About Us
As founder of The Pitching Lab, Aaron Heilman brings a valuable and unparallelled perspective to the Orange County private coaching landscape. Drawing on decades of playing and coaching experience, he is uniquely qualified to instruct a variety of players from youth leagues through MLB professionals. As the parent of a teen athlete, Aaron understands the challenge of fitting in quality, personalized instruction within the demanding schedules of family life. That’s why The Pitching Lab works with you to create a program and lesson schedule that maximizes your athlete’s time, effort, and results.
Our philosophy at The Pitching Lab is to stay healthy and have fun. Having dealt with arm issues in his career, Aaron uses his knowledge and experience to help athletes stay injury free while cultivating a love for the game.
Our Team
Right-handed pitcher Aaron Heilman played all four years of his collegiate career at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Drafted out of high school by the New York Yankees in 1997 and again by the Minnesota Twins in 2000, Aaron opted both times to pitch for Notre Dame. He led the nation with a 1.61 ERA as a freshman closer. He was named an All-American four times, including during his dominant senior season when he posted a 15-0 record and career ERA of 2.49.
In 1999, Aaron was named to the final roster of the Team USA National Baseball Team as one of ten pitchers. He spent the summer posting a 2.43 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 33 innings and competing against international opponents from Mexico, South Korea, and Japan.
Aaron was selected as the 18th overall pick by the New York Mets in the first round of the 2001 MLB draft. He is a 2001 graduate of the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, earning a degree in Management Information Systems and Philosophy.
Aaron’s professional career advanced quickly, with only a short stay in the NY Mets’ Minor League system before his MLB Debut in June 2003. Heilman displayed versatility for the Mets as both a starter, pitching a one-hit shutout in April 2005, and as a reliever in the Mets’ bullpen in their 2006 playoff season. He went on to spend nine seasons in Major League Baseball, playing for the Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Texas Rangers organizations. He amassed 548 strikeouts over 630 innings pitched, including 35 wins and 16 saves.
After retiring from MLB, Aaron acted as a pitching coach for the inaugural MLB Draft Combine in 2021 in Cary, N.C. He returned to Cary and Team USA in 2022 for their prospect development camp. Aaron has devoted much of his time to volunteer work and nonprofit causes, including the Parkinson’s Foundation and Lurie Children’s Hospital.
He recently moved to Orange County, California where he resides with his wife, daughter, and their Labrador Retriever named Lucky.
Find us
Address: Irvine, CA 92618