LOS ANGELES — Will Ireton is the Dodgers’ Performance Operations Coordinator.

As a point of contact between the front office and the field, Ireton compiles data and delivers it to the coaches and players during the day-to-day preparation for each game.

Ireton first joined the Dodgers Organization in 2016 as an interpreter for Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda and earned the nickname “Will the Thrill” for his ball shagging skills.

“The people that I work for, the people that I work with, are very inspiring people, who’re at the top of their game. So just being around them and soaking in all the knowledge has been very, very fulfilling for me,” said Ireton.

One of Ireton’s duties is to assemble and monitor performance-tracking equipment for the Dodger pitchers during their bullpen sessions. However, his interest in baseball began at a young age, far away from Chavez Ravine.

“Born and raised in Japan, baseball was the number one sport, so that was something that I naturally fell in love with,” said Ireton.

When Ireton was 15 years old, he made the decision to move to the United States and pursue his passion to become a professional baseball player. In 2012, he played in the World Baseball Classic qualifiers for Team Philippines, which led to an opportunity to try out for the Texas Rangers.

When a playing career did not work out, Ireton interned for the New York Yankees. He then returned to Japan to work for a sports management company that connected him to the Dodgers organization.

After his interpreter’s role, Ireton worked for a year in the minor leagues as a player development coach for the Dodgers' Triple A affiliate in Oklahoma City until he had the opportunity to return to Los Angeles as the performance operations coordinator in 2020. 

The Dodgers have a huge presence in Japan that began with the success of former pitcher Hideo Nomo and continued to build when other Japanese players followed.

“Being able to see someone that you relate to, I think that’s very inspiring to see that happening, you know, giving a shot to people of Asian heritage working in baseball,” said Ireton.

Ireton continues to be an integral member of the Dodger organization as they play through the season.

“It’s been just an honor and pleasure just being part of this organization, so I’m hoping to continue to be here and to be able to do the best I can to support the coaches, players and staff,” said Ireton.