Full Circle on the Mound

From Beachwood to the big leagues, Brad Goldberg is helping shape the Cleveland Guardians — and representing something bigger on the world stage.

BY REBECCA MEISER

Brad Goldberg is used to working behind the scenes — shaping pitchers, studying data and helping build one of baseball’s most effective bullpens.

But this year, the Beachwood native stepped onto an international stage, serving as pitching coach for Team Israel in the 2026 World Baseball Classic while continuing his role as assistant pitching coach for the Cleveland Guardians.

For Goldberg, the experience wasn’t just about competition. It was about identity, responsibility and representing something bigger than the game.

From his early days growing up in Beachwood (class of 2008) to playing ball and coaching at The Ohio State University to the major leagues, and now the global stage, Goldberg’s path has been shaped by curiosity, connection and a deep commitment to the craft of pitching.

What does an assistant pitching coach actually do day to day that fans might not realize?

It’s a mix of staying calibrated with each of our guys, how ready they are, working on their delivery, and preparing for opponents. We’ll do scouting reports and collaborate with different domains.

You wear a lot of different hats, but mainly you’re supporting our pitching coach, Carl Willis -whatever he needs that day or that week. It can range from mechanics to game planning to making sure everything is set up for our staff to succeed.

When did you realize coaching might be your long-term path?

I started giving lessons as soon as I got drafted, mostly just to make ends meet. But then I started getting messages from parents saying their kid made varsity, or earned a scholarship. That was extremely rewarding.

Around the same time, the data revolution in baseball was really taking off, and I got curious. I started reading and trying to connect what I felt as a player with actual data and evidence. That really pulled me in.

I’m still in that mindset now, always trying to learn, adapt and find ways to help players get better.

I was a sociology major at Ohio State, and while I don’t use it in a technical sense, it helps with understanding people — when to push, when to intervene and when to give guys space. That’s a big part of coaching.

That mindset has carried into what’s been a big year for you — you just returned from serving as pitching coach for Team Israel at the World Baseball Classic. How did that opportunity come together?

I played for them in 2017 in the WBC. This year, Alon Leichman was supposed to be the pitching coach. But he got a job with the Colorado Rockies as their head pitching coach, and they didn’t want him leaving spring training for two weeks while trying to get a new system in place.

He called and said, ‘I think you’d be great for this.’ I said, ‘I’m interested,’ and then talked with Cleveland — the front office, our manager and pitching coach — and they were supportive. It was pretty quick.

Israel isn’t a traditional baseball powerhouse, but the team continues to compete at a high level. What’s behind that?

I think the team is galvanized by trying to make sure people realize that Jews are very resilient, and that we’re working to uplift and build baseball in Israel.

The players do a wonderful job representing that and making sure we’re seen in a positive light. We’re building something in Israel and for Jews all over the world — that we’re competitive, good teammates, and that the game is growing.

How different is it preparing for the World Baseball Classic versus a full MLB season?

Very different. You have limited time to build relationships with the players, and a lot of them are still ramping up for their regular season. The timing of the WBC — in February and March — isn’t always ideal for guys to be competing at that level.

At the same time, you’re there to win, that’s the priority. It becomes a balance of putting players in the best position to succeed while also not putting them in harm’s way. It was definitely eye-opening as a coach.

You’re constantly communicating with their organizations and agents, managing pitch counts, limiting innings — just being smart about their long-term careers. It’s a mix of letting them compete and show what they can do, while also protecting them.

Your win over Nicaragua secured automatic qualification for the next World Baseball Classic. How significant is that for the program?

That’s a huge goal every WBC, and we were very excited to secure that. But going forward, we’re trying to set our standards higher and move on.

I was lucky enough to be part of the team that advanced in 2017, but staying qualified does a lot for the (Israel) federation in terms of exposure. The goal now is to keep raising the bar and actually do some damage in the tournament.

You’ve been part of Team Israel as both a player and a coach. How has that experience evolved since 2017?

They’ve both been really positive.

I was almost reticent to play in 2017 at first, but my family convinced me to do it. My grandfather wasn’t in great health, and it was a huge deal to him. It ended up being a great decision.
I met so many great people and realized very quickly this wasn’t about myself.

That really hit me after pitching a few times, when people would just say, ‘Thank you,’ versus ‘good job’ or ‘you’ll get them next time.’ There’s a real appreciation.

That’s a huge reason I wanted to come back in a coaching role. If I’m able to help guys get better and be a resource for Jews and players, I want to be there. 

Baseball in Israel isn’t the biggest sport, even though it’s growing. There’s a small group of Jewish players who are able to play — and then choose to play —
so it’s a big deal. The more winning, exposure and positivity around Israel baseball, the better.

Can you walk me through a moment during this year’s Classic that really stuck with you?

The biggest moment was probably during the Nicaragua game. It was a 1–0 game, they had the bases loaded with one out, a really dangerous spot, and we turned a double play to get out of it.

It was really loud, a great atmosphere, and a huge play. You could see how fired up everyone was. It was a big momentum swing that led to a shutout win and gave us confidence going forward.

Did you face any negativity being there representing Israel?

None. MLB and the WBC did an elite job with security.

Was there a moment during the Classic where representing Israel — and your Jewish identity — really hit you personally?

Every time the (Israeli national) anthem “Hatikvah” came on — it’s a beautiful song. Seeing the stadium quiet and the respect in that setting, those are the moments where you realize this is different than a typical game.

Seeing the fans — and feeling the weight of it — was really special.

You also gain a greater appreciation for what people are going through. We were briefed a few times on what was happening in Israel, and while you see it on the news, hearing it from people with family there, wives, children, is pretty jarring.

It made me appreciate the people I’ve met and their stories, and just how real it is. My role is to be supportive to those around me.

Do you have a strong Jewish identity?

I was bar mitzvahed, and I’m proud to be Jewish, but I’m not the greatest practitioner.

Let me guess. Was the theme of your Bar Mitzvah: baseball? 

It sure was.

If you could go back and talk to your 13-year-old self in Beachwood, what would you tell him?

I’d say, keep being competitive. Maybe take school a little more seriously. But most importantly, keep pursuing what you love.

I actually went back and finished my degree at Ohio State after I got drafted, and I appreciated it so much more the second time around. You realize your education actually means something —
it’s not just a means to get drafted. Education will never go out of style. No one can take that away from you — and that’s something I’m really proud of.