Macon Bacon head coach Easton Waterman joins Miami Marlins; Daniel Duarte promoted

Waterman departs for Miami Marlins; Duarte takes over as Macon Bacon head coach

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Macon Bacon announced Tuesday head coach Easton Waterman will be leaving the team to join the Miami Marlins as their complex catching coach.

Assistant coach Daniel Duarte is being promoted to head coach, according to a team news release.

Waterman, who has led the Macon Bacon for the last two seasons, shared his excitement about his new role.

“The last two summers in Macon have been some of the most fun around the game of baseball I’ve ever had,” he said. “The relationships built during my time with both the players and staff in Macon is something I will cherish forever. I truly believe that Macon is one of the best places for summer baseball and that is a testimony to the loyalty of the Bacon fans and everyone who works so hard to make each summer an amazing experience. I will miss my time coaching for the Bacon but I am so excited for the opportunity ahead.”

Duarte said he’s excited for the opportunity to become a head coach, “especially for the Macon Bacon.”

“I am proud of Easton Waterman for continuing his dream in professional baseball with the Miami Marlins,” he said. “He is my closest friend, and it has been an incredible opportunity to coach alongside him and now see him continue to succeed in this industry. I am looking forward to the rest of this season and can’t wait to continue to work with these incredible young men. Go Bacon!”

Brandon Raphael, President of the Macon Bacon, praised both coaches.

“When you think about the college summer ball experience, most people associate the experience about the player development side,” he said. “But the coaches are in the same situation of getting that experience and development for themselves. We are so proud of what Easton has accomplished in his college coaching career and what he has done on and off the field for the Bacon. This is what college summer ball is all about and we are incredibly excited to watch him coach professionally with the Marlins. Additionally, I am incredibly excited to watch the team flourish under Coach Duarte’s leadership.”

The Bacon (1-8) are at Forest City (8-1) Tuesday night. They’ll host HP Thomasville (3-7) Wednesday night at 7.

To get your seats for upcoming games, visit maconbaconbaseball.com.