The Down East Bird Dawgs are adding a former East Carolina University pitcher and current Pirate Radio host to the 2025 staff.
The organization announced Wednesday that Danny Beal and five other pitchers have been signed to play in the inaugural season at Kinston’s Grainger Stadium. The Bird Dawgs are part of the Pioneer League, an MLB Partner League where players can sign a minor league contract with any professional team.
Beal, who hosts “The Danny Beal Show” on Pirate Radio’s YouTube page, will be on Thursday’s “Pirate Radio Live” to talk about the big news.
There are now 32 members on the team, including 15 pitchers.
According to the Bird Dawgs’ website, “Beal hails from Division I East Carolina University, where he spent all four years of his collegiate career pitching for the Pirates. As a freshman in 2021, Beal appeared in 15 games, posting a 2.25 ERA while striking out eight batters. He spent the summer of 2021 with the Woodstock River Bandits of the Valley League, appearing in seven games while holding an 8.36 ERA as he struck out 16 batters. During the 2022 season for ECU, Beal pitched in 30 games with two starts as he compiled a 5-2 record and 4.97 earned run average with 40 strikeouts against 21 walks in 38 innings. In the summer of 2022, he played for the Asheboro Zookeepers of the Coastal Plain League, making 10 appearances, including two starts, as he delivered a 3.33 ERA with 37 strikeouts and just five walks. For his Junior season for the Pirates in 2023, Beal appeared in a team-high 31 games all out of the bullpen, compiling a 6-2 record and 2.70 earned run average with 65 strikeouts and 12 walks in 53.1 innings of work en route to being named to the American Athletic Conference All-Tournament Team. Before his Senior year, Beal was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award Preseason Watch List and the Preseason All-AAC Team. Beal continued his strong work on the mound for his senior year at ECU in 2024 as he led the team with 35 appearances, holding an 8-2 record with a 3.38 ERA, collecting four saves, as he struck out 52 batters while walking 23 in 72 innings of work earning an All-AAC Second Team Selection.”
Click here to read more of the Bird Dawgs’ press release.
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