MLB Executives Panel
“The Future of this Game and the Role of Player Development”
Bobby Basham – Director of Player Development, Chicago Cubs
Josh Boyd – Assistant General Manager, Texas Rangers
Don Wakamatsu – Bench Coach, Texas Rangers
Donnie Ecker – Hitting Coach, San Francisco Giants
Brian DeLunas – previous Bullpen Coach, Seattle Mariners
Bobby Basham is the Director of Player Development with the Chicago Cubs. He’s worked within the organization for the past eight years and has held a variety of roles that include major league scouting coordinator, assistant director of advance scouting and major league strategy, and assistant director of minor league operations. Basham pitched for six seasons in the Reds and Padres organizations.
Josh Boyd is the Assistant General Manager of the Texas Rangers and oversees Professional Scouting, Research and Development, and Pacific Rim Operations. He previously worked in the organization as Senior Director of Player Personnel and Assistant Director of Pro Scouting. He also previously served as a scout for four years with San Diego.
Don Wakamatsu is the current Bench Coach of the Texas Rangers. He’s worked in several organizations over the past two decades including Oakland, Toronto, and Kansas City. He managed Seattle from 2009-10 and finished the 2018 season as interim manager in Texas. He was also a part of the 2015 World Championship Kansas City Royals team. As a player, Wakamatsu was drafted in the 11th round of the 1985 MLB Draft by Cincinnati. He played nine seasons making his major league debut with the White Sox in 1991.
Brian DeLunas served the past three seasons as Director of Pitching Development and Strategies for the Seattle Mariners. He co-founded Premier Pitching & Performance with Josh Kesel back in 2014 which used a 3D marker-less biomechanical system, physical therapy, and other technologies to train baseball pitchers. He previously coached at the University of Missouri and in the Northwoods League.
Donnie Ecker is the hitting coach for the San Francisco Giants. Over the past six seasons Ecker has coached hitters in the Cardinals, Angels, and Reds organizations. He was drafted in the 22nd round of the 2007 MLB Draft and played four seasons in the Rangers organization before accepting a coaching position at his alma mater Los Altos High School in 2013.