WMU Announced Former Detroit Tiger to Join Baseball Coaching Staff

Western Michigan University is beefing up its coaching staff by adding a former Detroit Tiger to the baseball team's pitching staff.

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Western Michigan University Baseball

WMU had a rough season in 2022 only winning 18 of their 36 games overall and 15 of 24 games in their conference. It's apparent that some changes be made to increase the team's chances of having a stronger season in 2023.

WMU has not had much trouble in the hitting department, but the pitching department has had some struggles. When you lose games 2-12, 4-13, 6-12, and 5-16, that means the other teams are hitting big against your pitchers.

The good news is, that the coaching staff at WMU has located their weakness and has put a plan in place to turn the pitching staff around.

WMU Hires Former Detroit Tiger

It's important to surround young players with role models and coaches who have experience in the game of baseball. Not just minor league stuff, but people who have been there, done that, and know what it takes to get the job done in the big leagues. That experience and knowledge can be passed down to these young players to enhance their opportunities on the field at school and beyond.

The WMU Broncos have done just that by bringing on former Detroit Tiger pitcher Daniel Schlereth.

According to WOOD, Bronco head coach Billy Gernon said, When the search began, I was looking for someone that would help take our program to the next level. It was important to bring someone on board that had experienced as much success as possible.

Daniel Schlereth Brings a Lot to WMU Baseball

Not only did Schlereth play for the Detroit Tigers but he was originally drafted by the Oakland Athletics but declined to sign with them in 2007. In 2008 he signed a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Pitching for two Major League Baseball teams is a pretty solid resume not to mention the knowledge that he will carry from those teams to WMU.

What really makes Schlereth even more experienced and able to relate to the players is after he left the Tigers to return to Triple-A he played with a lot of teams that some of the players on WMU could wind up playing on.

Schlereth was previously managing the Joliet Slammers of the Frontier League and is excited to be joining the Bronco Baseball program.

We will see if this move pays off in 2023 for the WMU baseball program.