The Team

Aidan Brown attended and graduated with honors from both the University of Tampa and Belmont Abbey College as a student athlete. With a passion for supporting fellow athletes, Aidan founded Work Beats Talent to help teammates enhance their social media presence, boost their NIL value, and secure endorsement deals in light of the new NCAA NIL regulations at the time.

Aidan now strives to empower the next generation of athletes by equipping them with the tools and resources needed to navigate the recruiting landscape with freedom. Through his own six-year collegiate journey, he aims to help athletes avoid the mistakes he made, enabling them to reach the next level and take full control of their development and recruitment.

EJ Cumbo attended both New York Tech and the University of Tampa, earning his bachelor’s degree in 2022 and his master’s degree in 2024. Throughout his athletic career, EJ achieved numerous accolades, including a National Championship in 2024, three All-American honors, three Player of the Year awards, and the title of Division II All-Time hits leader. EJ is currently playing with the Lexington Legends and serves on the executive board for The Shield TPA.

Understanding the changing dynamics of baseball recruiting, EJ aimed to create a new paradigm where athletes are no longer limited to in-person scouting. He is a strong advocate for the power of high-quality video content to showcase an athlete’s skills and make a lasting impression on coaches. Through increased visibility on social media platforms, EJ believes players can open doors that traditional scouting may otherwise overlook.

David Dobson is a 2018 graduate of DH Conley High School in North Carolina, where his baseball journey began. He initially attended UNC-Asheville from 2018 to 2020, but his time there was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Seeking further development, he attended Combine Academy during the 2020-2021 gap year, where he trained under Ian Walsh, the former Combine Pitching Coordinator and current Director of Pitching Performance for the Los Angeles Dodgers. While at Combine, he also took online classes at Gaston College, earning a two-year associate’s degree.

From 2021 to 2023, David continued his collegiate career at Belmont Abbey College, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Sport Management. During this time, the team achieved a significant milestone by reaching the Super Regional in 2023. In the summer of 2022, heading into his fifth year, he interned at X2 Athletics in Concord, NC, where he worked with athletes ranging from high school to professional players

Following his graduation in 2023, David furthered his career with an internship at the Florida Baseball ARMory, working with world-renowned pitching coach Randy Sullivan. The summer of 2023 marked a significant point in his career as he became the Pitching Coordinator and Coach for the Combine Academy National Team, managing over 30 pitchers across two high school teams. During this time, the program saw substantial improvements, with three players reaching 90 MPH in the fall, and by spring, 14 pitchers were throwing 90+ MPH, including five who threw 93+ MPH. Pitchers under his coaching earned commitments to top-tier programs like Coastal Carolina, Texas, UNC-Greensboro, San Diego State, and others

In the summer of 2024, David took on the role of Pitching Coach for the Morehead City Marlins in the Coastal Plains League (CPL), where he led the pitching staff to the league’s top rankings in nearly every statistical category, including a 3.39 ERA, 430 strikeouts, and a 1.26 WHIP. His efforts helped earn a CPL Pitcher of the Year award and five pitchers were named to the All-CPL team.

David has returned to Combine Academy as the Pitching Coordinator for the 2024-2025 season, continuing to develop the next generation of pitchers. Additionally, he has joined Work Beats Talent as a Data Analyst, where he will contribute his expertise in analyzing player data to enhance performance and development. With aspirations to become a high-level professional pitching coordinator and coach, he remains deeply committed to player development and the pursuit of excellence in coaching.

Trent Harris’ path to professional baseball is a story of persistence, adaptability, and earned opportunity. A North Carolina native, Harris began his college career at High Point University before transferring to UNC Pembroke, where he emerged as a versatile two-way player and later committed fully to pitching. Despite strong collegiate production, Harris went un-drafted, forcing him to prove himself outside the traditional pipeline.
That chip-on-the-shoulder mentality carried him into professional baseball, where he signed with the San Francisco Giants organization and quickly established himself as a reliable bullpen arm. Competing across multiple levels of the minor leagues, Harris gained valuable experience studying hitters, refining pitch shapes, and learning how sequencing and intent influence outcomes. His development was shaped not only by innings thrown, but by a growing interest in the data behind pitch design and performance.
As a Pitching Data Analyst, Harris applies his professional experience to breaking down pitch metrics, ball-flight data, and mechanical patterns to build individualized, data-driven game plans. He specializes in helping pitchers understand why pitches behave the way they do and how to make targeted adjustments that translate directly to results on the mound. By blending modern analytics with real-world competitive insight, Harris plays a key role in educating and developing the next generation of pitchers, bridging the gap between data, execution, and confidence.

