IE Pro Coaching Staff

Todd Clausen
Founder, Director of Player Development

Todd Clausen co-founded Inside Edge Baseball Academy in 2009 with a focus on applying his professional experience to youth athletes. Todd began working with professional athletes in 1994, first with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization as the director of strength and condition for the minor league teams. Then, in 1999, Todd served for 7 years as the Major League strength and condition coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

While working with players from the minor and major league baseball teams, Todd recognized the dedication that every coach gave to the players. If a player was selected to join the team, the coaches were expected to give everything possible to help that player reach their full potential.  When he retired from professional baseball, Todd wanted to create a baseball academy for youth played that provided the same level of dedication. To achieve this goal, Todd enlisted the help of Paul Quantrill, Eric Gagné, and Dave Silvestri–each of whom brought years of MLB experience to the academy.

Dave Silvestri
Player Development

One of the greatest shortstops ever to play for the Missouri Tigers during his career from 1986-88, Dave Silvestri, a native of St. Louis (Parkway Central), was a first-team all-American in 1987 and ’88, and was a member of the U.S. Olympic team that won the gold medal at the Seoul Summer Games in 1988. He was also all-Big Eight and all-District V in 1987-88, and was named to the Big Eight all-Tournament team in 1988. He appears in the top-10 of 29 all time statistical categories at MU, and his career batting average of .379 is fourth in school history. He still holds 10 game, season or career records for the Tigers. Drafted by the Houston Astros, he’s played at the major league level with the New York Yankees, Montreal Expos, Texas Rangers, Tampa Bay Rays, and Los Angeles Angels.  After his playing career, Dave was a manager in the Tampa Bay Rays organization and the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.

Paul Quantrill

Paul Quantrill made his Major League debut on July 20, 1992. Quantrill was a regular starter in the minors before finding his calling as a workhorse out of the bullpen in the Big Leagues. He regularly appeared in 80 or more games a season and led the Major Leagues in appearances 4 consecutive years, from 2001-2004. He earned a reputation for being very durable and having impeccable control. Commentators often joked that he had a “rubber arm”.

Over his long 14 year MLB career, Paul spent 6 years with the Toronto Blue Jays, 3 years with the Boston Red Sox, 2 years with the Philadelphia Phillies, 2 years each with the Yankees and Dodgers, and 1 year each with the Padres and Marlins. Paul was a 2001 American League All-star at Safeco Field in Seattle and he holds the New York Yankees record for games pitched in a season. Paul pitched in 86 games that season and will forever be alongside all the Yankee greats in the record books. Paul ended his career with an outstanding 3.83 ERA and currently ranks 37th in games pitched in MLB history. Paul’s 841 appearances eclipse Hall of Famer, Ferguson Jenkins, 664 games as the most all-time for a Canadian. Paul received his country’s greatest baseball honor, entering the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010 along with Toronto Blue Jay great Roberto Alomar. Paul has also represented his country on the international stage as a player at the 2006 World Baseball Classic and as pitching coach at the 2009 and 2013 World Baseball Classic. He currently serves as a coach for the Canadian Junior National Team.

Eric Gagné
Pitching Development

Signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent in 1995, Eric Gagné began his career as a starting pitcher. After he struggled in that role, the Dodgers converted Gagné from a starter to a reliever, where for three years (2002–2004) he was statistically the most outstanding closer in the game, winning the Cy Young Award in 2003. During that period, he set a major league record by converting 84 consecutive save opportunities. The phrase “Game Over” was heavily used by the Dodgers and the media in connection with his appearances to finish close games.