Wake Forest University announced this week that Dan Valerio will lead the baseball program’s recruiting efforts as its new Director of Recruiting, a move aimed at strengthening the team’s talent pipeline.
Valerio, a North Carolina native with deep roots in the sport, brings a blend of professional scouting, collegiate coaching, and personal playing experience that the university believes will elevate its recruiting strategy.
A career built on scouting and development
Before joining Wake Forest, Valerio spent several years within the Detroit Tigers organization, first as a video coordinator and later as an assistant scouting director for Prep Baseball Report New Jersey, where he honed his ability to evaluate prospects across the Northeast.
His next stop was Rowan College of South Jersey–Gloucester, where he served as recruiting coordinator, overseeing talent identification and scholarship decisions for the school’s baseball program.
Valerio also accumulated extensive playing experience, having competed professionally with the Somerset Patriots, Windy City ThunderBolts and Eastside Diamond Hoppers, and he earned All‑Conference and NAIA All‑American honors during his collegiate career at Southeastern University.
He began his college journey at Gloucester Community College, where he was a two‑time All‑Region selection before transferring to Southeastern University, where he completed a bachelor’s degree, and later earned an associate degree from Gloucester Community College.
Looking ahead
Valerio expressed enthusiasm about the new role, noting that Wake Forest’s emphasis on player development and sustained success aligns with his own professional philosophy. He joins a program that has recently integrated advanced analytics tools such as TrackMan and Blast, technologies he says will enhance the scouting process and player evaluation.
University officials praised Valerio’s blend of analytical insight and hands‑on coaching, stating that his appointment reflects the program’s commitment to leveraging data‑driven strategies while maintaining a strong emphasis on character and work ethic.