USA Baseball announced that pitching coach Brad Penny and assistant coaches David Eckstein and Steve Stone will serve under manager Rick Eckstein on the 2024 U-18 National Team staff.
"This coaching staff offers unique experience across all levels of baseball," said U-18 National Team Program Director Brett Curll. "Adding a World Series Most Valuable Player, a 14-year big-league veteran, and a successful high school head coach to our staff will certainly help us in our effort to return to the top of the podium later this summer."
David Eckstein (pictured above) won the 2002 World Series with the Los Angeles Angels and repeated in 2006 with the St. Louis Cardinals, earning MVP honours. It's his second experience on the U-18 National Team staff after helping the US with the 2015 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup under manager Glenn Cecchini.
Penny helped the Florida Marlins win the 2003 World Series. He served as the U-18 National Team pitching coach in 2021 and 2022.
Stone has managed the Hebron High School in Carrollton, Texas, for 24 seasons. He will make his USA Baseball coaching debut.
