, so single-leg lateral plyometrics and heavy medicine ball work became a staple of his training to reinforce these mechanics and resulting force translations. Such movements carry over very well to his hitting power as he learned to transfer more horizontal forces into his swing.

Results

Chris returned for a stellar junior year at UCSB, and was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 3rd Round (84th overall) 2006 amateur entry draft. Speed increased from 7.1-.2 pre-injury to 6.7 post injury in pre-draft workouts. In his first Minor League season, Valaika amassed a Pioneer League record and Minor League season-high thirty-two game hit streak that ended with his being named the MVP the Pioneer League. Valaika batted .324 with 22 doubles, four triples, eight home runs, 58 runs scored and 60 RBI.