“We’ve curated a competitive but caring culture that has organically brought the best out of these athletes and set them up to succeed while also rooting for the other members of our B&B family. They push each other with competitive fire but also have each other’s backs. I couldn’t be prouder of how that has developed.” – Dan Hennigan
About the Founder, Dan Hennigan
Dan Hennigan is an elite baseball hitting strategist and the visionary founder behind Brain&Barrel, a pioneering force in baseball player development. Known throughout professional baseball circles for his innovative approach, Dan’s methodologies seamlessly blend advanced biomechanics, cutting-edge technology, and meticulous analytics to unlock unparalleled performance.
His journey began as a celebrated collegiate athlete at Franklin Pierce University, where he earned multiple All-Conference, All-Region, and All-American honors. Dan transitioned to professional baseball, signing with the Somerset Patriots, and later playing for the Camden Riversharks of the Atlantic League before being acquired by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Injuries may have paused his playing career, but they ignited a deeper passion: mastering the science behind hitting.
Turning adversity into opportunity, Dan immersed himself in studying biomechanics, physics, and neuroscience, collaborating directly with top experts across various fields including professional athletes, MLB coaches, kinesiologists, and performance psychologists. This multidisciplinary pursuit led Dan to create Brain&Barrel—a groundbreaking system meticulously structured around six pillars: The Brain, The Swing, The Approach, Stuff, Adjustability, and The Engine. Each pillar is specifically designed to enhance every aspect of a player’s game, from mental acuity and emotional intelligence to swing precision and physical performance.
As Director of Hitting for the Houston Astros, Dan currently applies his innovative framework to develop some of baseball’s top talent. His reputation extends far beyond professional baseball; aspiring high school athletes, collegiate stars, and major league players alike seek Dan’s expertise to refine their skills, enhance their mental approach, and realize their full potential.
Whether it’s using motion-capture technology to fine-tune a swing, implementing personalized strength and conditioning programs, or fostering peak mental performance, Dan’s commitment is clear: elevate athletes beyond what they believe is possible.
Connect with Brain&Barrel today and unlock the elite-level development that transforms potential into extraordinary performance.
Bryan Hennigan – College Recruiting, Agent, Trainer
Bryan Hennigan is Brain&Barrel’s NCAA transfer portal specialist, with a proven record of helping athletes advance to higher collegiate levels. His work includes moves from Richmond to Arkansas, George Washington to Virginia Tech, and Lafayette to Wake Forest. He also coaches, manages pro players, and connects athletes to college programs nationwide.
Tyler Hill – Hitting Coordinator
Tyler Hill, the last hitter in the Royals organization to finish a season hitting over .400, oversees all development programming. A former Triple-A player with the Rockies, he has been training with Dan since 2017. Tyler customizes programs based on evaluations, tracks progress, and ensures athletes are on a clear, measurable path to success.
Nick Todero – Player Evaluation & Development Coach
Nick Todero runs the comprehensive evaluation process that sets the tone for every athlete’s development. Using Trackman and Proteus Motion technology, he identifies strengths, pinpoints growth areas, and connects athletes with the right development path, applying Brain&Barrel’s systems in a personalized way.
Sonny Ulliana – Hitting & Catching Coach / Marketing
Sonny Ulliana, a former professional player and four-year starter at the University of Rhode Island, capped his final full pro season with a .992 OPS, .333 average, and 10 HR in 204 at-bats. He combines high-level playing experience with college coaching experience and Brain&Barrel’s systems to train hitters and catchers, and leads the company’s marketing efforts to share athlete success stories.
Matt Alvarez – Pitching Coach
Matt Alvarez, a Boston College graduate and former professional pitcher, applies a movement-first approach to pitching development. He uses data and biomechanics to improve velocity, pitch shapes, command, and health through efficient, repeatable mechanics.
Kyle Beach – Research & Development Specialist
Kyle Beach, a Johns Hopkins graduate student in data science, bridges the gap between analytics and on-field application. He works with Trackman and Proteus Motion to help athletes understand movement patterns and develops software tools that enhance training and evaluation. Kyle has made Dan’s analytical concepts come to life through software development and data projects that have helped athletes conceptualize their swing decisions in professional games.
Luighsighe Hennigan – Director of Operations
Luighsighe Hennigan is the first point of contact for most athletes entering Brain&Barrel. Drawing from her leadership background in New York City’s restaurant industry, she ensures a smooth onboarding process, clear communication, and a welcoming atmosphere for athletes and families.