The Journey of Jordan Comadena: A Catcher’s Evolution On and Off the Field
Catching isn’t just a position; it’s a mindset, a craft, and a way of life. Few understand this better than Jordan Comadena—known fondly as “Funky”—who has carved his own path from a talented young athlete to a professional catcher, coach, and innovator. His career embodies not only the tenacity required to excel behind the plate but also the vision to enhance the catching position for players everywhere.
This blog explores Jordan’s remarkable evolution from a high school standout to a professional catcher, his philosophy on the intricacies of the catching position, and his innovative contributions to the development of aspiring players.
Early Days in Normal, Illinois
Born on November 16, 1985, in Normal, Illinois, Jordan Comadena’s drive for excellence could be seen well before his professional career began. Growing up, he was a multi-sport athlete, earning varsity letters in both baseball and football at Normal Community West High School. His raw talent translated into impressive stats, including a .431 batting average in his senior year. Beyond school leagues, he dominated American Legion baseball, further cementing his reputation as a natural athlete with a big future ahead of him.
Yet for Jordan, baseball was always more than a sport—it was a passion. He chose to dedicate his winters to preparing for spring baseball rather than competing in basketball, a testament to his deep love for the game.
College Career at Purdue
Jordan’s transition to collegiate baseball at Purdue University marked the next stage of his development. While studying movement and sports science, he played as a catcher and outfielder for the Purdue Boilermakers. His years in college weren’t always easy. Challenges such as injuries limited his playing time in some seasons, but Jordan’s perseverance and adaptability ensured he continually improved his performance. One of his most notable achievements came during his summer stints with the Madison Mallards in the Northwoods League, where he earned MVP honors and had his jersey retired—a high honor reserved for players who leave an indelible mark on the team.
Jordan’s college career taught him the resilience and consistency that would later underpin his approach to professional baseball and coaching.
Building a Professional Career with Persistence
Undrafted out of college, Jordan’s road to professional baseball wasn’t typical. Signing with the Houston Astros on April 5, 2009, he faced an uphill battle, starting in the minor leagues. Despite initial struggles with stats, Jordan focused on one goal—developing as a catcher. He stuck to it and proved his worth, splitting time across teams like the Lexington Legends and Lancaster Jethawks over his four seasons in the Astros organization. While the Astros released him in 2012, Jordan’s unwavering commitment to improvement highlighted his consistent drive to make the most out of every opportunity.
From Sales to Coaching
After stepping away from playing professionally, Jordan’s life took an unexpected turn into sales—a position with Chandler Bats. His role helped him develop invaluable lessons in professionalism, time management, and intentionality, skills that laid the foundation for his transition back into coaching.
The coaching world wasn’t entirely new to Jordan. After his professional playing career, he took up coaching at his alma mater, Purdue, where he cultivated relationships with players and immersed himself in the development side of the game.
It was in 2016 that his career came full circle. A call from Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle invited Jordan to join the Pirates as a bullpen catcher. “It was a dream come true,” Jordan recalls, “especially as someone who grew up a Pirates fan.” From the bullpen, his contributions expanded further. He was recently promoted to Catching Coach while retaining his duties as a bullpen catcher, solidifying his influence within the organization.
Training Insights from Comadena
Jordan’s philosophy on catching emphasizes discipline, consistency, and adaptability. According to him, being a catcher is one of the most challenging yet rewarding positions in baseball. The position is often undervalued and under-coached, especially for younger players. This insight led Jordan and Jose Trevino to innovate the “Catcher’s Zone Mat”—a product designed to improve catching fundamentals like hand speed, pocket awareness, positioning, and ball transfer mechanics.
“The role of the catcher has evolved,” Jordan notes, “from simply blocking and throwing to being an integral part of pitching strategy, run prevention, and leadership on the field.” He believes that young catchers must focus on mastering the basics—building efficient movements, strong receiving techniques, and understanding their pitcher’s tendencies.
For young players, he stresses the importance of hand speed training, practicing with chaos, and using high-quality equipment like a well-broken-in, large glove (at least 34 inches for high school players). Jordan preaches consistency and intentionality with every practice session and game—a message he shares not only through coaching but also in products like the Catcher’s Zone Mat, tailored to provide visual and tactile feedback for catchers.
Mentorship and Leadership
Jordan sees his coaching role as more than just teaching technique—he’s passionate about building relationships and fostering leadership within his catchers’ group. “Catching is unique—it’s the only defensive position that impacts every single game,” he shares. Helping his catchers improve their framing, game-calling, and pitcher relationships has become a core part of his responsibilities with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
His ultimate goal? To inspire his catchers to be “beacons of leadership,” moving beyond mechanics to take ownership of their role as the backbone of their teams.
One of his proudest coaching moments came in 2021—the year Pirates catcher Jacob Stallings earned the prestigious Gold Glove award. Jordan shares, “Watching Jacob’s transformation, seeing the hard work pay off, and knowing I played even a small role in that was incredibly rewarding.”
Advice for Aspiring Catchers
For Little Leaguers, Jordan advises focusing on fundamentals and striving for consistency through repetition. He also emphasizes the value of being open to feedback and setting high expectations for oneself.
For teens and high school players aiming to go further, intentionality is key. This includes not only refining catching skills but also focusing on nutrition, weight training, flexibility, and arm health. Jordan encourages players to think like they’re always “making the team,” never taking opportunities for granted.
When it comes to collegiate and professional players, Jordan highlights the mental side of the game as the ultimate separator. Visualization, journaling, and coping strategies for handling high-pressure situations are all crucial tools for athletes at higher levels of competition.
The Legacy of Jordan Comadena
Jordan’s career has been defined by an innate drive to grow, learn, and lead—traits that have carried him through his playing days and now elevate his coaching. With his experience, innovation, and passion for catching, he’s not only shaping the future of baseball’s next generation but also leaving his mark on the broader baseball community.
Through dedication, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, Jordan Comadena reminds us all that the art of catching is as much about mindset as mechanics. Whether you’re a young catcher working on fundamentals or a scout looking for innovative training tools like the Catcher’s Zone Mat, Jordan’s story is one of inspiration and proof that hard work and passion truly pay off.
Interested in enhancing your catching skills? Discover the Catcher’s Zone Mat and explore proven tools to elevate your game today!