Kahlil Watson’s baseball journey has been defined by elite talent, constant adjustment, and a deep curiosity for how the game works. A North Carolina prep standout and first-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, Watson entered professional baseball at just 18 years old with the reputation of being one of the most dynamic shortstops in his class. Over the course of his minor league career, he has played at every level of professional baseball, gaining firsthand experience against elite pitching while refining his offensive approach.
Now part of the Cleveland Guardians organization, Watson has spent recent seasons navigating the challenges that come with player development at the highest level. Along the way, he’s developed a strong understanding of swing mechanics, ball-flight patterns, and how small adjustments in movement and decision-making can dramatically impact results. His experience facing advanced pitching, combined with daily access to modern hitting technology, has shaped the way he sees offense, not just as an art, but as a measurable, repeatable process.
As a Hitting Data Analyst, Watson focuses on translating ball-flight data, swing metrics, and mechanical efficiency into actionable game plans. His ability to connect what the data says with what hitters feel in the box allows him to educate players in a way that’s practical, relatable, and performance-driven. With a background rooted in elite competition and a passion for development, Watson brings a player’s perspective to the analytical side of the game, helping prepare the next generation of hitters to compete with confidence and intent.

Patrick Wicklander is a veteran left-handed pitcher currently signed with Águilas del Zulia of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP). Selected in the 8th round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays, Wicklander’s professional career includes time within the Rays and Chicago Cubs organizations, as well as the Atlantic League. He initially gained national attention as the ace for the University of Arkansas, where he earned First-Team All-SEC and All-American honors while leading the Razorbacks through multiple deep postseason runs.

Throughout his career, Wicklander has combined a deceptive left-handed delivery with a high-strikeout profile, a combination that has allowed him to thrive in both affiliated and independent ball. His transition through various levels of professional baseball has fostered a sophisticated understanding of the modern pitching landscape, characterized by a technical and highly intentional approach to attacking hitters.

Beyond his performance on the mound, Wicklander has taken on a significant role in the performance analytics space. He specializes in the practical application of tracking data, moving beyond standard observation to evaluate and synthesize complex movement profiles. By bridging the gap between raw metrics and real-time execution, he assists in optimizing pitching staff output and refining individual game plans.

JD Urso, a Tampa native and graduate of H.B. Plant High School, has spent his life around the game. As the son of longtime University of Tampa head coach Joe Urso, JD was raised on the field—learning the game from a championship-level program before ever putting on a college uniform. But his path to playing at Tampa wasn’t guaranteed. Undersized and under-recruited out of high school, JD originally committed to St. Petersburg College, using that as motivation to grow stronger, faster, and more prepared for the next level.

That drive paid off. Since earning his shot at Tampa, JD has developed into one of the most accomplished players in program history. A three-time All-Sunshine State Conference selection and two-time NCBWA All-American Honorable Mention, he was named SSC Freshman of the Year in both 2021 and 2022. In 2023, he delivered a historic season, reaching base in a program-record 56 consecutive games and leading the team with 25 doubles—third-most in a single season at UT.

A steady presence at shortstop and a finalist for the SSC Gold Glove Award, JD hit .374 with 57 RBI, a .461 on-base percentage, and 32 extra-base hits while going a perfect 5-for-5 in stolen bases. He thrived in big games, notching multiple hits in 10 of 17 matchups against nationally ranked opponents and posting 25 multi-hit games overall.

His summer experience includes time with the Orleans Firebirds in the Cape Cod Baseball League, where he hit .429 in playoff action, and the Matsu Miners in the Alaska Collegiate Baseball League. He also played for the Seminole Snappers in the Florida Collegiate Summer League, batting .373 over 23 games.

After years of chasing a professional playing career, JD made the decision to pivot into coaching—starting in one of the most respected environments in baseball. He returns to the Cape Cod League in 2024, this time as a coach, launching the next chapter of his baseball journey and following in his father’s footsteps. Now part of the coaching staff with Work Beats Talent, JD brings a wealth of on-field experience, sharp instincts, and a deep understanding of what it takes to perform and develop at the college level.

Braydon Nelson is a current pitcher for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League, bringing valuable experience from his successful pitching career. In 2024, he primarily served as the closer for the Oakland Ballers in the Pioneer League, showcasing his reliability in high-pressure situations. From 2020 to 2023, Braydon pitched at the University of Tampa, where he earned recognition for his excellence on the mound. Prior to that, he played for St. Bonaventure University from 2018 to 2019, where he was named A-10 Rookie of the Week during his freshman year in 2018.

Braydon’s pitching accolades are a testament to his skill and consistency. In 2022, he was named a First-Team All-American Closer, First-Team All-South Region Closer, and First-Team All-Sunshine State Conference (SSC) Closer, cementing his status as one of the top pitchers in Division II baseball. His ability to perform in critical moments has been a hallmark of his career, earning him numerous honors throughout his time in college baseball.

In addition to his athletic achievements, Braydon has also excelled academically. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Analytics and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematical Programming. He was awarded the UT Male Scholar Athlete Award in 2023 and has consistently earned academic recognition, including selection to the SSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll, the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award, and the 2023 CSC Academic All-District Team. Braydon’s combination of academic success and athletic excellence continues to drive his aspirations both on and off the field.

Braydon has recently rejoined Work Beats Talent as a Data Analyst, where he applies his skills to analyze player data and enhance performance. His deep understanding of both baseball and data analytics makes him a valuable addition to the team.