Driveline Baseball trainer Ian Walsh announced on Twitter that he is joining the Los Angeles Dodgers organization as a pitching development assistant for the 2022 season. The Winston-Salem, North Carolina native also had served as the assistant coach for Combine Academy since 2019.
Prior to becoming a coach, Walsh played collegiately at Denison University — an NCAA Division III program located in Ohio. He graduated in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics.
While he’s never pitched at the Major League or Minor League level, Walsh did make one appearance for the Sonoma Stompers in 2017 — an independent team that’s part of the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs.
Following his short stint in professional ball, Walsh began working at Driveline Baseball, where he helped train pitchers from high school all the way to MLB.
I’m excited to announce that I’ll be joining the @Dodgers as a Pitching Development Assistant for this upcoming season
Can’t wait to get to work! #GoDodgers pic.twitter.com/giB1RpVCj9
— Ian Walsh (@ian_walsh11) December 22, 2021
Driveline Baseball has grown in popularity over recent years as more players turn to data-driven approaches. The Dodgers have an excellent relationship with the training academy, previously hiring coaches away and even signing former intern Bradley Gonzales to a Minor League contract last year.
Several pitchers from the organization have spoken highly about their experience with Driveline Baseball in recent offseasons, including Clayton Kershaw, Kenley Jansen, Joe Kelly and Alex Wood.
Walsh, Sean Coyne among additions to Dodgers coaching staff
Walsh is the second addition to the Dodgers coaching staff this winter, joining former Westmont College assistant pitching coach Sean Coyne, who accepted a Minor League position at the start of the month.
Coyne previously served as a pitching floor trainer for Driveline Baseball, the pitching coach for Scripps Ranch High School in San Diego, California, and the pitching instructor and assistant strength coach at B1 Summer Academy.
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