Jim Rooney

Jim Rooney is a lifelong baseball professional with over four decades of experience as a player, coach, scout, and development specialist. A former pitcher, he was selected 1st overall in the January 1981 draft by the Chicago Cubs and 7th overall in the June draft by the Baltimore Orioles, where he pitched from 1981–1985.

Jim has held coaching and leadership roles at the collegiate, professional, and international levels, including positions at Pace University, Rockland Community College, Plus One Fitness Clinics, Bologna Fortitudo (Italy), and the Somerset Patriots. His international experience includes championship seasons as pitching coach for Cardenales de Lara in Venezuela and Escogido of the Dominican Winter League.

From 2004–2018, Jim served with the Milwaukee Brewers as Minor League Pitching Coordinator and National Scouting Supervisor, contributing to the development and evaluation of over 100 MLB pitchers.

In 2019, he founded Rooney Baseball, where he specializes in player development, biomechanics, strength training, and injury prevention. Jim also hosts the podcast Toe the Rubber: Player Development for All Ages, sharing practical insight on long-term athletic development and is currently the Director of Player Development at the Players Athletic Club in Charlotte, NC.