Eastern Michigan Athletics
Beerman Tabs Steve Merriman Pitching Coach
6/25/2026 4:26:00 PM | Baseball
Michigan native brings 20+ years of pitching experience
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University Head Baseball Coach Trevor Beerman has announced the hiring of Steve Merriman as the program's pitching coach Thursday, June 25.
Merriman joins the Eagles after serving as the Director of Pitching Development at Texas Tech University during the 2026 season. Before the Red Raiders, the Michigan native spent 20-plus years serving in various roles with seven different MLB organizations as well as multiple stops as the pitching coach at Michigan and Toledo.
"Steve brings a tremendous wealth of experience, a proven track record of developing pitchers, and a passion for helping student-athletes reach their full potential," said Beerman. "His knowledge of the game, leadership, and commitment to excellence make him a perfect fit for our program. We look forward to the impact he will have on our pitching staff and continued growth of Eastern Michigan baseball."
In the 2026 campaign, Tech's bullpen struck out 11 batters in a 10-5 win over No. 24 UTSA, March 11. Merriman contributed to Jackson Burns' 7.2-inning win over No. 17 West Virginia, April 11, in which he allowed only one run with five strikeouts, and zero walks. He also oversaw a seven-inning complete game by junior Lukas Pirko, who allowed just one run in a 15-1 win over Albany in the first game of a doubleheader, Feb. 21. The next day, Tech pitchers blanked the Great Danes, 10-0, as Kaysen Raineri and Connor Mohan teamed up for the Red Raiders' first shutout since the 2024 campaign.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to return to my home state and serve Eastern Michigan University," said Merriman. "Coach Beerman's vision for the program and culture he has fostered is evident, and will lead to upstanding player development. I'm grateful to be a part of this program and look forward to assisting in the growth of Eastern Michigan baseball."
In 2025, Merriman oversaw a Montgomery Biscuits team (Double-A, Tampa Bay Rays) that won the Southern League South Division with a 78-60 record. Individually, Merriman mentored big leaguers Ian Seymour, Cole Wilcox, Mason Montgomery, Duncan Davitt, and Trevor Martin.
During the 2024 season, Merriman helped the Biscuits to an 80-57 record, winning both the first and second half title and a trip to the Southern League Championship Series.
The coach went to the Tampa Bay Rays organization after returning to Michigan from 2021-22, where the former Central Michigan standout served as the Wolverines' Pitching Coach. It was his third stint in Ann Arbor as Merriman also served as Michigan's pitching coach from 2011-12, as well as the 2001 and 2002 campaigns. Throughout his time at Michigan, he worked with notable MLB Draft selections, including 20-year MLB vet Rich Hill and former 2021 Second Round pick Steve Hajjar.
Merriman spent the 2019-2021 seasons with the Colorado Rockies organization where he served as the Rockies Pitching Coordinator and assisted with pitching analytics, technology implementation, and program development for the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats.
Merriman landed with the Rockies after spending the 2018 season with the Chicago Cubs serving as the Assistant Pitching Coordinator for Chicago's Dominican Academy to Low-A clubs.
The coach's over two-decades of experience also includes stints as a Midwest Area Scout (Michigan and Ohio region), an Extended Spring Training Coordinator (Arizona Diamondbacks) and a Rehab Pitching Coordinator role with the New York Mets organization.
While with the Mets, Merriman was part of the first portable biomechanics lab that was used in spring training (2005-06 season), run by the ASMI Lab, Dr. James Andrews, and Glenn Fleisig.
In addition to his extensive experience in pro ball, Merriman is well versed in the modern baseball technologies including Rapsodo, Driveline, TrackMan, and PitchGrader and has served as an advisory board member for OnBase U and Proplay AI.
Merriman also has worked with the Texas Baseball Ranch (Ron Wilforth Clinic) and the Dr. Tom House/Joe Newton Arm Care + Velocity Program.
He got his start in pitching as a Pitching Coach at Toledo (1996 season) and had a two-season run as the Head Coach at Macomb Community College (1999-01).
While at Macomb, Merriman saw 90% of his student-athletes earn an opportunity at a four-year institution while five players were selected in the MLB Draft. The Monarchs made back-to-back regional finals appearances and finished above .500 in both seasons.
The Michigan native attended Central Michigan, where he earned his degree in Education in 1991 while being a four-year standout on the Chippewas baseball squad.
During his time in Mount Pleasant, CMU won three MAC Championships and made three NCAA Regional appearances. Merriman was an honorable mention All-MAC selection as a catcher after the 1990 season.
Merriman and his wife, Sue, have three children; Troy (wife Hannah), Trisha (husband Nate), and Traci (husband Levi). The couple has two grandsons and two granddaughters. His son, Troy, is currently the head baseball coach at Tiffin University.
Merriman joins the Eagles after serving as the Director of Pitching Development at Texas Tech University during the 2026 season. Before the Red Raiders, the Michigan native spent 20-plus years serving in various roles with seven different MLB organizations as well as multiple stops as the pitching coach at Michigan and Toledo.
"Steve brings a tremendous wealth of experience, a proven track record of developing pitchers, and a passion for helping student-athletes reach their full potential," said Beerman. "His knowledge of the game, leadership, and commitment to excellence make him a perfect fit for our program. We look forward to the impact he will have on our pitching staff and continued growth of Eastern Michigan baseball."
In the 2026 campaign, Tech's bullpen struck out 11 batters in a 10-5 win over No. 24 UTSA, March 11. Merriman contributed to Jackson Burns' 7.2-inning win over No. 17 West Virginia, April 11, in which he allowed only one run with five strikeouts, and zero walks. He also oversaw a seven-inning complete game by junior Lukas Pirko, who allowed just one run in a 15-1 win over Albany in the first game of a doubleheader, Feb. 21. The next day, Tech pitchers blanked the Great Danes, 10-0, as Kaysen Raineri and Connor Mohan teamed up for the Red Raiders' first shutout since the 2024 campaign.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to return to my home state and serve Eastern Michigan University," said Merriman. "Coach Beerman's vision for the program and culture he has fostered is evident, and will lead to upstanding player development. I'm grateful to be a part of this program and look forward to assisting in the growth of Eastern Michigan baseball."
In 2025, Merriman oversaw a Montgomery Biscuits team (Double-A, Tampa Bay Rays) that won the Southern League South Division with a 78-60 record. Individually, Merriman mentored big leaguers Ian Seymour, Cole Wilcox, Mason Montgomery, Duncan Davitt, and Trevor Martin.
During the 2024 season, Merriman helped the Biscuits to an 80-57 record, winning both the first and second half title and a trip to the Southern League Championship Series.
The coach went to the Tampa Bay Rays organization after returning to Michigan from 2021-22, where the former Central Michigan standout served as the Wolverines' Pitching Coach. It was his third stint in Ann Arbor as Merriman also served as Michigan's pitching coach from 2011-12, as well as the 2001 and 2002 campaigns. Throughout his time at Michigan, he worked with notable MLB Draft selections, including 20-year MLB vet Rich Hill and former 2021 Second Round pick Steve Hajjar.
Merriman spent the 2019-2021 seasons with the Colorado Rockies organization where he served as the Rockies Pitching Coordinator and assisted with pitching analytics, technology implementation, and program development for the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats.
Merriman landed with the Rockies after spending the 2018 season with the Chicago Cubs serving as the Assistant Pitching Coordinator for Chicago's Dominican Academy to Low-A clubs.
The coach's over two-decades of experience also includes stints as a Midwest Area Scout (Michigan and Ohio region), an Extended Spring Training Coordinator (Arizona Diamondbacks) and a Rehab Pitching Coordinator role with the New York Mets organization.
While with the Mets, Merriman was part of the first portable biomechanics lab that was used in spring training (2005-06 season), run by the ASMI Lab, Dr. James Andrews, and Glenn Fleisig.
In addition to his extensive experience in pro ball, Merriman is well versed in the modern baseball technologies including Rapsodo, Driveline, TrackMan, and PitchGrader and has served as an advisory board member for OnBase U and Proplay AI.
Merriman also has worked with the Texas Baseball Ranch (Ron Wilforth Clinic) and the Dr. Tom House/Joe Newton Arm Care + Velocity Program.
He got his start in pitching as a Pitching Coach at Toledo (1996 season) and had a two-season run as the Head Coach at Macomb Community College (1999-01).
While at Macomb, Merriman saw 90% of his student-athletes earn an opportunity at a four-year institution while five players were selected in the MLB Draft. The Monarchs made back-to-back regional finals appearances and finished above .500 in both seasons.
The Michigan native attended Central Michigan, where he earned his degree in Education in 1991 while being a four-year standout on the Chippewas baseball squad.
During his time in Mount Pleasant, CMU won three MAC Championships and made three NCAA Regional appearances. Merriman was an honorable mention All-MAC selection as a catcher after the 1990 season.
Merriman and his wife, Sue, have three children; Troy (wife Hannah), Trisha (husband Nate), and Traci (husband Levi). The couple has two grandsons and two granddaughters. His son, Troy, is currently the head baseball coach at Tiffin University.
| The Steve Merriman File | ||
| Name: | Steve Merriman | |
| Hometown: | Grandville, Mich. | |
| High School: | Mt. Pleasant H.S. - Mt. Pleasant, Mich. | |
| College: | Central Michigan University - Bachelor's degree in Education - 1991 | |
| Family: | Wife - Sue; Son - Troy; Daughters - Trisha, Traci | |
| Coaching Experience | ||
| Year | Position | Employer |
| 2026-Present | Pitching Coach | Eastern Michigan University |
| 2026 | Director of Pitching Development | Texas Tech University |
| 2025 | Pitching Coach | Bowling Green Hot Rods (High-A, Tampa Bay Rays) |
| 2023-25 | Pitching Coach | Montgomery Biscuits (Double-AA, Tampa Bay Rays) |
| 2021-22 | Pitching Coach | University of Michigan |
| 2019-21 | Pitching Coach | Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A, Colorado Rockies) |
| 2018 | Assistant Minor League Pitching Coordinator | Chicago Cubs |
| 2014 | Pitching Coach | Lexington Legends |
| 2013 | Pitching Coach | Idaho Falls Chukars |
| 2012 | Pitching Coach | University of Michigan |
| 2009-11 | Midwest Area Scout | Major League Scouting Bureau |
| 2007-09 | Extended Spring Training Coordinator | Arizona Diamondbacks |
| 2004-06 | Rehab Pitching Coordinator | New York Mets |
| 2002-04 | Associate Scout | Colorado Rockies |
| 2002 | Pitching Coach | University of Michigan |
| 1999-01 | Head Coach | Macomb Community College |
| 1996-99 | Bullpen Catcher | Detroit Tigers |
| 1996 | Pitching Coach | University of Toledo |
| 1995 | Hitting Coach | University of Michigan |
Jim Streeter - MAC Hall of Fame Induction Video
Wednesday, May 27
Jim Streeter’s Lifetime of Service Earns MAC Hall of Fame Honor
Wednesday, May 27
Closed it out right!👏
Tuesday, May 19
2026 EMU Baseball Senior Day Cinematic Recap
Sunday, May 17